USA - The rigging system of the Strand Theatre in Lakewood, New Jersey was recently renovated by RDM Rigging of Pine Beach, New Jersey. Opened in 1922, the Strand Theatre remains a popular centre for plays, musicals and touring productions.

As part of the rigging renovation, all the on stage circuitry and associated support structures were replaced. The new on stage lighting rig includes 18ft of ProSpan box truss, 20 ProBurger couplers, three CM half-ton chain motors and a Skjonberg motor control system. The custom-designed on stage lighting system includes 150 stage circuits, using 59 custom ProCable assemblies as well as a 96 circuit custom multi-connector panel. Equipment was supplied by TMB.

"We had to design a complete system specific to the theatre's needs," says Rich DiMinno, of RDM Rigging. "It was conceived, designed, and installed in 30 days. Because o

Germany -, Prolyte will debut four new products at ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt.

Prolyte Space Roof is a a modular roof system; Prolyft Mark IIIis the latest version of the Prolyft hoist; Prolyft Controllers are a new range of high-end but affordable controllers, and there will also be more in the Prolyft Rigging hardware line.

Also on display will be established Prolyte trussing products and Stage DEX.

(Jim Evans)

UK - During the months of June and July, the Forestry Commission hosts a highly successful live music tour at rural woodland venues across the UK. AP Security has provided crowd safety services on the majority of the sites for the last six years. This year, its remit has expanded to encompass the entire schedule.

"We're delighted to be working with the Forestry Commission again this year," says AP's national sales manager, John Phillips. "We're even more pleased to have the opportunity to work on every site this year."

Rachael Miller, events manager for the Forestry Commission, comments, "We take the safety and security of our concert-goers very seriously. AP has provided a top quality service for us in the past and we look forward to working with them again this year."

(Jim Evans)

UK - In response to the Health & Safety (Offences) Act 2008, which came into force in January 2009, ForeFront Training has been launched to offer a range of cost effective, dynamic, practical and motivational health & safety training courses. Specialists in manual lifting and handling training, ForeFront says it offers a complete service, tailored to individual business requirements and if necessary around existing work patterns, to enable organisations to comply with current legislation regarding health and safety.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 places an absolute duty on employers to provide suitable and sufficient training to all staff, for their health, safety and welfare.

Dave McDonald, principal consultant and head trainer at ForeFront says, "Health and Safety is evolving and moving away from traditional concepts

USA - Hoists manufactured by Vortek, a Division of Daktronics, are centre stage in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the Dallas Centre for the Performing Arts. The custom hoists manipulate seating sections along with Vortek Pro Series hoists in an advanced fly system. This innovative theatre design was commissioned by REX/OMA, Joshua Prince-Ramus and Rem Koolhaas.

The theatre consultant, Michael Nishball, of Theatre Projects Consulting said, "When direct lift, multipart-line in a high capacity hoist is required, there is no group with as much experience as the Vortek team at Daktronics. At this point, it's clear to me that this is going to be a very successful power flying and controls installation."

Scheduled for completion in October 2009, this 74,915sq.ft facility has 12 stories and seats approximately 600 people. The vertically stacked floors are unlike the tra

Germany - Prolyte has teamed up with two specialist companies for its Theatre Projects range. Partners Silicon Theatre Scenery and Silk both have a wealth of practical experience in providing staging and theatrical solutions. With their shared knowledge, Prolyte, STS and Silk are able to translate the specific technical requirements of the theatrical environment into comprehensive solutions and the appropriate products to match.

The first fruits of these collaborations will be seen at ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt, where the Performer Fly System, a modular fly system, built in a H40V truss, approved at SIL 3 levels will be shown alongside a new winch for stage and theatre use.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The latest phase in Litestructures' studio's development will be to create a dedicated, permanent exhibition space within the building. This will be accessible to performers, technicians, riggers and all production crew and visitors. As such, it will provide a sales and display opportunity for companies and organisations offering products and services to this important industry sector, says the company.

Those interested in supporting this venture and in exploiting the potential it represents should contact Laurie Giraudeau or Ben Brooks to discuss their detailed requirements or to explore the options and alternatives.

Litestructures exhibition will be based around well lit spaces for exhibitors created from Litestructures trussing and staging products, giving an attractive display for all participants. The maximum booth size will be 4m2 per exhibitor.

(Jim Evans)

Show Time - The lighting, sound and production industries head to Frankfurt this week for ProLight+Sound 2009 and judging by the flood of pre-show product information - and launch party invitations - received by LSI, there will be much new to see and hear. Not surprisingly, then, the organisers are anticipating healthy attendance figures.

Woodstock Reprise - Michael Lang, the co-founder of the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival, is reportedly seeking sponsors for a 40th anniversary reprise in New York City. "The chances that something will happen are probable," he told the Times. "But I don't really have the answer yet as to what that will be." Central Park has been suggested as a possible location for the event. The Who were among the acts who played at the original concert, which took place in Bethel, New York State. A 30th anniversary concert

UK - Speed is a dangerous imperative where rigging is concerned, yet there is an ever-growing demand for fast efficient turnover of productions. Echo Arena Liverpool, part of Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool (ACC Liverpool), the most recent addition to the UK's circuit of large-scale indoor events venues, has addressed this demand head on.

"The rigging grid system installed over the stage, and repeated above the centre of the arena floor, is second to none in terms of sheer utility and speed of operation," says David Bond of Star Events Group. "It has the reduction of Working at Height hours at its core."

The grid system was installed and is operated on behalf of the Echo Arena by Star Events Group; the control and hoist system used to move it comes from Lift Turn Move (LTM), a specialist entertainment rigging hardware supplier based close by in the Wi

Norway - Oslo Audio put its Milos MR4 roof to good use for the gala opening of the Nespresso Boutique in Oslo.

The roof was installed in a narrow street beside the coffee cafe-and-more outlet in downtown Oslo. Its purpose was to extend the boutique area during the spectacular opening event. Under its cover was a stage, an action-packed entertainment programme and VIP guests.

"We used side skins on three sides, leaving the wall facing the boutique open," explains Oslo Audio's Erik Berg, who project managed the event for the locally based company. The side skins were carefully hung to cover only the top part of the 9m high MR4 elevation, and a 2.5m high ice-wall was constructed to make up the lower parts.

The challenges included fitting the structure in around two 9mhigh trees located right where the stage needed to be built, which entailed the top canopy being put o

UK - British trussing and staging manufacturer Litestructures is offering an impressive prize, revealed at the ProLight&Sound Show in Frankfurt, Germany last week. Beating the crunch, the company is offering an exceptional prize for any overseas distributors - an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster.

"With Litestructures, winning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is simplicity itself. Just place a minimum of €1 million in orders between 01/04/09 and 31/08/10, with the award being presented at the PLASA show in Earls Court, London next year," says the company.

The company's presence at ProLight&Sound was very successful with visitors excited by the unusual incentive displayed in the centre of the stand. The main prize of an Aston Martin will be accompanied by other incentives during the period of the challenge including the opportunity to win two tickets to the Le Mans

UK - Litestructures, who are manufacturers of lightweight demountable structures for use in the racing pit lane and garages have been appointed technical partners of Aston Martin Racing during their bid to win the Le Mans 24 hour race in June of this year.

Litestructures sales director Lee Brooks stated, "it is a real privilege for our company to be associated with Aston Martin Racing in this way. The Aston Martin marque is synonymous with tradition, heritage quality and performance through design, all attributes which Litestructures have engendered in what we do.

As part of our partnership we intend to promote our company and products through this powerful association, and have offered the prize of a beautiful Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster to our overseas distributor who puts in the best performance over the coming months. At the same time, we very much look forward t

USA - Tomcat is introducing a new product line of truss, Core. This product line initially consists of 12" X 12", 12" X 18", and 20.5" X 20.5" box truss. The focus behind the line was to develop a stronger, slightly lighter and ultimately less expensive box truss based on market demands.

"With so many customers being hit hard by the economy as well as other demands, we set out to develop a less expensive product," stated general manager, Stefano Rosellini. "What we discovered in the process was that we could also make the product 24% stronger - adding a great deal more value for the customer."

The first offering in the product range is Core 12. Tomcat has essentially taken the conventional 12" X 12" light duty box truss and modified the components to provide a more efficient truss - at a more efficient price. At only

UK - In February of this year, Stage Technologies installed equipment and provided programming advice and operator training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, boosting both its technical coaching repertoire and its automation capability for productions. The equipment parcel comprised a Nomad control console, a touring control system and two BigTow Classic winches.

This season, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Royal reopened with Romeo and Juliet, which features two moving floor tracks. Another school production of The Man of Mode, at the Circomedia St Paul's venue, utilises a BigTow winch for a flying chandelier.

The school provides practical industry-focused training for careers across the arts and entertainment sector. With as many production students as it has actors, its courses focus on the major management, technical and craft skills required for employment

USA - Milos America has relocated its corporate offices and warehouse to a spacious new building in Ashland, Virginia. The sales, design and distribution centre for trussing manufacturer Milos Structural Systems covers sales and support for North, Central and South America.

The new 18,000sq.ft facility is located near Interstate Highway 95, just north of Richmond, Virginia. This central location enables same or next day delivery to east coast customers from New York to Atlanta.

West coast clients also have the option of three day delivery, while nearby port connections enable efficient deliveries to Central and South America.

An increased inventory and a larger product range are immediately anticipated to meet the growing needs of Milos' customers, and in support of the successful QuickShip programme,says the company.

With future expansion in mind, the new building

UK - Summit Steel supplied an 88m long version of its new customisable StandUpper structure, plus 11 tailored SmarTmast 1s which were used to provide general site lighting at the Royal Victoria Docks/Millennium Mills site, which faced the ExCel Centre and G20 Summit venue just across the river.

This Grandstand style version StandUpper formed an elevated 'press pen' enclosure for the event, containing the vast numbers of media who were in action for the occasion. This dynamic new structure has been developed from Summit's very successful 'marquee' superstructure, originally designed as walkway covering for the red carpet area at the BAFTA Awards for the last two years.

The higher, open end of the StandUpper's slanted roof stood at 5.5m,, while the lower (back) end was at 4.5m. Inside the space, Atlantic installed decking platforms running the full length at the correct height t

The Netherlands - L&SI has learned the sad news of the sudden death on Friday of Patrick Jordan, managing director of Mojo Barriers. He was just 44 years old.

Graham Brown of Resource PR was a long-time friend and colleague of Patrick. He said: "Patrick worked at the highest level in the live music and event industries. He was an inspirational man who took what seemed to be one of the most utilitarian pieces of concert equipment, an aluminium barrier, and through it focused the minds of promoters, production managers and academics on saving lives through effective crowd safety at live events.

"Patrick's passionate professionalism for his business saw him create the world's most respected crowd barrier company, the Mojo Barriers, continually raising levels of audience and artist safety through the implementation of improved working practices and technological innovati

USA - Production designer Daunte Kenner, recently created an explosive show for Lil Wayne's I Am Music World Tour, a collaboration between Kenner and production manager Maceo Price - the brief was to achieve a concept never seen before in hip-hop.

Kenner explains: "We discussed conventional set styles but we agreed none were edgy enough. I proposed the idea of flying the entire five piece band - I thought a completely empty stage prior to Wayne's appearance - would make for a dramatic intro. Maceo loved it, but still wanted to include a complementary basic static set."

The finished product was five 8'x8' risers with clear plexi bottoms flown by a computer controlled system with a stationary ground set to match. The dramatic moving design fabricated by BRS Rigging, incorporated intense flame effects that demanded an entirely grated stage - a rolling 60' wide x

UK - The A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. stand (S-D2) at the PLASA Focus show in Leeds will feature new innovations from leading brands including Chroma-Q & GLP and product highlights from the ranges exclusively distributed by the company in the UK.

The A.C. Lighting division will be displaying a selection of products from the Chroma-Q LED range. Following the success of the Chroma-Q Color Block LED fixture with rental companies and end users alike, the manufacturer has combined the product's core elements of modularity and versatility with new single colour RGBA optics, 530 lumens output (almost double the original model) and theatrical grade dimming to create the exceptional feature set of the Color Block 2 fixture.

Other Chroma-Q LED products featured include the Color Punch fixture for a 'punchy' light output from an extremely compact unit. In addition, the stand feat

UK - Lift Turn Move (LTM) and Litestructures have announced a partnership, aimed directly at providing complete Trussing, Staging and Support Solutions to the rigging and live production industry.

Under the agreement, LTM will have core stock ranges of LitePro 290, LitePro 390 and 520 Pro trussing for immediate dispatch, whilst Litestructures will have access to LTM's acclaimed range of LoadGuard Hoisting Equipment and Guardian Control Systems. A direct working relationship between the two companies will mean technical advice and first class customer service is only a phone call away.

Dan Holme, entertainment sales manager for LTM comments: "We are delighted with the partnership between our two companies. The move into having truss on stock is a logical step towards the one stop solution we are working to achieve for our customers. We can now supply truss as well as the h

The Netherlands / UAE - Prolyte has announced that Neumann & Mueller Dubai has taken up the distributorship for Prolyte in the UAE. German originated company N&M has seen an extensive growth over the last decade, resulting in an organisation with 15 German and three international branches.

N&M will now distribute the complete range of Prolyte products, including trussing, staging and Prolyft hoists and can rely on a large stock supply in Dubai.

Jens Giessler from N&M stated: "Based on our sound reputation as rental and productioncompany, we are extending our services to sales as well. In our Dubai office we have a dedicated and trained sales team, led by Michael Thyssen. Prolyte not only has an extensive product line, their focus on high quality products combined with excellent support and technical know-how, is exactly what we like to offer our customers".

With th

USA - Earlier this year Tomcat USA completed work on equipment for the second national tour of Wicked which begins this month in Ft. Myers, Florida. This equipment included three overhead electric trusses, six Tomcat Dance Towers for stage left and right as well as a Cyc Tower for stage left and right.

Two of the overhead electric trusses are customised versions of Tomcat's award winning Swing Wing Truss. They were modified to match the specific needs of the show. The third electric is a custom fabricated length of medium duty spigoted truss with a centre lamp bar.

Along with the spans of Swing Wing Truss, TTomcat custom-designed and fabricated the Dance Towers to meet the needs of the production. All equipment was powder coated black prior to shipping.

"With the help of Tomcat custom fabrication, the designers of Wicked can deliver the Broadway visual exp

UK - Just four shows into Sharleen Spiteri's first solo tour of the UK and a wayward neutral on a mains distro' system finally slipped free late afternoon and fried the dimmer rack at Sheffield City Hall.

Suddenly LD Brian Livingstone was without half his rig, and two of his MAC 700s had completely lost their minds. "It was just after sound check," explained an understandably frustrated lighting crew chief Andy Rowe. "Adlib had a new rack on its way within half an hour, no worries there; but the moving lights were an altogether bigger problem....or would have been."

The stage set was up, back line in place and under normal circumstances by this time in the day the secondaries would be in and the riggers safely tucked up in bed. "The MACs are under-hung from the back truss on poles, inaccessible from the truss we would have been unable to reach them fro

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) and PLASA - the lead body for those working in the live events, entertainment and communication industries - have announced their intention to endorse each other's skills initiatives.

The announcement, which came during the first day of PLASA Focus, the organisation's new regional event in Leeds, will see PLASA supporting the ABTT in becoming one of the organisation's preferred assessment centres for the theatre sector, whilst the ABTT will actively endorse and support the future development of PLASA Qualifications.

PLASA Qualifications became an Awarding Body in 2008 as part of the organisation's aim to become the 'Industry Awarding Body', a key element of its wider strategy to ensure the industry has the right skills and professional development opportunities to meet both present and future demand. The organisation w

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