The El Grito Festival combined tradition and technology in a unique celebration in Chihuahua, where the lighting by CHAUVET Professional, under the design of Rodolfo Castro Barragán, dazzled thousands of attendees. This spectacle fused local culture with innovative technical solutions, showcasing the power and versatility of the fixtures to create unforgettable visual moments.
Chihuahua came alive on September 15th with the El Grito Festival, a celebration that not only honored Mexico’s independence but also demonstrated the symbiosis between culture and professional lighting technology. In Plaza del Ángel, thousands of attendees enjoyed an event blending music, gastronomy, and an impressive visual display. At the heart of this experience was Rodolfo Castro Barragán, a lighting designer who, at 35 years old, has transformed stages into true works of luminous art.
The main ceremony took place in the historic center of Chihuahua’s capital, where officials from all levels of government and members of the Army joined the state’s governor, Maru Campos, in the patriotic festivities.
Before an estimated crowd of 30,000 people, the traditional speech was delivered, evoking the heroes who fought for Mexico’s independence. Following this formal act, the audience experienced a festival brimming with music and emotion.
Originally from Sinaloa, Rodolfo began his career from the ground up: working as a DJ at social events and sketching out how he would place lights to enhance each performance. His passion quickly propelled him to collaborate with companies such as Rox Producciones, Grupo Exelaris Show, TotalShow, Procolor, Lightshow de México, ACME Producciones, and 2hands, as well as artists like Siddhartha, Espinoza Paz, Caloncho, Technicolor Fabrics, Kakkmaddafakka, The Whitest Boy Alive, Espinoza Paz, and Marca Registrada.
Currently, he is the lighting designer for José Alfredo Olivas Rojas, better known as Alfredo Olivas. For this edition of the El Grito Festival, his talent was summoned by the Mexican singer-songwriter’s team, giving him the opportunity to design and execute the entire lighting spectacle.
CHAUVET: Technology Serving Art
For this event, Rodolfo selected more than 450 CHAUVET Professional fixtures, which he described as offering “a unique combination of power, versatility, and technical precision.” Among the models used were:
- 60 Maverick Storm 4 Profile, employed onstage to create immersive atmospheres.
- 68 Maverick Storm 1 Hybrid, placed on the upper perimeter to integrate the audience into the show.
- 154 Color Strike M, used for high-powered strobe and pixel effects, marking key moments.
- 58 Maverick MK3 Wash, ideal for achieving uniform washes across the stage.
- 38 Colorado PXLBar16, highlighting the musicians’ platforms.
- 60 Strike Array 2, installed around the stage to define its structure.
“The El Grito Festival was where we showcased the largest number of Chauvet fixtures in a single venue. The star of the show was the COLORado PXL Curve 12, a fully pixel-mappable RGBW LED batten with IP65 rating, featuring individual zoom, tilt, and color control across twelve independent heads,” Castro Barragán stated.
“For this design, the IP-rated fixtures were incredibly helpful. Their power, fine movements such as Pan Tilt and gobo rotation, top-notch optics, and infinite effects make them the best in the market,” said Rodolfo.
Additionally, one of the many features distinguishing CHAUVET’s products is their ease and versatility in assembly.
The flexibility of these fixtures allowed Rodolfo to capture the essence of Chihuahua’s culture and convey the emotion of the night. A standout moment was during Alfredo Olivas’ song El Paciente, which became one of the event’s most memorable instances.
“The versatility in pixel handling and the power of the fixtures let me create unique moments. The whole show was impactful, but this particular moment amazed the audience,” Rodolfo explained.
The Technical Challenge of an Outdoor Festival
The power of CHAUVET fixtures was crucial in overcoming challenges like lighting an outdoor stage surrounded by 800 square meters of LED screens. Castro Barragán highlighted that the IP technology of the equipment, along with its pixel mapping capabilities and precise movements, enabled seamless integration with advanced control systems.
“What I love most about Chauvet is its reliability. In large-scale events like this, it’s essential to have tools that won’t fail, and Chauvet never disappoints,” he commented.
“Chauvet’s equipment is highly advanced. For this festival, their connectivity was a huge advantage. The Duo modes on the fixtures greatly assisted with pixel management,” Rodolfo added.
Rodolfo noted, “We own the equipment and always tour with our CHAUVET Professional lights. Wherever we go, we bring our Chauvet gear.”
An Invaluable Team and Relationship
The success of this show was not only due to the creative design but also to the technical and logistical support provided by the Chauvet team. Rodolfo emphasized the importance of relationships with key figures such as Mauricio Rojas, Chauvet Mexico’s Northern Zone Professional Sales Agent, highlighting his professionalism and attention to detail. “Both Mauricio and Paula Ortiz, Chauvet’s Business Development Manager, always listened to and addressed my constructive feedback. I’m very happy with them,” he said.
He also mentioned how Chauvet’s training programs have been essential in keeping his team updated and prepared for the challenges of events of this magnitude. “Their constant invitations to events and training sessions make me feel part of the Chauvet family,” Rodolfo said.
“It’s been a pleasure working with someone as passionate and dedicated as Rodo!” emphasized Mauricio Rojas, adding, “His commitment to excellence is truly admirable, and I feel fortunate to have contributed to his success. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and tackling even bigger projects!”
For her part, Paula Ortiz highlighted CHAUVET Professional’s role as a global leader in entertainment lighting: “We take pride in fostering excellent relationships with all our clients and focus on growing these partnerships worldwide.”
Looking Ahead
Following this experience, Rodolfo reaffirmed his commitment to including CHAUVET fixtures in all his projects. His career, which includes tours such as Cielo Abierto featuring the Maverick line, and his constant pursuit of innovation, positions him as a lighting design reference in Mexico.
“I am amazed by all the technological benefits CHAUVET Professional fixtures provide. Since discovering the brand, I’ve incorporated it into the riders of the artists I’ve worked with and continue to work with. Chauvet is and will be part of all my future creations,” the lighting designer concluded.
The 2024 El Grito Festival was not only a celebration of independence but also a demonstration of how tradition and technology can unite to create unforgettable moments. Rodolfo Castro Barragán and Chauvet proved that when art and engineering work together, the sky is not the limit but the canvas.
