11/12/2020
OAK UNLOCK’D - LET THE MUSIC BEGIN !
Overstrand Arts/Kunste is pleased to present the first live concert since Covid-19 hit. After 9 months of stress, insecurity and confusing restrictions, the country is steadily opening up and the first live classical concert this summer in Hermanus will be performed at the Dutch Reformed Church at 15h30 on Sunday, 13 December. OAK has a 12 year long history of staging excellent classical music recitals in Hermanus, often in the face of severe financial constraints. 2020 has proven to be intensely challenging. The restriction to stage live concerts not only affected the music scene in Hermanus, it also hugely battered OAK’s finances. As lockdown began, OAK’s committee was unexpectedly diminished to five members, who were unconditionally determined that Covid-19 would not break down 12 years’ of hard work. This core committee, with newly elected chairman Pieter van Aswegen at the helm, started brainstorming earnestly. The performing arts and artists suffered a massive blow and had to be rescued.
On Sunday, 24 May, through the initiative of pianist Nina Schumann, OAK partnered with CONCERTS CONNECT to offer their members the first virtual concert. These on-line concerts posed as a life-line to music societies country wide attempting to survive the blow. As a result of this partnership a number of high-quality virtual concerts by top-class performers were offered through the lockdown period to OAK members and friends. Zoom meetings became routine and modern technology came to the rescue. OAK managed to stay afloat.
Overstrand Arts/Kunste has taken the plunge by staging this live concert in order to release live music back into the community. Full Covid protocols will be in place. Masks must be worn at all times. OAK UNLOCK’D promises to be an exciting concert for our famished audience. Louna Stofberg, well-known organist, has co-ordinated the concert and Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Hans Roosenschoon, César Franck, Massenet and Piazzolla will be celebrated on the organ, piano, violin, flute, viola and cello as well as voice. The artists will be Louna (organ and piano), Winand Grundling (organ), Luvo Maranti (tenor), Maja van Dyk (viola), Samantha Durrant (violin), Pieter-Adriaan Stofberg (cello), Axolile Hoza (flute), Marlon van Rooyen (piano accompanist), and the Cantare Ensemble. THIS CONCERT WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF FINE MUSIC.
OAK deserves every possible support. David Pike (new committee member) says: “When I moved to Hermanus from Pietermaritzburg, I left behind with the greatest regret a first-class choir. But the OAK performances here over the past two-and-a-half years have been musically and socially so rewarding that for me the move lost much of its sting.”
The future depends on Covid-19 and OAK, like most cultural organisations, will continue to need a great deal of personal and financial support. OAK survived 2020, doesn’t give up easily and has a passionate commitment to good music. This organisation supports and encourages performers, especially young ones, and will certainly be planning to continue with the promotion of music—arguably a major force for breaking down barriers and satisfying cultural needs. OAK trusts that 2021 will allow them to have live concerts again on a regular basis.
So mask up for OAK UNLOCK’D which will happen at 15h30 on Sunday afternoon, 13 December in the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk) in Hermanus. Tickets are R150 and R60 (students) and available at the Tourism Office in Mitchell Street. Tel. 028 312 2629.
It is imperative that patrons purchase tickets prior to the concert to avoid congestion whilst observing the Covid-19 protocols prior to the concert. Go early to choose your seat. Enquiries: René du Plooy 082 940 4238
