Trinidad - PR Lighting fixtures have provided the atmosphere at two major festivals in Trinidad & Tobago, where the company's distributors, All Events Lighting Systems were out in force for The Festival - Night of the Stars and Arabian Nights.

All Events Lighting Systems has been working with the promoters of The Festival for the past three years but this year the concept (and the name) changed - and thus they found themselves working with the new format for the first time.

"The promoters wanted a new look to coincide with the change of concept and knew that lighting would was the answer," says the company's owner, Shival Maharaj (who is also the principle LD). "They asked us to prepare a lighting design and offered us the job on the strength of this; we are now the official lighting provider for this event."

For the show, Shival used

France - Waste disposal plants are generally prosaic and functional buildings, but there is always room for being innovative. That's exactly how the lateral thinking members at the Dunkerque City Council in France were thinking when they decided that their local Dunkerque Littoral Pole de Valorisation des Dechets could benefit from some beautification in the form of an architectural lighting scheme.

Locally based electrical contractors SET Space Tertiaire were approached to come up with a plan and a specification. They suggested Anolis LED products would provide the solution.

These were supplied by Anolis's French distributor Ambiance Lumière. SET has used Anolis on a number of other projects.

17 Anolis ArcLine Outdoor Optic 36 strips are utilised, fitted to one side of the building that faces the busy A16 Dunkerque to Paris highway. An additional issue was that the install

UK - Stage Electrics is holding its Great Easter Switch On event on 7 April at the pavilion at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. The launch event, tailored to be of special interest for those responsible for live events, will be a free to attend informal day of product demonstrations and presentations from industry specialists.

At the heart of the programme is the product launch of Stage Electrics' new modular LED screens, designed using the latest advances in electronic engineering and featuring a 145° viewing angle. An AV specialist will be on hand to explain the features and benefits of these screens and provide a full demonstration of the product's capabilities.

The event will also feature a temporary ice rink and presentation from leading ice rink specialists Ice World, a real-time demonstration of SPLNet - a new noise level monitoring unit, and a presentatio

UK - The end of 2008 saw Wembley Stadium host the Race of Champions, which saw leading drivers from across the world of motorsport, including Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and David Coulthard, pitted against each other in identical cars on a specially constructed track. Lighting the way for the drivers was White Light.

White Light had a team of seven at the event, led by lighting designer Jason Larcombe and production electrician Steve Richardson. The White Light team was called upon by the event's producers to provide lighting for the entrance of the cars, in the press area and in the drivers' lounge, working through some quite challenging conditions imposed by both the weather and the building.

"In freezing conditions, we constructed two 5m square, 4.5m high box trusses in the North service road, squeezing the trusses between the concrete pillars

South Africa - The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town is the first in South Africa to purchase a grandMA2 ultra-light, but while they await delivery, a grandMA full-size has been set to work on the production of The Tempest.

"The Tempest was a very large and important project for us, and changing to a new lighting console as we moved onto stage was cause for trepidation," commented production manager Patrick Curtis from the Baxter. "The grandMA, under the capable fingers of Nick Britz from DWR Distribution, responsible for MA Lighting in South Africa, performed faultlessly, and we have had a smooth run ever since."

The Baxter also needed to replace consoles in their Concert Hall. With lighting needs not as demanding, a smaller console was sufficient and they opted for a grandMA pico. "The grandMA pico will form a valuable backup function, altho

UK - MA Lighting has announced the appointment of Philip Norfolk as sales director of MA Lighting UK, with immediate effect. During his many years of experience in the entertainment lighting industry, Norfolk has worked with some of the best technology suppliers in the professional market.

Michael Althaus, managing director of MA Lighting, comments: "Phil is a perfect match for building a common future, especially in view of our mission to provide the brain and central intelligence for every lighting system."

Norfolk adds: "I am overwhelmingly pleased to join the very highest echelon of our industry in the form of MA Lighting. With the control and management of visual mediums becoming ever more integral to the wishes of all types of designers, it is great to be at the forefront of the technology here at MA. With so many new and exciting products and a core philo

UK - Trade distributor Impact Products (Europe) Ltd, has announced that its South London branch, operated by parent company Solutions Group (UK) Plc, is relocating to brand new purpose-built premises in the Belvedere area of Kent.

The move is scheduled to take place during the first weekend of April, in time for the new unit to be open and operational from Monday 6 April 2009. Just 6 miles away from their previous home, the new site is conveniently located just off the A2016 dual carriageway on the Belvedere Business Park.

Ample free parking directly outside the trade counter and warehouse entrances makes stock handling for both collection and delivery much quicker and far more convenient, whilst a much larger storage area means increased stockholding, with a greater quantity of products available immediately from stock.

Commenting on the new premises, Solutions Group sales

UK - High Technology Lighting has teamed up with Keighley Cougars RLFC on a flagship government-funded sustainable technology research project that has the potential to drastically reduce energy usage across the UK.

The Leeds-based lighting design specialist has been chosen as the lighting industry's representative on a project to develop ecologically sound lighting practice across the UK construction sector.

High Technology Lighting chose Cougar Park - home of the Co-operative Championship 1 side - as one of ten high-profile sites across the country in which to install new LED lighting technology.

A total of 26 low-energy LED lights have been mounted in the club's Diamond Suite, lobby and stairwell of the main stand. Extensive end-user validation trials will now be conducted over an 18-month period.

The results will then be submitted to the School of the Built Environment

UK - The Great Easter Switch On Stage Electrics' free launch event, tailored to be of special interest to people responsible for live events, will be an informal day of stimulating presentations and product demonstrations featuring: LED Screens Launch; Temporary Ice Rinks (live demonstration); New SPLnet noise and sound monitor; Health & Safety for live events.

The event will be held at The Pavilion (WH Smith entrance), The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol on Tuesday 7th April between 10.30am - 2.30pm.

Register for this event at the address below.

(Claire Beeson)

USA - Element Labs reports that its Cobra display has been chosen as the preferred LED display solution to replace the existing LED screen at the Hard Rock Live venue at Universal Studios in Orlando. The new COBRA LED screen totals 14.88sq.m and has a (virtual) resolution of 16mm.

The Hard Rock Live, dubbed "Orlando's best concert venue" by performer Elton John, features imposing columns, majestic archways and a grand entrance, as well as all the latest in sound and lighting technology, making it one of the country's foremost performance venues for today's top performers. To maintain its reputation, Hard Rock Café chose to replace its existing LED display with the COBRA.

Installed in cooperation with Message Centers of Fort Myers, Element Labs adds that it was able to deliver and complete the installation well before the deadline of Thanksgiving. "We beli

Denmark - Intelligent lighting manufacturers Martin Professional and JB-lighting have entered into an agreement that allows Martin Professional to market JB-lighting's JBLED A7 moving head fixture in a MAC 301 Wash version.

The mutually beneficial agreement gives Martin the right to market the LED moving head through its extensive global distributor network while JB-lighting gains the benefit of greater international exposure in a fast growing segment of the market.

The JBLED A7 has been well-received in the market since its introduction last fall, including several positive product reviews by both German and international trade magazines. Martin will launch the MAC 301 Wash version at the Pro Light + Sound exhibition in Frankfurt in early April.

Peter Skytte, moving heads product manager at Martin, commented, "We see great potential in this agreement and are pleased to

Denmark - Martin Professional has announced the hiring of Morten Ørnstrand-Søborg as business area manager - clubs and bars at the company's headquarter office in Aarhus.

Ørnstrand-Søborg assumed the position on 1 February with full global responsibility of the business area, which includes defining and executing business area specific strategies and action plans, as well as indentifying new business opportunities. All activities will be managed in close cooperation with Martin's global sales organisation.

Commenting on the new position, Ørnstrand-Søborg said: "Martin, as the leader in dynamic light, has an excellent brand and strong product portfolio with a long reference list from proven jobs. This gives an ideal platform for continued success. Additionally, Martin has a very positive work atmosphere and I'm pleased to be on boa

UK - Worcester Cathedral is the centre of a vibrant community and attracts visitors from all over the world. 80 custom-built PixelPups featuring white only LEDs have recently been installed inside the building. The fixtures all have built-in power/control units and feature 12 white Luxeon (3200k&5600k) LEDs. The mixture of both warm and cool white luminaires highlight the architecture.

The cathedral's head electrician Steve Hughes explains, "The Cathedral is very environmental conscious and the PixelPups have not only improved the lighting, they have also saved us money in running costs. The old lighting system consisted of 120 watt PAR 38s; the PixelPups are only 28W- so far more cost effective and more importantly, it reduces our carbon footprint."

He continues: "We are delighted with the PixelPups and are proud to showcase the latest in architectural LED ligh

Germany - Luminex will be exhibiting their lighting control equipment at Frankfurt's ProLight & Sound exhibition. Luminex will display its latest innovations and enhancements: the New Ethernet-DMX4 MkII and LumiNet Monitor V2 Software.

Launched at the beginning of the year, the Luminex Ethernet-DMX4 MkII is a 4 way ArtNet node that comes with 4 shielded and fully isolated DMX inputs/ouputs, plus all the well known features of the Ethernet-DMX range firmware. The unit can be managed through its front panel, through its built in web site, or through the new LumiNet Monitor V2 software. "The Ethernet-DMX4 MkII offers the reliability and flexibility of Luminex product in a very affordable way."

Visitors will find the company's product range on Focon's booth (Hall 9 - A40), and can visit staff on the Sonoss booth (Hall 9 E86).

(Claire Beeson)

Germany - At ProLight+Sound, Philips will show the latest additions to its FastFit range. With over 50 fixtures, put on the market by 19 different OEMs, the Philips FastFit range has increased greatly since the introduction in 2006.Following therecent launch of two halogen lamps - Philips 750/115 FastFit and Philips 800/230 FastFit, are three new additions. Philips MSD Gold 300/2 MiniFastFit and Philips MSR Gold 700/2 MiniFastFit have expanded the lower wattage group of the seriers. A smaller lamp base, so-called MiniFastFit, is installed to enable the design of even more compact fixtures.

The MSR Gold 2500/2 FastFit lamp enlarges the series of higher wattage discharge lamps. This new high wattage FastFit lamp concept has an arc size of 9.5 mm and an efficacy of 77 lm/W.

(Jim Evans)

USA - When the Professional Bull Riders Tour (PBR) went shopping for some new automated lights, production manager Clayton Cullen and his crew searched for a rugged, reliable fixture that could withstand the dust and dirt kicked up by 2,000-pound bulls - as well as this fast-growing sport's intense 10-month national touring schedule.

They also needed a fixture that could handle the versatility of the PBR's weekly televised competitive events, which are "more akin to a rock 'n roll show with beef," says Cullen. Held in major indoor sports arenas like Madison Square Gardens and the American Airlines Centre in Dallas, the shows are full-scale productions that feature not only cowboys and bull riding, but also music and special appearances by guest artists.

"We never know when a major artist will stop by - or what we'll be doing in our shows. So we have to be very,

USA - Wybron customers can shop for colour changers, luminaires, gelstrings, and more anytime day or night with the lighting manufacturer's new online store.

Launched this week, the online store at www.wybron.com sells Wybron's Coloram IT, CXI IT, and Forerunner colour changers; Nexera LX CMY dichroic colour-mixing luminaires; gelstrings; and accessories such as power supplies, mounting brackets, and cable.

The full line of Wybron products, including such items as the Eclipse mechanical dowser and the Transition fibre optic illuminator, will only be available through the company's distributors or the company's internal sales team.

"We expect that most people will continue to buy Wybron products through dealers," said CEO Keny Whitright. "The store just gives customers and end users another way to research some of our best-selling products from their computers.

UK - The Pub Landlord, Al Murray is in the midst of a year-long sold out stand up comedy tour. Tour manger Adam Booker and lighting director Paul Timmins called upon Bandit Lites in the UK to service their needs for the 2009 live tour campaign. Mick Freer from Bandit handles the daily needs of this production.

Bandit has supplied a collection of PAR fixtures, manfrotto stands, MR 16 ministrips, dimmers, cable and an Avo Pearl.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Wireless Solution Sweden is preparing to show its latest additions to the W-DMX product line at Pro Light + Sound next month. The company will be showing three new products: the W-DMX UglyBox, the W-DMX ToolBox Pro with Dongle, and the W-DMX BlackBox S-2000.

The W-DMX UglyBox which can be attached to a belt with its built-in lanyard connector, measures the presence of DMX, the signal strength, and even a signal strength history monitor to gauge signal stability. The unit is built for rugged conditions and is adaptable for any W-DMX antenna, says the company.

The W-DMX ToolBox Pro with Dongle is Co-Existence software with an antenna calculation tool. The software ensures that the co-existence of multiple wireless protocols remain in harmony.

The BlackBox S-2000, a double universe transmitter, a 19" 1U Rack unit is prepared for ACN Lite, ETC-NET and Strand ShowN

Italy/UK - Clay Paky has confirmed the appointment of Ashley Lewis as regional sales manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Lewis will start in his new position immediately and will be responsible for the broad customer base of Clay Paky in the region, adding value to the existing relationships and providing local support.

Lewis, who has 20 years' experience in entertainment lighting, commented, "I am looking forward to working with such a professional and respected lighting company and I am so honoured to be looking after such a loyal network of quality dealers."

Pio Nahum, international sales director at Clay Paky said: "The creation of this new position happens at a very positive time for Clay Paky and it is part of our strategic plan for providing our customers with a solid support worldwide. I have known Ashley for many years and I respect his competen

USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and The ESTA Foundation announced the results of their joint raffle to benefit the Behind the Scenes programme at the USITT conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A total of $5,236 was raised from raffle ticket sales during the three-day conference, more than doubling the $2500 Challenge Grant issued by Sapsis Rigging. In addition, Jonathan Deull made a $1500 donation to Behind the Scenes in support of the Long Reach Long Riders 2009 charity ride this summer, bringing the total raised at USITT to $9,236.

The winners and their prizes are: Fred Allen - Altman Rentals Ghostlight; Shan Ayers - USITT 2010 Conference Registration; Dennis Booth - Nolan Engineering Services' Structural Master Class; Ed Condit - Martin Light Jockey; Kacey Fisher - Live Design's Broadway Master Class; Ben Gasper - Utah Shakespearean Festival Ticket Package; David Griffith - Sap

UK - The Michael Northen Bursary 2009 will be awarded by the ALD in conjunction with ETC and The Mousetrap Foundation. This prestigious award which is open to all students, and not just ALD members.

The Michael Northen Bursary was set up by lighting designer Michael Northen shortly before he passed away in 2001. It takes the form of a £500 prize awarded to a student who shows exemplary talent in lighting design. The award is to be judged on a project that the student has produced within the past academic year (July 2008 - July 2009). This award was originally made in conjunction with the White Light Bursary and since 2004 the ALD has administered the scheme and organises the presentation of awards as a fitting tribute to Michael who was a founding member of the ALD and a previous President. The fund itself is held by The Mousetrap Foundation, an organisation committed to e

USA - CAD developer Design & Drafting has released LD Assistant 08.5 with sACN support. This allows consoles that support ACN to connect with LD Assistant over a local network. Consoles include those from Electronic Theatre Controls that support ETC's Net3. "I believe that you will see GrandMa, Strand, Pathway, CK and other manufacturers moving to the ACN protocol. With the ease of use that ACN brings to the table, it just makes sense," says Florin Nitu, programmer and VP of Design & Drafting.

Included in the release is an enhanced Jands Vista and Vista PC connection using Art-Net. This connection allows user to connect and operate both Vista PC and LD Assistant 08.5 on the same computer, without needing any dongles.

Other new features include Save Views in any of the three Simulators for quick return, named views support, more moving light profiles, gobos, textures

The Netherlands - XLNT Advanced Technologies has launched the PowerMotion DS8 Pro and Pro Plus Series of solid state motion controllers. The first public showing of the DS8 Series will be at the ProLight&Sound trade show in Frankfurt - with German distributor CAST, C. Adolph & RST Distribution.

Each DS8 motion controller can control up to eight direct or low voltage control chain hoists, and features a Solid State MCB per individual motor/channel plus adjustable maximum power output up to 9 Amps. The highest level of safety and protection is provided by the PL D, ISO 13849-1 and SIL2 compliant Emergency Stop System.

The DS8 Series is available in two types - for direct control and for low voltage control chain motors. Each type also comes in a choice of two versions. The 'Pro' version provides full hoist control for all typical professional rigging applications. The 'Pro Plus'

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