Included in this were eight Geni Sharmas, housing HSD 200 lamps, and six Shiva 600s (with MSR 575 lamp source). The Sharma colour-changer produces nine sharp and bright dichroic colours plus white, 0 to 100% mechanical linear luminous output and smooth movement to produce a twin/split colour effect. The fully-featured Shiva 600 scanner is a highly compact 575W effect, incorporating the advantages of the conventional scanner with the concept of the moving head base to allow it to be suspended or erected upright on a surface for greater flexibility of application.
The majority of the effects are concentrated on the dancefloor of the main nightclub venue, Wonderland (on the the third floor) while additional Cycs and ProSpots are to be found on the ground floor Mood Bar area in front of the stage. A striking feature is the lighting fixtures in the Mood Bar, which are mounted on eight arms, set up into the vaulted ceiling, with the arms radiused to follow the curvature of the ceiling. Effects in both zones are punctuated by Hungaroflash EUDMX strobes - also supplied by Coemar UK.
This was TMC's first installation for Bakersfield Entertainment, and director Miles Marsden said that his choice of Coemar UK as a single-source supplier was based on the trust he had built up over a long period with MD, Ian Kirby. "We are aware that the optics are particularly impressive on the Coemar products, as is the reliability factor," said Marsden. "Although a strict criteria and budget were imposed, we have been able to deliver a fairly sophisticated solution. The traditional Mood concept is for a bar/restaurant and R&B room, but for the first time Bakersfield have introduced a themed nightclub, Wonderland. However, they were comfortable with our experience in nightclubs and trusted us to ensure the lighting design was sympathetic to the overall aesthetic."
This includes a glazed wall onto which TMC have used colour changers, to create a striking effect out on the Square. Marsden summarised: "As always creative programming is the most essential element of a successful lighting scheme - and our programmer Colin Walker takes the credit for that."
(Lee Baldock)