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USA - Woodberry Forest School, situated on the banks of the Rapidan River near Charlottesville, Virginia, is an historic boy's prep school situated on 1200 acres of land that once belonged to General William Madison, the brother of President James Madison.

Using Technomad advanced audio solutions, the school has upgraded sound systems in two athletic facilities in alignment with campus-wide building preservation efforts.

Onyx Audio Visual, a Virginia-based IT consulting company with expertise in audio/video, network infrastructure and lighting, designed and integrated the new sound systems. The company chose a Technomad Turnkey PA System to bring multiple loudspeakers and all required signal processing systems together into a single, integrated solution.

The complete system, deployed in a 70-volt configuration to accommodate lengthy cable runs across four zones, reproduces i

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Nigeria - Until recently, most TV channels across Africa were run by underfunded national broadcasters who aired only low quality programming. But things are slowly changing. Increasingly wealthy citizens are experiencing far better TV standards when they travel abroad and then demanding better when they get home. Many are investing in wide screen TVs and personal video recorders; and are wondering why they can't also have HD.

None of the free to air broadcasters transmit in HD, so, along with a few other subscription based stations, Supersport Africa - part of a continent-wide subscription TV network owned by a division of Multichoice International Holdings (MIH) - decided to fill the vacuum.

Multichoice converted a warehouse in Lagos, Nigera, into three TV studios as part of a 'fast-track' project to create an HD broadcast facility using a range of ETC lighting, dimming and

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Germany / UAE - For more than 25 years German company LOBO has been delivering stunning laser shows - and wowing visitors to PALME Middle East since its inception in 2003.

As technology has improved these spectaculars have become increasingly advanced, and this year the specialists will present one of their most advanced showcases yet.

CREOS is the name of their eight-minute long sci-fi multimedia show, which will integrate multi-layered video and water screens with LOBO's award winning Sparks lasers and many special effects.

"This show production is a technological milestone in multimedia entertainment due to its sophisticated combination of real video, computer-generated imagery and lasers," promises LOBO creative director, Alexander Hennig.

Hennig himself directed the LOBO creative team, incorporating laser animations, laser 3D effects, green screen stu

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UK - Impact, the trade distribution company for sound, lighting and staging, has opened six new UK branches to cope with countrywide demand for the brands it represents. The new branches, in Park Royal (north London), Belvedere (south London), Glasgow, Edinburgh, Preston and Poole, were rolled out in quick succession from late 2011, allowing Impact, headquartered in Northampton, to easily cover the entire country.

"We are demonstrating an unprecedented level of service to the industry by providing a high level of stock holding and customer support, which together have driven a rapid growth in sales," says Impact MD Grant Lester. "Installers, hire companies and retailers now realise it's possible to have low prices and great service, both from the same trade distributor. We're looking forward to an exciting period ahead, for Impact and its customers."

Each n

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UK - To promote the UK launch of the new VR-3 Audio Mixer and Video Switcher at the recent Broadcast Video Expo (Earls Court, Feb 2012), Roland Systems Group gave away a brand new VR-3 at the show. All of the visitors to the stand who requested a personal demonstration of the VR-3 were entered into a prize draw - and the winner was Tony Miles, video producer at the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

After spotting the VR-3 in action on the RSG stand, 'a light went on' in Tony's mind as he realised this looked like the perfect web streaming solution for the university, and particularly for use in its new £75m Business School. The Business School will play a key part in the university, hosting a number of high profile lectures and seminars which the university would like to share with a wider audience by streaming live to the internet. After a demonstration of the cap

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USA - Flightcase and loudspeaker solutions specialist Penn-Elcom continued its support of the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising initiative started by Janal Cases - a Case for the Cure - at the NAMM 2012 trade convention in Anaheim, southern California.

Janal cases - a long term and highly valued Penn Elcom customer - raised over $1150.00 with special signed T-shirts.

The Case For The Cure T-Shirts were signed on the Penn Elcom booth at NAMM by a selection of stars who were lined up by Janal Cases, including legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins, Kelly Hansen of rockers Foreigner, drum addict Ya'el Biz, pop-rock band Hero's Last Mission and Canadian alternative actress and performer Molly Parker.

For a two hour slot on the second day of the exhibition, these T's were available from the stand for a donation to the Case for the Cure campaign of $10.00 .

A crew of Janal Case

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Beatlemania - Let it Be, a tribute show to The Beatles, will open in the West End this September. The show - a new version of Rain, which ran on Broadway in 2010/11 - will run at the Prince of Wales Theatre for a limited season from 14 September 2012 until 19 January. The Prince of Wales is where The Beatles played a Royal Variety Performance in 1963 and the show will mark 50 years since the band's first single Love Me Do. It is the first time that the grand theatrical rights to The Beatles' back catalogue have been granted by Sony/ATV for a West End production.

No Show - The Sonisphere rock festival has been cancelled, organisers have confirmed. A web statement said they had fought hard to keep it going but that "a very challenging year" meant the event wouldn't have satisfied fans and the artists. The event was to take place at Knebworth P

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UK - Entertainment lighting specialist White Light supplied equipment and support services to Mr Dickens and the Actors, the recent production marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens held at London's Guildhall and attended by The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The event featured some of Britain's leading actors - including Sir Derek Jacobi, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Bond, Stephanie Cole, Matthew Kelly and Samantha Spiro as well as performers from the Chicken Shed theatre company - performing some of Dickens' most memorable characters, from novels including Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. The event was held in support of the Royal Theatrical Fund, of which the Queen is patron.

White Light was brought in to help with the project by Peter Roberts and lighting designer Alistair Grant, to provide both a lighting rig to transform

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USA - Following the outstanding response from Le Mark's recent LDI exhibition, export manager Matt Every returned to even more success on his follow up visit to the States this month. Set to gain eight new distributors in the little over two months with more imminently expected, the US is a rapidly growing market for Le Mark's export team.

"From first stop at the Total Structures training and event day in L.A. through to the final visit in NYC, the welcome I received was far beyond my expectations," says Le Mark's Matt Every. "All our distributors have been working so effectively to promote our range and have provided excellent feedback for our US research and development team.

"The combination of LDI and my return visit has created a huge leap in our attempts to make Le Mark Group and our range of products better known in the US. It's been our Dirty Rigger

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UK - Italian acoustic specialist dBTechnologies will present its new UK sales team at the forthcoming PLASA Focus in Leeds. Products to be exhibited are the highlights of the DVA series, including its largest line array module DVA T12 and the active subwoofer DVA S30N, alongside the three Flexsys FM stage monitors and the brand new Cromo 15+ from the recently launched Cromo+ range.

The dBTechnologies team will be welcoming visitors at S-D29 this year with the help of newest recruits, David Finlay and Reuben McCartney. Finlay is responsible for the north of England having gained many years of valuable experience in retail and pro audio business. McCartney is based in the south of England, and has a wide knowledge in retail, pro audio and the recording industry.

A step up the evolutionary ladder from the successful T4 module, DVA T12 is special in its class, providing more power

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UK - Production Lighting, training and safety services supplier MattLX has announced a new website at www.mattlx.com. Launched to coincide with the release of the company's new lighting services brochure, the complimentary web design is easier to navigate and reaffirms an ongoing commitment to provide customers with relevant and accurate information.

Creative and managing director, Matt Clutterham said, "Since the company was formed in 2006, we have been lighting some of the biggest and brightest shows and events in the UK and abroad and we thought it was about time we reflected that in our web site. We are sure it provides a better insight into what we do, how we approach it and how our design focus, work ethics, attention to detail and theatrical flair make us stand out from the crowd.

"Apart from lighting one of the key features of the site is the extensive traini

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UK - When business owner Steve Graham took over The Torrance Hotel, a hotel, restaurant and bar in East Kilbride, Scotland, he was adamant that the renovation would be a modern and stunning success.

Today it stands testament to Graham's commitment and drive, a stylish and popular destination that has revitalised the surrounding area, and with an audio system throughout that is comprised of Tannoy loudspeakers.

During the renovation, Graham called in independent audio consultant Bryce Keachie of Keachie Electronics to specify and install a system that was both consistent and appropriate for all of the different areas, from discreet speakers in the sleek main dining area to something more powerful in the bar and conservatory.

"I have worked with Tannoy loudspeakers a lot in the past, so I knew that whatever solution I chose would be reliable and have that hallmark of qual

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Israel - The buoyant theatre market in Israel is also proving to be a big success for Robe moving lights, and in particular the new Robin Series - which includes the LEDWash 300, 600 and 1200s and the new MMX Spot.

Two recent major productions - the Willy Russell classic Blood Brothers at the Beit Lessin Theatre and I Gave You My Life which is ongoing, detailing the life and music of singing star Danny Sanderson at the Rubina venue of the Habima (National) Theatre, both in Tel Aviv - have utilised Robes as key elements of the lighting design.

The show's lighting designers are Meir Alon (I Gave You My Life) and Uri Morag (Blood Brothers), and the Robes were supplied by the busy Israeli distributor, Danor Theatre & Studio Systems, based in Hod Hashron.

The Habima Theatre is the oldest theatre in Israel. It has four different venues of which the Rubi

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UK - The annual First Night Riders charity motorbike event is attracting international attention from industry professionals as more bikers sign up for the event.

Organisers have just announced that theatre consultant George Ellerington of Arup Venue, Dick Lindstrom from the Swedish mechanics and lighting company Anderson & Co, stage designer and engineer Giles Favell and Andy Hayles, managing partner of theatre consultancy Charcoalblue are all signed up to take part in this year's race.

These new riders will set off with bikers hailing from all sectors of the entertainment technology industry on Friday 22 June from the grand Royal Albert Hall in London for a four-day tour visiting Theatre Royal's Bristol and Plymouth, TR2 & Globe Theatre Plymouth, Hall for Cornwall, The Minack Theatre and Kings Theatre Swansea.

Their mission? To raise as much money as possible for industry

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Singapore - SWITCH by Timbre, the latest live music restaurant and bar in the Timbre Group is a 300-seat, bilingual venue that sets the stage for the best up-and-coming Singaporean musicians proficient in Mandarin and English pop-rock and offers live performances nightly. As the third Timbre property to utilize D.A.S. Audio loudspeaker systems, SWITCH by Timbre relies on a potent sound reinforcement system drawn from the company's Aero Series 2, Road, and Avant loudspeaker product lines.

As with the other Timbre locations, D.A.S. Audio's Singapore's office was actively involved in the design and specification of the sound system at SWITCH by Timbre. In addition to the deployment of a substantial number of D.A.S. Audio's Aero Series 2 loudspeaker enclosures, this new facility is the first installation in Singapore to utilise the company's new Road Series products, the stage monit

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China - Electrosonic's Shanghai office has been designated a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE), an officially registered limited liability corporation. This allows Electrosonic to continue to pursue new business opportunities in China as a legally licensed design consulting and systems integration company while maintaining full control of business operations.

"We are very excited about the WFOE designation for our Shanghai office and look forward to the many new opportunities it affords us," says Chris Conte, Electrosonic's VP of entertainment. "We can now expand and grow our partnerships with local product suppliers, fabricators and installers, which will enhance our efficiency on the ground."

Electrosonic's China operations will conduct business under the new legal name, Electrosonic Audio-Visual Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. The office will contin

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The Netherlands - From humble beginnings as a café showcase for Dutch acts, in 14 years Vrienden van Amstel Live has grown in size, with the 2012 event encompassing seven sold out nights at Rotterdam's 10,000 seat Ahoy Arena. Such were the technical demands that it required four DiGiCo SD7 consoles and seven of the latest SD racks to manage the audio, with all equipment supplied by Ampco Flashlight Rental.

The televised show included 17 top Dutch bands playing across three stages, set up as main A and C stages at each end of the Ahoy's arena, which featured a 3300Kg per side moving PA and an invisible PA respectively, with a connecting B stage in the middle. The highlight of each night was a Battle of the Bands, which saw the acts playing opposite each other on the A and C stages, with their singers walking along the central catwalk, each facing the other band via

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Monaco - Jimmy'z d'Hiver nightclub in Monaco has recently undergone a renovation, during which the 300-capacity club has been equipped with an L-Acoustics ARCS constant curvature WST system.

The new sound system was supplied and installed by L-Acoustics Certified Provider, system integrator and distributor Services Electroniques & Sonorisation (SES). It comprises two hangs of three ARCS, one 115XT HiQ and two 112P coaxials, one SB28 subwoofer, one LA48 and two LA8 amplified controllers.

The owner of Jimmy'z d'Hiver, the Societe des Bains de Mer, is already a committed L-Acoustics client, having installed systems into other of its venues including the famous Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo.

"The ARCS constant curvature WST system is ideal for this type of application, combining strong SPLs and medium throw with controlled directivity in the horizontal plane," says

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USA - Established as the region's very first church in1840, Pleasantville United Church of Christ has served the south eastern counties of Bucks and Montgomery for more than 170 years. Today the celebrated church hosts a wide range of activities for its congregation and the surrounding community.

Pleasantville Church recently completed construction of its new sanctuary, a project that began more than 15 years ago. The newly built sanctuary is an exact replica of the original building, but constructed on a larger footprint.

The challenge of designing the optimal audio system for the space was met by designer/installer Tony Hersch of Audiobahn. The sanctuary's high vaulted ceilings and reflective surfaces presented a unique challenge in system design.

"Services at the church lean towards a traditional/blended style," Hersch explains. "Music worship is typically

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UK - PixelLine battens are lighting the new RSC logo at the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre in Stratford. The new sign is the highlight of the exterior and part of the recently constructed atrium.

After discussions with Vince Herbert, Royal Shakespeare Company's head of lighting, PixelRange supplied two new custom built PixelLine 6 luminaires to provide back lighting for the RSC sign which sits above the main entrance in the link between the main building and the New Tower.

The ceiling above the sign had been painted red to emulate the look of the RSC logo but was not illuminated effectively at night - as most of the lighting in that area is down-lighting. After trying various alternative lighting options, it was decided that up-lighting the ceiling with LED fixtures produced the best result.

PixelRange's John Hickinbotham states, "The purity of colour produced by our

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UK - Tower Productions have just completed supplying a package of synchronised generation and electrical distribution to the National Lottery Olympic Park run and Gold Challenges, the first ever events held at the new Olympic stadium.

Tower's James Mitchelmore managed the installation of eight machines around the stadium, including three 100kvas synched together for mission critical supplies. "It was a fascinating experience and great privilege to be involved with this auspicious event and be the first event power supplier to complete an event in the stadium," says Tim Shaw.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The ProSound division of Bosch Security Systems UK is now the distributor for both Dynacord and Electro-Voice in the United Kingdom.

Having a new showroom in Peterborough at their disposal, a team of six ProSound experts will be responsible for the UK distribution of Dynacord. The team, which is spreadacross the UK, will include Sean Maxwell (sales director UK), John Ellis (permanent installation), Neal Allen (concert sound), Roy Parrott (Northern MI), and David Howe (technical support). A representative for Southern mobile audio is currently being appointed.

Robert Hesse, vice president sales communication EMEA and managing director of EVI Audio, comments, "Given the great success of Electro-Voice in the United Kingdom - both due to a dedicated sales team and a strong UK dealership base - we foresee a great future for Dynacord in this new structure."

(Jim Eva

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Russia - The historic stage of the foremost Russian theatre has reopened after six years of renovation and restoration. The original acoustics and the 'golden' curtain were restored, and the total area of the theatre was doubled to 72,000sq.m. The theatre has not only been given new life, it has become one of the most technically advanced in the world.

During his recent tour of the renovated building, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev used the word "fantastic" to describe the external architectural features and technological level of the equipment installed in the Bolshoi.

Clay Paky's Russian distributor DOKA played a key role in renovating the theatre. DOKA Center signed a contract on 10 August 2005 with the German company Bosch Rexroth AG, the general contractor for stage renovation technology, engineering, equipment supply, installation and stage lighting implemen

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UK - On 28 March 2012, Stage Electrics hosted the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians 200th training course.

The one day Pyrotechnic Safety Awareness course was presented by well-known industry trainer Lincoln Parkhouse and took place at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham. The course takes participants through practical hands on training sessions on the safe use and identification of pyrotechnics and their effects.

Twenty four delegates enjoyed the one day training event and were all presented with a certificate confirming their membership to the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians and completion of the training course.

Hannah Parkinson who attended the course from the Redgrave Theatre, Bristol said, "The day gave me a good all round experience and knowledge and we'll all be safer in our workplace after being on this training."

"Stage Electrics sell a lot of

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