OAK Unlock’d – Let the music begin!

Overstrand Arts/Kunste (OAK) is pleased to present the first live concert since the Covid-19 lockdown started in March. After nine months of stress, uncertainty and confusing restrictions, the country is steadily opening up and the first live classical concert this summer will be performed at the Hermanus Dutch Reformed Church on Sunday afternoon, 13 December.

Cantare Ensemble

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 exceptionally challenging for this home-grown music society. The restriction to stage live concerts not only deprived music lovers of enjoying the monthly recitals by renowned artists from around the world – 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 of a series of virtual concerts. These online concerts

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