South Africa - "When I first looked at The Durban Playhouse Company tender we'd won, I had to wonder if we would complete it," says Dan Riley, head of sales for Philips Distributor in South Africa, DWR. "It was a major job and the client had put in clauses stating that the theatre could not close and that shows must go on as normal. A tall order given DWR had been commissioned to change all the dimmers in the building! However I'm delighted to be able to say that the DWR boys pulled it off, on time and on budget."

DWR's Bruce Riley headed up an installation team that included JC Du Plessis, Gedeon Mpofu and Michael van Dyk. "The installation comprised: 11 x Philips Strand EC 21 96 way dimmer racks with full reporting capabilities, explains Riley. "Six have been installed in the Opera Theatre (originally they were MCM Dimmers), four in the Drama Thea

France - LumenRadio and Philips Electronics lit up the Black Eyed Peas during a three-day event at the Stade de France as part of the group's The Beginning tour. The 80,000 capacity stadium was filled to capacity all three nights.

Fergie and the rest of the Peas wore costumes developed to showcase Philips latest LED and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology and incorporating LumenRadio's CRMX wireless technology. The costumes were designed by Philips Lighting's chief design officer, Rogier Van der Heide in cooperation with B. Åkerlund, the Black Eyed Peas Los Angeles based lead costume designer & stylist, who has frequently working with music acts ranging from Lady Gaga to the Rolling Stones.

Rogier Van der Heide, and his design team in collaboration with the BEP production team developed the technical concepts and facilitated the practical integration of the

Australia - The Australian Institute of Music has grown into a major player in education and training for the Australian music industry, performing arts and entertainment management fields. Recently this industry institution purchased two ETC Element consoles - one for the Pilgrim Theatre Sydney, for their Dramatic Arts programme, replacing the Jands 48 channel ESP, and one for their multipurpose 220 seat auditorium in Foveaux Street replacing a Theatrelight Scenemaster 24.

The ETC Element control console is designed expressly for modest rigs and maximum hands-on fader control. It is based on ETC's Eos control operating system but with a simplified feature set in an all in one package.

Jands conducted a training day for the students, with Rod McKinnon at the helm, and students were amazed at how quickly they could learn to operate the ETC Element console.

"The training

USA - Acuity Brands is introducing the newest Pathway Connectivity DMX-over-Ethernet product, the Pathport Quattro. This product provides real-time, interoperability solutions between sophisticated lighting control systems. A compact, four-port node, the Pathport Quattro product runs on Power-over-Ethernet, making it suitable for truss, desktop or wall mount installation, as well as 19" rack mounting. Recently acquired by the company, Pathway designs and manufactures electronics that enable lighting control systems to communicate with intelligent lighting fixtures and power devices, even when those products utilize different communications protocols.

Like other members of the Pathway Pathport family, the Quattro supports all standard DMX-over-Ethernet protocols, including E1.31 streaming ACN, Strand Shownet, Art-Net and Pathport Protocol. It also provides an E1.20 Remote De

USA - Italian lighting manufacturer LDR will celebrate the sale of its 1000th Canto followspot in the US market next week at the annual LDI tradeshow.

LDR introduced the Canto followspot to the US market thorough Ballantyne Strong in 2006. Five years on, and 1000 units later, the Canto followspot has set a new standard in the medium-throw followspot professional market, says the company.

"A special thanks goes to Paul Rabinovitz and John Luhrs from Ballantyne Strong and to all of the Strong team that has contributed to reaching this milestone " says LDR's co-founder Fabiano Besio. "With all the positive feedback from the US market, we are inspired to continue with further improvements to the existing models and to study new ideas for us to provide to our valuable customers new solution for their future lighting challenges."

To see who is honoured for sell

Albania - Ermal Gashi, owner of Diesel Hall in Tirana, was looking for a cost effective but high-quality wall-grazing fixture to dress up his popular bar-lounge. The fixture would need to include a colour mixing system and be able to project effectively up to three metres.

Kliton Gjika, sales manager at Prosound, Martin Professional's distributor in Albania, suggested the Martin Easypix linear strip light to fulfill the task.

Twelve Easypix wallwashers were installed to light the venue's interior façade in a variety of shades. The illumination, which complements naturally the surrounding architecture and interior, has created a more luxurious environment and lifted the venue visually.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Nick Gray of London- based creative lighting practice Renegade designed lighting for the main British Fashion Council (BFC) space in Somerset House and other rooms, along with numerous off-site shows in one of his busiest Fashion Weeks to date.

The off-site shows included Mulberry, Julien Macdonald, Temperley, Emilio de la Morena, Hardy Amies, Rocksander and others, all staged in an assortment of venues from Claridges Hotel to the British Museum atrium - engaging Gray and his team in a relentless week of activity - utilising four main lighting rental supplies - Neg Earth, Panalux, Shok London and White Light and over 50 crew.

Gray brought his own style and creative edge to the proceedings, together with his very individual approach of treating each space as a special environment into which the lighting and production should blend and harmonise.

For the BFC Tent at Somer

UK - Up For Hire, the live interactive show about unemployment and job seeking, hosted by Richard Bacon and Tina Daheley, aired on BBC3, invites Industry experts to share their knowledge and each episode a celebrity guests comes in to share their stories too. Alongside this, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills will also be running an Up For Hire theme in the breakfast show.

Roger Williams designed the lighting supported by Richard Martin Lighting (RML). Alpha Beam 300's are the main focus of the show. The rig is completed with Robe Robin 600 LED Wash's and a small LED package provided by EasilyLED.

(Jim Evans)

Ireland - Production Services Ireland (PSI) energised its Northern and Southern Irish facilities in a massive operation to provide lighting, rigging and technical services for the 2011 Arthur Guinness Day celebrations.

This featured multiple events worldwide and in Ireland, incorporating major live stages in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Limerick - plus a myriad of organically flowing pub-based live music gigs and celebrations in all those towns and throughout the entire country.

The main venue for the whole event was the Guinness Hop Store at the St James's Gate Brewery, where PSI supplied a new eight-legged Litec ground support and trussing system that was purchased for this event. They also supplied all lighting, trussing and over 60 points of rigging.

The performance line up of the Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini, The Saturdays, Yasmin and more was recorded and the highlights br

USA - Following the popularity of ETC's iRFR application for Apple's iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, ETC has developed a similar application for Android devices - the aRFR. The aRFR offers the same functionality as the iRFR and at the same price.

The app allows users to turn any mobile device into a touchscreen-based remote controller for Eos- and Congo-family control desks, Eos and Ion Remote Processor Units (RPUs) and the Congo Light Server.

Any user can download the programme without factory hardware. Security controls provided in the app prevent unauthorised access to lighting control systems.

Like the iRFR, there are two versions of the aRFR: one that supports Light Relief (UK) and one that supports Behind the Scenes (US and Canada/The ESTA Foundation). Both organisations provide aid for entertainment-technology workers faced with difficulties like medical emergencies. All

Germany - Lighting designer Stephan Aue of Ambion GmbH is one of the first LDs worldwide to use Martin Professional's new MAC Aura wash light and placed 42 of the award-winning fixtures on the German rock band Guano Apes' current European tour.

"The Auras came into the design pretty late," says Aue, who handled lighting, stage and set design for the tour. "In late summer, Markus Klüsener of Martin Germany approached me about seeing a new product before its official release at PLASA and as I was more than ready to see something new, I said yes. He showed me the Aura and I fell in love with its features right away."

The MAC Aura is the first compact LED moving head wash light with zoom that uses two independent colour systems to produce new 'eye-candy' effects plus functions as a highly capable single-lens wash with fully pre-mixed colour. It was launched at

USA - At LDI this month, Robert Juliat will be showing the 85W Aledin 330LF LED Wash fresnel, a complement to the company's award-winning Aledin 630SX LED Profile Framing Spot. "The popularity of the Aledin wash has grown quickly as good reports spread about TV studios, exhibition halls and theaters taking advantage of its many qualities," says Robert Juliat's Fred Lindauer.

"Customer feedback finds the Aledin wash to be a very powerful LED product which produces an even beam over a spread range of 17 - 96 degrees (field angle), and since it uses a true Fresnel lens, the beam can be efficiently masked with traditional barn doors. The dimming is very smooth with no 'stepping,' its strobe feature is useful for concert lighting and the choice of 3500K or 5800K color temperatures lend itself well to exhibition work. The result is a very versatile fixture that's provin

Korea - Recently built, the Blue Square theatre in Seoul relies on a MA Lighting system that combines grandMA2 and grandMA series 1 consoles.

Kim Hong Sik, CEO of Hansam System Co, MA Lighting's exclusive distributor in the Republic of Korea, commented, "MA products are known as the most reliable and popular among lighting designers in Korea so it was an obvious choice to vote for grandMA.

" Furthermore we wanted a future-proof lighting control solution with plenty of headroom for upgradability to incorporate powerful new features and functionality. Also the grandMA2's ability to seamlessly integrate video sources of all types into the visual equation, and making these straightforward to program, were a reason to install these consoles."

Altogether one grandMA2 light, one grandMA2 ultra-light, one grandMA full-size and one grandMA light were installed in the b

USA - In just the few weeks since PLASA, CAST has prepared two new demonstrations to be seen for the first time during LDI this monbth. Visitors will witness the 3D Cue Paths available in BlackTrax 3D, as well as a Beta version of wysiwyg R28.

BlackTrax 3D is a fully operational, fully integrated, fully realtime tracking system. Using a new proprietary LED-IR Beacon, which is worn or otherwise attached to an object or person, BlackTrax 3D uses special static motion capture cameras to accurately pinpoint and track the movements of the tagged object or person (or multiple objects or people) anywhere in the defined 3D space and then instantly stream dynamic positional data at over 150 frames per second to external devices like lighting, automation, media servers, and for the first time in the world, spatial audio.

CAST will demonstrate BlackTrax and its proprietary 3D Cue Paths f

Australia - John Farnham is celebrating 25 years of his all-time bestselling Australian album, Whispering Jack, with another return tour. This time he performs an opening unplugged set of familiar hits, followed by a full serve of the 1980s album that really changed it all.

When lighting designer Chris Newman began planning the tour he wandered down to PRG's Melbourne warehouse to check out their latest gear and he came across the Vari*Lite VLX LED wash luminaire.

"I knew PRG had lots of new fixtures but I didn't want to go down the LED track as I didn't think they were a great light source," admitted Newman. "They're a good point source but I've never been that happy with the colour you get from LED fixtures. However, when I saw that they were a Vari*Lite fixture I thought that if anyone was going to get it right it would be them.

"They're a fairl

UK - Entertainment lighting specialist White Light helped garage-punk outfit The Horrors with their acclaimed concert at London's Roundhouse Wednesday 12 October.

The company supplied lighting designer Ed Warren from Next Level Lights with a compact but diverse selection of equipment, including six of the powerful, punchy JB A7Zoom LED fixtures, six of the bright Martin MACIII Spotlights, five Martin Atomic strobes and four 5kW Fresnels.

Warren used the fixtures to help create an all-encompassing environment for the show, with reviewers describing 'vibrant green lights washing the crowd' and the 'quintet prowling behind a vibrating wall of light and gas'.

"I've used White Light's rental equipment for quite a few Horrors' shows recently, and you can always be sure of a high quality of service, great communication with their staff and lights that allwork. Smashing."

UK - Lighting designer Bernie Davis used Martin Professional's new MAC Aura wash light on the BBC's Songs of Praise 50th Birthday Celebration, which aired on Sunday, 25 September from Alexandra Palace in London.

Davis, who saw the MAC Aura on the Martin Professional stand just two weeks earlier at the PLASA trade show, placed the quiet LED fixtures on stage either side of the artists.

"They were very effective as eye candy and we were all impressed with how six small Auras worked so well, even in an enormous venue like this," Davis comments. "They were great. You wouldn't believe how well they fitted the stage - six scallop-shaped black holes in front of the choirs neatly filled with Auras."

The MAC Aura was launched at the PLASA trade show in London, winning a PLASA Award for Innovation. It is the first compact LED moving head wash light with zoom

Russia - Fast growing Moscow- based lighting design and rental company Light Logic has invested in its first batch of Robe's new MMX Spot moving light fixtures.

MMX was launched this year and has already been a massive success for Robe, with over 1500 units sold and orders being received and processed daily by the factory in the Czech Republic. The units were supplied to Light Logic by Russian distributor Sofitlight, after being specified by Light Logic's primary designer Dmitry Velikanov and technical director Ivan Nassonov.

The deal was co-ordinated for Robe by Russia/CIS regional sales manager Boris Krylov and for Sofitlight by general director, Arkady Shakhidjanoz

Light Logic was also the first Russian rental company to invest in Robe's fastest ever selling product, the Robin 600 LEDWash earlier in 2011, of which they now have about 75. The company works in all sectors o

USA - Yost Ice Arena, home of Michigan Wolverines hockey, is the new home of a spectacular centre-hung Lighthouse video system. Integrated by Lighthouse partner TS Sports, the four-sided system features four main video screens, full-colour corner screens, and a 360-degree lower fascia ring.

The arena was constructed in 1923 and has undergone major renovations four times in its illustrious history. A classic collegiate hockey facility, Yost seats 6,637 and has hosted NCAA tournament games five times, most recently in 2003.

Yost's newest upgrade includes a four-sided board featuring Lighthouse Pi10 screens measuring 3.96m high by 5.12m wide, capable of in-game replays, animations and sponsor messages. Full-colour corner screens and a lower fascia ring constructed of Lighthouse F16 add dazzle to the centre-hung board and help keep Michigan hockey fans fired up.

For the Yost Ice

Singapore - Wireless Solution Sweden is now part of Sentosa, the popular island resort in Singapore which attracts millions of local and foreign visitors every year. Its most famous resident and visitor attraction - The Merlion - a 37m statue formed in the image of the fabled half-lion and half-fish guardian of Singapore recently got a makeover using W-DMX technology.

Sentosa Development Group, which manages the Sentosa Merlion Park had decided to look into enhancing the Merlion Park's environment with the use of creative outdoor lighting. Synergy AVL Pte, a Singapore based audio-visual and lighting system solutions company, was invited to propose a lighting solution for the island's statuesque icon. Synergy's project team, led by senior project engineer Chip Chong earnestly conducted a series of site surveys before deciding on which types of indoor and outdoor luminaires were b

South Africa - Lira's The Captured Tour is midway, performing to sold out audiences across South Africa.

Kurt du Preez, co-director of Pan Tilt, was honoured when approached to be the touring lighting designer for South African's Afro-jazz star Miss Lira, as she is affectionately known. "It's the work we live for," said du Preez, who operates the show using the Avolites Tiger Touch.

"The Tiger Touch is incredibly fast for its size and mobility. It's user friendly and if you make a mistake, forgiving. Avolites have come a long way in regards to moving lights software and the user interface."

Insane Sound supplement the in-house equipment at each venue with various fixtures including Robe and two Le Maitre units. "We use a lot of haze which makes a huge difference," he added.

(Jim Evans)

USA - City Theatrical is launching a wide range of new products at LDI 2011 in Orlando this month, including the US debut of SHoW DMX Neo and SHoW DMX SHoW Baby. These two products are the latest innovations in City Theatrical's 10 years of wireless DMX development and manufacturing.

SHoW DMX Neo has advanced Ethernet gateway functions including dual Ethernet ports and accepts multiple show protocols such as sACN, Art-Net, and KiNet.

SHoW DMX Neo includes a RDM controller provided with the Transceiver which allows anyone to monitor RDM devices from their laptop during the show, perform all radio setup functions, and to check RDM responder functions such as Receiver signal strength, battery voltage on SHoW DMX Dimmers, change DMX addresses, and any other RDM functions that are supported by any manufacturer's equipment on the system.

SHoW DMX SHoW Baby takes the same wireless

USA - Artistic Licence founder, Wayne Howell, has accepted an invitation to speak at the forthcoming LDI show in Orlando, Florida, as part of the Innovation and Technology Conference. The training session, to be held at 10am on 30 October (Room S319), will allow participants to access Howell's considerable expertise in the use of Ethernet TCP/IP for the lighting industry.

Covering essential information on the 'hows and whys' of Cat 5E and Cat 6 cables, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in the entertainment technology sector, the seminar has immediate relevance for any designer, technician or electrician interested in keeping up with the state-of-the-art.

Howell enjoys communicating his extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject, having authored the handbook Rock Solid Ethernet and participating for many years in the ESTA (now known as PLASA) te

Q Awards - Adele has won best female artist and best track at Q magazine's music awards in London. Other prizes went to rapper Tinie Tempah, who was named best male artist and Coldplay, who picked up best act in the world today. Readers voted U2 the best band of the publication's lifetime. Speaking on the red carpet, frontman Bono said Q had been crucial to his career. "It's a truly great thing," he said. "They're so important for anyone that wants to take all their music all the way."

Adele's Rolling in the Deep was picked out as the best track of 2011 ahead of her ubiquitous hit Someone Like You, which was also nominated. The singer's victory comes just a fortnight after she was forced to shelve a US tour due to problems with her throat. The ceremony also saw Queen entered into Q's Hall Of Fame and Siouxsie Sioux awarded for her outstanding contribution to

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