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UK - With three hours of stand-up comedy and live music, Backup’s upcoming comedy night at the Royal National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre on 25 March promises to be a great night.
The evening will be headlined by Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, and other comedians set to perform include Susan Murray, Mike Gunn, Tiff Stevenson, Danny Posthill, Nick Revell & Matt Price, with live music from The Cloggz. Tickers are available from www.backuptech.uk.
The annual Charity Golf day is also taking place on the day and organisers promise a ‘surprises galore’ as 18 teams go Tee – Tee.
A new challenge for 2018 is Fastest Hole of golf by a team of four. Go up against the clock for the fastest hole of golf. Who drives, who plays the fairway, the lay up, the putt? all to play for to claim the bragging rites.
Kartfest 2018, the chairty’s karting day, i

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UK - Theatre design associations and trade unions have formed a working group to address workplace issues affecting professional lighting designers.
The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD) and the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) have for the first time joined forces with Equity and BECTU to “evaluate and unpack the complex nature of current working terms and conditions for designers” and address fair pay, career paths, workplace abuse, harassment and bullying.
The aim is to “work towards fair, clear and robust models of engagement”, increase diversity and ensure transparent career paths and address concerns about fees and contracts “within the wider context of fear, bullying and harassment that we are now beginning to evidence has been endemic across the whole of our industry”.
In a joint statement, the organisations say: “If a profe

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Qatar - Martin Audio has appointed IAC Qatar as its new distributor in Qatar.
Representatives of the Doha-based company have already received training from Martin Audio’s technical team in Qatar and IAC audio engineers will be undergoing further technical and sales marketing training in the UK.
Elie Salameh, projects & sales manager, comments: “We came across Martin Audio, and felt they would be the perfect partner to take advantage of this opportunity. We were aware of the versatility of their products and their global reputation for providing world class audio across the board.”
“We are presently working on many contracts related to fixed installation projects, at the same time supplying many event and rental companies specialising in sports, hotels, clubs and hospitality assignments,” confirmed Salameh.
(Jim Evans)

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India - The Atlona On-Tour Roadshow, the company’s residential AV roadshow, recently wrapped its first leg in Mumbai, India following events in Delhi and Bangalore.
The ‘Zero to 60Hz’ training sessions focused on education and pain points for AV professionals aiming to keep pace with the latest industry trends. Each day-long event offered focused segments on AV over IP, BYOD-powered collaboration, and networked control from Atlona Academy trainers, followed by an open house period for networking, hands-on product trainings, and personalized Q&A opportunities.
“We’ve reached a critical point in time where end-users in corporate, higher education and other facilities are confident and ready to move forward with transitioning their AV operations to the network,” said Sanket Sawant, Atlona’s director of business development, Middle East, India and Southe

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Northern Lights - The Kaiser Chiefs, Postman Pat and Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid are all on the line-up for the Great Exhibition of the North, which will take place this summer. The 11-week festival will celebrate "great art, culture, design and innovation from the north of England". Staged in Newcastle and Gateshead, it will be paid for with £5m from the government's Northern Powerhouse fund. After the opening ceremony on 22 June, the event will run until 9 September.
It will begin with performances by the Kaiser Chiefs and poet Lemn Sissay and will feature what's said to be the UK's largest water sculpture - an 80m-long fountain - on the River Tyne. On the opening weekend, members of the public will be invited to join in with wandering groups of dancers, while three choirs will make their way through the cities. John Lennon's last piano and the original Post

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South Africa - DWR is presenting Prolyte Campus, a Prolyte Group training initiative, with guest speaker Ruud de Deugd from Prolyte on 13-16 March.
Prolyte Campus offers a complete programme of learning activities to create awareness on the safe use of Prolyte products.
(Jim Evans)

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USA - US entertainment laser projectors manufacturer X-Laser has become an official dealer of Avolites lighting control hardware in the United States.
At LDI 2017, the company worked with the Avolites team on a setup which featured Avolites lighting consoles used to demonstrate and unveil the X-Laser Mercury laser control system.
Adam Raugh, president of X-Laser USA, says: “The team at Avolites were extremely helpful both on site at LDI and especially in the run up to the show while we were finalizing the necessary fixture profiles as we prepared the launch of our Mercury laser control system. Now that we’re on board with Avolites, we can provide our clients turn-key laser fixture packages including projectors equipped with our Mercury laser control interface, as well as powerful Avolites control hardware that’s pre-loaded with our laser fixture profiles.”

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Canada - Solotech has been awarded the contract to provide and install a new speaker system at the National Arts Centre (NAC) as part of the Centre’s $225m Production Renewal and Architectural Rejuvenation Project.
The equipment, including d&b audiotechnik production equipment and loudspeaker systems, will be installed in the NAC’s three largest performance halls: Southam Hall, the Babs Asper Theatre and the Azrieli Studio.
(Jim Evans)

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Norway - Second Warehouse, a web-based service that can simplify cross-rental of pro AV gear, has been launched.
The platform unites AV suppliers and rental companies in one place where they can organise sub-hire of equipment, make safe payments, arrange transport and trade with minimal or no commission.
Stuart Kerrison, founder of Second Warehouse, says: “I know how important cross-rental is and also what a time-wasting drag it can be, because I’ve been the guy spending hours on the phone, calling friends in the hope of finding that one bit of gear I need for a show. Second Warehouse solves those headaches and lost hours, while making sure that your equipment is always out being used and earning you money.”
Second Warehouse includes a wealth of features. Users can quickly and simply expand their cross-hire network, get quotes, negotiate prices and organis

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The Netherlands - One of the most unusual sound reinforcement applications in Nexo memory has been completed in Holland. The Sauna Theatre Thermen Soesterberg, one of Europe’s top venues for the curious art of Aufguss, has been equipped with Nexo’s super-compact ID Series loudspeakers. How are these robust little cabinets dealing with temperatures of more than 150°F?
One of the host venues for the 2017 Aufguss world championship, the Sauna Theatre of Soesterberg can accommodate 150 people. The Aufguss (also called "gettata di vapore" - “Steam blow” in Italy) is a wellness / purification / entertainment ritual which is performed in the sauna, either by an employee of the wellness-centre or by an authorised guest called aufgussmeister (Steam Master).
The rite revolves around the centre stove, where attendants pour water mixed with essential oils on the hot ston

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Singapore - The Production People (TPP) has recently invested in an Alcons Audio system.
TPP services a wide range of events and clients throughout Asia and owner Sheldon Gooi is always looking for equipment which can improve the experience of the company’s clients. Eugene Tay (of Alcons Singapore representative Creator’s Solutions) invited Sheldon to listen to Alcons products at the company’s off-site demo during the ProLight+Sound show in Frankfurt, an experience which left Sheldon very impressed.
"The Alcons demo really caught my attention," says Sheldon. "The sound quality was of a higher standard than our existing systems and I saw a brand that is actively pursuing perfection with its designs and technology. Discovering something that could outperform our existing inventory made me want to invest in some Alcons products to push our boundaries further."

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UK - Track specialist Triple E has stepped into the breech born of Hall Stage’s demise by supplying Tab Hooks & Twin Hooks to the theatre industry, acquiring the original tooling and improving the hooks’ strength and durability in the process.
Triple E brand Tab Hooks & Twin Hooks are compatible with its own runners, existing Hall Stage systems and many other track ranges.
The company is currently considering other innovative solutions to fill the void left by Hall Stage.
Triple E managing director, David Edelstein, comments: “Customers asked us to take these products on. They’re now British-made, it’s a proven design that lasts and with rebranded tooling we have given the hooks a greater degree of elasticity to withstand inevitable knocks and rough handling.”
Launched in 1984, Triple E supplies the entertainment industry with standa

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Europe - Kinly, the new brand identity resulting from the merger of visual collaboration specialists Viju and VisionsConnected, celebrated a successful launch at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, the combined company today serves corporate and public customers in over 120 countries from established office locations throughout EMEA, the USA and APAC.
The new brand’s management team optimizes the expertise and experience of both companies with former Viju CEO, Odd Sverre Østlie taking the helm as Kinly CEO whilst his opposite number at VisionsConnected, founder and CEO Raymond Alves, will be spearheading Kinly’s solutions and services development in his new role as CSO (Chief Solutions Officer).
“Our new venture is intensely exciting,” says Odd Sverre Østlie. “The opportunity to create a world-leading global visual collaboration speci

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South Korea - The Medals Plaza stage within the Pyeongchang Olympic Plaza is home to cultural performances and video displays of the competition during the day and Olympic medal ceremonies in the evening. The experience is reinforced by EAW Adaptive System provided by Seoul-based Dasan SR.
The one-floor Medal Plaza - 1,267sq.m in size - features a wide, domed stage and an audience area wider than it is deep. The challenge was to blanket the outdoor area with clean, high-quality sound while providing the flexibility the different forms of entertainment require.
To accomplish this, Dasan SR specified left-right columns of four Anna modules hung above the stage video screens (covered by scrim to match the dome). Scaffolding towers were erected further left and right of the stage for the main PA, which was made up of 20 Anya modules. Two columns of five Anya modules hang

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UK - RH Consulting has become an official reseller of Dante Domain Manager.
Dante Domain Manager is a new package designed to monitor and secure Dante audio networks for ease of install and management of networked audio systems.
RH Consulting founder Roland Hemming says: “Dante Domain Manager is another great tool in our armoury to help integrators provide the best audio networking solution to customers. We are pleased to be able to offer this to our customers and have more exciting audio networking announcements coming soon.”
RH Consulting has a DDM demonstration system to show clients the benefits of working with Dante Domain Manager.
The Royal Tunbridge Wells-based consultancy also provides network audio planning advice, DDM config, switch set-up, DSP configuration and plugin development.
(Jim Evans)

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Finland - Green Hippo has appointed Msonic as its distributor for Finland. Effective immediately, Msonic will distribute Green Hippo’s line of scenic video technology throughout the Republic of Finland.
Founded in 2012 in Vantaa, Msonic specialises in the import and distribution of premium professional AV and lighting products.
James Roth, head of sales and marketing at Green Hippo, says: “I have been aware of the growth of Msonic’s business activities over a number of years and for us, the recent move to their new offices and some changes in the structure of the Finnish market that has meant Johan West can join the team was just too good an opportunity to let go. Bringing together such a fine commercial operation with Msonic, one of the word’s real experts on Hippotizer Media Servers in Johan and our global market-leading brand means that we now have an unbea

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Slovenia - Slovenian rental company Intralite has become one of the first companies in the country to invest in MegaPointes, having purchased 12 units from distributor MK Light Sound.
In the last 18 months Intralite has also invested in a total of 24 Spiiders as well as MMX WashBeams, all of which have been added to their existing Robe rental stock.
The launch of the MegaPointe was great timing for Intralite as Ales was looking for some multi-purpose fixtures to cover the diversity of events they service. He attended the demo staged by MK Light Sound for the new light and placed his order shortly afterwards.
“I needed a hybrid that I could use in any location and for any type of event – a wide application fixture is important for smaller markets like Slovenia, (the total population is just over 2 million) and this can be a beam, a spot or a wash, and is al

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South Africa - Rental company owners Theo Papenfus from Stage Effects and Marius van Rooyen from Unlimited Events teamed up to purchase 400 Absen D2V 2.9mm panels from DWR Distribution.
“Our market is here and it was time,” says Theo. “Marius and I decided on a joint venture to bring in many panels of the same batch bearing in mind that quantity is always a big issue for us.”
For the past two years, Theo had his eye on the 3.9mm, a familiar product to the South African market.
“We wanted to go through a reputable company, and chose Absen to enable us to have the service DWR typically provides,” says Marius. “It’s a much better option for us as to know we have support locally. In addition, we are able to tap into the base of existing Absen users in South Africa.”
Duncan Riley of DWR comments: “The DWR workshop is able to do repairs on th

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Plastic Ban - Plastic bottles could be banned from next year's Glastonbury Festival, organiser Emily Eavis has said. Ms Eavis, the daughter of founder Michael Eavis, told Radio 6 Music the ban was "the big project" for 2019. A Glastonbury spokesman confirmed the plans were in the pipeline but said it was "a bit early to put any flesh on the bones" regarding details. He said: "It's a massive thing which everyone at the festival is working on."
The festival, held in Pilton, Somerset, since 1970, is having a fallow year in 2018 to allow the ground to recover. It is due to return in 2019. At the NME music awards in London on Tuesday, Ms Eavis told BBC 6 Music: "There's lots going on at the moment. We're working on banning plastic bottles... which is an enormous project and it's taking a lot of time to tackle it with all the different people we work with.”
When asked how

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UK - Rental production company Neg Earth Lights has added the Chroma-Q Color Force II LED cyc, wash & effects light to its stockholding and is supplying the fixture for a number of high-profile concert tours, live music events and TV shows.
Lighting designer Tim Routledge approached Neg Earth looking for a LED washlight for a particular project, and was impressed by the Chroma-Q Color Force II.
In recent months, he has utilised the fixture on a variety of projects. These include using nearly 60 Color Force II to powerfully illuminate the entire room as a single surface for a show by a leading British pop artist inside one of The Tanks - huge concrete, circular underground rooms at the Tate Modern measuring over 30m across and 7m high.
In addition, Tim has utilised nearly 40 fixtures to provide different floor lighting packages for performers during six shows in th

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UK - The Backstage Centre will host open days on 1-2 March, inviting visitors to discover and demo new products from leading professional brands including JTS, FBT, ADJ, Allen & Heath, DuraTruss, Elation Lighting, 5 Star Cases, JTS Microphones and Titan Power.
Sat in Purfleet’s High House Production Park 11 miles east of London City Airport, the Backstage Centre has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the UK’s best-equipped production and rehearsal destinations.
Taking place within the facility’s sound stage, The Backstage Event will feature demonstrations of a wealth of FBT audio solutions. Rental companies and live engineers will hear why the dual 10” Muse line array, twinned with the Mitus 218SA, has already proven itself in more than 4,000 projects worldwide. Installers will have the chance to test the weather resistance of FBT’s IP55-rated

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Hong Kong - Audica has played a key role in the on-going development and testing of a surround-sound solution designed specifically for hospitality, retail and spa treatment rooms.
Audica’s specialist speakers have been selected as the reference specification for the Musicstyling COLLABORATE + platform, a new application that provides 4.1 surround-sound from an iOS app.
COLLABORATE + is a collaboration between Musicstyling, the specialist supplier of bespoke playlists, and custom content providers, including Tom Middleton. The application allows spas, wellness centres and other businesses within the retail and hospitality sectors to deliver various soundscapes designed to induce optimal physiological, psychological and emotional responses. “Immersive bioharmonic soundscapes from Tom Middleton encourage slow and deep yogic respiration, lowered heart rate and stress

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UK - CUK Audio has become ClearOne distributor for the UK and Ireland.
Salt Lake City-based ClearOne is a global provider of advanced conferencing, collaboration, network streaming and signage solutions for voice and visual communications.
CUK Audio MD Stuart Thomson comments: “CUK Audio’s business has transformed over the last few years as we have put in place a number of initiatives to better serve the market and the brands we represent. Distributors can’t simply content themselves with just supplying products any more - we have to offer solutions, support and advice throughout the duration of the project and beyond.
“We have put in place a number of expert, vertical channel managers whose mission is exactly that – to provide effective, well thought-out end-to-end solutions wherever possible from the wide range of brands available in his or her market

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UK - DeltaLive has taken delivery of a substantial stock of Riedel’s range of products, which it has immediately added to its hire stock inventory.

“We have had a specialist in-house communication department for over 20 years now,” says Delta’s Paul Keating. “As live events communications have grown and clients’ needs and expectations have changed, we have anticipated their requirements and adapted and invested accordingly. Investing in Riedel is part of that process. It’s a great fit for us and we’re really looking forward to supporting both existing and potential Riedel users around the world.
“We’re also excited about getting behind the product range on our own projects and to developing our relationship with Riedel. The company is ahead of the technology curve and produces some really interesting and important products for our industry, inclu
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