Live music and a braai – sounds perfect for a sunny Saturday to me. And it was all about music and having fun at the music concert and braai at Scout Hall, which was held to raise money for charity last Saturday, 2 November.
Live music and a braai – sounds perfect for a sunny Saturday to me. And it was all about music and having fun at the music concert and braai at Scout Hall, which was held to raise money for charity last Saturday, 2 November.
It was the kick-off fund raising event of the Grahamstown Goodwill Gang, with proceeds of R3500 handed over to a local music non-profit organization, Access Music Project (AMP). The money was raised with the entrance and braai fee of R85, bar proceeds, and sponsors' donations.
The live music concert started with the performance of pupils who are being taught by AMP, followed by jams by Barry and Beth, a dad and daughter team, The New Livers, Words Untamed, and Sean Haydock on didgeridoo with Johan Garisch on harmonica.
AMP offers a 5-year music program for pupils who don't have access to music classes. Currently there are 15 pupils learning to play various instruments such as marimbas, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, drum kits, base guitar, and voice Lessons take place 3 times per week at Joza Youth Hub, and they also teach pupils music theory and literacy. Shiloh Marsh, a co-founder of AMP said that 'the idea is that after completing our 5-year music program, if learners do well, they would be able to get to Rhodes or any other university." AMP also has its own outreach program with which they have reached more than 100 kids, visiting different pre-schools and primary schools in Grahamstown to teach kids to play different musical instruments.
Marsh explained why she believed the charity dedicated to music education is as important as any other charity, "Music has its place because life is diverse. Music and the arts are very important because they play such an important role in the meaning of people's lives. Music keeps people positive and strong, so it helps them to deal with problems they have in life."
The organizers also donated the braai food and drinks that were left to the local McKaiser Old Age home for Sunday lunch. Louise Boy, one of the organizers, said, 'We are very happy about the outcome of this fund raiser. It was fun, and we managed to raise R3500 for AMP."
Grahamstown Goodwill Gang, a new local fund raising club, has some 7 members and a few more volunteers. The group plans to hold a fund raiser every month to support local charities. For the end of November, they are already planning an art auction at the Easter Star Gallery Museum, auctioning 18 pieces drawn by St Raphael's children, with proceeds going to the St Raphael's Aids Centre.
