15 NOVEMBER 1962 HJte American le JAARGANG No. 7
SELAMATAN OCTOBER 20
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Photos: From I. to r.: Mr. en Mrs. WBlome, Lucille Richards,
Edith Attinger, MrTheMr. Awaloedin, Mrs. WatsonMarsha
Hunt, John van Buur enLilian Ducelle.
Right: Marsha Hunt- making her speech. Tjalie Robinson listening.
The American Tong-Tong presented itself to the greater public
with a "Selamatan" (a welcome-party in Indonesian courtesy-
style) on October 20. The interest for this party proved to be
enormous. Only 500 guests alas (the maximum for Polonia Hall)
could be admitted (though approximately another 100 people
sneaked in somehow!) and hundreds of other sympathizers had
to be turned down. Next time a far bigger hall should be hired!
The Selamatan did not run as smoothly
as planned. Unforeseen causes brought much
discomfort for the crowds, but here the
Dutch-Indonesians showed one of their best
sides: nobody complained, a good and
jolly order was maintained, the humour was
excellent. There were many "top-guests".
Marsha Hunt made a much applauded
speech. Lucille Richards was there of course.
And Mr. W. Blome of the Dutch Consulate.
The Indonesian-American Society was repre
sented by Mr. Monroe Swectland, the Inter
national Institute by Mrs. Watson. For the
group of Indonesian students in America
Mr. Awaloedin and Mr. The came to the
Selamatan and San Diego's "DURF" was
represented with a very fine serimpi dancing
group and a great many supporters.
We had an interesting exhibition of "pent-
jak" by members of De Thouars' Pentjak
Club, several dances by the girls of Peggy
Breedveld's dancing group, amusing reciting
by Hopp and excellent singing by Mary
Weitz. The Serimpi dance was a star-
performance. extremely well studied and
prepared. The jazz-bands kept the dancing-
fioor continuously occupied to the last square
foot. A hurriedly assembled krontjong-band
by Rudy Igel and Leen de Feniks did very
well (and we like to congratulate the
younger artists, who picked up the peculiar
style and right mood in an astonishing short
timeThere was even a commercial
musical for Hollinda ketjap, presented with
daring and grace.
Ah yes, maybe nothing was excellent and
everything could be done much better, but
we are on our way and by more training
and study we will arrive at the top in a
short time. The courage to start counts
most
The Selamatan was a fine exhibit of to
getherness and showed many promises for
more activities of the Dutch Indonesian
group. We do not make an extended report
though, but think it wise to consider some
important points:
1. There was very little help in the total
organization. Roy Steevensz and Tjalie
Robinson had to be "everywhere" to keep
things running. On our timely call for
assistancec in Tong-Tong practically no
help was offered. Only a handful of ladies
and gentlemen had to run the whole show,
and did very well. We are very grateful for
this help. Luckily some guests offered help
spontaneously.
We would mention the name of Mr. Jan
L;ekert, who did not say much, but acted
efficiently. We like to mention John van
Buren and Edith Attinger (as well as many
others from DLJRF). who were guests after
all and needed oui help. They gave us
help. Very good.
2. After the Selamatan there were rum
ours again about "fights and even police".
I happened to be "on the spot" and what I
actually saw were two boys, getting in a
sudden and heated argument, but before
anything else could happen, others inter
vened and the boys calmed down within
two seconds. Three feet away nobody even
knew what was happening! Our boys are
hot-tempered indeed, but they have com
mon sense too. As to the police: indeed
two officers came to warn that dancing
outside was not allowed. So dancing in the
patio was stopped at once. Nobody com
plained. Both officers were in the best mood.
But always after Dutch Indonesian
parties there is some gossiping. We do not
understand why, because the Dutch-Indo
nesians have a wide reputation as a non-
drinking and orderly group. Much harm to
us indeed comes from the inside!
3. The attention and sympathy of sev
eral Americans for our Selamatan proves
that Americans expect much from our
society for the American community. This
cannot be done by dancing and eating alone.
We therefore once again call for all readers,
who want to do something more, to contact
us. By central organization of art, sports and
study very much can be achieved. Let us
work nowwe can harvest soon
TJALIE ROBINSON
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