The talented singer wants to thank fans for their support with an anniversary concert next year but for now, she has an upcoming show and it’s for a good cause, writes Dennis Chua
EVERGREEN singer Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim will mark four decades in showbiz with a star-studded concert at Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur next year.
The concert will feature some of her relatives in showbiz as well as her closest friends amongst fellow entertainers.
Better still, it will be divided into segments that highlight her songs from various decades beginning from the 1970s and ending in the present time.
“While I’ve yet to get into the details of the concert, there’ll be several surprises for my fans, as it is my labour of love and a big thank you to all of them,” Khadijah told the NST.
Khadijah initially wanted to have the concert in the second half of this year, but it had to be postponed because Istana Budaya will be undergoing six months’ renovation beginning June.
The anniversary concert will raise funds for several children’s homes and skills training centres for the handicapped.
“I plan to raise money for four buses that can serve as transport for youths in skills training centres.”
ONSCREEN ADVENTURES
While singing is her first love, the veteran singer occasionally acts, and is currently starring in Michael Ang’s romantic comedy Urusan Hati Cik Drama Queen on Astro Ria.
“It’s my comeback to acting after two decades. Back then I starred in Mr Cinderella alongside Erra Fazira and Yusry Abdul Halim, playing her mother,” said Khadijah.
In the ongoing series, she plays the main actor Aiman Hakim Ridza’s mother.
“I only go for characters that I can relate to, such as compassionate mothers. Good scripts with stories that are humorous and interesting draw me to the big screen.”
Khadijah, who has two singles Kurnia Baiduri and Getaran Jiwa in the pipeline, enjoys working with Ang because the director believes in discussing the development of his cast members’ on-screen characters, and encourages her to share ideas on how the story can develop.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Whenever she takes a break from show business, Khadijah manages her four Khadijah’s Kitchen restaurants in Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Malacca and Kuantan, which specialise in traditional Malay cuisine.
“The one in Petaling Jaya opened a decade ago. The others opened last year.”
She thinks the restaurant in Kuantan, at the Mahkota Kuantan Golf Club, is the most scenic and well-decorated.
“Not only are its surroundings lush and green, its interior has superb traditional and modern architecture too.”
NOBLE MUSICAL CAUSE
Khadijah’s next showcase takes place at Istana Budaya on March 17 and 18.
It is for Muzik 4 Humanity to raise funds for Mercy Malaysia’s Little Caliph Programme in Afghanistan that facilitates the provision of nutritional food and education to children affected by the on-going conflict in the country.
In the two-hour concert which begins at 8pm, she will be joined by fellow singers Datuk Ramli Sarip, Datuk Hattan and Jaclyn Victor, and they will be backed by 20 musicians headed by music director Rudi Muhammad (Kunci Demak).
Each of the singers will perform four to five songs.
“I’m looking forward to Muzik 4 Humanity, not only because it reunites me with dear friends as Ramli, Hattan and Jaclyn, but also because it’s for yet another noble cause,” said Khadijah.
“Since I began my singing career, I’ve always believed in participating in musical showcases which benefit humanitarian causes. It’s always been my view that artistes should join in good causes that help improve the lives of children.”
On another note, as an acquaintance of troubled 1980s singer Ben Nathan, Khadijah said she was thankful to Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia (YA1M) for successfully persuading him to seek treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
“I’ve known Ben as a brilliant singer and a kind, gentle soul. It’s really sad that he’s fallen on bad times, and I pray that he will see brighter days. It’s so good to note that Malaysian artistes via YA1M are going all out to help him improve his life,” said Khadijah.
She advised new artistes to support YA1M’s efforts in helping veterans of the industry who were in need of medical and financial assistance.
MUZIK 4 HUMANITY
When March 17 and 18
Where Istana Budaya, KL
Admission Tickets RM150 to RM450
Visit www.ilassotickets.com