Anniversary joy peaks at Senayan<\/p>\n
By Johannes Simbolon and Yoko N. Sari<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): They came from all over town. Most did not know
\neach other, could even be foes, either in real life, or in their
\npolitical convictions. But last night they became one, bound by a
\nsingle objective: To participate in the Golden Indonesian
\nPeople's Party at the east parking lot of Senayan, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
A crowd of around 200,000 created a breathtaking sight last
\nnight. Everybody was wearing the red and white scarves and ties
\ndistributed by the government. Pride was apparent in their faces.
\nThe pride of wearing the colors that symbolize the country's
\nflag.<\/p>\n
The show, opened by Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, began
\nwith a spectacular display of colorful lasers from Visual Effect
\nand Monumental Imagery Production ECA2 of France. The company is
\nwell known for the displays it has put on at the Grand Opening of
\nEuro Disney, the Olympic Games and the Eiffel Tower Centenary.
\nBesides the spectacular effects, a dancing laser show, impressive
\nsky beams and top class fireworks were also presented. A special
\nstage measuring 80 meters long, 40 meters wide and 27 meters high
\nwas built for the laser, sky beams and firework show entitled
\nFanfare Rayuan Pulau Kelapa.<\/p>\n
The laser and projection displays were followed by a dance
\nentitled Semarak Merah Putih presented by 50 dancers whose only
\naccompaniment was the sound of the beating of drums.<\/p>\n
An unexpected surprise came after the dance, when the voice of
\nIndonesia's first president, Soekarno, was heard through giant
\nloudspeakers, reading the proclamation of independence text.<\/p>\n
Everyone fell suddenly silent, paying their utmost attention
\nto the charismatic voice of the late proclaimer of independence.<\/p>\n
Then it was party time again, with a around 100 performers,
\nsingers and musicians and 600 dancers taking turns to delight the
\ncrowd on the 20 meter wide and 40 meter long stage lighted by
\nlights with the combined power of 160,000 watts. Three giant
\nballoons and four equally giant cones decorated the back stage,
\nfrom where the laser beams and fireworks were shot at intervals
\nduring the whole event. Pictures were projected onto the balloons
\nand cones to accompany the songs presented by the artists on the
\nfront stage.<\/p>\n
All the singers, accompanied by Purwacaraka orchestra,
\npresented their top hit songs. Rapper Iwa K presented his
\nLihatlah Ke Jalan, Topeng and Debat; Ebiet G. Ade sang his Berita
\nKepada Kawan; Ita Purnamasari sang her Cintaku Padamu and Yuni
\nShara presented Mengapa Tiada Maaf.<\/p>\n
King of dangdut Rhoma Irama, created a spectacular sight when
\nhe came onto the stage on a white horse. Clad in white with a
\nlong red shawl, he reminded the audience of his role in the movie
\nSatria Bergitar. Rhoma sang 185 Juta, the same hit which he used
\nto open the dangdut show in the former Ancol circuit last week.<\/p>\n
Other singers, including rockers Nicky Astria and Achmad
\nAlbar, as well as Gito Rollies, Doel Sumbang and the group Gong
\n2000, all received warm applause from the audience. Many of the
\nmen in the audience took off their shirts, raised their hands and
\nsang along with their favorite singers. They also threw empty
\nplastic bottles into the air, but apart from that, the event was
\nnot marred by any incident.<\/p>\n
And, true to its name, last night's Golden Indonesian People's
\nParty was a party for all. Everybody, including food vendors,
\nchess game organizers and others with an entrepreneurial spirit.<\/p>\n
Around 30 chess game organizers operated around the show
\narena, offering their games for use for Rp1,000.<\/p>\n
\"Playing chess while listening to the music is fun,\" explained
\nSirait, one of the organizers.<\/p>\n
He added that there was no lack of buyers last night.<\/p>\n
Basuki, a university student from Klender, East Jakarta, had
\nanother idea. He collected the free red and white scarves and
\nties distributed by the show organizer at the entrance with the
\nintention of selling them at Rp 500 each.<\/p>\n
\"Not a bad idea. At least I can buy some mosquito repellent,\"
\nhe explained.<\/p>\n
Basuki, a fan of Yuni Shara, said the show was a great idea,
\nbut, \"Will the gap between the rich and the poor be settled with
\nthis party?\"<\/p>\n
Sartono, a contractor who came with his wife and small
\nchildren on a motorbike, had no time to ponder such questions. He
\nsimply came to see his favorite singer, Yuni Shara.<\/p>\n
The show, which was aired live by the private-sector
\ntelevision station SCTV, was also covered by Channel (V) of Hong
\nKong, which plans to broadcast it to 53 countries on Aug. 17.<\/p>\n
The show was closed by Gebyar Gebyar, a song of the popular
\ncomposer Gombloh, presented by all the artists and dancers and
\nMinister\/State Secretary Moerdiono.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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