No special Valentine's Day events at malls

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Apart from giving chocolates and red roses to a loved one on Valentine's Day, a romantic candle-lit dinner at a fancy restaurant is also a favorite for young couples.

For other couples, hanging out at a mall is also a choice. But this year, very few malls are putting on special programs for Valentine's Day, which falls on Saturday.

The management of Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, for instance, has not arranged any sales but will welcome young couples with music played on a white grand piano and hand out free chocolates and long-stemmed red roses on Saturday at around midday.

Small red decorations adorn the plaza and some shops give discounts to lure customers.

Similarly, Plaza Indonesia on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, has only a small bazaar selling and displaying pink ornaments -- the only event related to Valentine's Day.

"We don't have any special event for Valentine's Day other than the bazaar next to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and some pink decorations just to get with the spirit," said Plaza Indonesia public relations executive Juliati on Friday, adding that there would be free balloons for visitors on Saturday at the information desk.

The atmosphere at Mal Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta, on the other hand, is tempting visitors with flowers and pink heart- shaped balloons to create a romantic mood. Other than that no particular event is being held there.

"The management doesn't coordinate special events but some boutiques have their own promotions for the day," the mall's advertising and public relations coordinator Dessy Tanumihardjo told The Jakarta Post.

Pasaraya Grande in Blok M, South Jakarta, is presenting Indonesian pop singer Tere on Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the eighth floor of the Theater building.

"But the concert is limited to members only. All 1,000 seats are fully reserved," said Pasaraya Grande public relations manager Dian Aggraini Zulkarnain.

Young couples who want to spend time in a more lavish way can enjoy a one-hour live performance by noted Malaysian singer Sheila Madjid at Hotel Mulia in Senayan, Central Jakarta, from 9:30 p.m. The hotel offers a package of one night's accommodation and entry to Madjid's show from Rp 1.8 million (US$214).

Grammy Awards winner singer Mariah Carey will perform at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan on Sunday at 4 p.m. and could be a perfect gift for your partner. The cheapest tickets on offer at Rp 500,000 are already sold out.