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Norway - Located 200 kilometres northwest of Oslo, the Quality Spa & Resort in Norefjell is a facility designed exclusively for relaxation and recuperation.

Opened in early 2009, the resort nestles serenely into its mountain setting 800m above sea level, taking its visual design cues from the local nature and wildlife. Including 244 hotel rooms plus a further 161 apartments, the resort offers a luxurious range of facilities including an indoor climbing wall, ice rink, ski in-out, spa, pool and restaurant. The resort also leads the way in their use of renewable and environmentally friendly bio-energy sources which provide almost all the power necessary for heating.

The resort also features a modern conference and entertainment complex, into which Outline's Norwegian partner EHS Proshop AS has recently installed a sound reinforcement system utilising a range of Outline loudspeak

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Austria - Vienna has hosted the Wiener Eistraum (Vienna Ice Dream) every year since 1996. This huge mobile ice rink measures over 75,300sq.ft. It is assembled in Rathausplatz, the square in front of the town hall, and is one of the largest public attractions in the city. Nearly 250 miles of pipes are laid and connected to three chillers to chill the rink. Alongside the always long-awaited skating and curling rinks, the 'Traumpfad' (path of dreams) made its debut in 2005. This 2460ft -long path leads visitors through the southern part of the city park.

This year, an inauguration party was held in grand style for the Eistraum's 20th anniversary. One grandMA2 light and three MA 4Port Nodes were used to control 40 moving lights, including Clay Paky B-EYE K20s. Christian Weisskircher was the show designer and Jürgen Erntl was in charge of programming and setting up the lights.

Jü

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UK - Drapes, soft goods and LED special effects specialist S+H Technical services supplied large quantities of silver lame draping for the series and final of ITV's new Get Your Act Together talent show, where assorted celebrities had the chance to let their hidden talents shine by learning and polishing new skills ... and performing live onstage.

The eye-catching set was designed by Patrick Doherty with whom S+H has a long-standing working relationship. Patrick's design was a nod towards bringing a touch of classic 'variety' nostalgia to the performance space . . . but with a contemporary twist. One way of doing this was through the smart application of softs.

The set architecture was based around three shrinking perspective arches. The two larger (outer) ones were constructed using a steel structure with offset mirror and glitter interior, and a contrasting X-dome int

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UK - London-based creative technology expert Realtime Environment Systems Ltd (RES) has provided the media server know-how in collaboration with LM Productions and Mapp3D Producciones for a 'full dome' installation celebrating Mexican culture.

The temporary 25m white dome was constructed at Potter's Fields Park on London's Southbank for two weeks as part of the official Year of Mexico in the UK celebrations. Inside, the Mexican Tourism Board pop-up featured a huge projection mapped dome, where images of the country's rich cultural and natural heritage swirled above visitors' heads.

RES's Mark Calvert worked closely with LM Productions' Tim Kingsmill and Stephen Harvey to supply an Avolites Ai EX8 Pro 2 media server running the latest software - Ai V8 - which features the powerful new Autoblend feature. This feature uses a camera-based warp and blend tool set, allowing m

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UK - Avolites provided lighting control to Paines Plough's Roundabout which won Theatre Building of the Year at the 2015 Stage Awards. The touring pop-up theatre features lighting controlled via an Avolites Sapphire Touch console running Titan Version 9.

The structure, described as "one of the most exciting new spaces in the country" was praised for its unique portability by the judges. Roundabout shares the honour with The Everyman in Liverpool.

The Roundabout is one of the first venues to utilise Titan Version 9, having had close involvement with the Avolites team. Lighting designers Emma Chapman and Howard Eaton specified Avolites for the installation, with Howard particularly keen on Titan for its Pixel Mapping ability.

Avolites technical director, JB Toby and lead software developer, Oliver Waits had close involvement with the Roundabout team, developing softw

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UK - The new Chroma-Q Color One 100 premium performance LED Par is being utilised on some of Northern Ireland's most prestigious opera and television projects after Belfast-based ACK Productions added the fixture to its rental inventory.

ACK Productions opened for business in 1991 and is a specialist hire company, installer, systems integrator and reseller, offering a wide range of theatrical equipment and services tailored to suit the needs of schools, theatres, venues and live events.

Owner, Alastair Kerr first encountered the Color One 100s at PLASA London 2014, and invested in a quantity of the units soon after.

"Lighting designers have historically not been interested in our LED Pars, but this has now changed as the technology has advanced," says Alastair. "I was immediately impressed with not only the intensity of the Color One 100s, but also the dimming

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USA - Northern Colorado Cowboy Church, or N3C for short, is located in a former restaurant building in Lucerne, Colorado. Although a large number of cowboy boots walk through the door every Sunday, N3C is open to everyone. The "Cowboy" in its name reflects the church's down-to-earth attitude. As one might guess, services at N3C are lively and contemporary, with high-energy music complementing colourful sermons.

Although the church originally moved into the converted restaurant with a home-grown PA-on-sticks, N3C aspired to something with much greater musical impact and intelligibility to cover its five-hundred-plus seats. Local integration firm Audio Video Colorado designed and installed a new system centred on two Danley Sound Labs SM-60F full-range loudspeakers.

"They had a lot of complaints about intelligibility and the overall quality of the sound of the hom

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Germany - On 9 June 2015 Stage|Set|Scenery will open its doors. With Stage|Set|Scenery, Messe Berlin and DTHG, the organisers of the event, aim to address the industry's forward-looking international markets. Leading international manufacturers and service providers from various parts of the industry will be attending and showcasing their projects, products and innovations.

International interest in the event is high and exhibitors from the following 19 countries have registered to take part: Belgium, China, Germany, Finland, France, the UK, Italy, Canada, Latvia, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Spain, Taiwan, the Czech Republic and the USA.

The participation of foreign associations cooperating with DTHG is a measure of the widespread interest in international dialogue. Thus, partnerships and sponsorships have been secured with the Organisation o

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UK - In response to a recent increase in demand, Stage Electrics has decided to invest in a fifth manufacturing workshop. The already busy manufacturing function assembles a range of products including internally wired lighting bars, facility panels, equipment racks, mains and low voltage cables as well as standard and bespoke stage management desks.

This change in demand has prompted the decision to move the process nearer to the components stock, which will allow the team to cut their current production time by 15% and support the manufacturing department's effort of hitting their operational targets with greater ease.

Head of manufacturing, Richard Thompson comments: "The existing workshops are at maximum capacity therefore this new infrastructure is vital to the busy manufacturing process we have here at Stage Electrics. Much of the £1.5m that the department tur

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Canada - Winnipeg's striking new Canadian Museum for Human Rights explores the universal concept of human rights with a special emphasis on Canada.

Electrosonic was contracted to do the audio-visual design of the museum's 11 galleries, and subsequently the company directed the AV equipment installation working with local partner Advance Pro. The museum features theatres, interactive touchscreen stations, projections on a digital canvas and hundreds of video clips.

Eleven media partners were involved in the build-out requiring considerable technical coordination by Electrosonic. The company worked closely with SH Acoustics, LLC of Milford, Connecticut, on the museum's audio elements.

The project posed a number of challenges due to the building's architectural profile, which was designed by US architect Antoine Predock, working with Winnipeg's Architecture 49. Designed to move

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Germany - After the operator of the Dresden theatre Wechselbad der Gefühle (Rollercoaster of Emotions) ceased operations in May 2014, TW.O GmbH took over the business of the operation, rebamed Boulevard Theatre Dresden. After a four-month renovation, operations in the listed building started again in September 2014.

In addition to the complete redesign of the auditorium, there were also heavy investments in the modernization of the stage and the entire theatre technology. Dutch manufacturer Alcons Audio pro-ribbon solutions were chosen for sound reinforcement.

"After many advisory discussions with sound engineers and other competent professionals, we organized test setups with different systems. The impressive performance of the Alcons systems and the professionalism of Event-net GmbH made it an easy decision", said Dan Becker, one of the directors of TW.O GmbH.

A

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Czech Republic - German production house Showem is the latest company to invest in a Nexo STM M28 system, which made its inaugural appearance at the new Skoda Superb launch. Both the car and the modular line array system were unveiled at the Forum Karlin auditorium in Prague, where a stunning new symphony was premiered to 500 invited media guests.

The symphony, performed by a 50-piece orchestra, was written to symbolise a new era for the 120-year-old Czech car manufacturer, and this fresh approach extended to the choice of sound system used at the launch. Showem's technical production manager, Dieter Mantzel, wanted to mark the occasion with a different PA system to those typically used for new car launches, and Nexo STM was the number one choice.

"We'd been waiting for Nexo's new M28 modular line array, and this was the perfect opportunity to purchase it," says Show

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UK - To coincide with National Apprenticeship week, Skills Minister Nick Boles has announced that hundreds more top employers have joined the government's successful Trailblazers programme to design high quality apprenticeships in everything from renewable energy to video games. Within that group are 13 PSA member employers, led by PRG UK, who have been approved to develop an apprenticeship for Live Event Technicians - a role that, according to many employers, has not been successfully catered for by current apprenticeship models.

The Trailblazer scheme will help employers decide training content, means of delivery and methods of assessment, all designed to meet their needs and deliver relevant skills.

John McEvoy, head of production for PRG UK, said: "As suppliers to the live events industry we wholeheartedly support the idea of apprenticeships being developed by employe

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UK - A lighting project for Stansted Airport designed by Morgan Sindall Professional Services (MSPS), the multidisciplinary design and engineering firm, working with lighting manufacturer OSRAM has been nominated for a prestigious Lighting Design Award.

The nomination for the Low Carbon category marks the second accolade for MSPS' electrical engineering team in three years.

To win the highly-competitive Low Carbon award, a project must demonstrate significant energy savings through excellence and innovation in terms of design, equipment or technique.

The project was for Stansted's 306m undercroft. The brief was to optimise lighting levels with improved controls that could vary illuminance levels, to reduce maintenance costs, and future proof the system so that it could be updated or integrated with other building management systems when required.

Daniel Eggington principal

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UK - Baldwin Boxall reports that Professional Sound Consultancy Ltd has reached Customer Gold Status level. Working closely with Baldwin Boxall for over a decade, Professional Sound Consultancy has gained an exceptional knowledge of the company's systems and products. The Gold Status reinforces the commitment between the two companies to promote, build, install and maintain systems of high quality with exceptional service.

Professional Sound Consultancy Ltd was formed by Katie Bradford and Stephanie France in 2003. The company takes great pride in its staff and employs top quality designers, engineers and project managers from the industry. Specialising in designing, installing and maintaining voice alarm and public address systems they have some of the largest and most prestigious sites in the UK on their portfolio.

Professional Sound Consultancy's reputation has grown over t

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Spain - With 85,000 people attending over the course of the four days, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is the world's largest exhibition for the mobile phone industry. Held annually in Barcelona within the purpose-built arena Fira Gran Via, the MWC is renowned as the industry's forum for launching major technological breakthroughs.

Creative Technology (CT) has supplied various exhibitors at this event over the last nine years with the London office providing most of the equipment used. As CT Spain has heavily invested in new equipment, the 2015 event involved a much larger contribution from CT Europe's resources, as well as an increased number of exhibitor stands being delivered.

CT provided services for six international clients with equipment including LED, touchscreens, audio systems, and media servers. One of the most challenging was a gala dinner held in the Museu Naciona

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UK - Brit rockers You Me At Six have stormed through the UK this month on their first ever arena tour. Lighting designer Louis Oliver of Okulus chose an array of Clay Paky's newest product, the award-winning Mythos, for his vibrant show design.

Co-headlining with pop punk foursome All Time Low, the band played such venues as Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and London's O2. For this run of major shows, Oliver used his design for the band's Cavalier Youth touring campaign. However, he scaled it up with more dramatic looks, using 27 of the super powerful Mythos supplied by Zig Zag Lighting.

"For the arena tour, we just made everything bigger and grander," says Oliver. "The video screen behind them has expanded so when we started looking at the fixture choices for the run we had to keep this in mind. Having fixtures that could not only complement the content but cut throug

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UK - The new addition to Nexo's STM modular line array series, the compact M28, has been installed in La Belle Angele nightclub in Edinburgh.

Nexo has had a long history with the live music venue, which opened in 1992. For a decade, the original Nexo SI 2000 system provided sound for live acts including Oasis, The Libertines and Radiohead. Destroyed in 2002 by a fire which ravaged the Cowgate area of the city, the club's owner, Hafid Mahboubi, has fought a long and hard battle to have it rebuilt.

"After 13 years it was a great feeling to be able to return to the venue we built and bring it back to life," says George Macdonald, who worked as club promoter, resident DJ and technician at the club until the fateful fire. "I was lucky enough to be trained on the original Nexo system, and I have many fond memories of what we achieved with it. I ended up taking co-owne

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USA - Barry Manilow has taken to the stage for his One Last Time Tour with Bandit Lites providing the lighting. In what is being hailed as his grand finale (or at least a goodbye to a full production touring show) Manilow brings his epic catalogue of hits from his 40+ year career to the adoring masses.

Back in 1998, Seth Jackson was told he was 'filling in for a guy' and now jokes, "I don't know when that guy is coming back!" "Over the years I moved from lighting director to lighting and set designer, production designer, and now I'm the show's creative director and production designer," he said. "We've been around the world a few times, spent seven years in Las Vegas residency, and now I guess we've got One Last Time."

Planning for the tour started back in October with conversations between Manilow and Jackson starting with a blank drawing board

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UAE - Lighthouse is one of the most successful and prolific lighting and production design practices in Dubai. Headed by Terry Miranda and his brother Steve, Lighthouse is busy continuously through the thriving events season in the UAE, and also works in other parts of the Middle East.

The Mirandas founded the company 10 years ago in 2003, initially with Terry as an LD and since then have evolved into a complete turnkey design and production house with a reputation for imagination and flair.

Lighthouse invested in Robe products immediately after they set up, and have stayed with the brand. They now have over 250 Robe units of various types which are used almost exclusively to facilitate their own shows.

The kit ranges from the most recent CycFX 8s, MMX WashBeams, Robin Beam 300s and PARfects - to older products like the ColorMix 240, ColorSpot and ColorWash 575 and 1200E ATs

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Europe - Continuing their long-term working relationship, XL Video have supplied a compact and versatile projection package for DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist's Renegades of Rhythm European tour.

XL Video project manager, Jay Mobbs-Beal worked with manager & production manager, Jamal Chalabi, to create the video specification for the tour.

The shows, which spanned across Europe from the UK over to Estonia and Lithuania, featured a projection backdrop flown behind the DJ booth. With varying venue sizes, XL Video supplied two different screen types for the tour - one 4.8m wide by 2.7m high, and a smaller 4.3m x 2.4m screen.

For the projection, XL Video supplied two Panasonic PT-DZ 10k projectors, one live and one backup, and a 0.8 lens and 0.36 short throw lens which were alternated dependent on venue and screen size. XL are also supplying the 0.36 lens for the continuation of the

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The Day the Music Died - The Music Producers Guild is backing a campaign to ensure that songwriters get a larger share of royalty income generated by digital music sales. Spearheaded by the British Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) and entitled The Day the Music Died, this initiative will focus on the role and importance of songwriters and composers in the digital music industry. It will press for three key actions - a 50/50 split of gross digital royalty income, the removal of auto-predictive search functionality in search engines, which point people to illegal content and a push for all digital advertising income to be paid to creators for all usage.

BASCA is also asking for more transparency around digital deals and is calling for improved regulation of illegal content on search engines, plus the easier removal of infringing websites and apps. P

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South Africa - Durban in South Africa once again came alive with the buzz and the excitement of the 2015 Metro FM Awards, with Robe BMFL Spots taking centre stage - as part of a rig of nearly 150 Robe moving lights - for a stunning stage presentation at the Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

Staged for the third consecutive year right in the heart of the city, attended by 4000 enthusiastic guests and VIPs, the massive evening organised by one of the country's leading radio stations was broadcast live on national channel SABC1 and saw the presentation of 20 coveted awards and nine special live performance collaborations.

Co-ordinating all the technical elements was Dream Sets. Their Project manager was Robert Hoey, who was also working on the event for the third year for event producers, Blue Moon. Lighting designer Francois van der Merwe from the Wizardry Group wa

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Czech Republic - Often hailed as the 'Czech Pink Floyd', progressive rock legends Stromboli have played a special one-off sold out show at Prague's O2 Arena to celebrate their 30th anniversary, with lighting and set designer Radek Havlicek choosing to use an array of Clay Paky fixtures to complement his impressive volcano-themed set.

Havlicek, of design agency and rental operation Pink Panther, worked alongside his colleague Petr 'Panki' Volek to choose 50 x Clay Paky A.leda Wash K10, 20 x Sharpy, 12 x Alpha Beam 1500, 24 x Alpha Spot 1200 and 12 x Shotlight Wash fixtures for the vibrant and immersive design, which was centred upon a vast volcano set piece to represent the band's name.

"We rigged some of the Clay Paky fixtures on ringed trussing around the volcano," explains Havlicek. "We positioned 14 of the K10s, which we used for vibrant washes of colour, on

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