On 15 and 16 April, Singing for Smiles hosted an unforgettable Jo Black and Choirs event at Abernethy Hall, Pretoria Boys High School, to raise funds for Daybreak House, a safe haven for vulnerable babies located nearby. The event was a vibrant celebration of music, art, and community spirit.
Guests were welcomed by the Pretoria Boys High School Dixie Band, setting the stage for a spectacular night. The setting felt straight out of a movie, with the majestic sandstone buildings of Pretoria Boys High providing the perfect backdrop for a celebration of music and hope.
Adding to the festive atmosphere were acrobats from Marinda Gerber Acrobatic and Contortion Dance Studio and a fire dancer from Tandem Flame Entertainment, bringing a touch of drama and flair. Anton Smit Sculptures also sponsored two beautifully crafted face masks for the event.
The event opened with a dazzling performance inspired by The Greatest Showman, featuring a captivating solo by a Pretoria Boys High student. The Master of ceremony was Schalk van der Walt who introduced each choir and kept the audience on the front of their seats.
Each choir, including Laerskool Lynnwood, Laerskool Menlopark, Laerskool Pretoria-Oos, Laerskool Hennopspark, Laerskool Bakenkop, Johannesburg Children’s Choir, Hoërskool Die Wilgers, Pretoria Boys High School, Laerskool Tygerpoort and Laerskool Kruinsig, performed two songs.
One of the most special moments of the evening was when all the Daybreak House babies took to the stage to sing The Wheels of the Bus, Oom Olifant, and other well-loved children’s songs. Their cheerful dancing brought big smiles to everyone in the crowd.
The evening reached its peak with an unforgettable performance by Jo Black, who captivated the audience with hits like Een Klein Klippie, Voel Jy Die Genade, Bring Die Hoop Weer Terug, and his new hit Haar Naam Is Afrikaans.
For the grand finale, all the choirs joined him on stage in a powerful mass choir performance, singing Hallelujah, Skepe, and Rig Jou Oë Op Na Die Berge together.
The audience was left inspired and uplifted, and more than 1,000 people attended over the two nights, all showing their support for Daybreak House and its mission.
