Community Celebration at the Indonesian Bazaar in Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, 11/24/2019 - As the 2019 holiday season approaching fast, ICONE has concluded its last community program for the year, the indoor Indonesian Food Bazaar, at Cambridge Masonic Hall in Massachusetts on Saturday, November 23, 2019. The bazaar brought together people from different walks of life in the Greater Boston area to celebrate the Indonesian culture, the diversity of its people, and to enjoy the richness of its culinary.

Hundreds of people came together to savor in varieties of Indonesian delicacies made by the best local Indonesian food vendors in the region. Included in some of the most sought-after dishes were Rendang (one of the CNN's 2019 top 12 world best dishes), Martabak, Satay, Bakso, Soto Betawi, Siomay, to all kinds of traditional desserts and refreshing beverages.

Attendees were also entertained by the amazing performances of the local Indonesian talents in music and dance. Different music genres - from jazz, pop, and Indonesian's dangdut - were entertainingly showcased through songs and musical renditions. Traditional dances from Dayak, Kalimantan to hip-hop dance caught attendees' attention due to the dancers' enchanting, meaningful, and energetic movements. One of the event highlights was when the attendees were getting the hands-on group experience playing angklung, a traditional Indonesian music instrument made of bamboo tubes. The whole room was echoed with the beautiful and unique sound of angklung.

With the spirit of the season of giving, a Coat Drive was also carried out at the same time as the bazaar to help the less fortunate children and adults in our community here in New England to stay warm this winter. Thanks to the donors, dozens of winter coats were collected and are now ready to be delivered to a dedicated non-profit organization that will distribute the coats to those in need for free and without discrimination.

Embracing the very essence of the Indonesian culture, culinary, its people's diversity, as well as encouraging and facilitating simple acts of kindness to the people in the need at this bazaar are in line with what ICONE is all about. In her brief remark, Olla Chas, ICONE's President & Co-Founder highlighted that one of ICONE's missions is to empower, connect, and bring the best out of Indonesians in New England and the bazaar is one of the most effective ways to showcase and put these community strengths into actions.

Sincerest thank you to everyone who has helped in the making of this bazaar. ICONE's team members: Sophia Jamila, Elvina Setia, Rizki Setia, Dhini Purnamasari, Dhanni Setyaning, Watty Grant, and Tia Wulansari. The MCs: Grace Purba and Tisa Umar. The vendors: Yuandita Pransanti, Dian Febrinda, Novia Aldhila, Dewi Rosdiana, Lia Muse, Mici's Kitchen by Micita Mahoney, Kartika by Afrianti Anggoro and Theresia, Dapur The Tio's, Bakso SuperPhilly, Z's Kitchen, Pecel Ndeso, Taste of Surabaya by Fefe Ang, Sury's Kitchen, and Seulanga. All the performers and volunteers: Calvin Limuel, Aubrey Situmorang, Sharon Stephania, Kunto Nurcahyoko, Armaya Doremi, Tia Wulansari & Alia Koasanto, Christopher J. Lym, Junus Kbarek, Maria Yuanita, Boston Angklung Ensemble, Berklee Indonesian Community, Adrian Hasianda, Dimas Muhamad, and Jhendra Samodra. Bersama, kita bisa!

Happy Thanksgiving and we wish you all wonderful holiday seasons ahead.

Thousands of People Flocked the New England Indonesian Festival 2019 in Boston to Experience the Traditional Culture of Indonesia

Boston, 09/28/2019 - Thousands of people flocked the Copley Square in Boston to immerse themselves in what is known as the largest Indonesian festival on the east coast, the 2019 New England Indonesian Festival.

The New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF), organized by Permias MA (Indonesian student association in Massachusetts) in collaboration with the Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE Inc.), is an annual celebration of Indonesian food, arts, and culture with over 10,000 people attending each year. The event featured live performances, food, folk-games, arts, and crafts showcased from 12 noon – 6 pm. It was a spectacular celebration of authentic Indonesian culture with the square filled with delicious smells, vibrant traditional performances and the sounds of excited visitors.

Dozens of Indonesian traditional food vendors, performers, and volunteers from across New England came together to take part in this annual event that has become the pride of Indonesians in Massachusetts and neighboring states.

NEIF 2019 showcased various traditional Indonesian arts and culture such as the dances from West Sumatera, Central Java, West Java, Bali, and South Sulawesi by the Indonesian dance groups Nusantara Kreasindo, Boston Cendrawasih, and Maengket Maleosan, as well as Angklung (a traditional bamboo music instrument from West Java) performance by the Boston Angklung Ensemble. Tons of Indonesian food, snacks, and drinks from all kinds of sate, rendang, bakso to batagor, martabak, lupis, cendol, and many more were sold out in a short time. Batik fashion show and live music by local singers and bands such as Berklee Indo, 24 Denby’s, Bernard Dinata, and Java Jukebox completed NEIF 2019 with a big bang and style.

SIARAN PERS

Semarak New England Indonesian Festival 2019 Pukau Ribuan Pengunjung di Boston, Amerika Serikat

Boston, 29 September 2019 – Jantung kota Boston di Copley Square hari ini dipadati oleh ribuan pengunjung dari berbagai negara bagian di Amerika Serikat yang melebur dalam keriaan ala Indonesia sambil menikmati secara langsung beragam suguhan kuliner, tari, musik, dan budaya Indonesia di acara New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) 2019. Belasan vendor makanan dan minuman Indonesia dari negara bagian Massachusetts, Maryland, Philadelphia, dan New York, serta puluhan pekerja seni dan sukarelawan yang terdiri dari masyarakat dan mahasiswa Indonesia di Boston dan sekitarnya turut serta mensukseskan acara akbar ini.

NEIF merupakan ajang festival Indonesia tahunan dan terbesar yang diadakan di New England, kawasan pantai timur Amerika Serikat dengan cakupan 6 negara bagian yaitu Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, dan Vermont. Dalam sambutan via video, Duta Besar Indonesia untuk Amerika, Mahendra Siregar, menyatakan kebanggaannya atas nama pemerintah Republik Indonesia akan keberhasilan mahasiswa-mahasiswa dan komunitas Indonesia di Massachusetts dalam menghadirkan festival Indonesia sebesar ini.

Diselenggarakan rutin sejak tahun 2013 oleh Permias Massachusetts (organisasi Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Massachusetts) yang kemudian berkolaborasi dengan New England Indonesian Community Inc. (ICONE, Inc.), NEIF selalu mengangkat tema acara berbeda tiap tahunnya yang merujuk dari potensi budaya, alam, dan keunikan Indonesia. “Melalui konsep ‘Pasar Festival’ yang kami usung tahun ini, kami ingin menghadirkan suasana kemeriahan pasar tradisional Indonesia yang sangat khas dan dinamis di pusat kota Boston”, jelas Grace Purba, Presiden dari Permias Massachusetts. Adanya ajang festival ini tidak hanya dapat mengobati rasa rindu masyarakat Indonesia yang sedang berada disini akan Tanah Air, tapi juga dapat menambah ketertarikan dan pengetahuan masyarakat lokal akan keberagaman dan kekayaan seni, budaya, dan kuliner Indonesia. “NEIF merupakan bukti nyata bahwa kami sebagai mahasiswa Indonesia yang sedang menimba ilmu di Massachusetts dapat melakukan sesuatu yang berarti kepada Tanah Air dan komunitas kami di Amerika”, tambah Grace.

NEIF 2019 menampilkan beragam kesenian Indonesia seperti tarian dari daerah Sumatera Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Barat, Bali, dan Sulawesi Utara yang dibawakan oleh sanggar tari Indonesia Nusantara Kreasindo, Boston Cendrawasih, dan Maengket Maleosan, serta pertunjukan angklung yang dibawakan oleh Boston Angklung Ensemble. Bermacam masakan dan hidangan penutup khas Indonesia, mulai dari sate, nasi padang, bakso, sampai dengan jajanan tradisional seperti batagor, martabak, lupis dan banyak lagi, habis terjual dalam waktu singkat. NEIF 2019 juga dimeriahkan oleh peragaan busana kebaya, permainan tradisional Indonesia, Batik workshop, serta suguhan live music dari beberapa penyanyi dan band lokal seperti Berklee Indo, 24 Denby’s, Bernard Dinata, dan Java Jukebox.

“NEIF 2019 adalah acara kebanggaan dari seluruh masyarakat Indonesia yang berada di New England dan merupakan buah karya bersama anak bangsa yang cinta akan negerinya”, ujar Olla Chas, Co-Founder & President dari ICONE, Inc, sebuah organisasi nirlaba berbasis sukarelawan yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika dan promosi seni budaya Indonesia di New England, Amerika Serikat. “Kami berharap sinergi positif sesama diaspora Indonesia di sini serta antara warga Indonesia dan warga setempat dapat terus terbina dengan baik demi tercapainya komunitas Indonesia yang bersatu, produktif, dan kreatif”, tambah Olla.

NEIF 2019 didukung oleh Kementerian Perindustrian RI, Konsulat Jenderal RI New York, Atase Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Indonesia di Amerika, Indonesian Student Association of the East Coast (PERMIAS East Coast), Protelindo, Danar Hadi dan 20 sponsor lainnya, serta perwakilan mahasiswa Indonesia di beberapa universitas di Massachusetts seperti Harvard University, Babson College, Boston University, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Boston, Bentley University, dan Berklee School of Music.

Check out also: ICONE in the News

Indonesian Food Bazaar 2019: Connecting People Through Culinary, Culture, and Music

Indonesian Food Bazaar 2019: Connecting People through Culinary, Culture, and Music

Cambridge, 4/27/2019 - The Indonesian community in New England celebrated the richness of its culture and the diversity of its people through culinary and music yesterday in Cambridge, MA. Not only attended by fellow Indonesians in the New England area, hundreds of people from different nationalities and backgrounds also flocked the Cambridge Masonic Hall to enjoy the varieties of delicacies from some of the best Indonesian food vendors in the region and amazing performances by the local Indonesian musicians, dancers, and poet.

As expressed by Olla Chas, ICONE's Co-Founder and President in her remark, one of ICONE's missions is to empower and bring the best out of Indonesians in New England and the bazaar is one of the most effective ways to showcase these strengths.

Several talented Indonesian musicians and singers, including four from Berkeley College of Music, who are now professional musicians based in Boston, one former Top 25 singers in the 2010 Indonesian Idol who's currently studying at Northeastern University, and three student musicians under Permias MA impressed the audience by their mix of musicality specialties - from jazz, pop, to dangdut renditions. A group of dancers from Boston Cendrawasih, an Indonesian traditional dance club based in Cambridge performed the delicate beauty of traditional dances from Aceh, West Sumatera, and Central Java. An enchanting Balinese dance was also presented by a native Balinese who's also a medical student at Harvard University. To add to the diversity of the performances, a jazz funk dance by an Indonesian professional dancer and a poetry reading were also showcased. The bazaar was also highlighted by a performance debut of an Indonesian student from Papua singing 'Aku Papua' that brought everybody to sing along with him proudly.

Each of the 12 food vendors participated were those who are specialized in different types of delicious Indonesian delicacies from various provinces in Indonesia. From West Sumatera's and North Sulawesi's spicy food like Rendang, Lontong Padang (rice cakes with veggies and egg in spicy coconut milk), Cumi Woku (Manadonese spicy braised squid), and so many varieties of food mixed in chili sauce; Javanese mild sweet food such as the Nasi Uduk Empal, Ayam Kalasan, Krecek (cattle skin stew), Gudeg (green jack fruit sweet stew), Chicken Satay, and many more; to all kinds of traditional desserts and refreshing beverages.

The bazaar was truly a testament of how the Indonesian community in New England, despite its diversity, can come together in harmony to share community strengths and culture through culinary and music.

Sincerest thank you to everyone who has helped in the making of this bazaar. ICONE's team members: Elvina Setia, Sophia Jamila, Rizki Setia, Amanda Madjid, Lina Pitono, Dhini Purnamasari, Dhanni Setyaning, Watty Grant, Tia Wulansari, and Ricky Djoko Basoeki. The MCs: Grace Purba and Kezia Erica. The vendors: Riri Dewi, Dita, Jeanne, Lia Muse, Martina, Mici's Kitchen by Micita Mahoney, Kartika by Afrianti Anggoro and Vera Lumowa, Dapur The Tio's, Bakso SuperPhilly, Z's Kitchen, Pecel Ndeso, Permias MA, Taste of Surabaya by Fefe Ang, Sury's Kitchen, and Dapurku by Susi Sihombing. All the performers and volunteers: Calvin Limuel, Kelvin Andreas, John Koh, Boston Cendrawasih, Arta Subagiarta, Felita Kezia, Marry Jane, Nelson, Pernus Tarasen, Maria Yuanita, Armaya Doremi, Sofia Widya Kezia, Ally Ang, Syarif, Jhendra Samodra, and friends from CCI program.

Together, we can. Bersama, kita bisa!

EVENT VIDEOS

2017 New England Indonesian Festival

For the 5th year in a row, the New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) was once again rocked Boston on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 as the largest & the most sought-after Indonesian festival in the New England area. Undeterred by the damp weather on the day of the event, thousands of people came to celebrate our community, culture and culinary.

Thank you to all the Permias Massachusetts's team members (Dian Mak, Lucius Janison Simkoputra, Austin, Adhni, Christian, etc.) who led the project and collaborated with ICONE to make this event happen. You guys are awesome!

Many thanks to all the vendors (Nina Mae, Rosita Rachim, Z's Kitchen, Bakso Superphilly, Selera Bunda, On'e Nuri, Felisia Jacobus, Rosa Insco and Nurhayati Tios Sumarto), Nusantara Kreasindo, pak Ismunandar Ismu from Atdikbud DC, Rumah Budaya Indonesia and Singo Lodoyo from Washington DC, KEMENPAR from Jakarta, Java Jukebox, Dhini Purnamasari and Aditya Yodha for the supports and participation.

Last not least, thank you to ICONE's team and volunteers: Olla Chas, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Rizki Setia, Willa Lydia Sullivan & Dan, Yana Regan, Dania Dhanni Setyaning, Watty Grant, Sophia Hawkeyes & husband, Fahlino, Uum Humaerah & mas Sukidi, Vera Lumowa, Riri Dewi, Ramon Padmasambhava, Micita Mahoney and Sean, plus the kids: Faris, Salma, Hannah and Chris. Despite of the rain and all, each and everyone of you have done your best to make things rolling.

Together, WE CAN!

------000------

SIARAN PERS

Reog, Orang Utan, Komodo dan Rendang Tarik Minat Ribuan Pengunjung New England Indonesian Festival 2017 di Boston, Amerika Serikat

Boston, 30 September 2017 – Keunikan seni tari Reog Ponorogo, rasa rendang Padang yang khas dan kekayaan margasatwa yang hanya ada di Indonesia seperti Orang Utan dan Komodo berhasil menarik minat ribuan pengunjung yang memadati area New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) 2017 di jantung kota Boston, Copley Square pada hari Sabtu, 30 September 2017. Guyuran hujan yang mewarnai acara tidak menyurutkan keinginan para pengunjung untuk tetap menghadiri NEIF 2017 yang merupakan ajang festival budaya, seni dan kulinari Indonesia tahunan terbesar yang paling ditunggu di kawasan pantai timur Amerika Serikat.

Diselenggarakan untuk ke-5 kalinya oleh PERMIAS Massachusetts (organisasi Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Massachussets, Amerika) dan New England Indonesian Community Inc. (ICONE, Inc.), NEIF 2017 dikemas secara menarik dan didukung oleh kantor Atase Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan RI dan Rumah Budaya Indonesia dari Washington DC, beserta Wonderful Indonesia dari Kementerian Pariwisata Indonesia dari Jakarta. NEIF 2017 juga dibantu oleh para sukarelawan, pekerja seni dan pengusaha makanan dan cendramata khas Indonesia yang berasal dari Massachusetts, Maryland, Philadelphia, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut dan Washington DC.

Berbeda dengan tahun-tahun sebelumnya, kali ini NEIF 2017 mengusung tema acara “Indonesian Wildlife”. “Sejalan dengan makin bertambahnya kepedulian masyarakat global akan isu-isu lingkungan hidup, kami ingin meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat lokal di kawasan New England mengenai keberagaman dan keunikan flora dan fauna yang dimiliki oleh Indonesia, seperti Orang Utan, Komodo, bunga Rafflesia dan lainnya”, jelas Dian Mak, Presiden dari PERMIAS Massachusetts. NEIF 2017 ini juga mengangkat sisi keaneka-ragaman budaya beberapa kelompok etnis dalam masyarakat Indonesia yang bersentuhan dengan kehidupan satwa-satwa unik Indonesia melalui suguhan tari-tarian dan musik traditional seperti Reog dari Ponorogo, Tari Merak dari Jawa Barat, dan Tari Cendrawasih dari Bali.

“Selain menjadi kesempatan untuk mempromosikan keaneka ragaman flora dan fauna serta kulinari Indonesia, NEIF 2017 juga merupakan ajang untuk menunjukkan bahwa komunitas Indonesia di Amerika Serikat adalah komunitas yang kuat, mempunyai semangat gotong royong yang hebat dan menjunjung tinggi persatuan. Hal ini terlihat dari antusiasme dan partisipasi dari berbagai lapisan dan golongan masyarakat serta mahasiswa Indonesia yang saat ini tinggal di kawasan pantai timur Amerika Serikat”, ujar Olla Chas, Co-Founder & President dari ICONE, Inc, sebuah organisasi nirlaba berbasis sukarelawan yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika dan promosi seni budaya Indonesia di kawasan New England, Amerika Serikat. “Kami ingin memperlihatkan kepada masyarakat Amerika disini bahwa persatuan dalam keberagaman (unity in diversity) inilah yang membuat Indonesia bisa unggul dan berbeda dari negara lainnya”, tambah Olla.

Beragam suguhan kesenian Indonesia dibawakan oleh tim Wonderful Indonesia dari Kementerian Pariwisata Indonesia, Nusantara Kreasindo (sanggar tari Indonesia asal New Hampshire) dan Singo Lodoyo (sanggar budaya Ponorogo dari Washington DC). Puluhan jenis masakan dan hidangan penutup khas Indonesia habis terjual untuk memenuhi kerinduan kulinari diaspora Indonesia, serta keingintahuan masyarakat lokal Boston akan keunikan dan kelezatan rasa makanan-makanan Indonesia. Rendang, mie bakso dan sate merupakan beberapa menu makanan yang paling banyak diminati oleh masyarakat lokal. NEIF 2017 juga dimeriahkan oleh peragaan busana daerah, permainan tradisional Indonesia, Batik workshop, penjualan kerajinan dan pernak-pernik khas Indonesia, serta suguhan live music performance dari beberapa band lokal.

------------------------------------------

Check out also: ICONE in the News

2017 Indonesian Food Bazaar: Food, Culture & Community Celebration

The region’s Indonesian community celebrated its rich heritage of culture through food and music at Hilton Park, Dover in New Hampshire on Saturday, May 13th, 2017. The chilly weather that day did not deter hundreds of Indonesians and the locals to come together and enjoyed a huge variety of foods available from 12 vendors who came from Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York.

“We are here to celebrate our people and heritage,” said Olla Chas, Co-founder and President of the Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE). “One of our non-profit organization’s missions is to bring the best out of the Indonesians in New England towards a better, stronger and more productive community regardless of ethnicities, social-economic background, and religions. And today is one of the examples of how our community, despite of our diversity, can come together in harmony to share our community strengths and culture through culinary and music”, she added.

Richard Lang, a Dover resident, who came with his buddy Mark, expressed his amusement over the bazaar. “This is our first time coming to an Indonesian event and we are very impressed by the number of people who comes here today. Absolutely amazing food. We will definitely come back”.

“This is a wonderful experience. It feels like we’re among family”, said David Fitzgerald of Maine who joined by his wife Pestiva. “I tried the tempe and rendang. They are my favorites”.

Aside from Indonesian delicacies, some vendors also displayed some ethnic clothing and jewelry selections from many parts of Indonesia such as Kalimantan, Bali, and Java.

Roy Godlieb of Dover was the D.J. for the day, playing many Indonesian favorites, which spurred the very active dancing styles of the poco-poco and goyang tobelo. Meanwhile, Agus Lele & Anis of Rhode Island and Jaffa of Massachusetts rocked the event with their amazing guitar and singing performances.

Thank you to all vendors, performers, ICONE team, KJRI New York, GBI-NH and those who came for making this event a success.

News coverage: Food, Culture on Display at Indonesian Food Bazaar

------------------------------------------

Check out also: ICONE in the News

ICONE’s 3rd Indonesian Food Bazaar: A Community Collaboration Effort at Its Best

Somersworth, NH / December 3, 2016 – Hundreds of Indonesians and locals from many parts of New England came together to enjoy the company of friends and families while enjoying lots of mouthwatering foods and drinks at ICONE’s Indonesian Food Bazaar at the Tri-City Academy, Somersworth on December 3rd, 2016. More than 70 different types of Indonesian traditional and street foods, as well as desserts and drinks, were sold at the bazaar by 12 food vendors from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.

Successfully held for the 3rd time, ICONE would like to thank all the collaborators, performers, and food vendors who helped make this bazaar as a sweet ending to ICONE’s community programs for the year. Big thank you to the team from the Indonesian Consul General office in New York, led by Annisa Tyas Purwanti, who has collaborated with ICONE by opening a consul corner for those Indonesians who needed services on their passport, registration, etc. There was a long line of people who came to get their questions answered and their consular needs are taken care of in a professional and timely manner.

Music and dances, as part of the main features of the bazaar, were performed by some talented and amazing musicians and people from the community led by our very own MC, Susi Sihombing. For the first time, the ‘Anak Krakatau’ band from Boston consists of Angga D. Martha (singer), Sitti Arlinda (keyboard), Ferdi Siswanto (cajon), Adi Sarosa and Dimas Rinarso Putro (guitars) made their debut at the bazaar by performing some Indonesian hit songs that made the bazaar goers serenade along with them enthusiastically. The Indonesian traditional dance from Java, the Caping dance, was showcased by three young dancers from Portsmouth’s Nusantara Kreasindo. Roy Godlieb and crews also took the stage with some Indonesian songs and traditional dances such as the well-known Poco Poco dance.

Applauds and thank you to all the vendors who participated in this bazaar: Mici’s Kitchen by Micita Mahoney, Sury’s Kitchen by Suryanah Siahaan, Selera Bunda by Sadiaah Haron, Uum Humaerah, RaRa’s Kitchen by Raude Raychel, Kartifasari by Afrianti Anggoro and Mindasari Priastini, Lumanauw’s Kitchen by Ivonne Golioth, Dapur the Tio’s by Nurhayati Tios Sumarto, Dewi Rosdiana, Riri Dewi, and GBI-NH.

Last but not the least, thank you to the ICONE team who made this bazaar comes to life: Olla Chas for all the hard work and leadership from the beginning till the end; GBI-NH and pastor Andi Sipayung for lending us your supports; Rizki Setia and Elvina Muzdhalifah for teaming up on the logistics fronts; Raude Raychel for filling in on things that mattered, Yana Regan, Watty Grant & Joseph Grant, Willa Lydia Sullivan and Sutji Prasetiowati for being there on the big day and making things happen.

Ended by the drawing of some exciting raffle prizes such as TV, tablets, and other electronic equipment, the 3rd Icone NE's Indonesian Food Bazaar attracted more than 400 bazaar goers. The bazaar was a testament to ICONE’s community collaboration at its best and a sweet ending for the year’s work.

Together, we can. Bersama, kita bisa!

Media coverage:

Musik, Dansa, Street Foods, and Raffles: Masyarakat Indonesia Kembali Berkumpul Bersama di Somersworth NH

Link to ICONE in the News, please click here.

New England Indonesian Festival 2016

Boston, 8 Oktober 2016 – Lebih kurang 10,000 pengunjung memadati area New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) 2016 di jantung kota Boston, Copley Square hari ini untuk menikmati beragam kulinari khas Indonesia dan menyaksikan secara langsung suguhan tarian dan musik tradisional Indonesia. Acara NEIF 2016 merupakan ajang festival kebudayaan dan kulinari Indonesia tahunan dan terbesar yang pernah diadakan di New England, kawasan pantai timur Amerika Serikat dengan cakupan 6 negara bagian yaitu Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, dan Vermont.

Diselenggarakan oleh Permias Massachusetts, New England Indonesian Community Inc. (ICONE, Inc.) dan Project Push Pin untuk ke-4 kalinya, NEIF 2016 dikemas apik dan menarik bersama dengan para sukarelawan, pekerja seni dan pengusaha makanan Indonesia yang berasal dari Massachusetts, Maryland, Philadelphia, New York dan Illinois. “Konsep acara tahun ini adalah “Our-chipelago” yang menonjolkan keindahan alam dan kekayaan budaya serta kulinari dari 6 pulau utama Indonesia”, jelas Emanuel Rio Atmadja, Presiden dari Permias Massachusetts (organisasi Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Massachussets). “Kami ingin memperlihatkan kepada masyarakat Amerika Serikat disini bahwa walaupun Indonesia terdiri dari banyak pulau dan multicultural society, persatuan dalam keberagaman (unity in diversity) inilah yang membuat Indonesia bisa unggul dan berbeda dari negara lainnya”, tambah Rio.

“Ajang NEIF 2016 tidak hanya sekedar untuk memperkenalkan kebhinekaan Indonesia kepada masyarakat Amerika, tetapi juga untuk meningkatkan kesadaran nasionalisme warga diaspora di Amerika akan Indonesia yang sedang bertransisi menuju kemajuan ekonomi dan demokrasi modern. Kegiatan ini juga diharapkan mampu menghasilkan sinergi positif baik sesama diaspora Indonesia di Amerika maupun antara warga Indonesia dan Amerika di Boston secara khususnya”, ujar Olla Chas, Co-Founder & President dari ICONE, Inc, sebuah organisasi nirlaba berbasis sukarelawan yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika dan promosi seni budaya Indonesia di kawasan New England, Amerika Serikat.

Dibuka oleh Consul General RI yang baru, Abdul Kadir Jailani, IndoFest 2016 menyuguhkan beragam kesenian Indonesia seperti tarian dari daerah Betawi, Lampung, Jawa dan Kalimantan yang dibawakan oleh Nusantara Kreasindo, sanggar tari Indonesia asal New Hampshire, alunan gamelan dan kecapi yang dibawakan oleh Indonesian Dance of Illinois serta peragaan musik tradisional angklung. Beragam masakan dan hidangan penutup khas Indonesia juga habis terjual memenuhi kerinduan kulinari diaspora Indonesia, serta keingintahuan masyarakat lokal Boston akan keunikan dan kekayaan rasa makanan-makanan Indonesia. NEIF 2016 juga dimeriahkan oleh peragaan busana daerah, permainan tradisional Indonesia, Batik workshop, serta suguhan live music performance dari beberapa band lokal.

Check out also: ICONE in the News

ICONE’s Indonesian Food Bazaar: Bringing the Community Together

ICONE's Indonesian Food Bazaar: Bringing the Community Together

Dover, 5/14/2016 - More than 600 bazaar goers congregated at the ICONE’s Indonesian Food Spring Bazaar at Hilton Park, Dover, New Hampshire today. The locals, as well as many people from neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island, came to enjoy the beautiful Saturday with friends, food and fun. Supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, the bazaar aimed at supporting the local Indonesian home-based chefs, promoting Indonesian culture through culinary and Batik, as well as to fundraise for the future establishment of the Indonesian Community Center and the ongoing running of collaborative community empowerment programs in New England.

12 food vendors from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut participated at the bazaar, offering more than 60 Indonesian food, desserts and drinks to enjoy. Various performances from several members of the community helped heightened the festive mood of the bazaar. Some of the musicians that contributed were Calvin Yehezkiel Limuel, duo Alfa and Jaffa, Sasha and student group singers from Boston. The visitors were also entertained by couple of group dances performed by Nusantara Kreasindo. Aside from food and performances, visitors also had a chance to make their own Batik with the young talented Batik artist, Alexander Sebastianus Hartanto, and shopped for some ethnic clothing and accessories from Vanny Tousignant and Permias Massachusetts. The bazaar ended with the highly anticipated raffle ticket drawing, with some fantastic prizes such as the iPad Mini, HDTV and camera digital. Even though it was 74 degrees today, everyone stayed till the very end of the bazaar.

Big thank you to the ICONE team members who helped plan and coordinate the bazaar, including Olla Chas, Rizki Setia, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Andi Sipayung (Desi Sibih-Sipayung), Raude Raychel, Yana Regan, Watty Grant, Ida Daud and Elsa Bale. The bazaar was truly a testament to the amazing collaborations between ICONE and the community. It brought the community together. Bersama, kita bisa!

[URIS id=2458]

ICONE’s Holiday Bazaar 2015: The First ICONE’s Community Event in New Hampshire

Somersworth, 12/05/2015 - ICONE, Inc.’s first community event in New Hampshire on December 5, 2015 was a success with hundreds of people came together and celebrated the coming holiday seasons with lots of food and fun time with friends and family. Indonesian communities from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and all the way from Connecticut and Rhode Island were seen having a good time at the event.

There were more than 40 varieties of food and desserts offered by Indonesian and Malaysian vendors that were quickly sold out due to the high demands from the bazaar goers. The clothing and accessories sections of the bazaar by Vanyo Fashion (NY) and Datzo Fabulous Boutique (NH) were also a hit with many people visiting to complete their holiday shopping.

As embedded in ICONE, Inc.’s ways of doing things, community involvements are very crucial in each of its programs. Supported by several amazing and talented groups and individuals, the bazaar was not only the place to go for food & shop, but also the place for shows of talents we have among us in the community. Many thanks to Nusantara Kreasindo for the beautiful and colorful dances, Sri Rejeki for bringing the touch of Javanese through a couple of enchanting traditional dances, trio Batak (Andi Sipayung, bang Juntak, Susi Sihombing) with their touching “Na Sonang Do Hita Na Dua’ ballade song, and duo Raude Raychel & friend for their acoustic renditions.

Another highlight of the bazaar was the raffle ticket drawings with some fantastic prizes to win for. Congratulations to one bazaar goer from Connecticut who won the Apple iPad mini, Don LaFleur on the BOSE wireless speaker, Willa Sullivan on LG LED HDTV, and the rest of the raffle prizes winners.

Thank you to all of the ICONE’s team members and the rest of the community who have made this event a day to remember. Very special thanks to Olla Chas, Rizki Setia, Yana Regan, Mieke Moran, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Andi Sipayung, Ida Daud, Raude Raychel, Desi Sipayung, Susi Sihombing, Willa Lydia Sullivan, Anna Madden, Amanda Madjid, and Michelle Effendi who have helped and delivered their tremendous support.

Together, we can! Bersama, kita bisa! All for the future establishment of New England’s Indonesian Community Center and the ongoing community empowerment programs.

ICONE at New England Indonesian Festival ’15

Boston, 09/12/2015 - For the third year in a row, on September 12th, 2015, PERMIAS MA (Indonesian student association) has successfully held the New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) at Copley Square, Boston. The event was dedicated to celebrating Indonesia, its culture, arts and culinary. Among dozen Indonesian vendors participated, ICONE, for the first time, also took part in the celebration. Collaborated with several talented Indonesian contributors in food and fashion, ICONE opened a charity booth selling Indonesian traditional food, clothing and other Indonesian ethnic accessories. Big thank you to all of the collaborators, customers, and donators for your supports and participation.