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Colombia - Obsidian Control Systems has appointed Audio Concept as its exclusive distributor in Colombia.
The Bogota-based company, which has provided professional and high-end consumer audio, lighting and video products in the region for over 30 years, will offer support for the entire line of Obsidian hardware and software lighting control solutions.
Audio Concept has already held training sessions dedicated to the Onyx system and the latest Obsidian consoles in Bogota, with further workshops coming up in other locations in July.
Jean Paul Gaspard, president of Audio Concept, comments: “We are excited about the opportunity to offer Obsidian controllers to lighting professionals across Colombia. We believe the intuitive nature of the new Obsidian products combined with training of lighting programmers will help position Obsidian as one of the top control bra

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Audience Comfort - Ambassador Theatre Group chief executive Mark Cornell has claimed theatres need to look to cinemas to improve audience comfort, arguing theatregoers are having to endure “seats designed like torture instruments”. Cornell made the comments during his first major speech to members of the industry at UK Theatre’s Theatre and Touring Symposium, which took place in London on 17 June.
He said: “[Audiences] arrive at our theatres at a time set by us, they then navigate queues, fold themselves into seats designed like torture instruments, dine on a packet of crisps or a tub of ice cream and often endure temperatures that fluctuate between Siberia and the subcontinent.
“Yet cinema chains such as the Everyman have reinvented the experience of going to the movies. They provide a wonderful, enriching experience, which everyone should really enjoy regul

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Denmark - Ayrton has appointed Matrix as its new exclusive distributor for Denmark with immediate effect.
Matrix has quickly established itself as one of the leading sales and distribution companies for the entertainment industry in Denmark and enjoys strong relationships with customers and suppliers.
“Ayrton was the obvious choice for us, as we needed a high profile moving light brand to complete our lighting program,” says Jakob Hansen, sales manager for lighting and staging at Matrix. “The arrival of Ayrton’s new line of profiles, spots and wash fixtures was the deciding factor for us - they fit perfectly into our range of professional sound, light, stage equipment and audio-visual products.”
Matrix will focus on bringing the full Ayrton range of LED lighting products to the Danish market and the sales team are already out on the road with the new

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Germany - Over 300 exhibitors will be presenting their latest products and services for theatre, film and event technology at Stage|Set|Scenery, taking place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 18 to 20 June. 
The expo is co-organised by Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft (DTHG) and Messe Berlin.
Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, comments: “With over 50 theatres, three opera houses, Europe's biggest museum complex and numerous exhibition venues, as well as some 1,000 companies representing the film industry, culture is a major economic factor in Berlin. By hosting Stage|Set|Scenery we are aiming to give the city's large cultural sector a platform for an interdisciplinary dialogue, opportunities for training and an inspirational event.”
Wesko Rohde, chairman of the board and managing director of DTHG, adds: “Creativity drives this industry. T

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Europe - Audio technology innovator Holoplot has confirmed details of a webinar that will introduce its 3D beamforming and wave field synthesis technologies.
Taking place on 3 July at 16:00 CEST, the webinar is free but requires registration, which can be made on Holoplot’s website.
With high-profile installations in museums, concert halls, and many other public venues, immersive audio has become a significant global trend during the last few years. But it is often the case that immersive sound installations are time-and cost-intensive exercises involving complex audio design work and multiple loudspeaker positions.
Into this emerging market, Holoplot has launched a solution with its technology that offers a simpler and

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UK - Birmingham-based NEC Group gave a presentation of what’s to come in the new Bradford Live venue, during an event at the National Museum of Science and Media.
Formally the Bradford Odeon, the demolition work inside the building is now well under way, with many of the original art deco features revealed for the first time in over 40 years, as the concrete from the 1960s cinema structure is stripped out. The next stage of development will be the start of the renovation and restoration works, paving the way for a re-opening in the 2020/21 season.
The venue will boast the renaissance of the 1930s ballroom, which will become a 750-person capacity space, for conferencing and banqueting, whilst the double height main auditorium will be reinstated as a 4,000-capacity live events venue.
Phil Mead, NEC group chairman for the group’s arenas and ticketing company, s

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USA - Entertainment technology industry veteran Nils Thorjussen has helped develop key lighting control solutions, including the Flying Pigs’ Wholehog lighting console and Elements Lab’s VersaTube LED tube. Now, he’s back as the CEO of drone show company Verge Aero.
Thorjussen comments: “A lot of beautiful and outstanding work has already been done with drones in entertainment, but what’s lacking is a fully integrated system making it easy for designers to create and deploy their creative vision via hundreds of drones. For the past two years, I’ve been working with a team of former aerospace engineers to create a comprehensive control system with a straightforward programming interface, effects generation algorithms, full 3D visualisation, and automatic flight path calculation.
“When my lighting friends ask me what I’m up to, I say I’m building Drone

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UAE - disguise has announced Creative Technology Middle East has joined its certified solution provider (CSP) worldwide network.
The disguise CSP programme is designed for systems integration partners to resell disguise products and services to end customers as part of their differentiated solution. Under this programme, CSPs manage, service and support end customers directly.
CT is a long-time disguise user, and CT Middle East (CTME) has been using disguise for more than three years.
“CT is always looking at new ways to raise the bar within the industry, and this CSP accreditation is the perfect addition as it enables us to continue to be a vital driving force within the region,” says Andy Reardon, managing director of CTME.
“We are pleased to be a part of the disguise CSP programme, allowing us to expand our offering within the industry and move CTM

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UK - Neutrik has appointed FBT Audio (UK) as an authorised distributor, effective 1 June.
The agreement has been hailed by Neutrik UK managing director Mark Perrins as “the culmination of a long search for the right partner”.
“We are intent on bringing the highest quality product to this very important market, and we have been assessing a strong partner in the UK who can help us to achieve that goal,” explains Perrins. “We are delighted to have appointed FBT Audio (UK), serving a range of MI and pro audio-based dealers and distributors. Coupled with high quality product from FBT, Neutrik has also been impressed with the quality of customer service and extensive additional market coverage that FBT Audio (UK) can offer. We are looking forward to a long and enjoyable relationship as we explore new markets and meet new customers.”
“Some brands are right

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Belgium - Last summer, event design and production company John & Jane made its first investment in Astera AX1 Pixel Tubes.
At the time, the company was designing a lighting scheme and providing production for a Brussels Airlines event being staged in an old townhouse, and specifically sought a light source which could be used abstractly to highlight areas of the building. Initially, they purchased AX1s for illuminating a staircase, but ended up buying more from Benelux distributor Controllux, which were used on the floor - in the style of plane emergency lighting.
The long battery life, consistent brightness and easy set-up and use are all reasons attracting them to Astera.
The Pixel Tubes are now working constantly, claims the company. The fixtures are used to light gardens, fountains buildings - interiors and exteriors - main event rooms and spaces, corrid

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Here We Go Again - Bjorn Ulvaeus has said he would not rule out the possibility of a third Mamma Mia! film. In an interview for Magic Radio, Ulvaeus spoke about the possibility of a film trilogy. "If someone comes up with an idea for Mamma Mia! 3 you know I'll have a look at it," he said.
Ulvaeus also spoke about the band's new music, confirming they had finished new songs, but would not give away any details about when they might be released. "There will be a new song, a couple of new songs coming. But I've been saying this for such a long time. I'm not saying when any more. I'm just saying we have them and they will be released eventually."
Code of Practice - A code of practice has been developed for producers of touring shows and venues around the UK. It urges a more robust approach to dealing with cancelled productions and calls for swifter pay

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has supplied 10 Shure QLXD24/SM58 digital wireless systems to Hertfordshire-based staging, lighting & AV hire company Centre Stage to meet the event production needs of high-profile clients, including West Ham United Football Club.
Established in 1990, Centre Stage is a leading supplier of technical services for the live event, conference and entertainment industry in the UK; specialising in supporting the arts, theatre, music, education, sports and corporate sectors, as well as local community groups.
With a broad, nationwide customer base which ranges from small events to large-scale festivals and multiple stages, Centre Stage’s Graham Baker was keen to invest in digital wireless technology to help with the ongoing battle of spectrum, and to offer a wider choice of brands and systems to customers.
Baker purch

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USA - The LDI trade show is enhancing its offering this November with an emphasis on the next generation of design and technology, including AR/VR, drones, live for broadcast, and experiential design.
Organisers say that these  technologies and disciplines will shape the future of live events and are therefore placing LDI as the place to discover what’s hot and what’s next. More details on these new subjects will be unveiled once registration officially opens in July.
The 32nd edition of this entertainment design and technology trade show and conference runs 18-24 November 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
“We’re excited to look to the next 30 years of LDI, developing the trade show into a multi-layered series of events where designers, programmers, technicians and other artisans can experience not only the best in live production today, but also

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UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians’ Annual Theatre Awards took place after the first day of the 2019 ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace, London.
The five awards for lighting, sound and engineering products of the year, widget and stand of the year, were complemented by the announcement of the ABTT’s technician of the year for 2019.
The lighting product of the year went to the Robe T1 Profile. The judges said: “This is a new moving light that has clearly had a great deal of thought put into its development. Robe’s new T1 fixture delivers an immensely useable theatre lantern. It is light weight, quiet and extremely well featured. Of particular note, the scrim function and the brown/blue focus tweak on the hard edge on the PC lens version is a welcome addition to the lighting designer’s pallet.”
Mick Hannaford, managing director, R

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USA - Barco has agreed in principle to sell the Medialon brand and Show Control activities to 7thSense Design.
The team behind 7thSense Design has led the acquisition to form a new company, Medialon Ltd., which will acquire the Medialon brand and Show Control activities from Barco. The sale is set to be completed by 1 July.
The transfer does not include the Overture product suite, which will continue to be owned by Barco.
Eric Cantrell, product manager for Medialon within Barco, will lead the new Medialon business as vice-president of business operations. He comments: “The decision by Barco to transfer the Medialon show control activity is driven by Barco’s continuous effort to focus on core activities, comprising of display and image processing technology, in conjunction with strengthened partnerships across the value chain in the entertainment market.

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USA - L-Acoustics has expanded its AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Renewal Unit (RU) provider status to include two new training modules.
Engineers participating in the company’s Variable Curvature Line Source (3.5 RU) or Loudspeaker System Calibration (3.5 RU) training modules - either at an L-Acoustics location or via a certified provider - will now also be able to receive CTS Renewal Units.
Etienne Corteel, director of scientific outreach at L-Acoustics, comments: “Across the globe, our L-Acoustics training programs are on track to deliver over 6,000 certifications in 2019. Expanding the AVIXA CTS offering to two of our strategic trainings is a mark of quality for the engineers who look to L-Acoustics to provide not only the highest standard in equipment, but also the highest standard in education for the professionals who design, implement and cal

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USA - Wireless intercom solutions manufacturer Radio Active Designs will host a daily Radio Spectrum Update & RF Best Practices presentation during this week’s InfoComm 2019.
Taking place at 11am on stand 6161, the event will be presented by the company CTO James Stoffo.
He comments: “As the TV repack and T-Mobile activation begins to wrap up, wireless microphone and intercom operators across the country are finding it particularly challenging to get their jobs done. The radio spectrum shuffle affects all aspects of American culture including live broadcasts, sporting events, houses of worship services and arts and entertainment productions.”
Stoffo will also be presenting an hour-long seminar offered by InfoComm at 8:00am on Thursday, 13 June. This will cover wireless microphone use as well as a spectrum update and best practices.
Radio Ac

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UK - Nexo will present the Geo M12 mid-size line array in a real-world production environment as part of two roadshow events held in partnership with Yamaha this summer.
Visitors will have the chance to get hands-on with the three-line array systems in the Geo M family: the new Geo 12, the Geo M10 mid-size line array, and the compact Geo M6.The Nexo system set-up will include the PM7 and PM10 Rivage digital consoles, running the Dante audio network.
On 26 June, sound engineers, rental providers and audio installation professionals will get the chance to audition the full range of Geo M high-output line arrays in Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena.
On 3 July, the location is The Mill Rehearsal Studio in Wimbledon, London. This purpose-built production studio has more than 400sq.m. of space, with a trim height of 6m for the line arrays.
Nexo and Yamaha syste

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USA - The Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA) has announced that the 2019 ceremony and gala dinner will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. This, the second KOI-USA, follows last year's successful inaugural event, and will again take place during the LDI Conference and Tradeshow.
The 2019 KOI-USA ceremony will be held in the 4,000-seater venue, The Joint, within the Hard Rock Hotel complex. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner as the nominees and winners are announced in each category: Theatre, Live for Broadcast, and Concert Touring & Events.
"We are thrilled to be moving KOI-USA to such an important entertainment venue," says David Johnson, managing director of LDI and co-organiser of KOI-USA. "The Joint allows us to grow the event, offering a wider canvas on which to showcase all of the talented nominees. It doesn't hurt that Hard Ro

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UK - A new pro audio company focused on the corporate and special events markets has been launched.
Audio Evolution is the brainchild of the leadership team at live events video specialist Pixl Evolution and will operate as a sister company from the latter’s Hertfordshire HQ.
The pro audio arm has been set up as a response to regular requests from Pixl Evolution’s clients for bespoke audio to accompany video provision. Prompted by this demand, further scoping of the market revealed a clear space for a high-quality audio provider specifically aligned towards the corporate sector.
A £1.1m investment in d&b, Yamaha, Shure and Denon equipment is supported a team of four, able to meet the needs of worldwide corporate events “on any scale”.
Lee Spencer, commercial director at Audio Evolution comments: “Audio Evolution came into being as a direct

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has supplied a Sixty82 custom truss solution for the Tower Theatre Company, one of the busiest amateur theatre groups in Inner London.
A major presence in the Capital’s non-professional theatre scene for 87 years, with acting alumni including Tom Courtenay and Michael Gambon among others, through 2019 the Tower Theatre will present up to 20 full-scale productions to a broad public audience at its permanent new home in Stoke Newington.
Featuring a domed roof and interesting hexagonal shape, the theatre company’s new building offers it a level of flexibility that previous performance spaces have lacked. As part of ongoing renovations to make the former leisure centre suitable for the performers, staff and audiences’ requirements, a new studio space has been created in addition to the main auditorium to be used for rehear

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South Africa - In response to popular demand, lighting designer Michael Taylor Broderick will once again present a two-day theatre lighting workshop on 19 and 20 June at DWR Distribution, Johannesburg.
Michael instils a sense of passion to those working in a theatre environment and topics include stage lighting, controllable properties of light, lighting positions and angles, light and colour, elements of design and lighting instruments.
The workshop will be held at DWR, Block C, Unit 1, Kimbult Industrial Office Park, 9 Zeiss Street, Laserpark, Honeydew. The cost is R1 700 for both days and includes lunch and refreshments. Kindly let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
Bookings can be made online.
(Jim Evans)

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Australia - TMB has announced that Firefly Lighting has been appointed as TMB’s regional distribution partner for Australia. Offering signature TMB brands, including Solaris, ProPlex, IMS, and more, Firefly will provide sales, support, service, and stocking inventory to the Australian professional market.
“Local commerce is beneficial for all. Australian customers will now enjoy all the benefits of having a distributor close at hand with the full confidence of TMB,” says TMB sales manager, Tim Obermann. “We are confident that the benefits of an intermediate distribution channel with local associations and personal relationships will become immediately apparent. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Firefly.”
“Our association with TMB goes back many years,” explains Firefly manager James Whittall, “and we’re very pleased to be exclusive distrib

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UK - Highlite UK hosted its first open day event Wednesday 29 May. At their headquarters in Wiltshire the Highlite team introduced the visitors to the newly built Infinity Chimp training facility and welcomed them to the demo-showroom.
The Infinity Chimp training facility with the 100.G2 and 300.G2 light controllers was received very well. Product specialist Jack Kelly presented the Chimp light controllers and further Chimp training is planned for 19 June. The Chimp units are fully featured light controllers, equipped with Wireless DMX, versatile and well suited for various applications.
There was a lot of interest shown in the moving heads from the Showtec Polar Series, a range of IP-65 rated fixtures, built around strong LED engines. The Infinity Furion moving heads also received a lot of attention.
Another point of interest for the Open day visitors was the Sh
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