Germany - MA Lighting recently held a training week for its worldwide distributors. The objective of the training session at MA Lighting's headquarters in Paderborn was Prepare 2 Launch. 32 partners participated and learnt more about the features of the new grandMA2 series.

Similar to the current grandMA series, grandMA2 controls all kinds of lighting genres and takes the performance of grandMA to an even higher level, says the company.

The Training attendees studied the whole system including its additional new system components like the MA Network Processing Unit (NPU), grandMA2 remote, the very much enhanced software versions of grandMA 3D and grandMA video plus the new network protocol MA-Net2.

"This training week was the next consequent step in bringing grandMA2 closer to the markets", comments Michael Althaus, managing director of MA Lighting Internati

UK - Despite the credit crunch apparently biting ever deeper, the organisers of The ABTT Theatre Show (10-11 June 2009, The Royal Horticultural Halls, London) are delighted to announce that the show is looking unaffected, with stand re-bookings for 2009's show remaining constant compared to this time last year at 75 per cent.

As the marketing initiative for The ABTT Theatre Show begins for 2009, show director Roger Fox comments: "The ABTT Theatre Show in 2008 again revealed a growth in our visitors and highlighted a 40 per cent rise in new attendees. We're aiming to build on this success in 2009 and remain confident in the current economic climate, to deliver another major networking opportunity for technical theatre."

Recognised for embracing a developing range of technologies for use in any auditorium, the ABTT Theatre Show has built an enviable position as a uniqu

USA - The Joint Training Initiative of The ESTA Foundation and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) has announced a Control Protocols Workshop to be held two days prior to the annual USITT National Conference in Cincinnati, OH. The registration deadline is 9 March 2009.

This two-day course is designed for entertainment technicians at a basic to intermediate level. The session will be held 16 and 17 March at the Duke Energy Convention Centre. Training will cover current control protocols including Remote Device Management over USITT DMX512-A and Architecture for Control Networks. This course qualifies for ETCP Certification Renewal Credits for ETCP Certified Entertainment Electricians.

The Control Protocols course will be taught by ETCP Certified Electrician and ETCP Recognized Trainer Milton Davis, of Doug Fleenor Design. Davis is a member of the Control

Dubai - IIR Exhibitions has pledged greater focus on the Install market - in both the Commercial and Residential sectors - for PALME Middle East 2009.Exhibition director, Alex Heuff, has confirmed that a dedicated Install Middle East vertical show will provide the hub of this year's show on April 26-28 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. As part of the continuing evolution of the PALME brand, Install Middle East will have its own dedicated space and entrances, and will host more than 150 exhibitors. The show will also feature for the first time an Integrator Pavilion, which will allow up to seven of the region's major project consultants and installers to show their portfolios.

Heuff states: "The Pavilion is specifically for regional systems integrators and is aimed at attracting the property developers and consultants who work with them.

UK - Free Registration is now open for PLASA Focus - Leeds 2009 which takes place at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on April 28th and 29th

Providing a dedicated business platform for the North of the UK, PLASA Focus is designed to reflect the world class creativity and innovation on display at the region's shows, venues, installations and events, say the organisers.

"Register now to take part in this two hall, two day event. This is an opportunity to meet the major stake holders in entertainment technology, from some of the most exciting and innovative small companies to international market leaders.

"Be you a buyer, installer, integrator or a student - if you have a need for entertainment technology then you can register now, completely free of charge".

Register at the address below and your ticket will give you access to The Saviles Hall and The Royal Armour

UK - Stage Electrics' first ever Freelancer Day, held at RADA's Gielgud Theatre, was a resounding success, the company reports. The day was attended by over 40 freelancers from sectors across the industry, and a combination of those who had previously freelanced for Stage Electrics and those who were new to freelancing and wanted to learn more.

Paula Birtwistle, who returned to freelancing following a career break and who attended the day commented: "I really enjoyed the day and I felt like every minute was useful to me. I made a last-minute decision to come along and I'm really glad I did! Every part of the day seemed relevant to what I was after and at the level I'm at in my career."

The main objectives of the day were to get closer to freelancers and to provide them with a day designed with their interests in mind. Most importantly though was the opportunity for f

UK - Power Logistics sent out a clear message to the mid-sized and smaller events market at The Event Show this January. With an expanded inventory and team in new premises, they can supply a total range of temporary power services.

While the company is known for working with festivals, international tours and major public events such as The Big Chill, V Festival, Queen and Liverpool's giant spider, 'La Machine', it was spreading the message that it can provide services to occasions of every size and style, including business events, local authority-run functions, private parties or charity fundraisers.

"No event is too big or too small for us," said Mike Whitehouse, Power Logistics' business development manager. "We welcome enquiries from organisers at every level of the market who need temporary power for their projects. We can do as little or as much as they

Snow Business - Heavy snowfall caused several West End theatres to cancel their Monday evening performances. The newly-opened Oliver!, Avenue Q, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys were all called off. The Royal Opera House performance of Die tote Stadt was also cancelled. Promoters said the weather meant that they could not guarantee the performers and crew would be able to make it into central London.

Eurovision Countdown - Jade Ewen has been chosen to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Eurovision Song Contest entry for the UK in Moscow. The Londoner won the public vote ahead of Sheffield siblings The Twins and Welshman Mark Evans after all three acts performed My Time. The ballad, heard for the first time, was composed by Lloyd Webber with US Grammy-winning lyricist Diane Warren. The compo

UK - The festive period saw AV solutions specialist PSP service two very different Christmas events in Birmingham. Despite being very different in content, however, they were united in the large scale, high production values that PSP were required to deliver.

Hall 3 at Birmingham's International Convention Centre saw large format print business SP Group hold its annual Christmas party, with 800 attendees enjoying an event featuring a performance by classical girl band Escala, followed by after-dinner entertainment comprising a set by psychological illusionist Derren Brown and a game show marathon hosted by television presenter Vernon Kay.

The production required a technical crew of more than 50, the set consisting of an LED starcloth backdrop, with LED battens and strips running video effects. Animated graphics were projected on to a central 9.1m wide front projection screen b

UAE - With the global appetite for energy continually increasing, in only its second year the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) has already established itself as a leading forum for change that is becoming more urgent by the year. Held between 19 and 21 January 2009 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 16,820 people from 79 countries visited the WFES exhibition, while 2,634 delegates took part in a conference which featured some of the world highest profile politicians and renewable energy experts.

It was in this latter high pressure environment that a Yamaha M7CL digital mixing console was entrusted with ensuring that every word of each speaker was heard perfectly by both the delegates present and around the world via the media.

Bristol-based Revelation Event Management provided production crew for the conference and appointed Tim Headley to mix the front of house sound. Headl

USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and The ESTA Foundation have announced their annual raffle to benefit Behind the Scenes at the USITT conference. This popular event will be held on 21 March 2009 at the Behind the Scenes booth on the trade show floor of the USITT Conference in Cincinnati, OH. Tickets, which are $5 each or 5 for $20, may be purchased at the booth throughout the show.

Raffle prizes have been donated by: Altman Rentals (ghostlight), Barbizon ($250 gift certificate), Field Template (SoftSymbols and Field Templates), Le Maitre Special Effects (Radiance Hazer), Live Design (Broadway Master Class), Nolan Engineering Services (Seminar by Shawn Nolan), Sapsis Rigging (Safety Seminar by Bill Sapsis), USITT (2010 Conference registration), Utah Shakespearean Festival (3 pair of theatre tickets), Vectorworks (Spotlight with Renderworks), and Vincent Lighting Systems ($250 gif

Denmark - On the evening of 17 January 17th, Danmarks Radio (DR), Denmark's national public service broadcaster, christened its new Concert Hall in °restaden with a series of eclectic concerts, an event that also marked the debut of the building's innovative animated façade.

As opera, classical, jazz, pop and rock resounded through the venue's four studios, the exterior of the building came alive in a mix of light, colour and pattern from Martin Professional Exterior 1200 Image Projectors.

The idea for the flexible façade was created by celebrated French architect Jean Nouvel, designer of the new arts venue. Eight designers, five technicians and creative manager at DR then realised the complex solution.

A total of 34 Martin Exterior 1200 Image Projectors cast colour changing light and moving images onto the building's 14,000sq.m façade.

DR chose Danish companies Mar

Slovenia - Lighting designer Andrej Hajdinjak approached Robe's distributor MK Light Sound to assist in providing lighting for an exhibition of costumes by the country's leading costume designer Alan Hranitelj, staged at the National Museum of Slovenia in Ljubljana.

Hranitelj has been chosen to design costumes for the upcoming Cirque du Soleil show, Macao 2, scheduled to premier in 2010 preceding the grand opening of the synonymous hotel.

"We were delighted to be asked to be involved," says MK Light Sound's Dean Karov, explaining that they have worked on many previous projects with Hajdinjak a leading practitioner in the world of Slovenian theatre and professional lighting design.

The exhibition was lit with a combination of carefully positioned Robe ColorSpot 1200E ATs, ColorSpot 700E ATs, ColorWash 575E AT Zooms and XT Spot 575s. The requirement was to li

UK - Orbital Sound announces that it has been retained to provide a full communications and multimedia infrastructure for OC Events' 2009 iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series, working an enlarged European circuit of venues that will carry through the summer season.

Confirming the appointment, OC Events' event manager, Louise Close, said, "Orbital Sound were excellent throughout the 2008 series and we look forward to working with them again this year."

iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series attracts some of the world's best Olympic, round the world, America's Cup and solo sailors, who go head-to-head on open sea, picturesque lakes and restricted canals. As the action takes place close to shore, the high-octane competition provides a visual spectacle for thousands of spectators.

To match the visual excitement, OC Events realised last year that they need

UK - LiteSwitch is a control interface, conceived with one aim - operational simplicity. Allowing control of up to 96DMX channels and 60 lighting scenes, LiteSwitch can be programmed to create and manage complex lighting environments, yet access to them is so simple; at the touch of a single button.

Additional features such as daylight sensing, PIR (Person In Room) and calendar triggers are all included in the compactLiteSwitch package, ensuring total control of the lighting environment with simplicity. LiteSwitch is designed and manufactured in the UK by Litestructures, and is available through a network of approved distributors.

LiteSwitch is launched at the ARC Show, Earls Court 2, London , this week.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - The Trade Fair Tower in the heart of Frankfurt Main is considered one of the most exclusive and attractive venues in the Rhein-Main region. With eight meeting rooms, two lounges and a bistro, the Trade Fair Tower offers plenty of room for the most diverse events: conferences, roadshows, , main assemblies, incentive events, or after-work parties.

Since the beginning of 2008 PDM Light & Sound has been the official technical supplier to the Frankfurt Trade Fair Tower Service GmbH. PDM manages the existing audio-visual technology already installed in the building, and provides additional equipment and professional support as the need arises.

"We're happy that the Frankfurt Trade Fair Tower Service has chosen us to be their long-term partner," states Fred Jung, managing director of PDM Light & Sound. And Carsten Krause, sales manager for HK Audio Concert Sound a

The Netherlands - Mojo Barriers provided the crowd safety infrastructure required for the Dutch premiere of Valkyrie, the new film starring Tom Cruise. Cruise, who is known for his enthusiasm for greeting fans, often spending one or two hours on the red carpet outside film premieres, required the most robust safety measures for his appearance at Holland's Pathé Tuschinski Cinema, Amsterdam.

Mojo Barriers supplied 30m of aluminium barrier following a specific request for their product to achieve the highest standards of security and crowd safety. The Hollywood star met Dutch fans, signing signatures and constantly reaching over the barrier to shake hands, while crowds remained comfortable in spite of the high turnout.

"The comfort and safety of both the actors and the public was paramount to the organisers of the Valkyrie launch," says Patrick Jordan, ma

USA - Lighting for a concert video shoot featuring Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana performing eight songs to be aired in the promotion of her upcoming album release and mega-hit Disney Channel series was designed by Lee Rose of Design Partners.

Held outdoors before a live - and very vocal - audience at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA, the concert was performed on a full stage set created by Tom McPhillips of Atomic Design . One of Rose's lighting challenges was to add excitement to four pieces of scenery used to surround video columns on the stage. "Tom (McPhillips) had come up with a set design that included four video columns," said Rose. "The surround to each column was a piece of scenery that looked kind of lonely."

Wanting to tie this scenery into the show's colour and movement, Rose positioned six Impression LED moving heads from Elation Pr

UK - PLASA's forthcoming AGM and Members Lunch is expected to attract a strong turnout in June, on the back of another influential year for the organisation.

PLASA's momentum is certainly growing: its membership base is expanding, its range of services is strengthening and its member networking events are increasing, making the AGM and Members Lunch an important event at which members can come together to discuss solutions and approaches to the current situation.

PLASA is highly active at an industry-level too: its political policy continues to give the entertainment and installation technology sectors a strong profile in Government circles and the organisation is about to announce the next stage in its skills strategy, focusing on the development of a portfolio of qualifications designed to enhance the skills-base of the sector.

It is also just a few months away from the la

The Netherlands - Alcons reports a very successful ISE show. Playing on home-turf, many international clients and interested potentials, among which of course many Dutch, stopped-by the stand. Highlights were the CR1 3-way ultra-compact AV / Digital Cinema sound system and the LR7 micro pro-ribbon line-array.

MD Tom Back states: "We participated at ISE three years ago and the attendance and importance of the show has grown significantly, also for us as a sound system manufacturer. The response from our visitors was very positive, although most of them mentioned that they would like to see a more "focused" show lay-out, with a concentrated pro-audio section, making their visit more efficient. Other than that, great show, good meets and leads."

(Jim Evans)

USA - North Carolina-based Stewart Sound first became involved with a Barack Obama's election trail last September and since then have provided impressive sound for several important events.

"It all started with a call from Atlas Group in Raleigh NC," says Stewart Sound's founder Chad Stewart. "Atlas is an event specialist and we've done several things with them since that first call. They needed a PA system for a Democrat Presidential campaign event in Greensboro. Obama was on the election trail at the time, and this was a public event for about 15,000 people.

"We put in a PA composed entirely of d&b audiotechnik Q-Series Q1 loudspeakers. After the event Atlas came to us and said it was the first time at one of these events that they hadn't heard a single complaint; not one heckler in the audience said they couldn't hear what was being said."

By the

UK - Leading UK lighting rental company HSL has made a substantial investment in Robe's new Digital Series products - including 6 DigitalSpot 7000DTs and 36 REDWash 3-192s along with 16 REDBlinder 2-96's - primarily for the Pussycat Dolls' European Doll Domination tour, for which they were specified by LD Scott Warner.

HSL is supplying all lighting equipment and crew for the tour which also includes 60 Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 2500E AT moving lights, 40 Martin Professional Atomic strobes, a 12 way Kinesys automation system with Vector control plus over 60 motors and rigging. HSL also designed and commissioned several pieces of custom metalwork that were fabricated by TFL for the tour which is project managed for them by Mike Oates.

The slick, high-energy show is a colourful and fluid amalgam of classic pop lighting with plenty of attitude and dynamics. Warner makes

UK - British mixer manufacturer, Allen & Heath, has chosen the forthcoming ProLight & Sound show in Frankfurt to unveil a new addition to their portfolio. For the first time in 15 years, Allen & Heath has designed a broadcast console, which will be introduced from the ZED range of small-format USB mixers.

Allen & Heath will also be introducing updates to the new iLive-T Series compact digital mixing system, which can now interface with popular networking standards such as EtherSound, ADAT and Aviom.

The new Xone:22 2-channel analogue DJ mixer will be shown for the first time in Europe, and the increasingly popular ZED-R16 Firewire recording mixer will also be generating interest. Mixers from the whole Xone DJ range will be displayed, including the :D Series of MIDI controllers, and there will be a cross section of mixers from the ZED, MixWizard, GL, iDR and iLive ranges.

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