Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Agency collaborates with Jakarta International Contemporary Dance Festival to hold virtual event called 'Jakarta Mari Menari' (Jakarta, Let's Dance) in commemorating 76th Indonesia's Independence Day on August 19-20, 2021.

Hopefully, in the future, there will be more events and collaborations to develop creativity in community

The series of Jakarta Mari Menari event include Dance-Talk on August 19 and 20, 2021 at 10:00-12:00 with theme 'Dance and Social Media' and 'Dance and Pop Culture'.

Discussion will be held via Zoom and broadcast through Jakarta Parekraf Agency's youtube. It invited speakers from dance observers, content creators, influencers, professional dancers such as Rusdy Rukmarata, Kennya Rinonce, Bowo Alpenliebe, and others.

Jakarta Mari Menari event will also hold workshop on August 19 with Siko Setyanto, a professional dancer and choreographer as well as Jakarta Art Council's Dance Committee member.

Moreover, there is also workshop for professional dancers, members, and art studios managers in Jakarta on August 20, 2021, with theme of 'Body and Space' which will be delivered by Josh Marcy, a dancer, choreographer, and member of Jakarta Arts Council's Dance Committee. Both workshops start from 13:00 to 15:00.

In order to enliven Independence Day, JICON Dance Fest and Jakarta Parekraf Agency will also hold dance competition which is open for public and professional with total prize of 10 millions rupiah.

Anyone can participate in this virtual dance competition. They just need to dance at home and upload it to their social media. The best dancers chosen by jury will receive prizes from Jakarta Parekraf Agency. The dance competition is open from August 16 until September 5, 2021. Winners will be announced on September 12, 2021.

Jakarta Parekraf Agency Acting Head (Plt), Gumilar Ekalaya stated, this activity is held as a form of participation in celebrating 76th Indonesian Independence Day.

"Hopefully, in the future, there will be more events and collaborations to develop creativity in community," he mentioned, Wednesday (8/18).

He explained that Jakarta Parekraf Agency supported 'Jakarta Mari Menari' virtual dance event and appreciated committees who consistently synergized to generate creative activities in the midst of pandemic situation.

"This event is also a form of support from Jakarta Parekraf Agency towards development of creative economy sub-sector, namely performing arts," he added.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Arts Council's Dance Committee Chairperson, Yola Yulfianti stated, through Jakarta Mari Menari event and spirit of independence, she expected dance can be a medium to express and generate optimism for all audiences in dealing with this pandemic situation.

"We want to foster optimism as well as to entertain public," she closed.