City thanks staff with pop-up concert

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Cape Town Opera hosted a pop-up concert for the City of Cape Town staff.

A pop-up thank you concert, hosted by the City of Cape Town’s social development and early childhood development department’s arts and culture branch in partnership with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Cape Town Opera, took place at the Cape Town Civic Centre last Wednesday, December 1.

The concert was held to thank the City of Cape Town staff for their hard work and dedication in responding to Covid-19 throughout 2021.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined staff at the concert and thanked all those involved.

“The concert was an opportunity to give thanks to all the City’s staff, and especially the frontline workers, for their hard work, commitment and resilience through this very demanding year. We acknowledge the impact of these challenges, but more importantly, we remember the lives we have lost, give thanks for the year that has passed and celebrate that which brings us all together. In music, in the arts, and in the cultural life of our city, we find strength and motivation to connect, and move forward together.”

The mayoral committee member community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, said culture is an important feature of a caring and resilient city. “We would like to thank our partners – The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Cape Town Opera for providing us with a space to reflect on the 2021 year, as well as an opportunity for celebration and inspiration as we begin the festive season.”

The CEO of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Louis Heyneman, said they were delighted to perform with Cape Town Opera for the City and its workforce.

“The City has been a huge supporter of the orchestra and its youth education and development projects. The atmosphere was magical, the mayor took time out of his busy day to attend, and we got to hear Ms Van der Ross commit to culture. We look forward to presenting another concert for the City and its people.”

The business development manager at Cape Town Opera, Leslie Liddle, said at a time of year when energy levels are low, it was so apt to thank the staff at the City for their hard work. “Music brings joy, music heals, music soothes, music resuscitates life. How wonderful to see staff and visitors enjoy the beautiful music and song.”