Jakarta youths rehearse for 2000
By Ingrid Maack
JAKARTA (JP): As the millennium draws closer, people are busy with activities to observe the event. For the MTV generation there seems to be no other way to celebrate it than by partying.
Over 8,000 Indonesian MTV viewers packed into Jakarta's Bengkel Night Park on Saturday night for MTV's Millennium Rehearsal Party. The Nyala-Nyala Noceng (Flame of 2,000) event was the first of three planned premillennial parties being hosted by MTV Southeast Asia in the lead up to the millennium. It's purpose is to build excitement and provide entertainment for Jakarta's youth.
Dressing to the theme of MTV's black and white logo, Jakarta's youth glowed under a strobe lighting display and danced to the tunes of local artists Wong Neo, Dunia Kecil, Netral, Melly Manuhutu, Thomas Djorghi, The Groove, Noin Bullet and Batere.
According to MTV Southeast Asia associate director of marketing & communications Daniel Tumiwa, the three rehearsal parties are the solution to the logistical nightmare of organizing a New Years Eve party.
"There is an expectation that MTV will throw a big party, but its going to be hard to pull off a big celebration at the end of the year. There will never be a big enough party to accommodate everyone's needs or expectations, so this is our solution," he said.
Henny, a 21-year-old student from Jakarta's Trisakti University, believes the millennium rehearsal parties are a fantastic idea. "I still don't know how I will celebrate the millennium, but I think everyone is determined to have the night of their life this New Years Eve," she said.
Henny admits that while she and most of her friends have high expectations for New Years Eve, she suspects it might be a bit of an anticlimax. "I am having a great night tonight anyway, and I plan to come to the next two parties," she said from the dance floor.
With similar events planned for the first weekends of October and November, MTV's Millennium Rehearsal parties are only expected to get bigger and better.
Saturday night was also the launch of MTV's Millennium passport campaign. This umbrella campaign has the theme of "What haven't you done before the millennium?", giving the term New Year's Resolution a whole new meaning. MTV is encouraging viewers to join in on the millennium madness capturing the world by doing something out of the ordinary or beyond our usual comfort zone.
The Millennium passport point system -- including gold, silver and bronze levels -- entitles viewers to various discounts at sponsored food and retail outlets, and entry into a final draw with the chance of winning a Harley Davidson (XL sporster 883 Custom year 2000 series) motorbike.