Zero 88 launched their latest Frog desk - The Mambo Frog - at the SIB show in Rimini. T he Mambo Frog is a continuation of the Frog desk range, and shares many features with the other desks, including similar styling, design and case size as a Fat Frog. Designed with the club, disco and music touring sectors in mind, the desk is primarily a 'fixture only' console. It has no preset faders to control dimmers, although dimmers can be controlled by assigning them as fixtures and using the desk wheels.

Due to the design and interfaces of the Mambo Frog, it is a very powerful and flexible club controller. The combination of a theatre style memory stack, along with both fader and button controlled submasters makes fast-access to lighting states possible. In intelligent-only or rigs with a small number of dimmers, this desk is ideal. It's small size and flexible playbacks mean, again, that it

The spring touring season is off to a busy start with a number of high profile acts touring under Martin MAC rigs. They include Paul McCartney, touring the US under 50 MAC 2000Es (electronic ballast). Lighting design is by Roy Bennet with lighting supply by Light & Sound Design. For Lenny Kravitz, lighting designer Jon Pollak is using MAC 2000s for contemporary the world tour through August (Japan, Europe and US). European production is by UK-based Lite Alternative.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are reunited under a MAC rig for their US tour. Lighting designer is Keith Wissmar, with lights supplied by Bandit Lites. For Westlife, Bandit Lites supply a MAC rig and Jem Glaciator heavy fog machine for the latest European and UK tour. Lighting design is by Barry Halpin. Barry Manilow’s latest world tour also features a lighting system delivered by Bandit Lites and based around Martin M

Pathway Connectivity, the leading data communications company in the entertainment lighting industry, has appointed Jose Luis Olvera & Associates as its new sales representative for South and Central America. Already representing ETC and Wybron in this market, Jose Luis Olvera & Associates is a well-respected presence in Latin American lighting, with more than 20 years of electrical engineering and entertainment lighting experience. "Jose Luis Olvera & Associates will boost our presence in this important market, and improve availability of our entertainment networking solutions to theatres and studios," says Pathway’s president, David Higgins. "We are thrilled to have a representative of this caliber join the Pathway team."

(Lee Baldock)

During the SIB show in Rimini, Martin Professional's worldwide distributors were treated to a black tie Gala Dinner followed by Martin's Annual Awards Ceremony at the elegant Villa des Vergers just outside the city. The company’s marketing director and CEO of Martin Italy Pio Nahum presented Martin's Distributor Awards for 2001. The winners were:
Preferred Partner of the Year:
Ecler - Spain

Stage, Studio & Event Distributor of the Year:
Panou - Greece

DJ and Club Distributor of the Year:
Pro Technica - Bulgaria

Architectural Lighting Distributor of the Year:
AMAC - Lebanon

Martin Lighting Distributor of the Year:
High Tech Design - Czech Republic

Mach Speakers Distributor of the Year:
Factory Trading - Cuba

Jem Smoke Distributor of the Year:
A&T Trade - Russia

Best MAC 2000 Dealer:
EVDV

Le Mark Group have announced that, as part of their ongoing relationship with US company Apollo Design Technology, they now have the opportunity to offer glass gobos of up to 20,000 dpi resolution. The SuperResolution and ColourScenic range offers high-resolution quality on both black and white and full colour, allowing for crisp images and specific colour matches or gradients of colour. As part of the arrangement, single and two colour gobos are also available up to 6,000 dpi across 86 standard patterns.

(Ruth Rossington)

To head up its new OEM Sales department (see today’s other news), TMB has hired Alison Lovell, who brings a wealth of broad-based knowledge and experience of technical sales to the post. Lovell graduated from Teesside University, England, with a BSc in Chemical Engineering, and spent 14 years working in UK manufacturing, during which time she developed an excellent relationship as a supplier for TMB. She first joined TMB in London in March 2001. Since then she’s moved to Los Angeles, with her 11-year-old son, Luke, to take up her new position.

TMB CEO Colin Waters comments: "We’re delighted to have Alison onboard. She’s already making great progress, and the future for our OEM Sales department is looking very bright."

(Lee Baldock)

Lighting sales specialist TMB has opened a new OEM Sales division, based at its Los Angeles HQ. The new department will focus on developing TMB’s sales to OEM manufacturers, both inside and outside of the lighting industry. TMB’s CEO Colin Waters told us: "Over the years, we’ve developed excellent resources for many types of products, at both the component and finished levels. This move will allow us to develop and further capitalize on these resources."

The goal of the new department is to build a specific, expert OEM Sales team, functioning close to, but outside, the hectic environment of TMB’s regular Sales office. "The ‘Rush Service Normal’ pace of TMB’s sales offices is better suited to our dealer and rental company customers," continues Waters. "It’s a daily, team-effort fire-drill, almost incredible to beho

iLight has launched a range of compact universal electronic transformers for tungsten halogen lamps. The universal transformers provide flicker-free power to low voltage halogen lamps and can be dimmed by both leading and trailing edge dimmers. In keeping with iLight's philosophy of compatibility the transformers are designed to be fully compatible with all iLight Inductive and Adaptive Source Controllers. Two versions are available at present; TRE060T (20-60VA) and TRE105T (35-105VA) both with screw terminals. The CE-compliant EC made transformers also feature built-in self-resetting protection for short circuit, overload and over temperature. They are easy to install and have double mains terminals under a combined cover and cable clamp.

(Ruth Rossington)

The launch of the new Tourmate Multilock power connector series promises specifiers and lighting professionals real benefits in terms of superior construction and features, all at a price close to that of standard connectors. Manufactured from hard plated, machined alloy, the robust feature packed design of Tourmate Multilock makes it the definitive connector for the professional touring and theatre industry. Incorporating identification for six circuits, integral backshell insulation and first mate - last break ground contacts, Tourmate Multilock is guaranteed watertight to IP67 when mated.

Tourmate Multilock connectors are available in Line Male, Line Female, Panel Male and Panel Female versions with a choice of solder or removable crimp connections. They are manufactured in compliance with the stringent CE, UL1977 and EN60529 specifications and are fully compatible with Socapex and

Ego is a new series of 250W DJ effects lights from Martin Professional which feature a new range of flower effects and sharp, high quality projection optics. The light houses a powerful 250W, 500-hour halogen lamp for projection optics, whilst a precise focus adjustment produces crisp projections. Ego operates in either auto or music trig mode, the latter being a one-of-a-kind variable behaviour tuning which allows DJs to adjust how aggressively the effect reacts to music in trig mode - relaxed, intermediate or quick.

Ego 01 is a razor sharp flower effect featuring a host of new and original gobo designs that add a touch of individuality to any light show. Gobo and rotation speed are easily controllable. Ego 02 features a new patent pending colour system offering more than 200 colour combinations and a manually selectable image effect (etched gobo or textured gobo pattern). Gobo slots

Sheffield’s £46million Magna Centre has recently benefited from the opening of a new visitor attraction. The Living Robots Show is a unique feat of invention which uses artificial intelligence in an absorbing game of cat and mouse. In the center of the 500-seat arena, predator robots hunt down their automated prey in an epic struggle to survive. This technological game of 'chase' was devised by Professor Noel Sharkey (TV Robot Wars judge) and cost £200,000 to take from concept to opening show.

The lighting for the visitor attraction was devised by Lighting Technology’s Davie Bell who, in conjunction with the technical expertise offered by LT’s Andy Elsegood, specified, installed and commissioned a wide range of lighting and sound equipment. In order to enhance the Living Robot theme Davie specified Clay Paky Mini-scans, Martin Robo Colours, Strand Profiles, Pulsar C

The Sun Microsystems JavaOne developers’ conference at the Moscone Convention Centerpresented lighting designer Bill Berner with the challenge of illuminating a large projection area, while working around many obstacles. To accomplish the feat, Berner chose 50 Vari*Lite VL1000 ellipsoidal reflector spotlights.

"The light had to have a big zoom because of where the truss had to hang and based on what had to be lit," said Tom Thompson, account executive of Island Creative Management, contractor and a supplier of automated lighting for the event. "Because of its shutter capabilities, the VL1000 ERS was able to cover the entire area, yet avoid the various video screens that were also being used."

The primary purpose of the fixtures was to light with colour and texture, a pair of 20ft-tall fabric pieces that curved and wrapped around the stage. Close to the surf

The Burswood International Resort Casino in Western Australia is one of the most popular and long-standing facilities in the country. Since opening in late 1985, Burswood has made several additions to its lighting infrastructure, with Coemar-DeSisti Australia (CDA) involved in several of these additions.

The latest redevelopment saw changes made to several areas. The tender documents included the reuse of several existing products in the nightclub area, amongst which were a range of Coemar products including Mini UltraScans (compact 200MSD moving mirror units) and Synchros (club effects lighting) - a testament to their quality and longevity. Additional specifications for the nightclub area included reference to the popular Reel EFX DF50 Diffusion Fogger - one of the world’s most popular effects units.

The lighting of the Atrium area, the large glass dome that is a major visual

The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) recently officially welcomed its new joint Presidents, Richard Pilbrow and Robert Ornbo, at a dinner held in their honour at Kettners, in the heart of London’s theatre district. The dinner, which was made possible by a bequest from Michael Northen MBE, the previous president who passed away last year, was attended by some 25 members and guests of the ALD. Richard and Robert, together with Chairman Rick Fisher, have an enormous amount of combined experience and the ALD will benefit greatly from their knowledge, not just of the theatre but of all the other various sectors in which lighting designers work today.

(Ruth Rossington)

Building on the enormous success of the MAC 2000, Martin Professional is now offering the MAC 2000 Performance, a powerful 1200W profile framing spot and animation projector. The MAC 2000 Performance features a 4-blade framing system for precise stage lighting and gobo animation wheel for extraordinary theatrical effects, the ideal illumination framing tool for theatres, studios and special effect applications.

Useful for accurate illumination coverage of stage props, scenery or any object, the fully automated precision beam-framing system can produce a multitude of different shapes. Also new to the MAC 2000 Performance is a gobo animation wheel useful for special theatrical effects such as fire, sky and water imaging. The entire wheel can be swivelled for flexible positional control.

Like the successful MAC 2000 Profile, the MAC 2000 Performance incorporates an extraordinary 10-lens

In a move designed to better serve the growing market, Bandit Lites has purchased additional facilities in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Strickland, CEO, explained the rationale behind the move: "In order to meet our client’s expectations, we needed an additional facility - with this space we will be able to quadruple our output in Nashville." While the current property will continue to serve as the main base of operations, the new warehouse will serve as an overflow storage facility and a suitable space for preparing multiple shows to the Bandit Standard, while still allowing for expansion.

Bandit’s Vice President, based in Nashville, Michael Golden explains: "Our plan will involve a fully staffed facility to build and prep systems while our current facility will become more of an administration and pre-rehearsal programming facility. It is our intention to

Conventionally, sponsors at the Royal Opera House have a physical corporate presence at the venue. But in a complete break with tradition on April 4, Audi became the first sponsor to light the outside of the building with its corporate brand at a performance of the ballet Giselle, with Darcey Bussell dancing the title role.

In addition to lighting the exterior of the Royal Opera House, two Audi cars, one a vintage 1930s model and the second, the latest A4 convertible, were also on display. In support, Fourth Phase London and DHA Lighting joined forces with Pandemonium Events to make sure the evening was a success. To light the two cars Fourth Phase London used Source Four Pars and a Source Four profile. The cars were lit in open white, whilst the profile was equipped with a DHA monochrome gobo and projected the famous Audi rings onto the pavement between the cars. Two Mac 500s, also f

Lighting and sound specialist Hawthorn Theatrical has recently supplied lighting, trussing, rigging and drapes for the UK and European leg of the current Chemical Brothers tour. Lighting designer for the tour is Andy Liddle, who has been working with Hawthorn Theatrical since last April. He has specified High End Studio Beams, Martin MAC 300s and Atomic strobes, Clay Paky Stage Scans, Avolites dimmers and a Wholehog 2 control desk.

Hawthorn Theatrical's main challenge was to produce a circular revolving structure which could be used as a projection screen and then flip over to its reflective side at the end of the show to form the centrepiece of a breath-taking finale. In addition, the screen had to be lightweight and modular as it was to travel with the band for the whole of the World tour. As an approved Prolyte dealer, Hawthorn Theatrical provided 4.5m circular truss from the H30V r

Adam Hall Ltd, one of Europe’s largest suppliers of flight-case fittings, has just announced the release of an addition to its ‘Astroboard’ range of panel materials. ‘Astrodiamondboard’ has been the result of ongoing research and development work on modern lightweight flightcase panel materials. The research is proving to be a major benefit to the flightcase industry, allowing it to expand into many other areas where it has been essential that protection cases must be of the lightest materials possible. 7mm brown ‘Astrodiamondboard’ is now available off the shelf.

(Ruth Rossington)

Paul Smith, the former general manager of Avolites Middle East, has joined Sun Light & Sound in Dubai as business development manager. Smith's brief is to expand the business into new market sectors from its core business of fashion shows and corporate events. As an experienced lighting designer, he will also be heading up the special projects divisions lighting department. Having started his lighting career with school productions, Smith has gone on to be involved in the lighting of over 200 events, concerts, theatre productions and TV shows.

Starting his professional career as one of the first intakes of students at Theatre Projects in the summer of 1997, Paul has gone on to become the head of lighting for a theatrical production company (Spats II), head of lighting for a satellite channel (Channel East) and head of lighting for the Scala night club in Kings Cross, before moving to A

The enclosed photos are from the Caracas Pop Festival where UV/FX designed and painted 2 large scenic pieces that fit on the 30' x 50' main speakers. The promoters wanted the logo of the festival to become visible at opportune times and have control over when the logo appeared and disappeared. The art was created to match the rainforest like setting of this festival and painted on sound transmitting linofilled scrim. The much-anticipated musical extravaganza started on 13 March and ran until 17 March, just outside of Caracas, Venezuela. The five-day concert features many favorite artists on one stage and was attended over 30,000 people. UV/FX has also recently completed custom designed and painted scenic projects for Shaggy, The City Of Science Museum in Paris and many more projects worldwide.

(Lee Baldock)

Since its debut in 1999, when it won both the PLASA Award for Product Excellence and the EDDY Award - City Theatrical’s AutoYoke continues to find more favour as designers and production managers see how its versatility and reliability make their work easier.

AutoYokes play a starring role in a planetarium show at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, CT, where a 150ft-wide planetarium dome rises about three stories into the air. Each AutoYoke is fitted with a mirror system and paired with a Vicom Wega 1200 slide projector. Images of clouds, stars and moons are projected onto the mirrors, and the mirrors move as the AutoYokes pan and tilt - making the clouds drift, the stars shoot, and the moons rise and fall.

"We installed 17 AutoYokes in August, and they are working very well," says Hank Forrest, senior associate principal at Fisher Marantz Stone, the show’s m

QVC has purchase 10 Vari*Lite VL1000 ellipsoidal reflector spotlights in another step toward its goal of fully automating the studio from which its programs are broadcast 24 hours a day. The new lights will allow QVC to make set changes without having to refocus, move or re-hang light fixtures. "Because we have such a strange format, we may be lighting a musical act for one program and lighting a kitchen set with Emeril Lagasse the next," said QVC lighting supervisor Doug Rae. "With the VL1000 fixtures, it doesn't matter, we can do it all with the same light. The wide angle of the beam is quite impressive. When we aren't using it with the shutters, we can pull back and use it as a washlight."

Four of the luminaires will be used on QVC's fashion set, primarily to project the logo or trademark of each particular designer onto a different area of the set. Because the f

A strategic contingent of 27 South African roadies has embarked on a 20-city US tour which will cover coast-to-coast principal venues, in an initiative engineered with UniverSoul Circus, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The seven-month outing with Platinum Soul 2002 carves out the global collaborative stage that enhances technical exchange projects between the Republic of South Africa and the USA.

This initiative extends the five-year European projects, which cover Ireland, Holland, Denmark, France and Norway. In July 2001, while on a world tour through South Africa, Cedric Walker met with the president of SARA (South African Roadies Association), Freddie Nyathela, in Johannesburg and discussed ways and means of establishing joint-projects that could foster technical transfer initiatives. Within a year of that historic meeting, the scheme has come to fruition, falling in line with the ob

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