CAFÉ PARTNERSHIP: Borneo Ethnic Café manager Alfred Dona (third left) shaking hands with PPSKD chairman Mervyn Tajem during a simple sponsorship handing over at the café.
KUCHING: The semi-finals stage of the inaugural ‘Pertandingan Bintang Lagu Klasik Iban’ this Saturday (May 12) is expected to be a tightly fought affair.
A statement by the organiser Dayak Arts and Culture Promoters Association (PPSKD) said the semi-finalist chosen are from a mixture of races and vocal range.
“We will see very close fight. The 16 semi-finalists comprise eight men and eight women, ranging from 17 to 50 years old,” PPSKD deputy chairman Isa Lee said.
The semi-finalists were chosen from 74 contestants who came for the auditions held on April 28.
The semi-finals will be held at a local eatery, Happy Valley, not far from Crown Square.
Participants can only sing Iban songs that were recorded in 2000 and before. The objective of this competition is to promote classic Iban songs, to promote the usage of Iban language and to unearth talents not only from the Iban community but also from other communities in Sarawak.
Isa added that several singers from yesteryears had been invited to the semifinals that will commence at 8pm. Entrance is free.
Eight finalists will be selected for the grand finals to be held at the Ecumenical Centre on May 25. Slated as a pre-Gawai dinner, tickets are priced at RM400 per table and are on sale now.
Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom will be the guest of honour for the dinner. Those interested to purchase the tickets or require more information can call Simon Ritikos (019-8772770), Isa Lee (013-8266081) or Homery (012-8864745).
Meanwhile, Borneo Ethnic Café has rendered their support to competition by sponsoring the backdrops for the audition and semi-finals.
The organising committee thanked all those who have contributed in one way or the other for the success of the competition.