New entertainment hall opens next week

JAKARTA (JP): A state-of-the-art entertainment center, which will feature a mixture of entertainment, will be opened on Jl. Sudirman on July 3, the center's deputy general manager said yesterday.

The new hangout place for youth, called Bengkel (Workshop) Nightpark, Anton Wirjono said, will include a discotheque, music cafe, karaoke center, restaurant and concert hall at night. During the day, it can be turned into a basketball court for three-on-three basketball.

"We want this place to be the trendsetter of entertainment, which will improve continually," Anton said. "We will include innovative decor, from multimedia and scaffolding, to big screens.

"With the name Bengkel, we will always make the place look like it's under construction to make our guests curious about new innovations," he said.

Bengkel is housed in a 11,000-square-meter, pyramid-like building that has three floors. The first floor has a food court, a big stage for concerts and an area that can accommodate more than 6,000 people. The second floor is for specialized discotheques and cafes. One can find classic disco, acid jazz, Top-40 music, house music and live music cafes on this floor. On the third floor there are 18 karaoke rooms of various sizes. The biggest one can accommodate around 40 people.

"People wanting varying tastes in entertainment can find what they are looking for here. People will not be bothered by each other in their specialized rooms," said Anton, who also promised to import top DJs from abroad.

The center is also equipped with a 60,000-watt sound system from Nesco Alpha, and 260 state-of-the-art lights and several laser beams from Martin, which has handled lighting for Michael Jackson concerts. All of which is handled by three computerized controllers.

Anton said that more than Rp 10 billion (US$4.4 million) was invested into the entertainment center, but refused to name the investors. "This place is managed by PT Padmaraga Pratama Indonesia. I'm sorry that I can't say more about the people behind it."

On opening night, Bengkel will hold a concert starring singer Dewi Gita, Elfa's singers and the young, shooting-star rock group Dewa 19. Beautiful MTV host Nadya Hutagalung will be the host of the gala. (35)