Denmark - Although still only in the initial phase for Fredericia Theatre's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid - The Musical, production designers Anders D. Jensen and Jens Frausing already had their eyes on SGM's LB-100 LED Balls; lighting designer Christian Vigs° had introduced them to the IP65-rated RGB pixel strings at one of his designs for the Kolding Light Festival - set in a much different outdoor environment. The production team was keen to use them in their attempt to reinvigorate theatre scenography, and once implemented, the result has lived up to all their expectations.

More than 600 LB-100 - each measuring 0.85m and containing seven RGB semi-transparent LED balls - are driven by 18 SGM TLD-612A, run by a Hippotizer Rackoon and suspended from the roof as a curtain wall in different lengths with a maximum of 6m. Decorated with small pieces of cloth,

USA - As a resource for system integrators, consultants and front-of-house engineers, Bose Professional will be hosting one-on-one demo sessions of their RoomMatch Progressive Directivity Array loudspeaker systems at Wild Bills, the premier concert venue in metro Atlanta on Tuesday 28 October, through Thursday 30 October 2014.

The Wild Bills sessions are an extra-special opportunity, with plenty of time for attendees to mix live multitracks on an installed RoomMatch system. And attendees will have a chance to have discussions with Bose Professional Systems engineers. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Avolites' fully featured, dual wide screen Sapphire Touch console is controlling ceiling panels of LEDs in theatre company Paines Plough's portable Roundabout Theatre. Premiering at this summer's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the theatre has since popped up in towns across the UK.

Lighting programmer Peter Small specified the Sapphire Touch to programme, control, and pixel map the 627 LEDs in the complex panels built into the touring venue's roof.

"The Sapphire Touch is excellent for programming Roundabout because of its speed - a lot of the console's features and hardware come together to allow this but a few that stand out are the large, bright, responsive touch screens, the 45 motorised faders (all electronically labelled) as well as the very well laid out programming section," says Small. "It also has advantages for us such as being able to handle the 13 u

USA - The multiple capabilities Lightconverse 3D Show Platform continue to expand with the recently released version 56.

First up in v56 are new functions for fixtures, including precise 3D volume Focus calculations for beams and beam footprints, accurate Frost calculation covering the complete range of depth for LED modules, Gobo Edge abilities, Objective Mapping for Shapes (RGB rings, segments, etc.) and added Pixel Shift functions for High End's Shapeshifter instrument.

The latest version additionally adds further enhancements to its integration with 3D Multimedia Glasses and Head Tracker support, which allows users and their clients to be completely immersed in a 360° Virtual World of their show or event - a definite way to bring clients onboard quickly!

LC's powerful Render Engine has been augmented also, including more detailed beams, higher quality HDR (High Dynam

UK - Pearce Hire continues its long-standing support of the Showman's Show by confirming their presence at the exhibition on 22-23 October. Pearce Hire has regularly participated at the Showman's Show because it offers an important platform for promoting their expertise in the provision of services for the outdoor and special events market.

Pearce Hire offers over 30 years knowledge providing power, lighting, audio, staging, project consultancy and production services to the outdoor and indoor event, festival, entertainment and corporate event industries. The Showman's Show at Newbury Showground happens at a convenient lull at the end of the busiest summer season on record for Pearce Hire. It is an important platform for the promotion of the full range of services offered by Pearce Hire, and a chance for the team to network with current clients and discuss plans for the next 12

USA - Diggerland USA is the country's first construction-themed adventure park, allowing children and their families to operate real construction equipment in a safe environment. The 14-acre park is located adjacent to its sister attraction, Sahara Sam's Oasis, in New Jersey in the suburbs southeast of Philadelphia.

Spellcaster Productions of nearby Hammonton, New Jersey designed and installed the system on a very tight timeframe; from land clearing to opening took just six months. An Ashly Audio ne24.24M modular Protea matrix processor outfitted with 12 inputs and 12 outputs provides all of the equalization, delay, ducking and routing for Diggerland USA, and seven Ashly KLR-3200 amplifiers power the park's seventy-plus Community loudspeakers. Ashly's networked neWR-5 wall-mount user control allows staff members to adjust input and volume within a given zone, and Ashly's iPad ap

UK - Steinberg Media Technologies has announced upcoming workshops in the UK. Together with Yamaha and sE Electronics, Steinberg has scheduled tour dates from Poole in the South to Perth up in Scotland.

As a part of the ongoing Steinberg Training Centre education programme, these interactive education events feature critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Martyna Wren, session and touring drummer Emily Dolan Davies (Tricky, Becky Hill, Bryan Ferry, The Hours) and multi-instrumentalist, producer and Cubase expert Andy Schrav (Peter Andre, Delta Goodrem, Paper Aeroplanes). Over the next month the artists will visit South and City College in Birmingham, Derby University, Edinburgh College and Perth University and run a series of customized workshops for enrolled students.

In addition to supplying top-quality artists, the manufacturers will also provide a collection of the latest m

USA - Hip hop stars Outkast recently completed their summer tour with three sellout hometown shows in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. Dubbed #ATLast, the 20,000-plus crowds were supported by a Meyer Sound Leo linear large-scale reinforcement system as specified by FOH engineer Darcy Khan.

"The first time I'd mixed with Leo was earlier this summer at the Montreux Jazz Festival," says Khan. "I loved the way it sounded. It was astonishingly clear, with no phasing issues, and I could walk from the stage all the way to the back and hear a nice, even wall of sound. A few weeks later, I mixed on another LEO system at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal, where I experienced the system's long-throw power. That sold me. I knew I wanted a Leo rig for Atlanta."

Supplied by VER Tour Sound, the Atlanta system deployed main arrays of 14-each Leo-M and side arrays o

USA - A back-wall of 72 x Robe CycFX 8s and Pointes helped create awesome effects for Carrie Underwood's all-action high profile Introduction for NBC's 2014 Sunday Night Football.

Los Angeles based lighting designer Benoit Richard was responsible for lighting Underwood's energetic rendition of Waiting All Day for Sunday Night, a re-working of Joan Jett's classic I Hate Myself for Loving You for NBC Sports and San Francisco and New York based producers, Bodega Studios.

Richard's design included eight 35ft high vertical towers directly behind the stage, each of which was rigged with five CycFX 8 fixtures. He then placed 32 x Pointes in between the CycFX 8 for yet more variety, making an impressive Robe back wall of highly versatile fixtures.

It is the second year that Underwood has performed the opening intro for NBC's number one TV show, and also the second year

The Netherlands - The Art of Light, a Netherlands-based creative light designing, programming and operating company, used wysiwyg version R33 to previsualize lighting design and effects for DJ Armin van Buuren and his Armin Only - Intense worldwide tour.

"A completely original lighting design was designed by Marc Heinz. The Art of Light was in charge for all the programming and used wysiwyg R33 to previsualize the tour," said André Beekmans, founder of The Art of Light.

"Because the design includes 388 moving lights, 67 strobes, 100 LED fixtures and some conventional lighting, we needed to pre-program the lighting design in our studio before we started the rehearsals. The six-hour show includes 25 timecode tracks including live performances and dancers.

"wysiwyg is realistic and reliable. When used in combination with all paperwork and drawi

USA - While 2014 may be edging its way to a close, Bandit Lites continues to increase its inventory of new gear by purchasing Chauvet Professional Nexus Aw 7x7 LED panels, Nexus 4x4 fixtures and Rogue R2 Beam fixtures. With the most popular acts in music putting on bigger and brighter shows, Bandit looks to provide its clients with the best and most versatile technology available.

Lighting designer Chris Lisle took advantage of the Nexus Aw 7x7 LED panels versatility on Miranda Lambert's Platinum Tour, which just announced its 2015 plans following a successful 2014 leg. The panels project narrow beams of light, provides warm washes, makes instant audience blinders, and displays impactful text and vivid animated graphics.

Lisle built the Nexus panels into an 'M' shaped truss downstage. The panels were driven via the lighting console to create a variety of visual effects that fl

Columbia - Colombian music idol Carlos Vives is currently out on tour promoting his latest album Corazón Profundo, which dominated the Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart as soon as it debuted this summer.

Sound company C. Vilar was tapped to provide sound reinforcement for two of his most recent concerts held in Colombia. The back-to-back concerts took place at Macal Stadium in Villavicencio and Simón Bolívar Park in Bogotá.

"We used our full inventory of Adamson gear for these performances," explains Mauricio Vilar, owner of C. Vilar. "Because the shows were held on consecutive nights, we provided two complete PAs for both events. We set up for the Bogota concert while the Villavicencio show was taking place."

The first concert, held at Estadio Manuel Calle Lombana (Macal), was filled with 25,000 fans. C. Vilar equipped the venue with a main P

Canada - Show Distribution, maker and distributor of the Tour Series chain hoists has just unveiled its new Imperium console. This console, the company says, runs the same intuitive and reliable Raynok software that operators have come to appreciate, in a compact and feature-rich package.

"The versatility and simplicity of the Imperium Console puts the power and control of all motion functions at every operator's fingertips. They can call and recall functions and cues with the press of a single button. Programmable macro buttons also allow operators to customise their desktop to not only save time but improve efficiency and safety," say Show Distribution.

Other features include a MS Windows Operating System, a built-in touchscreen, an HDMI monitor output for a crisp and clean image, an integrated Hold-To-Run (HTR) safety device, a fully integrated Emergency Stop Syst

USA - The Academy of Production Technology (APT) will conduct a class on entertainment electrics, power distribution, and control systems in Burbank on 3-4 December, 2014. The class covers topics that are listed as being in the content outline for ETCP Entertainment Electrician Certification and are intended for beginning to advanced electricians and technicians lighting, video, and audio.

The classes will be held at the IATSE Local 728 Facilities at Magnolia and N. Glenwood Place in Burbank. This is an ETCP Recognized course.

The event is presented by Richard Cadena, who is founder of the APT; an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and a best-selling author. The educational and entertaining event covers the theory of electricity, power distribution, and control networking for the stage and studio. The Entertainment Technician Certification Programme (ETCP) is an industry

USA - Oprah Winfrey has taken The Life You Want Weekend, a high-profile two-night self-help show on the road for eight weekends this fall. Along for the ride is CTS Audio, who is providing sound for the tour including a SSL Live. L500 console at the mix position, operated by CTS veteran front of house engineer Jon Schwarz.

This two-night event starts the first night with Winfrey offering the inspirational story of her life's journey. She speaks about identifying life's purpose and leads exercises on taking action to reach goals. The second night, Oprah introduces motivational speakers from her network, who each give their own monologues in turn. Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert, pastor Rob Bell and OWN TV personality Iyanla Vanzant are joined in some cities by alternative-medicine guru Deepak Chopra as well as DJ performances.

With the majority of the aud

UK - Biodiesel specialist Midas will provide power and distribution to Lee Valley VeloPark in December, when the UCI Track Cycling World Cup brings the professional sport back to London for the first time since 2012.

Manchester-based British Cycling tasked Lee Valley Regional Park Authority with finding a local contractor able to deliver a quality service and solutions to the challenges that come with working at a different venue.

Naomi Chant, events manager at Lee Valley RPA, comments, "We will be using Midas for other winter activities and had no hesitation in recommending the company to British Cycling. Their technical knowledge and extensive experience means there are always options and answers, not only for the power elements of a job, but how it works as part of the event as a whole."

Olympic gold medallist, Laura Trott, said, "Lee Valley VeloPark is suc

USA - Chicago-based sound engineer Aaron Patkin went on the road mixing monitors for Chance The Rapper, one of hip-hop's fastest-rising young stars, in early 2013. Since then, the artist has progressed from Internet sensation to main-stage attraction, as evidenced by his acclaimed performance as a final-night headliner at this summer's Lollapalooza festival in Chicago.

Over that time, Chance (full name Chancelor Bennett) has gone from being a voice-and-DJ act to having a full live touring band. However, one thing has remained constant: using Sensaphonics 2MAX earphones for monitoring. Patkin especially appreciates how the full isolation and comfort of their soft silicone earpieces made the transition to in-ears easy.

"When the in-ears arrived, it was my job to help them make the transition - just three days before the tour," Patkin recalls. "Chance had never wor

UK - S+H Technical Support has designed and supplied stage lighting and an interactive projection wall for the newly opened Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks' Twitchen House Holiday Village in Devon, UK.

The new £2.5m entertainment complex opened this summer after work began in 2013. Great attention to detail has been paid in the design of the glass complex that has been built and carefully integrated with the historic Edwardian pile of Twitchen House ... under the watchful guidance of English Heritage.

The new facilities include the Sail Loft entertainment lounge that contains the stage and the impressive interactive projection wall, and the all-day glass roofed Bar 5 cafe / bar together with a tasteful lighting scheme to reveal the magnificent facade of Twitchen House after dark.

S+H - based locally in Ilfracombe - was approached by owner, entrepreneur Rudi Lancaster with

Canada - The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership has announced the two works to be presented for the fifth annual Luminothérapie event, from 10 December, 2014 to 2 February 2015. Visitors to the Place des Festivals will be dazzled by a giant kaleidoscope called Prismatica by the Toronto architecture firm RAW Design, the first Luminothérapie competition winners from outside Quebec.

Meanwhile, the Quartier's eight video projection sites will be lit up by a digital carnival called Fascinoscope devised by Lüz Studio, a Montreal-based visual design studio. There is also a major new development this year: audience interaction will be taken further than ever with a set-up that will allow the public to play games on the projection surface outside the Saint-Laurent metro station.

"Luminothérapie allows us to offer both fertile ground for creators to experimen

UK - When Richard Kiernan, building services manager at Nederlander Theatres called upon the team at Unusual Rigging to overhaul the Dominion Theatre's flying system as part of a multi million pound refurbishment of the entire venue, he had just one request - make the Dominion the best theatre in the West End.

"We wanted the Dominion to stand head and shoulders above all other theatres in terms of its flying and electrics. Having started the process with Unusual Rigging way before the project itself got under way we knew they were the team who could deliver our vision.", said Richard. "Having looked at some of their previous projects and systems, we then sat down with Mark Priestley to identify exactly what we wanted for the Dominion. The rest was a completely bespoke build flying system that we as a theatre are very proud of."

Unusual Rigging is renowned f

UK - Unusual Rigging has become one of the first companies to donate to the UK's new entertainment industry charity Behind the Scenes. Presenting a cheque for £10,000 to White Light's John Simpson, the charity's chairman, at the PLASA 2014 Award ceremony, Unusual's Alan Jacobi (AJ) called upon all organisations within the industry to dig deep and support this very worthwhile cause.

Behind the Scenes provides financial support to people working in the entertainment technology industry who experience hardship when they become ill or injured, or to their surviving family members. Grants are tailored to each individual but uses can include basic living costs, medical related expenses, transportation, retraining and funeral expenses.

AJ, who is also treasurer of the charity, commented, "PLASA has provided Behind the Scenes with a springboard to reach out to all sectors w

UK - HOG Factor, which was organised and hosted for the first time by AED Distribution, drew a lot of attention to the AED stand on Tuesday 7 October at PLASA London 2014. The Design and Programming Competition with High End Systems Luminaires and a HOG4 Console was open to full-time students currently enrolled on a Live Entertainment Technology course. Entering schools were Rose Bruford College, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the University of South Wales.

The five participating teams were given a piece of music chosen in advance by the judges, and a pre-determined rig of High End Systems' Fixtures. Their challenge was to release their full creative talent combined with good programming skills and to program a light show.

Colin Wood, freelance lighting designer, programmer and HOG4 Family trainer and product specialist, was onsite for coaching the teams duri

Spain - On 2 October II Conference of Lighting and AV in the retail sector was staged at the Escuela Superior de Disseny IED of Barcelona. This event was organized by CICAT and Secartys.

Juan José Vila, Product Manager of Equipson and vice chairman of the area of professional Lighting and Audio of Secartys, took part as speaker in the talk entitled AV in retail: setting the pace of sales along with Conrado Martínez, president of Trison Acústica, an leading installer. The aim of this talk was to discuss the current market trends and problems of the sector as well as analyse success stories in order to draw conclusions.

Both speakers broached different relevant subjects such as the importance of audio system's design and its integration in the store, the development of control devices and the possibility to control them through smartphones or tablets, without the

UK - Following the official release of the newly formed SES Academy at PLASA 2014, SES Entertainment Services are very pleased to announce that its BS7909 courses have been approved by City & Guilds.

With two training centres at either Ascot or Maidenhead, the academy is able to run courses for up to 12 candidates who on completion will receive the coveted City & Guilds certification. "We are also able to bring the courses to your offices providing you have certain facilities available, and we can offer overseas training too," says the company. "For a full prospectus on all the courses available, please contact our sales office or go online at www.ses-academy.co.uk."

(Jim Evans)

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