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Kota Kinabalu: Local singer-songwriter Dabra Sia, 33, will hold her debut concert, “Selamanya Sabahan”, at the Sabah Theological Seminary (STS), here, on Sept 14.

Excited about her first concert, the 2019 State Sugandoi Kaamatan winner said she is the first champion of the prestigious competition to stage a concert.

“I hope the organisation of this concert will significantly impact the local entertainment scene, especially among local singers,” she told a press conference here on Saturday.

“When they (local singers) see my efforts, I hope it will inspire them to produce higher-quality works, and when there are more songs, they can organise concerts.”

The mother of one revealed that she has been planning to hold a concert for the past two years.

“I have achieved various accomplishments and gained a lot of experience. 

“As people say, you only live once… so I feel this is the biggest thing I’ve ever attempted.

“I challenged myself to do this concert. I want to prove that local people can also organise their own concerts.

“Although my confidence may be just sufficient, I have an excellent and supportive team,” said Dabra, who also works as a nurse at a medical institution here.

She said a team is organising the concert she recently established, DS Pro Event, in collaboration with the Kelab Pentas Borneo Kreatif Sabah.

“This concert involves several large-scale entertainers, and I’m not focusing solely on solo singers.”

Among the guest performers are Eylia Guntabid – the 2019 Sugandoi Kaamatan runner-up, the In Unity Chorale choir, the Tagaps Dance Theatre dance group, a theatre acting group, and musicians, including the Tuni Sundatang band.

“This concert will showcase various talents and stage performances, not just vocals, but also instruments, dance, and acting.

“This is what we are trying to offer as something different to the audience and also raise awareness among the local community that our artistic talents are of high quality and can be commercialised,” she said.

Dabra added that she dreams of promoting local talents to gain wider recognition.

“I hope that with my small effort and the support of Sabahans, outsiders will see that we can achieve this without relying on others. I’m not aiming to spread my wings to the peninsula, but rather, I am targeting outsiders to see us.”

Meanwhile, Dabra will also launch her new album during the concert.

“I will perform 14-15 songs, including my new tracks, during the concert.

“My album currently has six songs, with two already released…four new songs will be premiered at the concert,” she said.

Dabra rose to fame after winning the 2019 State Sugandoi Kaamatan competition.

She is known for releasing catchy songs such as “Hanya di Sabah” and “Senyuman Sabahan,” as well as songs frequently performed by contestants in singing competitions like “Hiti Noh Masoku,” “Upusku Dikoyu,” and “Tangon.”

Last year, Dabra was among the Sabah singers invited to perform at a special event at the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.