'Mall concerts would be a breakthrough'

'Mall concerts would be a breakthrough'

As expected from a modern capital, Jakarta hosts a relatively
large number of art events and performances, be they traditional
or modern arts. The capital also has numerous art venues that
regularly host events. A number of residents told The Jakarta
Post about their favorite performances and venues.

Haydar, 41, is a police detective at Jakarta Police
Headquarters:

I really love to see art performances once in a while. But the
problem is always finding the time in my busy schedule. I find it
sad that as a Jakarta resident, I have never seen a performance
at the Jakarta Playhouse.

I did try to see one performance there, a play starring the
talented Ria Irawan. But when I got there, all the tickets were
sold out. And I have never been back since.

I do like watching movies, but I rarely go to theaters. Me and
my family prefer watching movies at home.

Gregorius, 33, works as a storage supervisor for a company in
Kedoya, West Jakarta. He and his wife rent a house near his
office:

I am a big lover of classical music. But I think Jakarta has
very few places that can host classical music concerts, such as
the Jakarta Convention Center and the Jakarta Playhouse. We need
more venues with good acoustics if we want (classical) music to
be more popular among Jakartans.

If necessary, event organizers could bring concerts to malls
and shopping centers. That would be a breakthrough in promoting
classical music. Right now, I think people find it difficult to
get information on music recitals.

-- The Jakarta Post