dot2s and DiGiCo at SU Woordfees festival

MG 57402 preview

In a world where people often get caught up in the humdrum of day to day activities, arts festivals remind us to breathe. As Stellenbosch University celebrated its 100th birthday, the 19th SU Woordfees took place from the 3rd to the 12th of March. For the very first time, DWR Distribution were part of the festival, sponsoring dot2s and a DiGiCo SD12 console.

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 224

When it comes to presenting excellence in all art disciplines, SU Woordfees has to be commended – from fine art, to outstanding drama and music productions, debates and the written word. Presented by the Stellenbosch University, SU Woordfees brings the entire town on board and before long, restaurants, schools, the city hall and theatres such as the HB Thom, become home to lovingly produced creations.

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 22

“In the current South African economic climate, festivals do not have the financial backing they deserve,” said Duncan Riley of DWR. “Technical companies are often willing to work alongside the organizers for very little income just to keep the arts alive. This year DWR approached event companies involved and asked if we could also help carry the load by sponsoring consoles and providing a team on site for technical support.”

GOPR0289 preview

DWR supplied 4 x dot2 cores, 1 x XL-F and 1x dot 2 on PC with DMX King. In addition, a DiGiCo SD12 and D2 Rack were supplied and used by Johan Griesel, an audio engineer and living legend from Eastern Acoustics.

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 221

“Woordfees is, and was a great Fees,” said Johan Griesel. “This is Eastern Acoustics third year and it gets better every year. We were involved in the Big Outdoor concerts at Coetzenburg where Woordfees ran two outdoor stages – as one stage finished, the second took over. It was a great three days from POPS to family entertainment.”

Eastern Acoustics also ran Rhenish and the Spier Amphitheatre. “I was given the DiGiCo SD12 by DWR for use at the Spier Amphitheater which ran from the 3rdto 11th March,” said Griesel. “What a joy to mix on this console. Solid, great sounding and easy to work on. Rhenish was a tough venue for us as they do two to three productions a day, and for every production, all the lights needs re-focusing and you have to use a ladder to do that. Long hours for our crew, and I think our two crew members are still asleep, two months later!!!! Woordfees ran a variety of concerts at Spier from Big Band Brass to Stef Bos, and it ran like clockwork, thanks to Brechmari van Wyk (Technical Manager) and Saartjie Botha (Director) of WoordFees. I most certainly hope that Woordfees goes from strength to strength, and that more and more people attend this great festival in Stellenbosch.”

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 222

Gareth Chambers who represented DWR along with colleagues Bradley Bruchhausen, Jethro Jordaan and Michael Taylor-Broderick agrees. “The festival was well attended. While there were a couple of first time dot2 users, I knew most of the technicians operating the shows and they were very happy to work on the MA platform.”

For Michael Taylor-Broderick from DWR, who is also a respected lighting designer in South Africa, Woordfees was one of the best festivals he has ever attended. “It offers a platform for so many art forms and the standard is exceptionally high across all genres,” said Taylor-Broderick. “Culturally, it was exciting and heartwarming to see so many Afrikaans practitioners producing incredible work. The work presented was challenging and far from commercial which sets it apart somewhat from the standard Festival model we are accustomed to.”

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 225

What also stood out for Taylor-Broderick was attending a talk co-presented by Ismail Mohamed, CEO of The Market Theatre. “Ismail Mohamed spoke about the role of festivals in our current economic and political climate. It was interesting to hear him outline the responsibilities that are meant to fall on the shoulders of Festivals; in this regard Woordefees seems to tick many of the relevant boxes.”

Based at DWR Cape Town, Bradley Bruchhausen ends, “Woordfees was amazing and well run. It was spread over a vast area and ran smoothly. We were grateful to be part of it.”

PHOTO 2018 03 28 15 26 223