New dance group to take the stage

JAKARTA (JP): A new modern dance company is to officially open on its premier performance Friday evening, the first of a two-day show at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ), Central Jakarta.

It will feature Chendra Effendy, Farida Oetoyo, Yudistira Syuman and Wied Sendjayani staging their choreographies to the music of an eight-member group headed by composer Wong Aksan, drummer of the famous alternative-rock group, Dewa 19.

Kreativitat -- Dance Indonesia, led by GKJ chairwoman Farida Oetoyo -- comprises artists who have studied dance or music in Germany. Noted choreographer Linda Hoemar Abidin is acting as the consultant audience development. Artist Teguh Ostentrik is also involved in the production.

Choreographies planned for the performance are Chendra's Asa, Farida's Kontras, Yudistira's Lullaby and Wied's Ejeg Eler.

The principal dancers are Aprida Darmawansjah, Christine Tjahyono, Mira Tedja, Sita Kristina and Chendra Effendy while guest dancers are Yetty Maika, Henry Jones, Bianca Sere Pulungan, Sekar Arum Nirmala and Stella Marissa.

Wied, who is a guest choreographer, runs the Maniratari dance school in Surakarta.

Farida said that during one of her visits there she saw the school and was really impressed by the dedication of Wied's young students.

"They all looked giggly and childish and the surroundings of the sanggar (school) looked so bad... at first I was turned off," Farida said.

"But then, they danced. It was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. I knew then that they had to perform at our premiere performance."

She said that auditions for new dancers would be held before Kreativitat's next project, which is still unscheduled. (ylt)