Europe - GE Lighting today confirmed that two projects it filed under a European Commission initiative for cities (The Covenant of Mayors) are among the first to be awarded the Benchmark of Excellence. A Benchmark of Excellence is awarded to a city initiative that represents a world-class successful implementation of sustainable energy technologies. The successful cities that GE partnered with for the 'Benchmark of Excellence, are Motril (Spain) and Budapest (Hungary).

The Covenant of Mayors is a European Commission initiative under which more than 1000 cities have committed to reducing their CO2 emissions by more than 20% by 2020 exceeding the existing EU targets. As part of this initiative, the Commission developed the concept of Benchmarks of Excellence for energy efficient solutions in an urban setting with the aim of creating a best practice forum for c

India - Most Technical India has announced the launch of its new website at www.mosttechnical.in. Facilitating access to all events and installations already designed, the website also gives an insight to the company's background, with a brief history of its directors Dave Parry, Isa Sapin and Arjun Bahl.

Best known for his design of the sound and light systems at London club Fabric, Dave Parry has also been responsible for systems at Ministry of Sound in London, Re-Hab in Leeds, Sub Club in Scotland, The W.A.G.G Club in Paris, Elevate in New Delhi and now Fabric's sister superclub, Matter, at the O2 in London.

Direct links to the social networking website Facebook and the video sharing website YouTube are also available with a simple click, giving easy access to anyone who wishes to become a fan of the company and see update

USA - Elation Professional's new Accent have an adhesive tape backing, which allows them to be mounted on almost any surface in minutes to provide a colourful, eye-popping accent or border of lights, says the company.

The thin, easy-to-use strips are available in two models: RGB and Cool White. The Accent Strip RGB features nine bright red, green and blue LEDs, which produce a smooth field of rich colour palettes through RGB mixing. An included control box allows users to select from seven vibrant colours - red, green, blue, yellow, pink, violet and white - and three operating modes. The Accent Strip CW is equipped with nine bright cool white 6,000K LEDs.

Designed for indoor applications, Accent Strips are suitable for highlighting design elements in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, casinos, limousines, cruise ships and other entertainment venues, as well as in retail stores, di

The Netherlands - The DMT Pixelmesh P37,5 SMD RGB is a full colour LED screen. The frame is constructed from strong and light weight aluminium. Each panel measures 600mm square weighs only eight kilograms and contains 256 pixels on a 37.5mm pitch. Each of the 256 pixels is a RGB three-in-one SMD LED.

The DMT Pixelmesh P37,5 has a built-in power supply, easy locking system (no tools required) and is equipped with Powercon and Ethercon connectors which ensure a stable wiring connection, says the company.

Its slim design, thickness is only 60mm, allows installation in narrow spaces and because of its IP rating of IP54 it is rainproof and therefore suitable for outdoor use.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Marl has launched MR11 and MR16 LED downlights that use up to 80% less electricity than the halogen equivalents - and in most instances are a direct plug-in replacement. These new products are part of a major expansion of Marl's range of architectural LED lights, which also includes panel lamps, fluorescent tube replacements and highly controllable effect lighting solutions.

According to Marl, replacing standard dichroic halogen lights with its LED products will pay for themselves within a year when operated for 18-24 hours a day, and will last for nearly six years (50,000 hours) continuous illumination.

The Marl 256 series MR16 LED downlight matches the output of a 35W halogen light but draws just 6W. It interfaces with all standard MR16 sockets allowing direct replacements, and in most instances, can be powered from the same 12V AC or DC supply. The modules emit zero ul

France - Coquelles, near Calais - famous for the French Eurotunnel terminal - is consequently a popular arrival and departure point for those travelling between Europe and the UK.

The City Council of Coquelles decided to beautify one of its key commercial streets - Avenue Charles de Gaulle - with an architectural lighting scheme to extend an eye-catching evening welcome for all those arriving and staying there. Many hotels are located on the busy Avenue, and these are in constant use by visitors and business people in transit.

Installation company Forclum Calais (the electrical division of civil engineering operation, Eiffage) specified Anolis ArcSource 6 RGB Inground LED fixtures for the scheme, a total of 30 of which are used to illuminate the trees and foliage along a key stretch of the Avenue.

Forclum Calais contacted Anolis's French distributor Ambiance Lumiere's commer

Belgium - XL-Technologies is a new, Belgium-based LED sales and solutions company, launched to offer innovative solutions for anyone interested in utilising LED technologies for their shows, events, displays, art and installations of all types.

Grown out of the XL Video Group's expertise, XL-Technologies is an independent company well placed to maximise the expertise and knowledge held within the group, thus offering its clients a wide range of LED products and design solutions for purchase.

All major and currently specified LED brands will be available through XL Technologies. Not being tied to any specific range or brand, the company can offer a fully integrated service to fit the exact requirements of its clients.

There is the flexibility to offer standard LED solutions from the wide product range and also second-hand sales from large projects that are now finished, plus

South Africa - Gearhouse South Africa supplied full production - lighting, audio, video and rigging to The Killers' recent - and first - tour of the country which featured three sold-out performances, two at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg and one at Val De Vie Estate in Cape Town.

The band has been on this current world tour since the middle of 2008, with the schedule stepping up after the release of their third studio album Day & Age in November last year. It finishes up in February 2010 after visiting Asia and the Far East.

Killers' lighting designer Steven Douglas has worked with Gearhouse SA before on a Kanye West tour three years ago, and says he was confident that the production and service would be "excellent" when it came to the SA leg of the tour.

His original full production touring rig has several different permutations to allow for the variab

Denmark - While top diplomats and leaders negotiated at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, the DR Concert Hall projected climate messages from around the world onto its Martin-animated facade for the world to see.

Danmarks Radio (DR), Denmark's national public service broadcaster, in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, invited people from across the globe to make their voices heard during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

"The climate is a common concern, so we thought it was natural to use the Concert Hall's big blue screen to give everyone a chance to express their attitudes, hopes and expectations to the climate summit participants," says Lars Silberbauer Andersen, the man behind the initiative along with Web editor Casper Bech from the Foreign Ministry. Silberbauer Andersen is creatively responsible for DR's blue screen

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light reports that it is enjoying a busy Christmas and New Year season, supplying lighting to over 30 pantomimes as well as new musicals, comedy shows, corporate events and more across all of the areas of the entertainment and events industries.

The pantomime season has been building up since early December, with White Light dispatching a wide range of equipment as specified by a variety of lighting designers to theatres around the UK. The show tally includes five Aladdins, seven Cinderellas, two Dick Whittingtons, one Humpty Dumpty, two Jack and the Beanstalks, seven Peter Pans, one Pied Piper, three Sleeping Beautys and four Snow Whites. The show's producers include First Family Entertainment, Evolution and UK Productions as well as independent productions in Camberley, Ha

Italy - Chiambretti Night - Solo per numeri uno (Only for number ones) is the variety show conducted by Piero Chiambretti, aired late night on Italia 1 channel. Interviews with celebrities and figures in entertainment, sport, culture and politics are its strength. The show features a talented cast composed mainly of comedians who interact with the conductor during the transmission.

In addition to its contents, the show has distinguished itself for the exquisite set assembled in Mediaset's studio 11, the result of intense teamwork between photography director Franco Buso and set designer Dario Cavalletti. It all takes place inside a studio that has been outfitted as a real night club down to the smallest details with mood lighting, dancers, show girls, piano players and an audience seated at cocktail tables.

Franco Buso comments on the light design, "The goal was to

UK - Initially supplying the cruise ship, Saga Ruby, with lighting equipment to Richard Horley Lighting's specification during its £17million refit in 2005, Point Source Productions' maintenance department has been involved in a concerted maintenance and repair programme during 2009.

Focusing on two areas, the large Main Ballroom and the more intimate View Bar and Restaurant, the Point Source Productions team carried out necessary ad hoc repairs to the venues' lighting and control equipment whilst the ship was taking passengers on board at Southampton. The team's organisation and sympathetic approach ensured they completed the work without affecting the smooth workings of the ship. This was followed by a complete service of lighting equipment in both venues and the installation of architectural systems in the shop and Lido Restaurant when the Saga Ruby went into dry dock i

UK - Lighting designer Tim Routledge used his new grandMA2 light console to control lighting for The Stereophonics' high profile 'homecoming' gig at Cardiff Castle last month. The event - which saw the 10,000 tickets pegged at 1998 prices, the last time the band played the venue - celebrated the launch of their new album Keep Calm & Carry On.

Routledge a founder of grandPA, the UK's only programming house for the grandMA control platform, was asked to light this show plus a warm-up at London's Electric Ballroom, following a TV special he did for the band at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - for which his lighting design won a Welsh BAFTA Award.

grandPA was among the first UK companies to invest in the new grandMA2 consoles when it was released. "It's a beautifully comfortable desk to use," says Routledge, "with ergonomics and design carefully and intelligent

UK - Blackburn-based lighting rental company HSL supplied lighting equipment and crew to the latest UK White Lies tour, which featured a high-impact, lighting design - based primarily on white and near white light - by Chris Megginson.

HSL was brought in to work with White Lies by Darren Snape of Vertical Management right at the start of their meteoric career two years ago, which has since experienced a steep upwards trajectory. This was their largest production tour to date and included two sold out nights at London's Brixton Academy. HSL's project manager Mike Oates says: "It's extremely rewarding seeing a talented band grow, and Chris's designs, which are always exciting and innovative, evolve."

Megginson began the creative process for this one by presenting some ideas to the band to get them energised about the lighting. They wanted a massive wall of PAR cans to

China - Following its success in Asia, French lighting manufacturer, Robert Juliat, has now formed a new branch, Robert Juliat Asia (based in Beijing), and appointed Jamie Boey as dedicated branch manager for the region. Boey joins the company from Total Solution Marketing Pte where he spent six years as sales and product manager.

Boey brings his experience to Robert Juliat, overseeing the Asia region where he will be further developing Robert Juliat presence in this fast growing market.

"Jamie has great knowledge and understanding of operating in this region," says Robert Juliat sales director, Lionel Garraud. "Initially he will be concentrating on establishing a network across China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and India. He will also be supporting our current distributors and partners in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong

Angola / UK - Special effects and AV specialists Arcstream AV has been engaged by production company Media XXI to install an Arcsphere structure for the African Cup of Nations Final, to host the Angolan president and guests.

The huge projection sphere is being installed in host country Angola for the tournament which kicks off on 10 January 2010. Angola will be joined by 15 nations who successfully advanced from the qualification process that began in October 2007 and involved 53 African national teams.

The 22m diameter inflatable structure will feature a 360º seamless projection, playing sponsor adverts and logos, viewable on both the inside and outside of the dome structure. The Arcsphere is an inflated positive pressure dome, and will be installed with a state of the art AV system including a series of plasmas inside for guests to follow the matches.

The sphere is being

UK - When Belfast-based lighting rental company Production Services Ireland (PSI) started planning its annual staff festive party, they soon realised the potential of evolving it into an event to showcase its products, services and passion for the industry, all wrapped up in a convivial social environment, complete with lavish hospitality.

It was staged in the Ballycultra Town, part of the Northern Ireland Folk & Transport Museum, an attraction covering a 170-acre site, complete with the reconstituted 19th century town, which has a church, bank, police station, school and houses.

PSI invited key clients and suppliers. They received an overwhelming response with a turnout of 150 people.

PSI's Sean Pagel says: "Once we'd decided that this was the route we would take, we were determined to go all out to ensure that everyone had a good time, enjoyed our hospitality and also

Hong Kong - Traxon Technologies, realised one of the largest LED Christmas decorations for this year's Christmas Wonderland in Hong Kong.

Supporting environmental protection, Hongkong Land decided to decorate the five skywalks around the Landmark building in Hong Kong's Central with energy saving though highly efficient LED lighting solutions provided by Traxon.

The installation size per bridge varies from a quantity of 40 Mesh units for the 2x13m Ice House Bridge to 202 Mesh units installed along the Connaught Bridge with a total length of 63m, displaying season's greetings and Christmas animations.

Traxon's Mesh RGB is a versatile, modular system of IP67-rated LED modules with a low profile and an easy mounting. The Mesh units can easily be connected by flexible joints offering a high degree of customisation. With its individually controllable pixels T

UK - Blackburn- based HSL supplied lighting equipment, a Kinesys automation system and crew to the final leg of Snow Patrol's 2009 world tour, named Snow Patrol Reworked. This follows HSL's servicing of all the band's UK and European sections across the whole tour, which kicked off in January 09.

Mike Oates project managed for HSL, once again working closely with the tour's LD Davy Sherwin, production manager Wob Roberts and tour manager Neil Mather. Mike Oates comments, "It's been really interesting to see how Snow Patrol's show has evolved and changed over the year. Each section has been different, and of course it's been excellent working with Wob, Davy and Neil again - they are a great team."

Snow Patrol Reworked was a departure from their standard five-piece rock band set up, with 12 extra musicians onstage, bringing an orchestral feel to the show.

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies has supplied a Chroma-Q Color Span LED cove lighting and wall wash system to the Brighton Dome for its Dome Foyer main bar. Situated alongside the venue's art deco style Concert Hall and part of a £22 million refurbishment of the facilities in 2002, the modern Foyer is used for a wide range of shows and corporate events.

Jason Ashdown, technical manager for Brighton Dome & Festival, approached A.C. Entertainment Technologies when the venue wanted to achieve an up light wall wash around the top of the Foyer, to provide mood lighting for events including comedy, classical, dance and other music genres. With plenty of natural light flooding the room from large skylights, brightness was a key criteria for lighting daytime events.

Ashdown considered several LED products before settling on the Chroma-Q Color Span. His chosen Color Span syst

Ukraine - The 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest recently wrapped up its seventh season, seeing its largest viewing audience in its history. An estimated 13m viewers watched 13 competing countries onstage, beaming alongside 22 Clay Paky Alpha Beam 1500 fixtures. The show was held on 21 November at the Palace of Sports in Kiev, the same location as the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.

The show is a spin-off of the 52-year-old Eurovision Song Contest, produced by the European Broadcast Union (EBU). It is hosted by the public service broadcaster of the host country, which this year was NTU in Kiev. The show is the biggest song contest in the world for performers aged 10 to 15, who must each compose their own music and lyrics.

The theme of this year's show was Tree of Life, based on the artwork of Ukrainian folk art painter Maria Primachenko. Lighting des

Australia - Green Day is currently on their mammoth 21st Century Breakdown world tour which started in 2009 and is scheduled to continue towards the end of 2010. The band has just finished the Australian leg of the tour.

Featured in the lighting rig are 37 Martin MAC III Profiles. "The MAC IIIs do a really good job for the throw distances that we have as some of them are very long," commented Kevin Cauley, lighting director for the tour. "Our upstage truss is trimmed at 42ft off the ground so there are some very long throws required.

"This is the first show that I've used the MAC IIIs on and I think they're great. The effects wheel is awesome. It's just a really good, heavy-duty light and the crew has had no real problems with them. We've found that the lamps in the MAC IIIs are lasting a good five-hundred hours longer than Martin suggested. We were

UK / USA - Following a hugely successful first joint venture fund raiser this year between Light Relief in the UK and Behind the Scenes in the States, the two charities are doing it again in 2010. And once again they have the full backing of award-winning designers Paule Constable, Ken Billington and Ken Posner, along with Light Relief's co-founder, Rick Fisher.

Established in 2007 as Light Relief Day and now renamed By Design Day, 24 April is the day that, each year, people in the professional lighting design business give back to help others less fortunate than themselves. The first 'joint venture' between Light Relief and Behind the Scenes raised £7,500 - £3450 for Light Relief and $5,700 for Behind the Scenes. The money came through a variety of channels, including a bucket collection among the audience of the London production of Hairspray o

UK - Robe moving lights are at the core of the spectacular Brilliance installation in Blackpool, a major light art work consisting of six alluminium clad architectural arches traversing the seaside town's Birley Street, combined with additional lighting pods along the surrounding Church, Corporation and Clifton Streets.

The £3.5 million 'regeneration by light' scheme, commissioned by Blackpool Council, has been funded by the Northwest Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and Blackpool Council. The design concept was developed by Manchester based BDP, the lighting was conceived and programmed by Greg McLenahan of World Wide Lighting Design working in close conjunction with Blackpool's Illuminations department. The installation was overseen and co-ordinated by principal building contractors, J. McCann & Co (Nottingham).

Blackpool has historical

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