Darling Voorkamerfest

What's it all about?

Voorkamerfest is made up of wheels and cogs turning together to make it work as follows: visitors buy a ticket for a route – seven routes in total - and during this unforgettable journey between three different homes in Darling, three varied performances are show cased - twenty one performances altogether.

The element of surprise is that the audiences never know who they will see performing until they arrive at each 'voorkamer'. The owners of the houses, which range from small township abodes to some of Darling’s grand Cape Dutch homes, play host and a truly South African cultural experience awaits all, with an exciting mix of theatre genres catering to all tastes. To add to the flavour of the fest, local taxi companies are employed for the weekend to transport everyone to the various destinations throughout Darling.

The acts, performed in local Darling resident's living rooms, include a variety of dance, musical and drama genres, comedy, storytelling and magic - once again feeding the curiosity of those audience members who might not get the chance to attend a performance of any of the selected genres being show cased.

Come and experience this wonderfully surprising event on every level possible!


Voorkamer 2012 in a nutshell

On Friday 31 August the 9th annual Voorkamerfest spirit was not dampened by the welcome rain for the wildflowers!! With 6000+ visitors to the town, this year’s Voorkamerfest boasted an unforgettable eclectic line-up.

Aside from the fabulously unique array of performances the deliciously diverse, humming and bustling market organsied
superbly by Karen & Kevin attracted locals and visitors alike to Evita se Perron, to absorb a truly South African village spirit.




The enthuisiastic artists performed in local resident's living rooms, their performances comprised various music genres, comedy, storytelling, stand up and magic along with the famous and fabulous thrown into the mix. The 15 taxis and their hospitable drivers escorted the visitors to their unique venues, which ranged from delightful RDP to Cape Dutch homes. Happening the first weekend of Spring meant that the flowers along the West Coast were blooming and the picturesque drive to Darling becomes a major attraction. Another draw card is the Darling Wine Route boasting excellent wine estates who all donated wine to this year's festival (see our valued sponsors) as did Distell / Tukulu wines who sponsored the Friday night Artist/Sponsor/Crew function at Evita se Perron. This year we are very grateful & honoured to have had major support from kykNET, MNET & DSTV 'proudly sponsoring The Voorkamerfest' - Thank You!

For two weeks Lloyd Marengo & Sheree Lenting were back in Darling creating magic with our community's children which was presented during the Voorkamerfest weekend. The 'passing by' audiences were mesmerized and captivated for 10 minutes at a time - completely bedazzled by what Lloyd and Sheree were able to put together in such a short space of time with the sparkling talent of such enthusiastic youth of Darling.

Omnia with her usual flair and style, organised a spectacular Spring parade on Sat 1 Sept - she & her tireless team 'built' a 3 dimensional voorkamerfest logo float till all hours leading up to Spring day: for the community by the community! The whole community were involved in the parade proving yet again that our Darlings truly know how to build a spirit of togetherness and FUN!



The volunteers, businesses & residents of Darling were increddibly generous - donating what they could - which all helps to entice our audience back every year - also proving to the world that the Darling Festival Trust t/a The Voorkamerfest is a successful social developement project that works for all Darling residents.



To all who make this daringly, diverse and dazzling Darling event possible: THANK YOU in abundance - that means all of you!! audience, artists, crew, theatre hosts, taxi owners, sponsors, and Evita se Perron staff!.

In 2013, Voorkamerfest turns 10 and promises a knockout line-up - so make sure you don't miss it.

Held annually the first weekend of September. Bookings open 1 July 2013 OR for all of you who had a great experience, please consider the following:

Ambassadorship

Join The Voorkamerfest mailing list here or send an e-mail to tasha@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za / www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za
Festival greetings and looking forward to our 10th celebration with you all!



A Letter to our Fans

The Darling Festival Trust (trading as Voorkamerfest) IT 3262/2005

As a Voorkamerfest Ambassador your donation of R200 a year will help to assure that this unique festival remains a definite date on the annual calendar. In return, you will be able to book your Voorkamerfest tickets 2 weeks prior to the official opening of bookings i.e. from Sunday 17 June. Get in early because once bookings open, tickets sell out in a flash!

Your assistance as we move forward to assure the future for Voorkamerfest will be much appreciated! We look forward to receiving your donation (any amount, although only donations of R200 or more will qualify for Voorkamerfest Ambassador status and priority booking). Here’s to another exciting line-up of artists for 2013, our 10th year!

Please email tasha@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za with your request and proof of payment for Ambassadorship –

bookings@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za / 082 321 7542

BANKING DETAILS:

The Darling Festival
Standard Bank
Darling branch: 050111
Account no.: 083 273 689
Ref: surname, initial & AMB
Please eft for my attention or fax to 022 492 2851.