General

ACSP technology at Reach Academy Feltham

Details: 14 December 2016

UK - A.C. Special Projects Ltd. (ACSP) has supplied and installed a bespoke entertainment technology system to Reach Academy Feltham - a pioneering, all-through free school for pupils aged four to 18 in Hounslow, west London.

The school approached ACSP with a brief for a fully flexible lighting, video and sound system for its main hall - which is used for a wide array of events, including plays, dance shows, presentations, social functions and workshops. The system had to be user-friendly and intuitive, so that teaching staff and pupils could work it with ease.

In practice, ACSP managed the entire project. As well as devising a bespoke technical solution, the company supplied and installed it - subsequently providing training for school staff and ongoing technical support.

ACSP Director, Lance Bromhead felt that the high-performance ProLights lighting range would offer

Behind the Scenes launches BTS Counselling Fund

Details: 14 December 2016

USA - Behind the Scenes has announced the creation of a new granting programme, the BTS Counselling Fund, which is designed to provide early access to mental health and addiction counselling for entertainment technology professionals by assisting with the associated financial burdens.

Behind the Scenes was approached earlier this year by Karen Sherman with the idea of creating the fund, "I'm a choreographer whose day job is as a stage technician; I've worked both sides of the stage for over 20 years. Stage technicians tend to view themselves as invincible, working as they do in a physically demanding, dangerous industry that shuts them away in a darkened theatre for days, nights and weekends, and through it all asks them to remain unseen and unheard. While depression, anxiety, and substance abuse occur across every profession, many aspects of the stage production industry rein

Theatres Trust launches Urgent Repairs Scheme

Details: 14 December 2016

UK - Theatres Trust has announced an Urgent Repairs Scheme, a new fund set up in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation. Theatres in need of immediate repair and maintenance, and which could otherwise face closure, will be able to apply for grants of up to £15,000.

The scheme is open to all theatres operating a year-round programme of live performance. Theatres that are not statutory listed will need to demonstrate the architectural significance of their building. Two funding rounds will take place in 2017, closing on 15 March and on 16 September.

Interim director at Theatres Trust, Rebecca Morland says, "Over the last few years we have become increasingly aware of the challenges facing theatres in terms of maintenance and repair. When budgets are tight, theatres often find it difficult to prioritise adequate spending on repairs and this leaves them vulnerable to un

The Week in Lighting & Sound

Details: 14 December 2016

Trumped - Sir Elton John will not perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, a spokeswoman for the singer has said. Anthony Scaramucci, a member of Trump's transition team, had told BBC HARDtalk that Sir Elton would perform in Washington DC in January. "Elton John is going to be doing our concert on the mall for the inauguration," Mr Scaramucci said. But this was "categorically denied" by Sir Elton's representative in London. "There is no truth in this at all," she told BBC News.

During the election campaign, Sir Elton had expressed support for Mr Trump's opponent, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Performing at a fundraising event for Mrs Clinton in Los Angeles in October, he was reported to have told the crowd, "We need a humanitarian in the White House, not a barbarian."

Mr Trump had used Sir Elton's songs Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer -

Dick Tee honoured at UK Festival Awards

Details: 14 December 2016

UK - EnTEEtainment's Dick Tee received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Festivals at the UK Festival Awards, London, 28 November 2016.

Over 600 festival professionals headed to The Roundhouse to celebrate the hard work, vision and creativity of the UK festival industry in an award ceremony hosted by DJ and music journalist, Mary Anne Hobbs. Dick Tee was honoured with

The Outstanding Contribution Award which was presented to him by Greenpeace's Bob Wilson, Dick's first client, who said, "This award recognises Dick's consistent high levels of production management across a career spanning three and a half decades in the live events industry. Anyone who has worked with him will recognise he has never been one to rest on his laurels. By always striving for new and better ways to do things, Dick has been bold in introducing a variety of production innovations which hav

Annalise Hodgson joins DWR Distribution

Details: 14 December 2016

South Africa - DWR Distribution has announced the appointment of Annalise Hodgson who will lend a helping hand to Duncan Riley as a much-needed assistant.

Annalise previously worked at sound company Tadco before joining Christie Digital Systems as office manager. Her joined DWR Distribution at the start of December. "It's a great team and I will find my feet, once I've done the filing," she says. "I am so excited to be here."

Duncan Riley adds, "It's an honour and a privilege to have Annalise as part of our team. I wish her many happy years. I'm hoping that her input will mean I can spend more time with my family."

(Jim Evans)

The Week in Lighting & Sound

Details: 14 December 2016

Diplomatic Spat - South Korean pop stars appear to have become pawns in an escalating diplomatic spat between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an American missile defence system.

Entertainers from the colourful Korean music scene, K-pop, have been mysteriously barred from entering China to perform, Korean TV shows and films have been blocked, and actors replaced by Chinese stars in advertising campaigns, say local press reports.

Wembley Bound - Adele has added two further dates at Wembley Stadium next year, after the initial concerts sold out. Dubbed The Finale, the four shows will see her play to more than 300,000 fans as she wraps up her world tour. The new shows will be on 28 June and 2 July, 2017, with tickets on sale from 7 December to members of her fan club.

Take That hold the record for playing the most dates at Wembley, having staged eight night

DWR establishes freelancers' charity

Details: 14 December 2016

South Africa - DWR is setting up a charity organization aimed at freelancers. When freelancers fall ill, injure themselves or sometimes even pass away, it puts their family under immense pressure.

This charity will hopefully help a few people, on a merit basis, with basic assistance. This can either be in the form of helping to pay for school fees for a few months, maybe cover the rent, or providing grocery hampers. Each case will be submitted to the charity where a board will decide who we can assist and how.

Says DWR, "At the end of each year, DWR Distribution usually take pleasure in giving our clients gifts. This year, instead, we will use the money we would have used to buy presents to kick start the charity. It's something we believe will make a difference to someone who may find themselves in trouble when times are low. DWR will initiate the charity by donating R150

Power specialist targets Australian market

Details: 14 December 2016

UK / Australia - Power distribution specialist, ide Systems, is branching out to Australia with its range of British-made power distribution equipment. The equipment includes distribution units, transfer switches and power cables for sectors that need temporary power such as events and exhibitions, construction, healthcare, industrial and offshore.

The company started the expansion with its recent delivery of an Australian order for a range of bespoke 400A power distribution boards. Ide Systems responded with the prompt delivery of the customised product. The client chose ide Systems specifically because of its high-quality products made in Britain and its reputation across the UK.

The company has adapted many of its electrical products destined for the Australian market, such as using the red, white, dark blue and black colours for power cable insulation. With 22 year

PSL Power Amplification

Details: 14 March 2016

PSL Power Amplification has had to move to larger premises to accommodate the growing demand for the ever popular KA range of professional power amplification. PSL sales can be contacted from the following address: Unit15, Kingswood House, South Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8JF.

PLASA Assists With Theatre Technology Documentary for BBC

Details: 14 March 2016

Earlier this year, PLASA was involved with the making of a BBC Radio 4 documentary series, covering the development of theatre technology from the earliest days to the present. PLASA's managing director, Matthew Griffiths, took part in interviews with the research team, excerpts from which are used in the series. The first episode was broadcast on Tuesday 21st September from 11.30am - 12.00pm, and the eight-part series will continue at the same time each week.

Leisuretec Listings 2000

Details: 14 March 2016

Leisuretec, distributor of professional sound, lighting and special effects, has published its latest brochure - the listings 2000. The publication includes its unique product/brand cross reference pages along with pricing on the massive product range that it distributes to dealers and installers in the UK worldwide. For a copy call 01525 850085.

PLASA 99 - the Hub of the Leisure and Entertainment Industry

Details: 14 March 2016

Confirming its position as the world's leading entertainment and leisure technology exhibition, this year's PLASA show had 13,574 visitors (subject to ABC audit). Of this total, nearly a quarter were from overseas. Exhibitors at the show were in a buoyant mood, noting an increase in actual sales during the four-day event with an improved power to buy among visitors. The PLASA show saw the highest ever number of exhibitors bringing the latest innovative products to be launched by the industry.New innovations included feature areas highlighting the expanding market for architectural lighting in a like for like comparison and a new style of display equipment area (sponsored by AV Magazine) which allowed the visitor to compare product in a realistic environment.Also new was the introduction of training workshops, and an expanded seminar and conference programme, which were all a great succes

Events Companies Merge

Details: 14 March 2016

Three of the industry's leading event management companies have just announced that they are to merge. Business Pursuits Event Management, The Ultimate Experience and Richard Groves Catering and Events have been in discussions for the last six months with a view to integrating their operations to form a new £10m plus turnover group that will be uniquely positioned in the UK events market.

Starlite Classics

Details: 14 March 2016

3D Productions, the Leeds based company specialising in Lighting Sound and Staging has just taken delivery of six Starlite Mk 5s purchased from Lane Lighting. The units went out immediately on 'Classical Fantasia at the Abbey' an outdoor classical spectacular at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds with the Northern Ballet Concert Orchestra. On their return they will be used at Harrogate Theatre in ' Jack to a King ' by LD Paul Collie.

Neville Druce

Details: 14 March 2016

Neville Druce, founding director of Audio Engineering, the London-based manufacturer of Micron radio microphone and communication has died following a long illness. His expertise in broadcast research and development resulted in the original Micron radio microphone, produced in the early 1970s, and he was responsible for a major part of the company's subsequent product designs, including contributions to the recently-launched 100-channel 700 Series.

HSE Launches Health & Safety Guidance

Details: 14 March 2016

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has worked with organisations across the music and events industry to update its guidance on health and safety at pop concerts and other similar events. The Event Safety Guide - A guide to health, safety and welfare at music and similar events (which replaces the Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Pop Concerts and similar events) is aimed at organisers of everything from major outdoor festivals with thousands of visitors to local concerts for just a few hundred people. The main changes cover more advice on the planning and management, and the guide also outlines how to carry out a risk assessment.

Tour News

Details: 14 March 2016

Metallica will be performing in Berlin on the 18th/19th of November. Appearing with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the LD will be John Broderick. The Nine Inch Nails have just announced a five week tour - rehearsals commence late Oct for two weeks, then they're out from the 10th Nov. Roy Bennett designs, Gary Westcott operates. Despite reports in National newspapers that she's having trouble with her voice, Whitney Houston has extended her current tour of Europe until 11th Nov. LSD provide all bar moving lights. Simon Miles designs, Telson James operates. Bryan Adams has also extended due to overwhelming demand. The tour now runs until 10th December. The Pet Shop Boys will open their latest tour in the US at the start of November. Their first in over four years, they have once again employed an architect Zaha Hadid (a female with a reputation to rival Sir Richard Rogers) to design the. L

Hawthorn & Gaudeamus!

Details: 14 March 2016

Leicestershire-based Hawthorn Theatrical has supplied lighting, sound and projection equipment for a major production which marks the start of a Millennium celebration of 1,000 years of village life. The show, which involves 200 local villagers including a cast of 70, has been two years in the making and has been playing to packed audiences at St. Mary's Church, Goudhurst, Kent. Lighting designer Nick Gale used a mixture of MAC 500s and 600s for Gaudeamus!, along with StageScans, to complement the generic rig which included Selecon's pacific luminaires. One of Hawthorn's Avolites Pearl consoles was used to control the show's 200+ cues. Also supplied was a Martin Audio Wavefront sound system and Denon MiniDisc machines, overseen by an Allen & Heath mixer front-of-house.

BSS Move Next Door . . .

Details: 14 March 2016

Following a record sales year for BSS Audio, the company is moving from their Linkside House premises in Potters Bar to the neigbouring Cranborne House. While the company's production facilities are already located at Cranborne House, the R&D sales, marketing and administration departments are relocating to the more spacious premises with immediate effect.The company's new address is Cranborne House, Cranborne Road, Cranborne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JN, UK.

Entertainment Technology on the Move

Details: 14 March 2016

DJ equipment manufacturer Entertainment Technology, part of the Leaf Group, is moving to new premises. By 1st December the company's offices, warehousing and R&D will be situated under one roof at Unit 21, Warner Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2YW, UK.

Cyril Griffiths

Details: 14 March 2016

Cyril Griffiths died after a short illness on September 30th. He will be known to many in the industry having spent 42 years in the business, starting in 1948 at the Phoenix Theatre, later going on to work as group engineer and subsequently technical director for 13 Stoll Moss Theatres. He also established TSL - one of the key suppliers of lighting and sound equipment to the West End which was bought by the White Light Group in 1991. The funeral takes place on Friday 8th October at Putney Vale Crematorium, London.

AES Exhibitor Grants

Details: 14 March 2016

The APRS will act as a sponsor of the Joint Venture with British Trade International for the 108th AES Convention (19-22 February 2000) in Paris. UK exhibitors receive 60% of their space and construction expenses up to a ceiling of £2,300 and are eligible to exhibit with Government funding at AES Europe events twice within any given ten-year period, irrespective of where the exhibition is held. In addition to the Government funding, companies that have never exhibited previously on a UK delegation will receive a complimentary research package from British Trade International giving special pointers as to where to find export-related help, advice and information which should assist with their exporting efforts to the whole of Europe.

C Audio Relocate

Details: 14 March 2016

Expansion has forced amplification specialist, C Audio, to vacate its Potters Bar premises at Linkside House in favour of larger capacity at Cranborne House situated opposite on the Cranborne Industrial Estate. While production has been taking place at the larger building for some time, C Audio will now streamline its R&D, sales, marketing and administration departments in the one building with immediate effect. The new address for C Audio is: Cranborne House, Cranborne Road, Cranborne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JN. Tel: (01707) 643643.

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