15 NOVEMBER 1962 HJte American le JAARGANG No. 7 SELAMATAN OCTOBER 20 1 E PLW/eusJJÜ pftRINc ONIS^ 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 mm* ~:a*2

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American Tong Tong | 1962 | | pagina 1