'Dangdut' singers most popular attraction at Jakarta Fair

JAKARTA (JP): The most popular form of entertainment at the ongoing Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran appears to be a favorite of low-middle income groups, the Dangdut singers.

It is quite reasonable, as the night fair -- held for one month in conjunction with the commemoration of the city's anniversary, which falls on June 22 -- has been designed as an entertainment and promotion center.

The fair is organized by the Jakarta Fair Foundation, which was founded in 1968 by then city governor Ali Sadikin, and took place at the National Monument (Monas) square in front of Merdeka Palace.

In 1992, the fair moved to its current location, the former site of the domestic airport in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

No less than five companies are participating in the fair, which performs Dangdut nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The fair, which has attracted thousands of spectators, is scheduled to end tomorrow.

No longer performed by an orchestra, as was the case in past fairs, the live show now features only a singer accompanied by recorded Dangdut music.

However, the thunderous and cheerful music combined with sensual dancing lady singers attracted a bigger crowd than in previous years. Dangdut is apparently an effective and inexpensive form of entertainment and means of promotion.

"We perform Dangdut every night here to make our stand lively and to elicit response from visitors (to purchase products)," a stand attendant who works for a dried nuts producer told The Jakarta Post.

Yulia, the Dangdut singer who performed at the nuts stand, seemed to be effective in attracting a crowd. Her sensual dancing movements drew hundred of visitors to the stall.

Inviting spectators to dance together with her on stage, Yulia appeared enthusiastic. She danced with a man wearing shorts and a shirt.

Slamet, the man who danced with Yulia, was encouraged by the audience's applause.

Renny, another singer, sang Dangdut songs at a stand selling instant noodles and biscuits at the fair compound. Wearing a tight red costume, she danced and sang erotically,

She was singing and dancing alone on the stage in rhythm with the recorded Dangdut music, but she drew about 100 visitors to her stand, which featured corn-based products.

Another stand -- selling soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes -- employed five dwarfs to dance on stage. They were also dancing to recorded Dangdut music.

The crowd mostly consisted of parents who brought their children to the fair.

Yulia told the Post that her pay was about Rp 100,000 (US$43) for every show. (kod)