Czech Republic - The J.K. Tyl theatre in the Czech Republic city of Plzen (Pilsen) is one of the city's most historic cultural landmarks. Built in 1902, the impressive building honours the city's outstanding theatre tradition, which is second only to that of the capital, Prague. The theatre has recently benefitted from a significant audio system upgrade which has seen the installation of a new Innovason Eclipse GT digital mixing console and a sophisticated EtherSound digital audio network.

Muscdata, exclusive distributor in the Czech Republic for the Innovason brand, selected cable from German cable manufacturer, Sommer Cable as the backbone of the system with an AVM500-ES EtherSound network matrix from Auvitran which enabled star as well as daisy-chain connections. The AVM500 is connected to the control room via optical fibre.

The result is a completely flexible network which

Denmark - In October 2011, Legoland in Billund, Denmark, offered a variety of Halloween-themed activities, competitions and special shows. As part of the spooky fun, Legoland dressed up its King's Castle in Halloween-themed colours and graphics, including animated images from energy-efficient, LED-based Martin Professional Exterior 400 Image Projectors.

Projected onto the King's Castle's turrets were a variety of themed images - ghosts, skeletons, jack-o'-lanterns and bats - up to six images per luminaire with creative options such as image rotation, dynamic focus and dimming. The Exterior 400 Image Projector's interchangeable colour slots allowed each image to change colour up to eight times, adding a further dynamic element to the ghostly atmosphere.

At over 7000 lumens of power, the Exterior 400 Image Projector had no problem handling the 40m projection throws, and the fixt

Egypt - The Ballroom of the luxury Fairmont Towers Heliopolis, Cairo, features four spectacular chandeliers designed to evoke the living corals of the Red Sea. Designed by Maurice Brill Lighting Design and implemented by Artistic Licence Integration, the chandeliers provide highly versatile illumination for this2000-person capacity space.

Each chandelier is rectangular in shape, the largest being over 6m long and 3m wide. Structurally, the illusion of coral is created by a forest of curved glass rods, hanging stalactite-like from the chandelier base. With the addition of dynamic lighting effects, the forest springs into life as synchronised pulses and patterns of light run across all four installations.

Artistic Licence supplied the luminaires and lighting control used to achieve these effects. These comprised some 720 custom RGB LED linear fixtures, each 0.5m in length, and 9

Cyprus - Adamson's exclusive distributor in Cyprus, ProSonic Audio-Lights, recently installed a Point Series system in the Joko Restaurant, located in the city of Nicosia. Its bright and open space promise a pleasant and warm atmosphere. The sounds to compliment the flavour of the establishment, features the full and warm sounding Adamson Point Series cabinets throughout the venue.

he design consists of eight Point 8's and four Point 115 subs for low frequency extension. The Adamson M Series Processor is used for control and the entire rig is powered with Lab Gruppen C Series amplification.

The Joko Restaurant does not close the doors after dinner. The trendy restaurant doubles as a lounge/club into the night. Director of Prosonic Audio-Lights, Christos Chrysnathou, comments, "The Joko installation was really a simple installation. The owner was asking for the best high f

Croatia - The Summer Sea Coast Show takes place annually in Croatia's picturesque seaside towns of Opatija and Rijeka on the Adriatic Sea.

This year, a crowd of around 2,000 turned up to hear Zagreb rock legends Psihomodo Pop and The Beat Fleet (TBF), a rap rock band from Split - with fixtures from PR Lighting, supplied by production company GLS, bringing the scenography to life.

The company purchased eight versatile Pilot 575s from PR Lighting's Croatian distributors, Turbo-X d.o.o, which went straight onto the show.

GLS' purchasing decision was based on the value for money offered by these fixtures, according to Turbo-X d.o.o's Dario Stipic, "They were delighted with the performance," he said. "The Pilot 575's will now go into their rental inventory for use on shows throughout the year."

Meanwhile the company reports growing interest in PR Lighting fi

UK - The Leader Light Stage 6-06 LED fixture - which features a traditional look of six round lenses mounted in a 600mm linear batten, but with each lens powered by a 10W white LED source -recently made dramatic appearances lighting Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on The Jonathan Ross Show, and on Bowling for Soup's UK tour.

Russ Grubiak, lighting programmer for The Jonathan Ross Show was "very excited about the use of a very special product." He and show lighting director Oli Richards considered various ways of using the 6-06 before deciding on their approach: "We figured that a lot of people would use them in straight lines or as a grid. Oli's preference was for a non-uniform, random focus that filled the ceiling space and looked as edgy as possible. We mounted the fixtures in a ball and socket TV grip, which suited our monopole hanging grid at the stu

USA - Skin care giants, Nu Skin, recently held their global sales meeting when 15,000 sales reps from around the world assembled in Salt Lake City to learn, celebrate and connect over a three day period. The expansive Energy Solutions Arena was dressed for the occasion, and Michael Marto, CEO of event producers Executive Visions Inc., collaborated once again with John Featherstone of Lightswitch for innovative lighting and media design.

Featherstone's brief from Marto and the EVI team was to help bring their vision to life by creating an exciting 'arena scale' design that would be interesting and engaging from the front of the room to the back. A combination of a dynamic lighting system and an LED stage deck made for an inventive palette of creative tools, which included six of GLP's new impression Spot One LED heads.

With three days of meetings and awards - interspersed with

USA - Josh Groban's Straight to You Tour played its first show -fresh from its European leg - at the Bank Atlantic Centrein Sunrise, Fla. Fourteen COLORado Batten 144 Tour linear wash lights illuminated the stage's backdrop adding depth and colour to the faux building - reminiscent of old-word ruins - that doubled as a projection surface for video content.

Flanked by sets of stairs, the open stage allowed Groban to walk straight into the audience. At times, the accompanying band - over a dozen horn players, drummers, violinists, guitarists and more - perched themselves on the edge of the stage or on the stairs as well. This gave the performance a theatrical look overall, lending an intimate touch to the large arena.

At other times, the band plays fairly close to the backdrop where the slim, linear and unobtrusive COLORado Batten 144 Tour wash lights uplight the scene in

USA - High schools and colleges from coast to coast are investing in Robert Juliat followspots, according to Bill Conner and Paul Sanow of Bill Conner Associates LLC, theatre planners and designers in Oak Park, Illinois.

They have specified Robert Juliat Super Korrigan 1200W HMI followspots and Buxie 575W MSD followspots in both newly-constructed and renovated theatres in public and private high schools and colleges across the country.

"Schools typically don't go for high-end lighting, but I like these fixtures and strongly recommend them," says Conner. "There was a perception that the Robert Juliat followspots were more expensive than others on the market. But my conclusion is that they are not: On a dollar-to-dollar performance basis, they rate better. And thanks to their versatility, they're a great pick for educational institutions and the variety of product

UK - The hit of the 2009Durham Festival, Crown of Light -a stunning son-et-lumière that uses the extraordinary architecture of Durham Cathedral as its canvas - returned to the city once again this winter.

Created by Ross Ashton, with a soundtrack by Robert Ziegler and JohnDel'Nero, Crown of Light draws its visual material from inside the cathedral itself and from the Lindisfarne Gospels.

The PIGI projectors were supplied by entertainment lighting specialist White Light, continuing a collaboration with Ashton that has encompassed projects from Edinburgh to New York.

"White Light is a valued partner on my projects," Ashton notes. "They are helpful and accommodating, and work hard to make sure that everything goes well prior to delivery and during the operation of the kit."

"Ross's projects are always something to behold," comments

UK - With effect from Monday 21 November 2011 Independent Studio Services has moved to larger premises at: Low Green, Nowton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5ND (Tel: 01284 765066).

The move has come about to facilitate the increased demand for the company's services of design, supply and installation of complete stage engineering mechanical facilities.

Under the leadership of MD Simon Caldwell, Independent Studio Services brings many years of experience providing mechanical and electrical engineering solutions to the performing arts industry, from initial design and planning, right through to the supply of hardware, and full installation.

Independent Studio Services also provides project management services on full stage equipment installations, interfacing with clients and contractors to ensure the most efficient, timely and safe execution of a project.

"Independent

UK - Musician and composer Kathryn Tickell has been using DPA 4099 instrument clip mics, supplied by UK distributor Sound Network, for her Northumbrian Voices project, which has been touring the UK.

Northumbrian Voices is based on interviews and recordings made with family members and shepherd musicians from whom Tickell learnt tunes and songs. Three generations of musicians perform in a reflection of strong communities, their music and collective stories. Three violins, which are being played alongside such traditional instrument as Northumbrian pipes and melodeon, are being miked with DPA 4099Vs, designed specifically for mounting on violas and violins.

Tickell first encountered the 4099s playing violin for Sting's A Winter's Night...Live from Durham Cathedral concerts. "Durham Cathedral is not the easiest place to amplify acoustic music," she

UK - ML Executives, one of Europe's leading full service event production facilities, has announced the expansion of its audio hire department with an investment in a complete d&b audiotechnik J Series Loudspeaker system.

ML Executives have worked on a range of top live music events over the last 25 years, building up a vast amount of experience in the field. However, in order to supply the speaker system of choice for some of the company's clients, ML has been working closely with industry specialists Azule Finance to quickly expand its hire inventory.

Neil White, project manager at ML Executives, explained why the substantial investment made sense: "Adding the d&b J Series to our existing stock of L-Acoustics and EAW systems gives us access in house to three of the leading loudspeaker brands. Until now we've been hiring in this system but recently took the decision to p

USA - Situated on a hilltop between the Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains, McDaniel College's tree-lined 160-acre campus has been called one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US.

One of the most visited buildings on campus is Baker Memorial Chapel. Constructed in 1958, the historic brick building hosts weekly worship services, campus-sponsored events including seasonal concerts, guest speakers and presentations, baccalaureate and invocation services, as well as frequent weddings and memorial services for alumni and current students.

When the college's administrators recently decided to replace the existing cluster-style sound system in the busy venue, it was crucial that the new system provide superior sound quality while preserving the church's quaint aesthetic and historic architecture. The chapel's wood panelled walls, initially designed as acoustical

UK - The prime time Saturday night quiz show Who Dares Wins, hosted by Nick Knowles, sees two teams of complete strangers compete by completing a series of lists. The team who names more correct answers on a list gets the chance to play...and win £50,000.

Richard Martin Lighting (RML) provides the lighting for the show, which is filmed in 3sixtymedia - Granada Studios, Manchester. It has previously been filmed in TVC, TLS, BBC Glasgow. Martin Kempton designs the lighting show.

His chosen specification includes VL1000TS, VL2402s, Stage Zoom 1200s, MAC 250s, MAC 500s, MAC 600s, Mini MACs, Nova Flowers, Chroma Banks, Pixel Bricks, Chroma Floods, Pixel Pars and VL3000 Wash's. Over 200 moving lights are used to create a strong and vibrant look to enhance the drama of the show.

Who Dares Wins is aired each week on BBC1 and also includes Thunderball, Lotto Draws

Romania - For over 50 years, the National Stadium in Bucharest was the venue for all home matches of the Romanian national football team. In 2005, it was decided to tear the stadium down and construct a new one in its place. The new Stadionul National, which was three years (from 2008 to 2011) in the making, is an ultra-modern, multifunctional arena designed for both major sporting events and concerts.

Satisfying the highest international standards, the stadium is capable of accommodating over 55,000 spectators, including 3,600 VIPs. If needed, the total capacity can be expanded to 62,000. The arena is the first in Romania to meet the exacting 'elite stadium' standards for infrastructure laid down by UEFA, making it the first stadium in the country qualified to host the finals of international competitions. The first such event scheduled for the new stadium is the UEFA Europa Le

USA LED video screen manufacturer Lighthouse's new product, VideoBlades, is the main video element in Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour.

The tour unfolds Michael Jackson's artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing his creative genius for the first time, the show "captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations".

VideoBlades, a result of an alliance between Lighthouse and Pix2o, is a large-scale LED video display technology that straddles the worlds of video and lighting in the entertainment, events and architectural markets. VideoBlades 12 provides a 12.5mm pixel pitch, modular LED video screen that delivers "superb image quality both indoors and outdoors, with a literal twist...".

VideoBlades 12 come

USA - Few rock bands can say they have been touring to sold-out crowds across five decades, but Journey can. Since first forming in 1973, the group has produced 19 Top 40 singles and 25 Gold and Platinum albums. When launching their 2011 tour in Phoenix, AZ, lighting designer Kevin 'Deuce' Christopher was tasked with putting together a powerful and expansive design that could enhance the music while creating a variety of looks. To do so, Christopher turned to long-time tour provider Epic Production Technologies who supplied him with Vari*Lite automated luminaires.

"I initially joined Journey as their lighting designer in the summer of 2004," began Christopher. "When I put a lighting design together, I like to design in flow with the songs, which for Journey can be anything from up-tempo and powerful, to subtle and dramatic. As a designer, they give me a fantastic

UK - Black Light has replaced the house lighting for two auditoriums within the Sage Gateshead, one of the UK's leading music venues. The project required Black Light's team to overcome a number of significant technical challenges and work to a tight deadline and on a restricted budget. To get the job done the company used its specialist rigging skills and installed a bespoke LED-based system that provided the flexibility, long life, low running costs and low heat output that the client required.

"Thank you to all the staff at Black Light involved with the Sage Project, for all the hard work and attention to detail, greatly appreciated," said John Wilkinson from Gateshead Council. "The end result looks stunning."

The brief for the £150K project was to replace an existing tungsten-based system that was proving expensive and unreliable. The replacement

USA - Six High End Systems intellaspot automated luminaires helped shine the light on Alicia Keys' charity fundraiser - the 2011 Black Ball New York for the Keep a Child Alive Foundation. Keys started the organisation in 2003 to aid HIV/AIDS victims in Africa and India.

LD Brendan Gray of Gray Matter Visual returned for his fourth year designing the lighting and media content for the 3 November event, held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. Scharff Weisberg Lighting was the vendor.

The six HES intellaspot fixtures were positioned on the deck behind the band in between the seven LED panels.

"I was interested in using the intellaspots after seeing them a few weeks earlier at an HES Open House in New York City. Craig Burross and Chris McMeen were helpful in getting the fixtures to me to try out," Gray explained.

Gray was intrigued by the 850W source, which he

New Zealand - The Edge is the hub of performing arts and entertainment in Auckland, New Zealand, and it comprises five of the city's leading venues - Aotea Centre, Herald Theatre, Auckland Town Hall, The Civic and Aotea Square. All of these diverse spaces are located within minutes of each other in the Auckland CBD, and cater for all interests, from intimate theatre and large scale musicals to outdoor rock concerts.

The Edge had always used Strand consoles for their lighting control ever since the original Aotea Centre opened in 1991 with a Strand Galaxy console. The majority of the consoles were Strand 500 series, upgraded 10 years ago.

Malcolm Ibell, head of lighting at The Edge, reports, "I was searching for replacements that would not only work for today but would future proof us too". A major consideration was the networking abilities offered by a console.

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Mexico - Thanks to a special three-way collaboration between three rental companies, El Estadio Azteca (the Aztec Stadium) in Mexico City was filled with Nexo Geo line arrays for two major live shows.

Starting with L/R arrays of Nexo Geo T for the main PA, with a bone-shaking 18 CD18 subs stacked in front of the stage, the system also used long arrays of Geo D for the out-fill. Halfway down the stadium field, two delay towers each carried an awesome 18 Geo T array with four CD18, ensuring that those at the back of the Aztec Stadium heard just as much PA as those in the front.

These were special events for two radio stations; 92.9fm La Ke Buena, which plays regional Mexican music known as 'Grupera', and Los 40 Principals, which specialises in pop music, mainly in Spanish. Performers were also given the Nexo treatment on stage, where 18 PS15 cabinets were used for stage monitori

South Africa - Multi-Media used their 12 new Robin 300 LEDs for two prominent events, Herbalife Southern Africa Extravaganza and the PICA Awards.

Some 2 500 guests from across the country attended the Herbalife Southern Africa Extravaganza, a three day event hosted at the Emperor's Palace Conference Centre in November. Multi-Media were the technical suppliers and used their Robin 300s, hiring a few additional units from MJ Event Gear, for the show. "The units were very responsive, bright, power efficient and the saturation in colour," commented Tim Fish from Multi-Media.

The 42nd PICA Awards, presented by the Magazine Publishers Association of South Arica (MPASA), was held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 17 November. Multi-Media once again provided the full technical for the event, hosted in the Pavilion Room.

"This was quite a large show and the room will

Slovakia - Robe moving lights continue to be a popular choice for television and broadcast applications worldwide, with a selection of the latest Robe technology centre stage for the most recent series of Let's Dance in Slovakia, where celebrities paired with professional dancers battle it out with great flare on the dancefloor every Friday night on Markiza TV.

The venue for the 2011 series was the Incheba Expo in Bratislava, with lighting equipment supplied by Slovakia's Q-99, which has over 400 Robe fixtures in its hire stock.

Apart from the lighting design, director of photography Vlado Valko and Q-99's new Robe Robin 300 Beams, this series was also notable for fielding Let's Dance gay couple, Marek and Viktor, a big hit as personalities as well as talented dancers.

The Let's Dance set resembled a 'classic romantic' ballroom scene with glitz, glamour

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