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Europe - King Crimson is about to embark on a labyrinthine tour of Europe, embracing such far-flung locations as Moscow, Naples, Warsaw, Montreaux, Prague and Stockholm: "And we’ll be playing a variety of venues, everything from clubs to festivals," says Robert Fripp’s monitor man Graham ‘Blakey’ Blake. That said, the tour presents more challenges for the technical crew than mere routing and venue type.

"We are picking up PA systems locally," Blake explained, "which will be interesting for Greg Dean who’s mixing house. Fortunately for me, we will carry the whole monitor system, Robert has had his own system flown in from the States, and I’ve elected to take a Yamaha PM1D with me for control which is coming from Dick Haye

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UK - eading event production company AVC Productions has landed a prestigious two-year contract to provide a full AV and Event Production solution for British Airways. It’s an impressive business success story but how does one company command the attention of one of the world’s leading airlines? "It’s about finding a balance," explains Patrick Hill, managing director of AVC Productions, "and our philosophy is to never compromise on quality or creativity even if the budget is restrictive."

Patrick Hill is thrilled with the company’s latest achievement. "Everything about AVC Productions is developed with service in mind. We realized from the outset that our existing 15-year approved supplier relationship with British Airways would not necessarily be an advantage and we really had to reassess our business and put together a unique pa

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UK - DHA Lighting has added an exciting and versatile new product to its gobo family. The new DHA Gobo Rotator Mk 2 range adds gobo rotation and gobo indexing - the ability to accurately set a gobo to a known alignment - to the world’s most popular theatrical spotlights. It is designed to be more versatile and easier to use than its predecessor - and the new belt-drive design makes it silent in operation. The new range also offers outstanding value for money, say the company.

The Gobo Rotator Mk 2 range includes three products: all can be fitted with glass or metal gobos, offer variable-speed rotation in either direction, and also a range of ‘stand-alone’ effects that do not require a lighting controller - including fire, water, tick-tock, shimmer, accelerate and shake-pause. The Junior Rotator is designed for the ETC Source Four Jr range. Designed primarily fo

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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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UK - The Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips have officially named P&O's two latest ships, Oceana and Adonia, at a naming ceremony which took place at Southampton Docks on May 21. Nicknamed the White Sisters, the identical twin superliners made a spectacular sight berthed bow-to-bow, while the dockside event, the biggest of its kind in Europe, made the history books as the first double cruise ship naming ceremony ever to take place in Britain. To make sure it would be remembered for all the right reasons, P&O enlisted the help of the entertainment industry’s finest to put on the show of shows.

Unusual Services Ltd was appointed by P&O to provide the infrastructure, management and event content for the evening. Maintaining Unusual’s theatre roots, Alan Jacobi, MD of Unusual brought in Sheelagh Barnard as creative director to devise the content for the show.

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UK - Leading music store chain Academy of Sound, has made a substantial investment in Allen & Heath PA12-CP mixers fresh from the company’s new production line, for resale in its major outlets. The PA12-CP and PA20-CP 1kW powered mixers are the first of the PA Series to be introduced, following their launch last September at the PLASA show.

The two mixers are also the first products to benefit from Allen & Heath's new Constant Power amplifier technology, which gives a full 500W RMS per side into either 4 or 8 ohms. Other key assets include a new padless preamp, internal FX unit, SPDIF output and parametric output EQ. "We are very excited about this addition to the Allen & Heath portfolio," said Mark Hopkin, purchasing manager at Academy of Sound. "The PA12 provides the perfect solution for our customer base, which often has small PA systems for producing liv

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USA - Following the release of Ballantyne of Omaha’s first quarter results for 2003 (see news story posted 21 May), the company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 28, at which it made clear it anticipates a return to profitability in 2003.

In 2002, the company (which specializes in motion picture projection and lighting equipment, and includes Strong Entertainment Lighting amongst its group members), reported a net loss from continuing operations of $2.6 million. At the shareholder meeting, director William F. Welsh II was elected for an additional three-year term and Mark D. Hasebroock, a new director, was elected to serve a three-year term.

John P. Wilmers, president and CEO of the company, told shareholders that Ballantyne’s 2003 results would benefit from revenue gains in its theatre and restaurant equipment segments, as well as from continuing effi

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UK - Marquee Audio have been appointed UK dealers for Teqsas’ new Reco network remote touch system. This allows full control of speaker systems, monitor EQ etc from anywhere in a building. Reco is a wireless remote controller that will run any computer system’s operating software. It has an 8", 800 x 600 touch-sensitive colour screen constructed in a tough rigid housing, which makes it roadworthy.

RECO’s architecture is different from a conventional notebook in that it uses a hard diskless industrial computer platform to run a special embedded Linux OS - this connects to any Windows, Mac or Linux-based computer with standard wireless LAN components. The computer transmits its screen content to Reco and receives back mouse and keyboard commands. There is no software to install on Reco itself - once the driver is installed on the computer, and a wireless LAN

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UK - The current Paul McCartney tour is a predictably large production befitting the legend, with extensive rigging required for the moving video screens from Nocturne Inc, an Audiolease PA system and lighting by LSD, Fourth Phase and Vari-Lite, all suspended in a semi-circular arrangement above the stage.

When the tour visited Manchester’s MEN Arena, Star Rigging ensured an efficient production build by assembling a team comprised of the cream of the northern riggers. The team of 16 riggers showed their experience and competence, rigging 45 tons across 72 points, which they finished the morning rig an hour ahead of schedule. Following the rigging of the McCartney production, the Star Rigging team all attended an induction regarding the use of the ‘Latchway fall arrest system’ recently installed into the MEN Arena. The course instructed the riggers how to work

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USA - L-Acoustics US has recently appointed its first three independent rep firms, which are now coordinating sales activities for the middle and upper eastern seaboard states, says Paul Freudenberg, L-Acoustics US director of sales and marketing.

DL Henderson Company, based in Maynard, Massachusetts, will handle the manufacturer's northeast New England region consisting of upstate New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Paul Friedman and his crew at Metro/North Marketing in Edison, New Jersey have been named as L-Acoustics US's rep firm for northern New Jersey and New York City.

Right Track Marketing, based in Kinnelon, New Jersey, and led by principal Steven Savvides, has been called upon to cover the mid-Atlantic territory made up of Virginia, Maryland, southern New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania.

"We're real

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UK - Stage Electrics' Open Days provide customers and suppliers with a forum dedicated to providing hands-on demonstrations of the very latest products. The compay's recent Bristol Open Day was no exception; demonstrations from Strand, Selecon, Rosco, Martin Professional, DHA, Le Maitre, Mackie/EAW, Audio-Technica and Zero 88 offered customers a wide range of interest.

.Visitors got a glimpse into the workings of Stage Electrics' warehouse, with tours supplied by sales and marketing manager Linda Moore, who says: "Stage Electrics Open Days are a great opportunity for suppliers and customers to meet. They have proved highly successful and we are already planning more for later in the year."

Not only were customers provided an insight to the inner workings of Stage Electrics, technical manager Adrian Searle organized a Moving Light Symposium, providing hands-on experie

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UK - Continuing their increasing involvement with live sporting productions, Elstree Light and Power are currently providing location lighting, rigging and power services for the Four Nations Boxing Championships.

Working alongside lighting designer John King and the BBC outside broadcast team, ELP crew have recently visited various boxing venues across the UK, including Nottingham, Brentford and Cardiff.

"Each venue has its own set of challenges," explains crew chief Toby Dare. "For example the most recent venue in Cardiff was the Welsh Institute of Sport which had a restricted power supply and only two 63A sockets on the wall to run 70 channels of dimming! This meant we had to provide a whole range of practical lighting solutions for BBC Sport including lighting temporary broadcast studios, lighting the boxing ring and providing light over the audience."

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UK - Keith Ferguson, who served as the general manager of the PSA for many years and was a trustee of the PSA Welfare & Benevolent Fund, died on Friday 23 May. No date for the funeral has yet been set, but details will be made available as soon as we have them.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - Cadac Electronics Plc has announced the appointment of two new representatives in the US. On the East Coast, Thomas Bensen has been selected, whilst on the West Coast, the company has appointed GLS Marketing.

Tom Bensen is a familiar face in the pro audio industry, with over 25 years' experience across a wide variety of leading brands. His sound reinforcement expertise and market knowledge will prove invaluable in establishing the Cadac brand and providing further growth. On the other side of the US, GLS Marketing will provide the Cadac representative network with a strong mix of technical skills, plus creative sales and marketing techniques. Headed up by president Greg Hockman with Ron Thomas as general manager, the company was established in 1981 and operates out of Huntington Beach, California, in support of the Southern California, Southern Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona t

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The Netherlands - Following hard on the success of the WWG Fantômes at the Kammerspiele in Munich, the company has announced that it has now received a contract from the Amsterdam’s Het Musiktheater - the home of the Netherlands Opera and the Dutch National Ballet - to supply several more of these special luminaires.

Fantôme is Wynne Willson Gottelier’s (WWG’s) fully automated version of Robert Juliat’s much acclaimed d’Artagnan 2.5kW HMI zoom/profile spotlight. Fantôme provides pan and tilt, via WWG’s patented orbital, double mirror head (now manufactured by High End Systems), with remote automation of zoom, focus, and iris, plus WWG’s new ultra flexible, four blade, full-framing system. The system for the Musiktheater will also include a unique gobo facility. Gel scrolling will be provided by a Licht Technik colour changer.

Hugo

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Discounted packages will reduce member company travel expenses

The new PLASA Travel Service has been established in partnership with Kuoni Trade Fairs, a travel specialist with 30 years’ experience in providing travel services to trade shows and events worldwide.

No matter what level of travel you or your staff do during a year, the Kuoni service will prove highly beneficial. It covers just about every travel requirement, and includes flights (and upgrades where required), group and private transfers, ferry and Eurotunnel travel, accommodation, local hospitality assistance and pre-booked entrance tickets to events and trade shows.

The main benefit to PLASA members will come from the significant buying power of the Kuoni organization, which will translate into prices that are competitive and a range of services that can remain flexible and individual-friendly. In looki

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Joining as Full EU members are German company Amptown Cases GmbH (Tel: +49 4064 21410). Established in 1978 the company manufactures flight cases.

Joining as a corporate members are Hong Kong-based International Optics Ltd (Tel: +852 2304 7200), linked to British Optical Ltd, a manufacturer of projection and moulded optics for over 25 years, and Brown Box AV Ltd of Reading (Tel: +44 (0)118 970 8395), linked with Atmospheric Ltd, and set up to distribute audio and lighting solutions to AV dealers throughout the UK and Europe.

Anne Valentino (Tel: +1 201 530 9250) of New Jersey, USA, joins as an individual member. Valentino works as a consultant on product development, marketing and public relations for companies in the entertainment technology market.

To join, call us now on +44 1323 410335 or e-mail

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Members can now access over 60 factsheets, through the member-only area of the PLASA website, covering a diverse range of business issues.

The factsheets come under four main headings

Legal

Employment

TAX

VAT

and include Security in the Workplace, Business Contracts, Absence Control, Data Protection, Long-Term Sickness Absence and Unwanted Faxes and Phone Calls.

PLASA’s Business Support Helpline provides the factsheets as a complementary service to the advice and assistance they already provide to members over the telephone. Members can use the free telephone service to obtain further information or guidance on any of the topics outlined. The information within the factsheets is updated on a regular basis to reflect best business working practices and changes in legislation.

PLASA members can gain access to this new resource by using their current username and pass

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Germany - This month, Germany plays host to the TiLE Conference and trade exhibition for the second year running. The 12th annual TiLE, which covers the latest trends in the location-based leisure attractions industry, is being held in Berlin at the Estrel Convention Center, from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 June 2003.

"There is no doubt that many companies which supply to venues that entertain and/or inform are finding it hard to do business," explained event organizer Richard Curtis of Andrich International. "The current economic and political situation has seen tourism and travel drop, and along with it visitor numbers to many attractions. Also, the uncertainty has meant that many investment plans are on hold. We hope that TiLE will be a catalyst to help lift the industry out of its current gloom."

The Conference will feature a range of speakers on subjects

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UK - The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama has conferred a Fellowship of the RSAMD upon Francis Reid - an internationally renowned theatre lighting designer, lecturer, writer and consultant.

After studying science and psychology at the University of Edinburgh, Francis spent five years in stage and production management including Rep Drama, Touring Opera, and productions at the Aldeburgh Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Throughout the 1960s, Francis was Glyndebourne Festival Opera’s lighting director and he was subsequently responsible for the lighting design of over 300 productions staged throughout Europe. Productions of musicals such as Man of La Mancha, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Anne of Green Gables; plays such as Sleuth, Move Over Mrs. Markham, V

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Australia - Coemar De Sisti Australia has announced the appointment of David Corelli as lighting concepts consultant. David’s history includes around 20 years as a professional photographer, during which time he won several photographic awards. He then spent some years supplying equipment to the film and television industry which included working with gaffers, grips and DoPs.For the past 18 months, Corelli has been an architectural lighting consultant, working with architects, consulting engineers, developers and contractors. He is eager to get back into film and television lighting and is looking forward to meeting up again with some old friends.

Peter Kemp, Coemar De Sisti’s managing director, said: "I believe David’s experience and talents gained over the years in TV, film and architectural lighting will be an excellent asset to the company and we are p

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USA - In early April, the official christening of Great American Ball Park, the new home for baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, was more than the usual annual celebration of Cincinnati baseball. It was a chance to showcase the unique features of the city’s new $290 million ballpark.

One of the more popular features is a re-creation of a paddleboat complete with 20-25ft high smoke stacks. Officially known as the Pepsi Power Stacks, these erupt when home runs are made, there is an outstanding play or the home team wins.

Capital Manufacturing was contracted to develop the new ‘home run effect’ and, in turn, contacted Entertainment Services Group, Inc (ESG) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to provide the Jem Roadie X-Stream and LightJockey control system. Bob Schermerhorn, vice-president of sales at ESG, worked with Martin’s Southeast regional sales manager Jame

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