The Second Jakarta Tango Festival

 The First Jakarta Tango Festival

It was by no means a successful event considering that the Jakarta Tango Club is relatively new in the world of tango. Workshops and private lessons with the stars of FOUR SEASONS headed by Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo together with Paola Jean Jean and Nicolas Cobos & Ana Padron and Diego Blanco were well attended. By all indications, Jakarta is ready to join mainstream tango in Southeast Asia.

The Jakarta Tango Club opened the festival with a welcome milonga for the visiting stars   at the W9 Club. It was a highly energized event as everyone from the tango scene from the aficionados to the club officers, the organizers and the stars themselves were all present to witness this grand celebration.

It was the first time everyone saw how much progress has been made since Ogie Mendoza and Stefani K. came to Jakarta back in 2006 upon the invitation of IODI president Bunda Usye Hakim to teach tango in the metropolis. The duo has since been frequenting Jakarta to assist in the formation of the Jakarta Tango Club by spear-heading workshops and private lessons as well as develop local teachers who can carry on the torch to keep tango aflame in the city.

The welcome party was a testament to this achievement. The club officers came in full force headed by its president: Ms Maria Lukito, vice president: Rony Wongkar, Secretary: Ayu Hakim who was represented by her mum Bunda Usye, Treasurer: Melsiana Tjakarta and PRO: Linda Haliman.

The organizing committee headed by Ms. Ina Symmonds and Chuvanes Melia were also present to join in the celebration.

Spotted in the crowd were hard core tangueros Cindy Sondakh, Mulyono, Itang, Susan Nunik Cole, Cris Widyobobo, Nela, Mama Mary, Calissa Sondakh and many more…

Ogie Mendoza made a very nice introductory speech reminding everyone, that it takes commitment to make things happen as he enjoined tangueros to support the milongas week after week, as he emceed the proceedings. He then called on the stars to do a dance demonstration, sort of a sneak preview of what they are about to see tomorrow to the delight of the audience.

The following day, everyone was hyped up ready for the main event as FOUR SEASONS goes onstage at the fabulous Four Seasons Hotel. The party started at 6:30 pm with an opening cocktail as guests started to arrive early in the evening. . Early birds Ambassador Javier Sanz de Urquiza with wife Cecilia together with Stefani K., were seen huddled in one corner drinking champagne. Also spotted was Kevin who was looking dashing in his batik outfit as he exchanged pleasantries with beautiful belles Miranda from Bali, Nella from Paris and Bridgette. Ade Kadir, the empress of Grand Canyon came in a stunningly beautiful black outfit as she greeted friends who are regular habitués of her place. People from the diplomatic corps and some VIPs from the business world were seen chatting and talking business. Hundreds of other guests came in a combined effort of Tatler Indonesia, Bakari Indonesia, Treasures of Indonesia, Embassy of Argentina and the Jakarta Tango Club making the event well attended.

The mounting tension was evident from the faces of the technical staff and the artists as they get ready for the presentation moments later.

By 7:00 pm the doors were opened as guests headed to their respective tables. Women in shimmering, gorgeous outfits, men in dashing suits highlighted the evening’s dress code. It was class and elegance all over.

 The stage was magnificently designed with two large video screens on both sides. The FOUR SEASONS Jakarta presentation is a nice way of capping a month-long tour of Southeast Asia as the group end on a high note in this fully charged gathering. FOUR SEASONS toured Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Bali in that order.

 Ogie Mendoza was tasked to host the event. He gave specific reference to the Argentinean ambassador Javier Sanz de Urquiza who came with his lovely wife and some special guest from the diplomatic corps. The good ambassador was asked to come up the stage to give a short speech and thanked the people who made this event possible.

Ogie also noted that the event is but part of the Indonesian Tango Week in conjunction with the national day celebration of the Embassy of Argentina to promote tango in the archipelago. That the Indonesian Tango week is a twin celebration of sorts, where Tango Bali club celebrates its 3^rd anniversary founding while Jakarta Tango club launches the first Jakarta Tango Festival to join mainstream tango in Southeast Asia.

The organizing committee headed by Ina Symmonds was also presented but declined to give any speech ditto with Ms. Maria Lukito who was presented a token of appreciation by the ambassador and Ms. Symmonds for Tatler’s contribution to make the event possible.

Soon after dinner was served as guests were treated to a sumptuous sit down dinner the Four Seasons kitchen has prepared. Argentinean beef combined with Argentinean red wine from Mendoza topped the menu. It was a superb dinner everyone really enjoyed.

Soon after, guests were seen enjoying the performance keeping everyone enthralled with the magnificent presentation of FOUR SEASONS as Fernanda and Guillermo’s company regaled them with their sinuous and flawless numbers that lasted a little more than an hour. Guests were seen in total awe as they marvel at the group’s fantastic ability in delineating stylized choreography that suited every musical piece presented. It was a world class act for a world class audience.

As the show finished, the audience gave the group a resounding applause in appreciation of a job well done. People were inspired. Everyone was happy and satisfied. It was a night worth remembering as Ogie reminded everyone that the Jakarta Tango Club is just waiting for them to come and join the tango bandwagon.

The technical staff and the artists were all beaming with pride and joy as they capped a beautiful and magnificent performance that will long be remembered. Even Ms. Ina Symmonds was extremely happy with the turn out of the event. She was already looking forward to the presentation next year but this time with longer preparation, so she says.

Tango has just begun and the Jakarta Tango Club will carry on with its objective to keep tango aflame in the metropolis.

Finally it has arrived.

Welcome the Jakarta Tango Club.

See you again next year for the 2^nd Jakarta Tango Festival.

                                        First Milonga in Jakarta kicks off

Despite the heavy rains and the flash floods of Friday, the Chinese New Year milonga, which is suppose to be the first ever milonga in the metropolis turned out to be a huge success. Although not the all tango gathering that characterizes such an event, everyone who attended were satisfied with the outcome of the party.

It was a mixed crowd of ballroom dancers and tango die hards who all came to listen to the fantastic music of the Medusa band, one of the more popular Latin bands in the city which plays very good Latin stuffs. The Medusa band once again gave their best as they dished out pulsating rhythms one after the other to the delight of their followers.

During breaks, tango was played prominently and “tangueros” braved the dance floor to show their passion for the dance. We saw Mulyono, a very good tango nuevo dancer from Bandung together with erstwhile partner, the ever beauteous Cindy Sondakh swayed and glided in coordinated rhythm. Neil and Ion, supposed to be the tango stalwarts in the city came with their tango friends, Shirley, Nuniek and company. The very glamorous Maria Lukito came with her hubby after attending two wedding parties but stayed on for a while. Grand Canyon empress Ade Kadir was there to lend her support for the event. She was seen quietly sat in one corner enjoying the company of Cindy and friends. Calissa Sondakh, Mama Mary and Richard were huddled in one table as they took turns dancing tango and milonga. Tango expats, Betsy , Nellia and Iddy, all Americans and Nel, came to give their support. It was a surprise to see KL tanguera Cationa, who was in town for a business meeting, came up to join in the fun as well. Kevin-come-lately came towards the latter part of the evening but still managed to enjoy himself. Better late than never. Melsiana, looking very sweet and gentle also came with her circle of friends and were seen happily dancing the night away despite the heat. Another visitng tangueros are Ms. Nurdi Diah from Singapore and Jake Trillanes from Bangkok. Both purposely flew in to attend the week-end tango activities.

The event also coincided with the soft-launching of the newly formed Jakarta Tango Club. Visit www.tangojakarta.com.

The Chinese New Year milonga came out festive yet elegant because of the understated elegance of the venue called Salon Rouge. It is housed in Cantina restaurant at Wijaya 9 in Kebayoran Baru.  Ms. Dorothy Poon, who owns the place, made this event possible for everyone.

Need we see more milongas happening in Jakarta? Certainly you will.

See you again for the next milonga!