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USA - The new Tom Stoppard play, Rock 'n' Roll opened on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 4 November.

Lighting design is by Howard Harrison (Mary Poppins, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mamma Mia!) who was LD on the original London production that started at the Royal Court Theatre before moving to the West End, where it played successfully for nine months. Associate lighting designer is Daniel Walker with Marc Polimeni handling lighting programming.

Harrison uses 12 Martin MAC TW1 tungsten wash lights for tight moving specials on the Broadway production. "One of the problems we had was that the light we used in London - an old Strand Pirouette PC moving head - was hard to source in America," Harrison explains. "There was nothing th

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USA - To honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improve the lives of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) hosted its 23rd Annual Awards of Excellence celebration in Rosemont, Illinois in October. In addition to the awards presentation, the Awards of Excellence celebration included a dinner and lively entertainment by actor and comedian Bernie Mac.

The annual event presents three awards to individuals selected from across the globe. Past recipients have included such personalities and dignitaries as Paul Newman, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, former First Lady Betty Ford, former US President Jimmy Carter and many others.

The event is produced for RMHC by McDonald's Creative Services division, and for the 13th consecutive year they turned to Lightswitch for lighting design; long time McDonald's vendor Billy Nolan and TLC to provide equipment

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UK - Following the opening of The Harrogate Grille within the town's Balmoral Hotel in June 2007, owners John Pallagi and Simon Wright of the restaurant group Room Restaurants are continuing with their rapid growth plans of positioning stand alone restaurants within hotels.

With units in Liverpool, London, Manchester, Harrogate and Leeds, Room Restaurants have now opened their sixth restaurant The Lincoln Grille within the White Hart Hotel - located alongside Lincoln Cathedral and the imposing walls of Lincoln Castle.

Owned by Ambar Paul, son of Lord Paul of Marylebone, the 50-bedroom White Hart Hotel is operated by his company, Contemporary Hotels. The new refurbishment of the Hotel has cost over £1m - with Room Restaurants' contribution over £350,000.

The ground floor of this hotel, which dates back to the 14th century, comprises three units. This month the sec

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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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Sweden - Following the PLASA 2007 launch of the PLM 10000Q, the first in its series of Powered Loudspeaker Management (PLM) products, Lab.gruppen has followed up with a number of worldwide training events for its distribution network. The first Powered Loudspeaker Management system training session took place at Lab.gruppen's Kungsbacka facility in Sweden, followed closely by sessions in Italy and Macau, China.

With the advent of the new PLM Series, training is now a major factor for Lab.gruppen. Headed up by technical applications specialist, Thomas Vestergaard, topics covered during the day-long programme ranged from a basic grounding in Dolby Lake processing presented by freelance Dolby Lake processing specialist Miguel Hadelich, through practical system design using racks of PLMs and understanding the breadth and depth of front panel control, to creating LoadLibrary fingerpr

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USA - Global Truss America reports that nine of its clamp models have received TÜV certification. The clamps join the company's popular TÜV-approved aluminum trussing in being awarded this internationally-recognised seal of safety and quality.

TÜV approval is granted only after rigorous testing of a product and its manufacturing facility. Consumers can therefore be assured that Global Truss clamps meet the highest quality standards and will perform with the utmost security and reliability in fastening fixtures and trussing, said Ken Kahn, general manager of Global Truss America.

"Clamps are an essential component of any trussing setup - they are, literally, what holds the whole rig together," said Kahn. "The mark of TÜV approval is a formal assurance to customers that they can rely on our clamps, like our trussing, to perform safely and reliably. We are very

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USA - Symetrix has released version 2.1 of the Integrator Series Zone Mix 760 paging and music management system, which is designed to deliver the optimal feature set and I/O count needed for restaurants, hotels, sports bars and nightclubs.

With version 2.1, Symetrix solidifies external control by adding full support for the entire family of Modular ARCs, including the K1, SW4, SWK, MIC and XLR models. Both the ARC-MIC and ARC-XLR - which respectively offer a built-in condenser mic and an XLR input source - are totally integrated into the system's Page Station functionality under version 2.1. Each wall panel can function as a self-contained paging station with zone groups and push-to-talk.

All Zone Mix 760 hardware units shipped since December 2007 include an RS-232 port, and version 2.1 software brings a fully-documented third party control protocol for use over IP or the new

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China - A contract to supply general lighting in the National Stadium, the iconic 'Bird's Nest', is among a range of lighting contracts secured by GE for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. GE recently announced it is working on over 335 infrastructure projects for the Beijing Games including a variety of lighting installations.

The National Stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as athletics and soccer events. GE is working with the stadium's architects Hertzog and de Meuron to implement their high aesthetic goals and the need to minimize energy. The interior lighting design is intended to ensure that light remains as invisible as possible, while revealing the building to its visitors in a visually pleasing manner. To achieve this, fixtures are integrated within and behind structures, and the use of compact fluorescent minimizes energy use while maximizing the

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UK - VISLINK Group has announced a number of strategic appointments to augment its specialist Defence, Law Enforcement and Security (DLES) business development initiative, with dedicated sales appointments to cover Europe and Asia.

Lee Norton has been appointed as DLES regional sales manager for Europe, and David Ayotte has transferred from group company Microwave Radio Communications (MRC) to take up the position of International DLES regional sales manager, with responsibility for Asia. In addition, Laurence Venner has joined the team as a specialist systems engineer.

DLES business unit director, Matthew Richards, commented: "These appointments reflect the market opportunities for our unique combination of solutions, providing best of breed systems for a range of government agency and defence applications."

(Jim Evans)

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Italy - Stage Technologies installed and commissioned the complete stage rigging system on-board Cunard's Queen Victoria, built by Fincantieri in their Marghera ship yard, near to Venice in Italy.

In early 2006 Stage Technologies was awarded the contract to supply the complete stage engineering package for the Royal Court Theatre and Queen's Room venues on-board. The Royal Court Theatre is an 830 seat venue and the first cruise ship theatre to feature a Royal Box and private boxes on each side of the auditorium, like those seen in Victorian style West End theatres.

The stage is well appointed with automated equipment, which includes motorised lighting trusses, both over-stage and front-of-house, two stage lifts with two-part sliding lids, two storage lifts, 18 flybars, six Serapid stage tracks, curtain tracks, safety curtain, and roller projection screen. The control system in

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India - Aerosmith delivered a high-energy show in India for the first time ever, performing at the open-air grounds of the historic Bangalore Palace. To ensure every dB of power reached fans with ample clarity and presence, Bangalore-based Reynolds Sound and Lighting Services supplied a massive system based on Meyer Sound Milo family curvilinear array loudspeakers.

Reynolds has supported countless large-scale shows at Bangalore Palace through the years. With more than 20,000 eager fans set to attend Aerosmith's inaugural concert, technical director Mike Furtado knew he had a busy night ahead. "We needed a system that could deliver around 110 decibels across the grounds," he says. "The band also required a whole lot of low end."

To meet both requirements, Furtado and crew supplied a Meyer Sound system comprising two front line arrays, each consisting of two

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UK - Marl CreativeArc, a division of Marl International, has announced the availability of a new series of dual up and down light fixtures for producing powerful illuminations to enhance any environment.

The 735 Series from Marl is designed to be mounted on a vertical surface and can emit light in two directions, either horizontally or vertically. The new range is suitable for both internal and external installation making simultaneous illumination of both buildings and pathways possible, says the company.

Vibrant effects can be created with a choice of warm white, cold white or RGB with colour mixing at source, creating a shadow-free vivid illumination. The 735 Series can be fitted with different colour light engines top and bottom. The product can be supplied with white, RGB or monochrome red, green or blue LEDs. This enables the sides of buildings to be washed with colourfu

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USA - Biamp Systems has confirmed the appointment of Peter Owen as regional sales manager for Western Europe. In his new position, Owen, who most recently served as international sales manager for Martin Audio, will be responsible for managing sales operations in the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, France, Spain, Iceland and Greenland. Owen reports directly to Graeme Harrison, Biamp Systems vice president of international sales and will be based regionally in Bedfordshire, UK.

Owen joins Biamp Systems with extensive sales management experience in professional audio and systems integration. He became international sales manager for Martin Audio in 2003 and was responsible for all operational and distributor management in 20 key territories. Prior to Martin Audio, Owen was project sales specialist at Arbiter Group in London where he managed projects including installations at major stad

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China - Procon Event Engineering has been awarded a major order for technical provision of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games venues, in a deal worth more than $4 million USD.

This contract continues Procon's involvement with the Olympic Games, having previously been one of the main service providers for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and at Athens in 2004.

Morten Carlsson, CEO of Procon MultiMedia comments: "This order shows that Procon is able to stand up to the Asian competition. Essential criteria for the assignment have been our 20 years of experience of more than 10,000 successfully executed events as well as our reputation in the area of large scale events. Based on our sales focus in this market, we are confident to gain further orders for international events in 2008."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - EcoLEDLighting is returning to The ARC Show with its range of BSI (British Standard's Institute) approved LED downlights - claimed to be the first ever BSI-tested luminaries to fully comply with Part L 1 (A & B) and 2 (A & B) of the UK building regulations.

Looking to build on last year's successful launch of the MR16 LED luminaires, the company now has a wider range of products (including lift lighting and linear lighting) with the additional benefit of BSI compliance to offer.

"I'm delighted to be back at the ARC Show after a very successful year in business," comments Robin Day, managing director of EcoLEDLighting. "Last year visitors were impressed with our high quality, long lasting, low energy fittings. We now have an expanded range and the ARC Show represents the perfect opportunity for us to display our range to the country's leading lighting design

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The Netherlands - Dutch Concert Hall Popstage W2 has undertaken a complete renovation of its sound system and has chosen an L-Acoustics ARCS line source array system. The Hertogenbosch club typically programmes 15 bands on a monthly basis. This busy schedule brings a multiplicity of production requirements and needs.

L-Acoustics distributor, Sennheiser Netherlands, the production company DVS and W2 teamed up for the project and a complete turnkey system consisting of 2 x 3 ARCS - horizontally stacked, with 2 x 2 SB218 subwoofers per side.

Nico Smidt, product manager, Sennheiser Netherlands, says: "The L-Acoustics ARCS system simply offers the best possible blend of coverage and SPL for the room. Moreover, the rider friendliness of the system is definitely an asset for the venue."

Arjen van den Oord, sound technician at W2, declares: "The technical support prov

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UK - Take That used an array of Sennheiser and Neumann equipment on their recent UK and European tours.

Front of house engineer Gary Bradshaw comments: "I did two UK and one European tour in 1993 and 1994. I was happy to be asked back for their first reunion tour 12 months ago, which led onto this one."

"There are seven musicians in the band, plus four string players," continues Bradshaw, "eight dancers, two of whom sing backing vocals, backing vocalist Lloyd and the four guys from Take That. We have a total of 67 inputs from the stage, 21 of which are radios. These include the main handheld vocal mics and two headset mics worn by two dancers, guitars and bass guitar, sax, all the strings and two radio percussion mics. Most of these radios also get used on the B stage which is usually positioned in the centre of the arena."

The choice for all of

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UK - SAE Institute reports that, along with two of its educational partners, it has been awarded Skillset Media Academy status by the Government.

The new Middlesex Skillset Media Academy - a three-way partnership between the SAE Institute, Middlesex University and Top TV Academy - is one of only 17 institutions in the country to gain this recognition.

Matthias Postel, head of SAE Institute in the UK, commented: "SAE is excited to be part of this vibrant partnership. We bring our expertise in audio engineering and digital film production to the table, augmented by Qantm College, our specialist division of games design and 3D animation. We have been a global partner of Middlesex University for the past ten years and the Skillset partnership is yet another milestone."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Alan March has joined Sennheiser UK as Business Development Specialist after twenty-one years in various roles at HW International and Shure Distribution UK. Having spent his years in the Pro Audio field working in marketing, sales and engineering roles, March arrives at Sennheiser UK with a wealth of experience and a broad knowledge of the industry.

"Coming to Sennheiser UK is a tremendous opportunity," he explains. "The role of Business Development Specialist is a new position and that excites me. Through the years I've done many different things ¬ sales, marketing and most recently applications ¬so I feel I'm very much suited to the role. This is a chance for me to move on and create something new, which is very appealing."

"My role at Sennheiser will be to develop business, particularly with regard to the Pro and Install side, which will, no

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Equatorial Guinea - The National Parliament building in Bata the capital city of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, has been provided with a Digital Congress Network (DCN) Next Generation conferencing system from Bosch Security Systems. It was selected and implemented by Bosch's engineering partner Ratti Renato, based in Milan.

The main criteria on which the decision was made in choosing the DCN system were ergonomic design, total control through a central PC and high-quality speech intelligibility. Added to these features were Bosch's proven product reliability and superior after-sales service support, says the company.

The National Parliament DCN system includes 225 discussion units in Bosch's flush-mount version that allows easy 'click-to-fit' installation and choice of functional panels that can be customised according to requirements. The specification also includes votin

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USA - A.C. Lighting Inc has appointed a new North American Sales Representative to support the company's continuing growth plans in the US and Canada. Graham Likeness joins A.C.'s sales team in the newly created position of sales representative - Western US and Canada.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Likeness will provide in the field support for the company's stockholding of general distribution products and leading technology brands - including the exclusively distributed Jands Vista, Hog 500/1000, Event, ESP and Stage lighting console ranges, and the Chroma-Q range including colour changers, gobo rotators, PSUs, and the Color Block, Color Split and Color Web multi-purpose LED solutions.

Likeness has nearly 20 years' entertainment lighting sales experience, holding the previous positions of VP for sales and marketing at Pathway Connectivity Solutions for 11 years and eight years

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UK - Britannia Row Productions used its Butterfly Outline array for sound reinforcement at the show staged on the occasion of the naming ceremony of the Queen Victoria, the cruise liner built by Italy's Fincantieri shipyard for Cunard Line (Carnival Group).

Twenty-four CDH 483 Hi-Pack units, supported by the customary Subtech 218 for the ultra-low frequencies, amplified the London Philharmonic Orchestra and performances by tenors Alfie Boe, Jon Christof and Gardar Thor Cortes.

The show included a presentation, during which Sir Derek Jacobi told the Cunard story, accompanied by pieces played by the orchestra, including Rule Britannia.

(Jim Evans)

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