Festival on the gazebo

A Festival on the gazebo because Harmonie de Goede Hoop is celebrating no less than 150 years this year. A joyous event that will be celebrated at different times throughout the year. In August, the kiosk on the Kouwenberg will be the central point for ‘Festival on the kiosk’, where precisely not the harmony itself, but musical groups that evolved from the harmony perform.

The initiative for the music festival came from the harmony's commissioners. Normally at this kind of event, it is precisely the harmony that always performs. We were looking for an event that suits the harmony, but where they themselves can enjoy the music, together with everyone from Aarle-Rixtel.

The spot that was chosen wasn't random either. The kiosk on the Kouwenberg exists exactly 100 years this year and was built in 1924 by and for the harmony. This brings history together nicely. The groups performing are: De Ouwe Hap, Vatabieren (with help from Goez Hool Band), Aarle Rixie Dixie, Goez Hool Band, BBC Jazz and Die Partyhosen. 

Easily accessible and free
On the same day, the reunion of the harmony for members and former members will take place at café-zaal Bij Van Dijk. Afterwards, we want to offer Aarle-Rixtel a beautiful festival on the Kouwenberg with ‘Festival op de Kiosk’. Accessible and free of charge so everyone can enjoy it. On the grassy area there will be tension tents, tables and chairs and a stage truck where performances will take place, just like on the kiosk itself. Also, between performances, anecdotes will be shared and there will be surprises here and there.

The organisers say that the music companies approached immediately said ‘yes’ to the request to perform again. While some musicians still take up their instruments on a weekly basis, for others it has been a while. People should enjoy the performances in a casual way and we also want to give youth a stage.