Cherri Catering Hire
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CONTACT: Tel/Fax 021 785 7216 email: cherrich@telkomsa.net
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E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
CANCELLED
LOCAL SHOW: Local band The Lost Sock performing at last year’s Concert in the Park. Photo: Supplied
LAID BACK SHOW: Scenes from last year’s Concert in the Park show this community event’s true colours. Photo: Supplied
City throws book at concert DALEEN FOUCHÉ
T
HE popular “Concert in the Park”, an annual Kalk Bay community charity event which has been running for 10 years, had to be cancelled this year due to the lengthy applications required by the City of Cape Town to host an event. In terms of its new Events Bylaw, passed in 2009, the city requires organisers of all events to provide the same amount of information when applying to host an event, whether it is on a large scale such as the U2 concert, or small community events such as the Concert in the Park. And even though organisers were given the green light for last year’s event – as they were apparently given leeway by city officials – the city would not accept the same abridged version of the application for this year’s event. Councillor Demitri Qually says it is a “great pity” that this year’s concert has been cancelled as a result
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of the bylaw. He confirms that the bylaw requires a formal process, irrespective of the size of the event. Qually says that the city will review the bylaw and use the Concert in the Park as an example that not all events should have to go through the same process. He says there is a massive difference between a small, localised event like the Concert in the Park and big events like the U2 concert. “Unfortunately the review of the bylaw will take some time.” The organisers of the Concert in the Park say it is “impossible” for a small community event to submit the same amount of information as is expected of big events like the U2 concert. The small-scale event, which attracts locals from the valley, was set to take place on 13 March. Organisers started preparation in January. The money generated from the event is used for the maintenance of the Lever Street park. Judy Herbert, event organiser, says even that although most re-
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quirements for the application are usually met at the event, the organising committee cannot provide all these details in the 27-page format which the city requires. “It is not realistic for a small community event to meet all the requirements.” She explains that the document requires substantial input and evidence from a wide range of bodies such as the police, waste management, security, and all neighbours within a certain radius of the event. “This meant that it became impossible to comply with, despite considerable effort to obtain permission or agreement to waiver more onerous requirements,” says Herbert. Herbert says the organisers have always been careful with security, and usually have the local company Mountain Men at the event, but explains that the bylaw requires that “a qualified security company that has been trained in events management must submit an integrated security operation plan in collaboration with the South African Police Service”.
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Herbert says the concert is organised by the community for the community and is attended by people of all ages. Last year, the event attracted about 350 people and raised R27 000. She says the money is used towards the maintenance of the park and enables the employment of someone from the Haven Night Shelter to work there. But Herbert says last year’s funds are almost depleted. “We ask residents to contribute to the maintenance of the park.” She says bands that would have performed at this year’s concert include Lost Sock, Time Flies and other up-and-coming artists. The event would also have included a magician, face painting and food stalls. Herbert says it is important that the community keep its eyes open for bylaws that can have unforeseen effects on small communities. Terence Isaacs, head of the city’s Film and Events Department, says even though distinctions are made for different events, “essentially” the same rules and requirements
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will apply for provision of security, medical assistance and approvals for structures. Isaacs says that during 2008 and 2009, the city’s events office acknowledged that there would have to be a “lead in” period to allow event organisers to become acquainted with the Events Bylaw and its new requirements. He says both the city and the police now require compliance with the Events Bylaw. Isaacs says the city will assist in facilitating the event organiser’s engagement with the various service departments and the obtaining of the necessary approvals. However, the responsibility for meeting the requirements rests with the event organiser. But Herbert says they had very little help from the city. Isaacs, however, believes that the Events Bylaw does not prevent events from happening. “It assists in ensuring events, whether small, big or mega, are staged safely and securely and with minimum risk to public safety.”
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