USA - The ESTA Control Protocols Plugfest, the event where manufacturers and developers can test their products for interoperability with other manufacturers' products, is scheduled to take place 29 January 29 through 1 February at the D/FW Marriott Solana in Westlake, Texas. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Attendees bring controllers, intelligent lights, control protocol analysers, and various other tools and devices, in an effort to seek out and resolve interoperability challenges. People attend from all around the world to plug into this network and improve their products.

The Plugfest was originally created to support the Remote Device Management protocol (ANSI E1.20 RDM), but covers all ESTA Control Protocols Working Group (CPWG) standards, including the popular ANSI E1.31 Streaming ACN protocol.

The scheduled hours are 4:00-11:00pm on Friday, 30 January, 9:00am-11:00

Indonesia - A cutting-edge package of Clay Paky fixtures has been installed into a new super club in Jakarta that promises partygoers "an unrivalled audio-visual experience".

Owned by one of Jakarta's most prominent nightlife companies Alexis Group, Colosseum is a huge 1000sq.m arena with 16m high ceilings that hosts world class DJs, international artists and vast themed parties.

Spain-based multimedia production company and supplier LEDsCONTROL supplied and installed 30 of the award-winning Clay Paky Mythos, 16 A.leda B-EYE K20s, 16 Sharpys and 10 Alpha Spot 700 HPE fixtures into the space.

"Alexis Group approached us to support their vision of creating the most spectacular and trailblazing venue in Jakarta's club scene," explains project manager Miquel Perez de Hita. "We immediately put forward a lighting package of Clay Paky fixtures as we were

UK - Having piloted the mix for every tour the Stereophonics have undertaken since they set out two decades ago (hardly missing a show in the process), their FOH engineer Dave Roden has become perfectly at ease with the Martin Audio MLA system that seamlessly replaced the former W8L Longbow on the last tour.

"I knew I had backed a winning horse after being given the choice of which PA to move up to after Longbow. There were various options but I chose MLA and have had no regrets with that decision," he says. "I can now just sit back in my seat without needing to walk the floor, knowing the system will sound the same everywhere in the arena."

When he arrived at London's O2 Arena it was off the back of a gig at the Brighton Centre the previous evening where the experience had been matchless. "[Brighton] is such a lovely room to mix in and very like a s

South Korea - Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K10 luminaires are part of a sophisticated lighting system that provides visitors with an immersive viewing experience at Grévin Seoul, the first Asian location of the famous waxwork museum Grévin Paris.

Located near one of Seoul's busiest shopping districts, Myeong-dong, Grévin Seoul opened in July this year. It offers visitors the chance to take selfies with 80 life-size wax models of world-renowned public figures and celebrities. The exhibit is spread over four floors in different themed rooms.

Korean distributor Tongsuh Technology Co. supplied and installed 19 of the Clay Paky fixtures into the museum's Hall of Fame room. Situated on the second floor, this section displays waxworks of stars such as Angelina Jolie and Korean pop sensation Psy. It invites visitors to 'make unforgettable memories with your favourite

Japan - Japan-based rock band Crossfaith has built quite a name for itself at home and abroad since its founding in 2006. Featuring members Koie Kenta (lead vocals), Takemura Kazuki (lead guitar), Amano Tatsuya (drums), Tamano Terufumi (keyboards, programming, backing vocals) and Ikegawa Hiroki (bass guitar), the band's distinctive metalcore sound is delivered with Audio-Technica microphones on stage and in the studio.

Crossfaith uses a variety of Audio-Technica microphones, including the ATM250 hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone, the AT4021 cardioid condenser and the AT4047 large-diaphragm condenser among others. Recently the band also started using the Audio-Technica System 10 Digital Wireless System for guitar and bass.

Kazuki notes, "Our stage performance means everything to us. We're all about moving all over and going crazy. So that's why we decided to us

USA - Columbus McKinnon Corporation (CMCO), one of the world's leading manufacturers of electric chain hoist and rigging products, has pledged its support for ESTA's Technical Standards Program by becoming a visionary level 'Investor in Innovation'. By making a five-year pledge of $10,000 per year, Columbus McKinnon is helping to ensure the survival of a program that they have long championed.

On announcing the sponsorship Ken Tilson, vertical market specialist - entertainment, stated, "Columbus McKinnon is excited about the opportunity to support ESTA's TSP which is vitally important for the Entertainment Industry. The TSP members are entertainment subject matter experts who develop and create industry specific technical standards and recommended best practices. CMCO specifically participates in the Rigging Working Group and has actively done so for many years. We are com

UK - Punk rock band The Professionals recently reformed for a sold out gig at London's 100 Club, managed on Allen & Heath's new dLive digital mixing system.

Made up of ex members of the Sex Pistols, the gig marked the first time in over 30 years that The Professionals had appeared, coinciding with Universal's release of The Complete Professionals CD set.

As space was tight and channel count relatively low, engineer, Ben Hammond, opted for the smallest hardware from the dLive range - a S3000 surface and DM32 stage rack - fitted with a Dante networking card, to manage FOH, monitors, and a multitrack recording of the show. Requirements comprised drums, bass, two guitars, four vocals, four wedge mixes, and stereo and multitrack recording via Dante to Reaper, to be mixed later for a 'live' release.

"I needed to deliver an edgy, driven mix to suit the type of music

UK - Drapes, 'softs' and special effects specialist S+H Technical supplied large amounts of red velvet drapes and a substantial custom Pea-light installation for the most recent series of the BBC's ever-popular prime time blockbuster, Strictly Come Dancing.

Over 4000 Pea-lights bulbs were ensconced in bespoke set panels covered in red drape making up an integral part of the production design created by Patrick Doherty.

BAFTA Award winning Doherty has been involved on the creative team since the very first series of Strictly in 2004. For the last three years, the show has been based at the George Lucas 2 stage at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, with one 'special' recorded at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

Each year the design has developed, and consequently the production values have steadily increased as the series, directed by Nikki Parsons, choreograph

USA - Lighting designer/director Alex Specht of Spechtrum Lighting turned to the dynamic look of Elation Professional's ACL 360 Bar effect luminaire for Danish rock band New Politics' fall US tour, teaming the continuous rotation batten effect with Elation's warm-white Lumina Strips, among other lights.

New Politics toured 14 October to 29 November on a Wilderness Politics tour, which they co-headlined with indie pop act Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Alex incorporated the ACL 360 Bars and Lumina Strips as part of a shared lighting package that both acts used.

Alex first met New Politics when the band opened for Panic! at the Disco, an American rock band that he also designs lighting for. "We shared a good rapport," he says of the relationship. "They were fans of my previous work and I had an interest in designing for them."

Part of Elation's

USA - Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was named offensive MVP at the Capital One Orange Bowl for a perfectly balanced performance in which he was equally effective passing the ball (for 187 yards) as he was running it (145 yards). Watson was not the only outstanding versatile performer on the field at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on 31 December. Also impressive in filling multiple roles was a collection of 10 Strike 4 warm white LED fixtures from Chauvet Professional provided by The Design Oasis.

Abbas Ritscher of The Design Oasis specced the Strike 4 fixtures for the halftime performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and multi-Grammy winner John Fogerty because of their compact size, power and versatility.

"John Hollingshead the LD for the show and I positioned 10 Strike 4s behind the stage to create a dramatic look during the halftime show," said Ritsche

UK - Rigging specialist DLM Events supplied various Kinesys automation and flying elements in their role as production riggers for the last series of the BBC's massively popular Strictly Come Dancing, recorded on the George Lucas 2 Stage at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.

Strictly, broadcast live on BBC 1's Saturday night prime time, is one of the nation's favourite programmes, and the 2015 series' weekly audiences regular topped 10m viewers.

"There was some serious pressure" explained DLM's automation director Erlend 'Spider' Webb who co-ordinated this project, "and that's why we work with Kinesys equipment, because it's absolutely rock solid."

DLM has been involved in specialist rigging aspects of Strictly for the last five years. When the prime-time series moved out of the BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane to the larger space at Elst

Brazil - Panasonic Corporation has signed an agreement to become an 'Official Ceremony Partner' with the Rio 2016 Olympic Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Rio 2016) and provide turnkey visual operations for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Ceremonies.

Panasonic will provide more than 100 high brightness compact 20,000 lumen projectors (PT-DZ21K2), multiple Broadcast Grade 2-M/E Live Switchers (AV-HS6000 Series), and other visual equipment.

Panasonic, the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category, will help to enhance the quality and excitement of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies by delivering impressive images to the audiences around the globe watching the world's greatest ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro, says the company.

Under the partnership, and utilising Panasonic's state-of-art technologies and lon

China - One of the most significant construction projects to take place following the devastating Lushan earthquake of 2013, the new Mingshan Stadium in the Ya'an City of Sichuan, China, is a truly multi-purpose venue suitable for hosting sports, entertainment, conferences, exhibitions and more. To ensure sufficient processing power and flexibility for both sports events and entertainment performances, Mingshan Stadium has been equipped with a pair of Symetrix Solus open-architecture standalone DSPs.

The audio installation was led by locally-based integrator Chuengdu Eagle Huang Technology Co., Ltd., whilst EZPro Sound & Light Co., Ltd., was responsible for system design and product supply. As well as dealing with a high reverberation time, they needed to ensure excellent speech intelligibility and ensure a consistent SPL of 95dB in at least 80% of the venue.

Determining tha

Mexico - Pro Audio Producciones del Norte is a busy and high profile full production solutions provider based in Monterrey in the northeast of Mexico, headed by the charismatic and interesting Victor Gutierrez. The company provides lighting, audio, video, rigging, staging, generators and power for a wide variety of tours, festivals and events. It is known for its excellent service and great attention to detail.

Recently Pro Audio has invested in 24 Pointe moving lights, their first investment in Robe products, which were supplied by Mexico City based distributor, Vari Internacional.

The company was started by Victor 25 years ago in Tampico a buzzing port city near the Gulf of Mexico. There's still a facility there in addition to the head office in Monterrey, a commercial hub, the ninth largest - and the second wealthiest - city in Mexico. Currently there are 25 people workin

Austria - ARX Systems has appointed Signal Sound & Light Distribution GmbH as its exclusive distributor for Austria.

ARX MD Colin Park says, "Signal Sound & Light Distribution is a well-known and respected Austrian distributor. Here at ARX, we're looking forward to working with Matthias Reinthaler and his team. They're very enthusiastic about the possibilities for the growing ARX digital and analogue product range amongst their extensive dealer base throughout Austria."

Matthias Reinthaler, the founder of Signal, agrees. "Customer service and also after sales support is very important for us; our product specialists support the client at all times, especially after buying, so we have not only a selling position, but more of a cooperation with our clients and partners. We are proud to extend our product range with ARX products, they fit perfectly into our portf

Venezuela - Right by the Gulf of Venezuela, the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge on lake Maracaibo connects the city with the same name with much of the rest of the country.

This 8.7 Km bridge opened in 1962 and serves as a vital infrastructure to the economy and mobility of the people in Maracaibo. To commemorate and celebrate its existence and importance, the government requested the six towers that support it to be lit. It became Viu Urbana & Varonaleds' job to design, install and commission this major task.

Viu Urbana & Varonaleds was challenged to complete this job in a short time-frame, and with a live bridge with traffic passing by around the clock. The lighting fixtures had to be installed at both sides of the bridge, which meant having teams in both lanes.

"It was almost impossible for us to use cable to communicate between towers. Each is 280 meters away from

Sweden - Founded in 1788 and occupying an impressive Art Noveau building in Nybroplan, Stockholm since 1908, the Royal Dramatic Theatre - or Dramaten - is Sweden's National Theatre. After several years of renting Alcons loudspeakers for events, the theatre has installed a permanent system in its main space.

The state-owned venue produces classical theatre, new Swedish and international productions and is also a hub for child and youth theatre.

Dramaten has seven stages in three different buildings. Located in the main building, the 770-capacity Main Stage is, in many ways, the heart of the theatre. Its décor is maintained as close as possible to when the building opened, so the new audio system had to be compact yet deliver very high quality sound.

"The challenge was to find a physically small PA without compromising in sound. We demand even coverage throughou

UK - Behind the Scenes UK has announced the inaugural members of the Ghostlight Society, the legacy giving programme that allows those who with careers in the entertainment technology industry to give back and make a lasting difference to their colleagues. Individuals can choose from a variety of options to become Ghostlight Society members including leaving a bequest to the charity in their will or naming BTS UK as the beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy.

Richard Thompson, a lighting designer at the Bingley Little Theatre as well as the Alhambra in Bradford and other area venues, was the first to sign on commenting, "When I made my last will some five years ago Light Relief was at the top of the list of organisations to benefit in the event of my death. Since then, of course, Light Relief has become BTS and to my mind has become even more important,

UK - Bristol-based lighting and visuals rental specialist Fineline was commissioned by production company The Fair to add lighting ambience to the Islington Square Festival of Culture, a four-day event organised by the company at the heart of redeveloping the former site of the N1 post sorting office into a new and vibrant commercial and residential hub, due to launch in 2017.

Fineline's Rob Sangwell created a lighting scheme to illuminate a series of indoor and outdoor spaces on the site including a pop-up cinema, a live music stage, a children's theatre, a community gardening demonstration zone and a markets area, with the overall brief of making it look attractive and special.

The Markets area and the bar were internal and illuminated with a series of well positioned LED PARs, around 40 in total, together with mirror balls adding some sparkle and 250m of LED festoon to ge

USA - Originally established in 1871, First Baptist Orlando has grown into a congregation of over 16,000 members who worship in a sanctuary with approximately 5,500 seats. When the church recently underwent a renovation, lighting designer Anthony Rush, working with the Orlando office of Stage Equipment and Lighting (SEAL), decided upon VL4000 Spot and VL4000 BeamWash luminaires from Philips Vari-Lite.

"I've been on staff at First Baptist Orlando since March 2013 and ever since I started in the lighting industry, I've been a fan of Vari-Lite luminaires," began Rush. "When the church decided to undergo a renovation earlier this year, I had been attending new product demos at the various dealers across the area and each time I saw the Series 4000 luminaires I would see something new. Because of their versatility and knowing the dependability of a Vari-Lite luminaire

USA - As Elation Professional lighting gear helped ring in the New Year at events across the US, perhaps no celebration saw more enthusiastic revellers than the Resolution 2016 EDM party in Los Angeles. Held 31 December at the Garden Walk in the heart of the Anaheim Resort in Los Angeles, the Resolution event, a collaboration between Social Management Group and Heat Ultra Lounge, saw top acts 3LAU, WeareTreo and ANDR3X hype a charged crowd across multiple stages.

Lighting/set designer and production manager for the main stage was Ramiro Aguilera of Show Production Technologies, the southern California-based production and rental company that provided the Elation lighting for the event. Asked to design an EDM stage, Ramiro says the characteristics and location of the event demanded a compact stage. "Of course those of us who work in EDM festivals know very well that nothing

Italy - Expo 2015 was held from May to October, in Milan, with the theme, Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. One of the largest pavilions in Milan belonged to the US exhibition, which welcomed more than 5m visitors. And true to this year's green motto, the Americans relied on energy-saving LED technology from ETC for its lighting. Approximately 5,700sq.m of exhibition space was lit by 150 Source Four LED Series 2 luminaires, complemented by 20 Selador Desire D60 luminaires and 130 conventional Source Four fixtures.

Habegger AG, from Switzerland, was responsible for the detailed design and installation of the lighting technology; what tipped the scales for them to implement this prestigious project, according to Francesco Stendardo, managing director for Habegger Italia, was the readiness to work with partners to sustainably invest in products, making it possible to off

Bahamas - Sitting down to design the lighting rig for the Albany resort's White New Year's Eve Party, Paul Francis Aranha and his team repeated the same vow that they've been making every year since they began working on the annual event in 2011: find a way to make this party more visually exciting than the last. This year, the team upped the excitement level in emphatic fashion by calling on the output and intense colours of Nexus 4x4 panels and Rogue fixtures from Chauvet Professional.

"Albany Resort and Spectrum Light & Sound are always looking for new ways to wow guests at this party," said Aranha. "It's been that way from the beginning."

Described by Forbes as "the most exclusive resort in the Bahamas," this 600-acre island complex includes 5-star restaurants, $6,000-a-night poolside condo units, over 70 deep water slips for 300' yachts and

The Netherlands - Integrated Systems Europe is to host a specialist half-day AV/IT seminar programme exploring the synergy between IT and AV technology. It is taking place on the last day of the 2016 exhibition and will examine how AV and IT convergence impacts upon our traditional understanding of installed networks and the requirement for increased technical and operational expertise for professionals operating in these sectors.

Stefani Renner and Dieter Michel will curate the AV/IT seminar programme, on behalf of ISE. Stefani Renner is a sound and video engineer and has 25 years of experience working as a journalist and technical consultant. Dieter Michel is a physicist and the editor of Media Technology and Systems Integration magazine. In addition to having 25 years' experience as a technology journalist Michel also runs a measuring laboratory, which undertakes stud

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