A Conspiracy Of Clowns

This is always sad - it seems that the Knysna Playhouse has been forced to close its doors.  This was quite a new venue on the scene, and just starting to establish itself, so it’s very sad that it can’t continue.  We had been trying to get a number of our shows up there since last year, and I know that Fresco took Jutro there last year some time.  And I remember there were some murmurs about financial difficulties earlier this year.

But now it seems, it’s closing.  It’s very sad.  I hate it when this happens to theatres.

What they are doing is selling off equipment and stuff.  So if you interested, you can offer on the following at bargain prices:

• Jester ZERO programmable lighting control unit with two separate beta dimmer 3-pack units (12 x 15amp plugs in each) (their cost was R53 000)
• 23 x various working theatre lights (old)
• Ultra 800 watt rack mountable power amplifier with two large speakers (1000mm x 600mm x 450mm) plus four smaller speakers (500mm x 350mm x 400mm)
• Ultra 400 watt rack mountable power amplifier
• Bst Activ 40 audio mixing desk (8 channel)
• Oslo SX 240 mixing box (with pan pots, levels and 12 x RCAs)
• Gemini CDM-500 mixer (2 CDs DJ-type)
• Sansui San 400 professional power amplifier
• 2 x Behringer 1C ultra compact 100 watt monitor speakers with metal brackets (good quality units)

Any interest or offers? Call Don 082 374 0654 or e-mail donlaw@yebo.co.za

No luck, Knysna Playhouse.  We feel for you guys.

After the sweltering schools’ festival finished, we went to Sencity on Friday. It was such a great concept - way cooler than I thought it would be. Basically, they aim to create a multi-sensory clubbing/music experience that can be enjoyed by bothe Deaf and hearing people simultaneously.  This included:

• laser and lighting displays and designs
• “aroma jockeys” (AJ, maybe?) - a number of oscillating fans pumped different fragrances out inot the crowd
• sign dancers - people interpreting the lyrics of the onstage acts like Freshlyground and Coda
• aerial routines and displays by ZipZap Circus (whose flippen awesome venue it all took place in)
• and by far my favourite thing, so-called “sense floors” - which are basically raised platforms on the left and right side of the dancefloor (like a modelling ramp), with “buttkickers” (speakers, I take it) mounted underneath and wired up to the bass.  The result? A vibrating dancefloor that just literally rocks your socks!

We were there as added entertainment - we had company members wondering around as Old and young Frank and Janet from Pictures of You.  I had wanted to do a bigger thing with new masks, and stilts, and so on, but unfortunately budget restraints cut us right back.

But a really great experience. It didn’t seem so full, which was a pity. Maybe people didn’t know about it, or maybe the venue was too big so it seemed to have so few people. Maybe it was just the newness of it all. It would be really cool to do more of it, and keep finding new ways to bring different cultures together.

Oh yes, and African Dope was there, running a drum and bass floor outside. Tink was stoked cos Fletcher was playing. And I of course nearly managed to stuff it all up by discovering the stash of tequila…ahem…

Here’s a Guardian report on last year’s Sencity in Finland. Check it out - it’s really quite a cool thing…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfDRfY8buDQ]