Boot scooting locals take to the dance floor<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Billy Ray Cyrus would be proud. Indonesians are lining up to
\ntry out the latest fad -- country music line dancing -- and the
\ntoe-tapping craze has established quite a foothold in the
\ncountry, organizers say.<\/p>\n
The growing number of line dancing enthusiasts is evident from
\nthe increasing membership at the Country Music Club of Indonesia
\n(CMCI), established two years ago. The club has more than 1,000
\nmembers spread across the country.<\/p>\n
It's not clear why line dancing is attracting more followers
\nthan ever before. Some attribute this to the relative popularity
\nof Indonesian Poco-poco line dancing, which originates from North
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
Many Indonesians love to dance the Poco-poco possibly because
\n-- just like line dancing in U.S. -- they do not need partners.
\nThe rhythm just begs people to dance.<\/p>\n
In addition to Poco-poco, others say the number of country
\nmusic programs on local TV have given people a taste for American
\ncountry line dancing, programs such as Country Roads on state
\nTVRI and later Go Country on Metro TV -- both hosted by music
\ngiant Tantowi Yahya.<\/p>\n
A number of local country bands have made a name for
\nthemselves, such as Ole Friends, the F2 (Fauzi and Fauzan) and
\nthe Green Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Tantowi has promoted line dancing through performances across
\nthe country, attracting more crowds, with some becoming members
\nof CMCI.<\/p>\n
Those who join CMCI have access to information on line
\ndancing, including venues and a list of dancing instructors.<\/p>\n
CMCI international and regional relations coordinator Kuntari
\nSoemardie said that first-time dancers were interested because
\nline dancing was a simple movement -- unlike ballroom dancing.<\/p>\n
\"As soon as dancers learn the basic steps, they can go
\ndancing,\" Kuntari, who is also a line dance instructor, told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Unlike local traditional dances, line dance is more for
\nsocializing and friendship, and a number of line dancing groups
\nhave been established.<\/p>\n
The growing number of people taking up line dancing has
\nprompted small-scale businessmen Hairul Subki and Esther Suryani
\nto open stores specializing in country-western costumes and
\naccessories -- called TY Western Wears -- one in Ratu Plaza,
\nSouth Jakarta, and the other on Jl. Dipati Ukur, Bandung, West
\nJava.<\/p>\n
According to Harul Subki, TY stands for Tantowi Yahya, whom he
\nconsiders to be a central figure in promoting line dancing and
\ncountry music in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The stores, which opened in 2002, provide all kinds of
\nimported and locally produced apparel and accessories for cowboys
\nand cowgirls, such as boots, hats, clothing, purses, bags,
\njackets and ties, with price tags ranging from Rp 150,000 (US$15)
\nto Rp 5 million.<\/p>\n
\"The response has been surprising,\" said Esther, adding that
\nmany line dancing groups ordered apparel and accessories from her
\nstores. \"It seems more and more people are taking up line
\ndancing,\"<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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