UK - Lyon Equipment, UK distributors for Petzl products is promoting the new Avao harness range, and Pixa headtorches.

Petzl's latest Avao harnesses have been designed alongside industry professionals to achieve two objectives: maximum comfort and maximum fall protection.

The X-shaped dorsal construction with wide, semi-rigid waistbelt and leg loops reduces pressure points during prolonged suspension in work situations, while the shoulder straps are widely spaced to avoid neck chafing. The waistbelt and leg loops are lined with perforated foam for comfort and ventilation.

The semi-rigid, pre-shaped construction makes the harness easy to put on. There's plenty of adjustment using self-locking DoubleBack buckles, and once you've achieved your optimum set-up the optional FAST automatic leg loop buckles mean you can gear up quickly.

Avao harnesses feature a dorsal attachment p

UK - London-based automation specialist Kinesys has supplied a complete automation system and Vector control to the multi-purpose Göransson Arena in Sandviken, Sweden, via its Swedish reseller, Anderson & Co AB Sweden.

The 13,000sq.m venue is used for ice sports like Bandy (it's the home arena for the local Sandvikens AIK team), ice racing and football, and is also a 13,000 capacity concert arena, staging shows for high profile artists like 50 Cent, The Scorpions, Skunk Anansie, etc. and used for exhibitions.

In use daily for sporting events and with a busy 'additional' schedule numbering over 50 different events each year, the arena's management team sought a flexible rigging solution that would facilitate faster, easier and more efficient changeovers between the different uses.

The intention was to increase their capacity to stage more - and a greater diversity - of shows

UK - Stage Technologies has once again been contracted by pop star P!nk's production manager, Richard Young, to supply the overhead automation for the singer's The Truth About Love USA and European tours. This will be the third P!nk tour in a row that Stage Technologies has been brought on board to fly the star and other performers in her show.

The Stage Technologies system, which features positioning chain hoists and wire winches working together from the same console, also includes BigTow winches, custom truss, AU:tour cabinets, and PC Wing control desks.

Stage Technologies director of rentals services, Ted Moore, said, "We're very happy to once again provide the overhead automation for P!nk's show. Our kit is very 'tour-able' in that it's quick to assemble for extended, multi-date gigs like The Truth About Love. This is our third tour with P!nk and we look forwa

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd's Rigging division has supplied 50 x 1 tonne Columbus McKinnon (CM) Entertainment Lodestar D8 Series (Model L) electric chain hoists, complete with work-ready infrastructure - including flightcases, Out Board DV8 direct control motor controllers and cabling - to the NEC Group in Birmingham.

The NEC Group operates 19 constantly busy halls at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, as well as the National Indoor Arena (NIA) multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in the city centre.

The purchase was co-ordinated for the NEC Group by resource manager for rigging, Rob O'Donnell, who worked closely with AC-ET's rigging sales specialist, Matthew Millward.

Adding to their existing stock of over 100 x 1-tonne CM Lodestar hoists, O'Donnell explains his confidence in the CM Entertainment brand - for which AC-ET are the exclusive r

UK - James Thomas Engineering has announced the appointment of White Light as exclusive distributor of their new JT30 & JT40 truss products. The two truss products mark a new direction for James Thomas.

Paul Young explains, "We have gone to great lengths to take all the good features of existing truss products of this size, eliminate the flaws, and add our own innovative edge to create a new range of products that are competitive in value, stronger than many of those currently available, and with a far greater ease of use."

He continues, "White Light is a fantastic company which matches our ambition for these products so we feel the chemistry and the timing are perfect for this alliance."

White Light sales director Peter Threadgold is equally excited about the partnership saying, "The JT30 & JT40 are both excellent products. This addition complements

UK - Nestled at the foot of the Cairngorms national park, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a delightfully spacious, airy venue that is responsible for a veritable list of productions as well as a range of workshops, tours, concerts and even a wine club.

Each winter it opens its doors for the Federation of Scottish Theatre's (FST) winter school, a sizeable programme of technical training and professional development courses aimed at those working in dance, music and theatre north of the border. The FST has over 120 members and strives to secure the creative future of Scottish Theatre at a national level while also helping its members share resources and expertise; one of the key aims of the winter school program. As in previous years, the Winter School has been heavily supported by Edinburgh based Black Light.

Courses included working and rigging at height, ETC product training, m

UK - Watched by millions, the 2013 Brit Awards offered an A-list performance-packed show, held in London's prestigious 02 Arena.

Once again Le Mark's high gloss StudioTak studio vinyl was selected for both the beautifully curvaceous cat walk running out into the audience and also used in the after show broadcasts.

With some of the biggest names in the music industry attending and collecting their awards, the set design and production was as seamless and stunning as ever before. StudioTak high gloss floor provided a water-like shimmering reflection, enhancing the set and stage on which it's laid.

Le Mark's Sharon Marshall commented, "So far this year, Le Mark floors have been used on some of the most prestigious award events in the world: the BAFTA's, the NTA's and now the Brit Awards - an incredible achievement for all the team here.

"StudioTak itself is such a f

USA - Philip Lunas has joined the staff of J. R. Clancy, Inc., as the company's financial manager.

Lumas will serve on the Clancy leadership team and will report directly to president Michael Murphy. He brings 15 years of progressive finance experience to his new position, stemming from his years as senior financial analyst at Pall Corporation in Cortland, NY.

In addition to his finance responsibilities, Lumas will also manage all human resources functions and serve as the company's information technology point of contact. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University, and lives in Cortland with his wife and son.

(Jim Evans)

USA - "These things are awesome" said 44 Designs Clayton Thornton following their delivery of Le Mark's custom printed cable labels.

Ordered in to brand and identify 44 Designs vast cable inventory, Clayton Thornton continued, "We had a lot of cable in our inventory that came pre-fabricated and the thought of re-soldering an end on each of them was a bit overwhelming. Being able to brand cables we have in stock already was a major selling point."

Based in Nashville, TN, the team at 44 Designs share over 25 years combined experience in lighting, touring, rentals, and production, working together to bring a mix of individual talents to each project. This knowledge and experience carries over when looking for products that help brand and visually represent their companies equipment.

Le Mark's export manager Matt Every added, "The simplicity of our cable

Germany - GUIL, one of the major European companies dedicated to the manufacturing of lifting towers, stages, and stands and structures for the audio and lighting industry, celebrates 30 years as a leader in innovation and technological advancements within the entertainment industry.

Since the beginning, GUIL has focused on developing high quality products, allowing them to help over 5000 companies around the world in the improvement and increased efficiency of their events.

Their continued growth and enthusiasm over these three decades have meant that GUIL is now a reputable brand, with its evolution concentrating on the design and manufacturing of products which meet the ever changing needs of professionals in the industry, both now and for the future.

GUIL will once again be exhibiting their products at the Prolight & Sound trade fair which takes place from the 10-13 Apri

UK - AED Distribution has announced the opening of a new AED Distribution UK facility, based out of their existing AED Rent premises in High Wycombe - to be headed by David March, as sales director.

AED Distribution UK says it will provide distribution for a cohesive range of entertainment technology brands, underpinned with professional logistics and order processing, supported by the AED Group Solutions. The range will initially include CM Entertainment Technology, Prolyte (including the four complementary but independent brands of Litestructures, Prolyte Structures, StageDex and ProLyft), GLP lighting, MDG foggers, High End Systems' Hog 4 control family, Fenix lifting towers, Swisson DMX solutions and sine wave dimming, SRS motor controllers, dimmers and power distribution, plus hardware from Manfrotto and Doughty.

Formerly director of European Sales for Philips Vari-Lite a

Australia - Mojo Barriers' Australian office was appointed to supply stage barriers and crowd safety services across three of the country's biggest summer music festivals in 2013 - Big Day Out, Soundwave and Future Music Festival.

The contracts follow the announcement late last year that Mojo Barriers had opened its first permanent Australian premises, offering improved services to events across the continent.

Future Music Festival, which tours nationally and kicked off in Brisbane on 2 March, boasts acts including The Prodigy and The Stone Roses. Mojo Barriers is supplying 2.5km of aluminium stage barriers across all stages.

The national Soundwave tour kept Mojo's team busy installing over 4.5km of barrier across the festival's five sites (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) helping to keep audiences, crew and headliners including Metallica and Linkin Park safe

USA - Few times of the year feature as much gonzo production work as Fashion Week in New York City, when designers from all over the world come together to unveil the new clothing designs for the coming year.

The event takes over venues across the city from Lincoln Center to the 26th Street Armory. To master the gruelling schedule and bring all of the designers' runway visions to life, Sapsis Rigging, Inc. (SRI) is the technical management company of choice for designers including Mark Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole.

Production manager Michael Sapsis assembled a crew of more than 35 riggers who worked steadily for two weeks, installing 225 chain hoists, 3,000 feet of assorted truss, and one 4,000-pound sodium-vapour lighting effect, contained in a circular truss rig and lifted by a mother grid. The final assembly of this effect took place twelve feet above the floor

Germany - XTA are attending ProLight + Sound 2013 in what is a very significant year for the company - its 21st anniversary.

Says the company, "We 'quietly' celebrated our 20th Anniversary within the company last year with a few celebrations for staff, as you may have seen on Facebook, and serendipitously also reached a milestone in the form of shipping our 50,000th unit, but this year it's going to be a little more about saying thanks to our friends starting with some anniversary events in Frankfurt and seeing if we can make the festivities last all year.

"We are running a facebook competition all through March right up until the first day of the show itself on Wednesday 10 April, giving away two very limited edition flagship units, our DP548. These will have uniquely designed front panels and will only be available to the lucky winners."

Two units will be up

Germany - For this year's Prolight+Sound, German manufacturer Sommer Cable presents another two interesting devices under the Cardinal DVM brand name, both of which are designed for use on stage or in the studio.

As is the case so often with products from Sommer Cable, the company received a lot of inspirations from customers and users of the now highly proven devices of the Cardinal DVM series. Thus the idea for the VCA keyboard mixer came at the urging by different musicians from the musical scene. The normal situation requires as many sounds as possible at very short intervals, but the musician also needs to keep the dynamics under control. The VCA keyboard mixer solves this problem by using a master level control with a standard swell pedal; this keeps your hands free and eases your mind. That way the device covers an incredible 90 dB control range while sporting heavenly S/

UK - The PLASA Show, a driving force in the development and promotion of the professional entertainment technology industry for over 35 years, is preparing to launch the most important edition in the show's history this Friday 15th March 2013. Taking place at Excel London for the first time this year, the show will open under its new name PLASA London 2013, in its new dateline of the 6-9 October.

PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths explains; "PLASA London 2013 reflects a new focus on international visitors, which is the number one reason we moved to Excel. Excel London is just five minutes from London City Airport, which handles 350 flights per day from over 40 international destinations. London is already the best connected City in the world and this October, PLASA London 2013 will take place in one of the best connected venues in the world, and that's a fact."

With seven o

UK - ToughGaff is a gaffer and camera tape holder that sits solidly on the worker's belt and allows him quick loading & release of the tape with one hand quick motion. ToughGaff is available in two sizes: 1"& 2", both suitable for up to 60YD roll. ToughGaff is made from High Quality Materials which ensures a long lasting, durable product.

Instead of using conventional clip for attaching the gloves to the belt, which requires both hands, and longer time, ToughGlove provides an easier solution.

With super strong magnets, the gloves will stay in place all day long, attached to any belt up to 2" wide, or to the ToughGaff. In addition, ToughGlove enables taking out only one glove if needed, leaving the other in place. An option which is not possible with most glove clips today.

If working near a camera, magnets can be easily removed from the gloves by a Velcro atta

UK - IT & AV rental company DB Systems has promoted Jay Goldson to head of division, responsible for overseeing the business' Event Networks division, which specialises in providing fixed line internet, Wi-Fi and networking services.

DB Event Networks has grown significantly since it was created in 2008. Last year, it provided the temporary internet and telecommunication networks for two major global shows, Sibos, held in Osaka, Japan, and the Farnborough International Airshow.

Other 2012 events to benefit from Event Networks' expertise included the Sony Ericsson launch at Mobile World Congress, the UK launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, International Golf Travel Market, as well as Business Travel Market.

Jay Goldson said, "We've experienced an incredible few years and I'm really excited about leading the division in 2013 and beyond. The explosion of Wi-Fi at events

UK - International dance troupe and dance school Dance Reality Studios has selected Le Mark's brand new Dynamic Compression Dance Floor as part of their latest studio expansion.

Increasing their existing studio facility by over 30%, the new dance floor has offered both amateur dancers and Dance Reality's 50 professionally employed dancers the opportunity to learn and rehearse on one of the most sophisticated vinyl dance floors on the market.

The specifically designed professional dance floor offers nearly 6mm of compressed foam, providing an instant and discrete shock absorbing top layer for hard floors.

Le Mark's Sharon Marshall said: "The transformation of this room was incredible. A huge advantage of Dynamic Compression is that it takes minimal time to install and it offers dancers and the studios themselves an impact absorbing surface with minimal cost.

"The

UK - The Knight of Illumination Awards' Concert Touring and Events category, recognising excellence in lighting design in Concert Touring Stage and Arena, Live Events and Video Electronic Content, is buzzing with more entries than ever only one month after launch, the organisers report.

Four weeks in to this year's Awards submissions an incredible array of exciting and diverse nominations have been received via the KOI website celebrating LDs pushing the boundaries of lighting design.

"So far we have had an inspiring range of entries from LDs touring with the bigger arena shows," says Concert Touring and Events chairwoman, Sarah Rushton-Read. "This has really boosted the build-up to this year's Awards ceremony, which is growing and evolving at a rapid rate. We are still keen to hear from lighting designers or their colleagues working on the smaller theatre and c

Australia - The Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove in Queensland is one of Australia's premier leisure, conference and incentive destinations. Working closely with Staging Connections, provides a full event service from state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, meeting aids and technical assistance.

With such a varied range of events to cater to, Staging Connections has found the flexibility of their JBL VRX900 Series Constant Curvature Line Arrays to be ideal, so much so they ordered even more JBL VRX932LAP speaker and JBL VRX918SP subwoofers.

"The VRX line array is a welcome addition to our audio inventory," commented Matt Danks of Staging Connections. "These powered top boxes are light which means they are easy to fly and saves time not having to set up additional amplifier drive racks."

"They sound great. The array has an even sound-field and wide di

UK - Ian Hall has been promoted to sales director at Total Solutions Group. Joining the company nine years ago as sales manager, Hall has watched Total Solutions Group (TSG) evolve to engage with the ever growing demands of special projects. "From Slick to Solutions is a heady mix. TSG's involvement in providing specialist engineering skills to the ceremonies section of the London Olympics last summer was the high point in what has been for me, a tumultuous nine years since Slick Trussing first became part of TSG in 2004," says Hall.

In recognition of Hall's experience and success, company founder and group CEO Chris Cronin has asked Hall to step up to the role of sales director. Cronin comments: "Since he first arrived Ian Hall has demonstrated a balanced approach to the TSG business. While driving the roller-coaster of special projects with their unforeseen eng

UK - PLASA London launches its first show at ExCeL London today with free entry for the first 5000 people to register via its new website. Taking place on 6-9 October 2013, the new name, new venue, and new autumn dateline aren't the only changes afoot for the industry-owned event.

PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths explains, "This year marks the first stage of the show's long-term strategic development. ExCeL is located just five minutes from London City Airport, which handles 350 flights a day from 40 international destinations, and ExCeL's seven onsite hotels provide thousands of rooms within walking distance. With increased connectivity to Europe and beyond, as well as new, world-class facilities, we hope to send a clear message about the show's plans for future international growth."

In addition to the new campus-style experience for international visitors, PLASA Events

USA - J. R. Clancy, Inc., has added to its sales and estimating staff, maintaining and expanding its technical services and expertise to serve its customers.

Eric Huss has joined Clancy as technical salesman. Prior to joining J. R Clancy, Huss worked for Artec Consultants on projects including Darat King Abdullah II Performing Arts Centre in Amman, Jordan; Dr. Phillips Centrefor the Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla.; Grand Theatre du Bouregreg in Rabat, Morocco; and the Star Performing Arts Centre in Singapore.

Scott Uhrig joins J.R. Clancy as an estimator, coming to the company from The Oncenter entertainment complex in downtown Syracuse. As the complex's technical services manager for nearly 20 years, he was responsible for the technical operations of three facilities: the John H. Mulroy Civic Centrer Theaters, the Onondaga County War Memorial, and the Nicholas J. Pirro Conve

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline