SAMARAHAN: The Sarawakku Sayang concert, which was held at the courtyard of Kota Samarahan Civic Centre here saw the performance of various local artistes and a crowd of over 2,000 last Sunday night.
Present as guests of honour were Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang and Samarahan Resident Brahim Lumpu.
The concert was organised by the Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak in conjunction with the Sarawakku Sayang event.
Badan Budaya Unimas (Bayu) and HD Buskers brought a dance performance and songs presentation respectively to kick-off the concert.
Following the opening performances, presentation of songs by B-ZEMP Band as well as D’Cipta Band featuring singers Karen Libau, Phicilia, Mohd Fariz and Ermy Sanisha continued to liven up the crowd.
The audience were then treated to ethnic dance performances by Sri Sarawak with its ‘Lakon Beradat’ and ‘Zapin’ dance followed by Samarahan’s Sarakup Indu Dayak ‘Pua Kumbu’ dance and The Dance Academy’s ‘Mo Li Hua Kai’ dance.
The final dance performance of the night was a Sarawak Malay dance, namely ‘Bernopeng’ by Sinar Bersatu with music by Gendang Anak Sejaie.
The highlight of the concert featured performances by Norafizah Busman and Fieya Julia from Kuching, Andi Bernadee from Kota Kinabalu, and renowned Malaysian artiste Jay Jay and an impromptu duet by Jay Jay and Idris with their own rendition of ‘Kenangan Lalu’.
Phicilia (third left) singing her rendition of ‘Bossanova’ with members of the audience joining her dancing on stage. 
D’Cipta Band playing ‘Darah Muda’ for Karen Libau during her performance.
