Germany - A special televised concert of La Bohème - a new production in the NDR Classic Open Air series - took place recently in Hannover's Maschpark.

Puccini's famous opera was not only heard live by an audience of 20,000 through Martin Audio's award-winning MLA loudspeaker array system, but by television viewers tuning into NDR throughout the country and those picking up the live stream on NDR.de.

The 2,000 ticketed concert goers in front of the stage were joined by crowds who gathered in the park, where they had an opportunity to witness the event (including rehearsal) for free.

Responsible for the event's sound system design was once again Georg Hentschel of Braunschweig based LiveAudio event technic GmbH. A specialist in classical shows, he had helped deliver the first classical open air concert (with MLA) in Hannover last year.

The main PA rig comprised two

Italy- Based outside Turku, Finnish loudspeaker manufacturer Aura Audio Oy is using the magic of Powersoft's M-Force's electromagnetic conversion principle to power its XD30 subwoofer. This was pressed into action at the recent Colors dance festival at Kaapelitehdas, the former cable factory in Helsinki.

Aura Audio's managing director, Mika Isotalo, explains that they worked closely with rental company AMJ Turku Audio Oy, who equipped both the main and second stages with Aura's premier sound reinforcement systems.

M-Force first captured their imagination at its launch during Prolight+Sound 2013 in Frankfurt. "We started working with it immediately, so that by Frankfurt this year we were able to present our own M-Force product, the XD30 subwoofer," stated Mika. At the same time the X-series amplifiers had been introduced.

M-Force features an innovative transducer ba

Kazakhstan - Astana city celebrated its 21st anniversary as Kazakhstan's capital on 6 July with an abundance of festivities. Announced as the new capital by the Kazakh President in 1994 and later receiving the title City of Peace from UNESCO in 1999, Astana has become an architectural gem and a symbol of the achievements of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the years of its independence.

Astana Day is a beautiful celebration attracting thousands of visitors as a culmination of week-long festivities. This day recognizes Astana's growth from a provincial city to a 21st century regional hub of Central Asia, and with the attendance of high profile politicians such as the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Kirgistan, Almazbek Atambayev and the former President of Turkey, Abdulla Gjulem, as well as world famous artists, opera and ballet performers it is a bri

UK - Presteigne Broadcast Hire has now added a Calrec Artemis Shine audio desk to its roster. The Artemis digital console is widely used in outside broadcast applications because of its high functionality in a compact frame. Production companies now have the ability to rent this familiar and popular audio console.

Presteigne has selected a 40 fader Artemis console, with a frame which supports 680 channels in just 8U of rack space. The mixer provides 128 main and group buses, 32 auxiliary buses and 64 track buses, making it suitable for large event live mixing and simultaneous multitrack recording.

Included in the kit is a Calrec Hydra2 audio router with two remote stage boxes, two local I/O boxes and six MADI interfaces. The result is a powerful audio system which is fast to rig and configure, as well as giving state of the art audio quality and control.

"As a rental bu

UK - The Mayor's Newham Show is a free two-day event which aims to provide fun and entertainment for those living in the borough of Newham, East London. Organised by Newham Council, a record crowd of 50,000 attended this year's event which had the theme 50 Years of Newham, marking five decades since the show's formation in 1965. The event saw East Ham's Central Park buzzing with a wide range of events for all ages including live music, a pop-up beach and sports taster sessions. White Light was once again called upon to provide its lighting and rigging services, having worked on the event for the past four years.

Taking place on 11-12 July, the event featured the traditional village fΩte 'Best in Show' competition, various arts and crafts activities, alongside the selection of plants and flowers that were on sale. It also saw 2,000 schoolchildren from 22 Newham schools take

UK - LED design and manufacture house Light Initiative (LI) lit up this year's Glastonbury Festival with bespoke creations on Years and Years, Enter Shikari and the Arcadia Spectacular stage.

For Arcadia's audio-visual feast Metamorphosis, LI worked alongside costume designer Joanna Peacock to create six custom performance wearables, integrated with LED, and six zorbs.

The costumes transformed Arcadia's dancers into fantastic alien/jellyfish hybrids, or 'Jellyfish Light Queens', who appeared from the zorbs as if hatching from an alien egg.

"The moment we saw Jo Peacock's sketch of a performer being released from a zorb we knew the LED solution must be above and beyond anything ever delivered before, and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved is what really excites us," says Light Initiative's MD Bryn Williams.

LI's immediate task was to develop a f

UK - Created by Joe Rush's Mutoid Waste Company, the structure Peace Time Flies at Glastonbury was a giant metallic winged clock that spanned the entire breadth of the Pyramid stage and captured the free, uninhibited and hopeful spirit that defines Glastonbury.

A sweeping sculpture supporting a soaring and noble ambition required bold lighting. This is exactly what was provided by the Iluminarc Colorist Panel 36Qa, which is packed with 36 15-watt RGBA LEDs that radiate bright and vibrant colour washes, and the Chauvet Professional COLORado 1-Quad IP par-style RGBW fixture. A total of nine of the Colorist panels and six of the LED parts were used to direct coloured light at the Peace Time Flies. The rich colours of this collection of fixtures animated the sculpture, amplifying the artist's suggestion of flight, while the intensity of their output ensured that the sculpture would

USA - The legendary Suwannee River is enshrined in folklore and history - the wild backwater river rises in the Okefenokee Swamp emerging at Fargo, Georgia, passes through southern Georgia and northern Florida for 246 miles before flowing out into the Gulf of Mexico near the town of Suwannee.

The Suwanee River Jam is a popular and well known annual three-day country music festival staged in Live Oak, Florida and attended by around 9000 music enthusiasts. Robe Lighting Inc.'s Thommy Hall - regional sales manager for the southeastern U.S. and also an LD and programmer in his own right - has been involved with lighting both stages at this major event in his hometown ... for the last seven years.

This year, he was able to supply a variety of Robe products for use on both the Main and Amphitheater Stages in what was also a fabulous working showcase opportunity.

Thommy worked clos

Mexico - Daktronics in conjunction with Mexican partner Pantallas Publitronics, was called on to provide two new LED video displays for Estadio BBVA Bancomer, home of C.F. Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The displays were installed this summer and are ready for C.F. Monterrey, commonly known as Los Rayados, to take to the pitch for their first match on 2 August, the eighth edition of S.L Benfica's Eusébio Cup.

"We are excited to work with Daktronics to bring a better overall experience to our fans and sponsors for interaction, information and statistics at every event held at Estadio BBVA Bancomer," said vice president of C.F. Monterrey Tonatiuh Mejía. "We worked with world leaders in every aspect of creating this facility which will be a tourist icon for the city, designed with iconic materials from our states and equipped with the highest audio and video

UK - Yamaha's TF digital mixing console range has already gained many admirers for its combination of fast, intuitive control surface, comprehensive facilities and high quality sound, all delivered at an exceptional price point. Proof that the highest profile organisations recognise its many advantages has recently been seen in English National Opera's investment in a TF1.

The TF range is designed to ensure that high quality mixes can be quickly produced by any engineer, whatever their level of experience. But this doesn't mean it's destined only to be a fixture of education and local venues - it offers many advantages to all sound providers, as English National Opera (ENO) head of sound Jacey Linton explains.

"We do many events, from full opera productions to dance shows, talks, parties and so on. These take place in our main house at the London Coliseum, but also in oth

Spain - The Project, started by the renowned chefs Ferrán and Albert Adriá, with Guy Laliberté, creator of Cirque du Soleil, opened its doors on 30 June, offering a trip around the arts, amazing performances and gastronomy under the powerful light provided by multiple devices from Clay Paky, distributed by Stonex.

After some months of preparation, Heart Ibiza was inaugurated to the delight of the attendees with its modern art and creative cuisine. This new concept, containing the essence of Ibiza, counted on Clay Paky devices to illuminate the space. Mythos, A.leda B-EYE K10 and Alpha Profile 800 shone at the Ibiza night.

The project created by the Adriá brothers and Guy Laliberté is a revolutionary idea composed by the essence of Ibiza, art, music and cuisine.

Heart Ibiza offers three different experiences. Terrace, where Street Food, with hippie-chic style

Europe - Mumford & Sons are on the road in support of their Wilder Mind third studio album, currently in Europe playing a mix of own-show headliners and festivals in picturesque locations.

LD Ed Warren specified 32 x Robe BMFL Spots and 10 x CycFX 8s which are being supplied by Neg Earth in the UK and Europe and Solotech Canada for the North American sections of the tour.

As the full rig can only be realised in a few locations in Europe, several variations of the design have been developed to deliver as much show continuity as possible, even when able to install only the minimum lighting elements.

It's the first time that Ed has designed BMFL Spots into a touring rig - to which he is adding his own touches of visual magic and invention. Eighteen BMFLs are spread out across three U-shaped trusses which increase in size and also all move on a Kinesys automation system.

USA - The versatility of the Clay Paky lighting family was demonstrated when lighting designer Stefan DeWilde, of DeWilde Design Group LLC in Burbank, selected an array of Clay Paky fixtures for two projects that couldn't have been more different: the glittering 40th birthday party for Michelle Damon, wife of two-time World Series champ Johnny Damon and a philanthropist and businesswoman in her own right, and the exterior effects lighting for a popular theme park attraction.

DeWilde used Clay Paky Alpha Spots, Sharpys and Sharpy Washes from PRG to give a high-end Las Vegas nightclub look to the Orange Ballroom at the Orlando Hilton for Michelle Damon's celebrity-filled birthday party. With all the lights ground supported by truss towers he needed lightweight fixtures with a small footprint and high output - all attributes of the Clay Paky products.

DeWilde used eight Alpha Spo

Russia - Big Screen Show are a Russian group of companies providing AV services for concerts, exhibitions, presentations, sports and other large-scale events and shows. They aim to provide highly qualified specialists and the right equipment to meet the most demanding and discerning customers.

BSS is a Rental and Production company and a long-time supporter of Hippotizer Media Servers. The company has a large selection of Hippotizer V3 Media Servers and have used them on an array of projects and events.

Last month, Big Screen Show purchased four Boreal V4 systems. Big Screen Show owner Evgeny Marinichev explains why he decided to upgrade from his V3 systems to V4. "It is almost three years that we're using V3 and it has proved itself as a powerful and multifunctional server.

"But power is never enough, and we need more outputs and higher resolutions from servers. A

USA - Chroma-Q Color Force premium performance LED battens have been added to the inventory of Atlanta-based Full Circle Lighting & Productions, to meet high demand from the company's many lighting designer, rental and other corporate clients.

Full Circle is a leading provider of theatrical lighting equipment, production support and design services to companies throughout the United States.

Full Circle's president, Noah Hammer worked closely with Chroma-Q's North American distributor, A.C. Lighting Inc. on the investment, which included 48" and 72" long battens from the versatile and comprehensive Color Force LED lighting solutions range.

"We chose to go with the Color Force units because of their colour mixing capabilities," says Noah. "Also, they do not flicker on film, which in the film & television industry is very important as HD resolution sees

South Africa - Nelspruit-based rental company, AVS Hire, are thankful for a newly purchased Ra'alloy Ramp, which has made loading so much less painful. The lightweight Ra'alloy aluminum touring ramp that requires no maintenance was purchased from DWR Distribution.

"To be honest I can't work without it," said Kyle Nel, owner of AVS Hire. "The flight cases are getting bigger and heavier, I guess that's just the aim of the game."

AVS Hire chose the foldable ramp for ease of storage and manageability. This is particularly useful when a crew member is alone at the office at irregular hours for load in or strike.

"My ramp serves a second purpose," explains Kyle. "When required, it can be used as a wheelchair ramp for 400 - 600mm high stages, albeit a bit steep on the higher stages. Guests in wheelchairs and their assistances love it because it's

Spain - Last 4 July, Barclaycard Centre witnessed the last concert of the Leiva's tour: Polvora On Tour before the very eyes of his fans.

Light and art merged together at the scene. Provided by the lighting designer Diego García, Madrid enjoyed the music of the Spanish artist. A mixture of light and colour turned into an incredible performance on the Spanish night.

Once again, Clay Paky took care of the lights. Supplied by Spanish rental company Algo Suena, the impressive Mythos shone at the Barclaycard Centre, where its power and versatility were demonstrated.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Aspiring magicians are invited onstage to show their tricks and fool the magician-comedian duo Penn & Teller in a new series on the CW Network, Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Video equipment rental company Pete's Big TVs played a part in the magic, providing LED video panels, projectors and crew.

The 13-episode season, taped in the Penn & Teller Theatre at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, airs Monday nights at 8/7 Central Time. Throughout the season, Penn & Teller search for the best up and coming magicians in this competition. If Penn & Teller can't explain how the trick was done, they are officially "fooled" and those tricksters will open for the duo's ongoing stage show in Las Vegas.

Production designer is Anton Goss, creative director at Consortium Studios in Los Angeles, whose projects range from game show, awards show and talk show sets to studio desi

USA - Bandit Lites continued its summer of festivals with The Forecastle Music Festival, an event produced by Hadden Hipsley of Lambda Productions that drew 60,000 music and arts fans to Louisville's stunning waterfront 17-19 July. Musical artists included Sam Smith, My Morning Jacket, Widespread Panic, Modest Mouse, Cage the Elephant and The War on Drugs.

Utilizing the gear around the needs of the headliners, Bandit Lites' Dizzy Gosnell created a design that would provide striking looks both during the day and in the evening. "Sam and Widespread bought a couple of things with them to hang, but My Morning Jackets touring system was so close to this system that they were fine with what we sent along," said Dizzy.

"The almost obligatory BMFL's and GRN moving wash units did the heavy lifting with Sharpys, Atomics and Matrix 5x5's adding spice and effects."

I

UK - London based creative projection specialist, The Projection Studio, led by Ross Ashton and collaborating with Edinburgh based War Productions, has won a competitive bid to create a spectacular mapped video projection to be projected onto the facade of Blackpool's famous tower ... as part of the city's 2015 Illuminations

Projection Studio will be producing all the creative content for the LightPool project, while Alistair Young and War Productions will design the projection system and hardware set up. The two companies have previously worked together on Ross and artist Maria Ruud's AniMotion live painting / projection performances in Scotland.

LightPool will be the first semi-permanent projection mapping project in the UK and also the first time that the large red brick building concealing the base of the 158m tower - built in 1894 and still one of the most iconic building

UK - After months of planning, the first phase of work to secure the future of Lighthouse, Poole as a world class arts organisation and venue is underway.

Poole-based construction specialist Stepnell is undertaking a £116,000 programme of works this summer at Lighthouse, the UK's largest regional arts centre, as the first phase of a £5.3m project to improve, update and make the venue more energy efficient.

The initial works, due for completion in September, will see improved sound insulation for the Cinema with the creation of a new lobby between the Cinema and Studio theatre, a new staff room and duty manager's office on the ground floor and improved security to the first-floor bar.

"Lighthouse is delighted to have appointed a local company, Stepnell, to undertake the first phase of building works this summer. This is the start of a series of improvements w

UK - In the run up to this year's International Festival and Festival Fringe, currently the city of Edinburgh is a hive of activity. With hundreds of venues housing literally thousands of performances, the Fringe is traditionally seen as an important step on the career ladder of any aspiring production technician. Yamaha Commercial Audio delivered three days of training for one of the Fringe's best-known venue operators.

Walking around Edinburgh in July, there is a palpable feeling of expectation in the air as found spaces are transformed into venues, banners are unfurled and the horde of camera-clutching tourists that perennially stalks the streets is infiltrated by a small army of production staff - the trademark outfit of black hoodie and shorts giving away their purpose.

With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe running from 5-31 August, in late July Yamaha technical sales engine

Italy - Tones on the Stones has renewed its partnership with Clay Paky for the third year running. The Festival was held in the Cava Bianco Montorfano (White Montorfano Quarry), near Verbania. The main attraction this year was Cavalleria Rusticana, directed by Alberto Paloscia. Sergio Licursi was theatrical director and lighting designer. The leading actors were Maddalena Calderoni, who was also the festival's artistic director, and Hamadi Lagha as Turiddu.

Lorenzo Pagella, who stood out in last year's lighting designer contest organized as part of the Festival by Clay Paky, worked with Sergio Licursi. We spoke to him about the difficulties he encountered and how they were solved: "There were problems with the power supply, so we had to give up on using high positions. Our first choice was therefore to put all the lights on the ground and leave the backdrop completel

USA - A milestone in music history took place at Soldier Field in Chicago as legendary band The Grateful Dead celebrated their 50th anniversary with the three final Fare Thee Well shows, produced by Paul Shapiro over the 4th of July holiday weekend, playing to record crowds of 70,000 each night. This followed two gigs the previous weekend, each pulling capacity audiences of 65,000, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Lighting was designed and directed by the band's long term LD Candace Brightman, who started with them in 1972. Paul Hoffman of Pulse Lighting LLC provided programming, equipment selection and moral support. The pair have collaborated on the Grateful Dead since 2004. Central to the large lighting rig were 50 x Robe BMFL Spots and 32 x Pointes supplied by lighting vendors Felix Lighting in Santa Clara and Bandit Lites in Chicago respectively.

Candace and

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