Our Story

Meet the Crew

Simon Strick

What do you do at Festinho?
This year, I am managing the team responsible for all of the 'content' of the festival - so that's live music, DJs, VJs, non-musical entertainment, films and the kid's field. That's in addition to my usual role as festival director, which basically means organising meetings, taking minutes and making sure every festival thread gets tied nicely together by the 4th September!

What do you do in "real life"?
I am a Programme Manager, overseing the implementation of a London-based, multi-agency programme aimed at reducing the violence associated with gangs and group offending, and offering alternatives to young people who find themselves involved in gang lifestyles.

How did you get involved?
The original festival director, Lynda Colborne, asked me to find and book the DJs, then the live acts, at the first two ABC Trust festivals (which back then were called 'Minichill'). She then asked if I could take over her role so that she cold concentrate more on raising her family. And naturally I jumped at the chance!

Why are you still here?
Because I believe very strongly in the ABC Trust, what it stands for and the way it helps Brazilian street kids.

Tell us a Festinho story.
I guess the most recent 'moment' for me was at last year's event.... we were having problems with the generator that supplied power to the lighting for the Disco Shed in the woods. On Saturday night, the power kept dropping, meaning the lighting kept getting slowly and slowly dimmer, disappearing, and then magically re-appearing as the oil pressure rose in the generator. What was special about this was that lots of people who were dancing at the Disco Shed had torches, and so every time the lights faded, a whole host of torches came on and were shone at the disco balls hanging from the trees! It was a surreal moment, but ended up looking almost like a deliberate light show! And it really captured for me what Festinho is all about - everyone chipping in to make sure we have a great time.

Festinho in five words?
Fund-raising. Fun-making. Life-affirming. Unique. Boutique.