GRAHAMSTOWN NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
by Robbi Nassi, Technical Sales & Support – Electrosonic SA
Come the end of June, it is time for the National Arts Festival. This year Renier Smit and I went to Grahamstown as part of the Electrosonic SA sponsorship, as we do every year during Festival Time. This year we decided to focus on Lighting Controllers, and by us supplying lighting controllers for specific venues eased the shortage that was experienced in the past.
We had five Martin M-Series Consoles that had been set up by Jesse Dullabh during the first week of the Festival. These included the M6, Maxxyz Compacts, M1, M2go and M2PC. Prior to this we had trained the technicians that would be operating these consoles, at our Electrosonic Training Facilities. We wanted to ensure they would be comfortable with these high-end consoles in their specific Venues. We are also delighted that the new addition to the M-Series the Martin M6 Controller had arrived just in time to set up in the main auditorium in the 1820 Settlers Monument. This gave us the perfect opportunity to début the M6 in RSA. It took control of the Main Venue at the National Arts Festival where we were able to do demos for various clients when the venue was quiet (which was rare). Naturally this would not have been possible without the assistance of the highly competent technicians/ freelancers involved, such as Tumisang Sebogo and Tumisang Mafora to name a few.
Renier and I were also on technical support for the equipment supplied, including some Martin Moving Heads, VersaLight Led Products, Dimming and - best of all the - M-Series Controllers.
Every day started afresh for us, as the Festival is a dynamic environment and with so much going on at so many venues, it is impossible to make any fixed plans. We saw clients if and when we could. We had fruitful meetings with people from PACOFS, Artscape, Market Theatre, Wits theatre, and Rhodes Theatre among others.
Apart from sponsoring lighting equipment Electrosonic SA was also involved with the branded sweaters that were supplied to technical staff of the NAF – as well as other bits of swag that was handed out. It was a pleasure to work with the National Arts Festival technical staff and assist them with providing the light that they needed to add the extra edge to an already thriving and successful festival.
The festival, is well-organized and technically-well executed, all because of Nicci Spalding (The Android Technician and Head of NAF Technical). This gave us time to visit and socialize with clients and, most important of all, building relationships and making lifelong friendships with the staff of the NAF. Apart from Nicci, these also include Ryan Burton, Alex Farmer, Ronnie van Jaarsveld (LineOut PE), David Opperman (Magnetic Storm PE,) Jayne Claire Burden, Jaques de Kock and Carol Reston (Rocco). We appreciate your friendship and we look forward to working with you at future Festivals.