This month we were blessed to host the amazing American musician Dennis Warner, his talented band of Dan and Pat, and their wonderful support crew of Tammy and Pam. They were touring South Africa to enjoy the many beautiful, diverse sites and engage with our vibrant cultures. As part of their tour, they gave performances as volunteers as part of the STEPi (Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute) literacy and cognitive development programme which Dreamcatcher is managing in South Africa. The band uses music & art to promote positive behaviour in schools addressing diversity, bullying prevention & character education. This is encapsulated in the uptempo and fun song ‘Beads on One String’ and the accompanying book, beautifully illustrated by Alison Love Unzelman. Since our founding, engaging and empowering South African children and youth has been a cornerstone of our work. Through the STEPi books programme, Dreamcatcher engages with schools and other organisations across the Eastern and Western Cape, distributing books containing motivational stories, including ‘Beads on One String’.
Dreamcatcher facilitated all travel arrangements for Dennis and the crew whilst in South Africa, and coordinated community engagement events during the bands’ stay in the Western Cape. This included performances by Dennis and the band in Oudtshoorn, Herbertsdale, Stilbaai, Melkhoutfontein (pictured above), Montagu, Robertson, Nuy, and Darling – where they enjoyed company and meals with Dreamcatcher Kamammas. The Dreamcatcher accompanied the band on their journey. Dennis and team spent a night at the historical Adley House in Oudtshoorn – here with staff and Dreamcatcher Kamamma Hazel (a retired teacher) with a copy of ‘Beads on One String’ You can read more about Dennis’s experiences in his blog which features lots of amazing pictures capturing the trip.
It was such fun and heartwarming hosting these amazing and talented folk on such an impactful trip, and we look forward to welcoming Dennis and the whole team back soon ❤ You can read more about our community engagement projects, including STEPi, on our projects page.
