Montréal, July 6, 2006 – At 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, Fireworks for Africa will delight Montréal with its very first performance in L’International des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS, with a show called Out of Africa / Terres d’Afrique.

The African company Fireworks for Africa, which has brought together the best pyrotechnicians and craftspeople on the continent, will tell us the story of South Africa, known as the Rainbow Nation. Mr. Nick Mitri, the company’s CEO and artistic designer, is very pleased to present a show in Montréal after the team’s success in the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light contest in Hull in 2000, 2001 and 2005 as well as in the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition in Québec City in 2000 and 2001. “We want to present a documentary-style show about Africa and take spectators on a trip from beginning to end,” said Mr. Mitri, who considers himself not only a representative of South Africa, but also of the entire African continent. Since he entered the world of pyrotechnics in 1996, Mr. Mitri has dreamed of participating in Montréal’s international fireworks competition, which he considers to be the most prestigious fireworks competition in the world.

The show, which features pyrotechnic pieces ranging from gentle and calm to very dynamic, will play out against very typical African songs as well as more classical cinema music, such as the song “This Land,” from The Lion King film soundtrack. Star Trek music will also be featured, making reference to the first African in space, Mark Shuttleworth. Special effects and fireworks such as Catherine wheels and flying saucers will be used in the show.

The primary goal for the competition is to create a show with as many colours and effects as possible, so teams generally finalize their musical selections once the fireworks themselves are chosen. According to Mr. Mitri, it is a major challenge to adjust the typically African musical selections to the fireworks because of the particular rhythm of this type of music. Clearly, however, Fireworks for Africa have carried off the challenge successfully in the past; the team’s performances are described as being both highly artistic and highly technical.

The Fireworks for Africa team was created in 2004 when South Africa’s four best pyrotechnicians—Nick Mitri, Grant Russel, Eddie Mashaba and Peter Mashaba—came together. They share the passion and goal of promoting South Africa by entering the world’s biggest fireworks events. The African team has worked tirelessly to stand out not only in its own country but also internationally by participating in shows in countries such as Italy, Belgium and the Philippines. The team will also perform at the upcoming closing ceremony of the World Cup in Germany, which will give a taste of the tremendous show they’re preparing for the next World Cup in 2010 in South Africa.


Title Performer or composer

I Found You Interstate
Zoosters Breakout Hans Zimmer
Born Free Hans Zimmer
This Land Hans Zimmer
Lea Halalela Khululiwe Sithole
African Medley Ron Brettell
African Dream Vicky Sampson
Who Wants to Live Forever Queen
Star Trek OST – John Williams
O’Fortuna Spiritual Project

Oh Paul! You have been too fast to post it, I miss the scoop!

Similarity is striking between this musical program and the soundtrack planned for the forthcoming South African show in Gatineau (July 29th):

http://www.feux.qc.ca/pays/afrique.htm

I am looking forward to see the setup pieces announced in the press release! Do you think that "flying saucers" are girondolas or a new effect?

Fred

Fred,

flying saucer is a common name for girandolas. In fact, it is a much more commonly used name. Even in French, a girandolas are referred to as a "soucoupes volantes".

Since Fireworks for Africa are not manufacturers, I don't think we'll see anything that isn't available on the market already - unless they have specifically contracted their suppliers to produce some pieces.

You're right about the soundtrack being similar, but there are some differences - though note that the Gatineau displays are only 20-25 minutes.

Paul.

Yes, it's true that the girandolas are commonly referred to as flying saucers as an alternative name, so I, too, am pretty sure that we'll see some them, and I'm hopeful that they will have the double ascension and gold glittering types.

I'm also rather pleased to see a soundtrack from the Lion King.

Trav.

I saw a show of this company (Pyro Spectacular) in Quebec City in 2002. I don't remember exactly what was their performance, but I thought that it would be a great contestant for the Montreal contest.

The press release may give us some information to understand the link between Pyro Spectacular and Fireworks for Africa. It is my understanding that the latter is a group of pyrotechnicians from several companies and that the former is one of these firms... I think that Grupo Luso Pirotecnia is a similar partnership, right?

Fred

Fireworks for Africa is a single company that has been in existance since 2004. I spoke to Nick about this last Sunday when I saw him at La Ronde. There are various political and technical reasons behind creating the company, but it is a genuine entity run by four talented pyrotechnicians. Groupo Luso is a consortium of four separate companies in Portugal so it is quite different in structure.

I've seen several of Nick's shows in both Gatineau (Casino de Lac Lemay) and Quebec city - all of them worthy of Montreal so it's good to see that they're competing here this year. Plus Nick and his team are really nice guys too!

Paul.

Hey Guys,

I am really looking forward to tomorrow's firework display by South Africa, because it will be the first time that I attend a firework display on my Birthday! In the past several years, displays have never been held on the 8th of July. Members of my family and friends are treating me to dinner at Restaurant Hélène de Champlain on Île Sainte-Hélène and then, just before 22:00, we'll walk to the bridge where I will pretend that the firework display was meant just for me! LOL According to the weather station, the weather should be just great....sunny, warm and 0% chance of precipitation.....so I intend to enjoy the evening to the fullest. I hope you enjoy it too!

Pierre

Hi Pierre,

Well, happy birthday to you, my friend! It's fortunate that your birthday fell on a fireworks day, which was like what happened to me in 2004. I'll get another display falling on my b-day next year, I think, since the 21st of July is on a Friday this year. Fortunately, my grandmother's b-day is on the 22nd (the day after my own) and it falls on the day France is playing, so I'd like take her to that one, that is, if she wants to.

In any case, I hope you have an excellent and happy day while I'm hopeful that you'll see a tremendous finale! I also hope you enjoy your food tonight! And beautiful hot weather to back it up! The weather is fantastic and quite hot. I just got back from a parade in downtown and it was about 30 Celsius.

Have a good day, Pierre.

Cheers,

Trav.