 The time was finally arrived, Rumah Budaya Indonesia di Austin finally had its official launching on May the 3rd, 2014. This event was organized in collaboration with PERMIAS (Indonesian Student Association) in Austin who also had their annual Indonesian Night event. The event took place at the AARC (Asian American Resource Center) building on Cameron Rd. Austin, TX. We invited some honored guests who thankfully came that night, 1. Mr. Isman Pasha, Representative from the Republic of Indonesian Consulate General in Houston. 2. Mr. Christian Tan, the Chairman of IDN USA (Indonesian Diaspora Network) 3. Mr. Ferry Butar, from the IACCT (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce association) 4. Mr. Fandi Hofman, the Chairman of IDN Austin Chapter 6. Mr. Irsan Tisnabudi, from IACCT (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce association) 5. Mr. Widodo, from Austin Halaqah 6. Mr. Jeffrey Wiyono from IndoPro Austin 7. Mr. Jopie Sumardi, Pastor of Indonesian Church in Austin 8, Mr. Herman Ong, Pastor of IFGF (Indonesian Church in Austin) 9. Buttler School of Music Representatives and all the guests that had been reser The event is free with complimentary Indonesian dinner. Opened with the Pendet Dance which is the Balinese opening dance, four of our teenagers were dancing beautifully and very energetic and followed by Indonesia Raya (Indonesian National Anthem) song that were sung by Permias member (Indonesian Students Association). The moment was so intense for some Indonesians, after all we miss and proud of our beloved home country. Right after that we invited two students from Butler School of Music who study Gamelan (Indonesian Traditional Music Instruments) to talk about the Music Program at their school, particularly, Gamelan. They said that you don't have to know how to speak the language to learn the music, because music is a universal thing... We did hope that their professors could come and talked about the gamelan program in UT but they could not because of other commitments but we managed to record their messages in videos which were played before the students' presentation. Thank you for coming to our event, Ladies. Next were the speeches and presentations from the Chairman of PERMIAS Austin, Mr. Stewart Wirawan and the President of Rumah Budaya Indonesia, Mr. Johanes Muljadi. Mr. Johanes talked about Rumah Budaya, the idea, the process and how we managed to get this far. Mr. Isman as the Indonesian official representatives from the Indonesian Consulate in Houston, TX was talking about the essential of Rumah Budaya Indonesia existence as a way to introduce Indonesian Culture internationally and to keep its continuity among Indonesian community abroad, and Austin in particular.  The launching was marked with Tumpeng (Mountain yellow rice shaped) cutting as Indonesian traditional custom ceremony. The founders of Rumah Budaya (Mr. Johanes Muljadi, Mrs. Dasaptami DeVries, Mrs. Dian Smith, Mrs. Butet Aruan, Mrs. Anne Downs, Mrs. Febby Sheehan and Mrs. Butet Amick (currently in Indonesia) were recognized and asked to go on the stage, including three formers founders and members that had the idea of making Rumah Budaya Indonesia in Austin, Mrs. Airin Widodo, Ms. Yuni Bates and Mrs. Evie Smith. Mr. Isman was asked to give the symbol of Rumah Budaya Indonesia to each of them. Mr. Stewart Wirawan also got the symbol as a token of Permias collaboration in effort and support. And of course, Mr. Isman got one too, presented by the President of RBI, Mr. Johanes Muljadi.  The children of mixed couples also presented their cute way of saying 'I love you' in some ethnic languages. They did it very well in their own way, good job, kiddos! The audiences were entertained with more dances, like the 'Melati Putih' dancing and singing, by Austinites, 'Gambang Semarang' Dance by San Antonio ladies, thank you so much, Ladies... and the Balinese Wedding Showcase by UT students (Indonesian Students Association members) and Austinites teenagers. The show was so beautiful and well performed! Mrs. Agung Phiney got the credit for preparing and supplying the showcase with beautiful performance, costumes and accesories. Then right after that was the display of "30 Indonesians Culinary Icons' that was prepared by Mrs. Febby Sheehan. Very amazing display with the slideshow background. Very proud of the variety of Indonesian dishes. These dishes were stated as the mandatory cooking to be taught in the Indonesian tour and travel programs. Then..the last one is the Joged Balinese dancing performed by Austin Indonesian American teenages and led by Mrs. Agung Phinney. They invited the audience to come up the stage and dancing, very fun and refreshing. The event were closed by Indonesian Dinner Buffet and get together. It was a fun night for Indonesians and marked the history of Indonesian cultural center existence in the Central Texas, Austin it is. Congratulations Rumah Budaya Indonesia ... Keep up the good work! Until the next event... Merdeka!! More Picture HERE AD - RBI 
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