UK - SGM joined forces with creative technical event production company Hawthorn for the fourth time to sponsor the annual e-Luminate Cambridge Festival.

The week-long festival, which features a series of events, workshops and artistic projections and installations, saw the festival return to the Great St Mary's Church following an absence - and it was here that the event kicked off with a grand concert featuring the 100-piece Dowsing Sound Collective choir and an opening address from the Mayor.

With assistance from SGM's Ian Kirby, who essentially designed the lighting at the church, Hawthorn Cambridge orchestrated the lighting display that accompanied the concert, with project manager, Richard Clarke-Hill undertaking programming duties.

Calling on 14 of SGM's award-win

Following the huge success of KV2 Audio and Orbital Sound's collaboration on 2015's Dance 'til Dawn West End production and tour it was without hesitation that KV2's products were specified for Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace's follow up production - Last Tango.

The Strictly Come Dancing superstars have created their most moving production yet as they prepare to dance in their final ever theatre tour.

Having experienced positive results on Dance 'til Dawn the decision to continue using KV2 Audio's EX range was taken.

The main FOH system was based around the two-way EX 12 12" loudspeaker using a large format NVPD 3" compression driver - the same component used in KV2's flagship VHD range of large format true point source system.

Low frequency reinforcement is also handled by subwoofers from the EX range. Several EX 2.2 1000W 2x12" bass modules an

UK - The £500k commitment is to bring next generation products and initiatives on stream ahead of a busy summer for Star Events.

It will provide for: PA/screen support towers that set new industry standards in minimising both footprint and sightline obstructions, substantial upgrades to the Orbit and VerTech stage ranges, and state-of-the-art health and safety equipment for the Star crews who build structures and the production teams that work on them.

Less visible will be the enterprise and stock management systems that are coming on line to improve the accuracy of what Star sends to site and when.

The money will also see the company introduce over 700 new equipment stillages, to make its many types of kit fully stackable with each other, improving the speed and safety of handling on and off site.

Andy Moss, Star Events' operations manager, said, "The use of

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Strictly FX, Pushing Boundaries

Strictly FX was founded in 1996 by industry veterans Mark Grega and Ted Maccabee. Our expertise and knowledge of the world’s leading pyrotechnic, laser, and flame manufacturers allows us to curate astonishing live events. With over 500+ shows performed a year, there’s good chance you’ve seen some of our work!

UK - In addition to welcoming visitors and clients to its stand at the recent PLASA Focus in Glasgow's SECC, Ambersphere Solutions took the opportunity to offer a programme of training for the dot2 console, MA Lighting's newest and smallest addition to its renowned range of control desks. Using the extensive seminar facilities of the SECC, Ambersphere ran a series of ninety-minute training sessions throughout the show and each one was enthusiastically attended.

The training course was devised and delivered by Ambersphere's head of training, Chris West, ably assisted by Thor Andre' from sales and support technician, Sam Parsons. "The dot2 training at Ambersphere is a one-day course," explains West, "teaching the console to such a level that the attendees can easily go straight out and run a show whereas these training sessions at PLASA necessarily offered more of an introductio

Europe - Epson and German based LANG AG have announced their collaboration in the professional projection system rental market. Epson installation projectors will be added to LANG's product portfolio, including the new Epson EB-L series of laser projectors. These will serve new sectors and projection applications thanks to a light output of up to 25,000 lumens from an innovative laser light source.

A showcase of Epson's technological capabilities, this new 25,000lm laser light source product marks the culmination of extensive research, development and testing. The result is a range of products packed with advanced engineering, innovative technologies and flexible features to provide a number of potential applications within the installation market.

Neil Colquhoun, business director for visual instruments at Epson Europe, comments, "With our broad range of professional inst

UK/USA - Pure Groove Sound Systems has announced it has joined forces with Danley Sound Labs to produce a new series of professional audio systems, specifically catered to the nightclub and festival markets. Designed by Tom Danley, known for his patented work on loudspeaker designs in world class facilities globally, the Pure Groove by Danley PGD series was created as an alternative to the industry standard sound systems currently used by large venues and music festivals.

The PG-J94 and the PG-96 are the first models in a new series exclusively designed and developed by Danley Sound Labs for Pure Groove Sound Systems.

PGD is based on the Jericho series, and utilizes Danley's patented point source Synergy Horn technology. The PG-J94 consists of six 12" long excursion woofers, eight 6.5" mid frequency drivers and four 1.4" high frequency drivers. These multiple drivers run t

Germany - At the recent ISE show, Shure introduced two-channel, physically compact versions of the charging and routing hardware in the Microflex Wireless range.

Launched in 2013, the versatile and scalable MXW Systems range of wireless microphones and supporting hardware have become a popular solution for managed AV Conferencing in large corporate boardrooms, multi-room environments and networked campuses.

Shure is adding to the range the MXWAPT2 - a two-channel version of the Access Point Transceiver, or wireless mic routing hardware - and the MXWNCS2, a two-channel version of the existing four- and eight-channel networked charging stations. The compact dimensions of both units extend the use of Microflex Wireless to even smaller-scale installations than before, for example in compact strategy planning and 'huddle' rooms. The more compact hardware is also suitable for en

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

USA - Country music star Vince Gill may have a career that spans more than 40 years, but he is showing no signs of letting up as he returns to the road with his new album, Down to my Last Bad Habit with a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites.

With only available truck space limiting him, lighting designer Dylan Mire was given complete creative freedom regarding the reinvention of the look of the show, but remained mindful that due to Vince Gill's renowned status as singer-songwriter and musician, most audiences would be familiar with his extensive song catalogue.

When programming the look of the show, Mire explained, "I wanted to subtly tie into the mood and emotion that the audience associates with these songs rather than to try and introduce something new and potentially detract from the experience."

Using VL 2500 Spots, Robe CycFX8, Martin MAC Auras, GRN

UK - West London based lighting and visuals rental company Colour Sound Experiment is supplying lighting equipment and crew to the current European tour by synthpop duo Hurts, riding high on the success of their third album Surrender with an innovative production design by Rob Sinclair.

Colour Sound invested in 100 x new Martin VDO Sceptron 10 LED battens for the tour for which lighting is being directed and operated on the road by Matt Arthur.

Says Colour Sound's Haydn Cruickshank, "We've supplied the last few Hurts tours, and you know that anything in which Rob is involved is always going to look interesting. This is no exception."

Rob and the band's initial inspiration for the band-in-boxes set design came from several operatic references to capture the essence of the unique 'classic but dynamic' look they wanted.

The addition of a set of four-position -

UK - As Bristol geared up to host the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival, Utopium was selected as lighting and rigging supplier for Colston Hall's weekend of live music, 12- 14 February 2016.

The third BBC Radio 6 Music Festival headed to Bristol and saw over 50 acts deliver live music, comedy, film and food events across the city.

Utopium supplied all lighting and crew to Colston Hall as it hosted performances from a range of emerging and established artists, representing the very best in alternative music. Tasked with supplying all the interior and exterior festival lighting, Utopium provided 25 MAC Quantum Profiles, 14 MAC 2000 Washes, 30 Chauvet Q Wash 419s, 12 Chauvet Legend 230SR Beams, 12 SGM S5 Strobes, 20 Chauvet COLORado 1-Quad IP's, 30 Thomas 2 Cell Molefays, four Thomas 4 Cell Molefays, 10 Howie Battens and 12 Source 4's, all controlled from GrandMA Lighting control de

UK - Twenty-seven axes of Kinesys automation were in action on the 2016 Strictly Live UK arena tour, produced by Phil McIntyre Entertainments.

The completely sold out tour was presented by the Great British Bake Off's Mel Giedroyc and once again provided a highly successful sequel to the BBC's blockbusting Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon, offering fans nationwide the chance to experience all the glamour, glitz and excitement totally live.

Kinesys has featured on most of the recent Strictly Live tours - this was the ninth one - to move a combination of scenic elements and drapes as specified by the tour's technical director, Andy Gibbs. This year there were more movement elements than before with the system again provided by leading UK lighting and visuals rental company, Neg Earth, and Steve Kellaway operating for the second year running.

Steve, also an

Belgium - Painting with Light has created a stunning 3D mapped projection artwork for the Hangar 58 event space at Bokrijk in Limburg, one of the region's most important historical landmarks and a popular open air museum.

The permanently installed show was the brainchild of Hanger 58's owner Wim Grommers, who approached Painting with Light's Luc Peumans to create storyboards, video artwork and a library of standard content to be made available to various clients renting the space, with custom material available on request.

He wanted something spectacular and eye-catching to set the venue apart and add value to the events hosted there.

The idea is that guests can view the show through the large glass walls of the modern Hanger 58 in the winter and enjoy the large format show standing outside in the summer evenings.

When running, the projection images measure approxi

UK - Will Young completed a 22 date UK tour supporting his latest album 85% Proof which went number 1 on the Official Albums Chart. London based production company Britannia Row Productions provided an Outline sound system that featured 36 Butterfly for mains, six Mantas for fills, eight DBS 18-2 subwoofers, Outline T-Nine amplifiers and Lake LM26 controllers.

FOH mixing engineer Davide Lombardi explained the main sound system expectations and requirements: "When approaching the Will Young tour the requirements are very specific. His music varies from a quiet ballad to disco songs. Dynamics are very important; every single person in the audience needs to be able to clearly listen to his voice. The mix and coverage needs to be very balanced, regardless if it is the front row or the last one. When I was offered the Outline Butterfly system I did not hesitate because I knew it co

South Africa - Every year DWR Distribution kicks off with the Prolyte Rigging Training Course, an internationally recognized five-day course presented by Rinus Bakker from Rhino Rigs. This year the Prolyte course has been evaluated and is registered to provide 48 CPD (continuous professional development) credits that can be used to earn and maintain the CertAV professional designations.

Kevan Jones, executive director of the South African Communications Industries Association (SACIA) explains, "In February 2015 SACIA was recognised by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) as the professional body for the broadcast and AV community across Southern Africa. We have registered 6 professional designations and are in the process of developing additional designations for the theatre and live events sector. In order to earn and maintain a professional designation, candidates a

Thailand - One of Thailand's most popular tourist attractions, the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya, has built itself a new theatre, highly specified with a Geo S12 line array system and the first ID Series cabinets in Thailand.

Nong Nooch is a 500-acre botanical park which has been pulling in the tourist crowds for 35 years. Famous for its elephants and tigers as well as the rare plants in formal gardens, Nong Nooch is Pattaya's theme park, delivering a full menu of entertainment to more than 500,000 visitors a year.

Replacing the original theatre, which was built in 1980, Nong Nooch's new venue is nearly 12,000sq.m, and can accommodate audiences of 2000 for theatre and concert performances. These cultural shows, including the elephants, required a fully-featured 5.1 surround sound system which was designed and installed by Fuzion Far East.

For the main

Denmark - Comtech, based in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's leading rental companies decided to invest in new Robe fixtures - Pointes and BMFL Spots - for two consecutive years. The initial purchase, and the company's first in Robe, was for 40 x Pointes in 2014, which were such a success that in 2015 they made a further investment with 50 x BMFL Spots, which have been equally as well received, explains project manager Jes Christiansen.

Comtech supplies lighting, sound and video to concert tours, festivals and music shows and corporate events of all types in Denmark and internationally. "We already carried some other brands and were really looking for something that was genuinely innovative," explains Jes, talking about the decision to go with Robe, "When the Pointe was launched, that was our cue."

The Pointes went straight out on tour with Danish rockers Carpark North, where

Australia - Lexair, currently the exclusive master distributor for High End Systems, Green Hippo and TMB in Oceania, has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Elation Professional, both for Australia and New Zealand.

Alex Mair, managing director of Lexair, comments, "Adding Elation to Lexair's portfolio is strategic for the company. It is the recognition of Lexair's growing brand recognition and fits in the vision to offer our customers in the region a much wider breadth of quality products, offering the 'one stop shop solution' our customers expect in the current market. We are very excited and proud that Elation has chosen us as a long term partner in Oceania and we guarantee that we will present Elation with the regards it deserves."

Chuck Green, international sales manager at Elation, adds, "We are very pleased to be working with a company of the calibr

South Africa - Media Film Services is offering a reward of R10,000 for the recovery of a quantity of camera equipment including a number of specialist High Speed Zeiss lenses (see list) which were stolen in December 2015.

Should you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the equipment, contact Sean Sims at seans@mediafilmservice.com or +27 (0) 21 511 3300.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Essex-based Event Sound & Light (ESL) has become the latest partner to join the Martin Audio MLA loudspeaker array network after investing in a new MLA Compact (System 24). The order was fulfilled by Martin Audio dealers, LMC Audio.

Formed in 2003, ESL has built up a reputation for providing complete production infrastructures, and director Paul Galley knew that with its unique controllability, the award-winning MLA Compact would enable the company not only to provide more potent onsite sound for larger audiences than they were able to previously, but also satisfy the requirements from local councils regarding offsite environmental noise.

"MLA technology represents a new direction in the way loudspeaker arrays are configured and controlled," he said. "It represents a radical departure from conventional line array thinking, and delivers much more consistent sound acros

China - The new Mingshan Stadium in the Ya'an City of Sichuan is one of the most significant construction projects to take place following the devastating Lushan earthquake of 2013. The audio installation, incorporating Community R Series loudspeakers, was led by locally-based integrator Chengdu Eagle Huang Technology Co., Ltd., while EZPro Sound & Light Technology Co., Ltd. provided system design services and product supply.

Mingshan Stadium is a truly multi-purpose venue suitable for hosting sports, entertainment, conferences, exhibitions and other events. The stadium covers an area of 4,000sq.m and can accommodate 2,500 people. At its centre is a basketball court with a flexible arrangement of fixed and movable seating stands.

Mr Lian, technical manager of EZPro, explained the acoustics of the venue and the choice of the loudspeaker system, "It is a large stadium with a

Belgium - Back in the late '90s, the Flemish all-girl band K3 burst on the scene and quickly became Belgium's answer to the Spice Girls. Now, after almost two decades of countless successful singles, tours and television appearances - including representing Belgium in the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest - the group's members have decided to move on to the next phase of their careers.

Capping off a great run, they have embarked on a farewell tour. Sending them off in spectacular visual style is a dynamic lightshow featuring Chauvet Professional Strike 4 LED fixtures supplied by PRG Belgium.

Luc Peumans of Belgium's Painting With Light created the captivating lightshow. Having worked with K3 for the last decade, Peumans took pride in designing a show that captured the upbeat spirit, daring spirit and high-octane energy level of the beloved girl group.

"During the 10 years i

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