China -The first phase of China's 20 billion yuan ($3.16 billion) Changbai Mountain International Tourism Resort opened in 2012, featuring five-star hotels and Asia's largest ski resort. A centrepiece of the development is a performing arts theatre, where Apex audio processors and DiGiCo mixing consoles help to ensure that audiences enjoy the evenings as much as their time on the piste.

Changbai Mountain is located on the border with North Korea, with the Chinese side a 494,000 acre nature reserve that is already a popular international tourist destination. The new resort's 26 miles of ski runs will draw many more visitors and the Changbaishan Grand Theatre has been built as part of the comprehensive accommodation and entertainment facilities.

Built by the Beijing Aotewei Development Company, the theatre features a cutting edge audio specification, supplied and installed by Ri

Columbia - With a career spanning more than three decades, Carlos Vives, is a Latin American entertainment icon. The five time Grammy award winner recently took to the stage in Sincelejo, Colombia for Fiestas del 20 de Enero. The outdoor event was held at Estadio Mochila, and put on by the City Of Sincelejo. 12,000 wildly excited fans filled the grounds to catch a thrilling Vallenato style performance by Vives and other Latin American hit makers - KVRASS, Maluma and Alfredo Gutierrez. C. Vilar Amplificacion Professional provided the complete sound, staging and lighting for the event.

Mauricio Vilar, FOH Engineer for Carlos Vives for the past four years, wanted to use the Adamson E15's for the performance. "Initially we had a production company proposing another brand of P.A. I had requested the E15's on the rider and insisted that they were used for the event."

UK - Nestled at the foot of the Cairngorms national park, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a delightfully spacious, airy venue that is responsible for a veritable list of productions as well as a range of workshops, tours, concerts and even a wine club.

Each winter it opens its doors for the Federation of Scottish Theatre's (FST) winter school, a sizeable programme of technical training and professional development courses aimed at those working in dance, music and theatre north of the border. The FST has over 120 members and strives to secure the creative future of Scottish Theatre at a national level while also helping its members share resources and expertise; one of the key aims of the winter school program. As in previous years, the Winter School has been heavily supported by Edinburgh based Black Light.

Courses included working and rigging at height, ETC product training, m

UK - Broadcast and pro audio technology specialists HHB Communications is releasing the HHB 2013 Catalogue at the BVE London show on Stand D62A.

With technical and sales information on over 2,000 professional audio products from the world's leading professional audio equipment manufacturers, the HHB Catalogue one of the industry's leading resource for professional audio technology.

Produced for over three decades, the HHB Catalogue is a comprehensive guide to the latest pro audio technology for the broadcast, education, music recording, OB, post, radio, television and video games markets. As such, the latest state-of-the-art technologies for topics such as Loudness, File-based workflows, MADI, Audio over IP, 5.1 and HD, in addition to a comprehensive selection of microphones, loudspeakers, headphones and much more are listed throughout the 216-page catalogue. Some of the lates

UK - Black Light reports that it is now one of the national distributors of the ilumo Range of LED Spots which are designed and manufactured in the UK by Lumonic Ltd.

"We think that the product range is world class and truly innovative," says Phil Haldane, Black Light's head of company development, who is particularly impressed by the functionality that ilumo's software provides. "We are very excited to be working with Lumonic throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK."

The ilumo Spot is a high power, high efficiency LED soft edged spot unit with full colour mixing optics and a remote motorised zoom. It features 12 High Brightness Osram LEDs controlled by market-leading software.

The product comes with a strong pedigree. The team involved in its development has been instrumental in bringing LEDs into the entertainment industry, having used the technology

UK - When Capital was approached by regular clients Universal and Soho House to put together a system for the Universal Music BRIT Awards party hosted by Bacardi and Soho House, they knew it was going to be a night to remember.

"The event took place at the Old Midland Bank, immediately opposite the Bank of England in the City of London," says crew chief Charles Ellery. "We'd visited the palatial marble clad surroundings a couple of weeks before, and decided to put together an 'in the round' system of 28 Meyer Mina cabinets and eight 600-HP subs to relay material from two full DJ rigs, which were set up on what used to be the Bank's reception desk."

Capital's Robin Conway was on system tech and mixing duties, whilst Louisa Gladwin, Charlie Bryson and Jasmin Cummings handled the PA and stage tech roles.

Control was via a DiGiCo SD11 digital console, with a

UK - A new exhibit at the Natural History Museum challenges visitors to see beyond dinosaurs and dodo birds and explore a more complete view of extinction in the natural world.

Earlier this month, the museum held a special event to celebrate the Grand Opening of Extinction: The End of the World? giving guests a first look at the temporary exhibition. Guest of Honour Sir David Attenborough and Environmental Secretary Owen Paterson were invited to unveil the newest attraction in style. Entertainment specialist White Light provided the lighting design, equipment and personnel to make the night a success. Using bold colours and patterns, White Light set a stunning backdrop for the event. Guests were treated to a glowing Dippy the Dinosaur and an exclusive look at the information, artefacts, and interactive games presented in Extinction.

The team from White Light, led by Richard St

UK - HSL supplied lighting equipment to Rita Ora's first full production tour which blasted its way round the country, with lighting design by Andy Iliffe.

The critically acclaimed chart topping singer-songwriter's show features an impressive array of props and stunning costumes in addition to her vibrant performance.

HSL's Mike Oates project managed and comments, "Rita Ora is one of the hottest emerging talents in the UK, and Andy's light show was every bit as original and exciting as her stage presence. We are extremely proud to be involved."

Iliffe's dynamic touring rig for Ora's energy fuelled Radioactive tour was completely floor based. At each venue he also hooked into a front truss prepared to their LX spec with profile and wash fixtures.

He explains that a key starting point for the design was that it had to be scalable so it could fit into any of

Germany - The well-known Hamburg Ohnsorg theatre has installed an Alcons pro-ribbon sound system.

In July 2011, the theatre left the old venue in the Großen Bleichen and now plays in the Bieberhaus at the Heidi-Kabel-Platz. With the move into the new house, also a new sound system was installed.

The theatre values the combination of natural acoustics and neat sound reinforcement; However, the planned musical productions also require a more powerful sound while maintaining high speech intelligibility. Therefore, the sound crew headed by Florian Buhr (Protones Audiotechnik) decided on the almost invisible LR7 micro line array of Alcons as well as the VR and SR pro-ribbon series from the Dutch manufacturer.

Since the new house with a seating capacity of 414 is acoustically designed, a very natural sound and coherent coverage is highly valued. "The perfect coverage and stu

South Africa - Following the success of its 2011 event, which attracted 6395 visitors, Africa's leading media and entertainment technology trade show is gearing up for its 2013 edition, set to take place at Johannesburg's Coca-Cola Dome from 17-19 July.

Local and international visitors have the opportunity to network and interact with some of the biggest names in advanced technology, including management and manufacturing executives. This year's show hopes to attract even more visitors, with a bigger African contingent. Among the list of confirmed exhibitors are Viva Afrika Sound and Light, Extron Electronics, Technology Innovated Distribution, DWR Distribution, AV Systems, Concilium Technologies, Inala, Audiosure, Sound Harmonics, Matrix Sound, Macro Video and Telemedia.

Trevor Peters of Matrix Sound comments: "Our participation in Mediatech has in the past led to us clo

Sweden / USA - Wireless Solution Sweden AB, manufacturer of the W-DMX wireless DMX technology, reports that it has been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to Interlite AB (mother company and patent owner) an invention patent in regards to their new technology for wireless communicating using adaptive frequency hopping (US 8,340,157).

In accordance with the granted patent, it is possible to in a more precise way handle an adaptive wireless environment including a plurality of wireless devices competing for the available bandwidth. Accordingly, this new technology makes it possible to increase the reliability of wireless transmission and control of wireless devices for example used in relation to the entertainment, architectural, commercial, industrial, street and/or event industry.

What this patent means is that W-DMX can now protect this technolog

Nigeria - The Money Drop (Nigeria) is a new version of Endemol's high-tension TV games show and the first such series to be aired on the African continent.

It was recorded in Kew Studios in Johannesburg with lighting supplied by leading SA rental company, Blond Productions.

Robe moving lights - including new Robin LEDBeam 100s, MMX Spots and 600E Beams plus ColorSpot 250E ATs, ColorSpot 700E ATs and 575 XT Scans - were used extensively. The fixtures were a major element of an impressive lighting design by Peter Reick, while Anolis ArcLink optic 4 LED strips were used to illuminate key parts of the set.

Centurion based Blond Productions was involved right from the outset through their close working relationship with Endemol South Africa.

They came up with a staging concept and supplied the full technical production as well as production management and co-ordination,

UK - XL Video UK supplied LED screens, projection system and Catalyst media server control for Rita Ora's first full production tour of the UK promoting her debut Ora album.

The tour's video treatment was designed by Ora's creative producers Bronski (also production manager and FOH sound engineer) and Amber Rimell (also stage director) in close conjunction with lighting designer Andy Iliffe.

It's based around creating big epic looks, lots of movement and interest, as well as working with a series of props to produce a constantly changing visual environment.

Ora supported Coldplay last summer and Bronski was impressed with the service they received from XL's crew on this, so he approached XL project managers Jo Beirne and Macca (Paul McCauley) to help devise a suitable package for the tour.

Pixled's FX-11 indoor / outdoor product was selected - 60 tiles for the main

USA - Multi Grammy Award-winner Barry Manilow returns to Broadway for the first time in more than two decades and this time he's accompanied by grandMA2 consoles. Bandit Lites supplied the grandMA2 ultra-light consoles to the St. James Theatre for the entertainer's limited-run engagement featuring a catalogue of his hits.

Production designer Seth Jackson began using grandMA2 consoles during the programming process. "We did a lot of the programming while the band was on the road, then we had a lot of stuff to re-program and no window to do it all at once," he recalls. "So we did most of the programming with a MA onPC command wing in California during rehearsals. Then we took the MA onPC command wing to New York to do a lot of ESP programming. It was a massive amount of work, and with the MA onPC command wing, it was like having a real grandMA2."

Once settled

Austria - The best ski athletes in the world gathered in Kitzbühel to celebrate the highlight of the World Cup calendar - the Hahnenkamm Race Week from 22 - 27 January 2013 including the renowned Streif downhill.

The "Streif" is considered the most spectacular and dangerous downhill in the world 80m jumps, 85-percent base slope and top speeds up to 140 km / h. The race does not allow any margin of error.

To celebrate the conclusion of the races a VIP party, KitzRacePartywas held, with the top act for this year Gloria Gaynor playing to the crowds.

Austrian L-Acoustics rental network agent, Light and Sound, set up a Kara and ARCS wide and ARCS Focus system for the party. As main PA, Light and Sound specified vertically hanging three ARCS (one focus and two wide) for left and right to cover the dance floor area. Five Kara were flown for outfill and three Kiva

South Africa - In the Pretoria CBD, the South African State Theatre is doing phenomenal work as it produces successful shows which play to full houses. It can be described as a theatre that keeps up with the times. In 2012, it not only appointed a new and passionate CEO, but it was also the start of implementing LED technology to the venue.

When DR Quinton W Simpson was assigned CEO in May 2012, he was open to new ideas to further enhance the theatre including the request to transform the theatre to LED. "I asked if we could start changing to LED due to the power, gel and weight of conventional fixtures," said Simon King, senior lighting technician at the State Theatre.

Soon thereafter, the work began with the two smaller venues first. Robin DLX fixtures and LED parcans were purchased. "We realised that we could not buy LED fixtures alone, we also had to change

UK - A team of intrepid international motorbike riders and vintage car drivers hailing from all sectors of the backstage theatre industry will set off from London's iconic Roundhouse this summer to raise money for The Theatrical Guild (TTG).

The First Night Riders - organised by entertainment equipment engineering experts David and Brenda Edelstein from Triple E - will this year be sponsored to tour Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and the Midlands on motorcycles and in vintage vehicles from 21 to 24 June enabling the First Night Riders to spread The Theatrical Guild word to theatre staff across Great Britain. Their mission includes raising much-needed funds for TTG - the only charity dedicated to looking after the interests of backstage and Front of House personnel.

"The First Night Riders' aim is to provide a fun way to get onto the open road for a good cause," says Bre

UK - Watched by millions, the 2013 Brit Awards offered an A-list performance-packed show, held in London's prestigious 02 Arena.

Once again Le Mark's high gloss StudioTak studio vinyl was selected for both the beautifully curvaceous cat walk running out into the audience and also used in the after show broadcasts.

With some of the biggest names in the music industry attending and collecting their awards, the set design and production was as seamless and stunning as ever before. StudioTak high gloss floor provided a water-like shimmering reflection, enhancing the set and stage on which it's laid.

Le Mark's Sharon Marshall commented, "So far this year, Le Mark floors have been used on some of the most prestigious award events in the world: the BAFTA's, the NTA's and now the Brit Awards - an incredible achievement for all the team here.

"StudioTak itself is such a f

World - Bloc Party are currently in the midst of their biggest, most ambitious tour to date. The Four tour completed 2012 in Mexico and, so far, 2013 has taken them across the USA then on to Europe, via Japan. The end of February will see the band playing to a 19,000 strong audience at Earls Court before March escorts the tour down to Australia and the Far East.

The lighting design reflects the band's persona; direct, clean, sharp and uncompromising. Rob Sinclair, designer of both set and design sums it up succinctly, "Set, light and lasers exist as a whole, unified visual force." A designer with names such as the Kaiser Chiefs, Peter Gabriel and Pulp under his belt, Sinclair is straightforward about his choice of lights for the show: "I've been using Clay Paky products on a regular basis since I first programmed a show with four Golden Scan Mk1s in 1992!&q

Singapore - Allen & Heath's Indonesian distributor, Sindo Exports Pte Ltd, recently supplied Allen & Heath GLD digital systems to Singapore's Wala Wala live music club and Cleopatra karaoke nightclub.

Founded 20 years ago, Wala Wala started hosting live music acts 10 years later following the refurbishment of its first floor storage area. A relatively small live room, the original sound reinforcement system suffered from poor sound quality when the levels were increased so Wala Wala's management appointed an audio technician to mix the 11 weekly acts.

"Having decided to recruit an engineer in Mark Jason, we then realised that the club needed a sound system," commented operations manager Maniam Krishnan. "Bands previously mixed themselves, which was a little inconsistent as some would be too loud and others were inexperienced."

"Wala Wala previously h

UK - German-based optical fibre network specialist, Optocore GmbH, has appointed Sound Network as its new distributor in the UK.

Based in Central London, and suitably placed to serve the broadcast, theatre, install and touring segments of the market, Sound Network see the move as a logical fit. "The Optocore product line dovetails perfectly with our existing product mix and we look forward to introducing customers to the benefits of this impressive solution," stated director Ralph Dunlop.

Optocore sales & marketing director, Tine Helmle, agreed. "With our growing penetration of both large scale events and the permanent installation market we are delighted to be partnering with such an experienced and well qualified company."

Dunlop added that his company had held an interest in the Optocore product line for several years. "In 2012 we felt we had the

Czech Republic - Registration is now open for Showlight 2013, the event organised for lighting designers by lighting designers, that takes place only once every four years. This year's event, say the organisers, exceeds all previous expectations as we invite you to join us at a beautiful fairy-tale castle in the Czech Republic, home to our sponsors Robe, on Saturday 18 - Tuesday 21 May 2013.

Three days of papers from renowned international lighting designers, an afternoon of visits, which includes the castle's very own baroque theatre, and discussion with manufacturers of the highest quality lighting equipment are included. There's also the opportunity to visit the Robe factory after the close of Showlight.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Super Bowl XLVII was a memorable game, but the full Super Bowl experience started well before kickoff with a pair of live pre-game concerts broadcast on VH-1 and CMT where Clay Paky Alpha Spot QWO 800s and grandMA2 light consoles played key roles.

VH-1 and the NFL joined forces to celebrate the Super Bowl with Train headlining on Friday night. CMT and the NFL partnered the following evening on a Crossroads special starring superstar country band Rascal Flatts and iconic rock band Journey. Both concerts were held at The Sugar Mill in New Orleans, which seats 4,000-5,000 fans.

Atomic Lighting of Lititz, Pennsylvania provided 40 Clay Paky Alpha Spot QWO 800s and a pair of grandMA2 light systems with wings for the concert series. PEDG was the production design team collaborating. Bob Pederson was acting lighting designer on the broadcast truck.

"Atomic had suggested u

UK - The Schools' Theatre Support Group (STSG) held their fourth conference in February, sponsored by White Light, Charcoalblue, Stage Electrics and AC Entertainment Technologies. The successful event was attended by technicians and managers from schools around the country. The conference, held at Hampton School in S.W. London, included workshops and seminars by Delta Sound, Flints Theatrical Chandlers and Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants.

The STSG is a small, but established network of professional theatre technicians, designers and managers working in UK school theatres. The annual conference is the main focus of the Group, bringing together its members with suppliers and leading industry practitioners. The next conference is planned for February 2014 at The Leys School in Cambridge.

(Jim Evans)

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