'Bad promo leads to poor attendance'

'Bad promo leads to poor attendance'

Jakarta has hosted many arts performances, be them at a national
or international level. Among those is the 2004 Art Summit from
Sept. 11 to Oct. 10. The arts are considered an important form of
expression. The Jakarta Post talked to people about their
favorite arts events and venues in the capital.

Sugondo, 57, is a street vendor selling meatball soup in
Kebayoran Lama market, South Jakarta. He lives with his family in
Cipulir, also in South Jakarta:

When I still lived in my hometown of Brebes, Central Java, I
often watched wayang orang (shadow puppet) performances. I
enjoyed the chance of watching the shows at night. I still
remember the names of the puppet characters until today even
though I have lived in Jakarta for nearly 30 years.

I no longer go to shadow puppet shows now that I live in
Jakarta. Luckily some TV stations regularly air such performances
on weekends, which is a blessing.

However, with the wide choice of programs on TV, I now have
the chance to watch mystical shows, including Nyi Pelet and Joko
Tarub.

Lukman, 27, is a reporter with Rakyat Merdeka daily in
Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. He lives in Kemayoran, Central
Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

There are lots of arts events in the city, especially on
weekends. I personally don't like plays, but I do like music
performances.

Ever since I was in university, I have gone to the concerts of
popular Islamic singers, like Snada or Malaysian group Raihan.

Unfortunately, many of the concerts are not well promoted so
that only few people go to them. I think most arts events fail to
lure a huge crowd due to poor promotion.

-- The Jakarta Post