The 10th Annual Darling VoorkamerFest (6-8 September 2013)
As one of the artists privileged enough to take part in this truly unique festival, here follows some photo-reflections and recollections. Since it is a working week-end filled with shows, I am sure I would have missed some important participants. This is simply an attempt to give you a glimpse into the Festival from my perspective, figuratively, and as it turns out, literally. The photos are my own except where specifically referenced. Feel free to use them, but please acknowledge my website when you do.
Visit the VoorkamerFest Website HERE.
Find the VoorkamerFest on Facebook HERE
View the line-up of artists at this year’s festival HERE.
Read an interview with Cape Argus Journalist Robyn Cohen HERE.
Two Icons of south African history: Our beloved Madiba with Pieter Dirk Uys’ creation, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhoudt
A reminder of the contradictions that is our country. The old and the new: The “Old” Oxwagon and the “New” South African Flag
Soprano Louise Howlett outside our “Concert Hall”, the Voorkamer (Lounge) of someone’s house in what would be known as a “Township” area. Bringing communities together.
Small space is a challenge, and not all venues have pianos, therefore a good keyboard has to suffice.
The festival is unique in the artists perform in people’s houses. Here’s our theatre – a house in a suburb (what might have been called a township). One starts to question all one’s terminology and assumptions. Please note the sign on the window of the sponsors of this venue: the Rupert Foundation. Artists are divided into 6 routes and audiences move from house to house, not knowing which act they are going to see.
Audiences rotate via Taxi from Voorkamer to Voorkamer. They drink wine and make friends and see the world from an angle they might not have seen before.
Wonderful views right from the Voorkamer where we performed. Ever afternoon there were horse-riders in the fields.
Mister Grumpy greeted us for every show. he was obviously not too impressed with all the comings and goings.
The lovely teacher from “Barney’s Angels Educare Center”, whose children performed in a street-theater dance.
Audience members included old and new friends and colleagues in the industry, including Fahiem Stellenboom from the Baxter Theater
“The Roof Guy” – a man with a guitar that randomly appeared on Rooftops serenading the Festival goers
Pieter Dirk Uys (middle) receving the 10 Year Anniversary cake from one of the Festival staff (l), with comedian Shimmy Isaacs (r)
Louise Howlett giving an impromptu a-capella encore in the moon as the Taxis were a bit late at the end of our late show,
Cape Celtic Dance Academy – they needed a Voorkamer with a high roof because they had the longest legs and could lift them so high you could just imagine someone yelling “Oppas vir die ligte!”
Albert Combrink & Louise Holwett opening the outdoor Community Concert at the Darling VoorkamerFest (Photo: Lise Day)
Albert Combrink & Louise Holwett opening the outdoor Community Concert at the Darling VoorkamerFest (Photo: Lise Day)
Louise Howlett (Soprano) & Albert Combrink (Piano) performing at the Voorkamer Festival (Photo: Paul Darne Photography)
View more photographs on the Festival’s Facebook Page HERE.
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