Rain in the Desert with Tomcat USA

The newest property in Las Vegas, the Palms Hotel and Casino, celebrated its grand opening 15 November 2001. The 265 million dollar property with 447 rooms in the 42-story hotel tower is also home to one of the hottest new nightclubs: Rain in the Desert. This multi-level nightclub/concert venue consists of an array of special effects and custom equipment made possible in part by Tomcat USA and Kelly Communications. From the private booths with water sofas and skyboxes with private balconies to the lagoon-shaped dancefloor, Rain has been a big hit with locals and tourists alike. Lavish special effects throughout the club include intelligent lighting and an amazing play of water, fog and pyrotechnics. A state-of-the-art lighting rig contains a computerized intelligent lighting system, as well as the means to create effects like fog, haze, 16ft fire plumes and 3ft fireballs. Above the dance floor sit two concentric truss circles with 17ft and 10ft diameters. They incorporate 20ft rotating wing trusses attached through custom ‘hub’ blocks. The ‘hub’ blocks incorporate motor drive to rotate the rounded wing trusses. All the equipment is rigged with high-speed Columbus McKinnon chain hoists and controlled by the first permanent installation in the US of a batalpha modular control. The wing trusses are capable of traversing the room at incredible speeds and a computer-programmed river of water surrounds the bamboo dance floor with multiple features including dancing jets and fountains - a truly unique experience.

(Lee Baldock)

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