UK - The Theatres Trust has welcomed changes to the Permitted Development Order (England) as developers now need to address noise impacts before undertaking an office to residential conversion near an existing theatre or live music venue.

From 06 April 2016 local planning authorities will have to consider noise impacts on new residents from existing businesses, under an amended permitted development right that allows offices to be converted to residential use, without the need to obtain planning permission.

The amended Order means developers will now need to seek prior approval from the local planning authority that any noise mitigation measures proposed are suitable to ensure that nearby theatres are protected before a change of use from an office to residential building can be carried out.

Theatres Trust said, "The Trust welcomes the changes to the Permitted Developm

Germany - At the Prolight + Sound 2016 exhibition in Frankfurt (5-8 April), ETC is marking the 40th anniversary of the company's founding with a new stand concept across four different stands.

To mark the 40th year of the company's existence, ETC will be represented at the Prolight + Sound show at the beginning of April, on all four days of the trade fair, on four stands in close proximity.

On the central, main stand (E51), visitors to the exhibition will find control consoles from the Eos and Cobalt families, including their respective Programming Wings. It will also have the Source Four LED system that features three different arrays - Lustr for colours, Daylight HD for cool daylight and Tungsten HD for warm incandescent light. The range is completed by a wide variety of attachments, including fixed focus and zoom lens tubes and both Fresnel and CYC adapters. And making

UK - Northumbrian folk experimentalists The Unthanks have been using DPA microphones in their live performances after being introduced to the company's product range by their engineer, Joel Borkin. For capturing The Unthanks' performances, Borkin likes to use DPA's d:vote Instrument Microphones, d:dicate 4011 Cardioid Microphones, d:dicate 2011C Microphones and d:facto Handheld Microphones.

Working under the title jBsound, Borkin is front of house and monitor engineer for various artists around the UK. "We recently used a selection of DPA microphones on The Unthanks' headline showcase collaboration with Lau at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall," says Borkin. "The microphones were a joy to work with. Nothing comes close to the precision and clarity of DPA; they are a must for this band."

Well-known for juxtaposing traditional, folkloric storyte

UK - Named after HRH Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh, the Princes Hall is a multi-purpose civic venue with a national reputation. For many throughout the UK, however, the 600-seat theatre in the heart of Aldershot is best known for its successful pantomime run each Christmas. There was no "happily ever after" ending in sight, though, for the facility's aging lighting rig - at least not until a collection of affordable Chauvet fixtures came to the rescue.

Now with the new LED technology available it was definitely time for a refresh. The Princes Hall was built in 1972, and the lighting rig had only a few upgrades in the past few years. This year, the venue took the major step to upgrade its lighting system and turned to equipment supply specialist Stage Electrics. Despite a limited budget, Stage Electrics was able to supply a comprehensive lighting rig, including 10 Rogue

USA - Holo-Gauze, the 3D display solution for hologram effects, has created a 20x9m installation for an augmented reality style launch of Team Speedo, the swimwear and swim accessory manufacturer's line-up of 200 super star swimmers from the UK, US, France and Spain. The New York launch brought together 24 Team Speedo athletes to promote Speedo's Fastskin LZR Racer X suit, incorporating the swimwear manufacturer's most advanced swimwear technology to date.

To introduce Team Speedo, a film charting the success of each individual athlete was projected onto the huge Holo-Gauze display installation, while the 24 champion swimmers were positioned at various heights, unseen, behind the display. Then an augmented reality style grid and info graphics (name, initials, Olympic team) were projected onto the screen, as each athlete was revealed, one by one, through the near-invisible gauz

USA - Lighting designer Bob Barnhart, a veteran of Super Bowl Halftime Shows, chose Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20s and gold Sharpys to help light the milestone Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Super Bowl Halftime Shows always come with challenges, and the daylight-into-sunset timing of this year's entertainment made it "much more complex from a lighting standpoint," Barnhart notes. "We had fewer fixtures than normally because of the ambient sun and the small portion of stadium lights we used."

It was Barnhart's lighting design goal "to bring the kaleidoscopic colour from the LED floor on the Coldplay main stage into the entire stadium. That was the centrepiece of the creative approach: to make the stadium part of the show. That's why we did a colourful card stunt with the fans and placed Color Bloc IIs on the railings. With a daylight Halftime Show

UK - Pulse PA in Poole, Total Sound Solutions in Swansea and Fabtronic in Northampton are now taking delivery of new Nexo STM modular line array systems for their rental inventories.

Together with Sound of Music in Derby, the rental houses have identified the new STM M28 'omnipurpose' cabinet as a game-changer for their own businesses, as well as enabling a cross-hire network that allows each STM owner to service projects ranging from 500 people at a club event to medium-sized festivals by pooling Nexo STM resources.

At Pulse PA in Poole, Ralph Walsh says that the arrival of the all-purpose two-way M28 cabinet has delivered new benefits for his rental business, starting with time-saving.

"I've configured my system in four ground-stacks, set up on four dollies each with a STM S118 sub-bass cabinet, a STM B112 bass unit and two STM M28 main modules. Prepped in the wareho

South Africa - Technical production and solutions specialist Solid Rock Event Technical working for Blue Platinum Events, provided the full technical production - lighting, sound and large format video projection - for a massive son et lumi

USA- At the Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC) in Hawaii, Richard Sidal operates as theatrical computer system analyst, handling all computerised lighting systems as well as maintenance, installations and programming of some of the shows. Currently, he is also working on upgrades for the theatres and Luau venues, which includes a comprehensive fixture replacement that started last year.

After experiencing a lot of issues and constant breakdowns and repairs of their 1200 W spots, despite the fact that they were placed under protective domes, PCC decided it was time to renew the lighting rig. Situated close to the sea, Sidal is well aware of the challenges of the site.

"We are an outdoor venue and very close to the sea. Sea breeze carries a lot of salt and moisture ruining all metal parts as well as high humidity. Plus, the show uses lots of flames and the oil residue goes rig

USA - Following a "rapid increase" in demand for Void Acoustics products in North America, the British sound system manufacturer has set up a base of operations in the USA. The move follows the recent signing of a network of system integrators and distributors throughout North America who will now be able to receive stock almost immediately.

Void Acoustics is in the process of implementing strategic international expansion plans and is rapidly expanding its global distribution network as there is significant worldwide demand for both their touring and installation products. Void has also hired long-time ally, sound engineer and system integrator Nathan Short to oversee all things technical in North America.

"After representing Void in North America and some exotic places around the globe for eight years now, this is a natural and beneficial move for everyone," says Short.

Benelux - Arkaos PRO has appointed Controllux BV as its new, exclusive distributor for the Benelux countries. The agreement, reached in February 2016, gives Controllux exclusive distribution of the full ArKaos PRO portfolio of professional media servers and software across the Netherlands and Belgium.

Controllux is a leading distributor of professional lighting equipment and handles a large range of well-regarded industry brands from its offices in the Netherlands and Belgium. The company will be responsible for promoting the ArKaos brand across its wide remit of theatre, broadcast, film, entertainment and architectural markets.

"The Controllux portfolio, with all its brands and its disciplines, is a perfect match for the ArKaos PRO products," says Bram de Clerck of Controllux BVBA. "Our team and myself are looking forward to this new challenge and aim to become an interes

UK - Hungry Horse pub and family value restaurant chain, operating more than 200 family value pubs in the UK, recently chose Bolton based AV integration company TVC Technology Solutions to provide a complete audio visual solution for its Rotherham Riverside public house in readiness for the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament in France, starting in the Summer of 2016.

To encourage patrons to stay longer and enjoy the summer experience, Hungry Horse has invested in a number of large LED screen solutions alongside a distributed audio system to allow zonal control of the audio and visual systems, including the provision of screens and audio in dining booths and outside in the garden/patio areas.

TVC Technology Solutions, a family business established in the mid 90's by Jim Brown and his two sons Matthew and Daniel is part of the TVD Group. Growing rapidly and with the agility

Mexico - Lighting designer Dave Maxwell has been involved in Luis Miguel shows since 2008 and for a string of recent sold out dates at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City used 60 Elation ACL 360 Matrix moving panel LED effect lights to complement the Latin American music icon's show.

On his current 2016 tour, Maxwell serves as show designer, handling all creative and visual aspects of the show including set design, content, video and lighting. Lighting and video vendor for the shows was Serpro Productiones, one of the biggest rental houses in northern Mexico. Elation's Mexican partner ADIMSA sold the Elation fixtures to Serpro and provided them with support on the tour.

"I had been using some other LED panels and was offered the chance to switch to the ACL 360 Matrix by Serpro for a run of shows at the Auditorio in Mexico City and very much liked them," Maxwell comments. "Ty

USA - Chapman University students and faculty and the Orange, California community can look forward to a new era of cultural and educational opportunities with the 19 March opening of the 88,000sq.ft Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Centre for the Arts.

Located at the gateway to the university, the new $82m arts centre - designed by architect Pfeiffer Partners in collaboration with Theatre Projects, acoustician Nagata Acoustics, and AV consultant Sonitus - gives Chapman University a characteristic architectural icon designed to meet the needs of their award-winning Conservatory of Music, and the Departments of Music and Theatre.

The building features the 1,044-seat Julianne Argyros Orchestra Hall, a remarkable and versatile multipurpose theatre. Theatre Projects worked with the design team to create an intimate auditorium - with a mezzanine, side boxes, and two levels of b

Singapore - Renowned Singaporean PA company, The Production People (TPP), recently took delivery of Allen & Heath's dLive digital mixing system. Supplied through distributor, Electronics & Engineering (E&E), the system comprised an S5000 Control Surface with a DM48 MixRack, which will be joining TPP's existing iLive system.

"In terms of the features and speed, dLive is amazing, and it is future proof as the expansion options are huge. It was a no-brainer to add dLive to our inventory," says Sheldon Gooi, director of TPP.

Following the launch of dLive last year, E&E hosted a product seminar in Singapore providing an in depth run through of the system. TPP attended the event and placed their order shortly afterwards.

"Coupled with the excellent back-up and support from E&E, it was easy to go ahead with this purchase. We are confident that we will be able to maximise its

USA - On the show floor at USITT, A.C.T Lighting made their first Pledge-a-Product donation to Behind the Scenes reflecting proceeds from the sale of the dot2 Series of Lighting Control Solutions from MA Lighting.

Brian Dowd, vice president of sales for A.C.T Lighting, presented a cheque for $5,000 to members of the Behind the Scenes Foundation Board of Directors stating, "A.C.T is committed to supporting Behind the Scenes. We are honoured to participate and assist in the fantastic support they provide."

Rick Rudolph, chair of the Behind the Scenes Foundation, accepted the cheque, saying, "I was thrilled to have A.C.T join the Pledge-a-Product programme last year during USITT. Today, that commitment to Behind the Scenes became dollars for the charity and I hope that dot2 programmers realize that Behind the Scenes is there for technicians in need due to serious illness or i

USA - On the show floor at USITT, Rosco Laboratories presented their eighth annual royalty check from the sales of Roscolux #359 Medium Violet to Behind the Scenes, the charity that assists entertainment technology professionals in need due to serious illness or injury.

Mark Engel, CEO of Rosco, commented, "Rosco is honoured and privileged to support Behind the Scenes with this check of $3,200, representing the proceeds of Roscolux 359 Medium Violet, for a total contribution to date of $21,548. Rosco's mission is to help people achieve their vision. That includes helping Behind the Scenes offer profoundly valuable assistance to our industry family. We are, as always, so grateful for the work you do."

Rick Rudolph, chair of the Behind the Scenes Foundation, accepted the cheque saying, "Rosco was our first Pledge-a-Product partner. Their long term vision of the entertainment

Germany - Located in the eastern section of Berlin, Suicide Circus is immersed in the intense techno culture that characterizes much of the city's nightlife. Like this creative cauldron of a city, the popular techno club is in a constant mode of reinvention. Most recently, this process took the form of an upgraded lighting rig anchored by a formidable array of Intimidator moving fixtures from Chauvet DJ.

Serving the Berlin techno community for the best part of two decades, Suicide Circus is located in city's so called Partymeile. Having developed from its semi legal and spontaneous beginnings in the aftermath of the Cold War, the club has grown into an internationally recognized bastion of the Berlin techno scene.

Striving to keep its intensity level up at full blast, Suicide Circus turned to JustMusic to revamp its lighting system. The company did exactly that in spectacu

USA - It took almost six years of convincing, but the legendary Kris Kristofferson finally relented to a special show honouring his legacy of songwriting gravitas to country music. What followed was an evening as rich and epic as his prolific career.

The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson took place on 16 March at Bridgestone Arena, where the all-star line-up included Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, Lady Antebellum, Lee Ann Womack, Buddy Miller, Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Darius Rucker and Hank Williams, Jr.

Lighting designer Paul Hoffman trusted Bandit Lites to provide the lighting package for the event, which included MAC Vipers, Bandit 5x5s, GLP X4-10 Strips, Eurolight strips, Robe Patt 2013, & MAC 2000 wash fixtures, all controlled by a Grand MA 2 Full and Grand MA 2 Lite co

Canada - The Toronto School of Circus Arts offers circus classes for adults and children as an alternative for active lifestyles. The 15,000sq.ft training centre is housed in a renovated airplane hangar and features the most up to date circus arts equipment available.

The School prides itself on its safety record so when the school needed to set up a bungee apparatus in another venue for a performance, the BroadWeigh wireless load cell monitoring system was used to help determine the maximum dynamic loads placed on the structure during a bounce.

Michael Sorowka, CEO of Paradigm Rigging, BroadWeigh's technical partner in Canada, explained: "A friend of mine is an aerial and trapeze instructor at the school so I was familiar with the venue. Having introduced them to the BroadWeigh system, we arranged an opportunity to demo the units on their trapeze nets. The system got the

USA - Kid Cudi, known for his distinctive atmospheric and emotionally-gripping live performances has just finished the first leg of a new US tour supporting his Speeding Bullet to Heaven album, complete with a moody and evocative lighting design by Brett Lorins with Robe moving lights right at its heart.

Brett has worked with the artist for five years and coordinates both lighting and video aspects of his live performances. He's been a big advocate of Robe for the past six or seven years and includes Robe products on his riders as often as possible.

For this one, the rig included 10 MMX Spots, 12 LEDWash 300s and two LEDWash 600s with the MMX Spots being the main workhorses. This core touring package was complemented by some house lights at each venue.

Six MMX Spots were rigged on six 8ft upright sections of truss onstage, three positioned stage left and three s

Headline News - Adele has announced she will headline the Pyramid Stage at this year's Glastonbury Festival. She revealed the news live on stage at London's O2. "Who's going to Glastonbury this year?" she asked. "See you there. I'll be there. I'll be headlining on the Saturday night this year." Glastonbury later confirmed the news on Twitter.

Adele now joins Muse and Coldplay at the top of the bill when the festival takes place in June. "What a great honour it is to have the wonderful Adele confirmed for this year's Saturday night headline spot!" said festival organiser Emily Eavis. This year's Glastonbury festival takes place in Somerset from 22-26 June. Jeff Lynne's ELO have been announced for the Sunday afternoon "legends" slot. The festival opening act will be Manchester's James.

As You Like It - Shakespeare's Globe has reported record income of £23m in 20

Germany - Schertler expands into the pro audio market with the release of its new Yellow MIC500 microphone preamplifiers - single channel, full Class A, 500 series preamps that are specially designed for user installation in commercially available Lunchbox racks. The release heralds a new focus for the Swiss manufacturer who, over the last 30 years, has established a worldwide reputation for developing high quality contact microphones and acoustic amplification systems.

Available in three models, MIC500-TL, -TO and -TT, the Yellow MIC500's high quality electronics are contained within a totally shielded metal enclosure, while an anodized aluminium front panel provides intuitive access to its controls. These include a 12-step rotary switch for adjusting input sensitivity (in 3dB increments), plus an extra gain control for use in weak signal conditions or when connecting low out

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