Described as a grown-up’s playground, the Cape Town’s Alcazar New Year’s Eve Celebration, whimsically themed “Faerie Tale,” drew in more than 5,000 revelers, and when dusk fell, the air was charged with laughter and indelible moments. The crew at Ultra Events, a creative technical solutions supplier, raised the stakes, orchestrating a technical journey which incorporated Robe Lighting with a grandMA2 ultra-light console in control.
Located at Cape Town Girls High at the base of Table Mountain, the outdoor main stage was designed to resemble a palace and hosted international headliners including Catz ‘N Dogz, a Polish duo known for blending disco, deep house and techno, and Madmotormiquel, who is synonymous with Berlin house music. Floyd Lavine, a hometown hero gaining worldwide acclaim for his lively Afro performances and magnetic stage presence, also took the stage. Adding to the spectacle, were fire dancers, aerial artists, gymnasts, and various other DJs and performers. Two additional venues, The La Fee Verte Ballroom and Wolfkop Weekender Den, offered an immersive dance experience.
“Now in its fourth year, Alcazar is a pop-up New Year’s Eve event that continues to draw local, regional and international guests with the numbers in attendance growing steadily year on year,” shares Costa Champanis, owner of Ultra Events. “Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, guests could once again enjoy an evening under a Cape Town Summer’s Night. We were thrilled to be part of the event again.”
Ultra Events served as the primary technical provider for the main stage area and took care of the lighting and technical needs for the entire second floor. Their lighting arsenal featured a variety of equipment including Robe Pointes, Robe Mega Pointes, Robin LEDBeam 350s, 4 Cell Audience blinders, Longman LED parcans, and an Antari smoke machine. Driving the lighting rig was the company’s grandMA3 ultra-Light console.
The Robe Pointes and Mega Pointes delivered striking aerial effects, enhancing the main stage’s intricate 3D mapping. Meanwhile, the LEDBeam 350s, famous for their sweeping beams and vibrant washes, contributed to the event’s appealing ambiance.
After an exceptionally busy 2023, Costa and his team were pleased to welcome in the new year with fanfare and celebration. No guessing they took a well-earned holiday straight after!
