On the evening of Friday, August 30th, the first floor of Stornoway came alive with music as it hosted its first summer concert. The event was not simply a concert rather; it was an opportunity for neighbors to come together, socialize, and strengthen community bonds-both new and old.
I formed a quintet consisting of me, with three of my school friends and my neighbor who is a professional drummer who lives in our building. We played a selection of popular songs from the 70s to the 90s, which we anticipated would be a hit with the attendees. For each song, one of our performers would take the turn of leading the singing and encouraging everyone to join in, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. We ended the evening on a high note by performing the most popular party song – “YMCA”. Although we couldn’t dance due to limited space, all the attendees enthusiastically joined in on the infamous choreography.
Over 30 residents attended the concert, exceeding our expectations and filling the venue with energy and smiles. The event would not have been possible without the generous support of the YNSG, who provided the funding for food, drinks, and party supplies. Their contribution added to the overall success of the night.
The event took months to plan and prepare. We were responsible for every aspect, from selecting the songs, creating the performance schedule, meeting to practice, to set-up and take-down of the performance area.
All volunteers went above and beyond, not only in handling the event’s logistics but also in designing and setting up posters and preparing and distributing individual goody bags, which added a personal touch to the evening. Our strata council also played a crucial role by helping to distribute brochures, ensuring everyone in the community was informed and encouraged to participate.
Stornoway’s historic first summer concert was more than just a musical performance, it was a celebration of community and relationships. The overwhelming success of the event has left everyone eager for future gatherings, and we are already looking forward to planning the next one.