UK - London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall has recently purchased 10 Clay Paky Stage Profile Plus units to add to its existing Clay Paky Stage Zoom 1200 inventory for use in the famous auditorium. Supplied by Clay Paky and Pulsar reseller A.C. Lighting Ltd, these workhorse units will be used to complement all visiting showcase events.

RAH technical manager Mark Jones explains why he chose the Stage Profile Plus: "Due to the diverse nature of the shows in the hall, and the varying distance that the units are from the stage, we were looking for a zoom profile with high light output and overlapping shuttering. After a lengthy product comparison of 1200W shuttering moving head projectors on the market, we chose the SP+ because it is exceptionally bright with good colour mixing, the gobos can be changed easily, it's quiet and most importantly very reliable. The overlapping shut

Australia - When museums in Australia and New Zealand needed lighting animation effects it was to the other side of the world and DHA that they turned. For the new Puke Ariki Museum in New Zealand, a combined library and museum, DHA has supplied 15 Indexing Gobo Rotators, along with 15 power supplies, allowing the museum to create dynamic lighting effects. MJF Lighting in New Zealand supplied the Indexing Rotators.

Another of DHA's products, the Digital Light Curtain (DLC), has been used in Australia regularly, most recently on productions of Mamma Mia and Oliver. The DLC will soon make another appearance in Australia, as part of the new Melbourne production of the hit musical We Will Rock You.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Pulsar's popular LED-based lighting fixture ChromaBank is now 30% brighter than before and the company is offering customers the opportunity to upgrade existing models free of charge.

ChromaBank is a linear light source containing 12 ChromaHearts packaged together. They feature a total of 960 LEDs, with a built in ChromaZone to power and control the unit. The fixture offers numerous internal effects and chases that can operate in stand-alone mode or with an external DMX/PMX controller. The fixtures use very little power and generate minimal heat.

ChromaBanks are ideal for TV, Theatre and Stage applications providing considerable illumination and flexibility. The colour wash effect is flawless on sets and cycs, and particularly effective when installed beneath glass floors or walls. The units are also impressive when hung from trusses and can produce numerous strobing and

UK - Robe UK, exclusive UK distributors for Robe Show Lighting products, recently supplied Rob Smith of event company Robert Lawrence with a variety of Robe moving lights fixtures. The first outing for these was a six-week installation illuminating the Fortesqueue's 'Primary Colours' corporate hospitality structure, located at Lincolns Inn Fields, London WC2 for a full-on summer party season.

Smith utilized 16 Robe 250 washlights in the main area: these were rigged on a 3-metre truss pedestal, paired up and programmed to create a dramatic rainbow wash effect across the entire ceiling of the structure. They were also used to add movement and colour across the room and tables later on. A Robe 575 Scanner was positioned in each corner of the venue to create gobo break-up wash effects reaching up to the roof, and also on the floor and bandstand area. A further four break-up washes w

USA - High End Systems (HES) has introduced ColorCommand, a colour-changing Par/washlight which, the company claims, is unique to the industry. ColorCommand uses a patented colour mixing system that incorporates automated (remote) changing of colour and beam angle control in a fixture that is comparable in cost to a Par can and scroller - but just a fraction of the cost of moving lights.

Positioned as an alternative to Par can or fresnel lighting systems, ColorCommand eliminates the need to manually change lenses or lamps to control beam size or to add gels to change colour. The colour media used in ColorCommand is dichroic borosilicate glass, which won't fade or change colour as a result of use. The ColorCommand dichroic colour mixing system uses a patented design, which incorporates two lenses and three colour wheels. The first lens splits the light into 25 separate beams, whi

USA - ETA Systems introduces the newest model of its high performance line of conditioned power distribution units. The PD11LVSIEC-CE is CE compliant and offers the most complete features package of any PD Series unit. In addition to ETA's unique sequential power distribution system of four power up/down stages of distributed power, other features of the PD11LVSIEC-CE include spike and surge protection; EMI/RFI filtering; IEC 320; power inlet and outlet connectors; rack mountable; digital voltmeter readout; swivel rack illuminator; activated from front panel high/low switch

Circuit breaker overload protection and conditioned and protected power outlet are located on the front panel. Rear panel IEC power inlet and ten outlet connectors are sequentially powered up and off in four stages. The PD11LVSIEC-CE has a total electrical capacity of 2.3kW and 10 amps, from a 230V, 50Hz, sin

USA - American DJ's new DMX Penta Beam features five lasers, each of which produces a different geometric pattern. An intelligent 4.9mW red laser effect, the Penta Beam will send stars, ellipses, circles and other geometric shapes across a club's walls, floor and surfaces. Its five laser beams project out over a wide area, making it a great effect for even large-size venues.

"The Penta Beam is a unique effect, because it incorporates five separate lasers into one compact unit," says Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of companies. "Plus, it's an intelligent laser, so you can do a lot of creative things with it. With its DMX programmability, five separate lasers and wide beam spread, it's a really great effect for clubs that want the excitement of a multi-pattern laser light show, yet also want the ease and economy of a single affordable fixture

UK - US manufacturer Littlite is taking advantage of the boom in LED technology to produce their coolest product yet, the Littlite LED Gooseneck Light - which can be seen for the first time on the Fuzion plc stand at PLASA 2003. 21st century LED technology gives a new impetus to this evergreen product, with advantages including long life, shock and vibration resistance, and cool operation. The LED-based Gooseneck offers even illumination over a wide area (including consoles and control panels); good quality colour rendering (with the addition of red LEDs to the usual white LED sources); switchable red only output (for unobtrusive use), plus long-life and low power consumption.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

USA - Bandit Lites has announced that it will once again be holding free educational seminars for the public at the company's offices in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee. The first seminar, titled Lighting 101 - An Introduction to Production Lighting for Churches is scheduled at the company's headquarters in Knoxville on 9 August, 2003, and will focus on how to most effectively employ lighting techniques to enhance services of worship. The seminar will include demonstrations of a range of equipment, including consoles, conventional lighting and intelligent lighting. There will also be a question and answer session, as well as the opportunity for further discussion.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The Amptown Cases SiP-Plasma Screen insert will make its UK debut at the PLASA Show this September. The insert represents the latest concept in professional flightcase technology for plasma screens. The name SiP represents an innovative development, produced in-house and only available from Amptown Cases.

Each plasma screen is held securely in an innovative moulded rubber insert. The combination of a durable rubber surface and a softer shock-absorbing foam kernel protects the delicate plasma screens during transportation, especially in the event of an unpredictable or extreme impact. Provision within the flightcase can be made for associated accessories such as stands, wall brackets and even speakers where practicable, making it a convenient way of moving these often awkward pieces of equipment around.

Amptown can be found on stand L52 at PLASA.

(Ruth Rossington)

UK - Two years ago, entertainment industry veteran Paul Edwards saw an opportunity to solve a long-term problem. Over the years, he had been frustrated trying to find a vendor to build the quality power distribution and motor control equipment he wanted. And he knew that others in the production world had felt the same way. So he decided to do it himself - and Quantum Energy Devices LLC (QED) was born.

Power distribution represents a major investment that no one wants to think too much about after they purchase it. Quantum Energy Devices' aim is to design and manufacture power distribution products which are well-engineered and well-constructed enough to work reliably and safely day after day in the often adverse environment of the entertainment industry, with a minimum of service. All QED products are fully ETL listed (not just using ETL approved components) and each product is

UK - This year's A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow in Leeds on 15 and 16 July was deemed to be a success by both sponsors and visitors alike, with more than 400 people attending over the two days of the show.

Key highlights of this year's event included the much welcomed addition of new industry seminars, which were well attended and are likely to become a permanent feature of future shows. Also of note was the increased presence and space devoted at this year's show to a host of key audio manufacturers, emphasizing A.C. Lighting's increasing role as a distributor of audio, as well as lighting, brands. Much interest was also aroused by the first industry unveiling of the new Tourspot and Tourwash moving lights and SpectraLite Combi Case products, all available exclusively from the company.

A.C. Lighting's Northern sales manager Jonathan Walters told PLASA Media: "I am please

USA - Six Wybron CXI Mariner colour changers will spend the summer in the great outdoors at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Designed for outdoor use, the Mariner offers the widest array of colors available from a single water-resistant colour changer, say Wybron. Lighting designer Rick Martin chose the CXI Mariner for the repertory light plot because of the live color fades and the array of colours available to the various designers that will use the equipment this summer. Rick Martin has used CXIs on other shows such as Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant at the Henry Miller's Theater and To Kill a Mockingbird at the Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. He says: "The reason I bought the CXIs in the first place, and especially for the Festival, is because of the live colour fades. If I want it a little pinker, I just adjust the scrolls. Designers don't have to have an ex

UK - Described as a 21st century pentecostal church, New Wine Church in Woolwich has carried out a major upgrade to its sound and vision infrastructure. Leicestershire-based Hawthorn Theatrical was awarded the contract, after having impressed with the PA support they provided for the Church's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Divided into three spaces, the three-year-old church includes a small downstairs chapel and community area, including crèche and catering. However, it was the 1,500-seat main room - set within the shell of the Odeonesque art deco church - that Martin Hawthorn's company was asked to upgrade, in order to provide additional functionality.

For sound reinforcement, they selected exclusively Martin Audio components - and provided a cabling infrastructure for future expansion, as well as over 100 ways of audio patching, a 72-channel Allen & Heath ML500) desk, fully-

UK - 600 vessels and ships anchored in Leith Harbour, Edinburgh, in May this year, in preparation for the International Festival of the Sea. Amongst them were magnificent tall ships, working fishing boats, a Viking longship, traditional yachts and high-tech sailing boats.

On land, 12-hours of daily entertainment involving bands, musicians, street performers and storytellers was staged as part of the festival, with each day culminating in a spectacular finale, with an impressive display of music, sound and colour echoing around the Harbour.

Edinburgh-based black light designed, installed and operated the lighting for three of the performance stages, the Scottish Executive building and the nightly finale. The company also installed all the general on-site lighting. Alan Jackson, the company's project manager for the event, told L&SI that to address the wide variety of performers

UK - A new range of Audio Lighting has been developed from leading-edge aerospace technology. The Light Wand Audio range of console and desk lights will be formally launched by Black Cat Music at PLASA 2003.

Evolving from the latest Aerospace LED technologies, the Light Wand Audio range provides even, glare-free light, with a hint of blue, aids concentration and highlights the screen-printing on even the most tired of desks, according to UK distributor, Black Cat Music. The quality of light is achieved by utilizing the patented Beadlight diffusion system, which scatters the light with little attenuation.

The lights, on goosenecks of 6", 12", and18", are available with a choice of connectors. The unique lamp head rotates through 360° which, when combined with the suppleness of the gooseneck, provides a flexibility not seen before in similar products. The units f

UK - UK distributor Miltec is offering a line-up of new products from Ecler, Fal and Pearl River at PLASA 2003. Ecler will be showing two new speakers - the Philos 10" and Philos 15" - as well as the new APA, MPA and PAM range of amplifiers. Also on stand will be the company's complete range of mixers and the Ecler 100 volt line system - Enviro. On display from Italian lighting manufacturer Fal will be a new range of architectural outdoor IP65-rated lighting effects, along with a number of theatre lighting products including followspots and profiles.

Chinese lighting manufacturer Pearl River will be showing its full range of Pilot moving heads, plus architectural lighting for outdoor use, DJ lighting effects for mobile and bar/club use and a new range of LED lighting fixtures.

Miltec can be found on stand C103, and Pearl River on stand D110.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Pearce Hire, specialist lighting and temporary power supplier, provided its services for the Forestry Commission tour this June. The tour, now in its third year, took in five forests (Sherwood Forest, Thetford Forest, Bedgebury Pinetum, Dalby Forest and Dellamere Forest) across the country, for a series of concerts involving Status Quo, Jools Holland, Level 42, the Beach Boys, the Wonder Stuff and Motorhead.

Pearce Hire have been involved with the tour since it began in 2001, supplying the lighting equipment, generators and power distribution systems. Shaun Pearce and the team from Pearce Hire worked closely with David Barrow, production manager for the Forestry Commission and event organizer Mike Taylor, to pull the project together. For this year's event, Pearce provided 20 generators allocated across the five sites, as well as a lighting rig for each stage and site-wid

Belgium - Last Monday King Albert II of Belgium celebrated 10 years of reign with a big outdoor party in Brussels. The event was a huge success; according to the Brussels police more than 45,000 people attended the concerts. On the stage, which was situated in front of the monumental Palace of Justice, 100 Xilver Droplet moving LED luminaires lit the musicians.

The Droplets were placed everywhere on stage between the orchestra and on the catwalk. ETC Source Fours along with VL2Cs, VL5s and VL2200s from Vari-lite, lit the rest of the stage. With the unique Xilver color-combining system (16 million colors) the tiny Droplets could easily match every color from the other fixtures on stage.

On stage, Xilver also placed 12 red LED blinders, made up of 96 Luxeon LEDs, each saturated the stage with red light and strobed extremely fast during the final Dance event of the Kings celebrat

UK - The Victorian magnificence of Glasgow's City Chambers is one of nine important landmarks being spotlighted in the latest phase of the council's £2.6m lighting strategy. The three-year plan, launched in March last year, has already gone a long way towards achieving the council's aim of showcasing Glasgow to the world as a beautiful and vibrant 24-hour city.

A sophisticated combination of light fittings spectacularly illuminates the grand façade and sides of the City Chambers' original 1880s West Building which dominates George Square. Other newly illuminated structures include the George V Bridge over the Clyde, the main Killermont Street entrance of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, St George's Tron Church in Nelson Mandela Place, the historic Tron Steeple in Trongate, and Drumchapel Water Tower.

The city's lighting strategy is being driven forward by council leader, Charles

USA - Since taking the new Vari*Lite Series 3000 luminaires to the bottom of the ocean floor is not recommended, Broadway lighting designer Ken Billington did the next best thing - and used 17 of the VL3000 spot fixtures to create the illusion of aquatic acrobatics for 'Odyssea', which recently opened at Sea World in Orlando. The 25-minute show features aerial acts, contortionists, trampoline acts and a variety of other performers. All the movement is choreographed to give the impression that the performance is taking place underwater.

Billington needed an automated lighting package with a colour system to pull off the illusion. The VL3000 Spot luminaires allow him to create "water" to light the air and scenery. "Most of the activity is supposed to take place underwater," he explained. "So it was a challenge to be able to get water ripples that could cha

UK - It's all go for Bristol-based Stage Electrics with two of their eight branches moving to bigger and better premises. The company's London branch will begin construction of its new bespoke warehouse this month. The new 10,000sq.ft location on Long Lane will replace the Waterloo Road unit. As one of the largest suppliers of technical equipment to the West End and Touring theatre market, the new site will include a demonstrations area, dedicated hire inventory and an impressive range of consumables.

Stage Electrics Exeter is moving too, but not so soon. Having outgrown its Marsh Barton site, it will be relocating, 'just around the corner' to new premises in March next year. The 11,000sq.ft building will, in addition to housing the company's hire and sales kit, contain a custom-built demonstration area equipped with the latest lighting, audio, projection and control equipment.

USA - Kurt Doemelt recently joined Nautilus Entertainment Design as an associate lighting designer, AutoCAD specialist and project manager for both the live production and facility design divisions of the company. He is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and was most recently assistant lighting director for The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California.

Doemelt has a lot of experience having served as a lighting programmer for Princess Cruise Lines, a staff master electrician at The San Diego Repertory Theatre, a shipboard lighting technician and programmer for Carnival Cruise Lines, and a lighting designer for several San Diego theatres, including Asian American Repertory Theatre, New Village Arts, the Fritz Theatre, Euro Trash Productions, and McCaleb Dance.

NED principal consultant Jim Tetlow commented: "This year we are on track to design a

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