'Dangdut' shows for Jakarta's anniversary
'Dangdut' shows for Jakarta's anniversary
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta administration is set to celebrate the city's 476th
anniversary with a wide range of activities, including dangdut
(traditional folk music with Indian influences) shows across the
city and traditional Betawi musical performances at the Jakarta
Fair in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Saturday.
On five large stages in each of the city's five municipalities
will host dangdut shows that are expected to attract large
crowds. All the shows will be free of charge.
Rhoma Irama, who has been jeered for his critical view of
fellow dangdut singer Inul Daratista, is scheduled to perform at
the Blok S soccer field in South Jakarta.
Rhoma, long acknowledged as the "king of dangdut", earlier
whined that Inul's trademark gyrating hip dance, popularly known
as ngebor (the driller), was morally reprehensible and overly
sexually tempting, and therefore a negative influence on the
nation, but the statement simply made Inul even more popular.
Other stages are located at the plaza of the City Hall in
Central Jakarta, Arion Plaza in East Jakarta, Sukapura field in
North Jakarta and the Daan Mogot Mall in West Jakarta.
Governor Sutiyoso is scheduled to initiate a morning ceremony
on Saturday at 7 a.m. in Monas park, Central Jakarta, where he
will give his speech on the city's anniversary in front of some
15,000 employees of the city administration. Noted local movie
actor Deddy Mizwar will read one version of the history of
Jakarta.
The Jakarta Fair 2003 in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, will
present the "Betawi Night Market", featuring traditional Betawi
musical performances such as keroncong Tugu, gambang kromong and
cokek.
Television soap opera actors and actresses will also spice up
the festivities at the fairground when they perform a musical
with a theme concerning Jakarta.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol recreation park in North Jakarta, will
also host dangdut performances until the wee hours. A display of
fireworks is scheduled in Ancol for 10 p.m.
Ancol will also exempt visitors from entrance fees on Sunday
as a part of the city's anniversary celebration.
Furthermore, during the actual date of the city's anniversary
on Sunday, the governor is scheduled to deliver a speech to a
plenary session of the City Council in the morning to mark the
anniversary.
Meanwhile, in spite of the planned celebrations, the public
remains critical of the city's endemic problems, including
garbage disposal, annual floods and poor public transportation.
"The fact that I was born here does not blind me from seeing
that this city is very disorderly and absolutely not an ideal
place to live, while its governor keeps making questionable
decisions and projects not for the 'advantage' of the citizens,"
said Bambang, 32, who works at a private bank on Jl. Sudirman in
South Jakarta. Water -- Page 8
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Jakarta 476th anniversary event schedule
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Date Venue Event
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June 21 7 p.m. Jakarta Fair Betawi Night Market
June 21 8 p.m. Blok S Soccer Field Music by Rhoma Irama
June 21 8 p.m. Arion Plaza Music by Dorce
June 21 8 p.m. Sukapura Field Music by Cici Paramida
June 21 8 p.m. Daan Mogot Mall Music by Vivi Effendi
June 21 8 p.m. Plaza City Hall Music by PAMMI
June 21 8 p.m. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Music by various artists
June 21 10 p.m. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Fireworks
June 22 7 p.m. Jakarta Fair Music by the Fly,
Smesta and Bungakama
Source: The Jakarta International Trade Festival and city
administration
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