USA - The Tobin Centre for the Performing Arts, which opened on 5 September in San Antonio, will provide the community with a permanent world-class live entertainment venue.

The Tobin Centre repurposes the city's existing Municipal Auditorium, built in 1926, and includes the 1,759-seat H-E-B Performance Hall, the 250-seat Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre for smaller productions, rehearsals and community use, plus an outdoor performance plaza. The façade of the original building has been retained, but behind the scenes the Hall takes advantage of 21st century technology.

The Tobin Centre's technical director Stefan DeWilde's designs for the new venue included a stage lift for the H-E-B Performance Hall, to be utilized for performer entrances and exits, reveals and scene changes. Th

USA - Even by LA standards, the 2014 BET Experience Concert at the Staples Centre was a star-studded affair, with the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Grammy winners Maxwell and Jill Scott gracing the stage for three glittering nights.

Visions Lighting of Brea, CA created a lighting design that looked right at home with this on-stage glitz by using a visually powerful combination of video panels, strobes, and moving fixtures, along with some unique "light diamonds" created with 64 Nexus 4x4 LED panels from CHauvet Professional.

"We rigged the Nexus panels in diamond shapes to create a different look and project an image of glamour in keeping with the character of this event," said Todd Roberts of Visions Lighting, which built the lighting and trussing system for the BET concert. "This was a big stage with big stars, so the lighting had to ma

UK - Hastings-based lamp and LED lighting specialist CLD Distribution has taken a major shareholding in bespoke lighting manufacturer Iberian Lighting - also based in Hastings - in a merger that unites CLD's rapid expansion into LED lighting technology with Iberian's experience in the design of specialist commercial and architectural products.

Iberian, this year celebrating 50 years of successful business, is renowned for designing some of the world's largest lampshades and custom feature lighting elements.

CLD has a fast-growing technical department dedicated to the development of LED lighting technologies and producing an increasing range of LED luminaires aimed at a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

CLD's MD, Rob Platt states, "The merger amalgamates both these specialities. With CLD's strong sales force and Iberian's talented and imaginative crea

USA - The AES and OCA Alliance will be working together at the forthcoming 137th AES Convention in Los Angeles towards the ratification of the alliance's proposed Open Control Architecture as an AES public standard.

At the same time, the alliance will be exhibiting on the exhibition floor (booth 1152), explaining and demonstrating the benefits of the OCA standards-based control and monitoring architecture, with a live demonstration of control and monitoring across networked audio devices from different manufacturers.

OCA defines communications protocols for reliable and secure control and monitoring of AV device networks of 2 to 10,000 nodes. AES project "AES-X210" is currently working to render OCA into a ratified AES standard.

At the convention alliance members will be participating in panel discussions to increase the understanding of the benefits and impact of

UAE - Nicolaos M Kyvernitis Electronics Ent, the designated Shure distributor in the Middle East, has recently supplied UHF - R Wireless Technology to Almoe AV Production and Rentals, rental division of the Almoe Group of Companies.

UHF -R components acquired by Almoe include 10 UR4D+ wireless dual channel receiver units, five UR4S+ single channel receivers, 25 UR2 wireless handheld microphone transmitters with Beta 58A, twenty-five UR1 wireless body transmitters and 25 WL185 lavalier microphones.

Almoe AV Production and Rentals provides full audio-visual and production support services for conferences, events and exhibitions. Emerging as one of the leading AV Rental companies in the region, this division deploys state-of-the-art equipment, trained technical staff and the right creativity and imagination required for ensuring highly successful events.

"At Almoe, we prid

The Netherlands - Leading Dutch technical solutions provider Ampco Flashlight Rental has made another major investment in Robe products with the purchase of 55 x CycFX 8 fixtures, which were delivered by Robe's Benelux distributor, Controllux.

Marco de Koff, Ampco Flashlight's operations manager explains how they were impressed by the functionality of the CycFX 8 and the fact that the fixtures are "unique and versatile" and therefore would be ideal to have in their rental stock.

Already several of their clients and various lighting designers are enthusiastically embracing the CycFX 8, and so far, the units have yet to be spotted in the Utrecht based company's warehouse as they have gone from one job to the other in a virtually unbroken sequence.

De Koff likes the zoom feature of the CycFX 8 and the fact that they can be used for cyc and set lighting as well as for

UK - The PLASA Professional Development Programme (PDP) is renowned as a platform for sharing ideas and showcasing industry expertise. This year, the PDP will occupy two spaces at Excel London - the Audio and AV Theatre and the Lighting and Stage Theatre.

The PDP made its debut in 2010. Since then over 300 speakers have taken part in its panels, which have welcomed thousands of attendees. The programme's aim is to test theory, inspire debate and positively impact the different strands of the entertainment technology industry.

The Lighting and Stage Theatre is preparing to welcome a wide range of expertise and talent, from companies like Martin Professional, Theatre Projects, Marshmallow Laser Feast, IQ Magazine, The Backstage Centre and Avolites Media, and from organisations including ABTT and the Association of Lighting Designers.

Leading lighting manufacturer, Martin Profe

USA - Corner Entertainment is a recently-opened entertainment constellation located in Houston, Texas. It features a restaurant (Corner Table) a bar/nightclub (The Oak Bar), and a second wine and mixed drinks bar (1919).

Though distinctly named, the three concepts flow together, both physically and in the vibe that unites them. That vibe is perhaps best described as high-class, but relaxed. Though the aesthetic and the quality of the libations and cuisine might justify it, Corner Entertainment is decidedly not stuffy. Houston-based integration firm LoGo Audio Video Music designed and installed Corner Entertainment's high-performance, cost-effective audio system using two Symetrix Jupiter 8 fixed architecture standalone DSPs with smartphone control for the managers provided by Symetrix ARC-WEB.

"For small- to mid-sized installations, the Symetrix Jupiter is the only proces

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UK - Battersea Power Station was the iconic background for part of this year's Totally Thames festival organised by the Thames Festival Trust featuring Carabosse, a French Fire Art company who deliver picturesque installations for audiences and passers-by throughout the world.

Illuminate Design hasworked with the Thames Festival Trust for the past eight years, helping to deliver a variety of events, predominantly the annual Mayor's Thames Festival in London.

This year, Jonathan Bartlett, production manager for the Trust contracted Illuminate Design to provide a complete service for the Fire Garden by Carabosse at the Battersea Power Station. The project brief included Site management, PA, and lighting the famous chimneys.

To tackle the task, Robin Shephard-Blandy, director for Illuminate Design chose the new SGM G-Spot. Robin said, "The G-spot was a perfect solution for

USA - Recently, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) invited its members to attend the annual North American EtherCAT Plug Fest - held at the North American headquarters of Beckhoff Automation in Savage, Minnesota, USA.

For a period of two days, participants subjected their EtherCAT masters and slaves to rigorous interoperability testing, discussed open questions, and prepared the devices for future marketing. Additionally, the ETG shared exclusive information about prospective EtherCAT device test developments to the members.

The 2014 North American EtherCAT Plug Fest was also highlighted by the location of the two-day event. The Savage, Minnesota facility of Beckhoff Automation LLC also houses the North American EtherCAT Test Centre (ETC), which was accredited by the ETG at the beginning of 2014. The goals of the event were to test EtherCAT devices from the 35 participants fo

UK - In 2013 Le Maitre invested in increasing productivity at its pyrotechnics factory in Peterborough UK, in order to cope with demand. The pyrotechnic manufacturing process is a very labour intensive process and Le Maitre had reached almost full production capacity the year before.

The company therefore researched alternative methods, exploring different industries before subsequently identifying a completely new production process which can output a phenomenal 24,000 to 26,000 units per hour, regardless of diameter, and is now resulting in a terrific increase in capacity.

Moving from the previous moulded stars method to the new format has been far from straightforward. The production process greatly affects how the pyro behaves and the Peterborough team have had to spend a huge amount of time and resource in the careful adjustment of product composition.

Le Maitre confirm

Canada - On the shores of Lake Ontario, Queen's University's Isabel Bader Centre for the Arts - the newest addition to Canada's cultural landscape - is set to open its doors this weekend, marking the culmination of more than seven years of planning, design, and construction.

Theatre Projects collaborated with Snøhetta and N45 Architecture on the design of this 80,000 square-foot arts centre that will provide Kingston, Ontario with a state-of-the-art teaching facility, a world-class showcase for student and professional musicians, and a breathtaking architectural addition to the university campus.

The $65m centre, which combines historic preservation and modern architecture, features a concert hall, flexible theatre, orchestra rehearsal room, film screening room, film production studio, classrooms, and a full suite of support spaces.

The centrepiece of the lakeside art

UK - There has been a theatre on the site of Sadler's Wells since 1683. Christian Wallace is the technical manager for this, the sixth incarnation to bear the name of the original proprietor along with a nod to the health giving spring that still lie beneath the theatre. He explains the theatre's current remit: "Sadler's Wells presents all sorts of dance from Britain and from international companies, including tango, hip hop, ballet, flamenco, and contemporary dance. We present high profile and internationally recognised works so we need to provide the best possible equipment, which of course includes our lighting stock."

The current building was opened in 1998 and the majority of the lighting stock is now 16 years old. Wallace freely admits that, despite sustaining a rigorous maintenance programme, it was time to explore the newer, more advanced fixtures now on the ma

South Africa - As the worldwide launch of Robe's new long-throw 1700W BMFL Spot luminaire continues apace across all continents, two South Africa launch events staged in Cape Town and Johannesburg attracted nearly 200 people from multiple industry sectors, including all the major industry players in SA.

The two SA events were organised by Robe's SA distributor DWR, whose team of MD Duncan Riley and director Nic Britz was joined by Robe's sales director Harry von den Stemmen and technical sales manager Ond?ej Hegar. For the first launch event in Cape Town, Robe's CEO Josef Valchar also jetted in.

The Cape Town event took place at the Grandwest Arena, a venue chosen as it was important to demonstrate in a large space so guests could appreciate the power - a staggering 250,000 lux at 5m - and throw capabilities of the BMFL Spot.

A constant stream of visitors all day heard a bri

UK - The Grade II* former circus theatre, Brighton Hippodrome, tops the 33 theatres on The Theatres Trust's Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2014, launched at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 18 September. The annually published register features the most 'at risk' theatre buildings across the UK under threat of demolition and redevelopment, theatres that lie abandoned, neglected and decaying, and theatres in use at risk of closure.

Brighton & Hove City Council has approved demolition and redevelopment plans for the Grade II* Brighton Hippodrome to create a cinema multiplex and restaurant. Designed by Frank Matcham the theatre is of national significance as one of only three remaining Victorian circus theatres in the UK. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has yet to decide if he will call-in the planning and listed building applications and hold a

UK - Lift Turn Move (LTM) is now the UK and Ireland agent for Planeta Hebetechnik GmbH, which manufactures hoists and other lifting equipment suited to construction, engineering and special environments.

The agreement adds explosion proof manual chain hoists up to 10t capacity and air hoists up to 25t capacity to LTM's already impressive product offering. LTM is also able to offer ultra low headroom chain hoists.

Operations director David King says, "The range of products from Planeta are perfect for clients, especially those who supply equipment into harsh working environments such as utilities, construction and offshore industries, The products complement our existing range and create new opportunities for our clients."

Herne, Germany-based Planeta manufactures a wide range of products, including manual lifting equipment, rope winches and air hoists in addition t

USA - Students at California Baptist University's (CBU) Collinsworth School of Music are not only taught the art of making music, but the best possible way to enhance the performance aspect of their instrument or voice. That's why their professors and mentors turn to DPA Microphones for on-stage amplification, which ensures that students gain first-hand experience with world-renowned professional equipment.

With an audio locker thaDirectional Headset Mics and a stereo pair of d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Mics, the school is guaranteed an audio solution that covers the variety of music department needs for on-campus performances as well as on-the-road ensembles.

Matthew McConnell, technical director for the School of Music at California Baptist University, was familiar with DPA's reputation of quality products, but it was his test seven years ago of a stereo pair of

South Africa - LEDVision (Pty) Ltd, a full-service LED screen supplier, and part of the Gearhouse Group of Companies, has expanded its rental stockholding once again to offer more innovative options to the local live event market.

The company's latest investment in over 100sq.m of Radiant 7mm indoor/outdoor panels gives LEDVision the capacity to build two HD resolution screens of the new product.

This is the first acquisition of this particular LED product for use in the South Africa market and offers not only the most sophisticated lightweight touring frame of any mesh panel to date, but also the option to stack, fly or curve screens, depending on the requirements of the event. These extremely versatile panels can be configured in any format and have the capability to curve at a +/-10% horizontal degree.

The M7 is a black diode 3in1 SMD screen with the highest contrast rati

UK - Next month, Philips Entertainment is set to have one of the biggest and most successful PLASA London shows to date, with the launch of brand new luminaires, exciting demos of the latest additions to its three premier brands, Selecon, Strand Lighting, and Vari-Lite along with its product range Showline, exclusive afternoon-tea-with-a-twist press event, party in a super special venue and celebrations for Strand Lighting's 100th anniversary.

Philips Entertainment will be found on stand L80 at the ExCeL exhibition centre, where members of the Philips team will be chatting to visitors and demo-ing the new products through interactive daily light shows.

The Philips Vari-Lite VL4000 Spot luminaire will be making its first major UK trade show debut. PLASA visitors will be able to get to grips with all its exciting features, including its high-resolution optics, entirely new colou

UK - Le Maitre will be exhibiting at this year's Plasa London show at ExCel.

The HazeMaster, the highest output haze machine on the market along with the G300 smoke machine, MVS hazer and a range of pyro and pyro controllers will be featured on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies stand and the Le Maitre team will be on hand to greet you.

The HazeMaster will be in action on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies lighting stand P41 along with a truss mounted G300 operated by DMX.

The MVS with its unique sweeping projected haze will be located on A.C. Entertainment Technologies partner stand Q46 - Jack Goff.

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - Sennheiser's Esfera surround microphone system has been recognised with an IABM Design and Innovation Award. At the awards ceremony held on 13 September during the IBC in Amsterdam, the audio specialist received the award within the Audio category.

"We feel extremely honoured that the IABM's independent panel of experts has selected Esfera for the Audio award," said Claus Menke, head of portfolio management pro for Sennheiser's Professional Division.

"Immersive audio is one of our focus areas, an area which truly creates a difference for the viewers' TV experience. Esfera makes the lives of broadcast professionals a lot easier. The system enables them to efficiently capture authentic ambience using just two audio channels, and to convert this audio information to 5.1 at any point in the workflow, whether live or in post-production."

(Jim

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