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Music & Politics - Lana Del Rey has hit back at critics defending her decision to perform at Meteor festival in Israel. She tweeted: “I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together. Performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there, just like singing here in California doesn’t mean my views are in alignment [with] my current government’s opinions or sometimes inhuman actions.”
In response, The Palestine Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel issued a statement urging the singer "to reconsider". The debate about artists performing in Israel is still very politicised. Roger Waters, Lauryn Hill and Elvis Costello have boycotted Israel in recent years. But there are also plenty of artists who have played Tel Aviv, including Justin Bieber, Radiohead, Elton John, Guns N' Roses and Lady Gaga

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Australia - Chameleon Touring Systems has re-designed its website as it marks 30 years in business this year.
The new website, www.chameleon-touring.com.au, features a comprehensive inventory list as well as a news section and gallery. Various 30th anniversary celebrations are in the pipeline, according to the company.
(Jim Evans)

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Secondary Ticketing - Ticketmaster is closing its secondary ticketing websites Seatwave and Get Me In in a bid to combat touts. The sites, which allow you to offload unwanted tickets, have frequently been exploited by so-called professional sellers who hike up the prices. "We know that fans are tired of seeing others snap up tickets just to resell for a profit on secondary websites, so we have taken action," said Andrew Parsons, head of Ticketmaster UK.
In their place, people will be allowed to sell tickets directly on Ticketmaster, where a simple click will release tickets back into the market. Unlike the current system, users will only be allowed to charge the original price or less - though there will be a 15% surcharge on every ticket to cover booking fees paid by the seller (£7.50 for a ticket that costs £50).
Ticketmaster has also vowed to be transparent about

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Spatial Audio - The Audio Engineering Society (AES) is set to stage the second International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality on 20-22 August at the DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, WA. The conference and exhibition will bring together a community of influential research scientists, engineers, VR and AR developers, and content creators.
The three-day conference and expo will focus on the dissemination of top-level research in the field of spatial audio for virtual and augmented reality, with demonstrations and discussions focused on technical solutions and recommended practices. Leading researchers, practitioners and industry luminaries will offer panel discussions, tutorials, and workshops on new and forthcoming technologies.
The keynote presenters are Jean-Marc Jot, distinguished fellow, Magic Leap; Ivan Tashev, partner architect, Micr

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Off Air - The broadcasting regulator Ofcom has scrapped the roll-out of further local TV channels across the UK. More than 30 local TV stations have been set up since 2013, but some have faced financial difficulties and have struggled to attract an audience. Ofcom has now halted plans to seek people to run new channels in 13 areas.
The regulator said it had taken the decision in light of "the significant financial challenges that the local TV sector is facing". Continuing with the plans for the new channels would, Ofcom says, "have an adverse impact on the economic viability of the local TV sector."
Licences will now not be advertised for Bangor (Wales), Barnstaple, Bromsgrove, Derry Londonderry, Forth Valley, Gloucester, Inverness, Kidderminster, Limavady, Luton, Plymouth, Stoke-on-Trent and Stratford-upon-Avon. Local TV was launched in the UK under a plan laid out in

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USA - ESTA has posted three documents for public review on its website. Two of the documents are reaffirmations of existing standards and one is a proposed new standard. The reviews run through 24 September.
The documents are:
ANSI E1.5, Theatrical Fog Made with Aqueous Solutions of Di- and Trihydric Alcohols
ANSI E1.5 - 2009, last reaffirmed in 2014, is being considered for reaffirmation. This standard describes the composition of theatrical fogs or artificial mists that are not likely to be harmful to healthy performers, technicians, or audience members of normal working age. It is limited to those fogs and mists made from a solution of water and one or more dihydric or trihydric alcohols, and is intended to be applied in theatres, arenas, an

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UK - Nominations for PLASA’s Gottelier Award are now open.
The award, named after late lighting designer and industry commentator Tony Gottelier, launched in 2007 to recognise product developers who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology. Previous recipients include Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence), Anne Valentino (ETC), David Cunningham (Entertec), Pasquale Quadri (Claypaky), Jim Bornhorst (Vari-Lite), John Meyer (Meyer Sound), Terry Clarke (Klark Teknik, MC2 Audio), Fred Foster (ETC), Alex Cooper (Midas & Klark Teknik), John Stadius (DiGiCo / Soundtracs) and Tony Andrews (Funktion-One).
Anyone in the industry can nominate individuals as well as development teams by emailing

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UK - J&C Joel reports that the Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, as its chosen charity for the company’s 40th anniversary year.
J&C Joel was established as a limited company in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax in 1978 by John Wheelwright whose family had been involved in the textile trade for more than 150 years. Originally selling fabric to tailors and the fashion industry, John quickly identified an opportunity to expand into events and entertainment.
The business, which has now been passed down to John’s son James, exports to more than 80 countries worldwide, providing products such as front of house theatre curtains, stage backdrops, cycloramas, gauzes, acoustic solutions, projection screens and an array of stage engineering solutions.
As part of J&C Joel’s support for the Theatres Trust across the year they will be enc

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USA - Entertainment technology industry charity Behind the Scenes has announced its new holiday and note cards are now on sale on the charity’s website.
Three card ordering options are offered - personalised cards with a company logo and custom message, card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, and e-cards. Orders will be taken until 4 October to arrive by late November.
Seven evocative designs are featured this year. Perennial favourites Andrew Hefter and Robert Mendoza are back while Mount Vernon Senior High School is represented by Madelyn Plough. New contributors are Vicki Davis, Jocelyn Joyah Henry of Scenic Art Studios, Vicki Pui and Anastasia Vasilakis.
Richard W. Prouse from Scenic Art Studios has designed a new note card.
All proceeds benefit the Behind the Scenes charity which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professio

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UK - A group of industry representatives will cycle from Chippenham to London Olympia on Saturday 15 September to increase awareness of mental health within the entertainment and events industries. All donations will go to Backup, the technical entertainment charity which helps industry members and their families get back on their feet during times of hardship.
Starting at 7am, the cyclists will traverse 100 miles across the North Wessex Downs towards London in time for the PLASA Show. So far, eight cyclists have signed up to the challenge, including Peter Heath and Shane McGreevy of PLASA, John McEvoy and Bryan Raven of Whitelight, and Ben Tredwell of Autograph. 
This bike ride is part on an on-going collaboration between PLASA and PSA to support the mental health of all those working within lighting, AV, live sound, rigging and staging. This collaboration continues

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Here We Go Again - 10 years after unexpectedly making cinema history, Mamma Mia is back with a prequel that looks like it could be both as camp and successful as the first time around. With an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Cher, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is released this week and has been touted by lead actor Amanda Seyfried as a "better" movie with "more heart".
It follows an original that became a popular classic and the highest grossing film at the UK box office of all time - despite being widely panned by critics on release.
At the premier of Mamma Mia Here We Go Again Pierce Brosnan, who plays a past love interest of Meryl Streep's character Donna, told Sky News he wasn't bothered by bad reviews. "The critics could have a good old field day with us, but I think at the end of the day the people are going to enjoy it ev

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USA - The ANSI Board of Standards Review has approved a revised version of ANSI E1.46, Standard for the Prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms. The standard has been revised to address changes to the OSHA regulations for fall protection, while keeping the document's useful guidance for preventing falls from stages into the orchestra pit or the house.
ANSi E1.46 – 2018 can be downloaded at no cost from the ESTA TSP website at tsp.esta.org/freestandards. The no-cost download is made possible by the sponsorship of ProSight Specialty Insurance. Alternatively, the standard may be purchased for $40 from ANSI and IHS at webstore.ansi.org/ and global.ihs.com/ respectively.
(Jim Evans)

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Copyright Matters - Sir Paul McCartney has written an open letter to the European Parliament, calling for all music artists to be fairly paid for their work. The former Beatle is urging MEPs to back proposed changes to EU copyright law - Article 13 - which would force user upload content platforms to pay songwriters and performers fairly for the use of their work.
The 76-year-old musician says that without this change, the future of the music industry could be at risk. In the note, Sir Paul writes: "Music and culture matter. They are a heart and soul. But they don't just happen; they demand the hard work of so many people. "Importantly, music also creates jobs and economic growth and digital innovation across Europe. Unfortunately the value gap jeopardises the music ecosystem. We need an internet that is fair and sustainable for all.”
He goes on: "But today s

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Germany - Penn Elcom GmbH in Germany has moved to a new 8,000sq.m premises in Elten, north Westfalen just 10 kilometres from the previous warehouse – and over double the size.
From this hub, the company distributes over 1,700 product lines and hardware including 19-inch racking, flightcase components and loudspeaker elements directly to B2B and B2C customers all over Europe.
The new facility will assist the busy operation in continuing – and streamlining - the efficient and fast delivery of products worldwide which are manufactured by Penn in the UK.
It was imperative to stay in the same regional location explains Dennis Marco Meertens, co-MD of Penn Elcom GmbH with Thomas Mostar. “Elten is perfectly positioned for expedient onward transportation and delivery to our local and regional sales teams – a very successful model devised to best understand speci

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UK - The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre have launched Theatre Helpline, a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals with any issue affecting their health and wellbeing.
The confidential resource, which has been available since June, offers support and advice on a range of personal and professional topics, including bullying, physical and mental health, finance, careers and retirement issues. It is open to anyone working in theatre, whether in-house or freelance.
SOLT and UK Theatre are working with Wales-based company Connect Assist to provide the helpline. Callers will be given a safe place to share worries and concerns and be provided with the resources they need to seek professional help if necessary. Like other existing support services in the UK, Theatre Helpline is not a whistleblowing service.
Theatre Helpline (

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Logistical problems - Morrissey's UK and European tour dates this have been postponed due to "logistical problems". His management made the announcement, saying the issues are "beyond our control". The former Smiths frontman, 59, had been due to play two gigs at Castlefield Bowl in his home city of Manchester on 7 and 8 July. Other shows had been scheduled for Reading, Portsmouth and Edinburgh in July.
A statement shared on Morrisey's official Facebook page said: "Due to logistical problems beyond our control, the UK/European Morrissey concerts scheduled for July will be postponed. We deeply regret any inconvenience to the fans.”
The Bard’s Back - A new production of Shakespeare in Love will tour the UK later this year. Lee Hall’s stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film ran in the West End in 2014. A new version of the play, which has music by Pa

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Cultural Development - The government has detailed its intention to replicate the impact of Hull City of Culture in smaller towns and cities across the country through a newly created fund. One of the commitments in its recent Industrial Strategy, the £20m Cultural Development Fund has been set up to target geographical locations as opposed to specific venues or art forms, and is available for culture, heritage and creative industries projects.
Areas will be able to bid for up to £7m to help fund several projects in a particular location, in order to “help regeneration, create jobs and maximise the impact of investment”. The government said the initiative, which follows hot on the heels of Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017, is anticipated to allow smaller towns and cities to replicate Hull’s success by achieving a similar local impact. Theatre and performan

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UK - Cross 5 is the latest in a new range of high-performance cable protection ‘crossover’ products launched by Penn Elcom this year. It can be used for any temporary installation or working environment where safe ground-based cable protection is required.
Cross 5 is manufactured from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), chosen for its recyclability, and has been developed to provide a five-channel cable protector with unrivalled strength, abrasion resistance and flexibility. It is also fire retardant to DIN EN 13501-1.
Serious weight capacity ensures that all types of vehicles - including a standard 44t artic - can safely drive over Cross 5.
The Penn Elcom Cross system is made from two elements - the base section and the ramp.
The base section acts as a connector piece from which numerous variations and combinations of crossover can be created. The ramp s

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EU Lighting Proposals - MP Will Quince has called on the government to “do all it can” to protect theatres from EU lighting proposals. He said the proposals would have a “serious negative impact” on the sector both artistically and financially.
MP for Colchester, Quince raised the issue in the House of Commons last week. He said: “Some may ask: Why shouldn’t theatres and other performance venues play their part in saving the environment? Well, the theatre and entertainment industry do want to play their part, they fully support the sustainability agenda and are taking steps day by day to improve their environmental standards, however introducing these regulations without having an exemption in place will have a serious negative impact across European entertainment industries. This would far outweigh the positive intention behind these proposals.”
Quince t

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UK - Production Park, a cluster of live event-based companies in Wakefield, has announced that it will fund university places at its industry leading training centre, Backstage Academy, making an initial pledge of £20,000 per academic year.
The Backstage Academy Bursary Fund will provide a fully funded three-year place on one of the Academy's BA courses to an outstanding candidate for whom university would not otherwise have been an option. Funds will also be available for part-funded places and support for accommodation costs.
In addition, a percentage of the fund will be allocated to provide assisted places on Backstage Academy's outreach programmes, delivered in local communities to educate and inspire those currently disengaged with traditional education, or in need of rehabilitation into a workplace environment.
Production Park says the investment is just t

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UK - Penn Elcom has launched its new PDU16 range of premium rack-mounting power distribution: the PDU16-UN, the PDU16-EU, the PDU16-PC and the PDU16-AV.
The 2U high horizontal mounting PDU16 series has been developed in response to growing customer demand in the 19-inch rack market.
Features include a backlit LCD monitoring display on the front of each unit, showing essential operational feedback and data including voltage, current, power in watts and energy level. PDU16-UN (universal) main in/outs on Circuit A are a panel mounting 32A 240V IP44-C-FORM input socket feeding through to a 16A IP44 C-FORM output socket via an illuminated circuit breaker.
The PDU16-EU main in/outs on Circuit A are a panel mounting 32A 240V IP44 C-FORM input socket feeding through to a 16A IP44 C-FORM output socket via an illuminated circuit breaker.
PDU16-PC has a panel mountin

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UK - Hofesh Shechter Company celebrated its 10th anniversary and kicked off the first day of Brighton Festival in May with a performance of Grande Finale, the latest original dance work from award-winning choreographer Hofesh Shechter.
Signature to any Shechter production is the ‘Hofesh Haze’, a distinctive thick haze with an even, creamy look that remains consistent throughout the performances. To achieve this effect, Adam Hooper, head of production at Hofesh Shechter, relies on MDG haze and fog generators which are hired locally at each venue, or brought along by the company if there is no local availability. “Because haze is such a large part of Hofesh’s productions, we only use MDG haze and fog generators and specify them on every rider, with no substitute,” he says.
In Grand Finale, the set in Tom Scutt’s design consists of seven rolling

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UK - Technical entertainment charity Backup has joined AmazonSmile.
The initiative, which was launched in the UK last November, enables the e-commerce giant to donate 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to participating charitable organisations.
To support Backup through AmazonSmile, visit www.smile.amazon.co.uk and type Backup in the ‘Pick your own charitable organisation’ window when you shop.
(Jim Evans)

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USA - German fibre network specialist BroaMan has appointed Clear-Com as its new distributor in the USA.
BroaMan has rapidly found favour not only in the broadcast market, but also with production companies, sport facilities, professional AV integrators and many more applications with its bespoke solutions and range of off-the-shelf converters.
As the provider of intercom systems, Clear-Com will now expand its infrastructure expertise to include video signal distribution and routing networks.
The BroaMan portfolio includes the MUX-22 and Repeat8-NANO Series interfaces, palm-size 3G-SDI or AES10-MADI signal media converters, the larger capacity Repeat48 media converters and Route66 3G-SDI 40 x 40 non-blocking video matrix.
BroaMan MD, Tine Helmle, comments: “Clear-Com is an excellent partner to be working with - extremely professional, knowledgeable and
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