UK - Roscolab Ltd is proud to have supported the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund with its recent sponsorship of Philip Norfolk of MA Lighting who, along with a team of 10 led by PSA's Andy Lenthall, ran the Bath Half Marathon at the beginning of March.

President Mark Engel and senior sales manager UK, Paul de Ville, each pledged £150 on behalf of Roscolab USA and UK respectively, towards sponsoring the runners.

"When Phil approached us and said he was to attempt a Half Marathon on behalf of the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund, I told him that only people over a certain age would know what he was talking about and that I would normally eat the whole thing!" says Paul de Ville. "However, when he explained that he was actually referring to a sponsored run and outlined the work that the Fund does, we felt it was a very worthwhile cause and pledged our support imme

Italy - Martin luminaires again play a leading role in Giovanni Pinna's lighting design for the latest Vasco Rossi tour. Vasco, Italy's most popular singer-songwriter, is playing dates across Europe beneath a large Martin rig of 41 MAC 700 Profiles, 27 MAC 700 Washes, 16 MAC 2000 Washes, 10 MAC 2000 Performances, 16 Stagebar 54s and 38 Atomic 3000 strobes. All Martin gear was provided by Limelite of Rome.

"The Profiles and Performance are the only spots on the show so they are very busy in all cues and placed to give me full coverage of stage, scenery and audience," explains Pinna, who has served as Vasco's LD for years.

Pinna has the wash fixtures well integrated as backlight for the band with washes along with MAC 700s dedicated to lighting scenery, a big part of the show. The Martin Stagebars are rigged over the audience in clusters of 8x2 along with MAC 700 Washe

UK - The famous, late Victorian Coronet Theatre in South London may have had something of a chequered history, but under the management of Blackfriars' newly-created Blackfriars Promotions, the 2,500-plus capacity venue has undergone a massive refurbishment to support an aggressive in-house events programme, including a serious production upgrade based around GLP's new Impression 120 RZ zoom.

Ten of the new LED fixtures have been provided as part of a comprehensive lighting upgrade by Southampton-based GLS Lighting, who have been servicing the Coronet's lighting requirements for a number of years.

With the ownership of The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, Blackfriars has built a strong reputation, and The Coronet's head booker Mike Weller says, "Since we are now starting to get recognized as one of the major players in the 2000-plus club/midsize venue market, we need

Canada/Germany - BlackBox from CAST Software has added three new partners filling the categories of media server, stereoscopic camera and network technology.

The first Alpha version will be debuted during ProLight&Sound, and the system is already in preliminary specifications for some major upcoming productions, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

After a round of successful demonstrations and high-quality reviews following PLASA and LDI, Coolux, Magna BSPand SAND Network Systems have joined the ranks of the BlackBox current partner network.

Coolux Media Systems, with locations in the USA, Germany and China is the producer of the Pandora's Box media and show control system.

Magna BSP of Israel is the producer of BiScopic Protection, a high performance stereoscopic vision sensory system for the detection of perimeter intrusion.

SAND Network Systems,

UK - Two mainstays of the London performing arts scene have upgraded to SHoW DMX. The Royal National Theatre and the English National Opera have both added extensive new SHoW DMX wireless DMX systems to their permanent lighting inventories.

The English National opera had an inventory of City Theatrical WDS wireless data system transmitters, receivers, personal dimmers and 15A single channel dimmers. The personal dimmers are used in smaller pieces where a full sized receiver and dimmer wouldn't fit. The equipment is moved from show to show in the rep season at the ENO.

In their upgrade, the ENO purchased a new SHoW DMX transmitter and receiver and also upgraded their existing receivers and personal dimmers to SHoW DMX. "It was a very cost effective way for us to upgrade our current system to the latest in wireless dimming technology," says the ENO's senior lighting te

Germany - Wireless Solution Sweden is unveiling its latest development in wireless DMX control during ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt this month.

The new G4 BlackBox is able to repair corrupted data and vouches for maximum security, by running on dual band and creating a backup duplicate of the signal. This new standard is transparent and works with several protocols, creating extreme flexibility and reliability without need for additional controllers or software, says the company.

The G4 product line has new features including Adaptive Frequency Hopping technology for peace of mind when using other radio products, W-DMX invisi-wire and data-safe technologies, and support of RDM so units can be configured remotely with no fuss or cables. W-DMX G4 is the only product on the market to support the 5.8GHz band, ensuring that even if the 2.4GHz band becomes too crowded with other users

USA - Los Angeles' KABC-TV's live pre-Oscar broadcast On The Red Carpet gave viewers an up-close look at Hollywood's biggest stars as they arrived at the movie industry's premier event. Right alongside these luminous celebrities were some 'bright newcomers' making their first appearance at this year's Academy Awards show - Elation Professional's ELAR 108 RGBW LED par cans.

Lighting designer Richard Brown (Architectural Media Design) used six ELAR 108 RGBW units as key lighting to illuminate On The Red Carpet hosts Michelle Tuzee and Marc Brown and their guests during the broadcast. The Elation lights were also used for a live post-Academy Awards show produced by KABC. The ELAR 108 RGBW is an indoor/outdoor IP65-rated par can containing 36 3-watt red, green, blue and white LEDs.

A longtime lighting consultant for KABC, Brown said he decided to switch to the LED-po

Germany - Visual Productions will be showing Cuelux software lighting control running on Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Ubuntu Linux at ProLight&Sound.

The Mac computers will highlight Cuelux' Plug&Play MIDI feature, including connection to a Behringer BCF2000 MIDI desk with motorized faders: a suitable package for any LJ / DJ or Club to use.

The Windows version will be running on a touch screen computer showcasing the true nature of this touch screen designed software.

The Linux system will run the stand lighting which consists of a number of Lightcraft LED fixtures supplied by VP's German distributor LMP Lichttechnik.

Visual Productions will also be showing new hardware at the show. A new version of the DIN Rail DMX Splitter now features RJ-45 connectors. This further reduces the time required for an installer to create DMX networks on site.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Fibre Optic Systems (FOS) has recently completed the stylish illumination of the Odeon cinemas' northern flagship venue at Odeon Metrocentre, Gateshead. FOS worked in alliance with Leeds-based contractor, Morfitts, and all products were supplied via the city's Litetask to a very tight schedule.

Morfitts won the contract based on the success of a previous Odeon refurbishment and competitive pricing. Morfitts' project manager, Tony Horsman, explains: "We contacted Fibre Optic Systems because we've worked with them before and we know we get a good service from them and reliable back up whenever we need it. It was a very tight schedule, so we had to pull all the stops out with everybody to deliver - that is why we used suppliers and manufacturers we could trust implicitly."

The newly built cinema features a LED-illuminated, glass staircase which dominates the foyer

USA - Billy Elliot, the musical which has become a success in London, Sydney and New York, is set to go worldwide this year, with shows in Korea and Chicago already agreed. By the end of 2010 there will also be a touring production moving to a different US city every three or four weeks.

Until now, productions have always included set pieces which revolve and emerge through trap doors, requiring extensive digging through the floor of theatres, which will not be possible on tour, so the set has been suitably modified. Lighting designer Rick Fisher also took the opportunity to consolidate some of the lighting on the show. He explains, "We needed to be able to keep the get in and get out times as short as possible, so that the first performance in a new venue could be within the week of moving.

"We've packaged the lighting to stay on the trusses as far as possibl

China - The founders and owners of Czech Republic based lighting manufacturer Robe Lighting - Josef Valchar and Ladislav Petrek - have invested in a new LED screen manufacturing startup - Vuepix - together with Australian entrepreneur Cuono Biviano, the owner of sales and distribution company ULA.

The Vuepix factory is based in Shenzhen, China, and the new brand will be distributed globally through another new company, Visual Lighting Solutions. This will provide general distribution and service of the new LED screens manufactured in China via Robe's worldwide dealer network.

Valchar states, "We have been keeping a careful eye on the convergence of the mediums of lighting and video over the last five years, and have already brought a number of highly successful Robe 'digital lighting' products to the market. With this trend of integration very much 'ongoing', the next log

Mexico - Mexico City and Monterrey were the targets for MA Lighting Latin America to present the brand new grandMA2 as well as share the knowledge of the new console series. 70 people from the entertainment industry were attended the events, with Audio Systems and Serpro receiving training in Monterrey and new Mexican MA Lighting dealer Showco trained in Mexico City.

MA Lighting's regional sales manager Daniel Ridano comments: "Our guests were very keen to know more about the grandMA. Networking, full-tracking-backup-mode fiber optics e.g. are concepts not very well known and are even quite new in Mexico - and concepts which MA has developed to perfection. The flexible and sophisticated hard- and software raised a few eyebrows and was received with enthusiasm."

(Claire Beeson)

On Broadway - A musical celebrating musician Ray Charles will open on Broadway in November, it has been announced. Unchain My Heart will be produced by Stuart Benjamin, who also made the 2004 Oscar-winning movie Ray which starred Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx. The musical was originally staged at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2007 with the title Ray Charles Live! A New Musical. The Broadway cast has yet to be unveiled. In 2004, Foxx was named best actor at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of the late musician, who was a pioneer in the genre of soul during the 1950s. The film also won the Oscar for sound mixing.

Performing Rights - The royalties that UK songwriters, composers and music publishers get from online sales are growing faster than the decline from CDs and DVDs. That is the finding of PRS for Music, the not-for-profit body which ensures such gro

Belgium / Germany - Five new products will make their ProLight&Sound début as ADB Lighting continues to expand its product range.

The list is headed by the ALC4 modular LED Cyclorama light, previewed at IBC 2009, which has already been specified in large numbers for the current Jean Michel Jarre European tour as well several major television studios. The first Cyclorama fixture of its kind, the ALC4 is capable of providing over 1m shades of colour, including pure yellow and soft ambers, for extra ease of use the ALC4 provides seven user-selectable white light presets from 2700K to Daylight 6500K.

The Warp Daylight Follow Spot, a versatile Follow Spot version of the standard Warp Daylight fixture, has been developed in response to market demand by ADB Germany.

Also showing is the full production version of ADB's new flagship dimmer, EurodimTwin Tech, which allows users

USA - The BankAtlantic Center (BAC) in Sunrise, Florida is using dynamic visuals from Martin Professional to enhance the fan experience and expand the venue's marketing platform with the added benefits of attracting larger crowds and ultimately greater revenue.

BAC is a state-of-the-art, 20,000 seat capacity arena that is home to the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League, as well as the Lingerie Football League's Miami Caliente. The venue also hosts a number of other major events every year.

The expanding cost of stadiums and arenas necessitates keeping the seats full by maximizing the marketability of a venue. But with other high profile teams like the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, Miami Heat and several top college teams in the region, not to mention great weather and endless beaches, BAC has a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar.

"Martin solut

USA - The versatile COLORado 1-Tri Tour from Chauvet features 14 high power 3W tri-color LEDs to allow colour mixing in each LED rather than the fixture as a whole. All diodes stay on continuously to produce a more vibrant and even colour without multi-coloured shadows.

Colour temperature presets range from 3,200 K to 10,000 K. Five distinct dimming curves provides improved, smoother dimming.

The COLORado 1-Tri Tour responds to three, four, five or 10 channels of DMX control. It provides a nearly limitless colour range, from rich vivid hues to delicate pastels. RGB colour mixing can be performed with or without DMX. Vector Speed provides smoother colour changes. The output is a bright 1,600 lux @m. Additional features include an LED display with password protection, a gel frame holder and PowerCon connectors for power in and out as well as direct DMX connectors.

The luminair

USA - Lighthouse, TS Sports and the Pawtucket Red Sox are set to provide PawSox fans with a major league video experience from the comfortable minor league atmosphere of Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium.

The incoming Lighthouse LED video screen is two-and-one-half times the size of the outgoing board, and will provide the PawSox faithful with a video experience generally reserved for watching Boston Red Sox games on NESN.

"Lighthouse is pleased to be a part of McCoy Stadium's continuing improvements," said Ed Whitaker, Lighthouse N.A.S.A director of sales. "Our LED video technology and experience is a perfect match for the Pawtucket organization's tradition of excellence."

Completely overhauled in 1999, McCoy Stadium is now considered by minor league insiders as perhaps the most fan-friendly minor league park in the country. Lighthouse's new Pi20-FRA 20mm LED vi

Germany - The Compulite team will be displaying at ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt with Feiner Lichttechnik, Compulite's German distributor.

On display will be the new compact and powerful Vector Violet and Vector Ultra Violet. The Vector Violet line offers the power, versatility and flexibility of the Vector consoles in a sleek, compact and affordable packaging, says the company. Also showing will be the new 3.18 Beta 'candidate release' software.

The Compulite and Feiner teams will be on hand to answer any questions as well as demonstrate the full capabilities of these consoles.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Cree has announced the commercial availability of the award-winning XLamp XP-G LED in warm- and neutral-white colour temperatures (2600 K to 5000 K CCT). These new XP-G LEDs extend Cree's highest level of light output and efficacy across the white colour spectrum, driving general lighting applications such as LED replacement lamps, outdoor area and commercial luminaires.

The warm white (3000 K) XLamp XP-G provides up to 114 lumens and 109 lumens per watt at 350 mA. Driven at 1.0 A, the XP-G warm-white produces up to 285 lumens at 84 lumens per watt, which is four times the light output than the highest available XLamp XR-E warm-white LED at equal efficacy.

The neutral-white (4000 K) XLamp XP-G provides up to 139 lumens and 132 lumens per watt at 350 mA. Driven at 1.5 A, the XP-G neutral-white produces up to 463 lumens, which is four times the light output of the XLamp XR

UK - The second biennial conference of the Schools' Theatre Support Group (STSG) was held on Saturday 20 February at Rugby School in Warwickshire. The STSG was founded in 2005 for technicians, designers, managers and teachers working in school or college theatres. The Group has over 100 members from independent and state schools, colleges and universities around the country, allowing members to share ideas and problems, as well as raising awareness of school theatre work amongst fellow professionals.

The conference was organised by Paul Durose of The Leys School, Cambridge, and was hosted by Rugby School. The event was generously sponsored by White Light, Philips Selecon, Showcomms, A.C. Entertainment Technologies, Zero 88 and Stage Electrics, with workshops run by KV2 Audio, Philips Selecon and Showcomms.

Brian Attwood of The Stage newspaper chaired an open?forum session, in

Belgium / USA - Barco has acquired the products, intellectual property (IP) rights and know-how of Element Labs, an LED video systems expert based in Santa Clara, California. With a focus on mid-end market requirements in rental, staging and fixed installations, the Element Labs products complement Barco's existing high-end product range.

Through this transaction, Barco strengthens its position as a leading provider of LED, projection, image processing and lighting products. This comprehensive product portfolio allows Barco to serve customers with different budget levels in the media and entertainment market. Barco will not book any goodwill on this transaction.

"This expands Barco's portfolio for the mid-range markets," Eric Van Zele, Barco's president and CEO, comments. "Element Labs' products in these markets have proven their worth on many occasions and perf

UK - Lighting rental company HSL and automation specialist Kinesys recently collaborated to stage a two-day Technical Training Workshop on Kinesys' systems at HSL's HQ in Blackburn.

Designed to work as a one or two day course to suit all levels of interest, the response was "extremely positive", and all the places were filled predominantly with working riggers. Some also had lighting experience and were keen to further their knowledge of the system from a creative production angle so automation can be worked in to future visual designs.

HSL's Mike Oates was delighted with the results. "We'll definitely be running further Kinesys training in the future. The demand for knowledge is certainly there and we could have filled this course over again with no problem. I also feel very confident that I now have access to a pool of crew who understand the workings and capa

USA - Electronic rock and worship group David Crowder*Band from Waco, Texas recently completed their Church Music Tour beneath a Martin rig with a Maxxyz PC/MaxModule control setup.

"I have always been very interested in the Maxxyz consoles and had some hands on with the full size Maxxyz a few years back at Daystar television network. I loved how the console programmed and ran," stated Cory Fournier of Dallas, Texas, who at only 19 was hired as the tour's lighting director and also handled programming and lighting op duties on the tour.

Fournier LDed for the band during the summer of 2009 and came across many of the industry's top lighting consoles on that tour including Martin's Maxxyz Compact.

"I used them all and they did the job just fine but the Maxxyz stood out the most," he said. "We had been planning for the fall tour and I decided to

USA - Belfast-based lighting rental company Production Services Ireland (PSI) has made its first investment in Vari*Lite moving lights with the purchase of 12 VL2500 Spots.

These were specified by LD John Gallagher for the All Ireland Talent Show, the second series of which is being shot on Stage B at Ardmore Studios outside Dublin and broadcast live every Sunday evening on Ireland's RTE1.

PSI had been considering Vari*Lites for some time explains PSI's Brian Reilly, due to an increasing number of requests for them from designers. "As a premium brand, we wanted to start building a stock, so when John specified them for the Talent Show, it made sense rather than cross-hiring." He adds that he thinks that Vari*Lites will also compliment their existing extensive stock of Robe moving lights very well

Many features have impressed him about Vari*Lites, in p

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