MIDSUMMER VALENTINES CONCERT FOR CHARITY

February 2010

Pack your picnic basket, uncork your bubbly and share a romantic evening of musical brilliance at the Midsummer Melodies concert, to be held on Valentine's Day (Sunday February 14) at 6pm in the gardens of the Main House at De Grendel Estate in Plattekloof.

The internationally acclaimed Cape Town Opera will be performing together with the talented young voices of the Hout Bay Music Project under the musical direction of celebrated local songstress, Aviva Pelham.

The Midsummer Melodies concert is being held to raise awareness for the Montrose Foundation and its two main initiatives for this year; the Montrose Equine 'Youth at Risk' Program and the 'Find Help Find Hope' awareness campaign. The aim is also to recognize the plight of addiction amongst poorer communities in South Africa, which is linked to the break-up of communities, families, and homes.

The Montrose Foundation was set up in 2008 by Johnny Graaff, founder of Montrose Place, an extended care facility for the treatment of addiction, chemical dependence, and compulsive behaviors. The foundation aims to set up a local community infrastructure whereby people can learn about addiction and seek help through various outreach programmes.

The Montrose Equine 'Youth at Risk' Development Programme (YARD) helps young individuals grappling with life issues to be transitioned back into society through equine-assisted therapy and the healing power of horses. The internationally-recognized therapy is especially helpful in addressing low-self esteem, poor communication skills, behaviour regulation, and problem-solving and coping skills. Montrose Equine has just graduated a group of 15 youths from Beth Urial through the program, and other organisations enrolled in the programme this year include Ons Plek and The Homestead.

The 'Find Help Find Hope' campaign is a media and awareness campaign which through various media aims to encourage addicts and those affected by addiction to join 12-step groups and seek outpatient treatment at NGO's. It also intends to diminish the stigma around addiction by introducing the disease model to the public.

Tickets are R300 per person. There is also the option to pre-order a picnic basket for an additional cost of R114 per person, and there will be De Grendel wine, mineral water and gourmet pizzas for sale. Guests also stand a chance to win prizes from Mont Blanc and PUMA. Gates open at 5pm.

For information and ticket bookings please visit www.montrosefoundation.co.za or call 082 877 1777 or 021 797 9270.

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