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                                WARWICK ‘DOES RIGHT’ BY JAKARTA

Jakarta music lovers had a rare opportunity, when a world-class pop star, who won five Grammy Awards, Dionne Warwick, came to sing a 15-song set on Wednesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. in the Cendrawasih Room, Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). 

The promoter of the concert, Tommy Pratama from Original Production, secured Warwick during in her World Tour 2003 that runs from February to November. According to Pratama, who also coordinated Warwick’s tour in Southeast Asian countries, Warwick had a date in Singapore, but the concert was cancelled because of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak. 

Pratama also promoted, among others, concerts featuring Yngwie Malmstein, Scorpions, Roxette and Megadeth in Jakarta. He admitted that the market of Warwick’s concert is segmented. “The gross ticket sales is 70 percent or around 1,000 tickets,” he said. The ticket price ranges from $42 (U.S.) for Class II to $122 for VVIP Class. The ticket for VVIP and VIP class ($98) include cocktails. The audience was mostly 35- to 50-year-old prosperous Jakartans and a large number of expatriates. “VVIP and VIP Class seats are the most saleable,” Pratama said. 

There were 12 concerts held at in 2002, making up about 3% of the 391 events held at JCC. The international artists included Modjo, Rick Wakeman, Bond, Deep Purple and Diana Krall. In 2003, there have been four concerts of international artists so far. 

Warwick’s show that cost $121,951 to produce, and Original Production worked with EC Production for the first time. Most concerts in Indonesia are sponsored by cigarette industries, but the main sponsor for Warwick’s concert was Samsung Electronics. Other sponsors included Hella, Pioneer and Hotel Borobudur Jakarta. The merchandise was handled by Warwick’s management while food and beverage was handled by JCC. 

The Cendrawasih Room was shifted into a theater style that can, depending on configuration, seat 2,000. JCC has been the venue for local and international exhibitions, concerts and conference as well. “In terms of indoor event banquets, JCC can be said [to be] the largest venue in Jakarta,” said Mirtha Sari, the executive public relations officer of JCC. Promoters like Java Musikindo, Original Production, and other event organizers book the venue. JCC has in-house kitchen, “We have a snack bar that sells food and drink when the event takes place in JCC,” said Sari. Recently, JCC held the 2003 Consumer Electronic Expo from May 28 to June 1. Operette Cinderella is scheduled June 14-15. Jakarta Convention Center is solely managed by PT (Limited Corporation) Graha Sidang Pratama. — Wahyuni Kamah 
Interviewed for this story: Tommy Pratama +62 21 72794423; Mirtha Sari +62 21 572 65 33