Cultural Development - The government has detailed its intention to replicate the impact of Hull City of Culture in smaller towns and cities across the country through a newly created fund. One of the commitments in its recent Industrial Strategy, the £20m Cultural Development Fund has been set up to target geographical locations as opposed to specific venues or art forms, and is available for culture, heritage and creative industries projects. Areas will be able to bid for up to £7m to help fund several projects in a particular location, in order to “help regeneration, create jobs and maximise the impact of investment”. The government said the initiative, which follows hot on the heels of Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017, is anticipated to allow smaller towns and cities to replicate Hull’s success by achieving a similar local impact. Theatre and performan
Canada - MDG, Montreal-based haze and fog generators manufacturer, has won the 2018 ESTim Award for Best Manufacturing Company from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Montreal. The award was accepted by MDG CEO Martin Michaud and vice-president of finances Jacques Foisy. The 30th annual ESTim Awards ceremony took place in Montreal on 3 May to celebrate the outstanding achievements of businesses and organisations across the city. The ceremony was followed on 14 May by the official signing of the visitor’s book in the Borough of Montreal-North where MDG is located. This honour was carried out by Martin Michaud at the invitation of Christine Black, accompanied by Jacques Foisy, in the presence of the Borough Council. “This is an occasion I would not have missed,” says Michaud. “One can never be tired in the face of such an honour.” (Jim Evans)
UK - HD Pro Audio is holding a Professional Audio Technology Showcase in conjunction with the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) on 2 July (Monday), from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at the Electric Theatre in Guildford. The event will feature the dLive mixing console platform from Allen & Heath, the latest plugins from Waves, the 3D IEM system from KLANG:technologies, Shure Axient digital wireless microphones and loudspeakers from EM Acoustics. Specialists from each manufacturer will be on hand to present their respective products and technologies, and assist with hands-on demonstrations. Matt Russell, lecturer at ACM, comments: "At ACM, we pride ourselves on offering real-world immersive learning experiences for our students. We are therefore thrilled to be working with HD Pro Audio to host this Professional Audio Technology Showcase Event where our students can meet those
Hungary - Out Board has appointed Votec Kft. to distribute TiMax SoundHub spatial audio and showcontrol processors and TiMax Tracker performer tracking systems throughout Hungary. The relationship was triggered by owner Sándor Elek’s “passion for ground-breaking audio products” and is reinforced by Votec’s in-depth technical experience of delivering high-end live sound for events and installations. Elek comments: “We had a productive workshop session with Dave Haydon here in Szeged and are very pleased to distribute the impressive TiMax range of products in Hungary. It is a product that has a great deal to offer theatres and AV installations here, and the key for us now is to focus on educating our customers about its unique benefits.” Out Board director, Dave Haydon, adds: “TiMax sits best with sales and support partners who share our passion for
Spain - German wireless event lights manufacturer Astera has announced the appointment of Entertainment Equipment Supplies (EES) as its exclusive distributor for Spain. Effective immediately, EES will be distributing and servicing the German brand’s battery-powered entertainment and film lighting X-series. EES is a distribution company specialising in lighting equipment, accessories and lighting solutions leader in the entertainment sector based in the Basque Country. Other brands it represents include Robe, Philips Vari-Lite and Robert Juliat. (Jim Evans)
Europe - As the professional entertainment lighting industry continues to seek an exemption for specialist lighting from the European Union’s Ecodesign regulation, an industry task force has said the situation is “far more positive” and “greatly improved” following the latest round of talks with the EU. The EU DG Energy has now passed a revised draft of the regulation, its content expected to be revealed in a few weeks as it progresses through the committee stages of the process. The Professional Entertainment Lighting Products Ecodesign task group – the body representing the industry during the public consultation – has confirmed there will be a ‘comprehensive’ list of exempted lamp base types, but some specialist lamps used for non-entertainment purposes may not be included. The full content of the regulation will be publicly avai
UK - Arena Events Group has acquired specialist barrier and fencing company Events Solution. The acquisition, worth £2.5 million, will see the Worksop-based company integrated into Arena’s current UK business. Events Solution founder Richard Herberts is stepping away from the business, with James Wood set to continue as MD. Arena UK & Europe CEO, Grahame Muir, comments: “Our business strategy is to provide a comprehensive suite of services to event organisers. Events Solution is a very well run and invested business and one we believe has significant growth opportunities. Having a new northern base works strategically very well and we aim to replicate this at our Cambridgeshire hub next year. “Building on this years’ recent acquisition of furniture specialist hire companies, GLD and portable refrigeration supplier Ice House Rentals, the addit
Europe - Absen Europe’s latest LED display technologies will be presented during its Stronger Together showcase events, taking place across 30 European cities this summer. The events kicked off this week in Madrid and Barcelona (19 and 21 June respectively) and will be followed by open days in Italy, France, UK, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands and Turkey. The events are open to prospective clients as well as rental stagers, integrators and distributors alike, and will feature key products in Absen’s range, including the new rental and staging Polaris Series, the award-winning fixed install Acclaim Series, as well as an introduction to Absen’s control room dedicated CR Series. Each event is taking place over one day and will be attended by Borja Janariz Sanchez, Absen Europe’s corporate and retail industry director, alongside Absen Europe r
UK - On a high from last year’s 40th anniversary celebration, PLASA Show returns to London Olympia on 16-18 September, providing a stage for the world of live entertainment technology. The show continues to explore the cutting-edge of innovation and creativity and brings the biggest brands to thousands of visitors. Audio heavyweights L-Acoustics, Peavey and Adamson, and lighting pioneers Robe, DTS, ETC and Philips are among the 200+ brands exhibiting at the show. And, with last year’s showfloor selling out, extra stands have been released for smaller companies representing all sectors of the industry, from DJ and club, to worship and education. The show provides invaluable opportunities for those with an interest in working with lighting consoles and loudspeaker systems by providing dedicated training sessions and demos. There will also be more hands-on experience
Brazil - Avolites has struck a new partnership with HPL Light Company, who will represent the British brand's Titan products in Brazil. Sāo Paulo-based HPL has a 15-year history as a distributor of entertainment lighting and sound products in the country. The company has announced it will be holding a series of workshops on the Titan range for its customers. Andrea Nascimento, CEO of HPL, comments: "Avolites is a renowned company with lots of market and industry know-how. Partnering with them brings value to both our company and to our clients in many ways. We hope that this partnership will strengthen ties with the market, increase the demand and supply of Avolites in Brazil and bring many benefits to us all." Larissa Gaeta, marketing director for HPL, adds: "HPL offers the Brazilian market a lot in the way of professional lighting solutions, but until now we h
Germany - A gathering of customers, industry partners and employees heralded the official opening of the new Experience Centre at the Adam Hall Group headquarters located in Neu-Anspach near Frankfurt. Using the theme Come Together, the benchmark was set from the onset by a sound-and-light show with pyrotechnics. Special guests and famous music acts provided the entertainment. Speeches by company founder David Kirby and managing directors Alexander Pietschmann and Markus Jahnel rounded out the house-warming party. More than 20m euros has been invested in the construction of two new building complexes, the Experience Centre and the expanded Logistics Park. The Experience Centre has been specially designed for business customers, partners, organisations and employees and, as an architectural hallmark of the Adam Hall Group, includes a fully-equipped product
UK - Folkstone’s Magistrates Court sentenced Maidstone Studios Limited to pay a £30,000 fine and £6,487.76 worth of damages after a worker fell to his death. Justin Newitt fell five metres through an opening on the roof at the TV studio on 23 September 2015 after using an unsafe mobile access tower to climb to the roof. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) identified a lack of planning with regards to the condition the tower, which had ladder sections the wrong way round, damaged bracing and inadequate guardrails. No formal planning had been recorded and there had been no supervision on how the work was being carried out. HSE also highlighted that Mr Newitt had not been trained to erect the tower safely. HSE inspecto
EU Lighting Proposals - MP Will Quince has called on the government to “do all it can” to protect theatres from EU lighting proposals. He said the proposals would have a “serious negative impact” on the sector both artistically and financially. MP for Colchester, Quince raised the issue in the House of Commons last week. He said: “Some may ask: Why shouldn’t theatres and other performance venues play their part in saving the environment? Well, the theatre and entertainment industry do want to play their part, they fully support the sustainability agenda and are taking steps day by day to improve their environmental standards, however introducing these regulations without having an exemption in place will have a serious negative impact across European entertainment industries. This would far outweigh the positive intention behind these proposals.” Quince t
Germany - At Stage|Set|Scenery, which will take place from 18 to 20 June 2019 in Berlin, event industry start-ups can present their products to expert international audiences, establish important business contacts and secure new markets. They will benefit from attractive rates, say the organisers. At Stage|Set|Scenery 2019 companies which have been on the market for up to three years will pay a net flat rate of 1,250 euros. Services covered by this fee include a stand occupying 7.5sq.m, construction of the stand, furniture, carpeting, electricity, exhibitor IDs, AUMA fees and a media package. Stage|Set|Scenery takes place every two years on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Last year, some promising start-ups were already in attendance. FRAMED immersive projects GmbH & Co. KG, for example, which gave a live presentation of the usomo sound installation at the SoundLab.
UK - Production Park, a cluster of live event-based companies in Wakefield, has announced that it will fund university places at its industry leading training centre, Backstage Academy, making an initial pledge of £20,000 per academic year. The Backstage Academy Bursary Fund will provide a fully funded three-year place on one of the Academy's BA courses to an outstanding candidate for whom university would not otherwise have been an option. Funds will also be available for part-funded places and support for accommodation costs. In addition, a percentage of the fund will be allocated to provide assisted places on Backstage Academy's outreach programmes, delivered in local communities to educate and inspire those currently disengaged with traditional education, or in need of rehabilitation into a workplace environment. Production Park says the investment is just t
UK - The Knight of Illumination Awards, which in 2018 marks its 11th year of celebrating the achievements of show lighting and video designers in Television, Theatre, and Concert Touring & Events, welcomes eight new additions to its judging panels this year. The judging panels for each of the three disciplines consists of a range of critics and specialists with expert knowledge in their field who, once nominations have closed, will meet to select the three final shortlisted designs and one winner for each award. David Benedict's theatre panel welcomes three new judges: Zoë Anderson, critic for Dancing Times and author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover's Companion; Michael Billington, chief theatre critic of The Guardian and author of State of the Nation: British Theatre since 1945 and The Life and Work of Har
Australia - Michael Althaus, Ayrton’s global sales director, led a series of Ayrton open houses with its exclusive Australian distributor Show Technology at their offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. “The visit underlined the strong partnership between Show Technology and Ayrton, and our joint commitment to our customers,” Althaus commented. “The events went very well, with nearly 200 customers in attendance, and the response was overwhelming. Show Technology have done an amazing job already in introducing Ayrton to the market. Showcasing and comparing our range of products in this manner was mind and eye-opening for our customers.” The new Ayrton products showcased included: Ghibli, Merak, Mistral, Minipanel TC and FX and Miniburst. Customers in Australia’s three major cities were also treated to a preview of what is around the corner with a demonstr
UK - Technical entertainment charity Backup has joined AmazonSmile. The initiative, which was launched in the UK last November, enables the e-commerce giant to donate 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to participating charitable organisations. To support Backup through AmazonSmile, visit www.smile.amazon.co.uk and type Backup in the ‘Pick your own charitable organisation’ window when you shop. (Jim Evans)
South Korea - Sitting on the slopes of Achasan Mountain and overlooking the Hangang River, the Walkerhill Hotel & Resort boasts one of the best views of South Korea’s capital, Seoul. The management of the hotel and its trio of high-end venues recently returned to its owners, SK Networks, which has made a significant investment in upgrading all three, including the installation of Yamaha audio equipment. Walkerhill Hotel & Resort manages two hotels - Grand Walkerhill Seoul and Vista Walkerhill Seoul - along with Aston House, a luxurious Jacobean style mansion, which has hosted many state banquets and has been regularly used for product launches and parties for global luxury brands. After a period being run by different franchises, SK Networks has chosen to return all three to independent status, with improved facilities. The investment has included new confere
USA - German fibre network specialist BroaMan has appointed Clear-Com as its new distributor in the USA. BroaMan has rapidly found favour not only in the broadcast market, but also with production companies, sport facilities, professional AV integrators and many more applications with its bespoke solutions and range of off-the-shelf converters. As the provider of intercom systems, Clear-Com will now expand its infrastructure expertise to include video signal distribution and routing networks. The BroaMan portfolio includes the MUX-22 and Repeat8-NANO Series interfaces, palm-size 3G-SDI or AES10-MADI signal media converters, the larger capacity Repeat48 media converters and Route66 3G-SDI 40 x 40 non-blocking video matrix. BroaMan MD, Tine Helmle, comments: “Clear-Com is an excellent partner to be working with - extremely professional, knowledgeable and
Europe - Green Hippo has appointed Video Projektai as its exclusive Lithuanian distributor. With immediate effect, Video Projektai takes responsibility for distributing Green Hippo throughout the largest of the three Baltic nations. Video Projektai is based in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city, meaning it is well placed to take advantage of businesses based in the former European Capital of Culture, as well as beyond and into the rest of the country. With over 10 years of providing solutions to Lithuania’s video creatives, Video Projektai has the necessary technical expertise, in addition to the required understanding of its home territory, to promote Green Hippo’s line of cutting-edge technology to the Lithuanian market. James Roth, head of sales and marketing at Green Hippo, says: “Lithuania offers solid potential for Green Hippo to further cement its f
The Netherlands - Elation is holding PRO Service Days on 10-11 July at its European headquarters in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. The training days will provide in-depth technical knowledge of the company’s most popular products, with a detailed look at technological construction while covering important service guidelines. A €30 hospitality fee will be required to cover food and drinks and registration. There is only room for 15 participants each day early registration is recommended. Deadline for registration is 6 July. Elation’s European headquarters is centrally located on the German / Belgian border and can be easily reached by road from the UK, Belgium, Germany and France. For details, questions and/or help with accommodations, please contact Elation Europe at info@elationlighting.eu. (Jim Evans)
UK - Theatres Trust has announced that booking is open for its 2018 conference in October. The 2018 conference, Adapt & Thrive - new money and new models for theatre buildings will be held on Tuesday, 16 October at the Lyric Hammersmith in London. The annual conference will feature broad-ranging debates, panel discussions with audience participation, case studies from architects, theatre operators and consultants, developers, local authorities and LEPs, and high profile speakers, including Michael Ellis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, and producer and theatre owner Cameron Mackintosh. Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, comments: “If there is one thing the theatre industry is good at it is improvising - making the best of our resources and ensuring that at all costs the show must go on. We now need to p
Europe/Asia - Milos held its annual product academies at its bases in Roudnice nad Labem, the Czech Republic (13-14 April), and in Guangzhou, China (10-11 May). The two-day product academy has been designed to provide attendees with the knowledge and skills for working safer while carrying out rigging duties and constructing support structures. The Czech Republic event brought together local attendees, but also visitors from Slovakia, Germany, England, Scotland and Australia. The product academy in China drew attendees from China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, as well as from Australia, New Zealand and Kenya. Eric Porter, certified rigging consultant and internationally renowned rigging professional, gave rigging presentations and provided rigging consultations. Norbert Tripp, Area Four Industries technical director and structural engineer, held presenta
