The major lighting story of the week is Clay Paky's announcement that it has signed Production Resource Group, LLC (PRG) as the exclusive distributor of Clay Paky moving lights in the US, English-speaking Canada and Japan.
China continues to offer great business opportunities for specialist manufacturers and installers. In total, the multiple venues of Guangzhou University City utilised 124 Community R2, 124 R.5 systems, 14 R1s, 30 R.25s and six RMG200 loudspeakers; 47 Crest Audio amplifiers and 20 Symetrix DSP systems.
Nostalgia is big business in France, as it is the world over. Age Tendre et TΩtes de Bois, now in its third successful year having been one of the most profitable French tours of 2007, is back on the road again, filling up to arena-sized venues the length and breadth of France. Full service production company, Mag Scène in St Etienne is once again providing all the audio equipment for the tour including an Sy80 digital mixing console from InnovaSon to handle monitors.
On the venue front, the ever-expanding Academy Music Group (AMG) has agreed terms with Portmanor Projects to acquire the Dome on Bristol Street, Birmingham, for development as a live entertainment venue. AMG proposes a full £4m refurbishment programme of the 45,000sq.ft purpose-built 1970s nightclub, which has been closed for many years.
(Jim Evans)
