Dorp Bar in Stellenbosch recently hosted an ABBA vs Taylor Swift fundraising event where attendees were asked to give donations as an entry fee and vote on their favourite artist with each drink they purchased. This is according to Marcus Oosthuizen, the owner of Dorp. The event was held in support of local non-profit organisation StellCare, explained Arnold van der Walt, Dorp’s events coordinator and DJ. “As a DJ, I prefer ABBA but, personally, I prefer Taylor Swift,” he added. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
A local non-profit organisation (NGO) that supports vulnerable children and families recently benefited from an ABBA versus Taylor Swift fundraising event in Stellenbosch.
This is according to Gareth Halkett-Amos, the manager of Dorp Bar (Dorp). Dorp hosted the event on 31 August in support of StellCare, a child protective service, he stated.
“Throughout the evening, we had 350 people [in attendance],” said Marcus Oosthuizen, the owner of Dorp. Event attendees were required to either pay R50 or bring donations of canned food, blankets and clothing as an entry fee, he explained.
A total of R6 500 and five big boxes of food and clothing were donated, stated Oosthuizen.
“We believe in giving back to the community,” said Arnold van der Walt, Dorp’s events coordinator and DJ. “We have that responsibility.”
“ABBA versus Taylor Swift was an amazing event,” said Marcus Oosthuizen, the owner of Dorp Bar in Stellenbosch, which recently hosted a charity event. At this event, patrons were asked to vote for their favourite artist – ABBA or Taylor Swift. Pictured from left to right: Miré Pienaar (who voted for Taylor Swift), Francia Streicher (ABBA), Bianca Kelbrick (Taylor Swift), Mia Steenkamp (ABBA), Quinelle Blaauw (ABBA), Zoé Kolver (ABBA), Olivia Sanchez (ABBA) and Alice Lombard (Taylor Swift). PHOTO: Jamie Venter
The winner takes it all
“We decided, for the last day of Women’s Month, that promoting an event with two very strong female artists from two very different eras, but who have had the same sort of impact, would be nice,” said Halkett-Amos.
“Throughout the night, every time someone [bought] one of the [drink] specials, they [could] choose who they vote for – ABBA or Taylor Swift,” Hakett-Amos explained. Every hour between 18:00 and 00:00, Van der Walt announced which artist was taking the lead and would play more of their music for the next hour, he explained.
By the close of the night, ABBA received the most votes, with a grand total of 268, beating Taylor Swift’s 152 votes, said Oosthuizen.
“It is just to have fun at the end of the day, but we are able to give back, so we will,” said Halkett-Amos.
“Throughout the evening, we had 350 people [in attendance],” said Marcus Oosthuizen, the owner of Dorp Bar in Stellenbosch, which recently hosted a charity event where patrons could vote for their favourite artist – ABBA or Taylor Swift. “The total cash contribution is R6 500 and we have five big boxes with food and clothing that will be donated [to StellCare],” said Oosthuizen. Pictured is one of the attendees, Dirk Swart. “I am voting for Taylor,” said Swart. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
Keeping the ship afloat
“StellCare is a child protective service, but we can’t turn a blind eye to other vulnerable people, such as the elderly, so we take them under our wing as well,” said Bettie Nieuwou, the director of StellCare.
StellCare has locations in Eerste River, Kayamandi, Cloetesville and Idas Valley, which provide many services to meet the community’s needs, said Nieuwou. Some of the services they provide include counselling, foster care, gender-based violence intervention, holiday programs and feeding schemes, Nieuwou explained.
StellCare feeds more than 6 000 individual meals per day and as many as 54 000 meals per month with the aid of volunteers and donations, Nieuwou added.
“Donations are crucial for us. It’s what keeps the ship afloat,” said Nieuwou.
“It is through the support of the community that we can do what we do,” said Nieuwou. “And every donation we receive goes to a good place.”
“StellCare is a child protective service, but we can’t turn a blind eye to other vulnerable people, such as the elderly, so we take them under our wing as well,” said Bettie Nieuwou, the director of StellCare. “Donations are crucial for us. It’s what keeps the ship afloat. It is through the support of the community that we can do what we do.” PHOTO: Facebook/StellCare