UK - Avolites will highlight its new Pearl Expert console at the ABTT 2007 (13-14 June, London). With 200 shipped and 300 currently on order, it looks set to be the popular choice for the busy summer season ahead, says the company. Avo will also feature its Diamond 4 Elite, Pearl 2008 and Azure consoles at the show.

On the dimmer front, the Art2000 Touring dimmer - as featured on all the recent UK blockbuster movies - will be on the stand, along with the Art2000 installation dimmer.

• A D4 Elite console and an Art2000 dimming system have just been installed at the Bournemouth Opera House. Originally opened in 1895 as the Boscombe Grand Theatre, a multi-million pound refurbishment project has seen the 2000 capacity venue restored to its original Victorian splendour, complete with top notch contemporary production facilities.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Lightfactor Sales will be showing a variety of its core theatre and performance orientated products available from Italian manufacturers SGM and LDR and LightProcessor from the UK, at this week's ABTT Show (13-14 June, London).

This will include Giotto Synthes's moving lights, PALCO LED wash fixtures, Pilot 300 and Studio lighting desks and the complete Idea range of products from SGM; a wide selection of theatre lanterns and accessories from LDR and LightProcessor's cost-effective range of lighting consoles, dimming solutions and DMX accessories.

New from LightProcessor is a range of location dimmers, specifically designed for the portable dimming market, suitable for film and video shoots and all types of special events. These offer local control and are available in 1 x 63A, 3 x 25A, 6 x 16A and 6 x 10A versions - all as complete 'ready-to-go', out of the box, plug-in-

UK - Bandit Lites UK is again collaborating with lighting designer Tellson James and Production North, for G4's current sold outFarewell UK tour, production managed by Sarah Hollis.

Bandit chief executive, Lester Cobrin says: "Although it is the band's final tour, high production values were top of the agenda as they want it to be a memorable last tour - which is really credible."

James was offered the gig after his recent design work on the Shane Ward and Andy Abraham tours for Production North, both of which were also serviced by Bandit as the lighting contractor.

The clean looking, gently tiered set designed by Production North was also taken into account in James' design, which is based around a 40ft wide x 30ft deep box truss onstage, with a front truss. On the front are four ETC Source Fours and four 4-lite blinders, along with a motorised roll-down pr

China - UK lighting designer Durham Marenghi gave a presentation about his lighting design for the 2006 Winter Olympics at the 5th China International Entertainment Technology Forum in Beijing.

The Forum attracted major interest and was attended by over 200 invited guests including lighting and sound designers, programmers, operators, technicians and consultants from all sectors of the Chinese lighting industry - from television to live entertainment - and organisers and managers from large performance teams.

"Obviously it was very exciting and a great honour to be invited to China to speak about this work," says Marenghi. "There is intense interest in the skills, knowledge and technology involved in producing monumental shows and events ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008."

Marenghi's interactive 35-minute presentation detailed the evolution and execut

UK - ChamSys reports that its MagicQ MQ200 Console was the choice for the sell-out Modest Mouse show at the Royal Albert Hall.

The American indie rock band is currently undertaking a six-week tour of the UK and Europe, including an appearance at Glastonbury Festival later this month.

The MagicQ MQ200 controlled the generic house lights along with a touring package from GLS Light & Sound Production. Lighting designer Ian Cameron Lyles, who had never used a MagicQ console before, programmed the show on the day, highlighting just how easy it is to use the software, which is interchangeable from one MagicQ product to another.

Floor-mounted scaffold bars were arranged on stage to look like twisted signposts, and small lanterns hung on them to give an industrial feel to the set. Pixeltrack LED battens uplit from the back, White cyc washed with Thomas cyc floods and both four and e

USA - Wybron has announced the launch of its Outdoor BP-2 Beam Projector. This new fixture is designed specifically for outdoor applications and is based on Wybron's established BP-2 Beam Projector designed for theatre applications. The Outdoor BP-2 is IP65 rated and has all the light characteristics of the original BP-2. It is designed to prevent leakage in any outdoor lighting project regardless of the weather.

Built entirely of aluminium with stainless steel fasteners, the Outdoor BP-2 can be lamped with a 800W tungsten or 150W discharge source. This outdoor beam projector produces an extremely intense soft edge, narrow 10-degree beam of light several times more intense than an ordinary spotlight of similar wattage. It also features variable focusing capabilities, says the company.

The Outdoor BP-2 was originally designed at the request of lighting designer Howard Brandston

USA - Los Angeles-based Gamproducts has appointed Pascal H Zandt as vice president of sales and marketing. He joined the company a year ago as national sales manager having worked previously in the insurance and optics industries.

Gamproducts president Joseph N Tawaii says the appointment "marks a new direction for Gamproducts to expand our sales both domestically and internationally. Zandt's appointment as vice president is intended to reflect the authority and importance of this new sales/marketing direction."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Tony Bailey has joined MilTec (UK) to expand its existing client base into the school and theatre installation markets. Previously with Hall Stage, VariLite and Zero88, Bailey has 20 years experience within the Industry.

MilTec (UK) is the UK and Ireland distributors for FAL, PR Lighting, VMB and Colorbeam lighting products as well as sound equipment from Ecler and Cornered. A selection of products from theses manufacturers is on display on the MilTec stand at the ABTT show this week.

(Jim Evans)

Ireland - A Robe moving light rig has been installed at Dublin's new night venue, the Tripod. Located in the same building as the legendary Pod Club, the new 1300 capacity purpose-built Tripod is a multifunctional club and live music space also created within the charismatic original shell of the old Harcourt Station.

Owner John Reynolds contracted Paul and Ian Smith of Dublin-based Just Lite Productions to specify and supply an appropriate lighting system.

Just Lites supplied six Robe ColorSpot 575 ATs, six ColorWash 250 ATs and two MS Zoom 250 XTs. These are being supplied by Just Lites to Tripod on a long term lease basis. "They are absolutely perfect for the job" says Just Lites' Paul Smith, who also supplied the Avolites Pearl house console.

Just Lites has had a Robe rig installed at The Ambassadors Theatre in Dublin for the last three years, lighting acts suc

Germany - For Herbert Grönemeyer's current nationwide concert tour, lighting of the open-air events was overseen by Günter Jaeckle and Paul Normandale, who both use MA Lighting gear.

Günter Jaeckle comments, "With the grandMA I have a tool, that works perfectly. We attended the rehearsals with our consoles as well as during the pre-programming for Peter Maffay. But this time it was a bit more complex - all in all we have 150 moving lights attached. Furthermore a Grönemeyer concert is hugely influenced by the spontaneity of the artist. Mostly you are occupied by watching his actions and react to them. Flexibility is very important."

The stage is dominated by a high-res Mitsubishi LED video screen. "The photographer Anton Corbijn created the picture and video contents, my design is based on this - for example the colours are selected to harmonise with the vide

UK - Since 1951, London's Royal Festival Hall (RFH) has attracted one of the most diverse audiences of any UK venue. For over 50 years it has hosted a wide-ranging programme of classical and world music, rock, pop, jazz and dance. Designed and built in just three years, the Royal Festival Hall is part of the iconic South Bank Centre, which grew from the post war Festival of Britain Exhibition that celebrated the wonders of British design and technology.

The RFH closed for a £91m refurbishment two years ago and finally reopened in June this year. An essential element of this transformation has been the total overhaul of the lighting system. With a brief from theatre consultants Carr and Angier to increase flexibility and efficiency while maintaining low ambient noise, specialist installation contractor Northern Light has installed the latest ETC dimming, networking and ligh

USA - Spectrum Manufacturing and AC Lighting have announced the retirement of David George as president of the companies.

A statement says, "In the nine years of directing Spectrum Manufacturing, David has been involved in the growth and initiative that has made the company a leading producer of highly innovative entertainment technology products. david has also played a key role in the development of AC Lighting. The staff of both companies would like to thank David for his hard work and efforts over the years and wish him a very happy retirement for the future."

As of 1 June 1, JF Canuel became president and CEO of Spectrum Manufacturing Inc. and is responsible for the command and overview of the operation of all business for the company. He remains vice president of AC Lighting Inc.

John Evans is promoted from his role of vice president sales and marketing to pr

UK - This week at ABTT, Selecon debuts several new luminaires including the long throw Toru 4º-8º followspot, the third and final model from the Performer Series range of followspots. Previously seen in pre-production mode and now in full production, the Toru 4º-8º Followspot features a comprehensive control suite with CTO filter, 24-leaf iris, cutters, dowser and diffusion frost; built-in universal 100V-250V electronic power supply and integrated 6-colour changer.

Sporting a fresh new look, the updated Acclaim Fresnel and PC introduce heat management to 500W / 650W luminaires - a feature which ensures operators can focus these stage lighting workhorses without the need for gloves. The new Acclaim luminaires also include the integrated safety bond design feature alongside Selecon's well known mains power isolation solution ensuring full compliance with European Standards for

UK - The current production of The Drowsy Chaperone at London's Novello Theatre is lit by Ken Billington with Brian Monahan and utilises over 200 ETC Source Fours and over 50 Vari-Lite luminaires, all supplied by PRG Europe. The company also supplied Coloram scrollers and two Grand MA control desks.

"The Novello is much smaller than the Broadway theatre where the show played previously. We've had to cut the rig by half and light primarily from front of house. It first opened in May last year, so I went to watch it a couple of times to refresh myself before thinking about how it could move across. I looked at which lights are only rarely used and decided to rationalise and simplify based on that," says Billington.

He continues, "I broke plenty of rules when lighting this show - such as the first 3.5 minutes being in darkness. I was always taught that if th

International - In May, Mana, Mexico's most successful rock band, launched a year-long world tour with shows planned in over 70 cities in the USA, Latin America, and Europe. The tour's first shows were at the San Diego Sports Arena and the Universal (Gibson) Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. The US leg of the tour will culminate at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Pro Color from Guadalajara is the production contractor for the tour, providing sound, lighting, and rigging. Included in the equipment specified for the tour are four ProPower RPD power distribution racks, over 400ft of ProSpan truss, and over 20,000ft of ProPlex data and ProCable power cables.

Says Javier Barba, the principal of Pro Color: "The ProPower distro racks are the best. They look great, have many useful features and we have found them to be completely reliable. On the Mana Tour, we use two on each side

Italy - A delegation from the UK's STLD - the Society of Television Lighting Directors - visited the Clay Paky premises last month and met the chairman, Pasquale Quadri, and his staff.

The purpose of the visit was to enable the two sides to get to know each other better and was organised by Bernie Davis, The visitors had the opportunity to examine the Italian company's products in detail, in particular the Alpha line.

Stuart Gain, chairman of STLD, comments: "It was a real pleasure to see the Alpha range of luminaires and the factory. The quality of the product is really high and I hope the STLD can assist Clay Paky in spreading the word and putting them back where they belong in the UK market."

Enrico Caironi of Clay Paky adds: "Constant contact with leading figures in the profession is fundamental to feel the pulse of the market. The STLD guys are all very e

Europe - Lycian Stage Lighting and PRG Europe have entered into a comprehensive distribution and service agreement. Effective from June 2007 PRG Europe will be responsible for sales, service and warranty claims for all of Europe.

PRG Europe's commercial director Philip Norfolk comments: "We are very excited to have this globally recognised expert brand here at PRG Distribution. Our existing and new European partners can look forward to being able to access these excellent followspots from a more local source in the future."

PRG Europe will offer expertise in all areas required, to "fully serve the European followspot market - including maintaining stock quantities of products it believes are appropriate for the European market, all of which will be CE compliant".

An inventory of optical, mechanical, electronic and hardware parts will ensure a self-suffici

USA - Color Kinetics Inc and High End Systems Inc have announced a global licensing agreement which they say "reflects a continuing surge in the use of LED sources for stage and event lighting". The agreement sees High End Systems license Color Kinetics' patent portfolio to develop its first line of products incorporating multi-colour LEDs. High End says it will now be able to enhance its product range with the many proven aesthetic and practical advantages of LED sources. The company's initial product offering will combine conventional sources with LEDs for accent purposes.

The royalty-bearing license will apply to sales of applicable High End Systems products in all markets covered by Color Kinetics' patent portfolio. The agreement also calls for Color Kinetics to receive a royalty-free license to specific High End patents.

"High End is best known for our focu

UK - Seven of i-Pix new mega-bight BB LED Washlights were used to light a performance in Bath Abbey by Flamenco legend Paco Pena as part of the 2007 Bath International Music Festival.

The large scale performance united Pena with the 25 strong Bath Camerata Singers, his own five flamenco singers, three guitarists, a percussionist and a flamenco dancer. The show followed on from the success of last year's Brian Eno collaboration with Bath Camerata at the Abbey.

Bath Festival's lighting designer James Loudon wanted some dramatic intense visuals to match the spirituality of the performance, but rather than "Whiz-bang effects, it needed sympathetic illumination on both the performers and the building" he explains. He also wanted to do something completely different to highlight the building's amazing architecture.

"I have known the i-Pix team from the start and so

USA - ETC reports that more than 2m Source Four spotlights have now been shipped worldwide.The Source Four family comprises over ten different versions - including Source Four juniors, PARs, zooms, PARNels, MultiPARs and HIDs, as well as an automated profile, the Source Four Revolution.

The 2m+ mark is one of two milestones for the Source Four this year. In November, at LDI 2007, the brand will celebrate its 15th birthday - 15 years, that is, since the classic spotlight was introduced to the industry at LDI 1992.

ETC is inviting Source Four fans worldwide to express their spirit and tell their own Source Four stories by sending in testimonial video clips. ETC will then feature some of those Source Four clips on www.etcconnect.com and will include a select group in a grand finale montage to be unveiled on its web site during LDI 2007.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Apollo Design Technology is celebrating its 15 year anniversary as a supplier to the entertainment industry. Founded in 1992 by Joel and Keersten Nichols, Apollo has been recognised for its innovative leadership in gobo manufacturing, development and distribution of other lighting effects products.

"The environment that existed at the time we started Apollo was a good match to our core business philosophy and allowed us to build a good foundation," states President Joel Nichols. "We have been fortunate to find employees that continue to embrace these guiding principles, and together we look forward to reaching additional milestones."

(Jim Evans)

USA - Martin Professional, Inc. has announced the hiring of Charles "Meechie" Thomas as regional sales manager - west for the company's Entertainment division.

Thomas, who will be providing support to Martin dealers in the West Coast region from Martin's West Coast office in Simi Valley, California, has 10 years of industry experience with extensive knowledge in truss structures and theatrical motors.

Thomas comes to Martin from a sales position at World Show International, a prime fabric manufacturer for the entertainment Industry. Prior to that he worked for truss manufacturer Total Structures, where he held positions in production control and sales.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Sound, lighting and AV integration specialists The PAI Group has completed an innovative contemporary audio/visual and lighting installation at the Gwernllwyn Country Club, Carmarthenshire. The 700 capacity venue - owned by local independent entrepreneur Will James - features a split level design with a function room on the first floor and a nightclub below.

PAI Group's general manager Keith Elms led the project, taking Thomas Parry Architects' interior design as an aesthetic starting point for the design, specification and supply of a complimentary, avant-garde technical infrastructure. Elms comments: "We know that the fusion between interior design, AV and lighting systems is intrinsic to delivering the most cutting-edge results for the client."

The club's peripheral features utilise state-of-the-art LED architectural lighting. These architectural elements are

USA - The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film has announced that Scott C. Parker has joined its MFA/BFA design faculty to teach lighting. Boasting 26 years of experience in the entertainment field, Parker has credits ranging from Radio City Music Hall to Town Hall. Parker has also worked extensively in television.

According to Parker, "This is an exciting time for the university. Johnny Carson gifted over $9 million for the renovation and expansion of the theatre and film programmes. Of that, $1 million is set aside as an endowment specifically dedicated towards keeping film, lighting and sound technology current."

(Jim Evans)

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