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UK - Last year the Light It In Red campaign saw hundreds of venues, workplaces and landmarks light up in ‘emergency red’ to raise awareness for the plight of the live events industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in a bid to spread a message of hope and support to individuals in the industry, the campaign is asking everyone to get involved with a week-long show of solidarity from 15-19 March.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to support the campaign not only by illuminating buildings and structures as in previous #LightItInRed actions, but also by sharing the campaign’s heart logo on social media.
A statement from the campaign reads: “We know the past year has been bad, we don’t need reminding! So we’re not going to focus on that. We’re going to focus on you. We want to bring the live events

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USA - Founded in 2020, LA-based XR Studios constantly pushes the boundaries of XR technology to new heights. Collaborating with Fuse Technical Group for technical and equipment support, XR Studios provides two high-spec LED stages featuring quality equipment, including Brompton Technology processing and ROE Visual LED panels, and offers a team of expert technologists and bespoke workflows to help bring XR productions to life.
“We have always had a great relationship with Fuse, a company we consider to be one of the greatest pioneers in terms of pushing LED technology for a wide variety of applications,” says XR Studios’ director, J.T. Rooney. “They have a lot of experience with the equipment and provide technical consulting across live entertainment, television, film and virtual production. We wanted to ensure that our entire operation was executed at the highest le
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Zimbabwe - Winky D and Jah Prayzah both draw passion and inspiration from the same rich, deep and fertile wellspring that is the Zimbabwean musical tradition. However, the two artists take this inspiration in slightly different directions; the former favouring chanting dancehall reggae beats, while the latter opts for a sound that is a bit more contemporary.
In both cases, the two have soared to superstardom in Zimbabwe and throughout southern Africa, each with a rabidly loyal following. Indeed, nothing divides the country’s music lovers quite like the Winky-Jah debate.
This February, Kayse Concert TV presented Best of Both Worlds, a three-hour pay-per view livestream that showcased the talents of both artists. The widely anticipated show met and exceeded all expectations, as it served up a nonstop outpouring of pure passion and joy, not only with its music, b

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USA - At AREA15, the new art and entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, visitors should ‘expect the unexpected’. Behind the looming exterior façade, the 200,000sq.ft interior houses a collection of themed retail and entertainment options, all surrounded by an air of cosmic mystery.
One principal attraction is a space called The Portal, where, behind imposing metal doors, visitors can plunge into a 360-degree projection-mapped video experience supported by immersive audio enabled by Meyer Sound’s new Spacemap Go spatial sound design and live mixing tool.
The 6,584sq.ft Portal was initially conceived primarily as a large meeting and event space, one that could compete with the hotel ballrooms on the Las Vegas Strip while offering its own ambience. To that end, the projection systems were designed for four-wall coverage allowing surround v

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Sweden - The Rival hotel in the bustling Södermalm district of Stockholm is renowned as one of the city’s favourite meeting spots. A building with lots of history, it has remained dedicated to entertainment and hospitality since its beginnings in 1937.
In 2002, the complex was purchased by Benny Andersson of ABBA along with two associates, and extensive redevelopment work began to shape the complex into what it is today – a luxury 99-room boutique hotel complete with bars, a bistro and café, modern meeting facilities and a theatre.
The latest addition is a new bar named after Benny’s faithful Jack Russell terrier; Watson’s Bar offers food and drinks in a vibrant atmosphere with music at the heart of the experience. A Genelec 4000 Series sound system ensures that the pulse never stops.
Open seven days a week from 11am – 1am except Sundays which has a

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UK - A new charity fundraiser is aiming to galvanise the support for live event industry professionals in need by making donating as easy as sending a text message.
Launched by the #WeMakeEvents campaign, Texting ONETWO is a text donation initiative, the proceeds from which will directly benefit entertainment technology charity Backup. Anyone who wishes to make a one-off donation can text the words ONETWO followed by the amount they wish to donate, to 70085. To donate £5 for example, you need to input ONETWO5.
The campaign has been backed by several prominent musicians, including The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, who stated: “Everyone who works in production in theatre or live music needs to be recognised and given support in these trying times, so join us in helping them.” Frank Turner, Biffy Clyro, Enter Shikari, Katherine Jenkins and James Bay are also among the

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Europe - Integrated Systems Europe 2021 will not take place in an in-person tradeshow format this year, with a series of regional events set to be staged instead, the organisers have announced. The decision was taken due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the global travel restrictions.
The four-day show will be replaced by ISE Live & Online, a series of local events to take place in Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and London.
“We have reached this decision following extensive discussions with our exhibitors over the last few months, and more explicitly, these last 10 days,” comments Integrated Systems Events MD, Mike Blackman. “All along, there has been a clear demand for a four-day ISE show in Barcelona in June. However, uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and international travel remains, which means we are unable to run ISE 2021 in its traditiona

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Ireland - MTN Shop, an E-commerce platform offering workwear, safety products, and rigging & lifting equipment is following in the steps of some of the world’s largest companies by accepting cryptocurrency as an online payment method. Through Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, customers will now be able to purchase products from MTN Shop with the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.
Speaking on the company’s decision to accept payment via cryptocurrency, Ron Rose, MD, stated, “Creating a crypto friendly shopping experience is just another step forward in catering to the unique needs of our global customer base. At MTN, we pride ourselves on being a first mover and are keen to support the continual progress of the industries we serve as we help bring them into the digital age.
“MTN understands that cryptocurrency is still a relatively unknown method

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UK - The team behind theatrical reveal system at Electro Kabuki HQ has witnessed glimmers of hope turn into resurgent interest from companies in the events and theatrical sector. New enquiries from organisations in Europe, the Middle East and the US are seen as ‘green shoots’ that are indicators of renewed optimism and increasing confidence in the industry’s ability to recover.
New enquiries include interest from a company in Norway looking to acquire its own Electro Kabuki system having rented the intelligent reveal technology in the past. The company is planning a tour later this year. Other quote requests have landed from the United Arab Emirates and from the United States.
In addition, the team at Electro Kabuki has recently packaged a full demonstration system and despatched it to the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. While a long-term Electro

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South Africa - A demonstration featuring L-Acoustic’s L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Technology and Klang:technologies, highlighted how a show could translate into a memorable experience for a live audience and those watching the broadcast from home via a live streaming platform.
Presented by Immersive Show Technology, MGG and DWR Distribution, the four-day session held at the MGG studios in Johannesburg, opened a conversation of the possibilities that will take events to a level never seen nor heard in South Africa, solutions that should make corporates wanting to establish brand identity, stop and take notice.
While Immersive Show Technology (IST) is a newly formed company, it is represented by respected industry players, director and team leader Chris de Lancey, audio engineer Adriaan van der Walt and audio-visual master mind Adrian du Preez. IST owns a pair of L-ISA

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UK - disguise has announced that global investment firm The Carlyle Group will take a majority stake in the company, with US video games developer Epic Games taking a minority stake.
disguise employees will also retain a “significant” minority share, with founder Ash Nehru the largest shareholder. Existing private equity partner Livingbridge will also reinvest in the transaction.
The partnership with Carlyle will accelerate disguise’s growth plan, focusing on international expansion, continued innovation, and enhanced support and product offerings for its customers. Meanwhile, Epic Games has bolstered its position with this latest transaction, having last year backed disguise with an undisclosed grant to enable its technology to be a native platform for the delivery of Unreal Engine content in xR projects.
disguise CEO Fernando Kufer says: “We’re proud

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UK - Throughout February, LSi and PLASA hosted a blind auction for an industry-related number plate reading ‘A1 DMX’, donated by a prominent TV lighting director who has chosen to remain anonymous. The aim of the auction was to raise funds for the #WeMakeEvents campaign, with the winning bid coming in at a generous £2,500. #WeMakeEvents, LSi and PLASA would like to thank everyone who took part.
Every penny from the auction will go to the #WeMakeEvents campaign and their chosen charity, Backup which supports industry professionals and their families through times of ill health and financial crisis. Backup also allocates #WeMakeEvents funds to a number of specialist charities, including: Acting for Others, Music Support, Stagehand and #MakeItBlue. 
The number plate’s original owner comments: “I’m very grateful to everyone who bid for my number plate, and esp

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UK - The British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) will push into 2021 with a new logo and website, but “the same determination to ensure that the UK entertainment industry has access to enough quantity and quality of spectrum to maintain its position as a world leader,” says the organisation.
At the end of 2020, the steering group was bolstered with the return to the group of industry veteran John Steven, who had served on the steering group from 2006 until 2015; Jonathan Edwards from Terry Tew Sound & Light; and Phillip Brown from the Society of London Theatre. Meanwhile, familiar industry faces and BEIRG veterans Duncan Bell, Tuomo Tolonen and Andy Lillywhite remain steadfast in their drive on the steering group, and Anna Wolffe of Ranelagh provides support and expert strategic political guidance as she has done for nearly 10 years.
The group has e

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Summer of Love - More than 200 events are to be staged in and around Chester as Storyhouse prepares a reopening programme, which it promises will be a ‘barn-raising’ open air season. The arts organisation said it would begin activity from May, with theatres and cinemas allowed to operate from 17 May under the government reopening roadmap. Storyhouse said its Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre would open earlier than normal – possibly as early as 22 May – while Moonlight Flicks open-air cinema will also run from the May half term.
Storyhouse artistic director Alex Clifton said: “We’re launching a summer of festivity, joy and healing, together in the sunshine – a real summer of love. We’re planning a barn-raising, together-again party with the roof off. Plays and movies and family activities: all of us together in the city’s parks and open spaces, loving our cit

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Germany - rental company Gahrens + Battermann has been active in events and entertainment since 1983 by offering innovative technical solutions, having eight locations throughout Germany. Gahrens + Battermann has invested in numerous Prolights EclPanel TWC recently, as part of a growth of inventory and business strategy.
Dennis Rudolph, head of the lighting technology department, comments, "In terms of output and light quality, the Prolights EclPanel TWC has completely convinced us. In addition, there are several points that make it stand out in my eyes compared to other product solutions. For example, the device has an integrated power supply and W-DMX, which is a great advantage in terms of mobility.
“Also, the panels are in a black housing, which of course makes integration into sets etc. visually easier. All in all, I can say that all features are convincing an

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UK - The WACKIT Contest organisers - CAST Group of Companies, Claypaky and Durham and Jennie Marenghi have announced the winners of the virtual lighting competition held over the past few months and judged by the LD panel of Paule Constable, Davy Sherwin and David Bishop, chaired by Durham Marenghi.
WACKIT comprised two side-by-side competitions for professional and student lighting designers from UK and Ireland to create a virtual video of their work from a model of the Royal Albert Hall.
Winner of the Professional section is Nick Humphrey, second is Kris Goodman with David Howard taking third place. Commenting on the winning entry, the judges said, “Builds well – the cueing through it was good and the progression of ideas well delivered and it pulls back to the organ – so story keeps going – pretty realistic, good movie – lots of falling effects – well t

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Switzerland - Chauvet continues to expand its presence in Europe. The company has just announced that it will begin providing direct sales and service support for its products in the Swiss market through its French and German offices.
Chauvet France will be responsible for the western section of Switzerland, and Chauvet Germany will look after the rest of the country. Renens, Switzerland-based Radio Matériel will continue to be a reseller and service support centre for Chauvet in the region. The new programme applies to Chauvet Professional, Chauvet DJ and Iluminarc products.
Martin Fournier, Chauvet’s European sales director will lead the expansion effort, while Aland Mahieu of Chauvet France and Alexander Rexforth of Chauvet Germany will oversee their respective regional markets within Switzerland.
“This is an exciting development for us,” said Stéphane

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Germany - Neutrik has acquired Connex GmbH. The Oldenburg-based company, founded in 1990, produces and develops components for professional event industry and industrial applications.
The Connex product portfolio comprises solutions for mobile or stationary applications. These include power distribution systems, fibre optic solutions, video products, ethernet components, splitters, patching systems, stage boxes, cabling and measuring devices.
Connex focuses not only on standardised products, but also develops individual solutions and delivers comprehensive consulting services and support in the implementation of projects.
"We are very excited about the growth of our group. Connex GmbH is going to enable us to expand our activities to further areas of application and to strengthen our leading position in the market", says Chad Trevithick, CEO at Neutrik Group.

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UK - Brompton Technology and disguise are among the companies included in this year’s fifth annual Financial Times 1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies. The FT 1000, compiled with research company Statista, shows 1,000 European companies that achieved the highest compound annual growth rate in revenue between 2016 and 2019.
This years’ edition highlights some of Europe’s most promising growth businesses, with data taken just before the pandemic took hold.
“We are delighted to be recognised by the Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news and information organisations, and see Brompton included in the latest FT 1000 list alongside other brilliant companies, such as our friends at disguise,” comments Brompton’s CEO, Richard Mead. “We would like to thank all our staff and partners across the globe for their part in this achieve

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UK - Unusual Rigging has welcomed the outcome of yesterday’s Budget and what it means for theatres and other arts venues. The chancellor’s pledge to give an extra £410m to the arts is intended to help the sector recover as lockdown eases.
The funds are earmarked for theatres, museums, galleries and live music venues. But, says Tom Harper, managing director at Unusual, for the funds to be used most effectively, the industry should be regarded as an ecosystem, echoing the National Theatre’s Rufus Norris’ idea that the funds should be pumped into productions and not venues.
“The Chancellor has acknowledged that the culture sector will be a ‘significant driver’ in the UK’s pandemic recovery. While theatres are aiming to open from 17 May with social distancing in place, and with full capacity performances to be allowed from 21 June, there are still months a

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UK - Budget 2021 included several measures relevant to theatres including additional funding for the arts, an extension to the Job Retention Scheme and a new Community Ownership Fund.
The Chancellor also announced other measures that could help some theatres: extension to the business rates holiday until the end of June followed by nine months of the rate being discounted by two thirds; VAT cut to 5% on leisure and hospitality sales will stay in place until 30 September, after which the rate will be 12.5% for a further six months, and Restart Grants of up to £18k per premises for hospitality businesses, which would include theatres.
Responding to the Budget, Theatres Trust director Jon Morgan says, “Theatres Trust welcomes not only the Chancellor’s announcement of additional funding for the arts, but also his recognition for the important role culture will play in

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UK - Newly self-employed workers who have lost income during the COVID-19 crisis will be able to claim grants from the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
The change to the eligibility criteria, which was announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in today’s Budget, means those who have become self-employed during 2019-20 will be able to receive cash grants based on their tax returns. When SEISS was launched however, it was based on tax returns for 2018-19, which resulted in many people failing to qualify.
But this latest move will do little to please campaigners, who have been lobbying the government for months to extend the scheme to thousands more excluded workers, such as limited-company directors.
Sunak has also extended the furlough scheme to the end of September, with workers guaranteed to receive 80% of their income until then, whilst employers will b

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UK - The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)’s next free-to-attend webinar is entitled Temporary Power Distribution.
Temporary electrical systems are often a source of confusion. Questions such as ‘Does BS 7671 apply?’, ‘How long can a temporary system be installed for before it needs to be considered permanent?’, or ‘Do the rules for construction sites apply to systems used for an event?’ are frequent issues for electrical technicians and designers.
Another common discussion point with temporary systems is that of generators and their earthing requirements. Do they need to be earthed? Is a reference earth required? What is a floating generator? Should generators have RCD protection? This is an area that has undergone a significant amount of work in recent years, the latest guidance is explored in this seminar.
This seminar will e

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UK - With the UK government announcement of a lockdown exit strategy, heralding a return to live events, Shure has announced the next round of its virtual wireless masterclass, followed by the Wireless Workbench Masterclass, starting Monday 22 March.
Wireless microphones and personal monitors are an essential part of almost every audio system, from live entertainment to news broadcasts to business presentations and houses of worship. But changing spectrum availability often makes it difficult to deliver reliable wireless audio in a wide array of venues and under changing RF conditions.
In this five-part virtual seminar edition of the popular wireless training series, this course is split into five one-hour sessions.
Correct and efficient frequency management is an essential skill in today's busy RF environments. Wireless Workbench (29 March) can help you stay o
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