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Immersive Incentive - Performing arts organisations have been invited to bid for a £4m fund to create “game-changing” new experiences using immersive technologies. Public body Innovate UK is awarding a total of £16m in government funding as part of its Audiences of the Future programme.
This will be split between four projects, each in a different industry which has been identified as having “maximum opportunity” for innovation. The four chosen industries are performance, moving image, sport entertainment and visitor experience.
The programme aims to ensure the UK becomes a world leader in immersive technologies such as virtual reality, which is when an entire image or environment is created digitally, and augmented reality, where a computer-generated image is superimposed on to a user’s real view of the world.
At a press briefing for the progr

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UK - MDG received the ABTT Award for Engineering Product of the Year 2018 for its RFP Round Floor Pocket at this week’s ABTT Show at London’s Alexandra Palace.
MDG’s RFP Round Floor Pocket is a DMX/RDM-operated pneumatic Round Floor Pocket of rugged construction which can be embedded in the stage floor or set wall to conceal a fog output. It is intended to operate under pneumatic pressure as part of an existing fog system, delivering low fog or fog to precise locations.
The ABTT judges awarding the honour, who were made up of an experienced jury of working practitioners and industry peers, stated: “Solving the problem of how to get your low fog into those hard to reach places, the MDG DMX-controlled Round Floor Pocket works as a reversed trap, lifting a lid to allow ducted low fog and haze onto the stage.
“Suitable for integration into large touring st
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South Africa - DWR Distribution’s SOS Charity Fund has helped finance the hand surgery of Vibe Audio & Backline owner Vincent Joubert, with further financial backing promised by DWR.
Joubert, who has worked at festivals and alongside South African artists Jo Black, Ray Dylan, Liezel Pieterse and Deon Groot, developed septic arthritis in a joint of a finger he injured a decade ago.
“Ten years ago, I hurt my finger and the joint was damaged,” Joubert explains. “Initially, the doctor was going to amputate, and I was actually relieved as I was in such immense pain. It was difficult to function.”
The surgery, which could not have taken place in a government hospital, was enabled by an SOS Charity Fund donation of R7,000 (£400).
Joubert adds: “People in the industry, including artists I work with, and DWR Distribution’s SOS Charity Fund have b

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UK - Flightcase Warehouse has acquired Production Park-based heavy-duty case company Box Clever Cases, effective 4 June.
The deal reflects an “ambitious growth strategy”, which has seen the Tamworth flight case manufacturer invest in “product, people and process”. Flightcase Warehouse is also launching an enhanced protective case service for Production Park businesses, including an on-demand delivery service, and is transferring all manufacturing to Tamworth.
Sam Austin, managing director of Flightcase Warehouse, comments: “The Flightcase Warehouse acquisition of Box Clever Cases complements our overall offering whilst strengthening our hand in the production and live events marketplaces through maximising the unique and exciting opportunities Production Park affords us. We’re an ambitious company continually leading the way in both exclusive services and p

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UK - The PLASA 2018 Members’ Day and AGM took place on Thursday 31 May at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, London to reflect upon a year of specialist projects, industry collaboration and growth.
Members and guests enjoyed a productive day with an insightful AGM, followed by a networking afternoon in the venue’s unique ‘physic’ garden. The lively guest speaker, Caroline Russell from The Ideas Centre Group, encouraged audience participation with her creative approach to problem-solving, then attendees were invited to stay for drinks into the evening.
PLASA Treasurer Mark Surtees presented the 2017 accounts and announced that PLASA is in a place of financial stability, highlighting an increase in profits due to commercial growth within Events and Media. Newly elected Chair, Adam Blaxill, added later that all profits funnel back int

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Code of Conduct - Edinburgh’s City Council is cracking down on low and unpaid work at festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with a new code of conduct demanding that employers pay all staff the living wage.
The local authority has released the guidelines, called the Edinburgh Festivals Workers’ Welfare Commitment, as part of a report on how best to promote fair working conditions at the city’s festivals. This follows recent news that unions are to crack down on “exploitative” unpaid work placements at the Fringe and a survey in January in which a third of workers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe said they had worked without pay.
The local authority has committed to paying the Scottish local government living wage of £8.51 per hour to its own employees, and expects other employers to “align to the same commitment where possible” and t

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UK - J&C Joel has announced the appointment of Alan Jackson as UK sales manager.
Jackson has more than 35 years’ experience in the industry including working for Hawthorn for 14 years, most recently as their installations director. He will work closely with the UK sales team to develop inclusive relationships with customers, drive a focussed approach to the UK market and raise awareness about the broad range of products J&C Joel provide.
Jackson comments: “As a Yorkshireman, it’s great to go back to my roots and work with a fantastic Yorkshire based company. I’ve had a long connection with J&C Joel and I’m really looking forward to developing the UK sales team, meeting customers and raising the profile of the team and the company’s products and services.”
J&C Joel CEO James Wheelwright adds: “Alan is a great addition to our senior

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Europe - Didier Streel has been appointed vice-president of business development, for Solotech’s Rental Division, Europe, as the Montreal-based company continues to expand its international reach.
Didier has more than 30 years’ experience in the entertainment technology industry, which has earned him a solid reputation in the European market. He will be instrumental in implementing Solotech's expansion strategy in the European market, overseeing the setting up of service points to support Solotech's commercial activities in Europe, as well as ensure the development of new European client bases in the tour, corporate and special events market segments. He will be based in Brussels.
(Jim Evans)

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West End Live - Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Strictly Ballroom and Chicago are among the new shows announced in the line-up for this year’s West End Live. The free event, which is organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, will take place in London’s Trafalgar Square on 16-17 June.
Other shows to take part this year include Eugenius!, Brief Encounter, Little Shop Of Horrors, Heathers the Musical, Knights Of the Rose, Six, Circolombia, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, and Kiss Me, Kate.
Julian Bird, chief executive of SOLT and UK Theatre, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the City of Westminster to bring the casts of London’s great shows to Trafalgar Square, giving theatre fans the chance to see exclusive perfo

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Billboard Awards - Ed Sheeran was the big winner at the Billboard Awards in Las Vegas. The singer took home four awards - top artist, top radio songs artist, top song sales artist and top hot 100.
Other artists used the ceremony to pay tribute to Avicii, the Swedish DJ who died last month aged 28. Andrew Taggart from The Chainsmokers said the DJ's death was "a great loss for the music world and for us. He was an artist who inspired so many in so many ways and simply put he meant so much to us and so many in the EDM community."
Halsey added: "Everyone who worked with him would agree he was such a joy and it makes this tragedy all the more painful. And it's a reminder to all of us to be there and to support and love all of our friends and family members who may be struggling with mental health issues."
The annual awards show, which celebrates artists' achievements

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UK - Backup’s Kart-Fest 2018 returns on 5 July at Daytona Sandown Park in Surrey, with Chauvet helping drive the event forward and Wimbledon named as this year’s theme.
“We all know people in it who have suffered or are suffering right now in our crazy industry family,” says Matt Hallard, Chauvet’s UK sales manager. “Having an opportunity to support friends and colleagues by sponsoring one of backup’s amazing events is simply the least we can do. Here’s to many more opportunities to shout loud about the great work the trustees and team are doing at Backup and here’s to all that support them.”
“We are delighted to welcome Chauvet as our key partner for Kart-Fest 2018,” says Backup trustee Lee Dennison. "Chauvet joins an amazing list of companies who have already committed to backup and supporting the work we do. We also welcome Creative Technolo

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UK - Powerbox has announced the launch of four new series of extra-wide input voltage range, 8W to 20W board-mounted DC/DC converters for railway and transportation industry.
With a 13:1 input voltage range of 12V to 160V, the MAD33 (8W), MAD32 (10W), MAE35 (15W) and MAF35 (20W) have been developed to provide systems designers with a single part number that is able to power a large range of transportation industry applications (e.g. railway, industrial automation and automotive, remote radio-control), reducing inventory, time to market and documentation.
The MAD-MAE-MAF series are designed to meet railway specifications EN50155, EN50121-3-2, EN61373 and EN45545, but as well ISO7637-2 for 24V vehicles, and EN12895 for industrial trucks and other industrial applications such as robotics. The 8W MAD33 is packaged in an industry standard DIP24 case, and the MAD32, MAE35 a

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USA - Theatre Projects is opening an office in Denver on 1 June, the company has announced. Principal Millie Dixon will lead the new office with support from other familiar faces including Aaron Wong and Ali Mignone.
The location was chosen for being relatively central to western and mid-western US and for being easy to reach from Los Angeles, Portland, Minneapolis, Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta by plane.
With the opening of the new office, Theatre Projects will have five offices worldwide - Denver, Connecticut (South Norwalk), London, Paris, and Shanghai, as well as a representative in Chile.
(Jim Evans)

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Stage Invasion - The anti-media campaigner who interrupted SuRie's performance in the Eurovision final managed to invade the stage after climbing into the venue's camera run while being pursued by security. Organisers the European Broadcasting Union said the man - believed to be a so-called "philosopher, activist and DJ" who goes by the name of Dr ACactivism - made his way to the stage via a bridge.
"He climbed into the camera run and reached the main stage via the bridge, pursued by security," said a spokesman. "He was removed off stage after seven seconds and was questioned by police. We take security very seriously and an investigation into what happened is already underway." The man previously stormed the stage during the final of The Voice in 2017 and the National Television Awards in January this year.
Autism Friendly - The Prin

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Devastating Impact - Theatres around the UK face a total bill of £1bn - more than five times the cost initially feared - if new European Union regulations come into effect. This is the warning from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre and is much higher than the amount initially estimated.
The theatre membership bodies issued a joint statement warning of the devastating impact that proposed restrictions on lighting would have on the industry to their members, which include all West End Theatres and regional theatres around the UK.
Due to concerns over energy efficiency, the EU is considering banning the sale of most lighting fixtures that are currently in use in theatres from 2020.
UK Theatre and SOLT, along with industry leaders including West End theatre owner Nica Burns, are campaigning for an exemption for theatre lighting to be included in the new r

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UK - MDG and PRG XL Video have praised lighting designer Howell Binkley and the cast and crew of the London production of Hamilton: An American Musical on winning seven Olivier Awards, including that of Best Lighting Design, at the awards ceremony in April at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
PRG XL Video supplied three of its ATMe haze machines to this much-anticipated London production when it opened in December 2017.
Hamilton, which had already taken Broadway by storm with 11 Tony Awards, made its UK debut at the newly refurbished Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End, and received a standing ovation on the very first preview.
Howell Binkley says: “We use the ATMe units constantly throughout the show. There is no real scenery for this show, so the lighting has to create the different spaces required. We just wanted a very fine haze in the

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USA - Point Source Audio (PSA) has announced the recipients of its $10K Anniversary Giveaway in celebration of its 10-year anniversary and “give back” initiative to benefit the performing arts. Each of the Grand, Great, and Good prize winners will select from Point Source’s full catalogue of miniature microphones and headsets totalling their prize value of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
The contest was open to public and non-profit schools, non-profit performance art and music-driven organizations, community theatre and performing arts groups and clubs, and church performance groups. “The award winners exemplified to us how it is possible to use the performing arts to entertain while also magnanimously create goodwill throughout their community,” said James Lamb, president of Point Source Audio. “It is heartwarming to see so much good being done day in a

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Europe - Avolites and MA Lighting recently joined forces with the organisers of entertainment technology trade event Prolight+Sound to shut down the booth of prolific counterfeit operation PPL (Popular Lighting) from Guangzhou, China. This is just one of a number of steps that both businesses are taking to prevent the distribution of counterfeits. It also sends out a clear message to all manufacturers making direct copies that their actions will not be tolerated.
Avolites sales director Koy Neminathan explains: "Avolites synchronised efforts with MA Lighting and with the support of Prolight+Sound to successfully close PPL's booth down before the Prolight+Sound show even opened. PPL shamelessly manufactures and sells counterfeit Avolites and MA Lighting badged products at respected trade shows around the world and we are determined to put a stop to this."
Michael Adena

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Abba Back - Abba have returned to the studio to record their first new music since the 1980s. The Swedish quartet said the new material was an "unexpected consequence" of their recent decision to put together a "virtual reality" tour. "We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the studio," the band said on Instagram. "And it was like time stood still."
No release date has been set for the new songs - but one of them, titled I Still Have Faith In You, will be performed in December on a TV special broadcast by the BBC and NBC.
Abba's spokesperson Gorel Hanser told the BBC the atmosphere in the studio was "magic". "It was like no time had passed at all," she said. "It was like the olden days. They were happy, it was easy and warm-hearted, and it was actually quite moving. I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes

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USA - Paul Vincent, president of Vincent Lighting Systems, has accepted an invitation to join the Behind the Scenes Foundation board of directors. Paul, who founded VLS in 1978, brings a wealth of industry experience to the Board. He is a past president of ESTA and the recipient of its highest honour, the Eva Swan Award.
Paul has been an ardent supporter of Behind the Scenes since its inception: VLS employees have participated in a company sponsored Behind the Scenes Workplace Giving Campaign for the last 12 years, Paul has generously leant staff member, Kim Craigie, to work the BTS booth at trade shows for many years, and he has frequently donated prizes for BTS raffles and auctions.
Paul comments, "I appreciate the vision of the Behind the Scenes Foundation, and the important support provided to people in our industry who are in need of a helping hand. I accepted th

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UK - PLASA has been invited as one of six European Associations to attend the upcoming EU Commission meeting to address the proposed updates to the Eco-Design Working Plan 2016-2019 that would require all stage lighting to meet efficiency targets in line with domestic and office lighting. The proposed changes to the Eco-Design lighting regulations would have a commercially devastating effect on the industry should it become legislation in 2020.
“The impact this law would have on the whole entertainment industry is huge: venues, manufacturers, rental companies, and indeed lighting designers would be greatly affected,” says PLASA's MD, Peter Heath. “Video projection has been granted an exemption - this is what we and other trade bodies are now pushing for - the same exemption for stage lighting.”
Adam Bennette of ETC will represent the interest of PLASA m

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Rolling On - Liam Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft and Florence & The Machine are among the major support acts to be announced for The Rolling Stones’ UK tour this summer. The rock icons will head out on an eight-date stadium tour across May and June, playing venues such as the London Stadium, Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, and Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium.
It’s now been confirmed that they’re bringing along some heavyweight company for the ride, with former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher warming up for the Stones before their first date of the tour on 22 May at the London Stadium.
The Stones’ latest tour comes after a lack of available venues meant that the UK was left off their European tour in 2017 - leading to considerable demand for the latest shows. Despite having a collective age of 254 years, it seems that the elder statesmen of rock aren’t p

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UK - Cloud based rental management software providers Current RMS and Cambridge-based lighting and production rental house CEG are reflecting on a four-year history this week. In this time, the CEG team has certainly put Current’s software through its paces, all in pursuit of their mission to make the process of renting gear as painless as possible for the customer.
CEG has been renting their professional lighting and production kit to customers and clients across the UK and Europe since 2008. Like most rental providers with an impressive repertoire of the latest industry tech, when you’ve got a lot of kit to manage and jobs on the go, you need robust software that’s up to the challenge. With a drive to improve the efficiency of their workflow, the team started looking for new ways to manage their rental processes in 2014, joining the Current RMS Early Adopter Program

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UK - Details for the funeral of late sound engineer Barry Bartlett have been released.
The funeral service for Bartlett, who died peacefully on 30 March, will be held at 11.20am on Monday, 23 April at Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Richmond TW9 4EN. The family also invites Bartlett’s friends, colleagues and associates to join them for a reception after the service at 12:00pm at Putney Town Rowing Club.
Parking will be available at either location while nearest stations are Mortlake and Underground or Overground Kew Gardens (both a 15-minute walk). The family has asked for family flowers only while donations can be made to Woking & Sam Beare Hospice - www.wsbhospices.co.uk/support-us/remembrance/in-memory-donations/
Those
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