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04 December 2024

USA - Toca Madera, a Mexican steakhouse by international hospitality group Noble 33, has opened its latest location in Houston, Texas, and features a 1 Sound audio system by Global AV Group.

To support daily background music and higher-energy evenings with live DJs or for private events, 1 Sound’s Cannon coaxials were the loudspeaker of choice because of their sonic clarity, fidelity, and SPL capability helping to fulfil the intimate and transformative setting for Toca Madera.

Global AV implemented mainly Cannon C8is throughout the 14,000sq.ft restaurant, the largest of any of Toca Madera’s locations. The Cannon C8s were deployed as a full-range speaker without the need of subwoofers. The Cannon C8 is designed with an 8” driver and a compression driver, and has an extended frequency response down to 55Hz; these qualities combined make the C8 so

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04 December 2024

USA - New Hampshire-based LD Brian Courchine, designer at the well-known Northland Music and Arts Festival, has made a career out of studying the inexorable connection between music and colour.

Courchine recently designed the lightshow for a sold-out concert at Infinity Hall in Hartford by Pink Talking Fish. Among the more successful tribute bands, Pink Talking fish combines the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish, each evoking a different aura – and each lending itself to a different palette. Adding a little extra spice to this particular evening was the healthy serving of Beatles songs thrown into the set.

Following the music with his colour rendering skills, Courchine immersed each song in hues that fit it like a glove. “I try to make a distinction between the three musical acts in the Pink Talking Fish show,” he explained. “Talk

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04 December 2024

UAE - Audiovisual solutions provider mediaPro has expanded its INFiLED fleet, adding 2,000 sq.m of ARmk2 screens to its inventory, raising its stock from 150 sq.m of INFiLED DB1.5 M4 panels, acquired last year.

mediaPro has been delivering AV technology and solutions to the entertainment industry since 2004. Initially drawn to INFiLED for its vibrant and high-performance screens, the company has worked with the global manufacturer of high-end LED display solutions for two years.

“We first initiated a purchase of INFiLED’s 1.5mm panels, and then progressed to the purchase of a higher volume of the ARmk2 range,” states Neeraj Pola, video technical director at mediaPro. “The increased size of our order reflects our demand for higher-volume solutions.” He also highlights that this substantial purchase will support mediaPro’s continued work on

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04 December 2024

USA - Astera will introduce QuikSpot, a flexible and innovative battery-powered LED lighting fixture designed to meet the demands of fast-paced environments in big events and media productions.

The QuikSpot fixture, a zoomable single-source spotlight, draws inspiration from the efficient workflow and convenient housing of Astera’s AX5 PAR light, while taking advantage of the optical quality of Titan LED Engine's PlutoFresnel.

QuikSpot’s whole design is optimised to save time and effort when both prepping and operating the product, making it a solution for busy rental and production companies.

Featuring Astera’s Titan LED Engine, the QuikSpot offers a 13º-60º zoom range, high colour rendering and a refined, homogenized and powerful "one-shadow" Fresnel optical system. These capabilities ensure a superior RGBMA colour spectrum, ideal fo

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04 December 2024

USA - Audinate Group has announced the availability of a significant update to Dante Controller. The application has long been a reliable tool for IT and AV managers to route signals, monitor latency and diagnose network issues, and this update provides a modern look to match the power of the underlying functionality.

Audinate integrated valuable feedback from the enthusiastic community of Dante users to create this update. The open and easy-to-use routing matrix and entirely new graphic design make it more pleasing for users who spend their valuable time with the application. Responses from early previews of the application show that these changes are overwhelmingly appreciated.

“This release addresses the most commonly requested feature of Dante Controller – that it can’t easily be used in a dimly lit room,” says Laurence Crew, senior produ

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03 December 2024

France - Ayrton, which has recently undergone a major expansion of its headquarters in Villebon-Sur-Yvette, south of Paris, showcased its new showroom and immersive museum with a series of events in November.

Over a two-week period, four events saw over 450 international guests, distributors, partners and lighting designers gather to immerse themselves in designs, innovative lighting solutions, and a world of creativity to inspire their next projects.

The new 1,200m2 x 8.5m high wide-format demonstration room, complete with luxurious theatre seating, provided the ideal forum to discover all of Ayrton’s products, while the immersive museum showcases the luminaires that have made Ayrton’s history. Guests were treated to cocktail receptions and dinner in the breakout rooms at every event which gave ample opportunity to network, ask questions and mak

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03 December 2024

UK - PLASA and NRAG (the National Rigging Advisory Group) have issued the following statement relating to recent fraudulent use of National Rigging Certificate (NRC) cards: “It has come to our attention that there are fraudulent NRC cards in circulation, and some individuals are falsely claiming to hold NRC accreditation.

“PLASA and NRAG highly respect the work of all those who have achieved the NRC, and are dedicated to preserving the high standards set by the NRC. We are taking the matter seriously and acting with urgency to ensure that this issue is resolved, promptly and permanently for the safety of all.

“If you are approached by anyone new, or work with anyone that you're not sure about, please make contact directly via nrc@plasa.org to check their credentials. You can also look up certified NRC riggers

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03 December 2024

Middle East - Procom Middle East has been appointed exclusive Zactrack distribution partner in the GCC and Lebanon.

Stephan Saremba, managing director of Zactrack International comments: “We are excited about joining forces with Procom and we are looking forward to this partnership. Both companies have a clear focus on providing high-quality products, excellent customer service and solutions to address customer needs in the various markets we are active in.

“With the commitment and expertise of Procom we are aiming to strengthen relationships with existing Zactrack users as well as expand into new markets. We are thrilled to welcome Procom to the Zactrack family and jointly grow the Middle East market with Zactrack solutions.”

"We have seen the demand for tracking solutions precede the product offerings available, and we are happy to ma

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03 December 2024

Morocco - Powersoft is further expanding its distributor network by naming MIFA Musique as its distributor in Morocco.

Founded 29 years ago, MIFA Musique has become one of Morocco’s leading audio solutions providers. MIFA Musique operates through various locations in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Tetuán through company-owned stores in collaboration with authorised dealers and large retail chains.

“We are excited to have Powersoft in our portfolio,” says Karima Khireddine, business unit manager at MIFA Musique. “Powersoft holds a reputation in excellence and reliability in high-performance audio amplification and energy efficient technology. Having the brand in our portfolio will help us differentiate from competitors, attract new business opportunities and build credibility in hospitality, live events and other verticals that req

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03 December 2024

UK - Performances of Pergolesi’s 1735 three-act opera L’Olimpiade were staged in the grounds of The Vache, a Grade II*-listed estate in Chalfont St. Giles, recently.

A cast of seven members of operatic company Vache Baroque (plus narrator) delivered Pergolesi’s arias under the sensitive direction of Laura Attridge, while the 17-piece orchestra, led by Jonathan Darbourne, helped deliver a playful interpretation of this Olympics-style story, from authentic early music instruments.

However, the real breakthrough was the immersive soundscape created for audiences of up to 200 per performance, seated al fresco under a stretch canopy, which simulated a purpose-built concert hall. This was achieved by judicious use of reverb and delay. Tricking the senses was the TiMax SoundHub spatial reinforcement, guided by TiMax TrackerD4 stage trackers w

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03 December 2024

Europe - After production rehearsals in Copenhagen’s Royal Arena, Kygo kicked off his current European tour with four dates in Denmark, Sweden and Norway before heading into central and southern Europe.

“We’ve just finished a run through his home market in Scandinavia and it pretty much sold out,” said production manager Joel Stanley. “Kygo has developed musically as a performer, though remained rooted in his own personality; he’s much the same person he was ten years ago. That's a strength.” That said, the tour is tinged with a certain sadness, as Stanley explains.

“Neg Earth is providing the lights, the production design is by Rob Sinclair with Lorcam Clarke running the show. Solotech is providing PA with Kygo’s long-time FOH engineer Eds John at the faders. For video providers Video Design it has proved a very poignant start. The

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03 December 2024

USA - We Belong Here has been uniting EDM lovers on Miami's Virginia Key Beach for the past three years, and has now hosted its first-ever festival experience in New York City amid Central Park’s lush greenery and panoramic skyline views.

Held October 4-6 at historic Wollman Rink, design collective Datum Creative built a fully immersive 360° experience for festival-goers, including a stunning visual tribute to the city’s skyline using Elation Pulse Bar strobe and effect lights. 

The We Belong Here festival, known for offering an intimate, distraction-free music experience with its ‘no video’ policy, provided Datum Creative the opportunity to design a stage that was as visually impactful as the panoramic views surrounding it. On the southern end of Central Park, the lighting and production team utilised a series of 26 staggered trus

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03 December 2024

USA - Optic8 and Trilogy Studios have opened a virtual production facility in Dallas, Texas, powered by Brompton Technology’s Tessera SX40 LED processors and Absen’s high-performance LED screens.

This facility comprises three advanced production stages: a main cinematic volume designed for film and TV, a specialised car process stage, and a smaller stage tailored for commercials and music videos.

Optic8 and Trilogy Studios have been very pleased with the Brompton lineup. “We test and re-test so many products out there, and we bring those results to our clients,” says Dan Kretz, Optic8 founder. “Trilogy Studios was impressed with everything from the ease of use, the customisation capabilities and colour accuracy, to the ability to do Genlock and multi-camera virtual production shoots – Trilogy Studios was very excited to go with Brompton.

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03 December 2024

UK - The Last Dinner Party, the all-female quintet winners of the Brits Rising Star honour at this year’s Brit Awards, wraps their theatrical sound around a flamboyant stage persona. For the band’s current tour, Ed Warren has delivered a show that engages the audience with distinctive flourishes.

The backdrop was adorned with a crescent moon and velvety clouds. It was hand painted by artist Beth Quinton, then scanned and digitally printed onto cloth with a definition so fine that it looks like a highly textured, hand-painted work.

Warren accents this beguiling backdrop with a variety of lighting effects that shade the image it projects. But, at other times, he blocks it out altogether with brilliant outpourings of light. “Just because a backdrop is there doesn’t mean you need to light it the whole time,” he observed. “A blackout moment is

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03 December 2024

USA - Rolling Hills Covenant Church (RHCC) in California was founded in 1957 and dedicated its first church building in 1959. Following the sustained growth of its congregation during the 1960s and ‘70s, the Church constructed a larger worship centre which is now the main focus of its Rolling Hills Estates campus.

During the 1980s, RHCC expanded its emphasis on the arts as part of Christian worship, with a strong focus on the role of musical excellence in services. Setting high standards of music performance demands audio quality to match, and during a recent remodelling of its main gathering space, which saw new seating and stage layouts, the Church undertook an overhaul of its technical systems, including provision for a new sound system.

RHCC director of technical arts ministries, Brian Johnson, engaged with Scott Ramsey of AV installation speci

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03 December 2024

USA - Robe returns to Las Vegas for LDI 2024 where the moving light manufacturer will be launching two new products, the T.5 Profile – a smaller version of the T1 – and the LedPointe, the new LED member of the Pointe family.

Also highlighted are four more new products seen for the first time at a US trade show – the iForte Fresnel, the Painte Fresnel, the SVOPATT and the SVB1.

Robe’s new expo live show, The Fifth Dimension, features ‘three live performers, jaw-dropping action and plenty of imagination’.

Robe’s other businesses – architectural and LED lighting manufacturer Anolis; UK-based lighting console and media server manufacturer Avolites; Australian-based power distribution gurus LSC Control Systems; and lighting control and integration solutions specialist Artistic License – will all be located on adjacent st

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03 December 2024

USA - Hive, a specialist media control manufacturer, is making its debut at LDI 2024. The show will serve as the stage for Hive’s latest innovation, Nucleus, a compact, rack-mountable 1U media player designed ‘to redefine affordability and scalability in live events and fixed installations’. Hive will exhibit alongside its exclusive distributor, Show Sage, at booth 2123, where attendees can experience live product demonstrations and explore the Hive ecosystem.

The Nucleus media player combines powerful functionality with a sleek, portable design, featuring a 1U rack-mountable chassis with dual SDM sockets that support all of Hive’s Beeblade computing modules, including Minima, Osmia and Pluto.

Built with a machined aluminium chassis, the Nucleus is engineered to withstand the rigours of touring while maintaining the portability and reliabilit

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03 December 2024

USA - Mega-Lite will showcase its latest products at the LDI Show. Visit Mega Systems at booth #2283, next to the Circle Bar, for the launch of five new products from the Mega-Lite family and the latest innovations from Mega Systems Inc.

Guillermo Cabada, head of marketing at Mega-Lite, said: "We are excited to be part of this year’s LDI and can’t wait to see all our customers and friends. We look forward to creating new friendships as we release five new products this year.”

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03 December 2024

USA/Europe - City Theatrical’s DMXcat-E is now shipping. The device is an expansion to City Theatrical’s DMXcat Multi Function Test Tool system of solutions that allows for Ethernet control of a lighting fixture.

In addition to all the functions DMXcat users currently enjoy, including utilisation of the DMXcat free smartphone application for iPhone and Android to plan, install, operate, and maintain theatrical and studio lighting equipment, DMXcat-E allows users to view and send Ethernet protocols, including ArtNet and Streaming ACN (sACN).

The DMXcat-E also allows users to perform cable testing of five-pin XLR and Ethernet cables. DMXcat-E can read SMPTE timecode as well as MIDI timecode and regular MIDI for audio and other entertainment projects. DMXcat-E allows for bookmarking of timecode as well as the ability to save a file for sharing and n

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03 December 2024

Artistic Freedom - Theatres, opera and dance companies from across the European Union have warned the European parliament that "brazen attacks on artistic freedom" are posing an existential threat to creativity across the continent. Almost 250 artists and 178 cultural institutions from every EU nation are represented in the open letter to the parliament, which is also backed by UK figures including Battersea Arts Centre’s head of programming Pelin Başaran, reports The Stage.

The European Theatre Convention, Opera Europa, the Prospero – Extended Theatre platform, German and Swedish theatre academies and the national theatres of countries including Slovakia, Albania, Greece and Croatia are among those raising the alarm about an "orchestrated cultural-political strategy aimed at the disappearance of a diverse European culture".

According t