Germany - Europa Park, a theme park in Rust, near Freiburg, has seen the addition of a new hotel. The Colosseo Hotel was inaugurated this summer with a large party themed on ancient Rome: Italian actress Claudia Cardinale symbolically handed over the keys of the 4 star-luxury hotel to Roland, Jürgen and Franz Mack, the owners of the amusement park. The typically Mediterranean façades of the hotel served as backdrop for the the evening's programme, with Alpha Spot HPE and Alpha Wash fixtures from Clay Paky forming the centre of the lighting system.

Tent Event of Freiburg looked after the setting up of the light system. As well as the Alphas, Clay Paky's Stage Color 1200s, Stage Zoom 1200s, Golden Scan HPEs and Stage Scans were also used to create the ambience for the evening, providing an extensive range of effects. The Alpha projectors, here receiving their German debut, prove

The Netherlands - Dutch hire company Rombouts Showequipment placed an order for an impressive rig of Sound Projects' line array, Linex, with the first 32 Linex systems delivered in October, just in time to prepare transport cases and amp-racks - because 12 were booked the same day by Tom O'Brian, front-of-house engineer of the legendary folk group The Dubliners, for a gig in the beautiful Amsterdam Concertgebouw. An additional system was put up at the two-day Kraanpop festival hosting a selection of the most famous DJs.

Rombouts became curious after hearing that Linex rigs were used in Switzerland for concerts with Toto, Europe and Status Quo, at a heavy metal festival in Germany and also for a concert of jazz giant Joe Zawinul, the founder of Weather Report. The company conducted its own comprehensive comparative tests on the logistics and ergonomic qualities of the Sound Proj

UK - Vertigo Rigging utilized its new PLASA Award-winning InMotion 3D/Cyberhoist automation system for the first time on a live gig for BBC 3's The Big C Concert at Alexandra Palace. The system was specified by lighting designer Darryl Noad, who had seen the demonstration at PLASA and though it would be an ideal creative tool for the show which featured artists including Travis, Lostprophets, Goldie Lookin Chain, Razorlight, Lemar and Delta Goodrem.

The show's designer Peter Bingeman and director Tony Dickson were also keen to use the Cyberhoist system, as it would maximise time during their tight set-up and rehearsal schedule, and also be a flexible solution for moving certain set pieces in and out during changeovers, to get the next band's backline onstage.

Vertigo undertook the rigging for the event, project managed for them by Tom Roberts, who worked with a team of six Ver

UK - Audio Light Systems Ltd is a new company created to provide informed proposals and installations for design teams, contractors and clients. Utilizing the latest software, the company says it can design "technically outstanding and quality controlled installations on time and within budget". From conception to completion and training, this new company is offering consultation, installation and project management for new build, refurbishment and upgrade projects nationwide, covering audio, lighting, AV or specialist systems.

The company's core design team of Eddy O'Hare, Roland Chadwick and Trevor Cross have been involved in projects of all scales throughout the globe for the last 25 years and are familiar names in the installation and consultancy sectors. They are currently involved in projects in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(Lee Baldock)

Worldwide - One of the more established scams in this industry is back doing the rounds again, demonstrating just how lucrative this particular con-trick must be. Persistence obviously pays.

If you exhibit at any of the key shows in the industry, you'll certainly be targeted: the pitch comes via an A4 form inviting you to update an online listing run by a European publisher. Because the listing is overtly linked to a particular trade show, you could be forgiven for thinking that the website in question is somehow endorsed by the organizer, when in fact it is nothing of the sort.

What it is, is a lesson in how to take advantage of people who are just too busy to check the small print. Through the two-minute act of updating and returning the form, which appears to suggest the service is free, you are actually signing a contract binding you to a three-year agreement, which will l

UK - Since becoming a certified Yamaha Digital Dealer earlier this year, A.C. Lighting's Audio division has sold through its entire stock allocation of DM1000 digital production consoles for the fourth consecutive month.

The supply of these consoles to companies operating in the live PA, recording studio and front-of-house audio environments reflects the multi-purpose nature of DM1000, with A.C. reporting customers ranging from the West Yorkshire Playhouse to production companies behind several leading popular music acts. Sharing all the major features of the award-winning DM2000 console, the DM1000 also offers 96kHz audio, surround monitoring, studio manager and DAW control.

Commenting on the company's sales success with the DM1000, A.C.'s Audio sales manager, Peter Butler, attributes this to matching the customer's needs with the most suitable product and offering a total

Italy - A new roof has been built to host the 2004 MTV Awards, right in front of the Coliseum in Rome. The construction is manufactured by Prolyte, for Ital Stage, via Decima, Prolyte's distributor in Italy.

This latest system, developed in close cooperation between Prolyte and Ital Stage, is based on the standard B100RV truss and the new series of towers, the C52T. As the stage is based on standard elements, it is not only a very economic system, but is also easy to build, say Prolyte, with the whole construction designed and developed within two weeks.

The roof is constructed from five arches made of B100RV truss. A hinge in the bottom connectors and a pen-fork connection with a spreader plate in the top connections, gives the complete span the arch needed. Two steel wires per span absorb the arch thrust. The arches are connected to a standard sleeve block for the B100RV t

USA - Kansas City's historic Argosy Casino has recently undergone a complete renovation and is now in a new home. Sound-wise the casino has integrated a brand new way of processing, routing and controlling audio within this far more complex and demanding sound environment than the original facility. TSI Inc, the St. Charles, Missouri-based AV systems integrator that coordinated installation of the casino's AV system, made SymNet - the modular audio mixing, routing and processing system from Symetrix Audio - the hub of the casino's sophisticated audio system.

"As we began designing the system in July 2003, we realized we were going to need something with more control and flexibility, to do things with the audio system, than the old casino facility provided," says Mark Schultz, the TSI design specialist who helped coordinate the Argosy project. "With SymNet, we hav

UK - Edwin Shirley Staging, the international staging and structure specialist, has unveiled the first ever European Wine Tower. ESS acted as design co-ordinator and main contractor working closely with its client, Radisson SAS, to deliver this centrepiece Wine Tower for a new flagship hotel at Stansted Airport.

The structural challenge of the project was to deliver a tower capable of supporting the 6.5 tonnes of glass, four thousand bottles of wine and four flying performers known as 'wine angels'. Adding to the already stunning complexity of the project the air-handling system had to deliver chilled and warm air to individual wine cases throughout the tower, maintaining ambient working temperatures for the Wine Angels and ensuring that there is no condensation on the glass.

To make this complicated system work, every element of the tower had to be perfect with the largest

USA - US-based design firm Environmental Acoustics Inc (EAI) and Performance Audio Video Lighting & Stage Systems Inc (PAVL) have chosen Digigram's EtherSound audio bridges as the cornerstone of the audio distribution system in the new Student Life Center at the Lancaster Christian School, Lancaster, PA, USA. The signal routing flexibility of EtherSound networks and the low cost of standard Ethernet components like switches and Cat 5 cables were key for EAI and PAVL to design a highly flexible audio control system, which allows for operator control at four different locations and meets the budget requirements of this privately funded institution. EtherSound networks distribute up to 64 channels of 24-bit digital audio at 48kHz, plus control information, over a single Ethernet cable - with only 125 microseconds latency.

The challenges of implementing sophisticated technologies i

UK - DT Productions has signed a licence with MCPS (the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) which will allow DT/Soundnet to incorporate copyright music into its programmes for jukeboxes and background music services for European distribution. The licence enables DT Productions to take advantage of one tariff for all types of music based on a percentage of revenue. Previously, it was necessary to work with different rates depending on whether the music was for jukebox, background, DVD or video use.

MCPS developed the new-style licence - which has been specifically designed to take into account a range of usages - within 10 months of an initial approach from DT. "I am now licensed to copy tracks to my UK hard drive and to make physical copies for distribution throughout the EU, confident that publishers, songwriters and composers are getting paid," said Simon Davis,

UK - Xtreme Audio Visual has installed a complete audio visual package at Sky Nightclub for client Ware Leisure, including a new sound system from KV2 Audio. The main club is split into two rooms, Daylight, the main dance area and the Sunset VIP Lounge. Daylight presented an acoustical challenge to Xtreme having multiple levels of vaulted ceilings along with raised floor levels. To overcome these problems, Xtreme opted to use the KV2 ES Active driven system consisting of four ES1.0, two ES2.5, 2 x ES1.8 and two ES1.5, powered by four EPAK 2500s, using an Audia Solo for the processing and routing.

The system was designed in conjunction with KV2's Andy Austin Brown. Due to the layout of the venue, and the wide variety of events planned for the system, the design was far from straightforward, but Austin Brown's knowledge of the KV2 products enabled an audio solution for all the pro

Turkey - Biamp Systems reports that AVS in Istanbul, Turkey, has installed a pair of multiple-zone AudiaFLEX systems in the city's newest Volkswagen office and showroom. "To be chosen by AVS for such a prestigious installation as the executive office headquarters and showroom in Istanbul is truly a validation of the versatility and cost effectiveness of AudiaFLEX," said Romano Cunsolo, East European sales manger for Biamp. "It proves that Audia solves the dilemma of offering easy-to-use technology that is still powerful and flexible."

As one of the world's most highly recognized brands, Volkswagen insisted the Dogus Groupe, which manages dealers and service in Istanbul, have its headquarters showcase the newest cars in a state-of-the-art showroom featuring the most advanced technology. This technology was to extend to the executive offices in their main buil

UK - Essential Lighting supplied Martin MAC 2000 Washes and 7kW Ireos Pro Space Cannons to produce the large scale lighting effects taking place along the South Bank, the epicentre of the 2004 Poppy Appeal event. This included turning three bridges - Waterloo, Westminster and Hungerford - red, and supplying searchlights for both banks of the Thames between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges.

The lighting scheme was designed by Rick Hussey, who works regularly with Essential on all types of projects. It was co-ordinated for Essential by Martin Lubach and site managed by Barry Tofield. Overall production manager was Roger Oakley working for event producers The Bank. Oakley dealt with 16 regulatory bodies including MI5 and MI6 to get the necessary clearance to stage the event!

A total of 28 MAC 2000 washes were used to light the three bridges, complete with assorted lenses to optim

Croatia - When the Lisinski Hall - a multi-function venue in the Croatian capital of Zagreb - was refitted recently, great importance was attached to the quality of the sound reinforcement and communications equipment. To achieve the highest possible degree of compatibility (and therefore system security), the managers of the complex, which boasts two stages and seating for up to 2,300 spectators, opted to combine stage manager and public address systems from EVI Audio. In addition to their technical capabilities, ease-of-use and sound quality, the ability of these systems to function flawlessly in tandem was a key factor in this decision, say the company.

The outlay in terms of equipment was considerable: the two systems had to cover all areas (and the entire staff) of the complex. For the 2,000-seater theatre alone this meant the two stage manager's desks (stage right and sta

UK - Famed Italian hoteliers, the Baglioni Group has created an exclusive London location as its UK flagship. Harman Pro UK and authorised installer The Sound Division Group collaborated to design and specify the premier sound system at the recently launched luxury 5-Star Baglioni Hotel in Kensington. The hotel's Brunello club and bar area, used for private parties and functions and as a members club, is a chic new evening haunt.

Following recommendations from high profile clients at top West End nightspots, Islington-based Sound Division specified Harman Pro products to Baglioni. Sound Division is a strong advocate of the JBL brand, says MD David Graham: "Primarily because of the breadth and flexibility of their range, and its uniform quality and power." Turning to JBL's Control Contractor series to handle Brunello's requirements for background music, DJ evenings and

USA - The long-awaited new home of Jazz at Lincoln Center was unveiled last month as part of a three-week grand opening celebration, televised live on PBS and broadcast throughout North America - via a Mackie Digital 8 Bus desk. The $128 million Frederick P. Rose Hall, a 100,000sq.ft building occupying two floors of the new Time-Warner building in New York's Columbus Circle, is the first performance and education facility designed specifically for jazz, and features three acoustically designed live venues.

The opening ceremonies featured three simultaneous programs in its three spaces. The flagship Frederick P. Rose Hall hosted performances by the JALC Orchestra, featuring artistic director Wynton Marsalis directing a tribute to Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Performances by Arturo O'Farrill and special guests inaugurated the elegant Allen Room, which features Greek amphitheat

USA - Just a few weeks before R.E.M was to head out on its current world tour, lighting designer Susanne Sasic had already determined the lighting package she would use for the show. Then she received a phone call from George Masek inviting her to a Vari-Lite open house and product demo in New York - and after seeing the Vari*Lite Series 3000 luminaires, Sasic made a last-minute change to the automated lighting plot, swapping out some of the fixtures she had already spec'd with VL3000 Wash units.

"I went over to the open house and was very impressed," Sasic explained. "The beam spread on the VL3000 fixtures is amazing. We swapped them out for some of the other lights I had spec'd on the rig, and I'm very glad we did."

Making the change was not an issue since Bandit Lites, the lighting equipment provider for the tour, had recently added a number of the Ser

UK - The theatre show Umoja was the inspiration of Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, who created the show as an expression of their South African heritage.

All performers are selected from the Umoja School of Performing Arts in South Africa, which gives free scholarships to underprivileged children as a means to enter the entertainment industry.

'Umoja' translates as "the spirit of togetherness" and there was an abundance of positive energy in this vibrant showcase of South African music and dancing. A narrator punctuates a two-hour journey that takes the audience through a history of African music, from early tribal drummers, through the development the distinctive South African sounds. "Our music helped to keep us human," the narrator tells the audience, "for in Africa, rhythm is life itself."

Umoja first opened at London's Shaftesbury Theatre in Nove

Italy - Blues fans stream into the normally quiet Tuscan town of Pistoia each year for its annual Blues Festival, considered to be one of the most important in the country, with names such as B.B. King, Robert Plant and Van Morrison all having graced the stage in previous years. With Aztec chosen as the FOH console by rental company, Nicola Procopio, this year's festival had all the makings to deliver unrivalled sound quality.

For the last 24 years, concerts have taken place in the shadow of the great Duomo where audiences have seen great performances whilst either standing or sitting on the historical stones in the medieval square surrounded by breathtaking Romanesque and Gothic architechture. With a further 1500 seats in the gallery, the town's accommodation tends to be booked up for months in advance.

Owners of the first Aztec in Italy, Nicola Procopio were hired this yea

UK - Newcastle University's new landmark building, the Devonshire, features a stunning visual display using CFL Colour Changers from the Light Projects Group.

The concept is the result of a local schools competition to create an innovative lighting sequence to illuminate the building whilst focusing on the concepts of environmental harmony and sustainability. The use of environmentally-friendly LEDs was seen as a fitting solution.

UK - In April of this year a new company, Arcstream AV, was formed combining more than 80 years' collective experience in the creation of outdoor and indoor multi-media shows. The four principals of the company bring expertise in theatre and touring concert industries and have now expanded their offering to serve the audio-visual, entertainment and themed attraction markets.

Operating from a studio in West London, the team comprises Brett Salmon and Tony Clynick (both Themed Entertainment Association award winners), as chief executive officer and technical director respectively, Wayne Haxton as production director and Neil Dickinson as operations director. The team has already completed major projects in both China and Malaysia in the six months since its formation.

Salmon has over 23 years' experience in technical management and production of events and in the last few years has foc

China - Renowned French musician Jean-Michel Jarre performed a unique concert on 10 October, celebrating the opening of the French Culture Year in China, within Beijing's Forbidden City, using state-of-the-art sound and vision technology. For the first time in live application ever, the show was performed in Dolby Digital 5.1, providing a great enhancement to the sonic environment. The 15,000-strong seated audience was divided into six zones, each with it's own 5.1 system, comprising six V-Dosc, 18 dV-Dosc, six dV-SUB and four SB218 subs. Lab Co, L-Acoustics' V-Dosc Partner for China, worked in collaboration with Arpège, French V-Dosc Partner, to provide the turnkey V-Dosc system for the show.

The China-France Culture Year is an important event with regard to the exchange between the two nations, and is of great significance towards increasing the mutual understanding and aware

UK - Bristol's latest night venue, Zeebar, is the setting for an imaginative lighting scheme by architectural and feature lighting design specialist Clarity Lighting. The upmarket bar and grill, situated near the city's historic Queens Square, needed to offer a unique environment to stand out, says Clarity's Adrian Britton.

Clarity, with Zeebar owners EPC Ltd, decided on a combination of bespoke and off-the-shelf LED lighting, together with conventional luminaires and lightsources. The main technical lighting challenge was to make Zeebar's 40m exterior canopy appear look black during the day, and then come alive with colour and movement at night. The solution used a combination of Clarity's Ionic RGB colour changing strips and Microdex panelling with a black underlay. Clarity's Microdex appears as an evenly illuminated surface when lit from along one edge with the Ionic strips. Once th

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