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Phoenix fundraising from Pearce Hire

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Phoenix School in Peterborough recently hosted their annual charity ball. The theme this year was Spencer's Red Velvet Ball and the evening was supported by Pearce Hire with a striking production and stage set, designed to create the perfect atmosphere for an evening of entertainment and fundraising for this important special needs school, which is recognised as an outstanding Ofsted school.

The black tie event took place at the Atrium at Peterborough Arena, a venue in the East of England recognised for its excellent access, facilities and flexible approach from its staff. The occasion had a number of different areas including a formal sit down dining and stage area, a casino and dance floor. Pearce Hire produced the event with a complete audio, lighting, draping a

D.T.S helps Scania celebrate in Brazil

Details: 14 March 2016

Brazil - 55 years ago, Scania - the Swedish heavy truck maker - began operations in Brazil. Today, Brazil has more Scania trucks than in any other country in the world, with around 40% of all heavy trucks operating in Brazil known to be by Scania.

The company celebrated its successful 55 years of operations in Brazil, at HSBC Brasil. Located in the south zone of São Paulo, the venue is a renowned music hall featuring a high-quality technical infrastructure. Over the years HSBC Brasil has played host to a number of high-calibre musical and theatrical events, and top international artists.

Several shows took place during the event, including an exclusive concert by famous Brazillian artist Jorge Ben.

The performances were lit with a light rig including XR3000 SPOT CMY moving heads and the new high-power compact LED moving heads NRG 1201 from D.T.S.

(Jim Evans)

Star Events celebrates in Trafalgar Square

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Star Events Group was recently back in Trafalgar Square, this time with their 13m x 12m Alpha mobile stage to celebrate the Maslenitsa and St. Patrick's Day festivities.

The weekend kicked off on Saturday 16 March with the Russian Maslenitsa Festival. Maslenitsa is the Russian Sun Festival, a celebration of waving farewell to winter and where Russian's all over the world say "Zdravstvui Maslenitsa!" to Spring, welcoming the start of warmth.

The Square was transformed into a bustling bazaar and the stage hosted performances of traditional songs and dance. The event in Trafalgar Square was the grand finale of Russian Week in London (11-17 March).

The Alpha mobile stage built in five hours, ensured that production had maximum time to load in and the quick de-rig of the stage meant that the Square was cleared within a few hours of the event finishing on the load o

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OPUS X4 PROFILE – the most powerful LED moving head from Cameo to date

The OPUS® X4 PROFILE is the new flagship model from Cameo and is among the most powerful LED moving heads on the market. Equipped with a 1,400-watt LED white light engine, this spot profile moving head produces an enormous light output of 50,000 lm, providing powerful spot and gobo projections on even the largest stages and much more.
www.cameolight.com

TC Group marketing manager for install & tour, Mark Flanagan.

Lab.gruppen to reveal new product

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Lab.gruppen will once again be making an appearance at the Messe in Frankfurt in 2013, coinciding with the Prolight+Sound and Musikmesse exhibitions on 10-13 April.

The company is using the occasion to launch a brand new product to market, and while details are being kept strictly under wraps until the official launch in April, a dedicated website - now live at www.thegamechanges.com - hints at what's to come.

However, visitors who want to see the latest innovation from the leading amplifier manufacturer will need to venture into completely new territory, as Lab.gruppen and Lake take over a prime location in the lobby of Hall 4.2 (the hall itself isn't in use) alongside fellow TC Group brands Tannoy, TC Electronic and TC Helicon and distributed brand Dynaudio.

"We won't be making our usual appearance at Prolight+sound in Hall 8.0 this year, but we'll sure be m

Clay Paky HPEs and Sharpys fly high in Jeddah

Details: 14 March 2016

Saudi Arabia - A squadron of Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700s and Clay Paky Sharpys lit up Jeddah's Laylati Hall during a celebration to observe International Civil Aviation Day.

Egyptian lighting designer Mohammed Gafar created a lighting rig that emphasised the aerial agility, precision and speed of aviation today, which comprised fast moving, super-bright Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700s and pure beam Sharpys.

"I chose to use the Alpha Spot HPE 700s and Sharpys for this particular event because we wanted a discreet light source that would deliver maximum effect when required" explains Gafar. "We were keen for the event, which was a sit down dinner and presentation, to look dramatic and exciting and reflect recent achievements of civil aviation. Lighting was used to set the mood and atmosphere of the room but also to enhance and punctuate the video presentation. In

Ian Spendlove (right), owner and chairman at Showforce welcomes Mike Smith as the company's new chief operating officer

New chief operating officer at Showforce

Details: 14 March 2016

UAE - Showforce has announced Mike Smith as its new chief operating officer. Working closely with Showforce's owner and chairman, Ian Spendlove, Smith will be based in Dubai and oversee the operations, sales and marketing divisions across the Middle East and UK offices. With a longstanding career in catering and event production, encompassing roles at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington and Eat to the Beat, Smith has spent the last five years working in the Middle East with Action Impact and Blink Events. His extensive portfolio of contacts in this market means he is well placed to lead the next phase in Showforce's business development plan, which includes the Middle East office achieving its ISO 9001 accreditation, says the company.

"I've actually worked alongside Showforce in many capacities during my career, from fellow contractor to supplier and now as employer,&q

The Killers on tour with Arkaos (photo © Torey Mundkowsky)

The Killers choose ArKaos for Battle tour

Details: 14 March 2016

Belgium - The Killers Battle Born tour, which has so far crossed the US, Australia and Europe to promote the band's fourth album, has taken ArKaos MediaMaster 3 with its new VideoMapper extension along for the ride.

Show designer Steven Douglas has worked with The Killers before and has this time created a spectacular show, making an advanced use of live camera feeds from various sources, mixed with visual content in real time.

Taking advantage of the multi output capabilities of the ArKaos VideoMapper, Douglas has setup an upstage video wall composed of Pixled F-15 NT, which splits into two separate video screens with the top section measuring 4.6m x 14.6m and the lower section 1.8m x 14.6m, revealing a wall of moving lights and lasers behind it.

On stage, Douglas incorporates more video screens into some of the set elements. Three band risers are covered in a total

Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

When award winning film composer Hans Zimmer brought his smash-hit tour Hans Zimmer Live to North America fall 2024, the show's audio team sought out to bring infrafrequency bass to the show to add new depth to the show's audio experience. The team chose Danley Sound Labs.

The main house system is comprised of left and right arrays of 14 K1 flanked by adjacent arrays of six K1-SB subs and out-fill arrays of nine Kudo

Kid Rock rolls on with L-Acoustics

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Kid Rock and his band, Twisted Brown Trucker, are once again rolling across the US with two months of arena shows between February and April. Along for the ride are not only opening acts Buckcherry and Hellbound Glory, but also another "old friend" - Sound Image's L-Acoustics K1 system.

The 2013 Rebel Soul tour, in support of Kid Rock's latest album of the same name, marks the sixth year that Steve 'Half Pint' Cross has manned FOH for the group. With John 'Haircut' Tompkins once again serving as systems engineer, and Parnelli Award-winning audio system tech Vic 'Beaker' Wagner assisting with PA. setup and optimization, the tour is taking advantage of a full complement of K1, Kudo and Kara loudspeakers, all powered by LA8-equipped LA-RAK.

Similar to Kid Rock's touring system from his Born Free tour with Sheryl Crow two years ago, the main house sys

RML purchases Robe MMX WashBeams

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Richard Martin Lighting (RML) has purchased its first batch of Robe's Robin MMX WashBeam fixtures which have gone into hire stock.

RML is one of the UK's favourite independent hire facilities and a specialist in the worlds of television and live entertainment production.

The company has been renowned for its expertise and authority on moving lights for almost 30 years, and has been right at the forefront of this technology throughout. The purchase of the latest Robe products for its already extensive inventory is no exception.

RML started buying Robe products in 2012 and now already has over 100 fixtures available, including LEDBeam 100s and LEDWash 600s as well as the 24 new MMX WashBeams.

Says RML's marketing coordinator Gemma Jaques, "We feel that Robe has really taken the time to listen to end users and 'got it right' with the current Robin range."

She

D.T.S. plays key role in Italy's X Factor

Details: 14 March 2016

Italy - Italy's X Factor 2012 aired from September to December on Sky, with the show broadcast from Teatro della Luna, next to the Forum of Assago in Milan. The winner was declared as Chiara Galiazzo of the Over 25 category, who was awarded a recording contract with Sony Music Italy worth 300,000 Euro.

Italian lighting manufacturer D.T.S. contributed to the success of the show with its new LED moving heads. 82 NICK NRG 1201s, provided by DiBi Technology, were installed in the Teatro della Luna. 36 NRG 1201s were integrated into the setting for a 'particularly incisive visual quality', arranged in six vertical rows in the wide spaces between the LED walls.

Two further parallel rows of NRG 1201s were installed along the sides of the stalls, using all the features of the projectors - colour quality, zoom, strobe - to create a dynamic lighting look.

"The installation of the

This year's championships proved to be a huge success (photo: Matthew Mawdsley)

Martin Professional on court for badminton finals

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Stage Electrics supplied a full Martin Professional lighting solution for The Yonex All England Open Badminton Championship games which took place at the NIA, Birmingham earlier this month.

Recorded and broadcast live on Sky Sports 4 and to over 37 countries around the world, the latest Martin MAC Vipers complemented with over 100 additional Martin MAC 2000 Washes, MAC 700's and MAC Aura's, all controlled from an Avolites Tiger Touch. In addition Stage Electrics' scenic division built scenery elements which included a revolving door complete with sponsors branding used to reveal each star player.

Stage Electrics' live events technical project manager, Mike Jarvis commented, "This is the fourth year we have provided the lighting for the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships. The Martin Professional lighting used worked superbly in achieving what was required

The 'Frantic Four', O2 Academy Glasgow. Photo credit: Diana Johnson/Jotolio Photography

Yamaha goes frantic with Status Quo

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The reconciliation of Status Quo - the Frantic Four - John Coghlan, Alan Lancaster, Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi - formed the highlight of a recent feature-length film documenting the history of Status Quo. So when, for nine UK shows only, the band's classic line-up took to the stage again, the tickets were in more demand than air guitars at a headbangers convention . . . and Yamaha digital mixing consoles played their full part in reuniting the band on stage for the first time in over 30 years.

"Nobody's trying to pretend that it's 1976 again," says front of house engineer Andy May, owner of one of the very first Yamaha PM5D digital consoles to roll off the production line. "But these shows are for the 'hardcore' fans, so we have tried to put on a good, old-fashioned rock'n'roll show."

He and lighting designer Pat Marks have succeeded admirably in t

Pan Acoustics at Goethe University

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Goethe University Frankfurt am Main is a modern, research-oriented university in the heart of Germany. As a Stiftungsuniversität (a university privately funded by a foundation) and citizens' university, it is closely associated with the city and the region of Frankfurt. Westend

Campus Westend of the Goethe University Frankfurt nestles in a burst of parkland, yet directly borders Frankfurt's downtown, boasting a wealth of eateries, shops, theatres and other recreational facilities. The buildings of Campus Westend are based around the Neo-Realist IG Farben Building , while immediately beyond the campus boundaries you can find splendid art deco residences and cutting-edge modernist architecture.

The House of Finance building is part of a gigantic investment by the State of Hesse to build a new site for the Goethe University. The House of Finance is encompassing 14,000

SW19 supports EMI BRITs party

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - As EMI held its annual BRITs after-show party on board the Silver Fleet's Silver Sturgeon, the production arm of London's newest rehearsal, production and storage facility SW19 provided both technical and logistical support for the event.

This was the third year running that the SW19 team had worked with EMI on the party, which welcomed a host of industry figures and artists aboard after the spectacular BRIT Awards Ceremony to celebrate another successful year for EMI's roster of artists, which includes Emeli Sande, Coldplay, Bastille and Noel Gallagher, who were all in attendance.

SW19 worked with EMI's Deby Bunyard and Caroline Hilton to realise their vision for a chic club / bar vibe, elegantly lit and with a distributed zoned audio system throughout the boat.

DJ David Rodigan set the scene for the party with Fabio Lendrum taking over later in the evening.

The boat

Dirty Rigger shines a light with GlowMan

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Dirty Rigger have launched "one of the most innovative work gloves the world has ever seen", the Dirty Rigger GlowMan.

The GlowMan features a super bright thumb mounted LED. Mounted in a shock and water resistant enclosure; the LED increases visibility in dark environments allowing a hands free approach to the hand-held torch alternative.

New touch screen compatible index finger and thumb tips have been designed to help you operate all major touch screen devices without the inconvenience and safety hazard of removing your rigger gloves on site.

The GlowMan also boasts the usual Dirty Rigger comfort & quality features including low profile palm padding, nylon double stitching, wrist mounted ID tag and heavy duty synthetic leather in key wear areas.

(Jim Evans)

Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers his keynote speech

iLive on Climate Action duty

Details: 14 March 2016

Austria - Allen & Heath's iLive digital mixing system was used for the recent Regions of Climate Action (R20) conference in Vienna.

R20 is a non-profit environmental organisation founded by former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the support of the United Nations. A coalition of sub-national governments, private companies, international organisations, NGOs and academic and financial institutions, R20 supports governments building a green economy.

The two day conference gathered nearly 600 participants, and was hosted by Schwarzenegger. Local broadcast company, RadioMax, led by production manager, Martin Jeschke, was appointed to manage all technical aspects, and freelancer, Andreas Putz, was appointed chief audio engineer.

Based in Austria, Putz specialises in live sound engineering for music and corporate events and also specialises in multimedia AV desig

Hannah Attfield – international team leader

Le Mark's Hannah Attfield moves up

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Having spent three years supporting Le Mark's export manager Matt Every, Hannah Attfield is set to take on her new role as international team leader.

True to say, flying has been a regular part of Hannah's last 18 months, seeing many air miles recorded visiting Le Mark's clients throughout Europe.

"It's always sad to say good bye to a colleague, especially one as experienced as Matt, we will all miss him. For me, moving into my new role as international team leader is both exciting and a little daunting. However, I love a challenge and a new opportunity!

"I am very hopeful that I will be able to meet many of my valued customers next month at the Pro Light and Sound Fair in Frankfurt. It's going to be an excellent event where I hope to meet old friends and new customers. If you won't be visiting Frankfurt, please let me know, as it's my wish to visit as many of

Bose RoomMatch speakers control sound for Cedar Street

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - In the weeks leading up to the opening of the Cedar Street Courtyard music venue in Austin, Texas, America's live music capital, the venue was already drawing noise concerns. Due to its close proximity to residences and other establishments, Cedar Street Courtyard was looking to minimize its contribution to the noise pollution problem, and RoomMatch loudspeakers and PowerMatch amplifiers from Bose Professional Systems Division were able to solve these issues by controlling the sound with "extraordinary precision".

Nashville-based consultant Steve Durr was called in to recommend a sound system whose sonic quality would keep it competitive with the city's many other music venues, while at the same time keeping the sound highly controlled and away from reflective surfaces, and keeping the energy channelled within the venue and away from neighbouring residences.

XLNT will deliver live presentations with CyberHoist II and C-Trolley at ProLight+Sound 2013.

XLNT adds to CyberMotion family

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - The latest additions to the CyberMotion range, the CyberHoist II and C-Trolley, will be presented at ProLight+Sound.

XLNT CyberHoist II is the new generation of the world's first intelligent chain hoist and is specifically designed for heavy-duty, world-wide touring and large-scale events. XLNT CyberHoist II allows a show designer to create precise, complex 2D and 3D movements at variable speed (1.5 ft/sec.), with multiple actuators in single, group or subgroup formations.

Extra creative power and convenience are enabled by combining products within the XLNT CyberMotion family. Features include a compact all-in-one design including motion processor; world-wide multi-voltage power supply (200-440V (+/- 10%) / 50/60HZ), absolute positioning (0.1 mm), elevated duty cycle (60%) for fast lifting of heavy loads and network controlled E-stop and Dead Man's Handle without ad

VC-Strips are suitable for integration into stage and set designs, as well as interiors like bars, ceilings and walls

Martin VC-Strip launched

Details: 14 March 2016

Denmark - Martin Professional has announced the launch of the new VC-Strip family of narrow LED video strips. VC-Strips are suitable for integration into stage and set designs, as well as interiors like bars, ceilings and walls. Fully compatible with Martin's VC-Grid LED video module, they can be used together for more creative LED video designs.

VC-Strips are fully pixel-level calibrated on brightness and colours for optimal uniformity and quality and are driven by Martin's award-winning P3 System Controller family for smooth playback that outperforms any DMX-based system.

These flexible video strips feature a pixel pitch of 25 mm and are available in lengths up to 400 mm. They can even be cut to required length on-site.

VC-Strips are available in RGB, warm white, medium white and cool white variants. The RGB version has a calibrated brightness of 4000 nits while the warm/m

Technical Stage Services stress safety at PLASA Focus

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Following the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement between Technical Sales Services and Edge-Safe, Technical Stage Services confirm that they are exhibiting at this year's PLASA Focus.

The agreement, which sees TSS handling all sales of Edge-Safe into the UK and ROI, is a major development in Technical Stage Services continued growth.

Managing director of Technical Stage Services Dan Dawson comments, "Edge-Safe provides a huge breakthrough in stage safety by virtually eliminating the risk posed from an unguarded edge of stage or raised platform. The product fits perfectly with the company ethos of safety and we are proud to be chosen to help develop safety on stage."

Edge-Safe has already been installed in a number of venues and schools and has won industry awards including the ABTT Widget of the Year.

"Technical Stage Services are always keen