Lighting and effects are provided by a combination of Robe MiniMes and miniPointe fixtures.
These were specified by G?nter Boisits, operations and financial manager for owners The Nava Group headed by Giorgio Nava, a local celebrity chef and nightlife entrepreneur who also owns five restaurants in the area.
The Nava Group's previously successful club venture, Rhodes House, was legendary on the club scene until 2007 closing at the height of its success. Giorgio thinks the time is spot-on to launch The Bank as something fresh, new and invigorating in the 'Mother City'. In keeping with that vibe, he also wanted innovative technology onboard, and that's when G?nter started the dialogue with Bradley Bruchhausen from the Cape Town branch of DWR, Robe's South African distributor.
QV54 - acquired by the Nava Group 2011 - has also been used for film shoots, corporate functions and weddings. It's a listed building, so the walls can't be touched, and to facilitate technical elements, a large four-legged ground support is installed into the main area, its legs tucked into the corners and juxtaposed against the deco columns.
The four MiniMes and two miniPointes are rigged around the trussing, together with some LED PARs, and run off a Dell OptiPlex touch screen system and Avolites Titan Mobile.
DWR helped with the initial programming and set up to get the venue get open - and so far it's been a resounding success, with plans emerging to add more miniPointes to the rig along with a laser.
(Jim Evans)
