Country line dancing becoming a hit in RI

Country line dancing becoming a hit in RI
OR
Boot scooting locals take to the dance floor

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Billy Ray Cyrus would be proud. Indonesians are lining up to
try out the latest fad -- country music line dancing -- and the
toe-tapping craze has established quite a foothold in the
country, organizers say.

The growing number of line dancing enthusiasts is evident from
the increasing membership at the Country Music Club of Indonesia
(CMCI), established two years ago. The club has more than 1,000
members spread across the country.

It's not clear why line dancing is attracting more followers
than ever before. Some attribute this to the relative popularity
of Indonesian Poco-poco line dancing, which originates from North
Sulawesi.

Many Indonesians love to dance the Poco-poco possibly because
-- just like line dancing in U.S. -- they do not need partners.
The rhythm just begs people to dance.

In addition to Poco-poco, others say the number of country
music programs on local TV have given people a taste for American
country line dancing, programs such as Country Roads on state
TVRI and later Go Country on Metro TV -- both hosted by music
giant Tantowi Yahya.

A number of local country bands have made a name for
themselves, such as Ole Friends, the F2 (Fauzi and Fauzan) and
the Green Cowboys.

Tantowi has promoted line dancing through performances across
the country, attracting more crowds, with some becoming members
of CMCI.

Those who join CMCI have access to information on line
dancing, including venues and a list of dancing instructors.

CMCI international and regional relations coordinator Kuntari
Soemardie said that first-time dancers were interested because
line dancing was a simple movement -- unlike ballroom dancing.

"As soon as dancers learn the basic steps, they can go
dancing," Kuntari, who is also a line dance instructor, told The
Jakarta Post.

Unlike local traditional dances, line dance is more for
socializing and friendship, and a number of line dancing groups
have been established.

The growing number of people taking up line dancing has
prompted small-scale businessmen Hairul Subki and Esther Suryani
to open stores specializing in country-western costumes and
accessories -- called TY Western Wears -- one in Ratu Plaza,
South Jakarta, and the other on Jl. Dipati Ukur, Bandung, West
Java.

According to Harul Subki, TY stands for Tantowi Yahya, whom he
considers to be a central figure in promoting line dancing and
country music in Indonesia.

The stores, which opened in 2002, provide all kinds of
imported and locally produced apparel and accessories for cowboys
and cowgirls, such as boots, hats, clothing, purses, bags,
jackets and ties, with price tags ranging from Rp 150,000 (US$15)
to Rp 5 million.

"The response has been surprising," said Esther, adding that
many line dancing groups ordered apparel and accessories from her
stores. "It seems more and more people are taking up line
dancing,"