USA - Penn-Elcom has announced a new US distribution deal with Fane Acoustics which sees a relaunch of the entire Fane professional speaker driver range in North America - including all Fane's pro audio loudspeakers and guitar speaker lines.

This follows a recent global distribution deal between the companies which gives both access to the other's international distribution networks.

Penn-Elcom Inc is headquartered in the US in Garden Grove, California and has offices and extensive warehouses facilities in New Jersey and Houston, Texas, providing distribution hubs all across the US.

"It was essential for us to find a company with the right mix of dynamics, enthusiasm and commitment to represent our brand correctly, as well as to make all the products available in the US," says Fane director Mark Barnes, "Penn-Elcom is the perfect match."

"Fane's pr

UK - Entertainment lighting specialist White Light will play host to a London stop of Engineered for the Eye a travelling roadshow organised by Martin Professional to give lighting professionals the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the company's latest products.

The tour will visit White Light's base in Wimbledon, south-west London, on Thursday 30 June. Martin's aim is to let those working in every area of lighting, including the live-entertainment, commercial and architectural sectors, see Martin's gear in action, receive hands-on training, and talk to Martin's staff about the products and their many possible applications.

In addition, visitors will be able to see the facilities and comprehensive range of equipment offered by White Light. The company's rental stock includes a wide range of Martin equipment. The stock has recently been expanded with the addit

USA - Lakewood Church, located in Houston, Texas and one of the largest churches in the United States, has outfitted each of its two main audio control rooms with a pair of KK audio labs DS-8 eight-inch, two-way powered audio monitors. The two identical rooms, designed by the Russ Berger Design Group and featuring Euphonix 5-B digital mixing consoles, both handle on-air broadcast duties as well as audio post production, and are additionally tied to a music recording studio.

"We've been longstanding with our old cabinets and it was time to update," says Reed Hall, director of audio and technical production at the church, a former sports arena and home of Joel Osteen Ministries. "Everybody felt that there was something a lot better out there. We took a listen to the DS-8s and they sounded great. We never mix off just one reference, but these have become our primary

UK - Dance trio Faithless has called time after 15 years on the music scene, playing their final show at London's O2 Academy Brixton at the beginning of April. Their Front of House engineer Mark Kennedy had worked with the band since 1996 and throughout his tenure has relied on products and support from Sennheiser UK.

"It's been wonderful to work with Faithless," declares Kennedy. "The back -up I received from Mark Saunders at Sennheiser UK has been amazing and the mics have been fabulous - in all the years I've been using them, I've always set up the spare radio mic, but I've never had to use it. The original SKM 3072 we used were customized somewhat because Faithless stage shows are very loud. More recently, we moved to SKM 500-945, which have been wonderful and are a vast improvement."

Kennedy employed a combination of the aforementioned SKM 500-945 G3 h

Ireland - Sound Productions, a Dublin based Intellivox dealer, has recently supplied AXYS Intellivox units as part of the public address system at the new T2 building, Dublin Airport.

Dublin Airport's Terminal 2 is a €600m project which included a new terminal building, a new boarding gate pier, a new combined heat and power facility, 19 new aircraft parking stands, and an upgraded airport road network.

Terminal 2, which has already won a major design award for its use of structural steel, was built by a consortium comprising of Arup, Mace, Pascall+Watson and Davis Langdon PKS. With its steel and glass facade, the new terminal makes use of natural light to create a modern and comfortable space for both departing and arriving passengers. However, for Arup Acoustics, the acoustic and electro-acoustic designers on the project, all these hard surfaces posed several challenges.

Chile - ChileVision TV continues to invest in Robe moving lights for their HQ in Santiago, which has seven studios. The commercial channel is owned by Turner Media and broadcasts nationwide, primarily specialising in producing light entertainment programmes which need exciting eye-catching lighting and scenic elements.

Robe was first introduced to ChileVision by the station's chief lighting technician Mario Navarrete and chief engineer Luis Silva. They made their first Robe purchase in 2007 and currently have over 60 Robe fixtures, including ColorSpot and ColorWash 575 and 1200E AT moving lights, Scan 1200 XTs and LEDBlinders.

They chose Robe because of its "reliability, quality, good prices and also because of the excellent after-sales service offered by Robe's Chilean distributor explains Navarrete.

The purchase coincided with the opening of a new studio at the comple

UK - Le Maitre created a spectacular finale to the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley. As Eric Abidal lifted the cup for Barcelona, the skies above the arch lit up as a host of gold and silver mines and comets were fired some 220m into the air above the 90,000 capacity stadium below. This was the first time pyrotechnics have ever been fired from the famous arch and Le Maitre were "delighted to have been chosen".

The pyro display was the culmination of months of hard work for Karen Haddon, events director at Le Maitre and her team.

"The size of the task cannot be underestimated. The arch itself is the longest unsupported roof structure in the world, and at 133m high and with a 7m diameter lattice arch, we knew this was never going to be straightforward. Add to that the wind and British weather in general and you have a pyrotechnician's worst nightmare. T

UK - Contracted by production manager Richard Bullimore and Playful Productions, Creative Technology (CT) has been chosen to provide full video solutions for the London West End production of Shrek The Musical.

CT's Barco 20K FLM R20 projector is located on the front of the Circle and positioned side on to ensure the audience's view is not restricted. With the beam deflected 90° via a mirror, the images are projected onto various stage elements providing life and texture to the set components and props. A 13m2 10mm LED screen, also provided by CT, is flown upstage to add to the visual elements of the show representing the passage of the sun and the moon, an integral part of Shrek and Princess Fiona's story.

The entire video system is based around a pair of CT's Hippotizer HDs and ultimately controlled from the show's lighting desk.

Working with creative partner La

USA - The explosive growth of computer networking technology (IT) has produced huge benefits for many industries, and the AV market is no exception. The advantages of digital media networking have been clear for some time, but until now many felt that there were too many limitations and too much to learn in order to make the switch.

Peavey Commercial Audio, and Audinate along with Allen and Heath, Lab.gruppen, and media partner Sound & Communications, will be presenting "a morning of insightful and real world presentations by the industries top A/V manufacturers" on Tuesday 14 June at the Rosen Centre in Orlando.

The seminar also includes AV design consultant Stefan Mathias of the Hartmann + Mathais Partnership. Mathias will also be speaking about their Goethe University AV installation in Frankfurt, which recently won a Sinus Award at this year's PL+S. In add

Qatar - Qatar Vision has recently purchased the Encore system from ClearCom's UAE distributor Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises. Distributors in the Gulf for the live sound market segment, NMK hassupplied the rental firm the new two-wire partyline intercom system in addition to other equipment. The deal includes a master station, belt stations and a number of CC-95 headsets.

"For live performance markets, ClearCom is not just a brand. It is the default term used," commented Richie Hiranandani, marketing manager. "Qatar Vision has recently invested in upgrading their inventory across the board and communications was no exception."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Audio Light Systems has recently completed the audio-visual and lighting installation for a complete renovation of the V&A Museum's Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre.

The listed and elegant environment posed several problems including designing a subtle yet working infrastructure and providing a versatile system for use with lectures and concerts alike.

A Doughty custom curved lighting bar was installed to the rear stage area, with IWB booms installed to the left and right of the auditorium. Strand dimmers and Selecon lanterns were the chosen solution to provide production and feature lighting. A Strand Classic Palette II provided the user-friendly control needed in such a venue.

The digital projector installed was the new Christie DHD-670-E high-def unit which "impressively filled the 7m screen."

Audio control has the Yamaha LS9 at the helm with a QSC

USA - TED is a global set of conferences formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading". Held in Long Beach and Palm Springs, California, the four-day US programme featured TED's famous 18-minute talks by headline-makers and creatives on a wide range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture.

"TED is an unbelievable event where the best of the world's minds in art, science, philosophy, politics and business gather to share ideas with talks and presentations ranging from poetry to music to amazing medical advances," says Bob Bonniol, principal creative director of Seattle's MODE Studios, a grandMA2 user who was asked to provide video design for the main sessions and several social spaces. "I know that MA has put a lot of time into this console. What I hear from everyone, and what I experienced myself at TED, is that the grandMA2 is

USA - Byblos Lounge and Ritual restaurants in Worchester MA feature sound reinforcement systems designed around products from D.A.S. Audio.

Worchester -based Powerhouse Sound & Lighting, which specialises in custom sound and entertainment lighting for both the commercial and residential installation markets in addition to their production services for special events, was contracted to design and install the sound reinforcement systems at both properties.

Michael Lavoie, the firm's owner, consultant, and systems designer, selected loudspeakers that drew heavily from D.A.S. Audio's Avant and Arco lines.

"Opened this past New Year's Eve, Byblos Lounge is an upscale nightspot specializing in Mediterranean fusion cuisine," Lavoie reports. "The establishment uses background music during the early part of the week and, then on weekends, offers live music entertainmen

The Netherlands / Sweden - Visual Productions has announced the appointment of Svensk Ljussupport as its new Swedish distributor.

At the recent LLB show in Stockholm, Ljussupport launched the Cuelux software lighting controller with the aid of Visual Productions' Maarten Donath.

Sales director Hakan Bergh says of his choice to represent Visual Productions, "With new brands and products we don't like to take them on if we don't believe in them. Visual Productions have a truly great range and we did not have to think twice when we saw the potential."

Zoe Castle, sales manager for Visual Productions states, "The enthusiastic response, technical support and fast reaction to our products leads us to believe that this partnership with Ljussupport will prove to be fun and productive for business on the Swedish market."

(Jim Evans)

Ukraine - The Opera Café has opened in Odessa's Arcadia Plaza hotel, complete with a QSC sound system.

Installed by the engineering department of Real Music, QSC's Ukrainian distributors, the venue takes its name from the world-renowned Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. The Café itself is located right in Odessa's late night tourist mecca.

Operated by a local entrepreneur, the former private members club and restaurant within the hotel has been completely restored and repositioned as an elite karaoke restaurant. The venue is divided into four zones - the main karaoke hall, two VIP rooms and a dancefloor.

Real Music submitted the best technical solution, fulfilling the clients' request for a QSC sound system - which was preferred to other brands they had experienced.

Real Music set about the design, installing four QSC lightweight, portable active K8 8in full r

UK - The ABTT has teamed up with leading insurance broker Jelf Insurance Brokers to present its 2011 Awards.

Jelf Insurance Brokers are part of Jelf ,an independent consultancy that supports both businesses and individuals, giving expert advice on insurance, healthcare, employee benefits and financial planning. Jelf is launching a bespoke insurance package for ABTT Members at the Theatre Show and it represents their first move into the theatre and entertainment sector.

"We're delighted to be able to show our support of the ABTT by sponsoring the 2011 Awards," comments Andy Tedstone, partnerships director (Insurance) at Jelf. "It is the ideal showcase for us to launch our insurance package to ABTT members, which is specially tailored to meet the needs of professionals working in the theatre business. We are also honoured to be part of an Awards scheme that celebr

UK - Adele is in the midst of a world tour that sees the soul/R&B singer visiting Europe and North America in support of her second studio album, 21.

Handling production design for the tour is Rob Sinclair who has created a minimalistic, elegant design that reflects the feel and emotion of the singer herself.

The set is dominated by a series of warm lampshades with Martin Professional MAC 101 washes used as backdrop lighting and Martin MAC 700 Profiles rigged overhead.

Sinclair, who uses the lighting more for mood and performer lighting than effect, says the MAC 101s have performed and held up "really well" and that he chose the compact moving heads for their small size and bright output in an affordable package.

Lighting supply for the spring European leg of the Adele 21 tour was by UK company Neg Earth while Upstaging is handling the North America

Sweden - The recent LLB fair in Stockholm, the Nordic region's largest trade fair for sound, light and multimedia technology, was a triumph for German optical fibre specialists Optocore.

Swedish distributors Arva Trading AB welcomed many visitors to their stand at the Stockholm Exhibition and Congress Centre and Optocore was well represented right across its product range.

"Optocore is well known in Sweden among pro audio users and has an extremely good reputation," stated Peter Beckman, the company's PA/Live and installation specialist. "We have been representing the brand for a year and this was our first opportunity to really test the market at a trade fair."

Arva Trading received an unexpected boost when theatrical sound engineer, Aaron Beck, assistant head of sound for the latest Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas, Viva ELVIS, presented

Spain - On the outskirts of Vigo, a new 1.5m Euro studio complex, VigoSónico has recently opened giving local young musicians, producers and sound engineers the opportunity to explore their creativity in a world class studio environment.

The recording studio itself centres around a 24-channel Audient ASP8024-CS console, complete with Digidesign Command 8 and Protools 9 HD. Designed and installed by Audient's local distributor, Reflexion Arts the high-end equipment list also includes a comprehensive selection of quality microphones and outboard gear.

Sergio Castro, of Reflexion Arts comments, "The Audient desk fits into this set-up perfectly. We have every confidence that its solid, professional appearance along with Audient's well-known sonic clarity will serve VigoSónico very well for many years."

Already attracting the attention of local young artists, the Vigo

Attendance Figures - Star performers, including Keira Knightley, helped ensure that the proportion of West End theatregoers watching plays in 2010 rose again. The share of attendances for plays last year was 26.2% - up 0.7% from 2009, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said. It was already up 4.3% from 2008. The share for musicals was 59.5% - down 1.2% from 2009. It fell 4.4% from 2008 to 2009. Total attendances topped 14m. Figures refuted "claims that musicals are taking over", the SOLT said. Plays also achieved a record attendance total of 3,702,031, while the musicals attendance total was down 3% to 8,423,430.

In its box office data report, the SOLT states that "the big driver" behind business in 2010 was major name actors in plays. They included Knightley and Damian Lewis in The Misanthrope, as well as Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall and Matthew M

USA - R&B artist R. Kelly recently wrapped up a European leg of his Love Letter world tour that sees him playing shows across the US this summer. Lighting director for the tour is Alex Skowron who programmed and operates the show on a Martin Professional M1 lighting console.

"I've been programming on a Maxxyz since 2006 and made the transition over to the M1 on this tour. The M1 is noticeably faster than its predecessor," says Skowron.

"The bulk of my work is overseas, so I'm constantly repatching and cloning shows to accommodate local gear, so for the console to execute these tasks in a timely fashion means hours saved reproducing the show.

"One of its greatest benefits is its size. To have all the capability of a full size console in such a small footprint, and to be able to check it as luggage and travel with it around the world is priceless. I

UK - Unusual Rigging has completed the project management of a major installation - a temporary 600-seat pavilion housing the month-long run of performances by Garsington Opera.

Garsington Opera has moved to the estate of Wormsley in the Chiltern Hills, home of the Getty family, after 22 years at Garsington Manor. Wormsley is located on the Oxfordshire - Buckinghamshire border in a parkland setting of approximately 2,500 acres.

Garsington Opera instructed architect Robin Snell and, following a competitive tendering process, appointed Unusual Rigging, as main contractor, to manage this design and build project, including fabrication and construction of the pavilion. At the end of the opera season, the pavilion will be dismantled and loaded by crane onto some 40 trucks to be taken away for storage, ready for return next year.

Lifted above the ground to give an appearance of 'f

USA - During the weekend of 15-17 April 2011 Atlanta staged two large festivals at the same time and this year it was RCF TT+ systems that supplied the sound to a big audience at the SweetWater 420 Fest and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an arts and crafts festival held each spring at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Originally held for nine days across two weekends, it is now held only one weekend during early April, when the native dogwoods are in bloom.

The Dogwood Festival 2011 was celebrating its 75th years anniversary in the beautiful surroundings of Piedmont Park. With several stages with continuously performances the festival gives many upcoming artists and talents the opportunity to play their music to a wider audience.

On the festival there were performances by Charlie Wayne Watson, Arena Sound, Off the Grid, Frets on Fire, OGYA World Music

UAE - Melody House, distributor of HK Audio speaker systems has recently supplied Dubai-based rental firm Abacus Rentals with a ConTour Array system from HK Audio. The rental firm decided on the purchase after a comprehensive demonstration that highlighted the power, flexibility and clarity of the system from the German company.

"Abacus Rentals are a growing rental firm and this latest purchase will take them to new heights," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Melody House. "With this second ConTour Array system in the UAE, HK Audio is gradually building a strong reputation in the live sound market."

(Jim Evans)

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