'Filling the Void' short story reading

JAKARTA (JP): While Indonesian cafes (the warung kopi) often serve as venues for conversational story-telling, entertainment at restaurants of today tends to be dominated by music played much too loudly for audible conversation.

Filling the Void, today at 8 p.m. at The Stage, will feature story-telling at a modern warung kopi. Debra H. Yatim will read her own short stories, which will be continued by Bret Galloway's reading of his short stories and some German poetry.

A selection of multi-lingual poetry will be distributed to the audience in the hopes that they will be inspired to try out their own readings. People are of course encouraged to bring in their favorite selections. The session will not be limited to literature, but also to other forms of art. Musicians, fine artists and performing artists are also welcome to join.

Debra Yatim was a member of The Jakarta Post editorial board for a few years after its inception in 1983. She was also host of 93.5 Trijaya FM's Friday morning radio talk show on cultural issues and events. Her short story, Sang Patokan (The Raison d'Etre), won the Kompas short story contest commemorating its 25th anniversary in 1990.

Bret Galloway, a "cultural nomad" originally from the U.S., is currently on sabbatical in Indonesia to complete his novel.

Both are members of The Circle, a loose organization of people from all walks of life, cultures and interests. The group regularly meets at The Stage on Sundays for coffee and discussions in an effort to foster and enhance the arts.