Zimbabwean media executive Napoleon Nyanhi knew exactly what kind of image he wanted to project in Vine Live, the video recording session he was putting together in the capital city of Harare headlined by the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir. It had to make a powerful statement for the music collective with big, bold uplifting looks.

The only challenge was, Nyanhi wasn’t sure how such a set design could be created in a short time on a relatively small stage that would be expected to hold up to 78 performers at one time. Seeking some guidance, he sent a What’s App message to his friend, Tatenda Gaylord Rushwaya of Events Evolution, asking if he could work his magic.

“Napoleon’s request was straightforward; he wanted a beautiful harmonious stage,” recalled Rushwaya. “But when he told me how many people would be on it, and its size, the request was suddenly not that simple.”

Not that simple indeed! Especially when it turned out that there would be only a little over one week to take the recording set from concept to completion.

Taking the challenge, Rushwaya contacted his Events Evolution colleague Blessing Bero, and described some of his initial ideas. Bero set to work drafting a design and a day later came up with a layout.

“We got down to work, Blessing started fine tuning the stage design and I started the preparations which included, technical riders and putting together a detailed plan of what was needed to make the show happen, said Rushwaya, who wound up serving as technical director of the recording project, while Berro worked as lighting designer.

Once they signed on for the project, the Events Evolution duo immediately set about building a team needed to help them turn their vision into reality.

“We had to scout for carpenters, welders, engineers and technicians amongst others,” said Rushwaya. “When all this was done, we presented the proposed stage design, and after minor adjustments were made, it was accepted and the countdown to the event started. To pull off this production, we needed to move fast — fortunately the client gave us everything we needed.

Rushwaya and Berro virtually moved into the event’s venue, The Harare International Conference Center, on a Saturday. It was then that the race against the clock began, as they had to complete the set in time for the session, which was schedule for the next Sunday.

Here is the timeline of the project, as described by Rushwaya:

Day One :
“We did not do any setting up at all; the day was taken up by moving in our gear and equipment into the venue. We had to bring in the material to construct the stage, sound equipment, lighting equipment, screens and hundreds of meters of cables amongst other things. In the late afternoon of that day, we started rigging points, wherever they were needed.”

Day Two:
“On this day we started rigging up and installing front of house lighting and front of house sound.”
Day Three: “We began setting up the stage lighting, the front of house LED screen and the back LED screen. We had to put the screens and lighting into place first so that the set structure be built around them.”

Day Four:
“The carpenters moved in to start building the wooden structure of the set. This process was quite delicate and needed attention to detail and specifications. We finished up the stage lighting as well as start setting up the backline.”

Day Five:
“We continued with building the structure, setting of stage lighting and the backline. The video crew moved in on this day for their set up, we also started on the technical checks.”

Day Six:
“This was pretty much the same with day four where we worked on finishing up the structure, stage lighting, backline, video set up, and technical checks. The Vine band also moved in for line checks.”
Day Seven: “We stepped up the technical checks, The band had already moved in and finished their setting up. The Vine singers came in as well as the orchestra, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Mahalia Buchanan and Mabongi That evening we carried out a full dress rehearsal with the band, the orchestra and all the singers. This also included full sound, screens, lighting and video.”

Day Eight:
“The day of the show! We did our sound checks and later that evening it was, light camera and action.”

The show came off beautifully. Although the expected big contingent of 78 performers appeared on stage, it looked graceful, elegant, and certainly not crowded or uncomfortable. Using a white staging structure as a “canvas,” along with richly saturated colors and gobo patterns from 41 moving fixtures and 61 static lights, the design team created engaging visuals that not only captivated the audience, but also added depth and dimensions to the stage.

Meanwhile, the circular overhead truss flanked by two V-shaped bars, a two tiered video wall, and three gently curved scenic pieces on either side of the stage that were incorporated into the layout created sufficient space between the performers to achieve the harmonious, uncluttered look that Berro and Rushwaya were after.

“This project stretched us creatively, physically, mentally, and emotionally,” said Rushwaya, noting that it also gave him a “great sense of satisfaction,” the kind of feeling that inspires every designer to take on “impossible” challenges.

Thanks to The Vine Crew
Show Director – Napoleon Nyanhi
Technical / Ass Show Director – Tatenda Gaylord Rushwaya
Director’s PA – Martin Chabuka
Set Designer / Lighting Designer – Blessing Bero
FOH Engineer – Endelani Kachepa
Monitor Engineer – Tendai Madewu
Recording Engineer / Logistics – Mark Marko
Video Director – Clemence Wonder Mphepo
Audio Visuals HOD – Musere Pistis Shepherd
Chief Electrician – Oswald Mazarire
Assisted By Dickson Kachepa and Shelton Mapfidza
Master Carpenter – Erwin Tatenda Potsekayi
Stage Tech HOS – Harris K Mach
Assisted by Marshall Chirombo @Kudakwashe Jonathan Ashley Bang
RIGGER – Emmanuel Mutirwara & Alkhaida Kudzie
Lighting Tech – Samson Zinyemba Kingdom Kudzerema Tafadzwa Kaseke
AV Tech – Prince Blacks Nkomo, Isaac Kaseke Mthokozisi Nkiwane Lee Mudzvova
Tech Logistics – Kudzai R Chako
Graphics Designer – Tawie Tagiwa
Floor Manager – Rumbidzai Matinanga
Stage Manager – Panashe Nyakawa
Video Tech HOD – Irvine Matikiti
Videography – Scarlet Zim
Photography – RHI Media
BTS Video and Photography- Lincoln Mandengu Photography
Video Crew – Thomas Matikiti Vernon Trevah Teterai Washie Njagu Gurupira Chrispen Kambara @Lloyd Chapatisi Honest Mutusva Sauramba Pamhidzai Brooks @Tinashe Dumba @Mervis Chifamba Lionel Depute @Anotidaishe Tinonetsana Marshall Chikorowondo
Artist Management – Varaidzo Amanda Mlalazi
Marketing & Media Relations – Kudakwashe Tinashe Makonese
Costumes – Mixhelle Dhube
Makeup Artist – Mel
Music Director – Nigel Nyangombe
Choreography – Nyasha Mwandiambira
Set Furniture -Platinum Event