The 11th edition of PLASA Focus Leeds will open its doors from 14-15 May at the Royal Armouries Museum, unleashing the world of live entertainment technology on the north of England. Spanning two sold-out halls, the popular show provides a platform for 175+ leading brands, all geared up to showcase the very best the industry has to offer, including a variety of products arriving on UK shores directly from international launches. Lighting will make an impression with Robe, Chauvet, Elation and Avolites; huge audio will be delivered by Bose, d&b audiotechnik, Funktion-One and Sennheiser; and event specialists include SFL Group, UK Rigging and Hawthorn. Beyond the show floor, the programme will see industry leaders present content that is both insightful and entertaining, guaranteeing visitors will depart from the show with ready-to-apply knowledge and endless inspirat
UK - The first week of May saw Creative Technology UK’s Festival of Technology 2019. CTFest19, as it is known, sees the company welcome innovation partners to its Sussex base to showcase the latest in event technology and creative ideas. This year, Brompton Technology took the opportunity to give attendees a close up look at its high-end processors and new HDR technology. HDR video offers a new approach to delivering better image quality, without requiring finer and finer pixel pitches to achieve it and brings a trio of image quality improvements that are particularly well placed for LED screens. “The response to HDR at CTFest19 was extremely positive,” says Brompton business development manager Rob Fowler. “We’re always keen to get involved with companies who prize innovation and want to showcase leading edge technology. CT understands the benefits of our sy
France - Pioneer Professional Audio has invited the audio installation, rental and club sectors to attend a technical audio demo at the Djoon Club facilities on the 21 May (Tuesday). Attendees will be able test Pioneer’s XY Series (comprising the XY-3B and XY-2 models) and experiment with the XPRS amplified speakers by bringing their own test tracks. The XY-3B and XY-2 models are designed for fixed installations and touring. The XY series loudspeakers feature in top venues including Djoon, Fabric London, and Halcyon. The XY-3B has performed at festivals such as I Love Techno (Montpellier) ADE (Amsterdam) Ultra (Singapore) and Lovebox (London). The XPRS active speaker range features Powersoft Class D amplifiers and comes with a seven-year warranty as standard and is designed for both audio rental companies and mobile DJs. Spaces at the Djoon demonstration
France - Details of Showlight 2021, the unique lighting colloquium organised for lighting professionals by lighting professionals, have been announced. The next gathering for this quadrennial event will take place on 22-25 May 2021 in the French town of Fontainebleau. The main sponsor for the event will be the 100-year old French manufacturer of followspots and theatrical luminaires, Robert Juliat. The Showlight committee searched long and hard for a setting worthy of Showlight’s reputation for fascinating locations, and settled on the historic town of Fontainebleau which lies 55.5km (34.5 miles) south east of Paris. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its medieval Château de Fontainebleau, a royal and imperial residence for more than 800 years, and surrounded by former royal hunting park, Fontainebleau Forest, Fontainebleau is
UK - Designed and developed specifically to address the demand for environmentally-conscious power within the film and TV industry, VOLTstack provides crews with easy access to clean power. Completely emission free, with a proven track record powering sets of all sizes, the VOLTstack range includes a number of power units ranging from 2kW and 5kW to 13kW and 200kW variants. The entire collection is suited to handling all manner of applications within the lighting, electrical and camera departments. With a rapid charge time of just 2.5 hours and available with a solar panel recharge option, the systems’ continuous power delivery is enough to handle almost any temporary application. For added convenience, units can be series linked to provide for extended operating times. The compact, rugged design which features an IP54 rating plus wireless monitoring, making VOLTstac
UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) knowledgeable staff will be on hand to demonstrate a number of leading brands and technologies from its one-stop portfolio at PLASA Focus Leeds next week (stand N-E02). Continuing Chroma-Q’s celebration of 15 years in LED innovation, the multi award-winning Color Force II will be on show to demonstrate stunning colour blending for a multitude of cyc, wash and effects lighting applications. The award-winning Space Force LED space/soft light will be illuminating the stand. It combines a powerful output with tuneable white control in a lightweight, internally ballasted design featuring low heat convection cooling. Using a homogenised LED source capable of delivering variable colour temperature, plus/minus green shift control and the ability to produce deep saturated colours when needed, the Studio Force II is specifically designed
USA - Online Early Bird registration is now open for the Audio Engineering Society’s 147th International Pro Audio Convention, taking place 16-19 October at the Javits Centre in New York City. This year’s convention will “inspire” attendees with “a diverse gathering of top minds in the audio engineering industry, leading technical programme presentations and events tailored to offer attendees the ultimate professional audio education and networking experience”. The best housing options and registration pricing are available during Early Bird registration. This year’s AES New York convention is being organised by convention co-chairs Agnieszka Roginska, Valerie Tyler and Jonathan Wyner, who have assembled an expert team of to hone a programme covering “the most talked-about topics in the industry”. By popular request, this year’s convention i
UK - PLASA hosted its 2019 Members’ Day and AGM at the Royal College of Physicians, London, on 1 May to reflect on a year of stand-out projects and on-going industry initiatives. PLASA chairman Adam Blaxill opened proceedings with news of the Association’s key developments and achievements over the past year, while PLASA treasurer Mark Surtees reported a strong financial performance, and success across the membership, events and media divisions. PLASA MD Peter Heath then welcomed a series of active members who have helped to steer the Association and wider industry. ETC’s Adam Bennette provided an update on the single lighting EU Ecodesign regulations, followed by Peter Willis (Howard Eaton Lighting) and Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence) who celebrated the success of PlugFest, the annual event for lighting interoperability. Board members Matt Lloyd and Koy Nem
UK - AV and event production company Blitz has announced that Zak Roby has joined as commercial director. Roby, who has more than 16 years’ worth of industry experience, will focus on driving and strengthening the commercial strategy for Blitz. He joins Blitz from TMB Events. Roby will report in Mike Phillipson, managing director for Blitz. Roby says: “I am delighted to be joining Blitz at such an exciting time. The team are fantastic and at the top of their game when it comes to their creative event production and technical knowledge, so I look forward to helping to grow the business.” Roby will also be joined by Phil McMichael as new business development director. McMichael joins Blitz from 9 Yards Creative, a creative digital agency, a division of Future AV. He will report into Zak Roby. (Jim Evans)
USA - In a recent move to strengthen their executive management team, Elite Multimedia Productions has appointed Shana Devine to the position of director of corporate sales and business development. With over 20 years of experience in the live event and hospitality industry, Shana will now oversee the development of worldwide strategic corporate partnerships for the Nashville-based production provider, while also assisting with the evaluation of the latest emerging trends and technologies for the live event and production industry. “Understanding their level of commitment to providing the highest quality customer support for any live event or production, I am very excited to to be joining the team at Elite Multimedia Productions,” says Devine. “This is a wonderful opportunity to utilise both my sales experience and event industry knowledge to help build many new partn
UK - Shure has announced its official sponsorship of the audio at this year’s Unified Communications (UC Expo), which takes place on 15-26 May at the ExCel, London. As official audio sponsor, Shure will be providing a selection of microphones to equip the various theatre spaces, seminars and presentations taking place throughout the two-day London event. Along with audio sponsorship, Shure is the headline sponsor of the AVIXA Diversity Council seminar, How Do We Attract, Recruit And Retain A Diverse And Inclusive Workforce? which is being held on 15 May (Wednesday). The seminar will focus on solutions to facilitate the development of increased diversity and inclusion within the AV/IT industry and features insight and discussion by a selection of industry heavyweights, including Kevin McLoughlin, AV manager, Royal Society of Medicine. There will also be a
Italy - On 5 May (Sunday) the curtain will be officially raised on Music Inside Rimini. The industry event runs for three days. The event organised by Italian Exhibition Group over the years has managed to become a reference point for the world of national and international show business, thanks to a format at European level that integrates all sectors of the product chain - in the light & sound, professional video, integrated systems and music & DJ producer sectors. New exhibitors, training and entertainment will feature across eight pavilions of the Rimini Expo Centre. The Live You Play format, officially incorporated by the MIR brand, will give space to the rock and theatre world with three dedicated pavilions, in which participants will be able to immerse themselves to experience technological innovations live through Virtual Check and Live Show
EMEA - Production Resource Group (PRG) is integrating its global research and development efforts into a new operating group, PRG Innovation. Joining under PRG Innovation will be PRG Projects, PRG Research and Development, and the VER product development initiatives. The new operating group will encompass operations in Belgium, China and the USA, which include facilities in Dallas, New Windsor, New York and Los Angeles. Jere Harris, chairman and CEO of PRG, comments: “PRG Innovation brings all of our talent focused on product development into a single, global team, allowing us to anticipate market trends, move with agility and align product development with our larger strategic objectives. I believe that our investment and performance in market-driven innovation is one of the most powerful points of difference separating our brands from the competition. Now, that adv
UK - London and Dubai based event design and technical production company Maestra Group has added several new staff to the London team. The company has also doubled the size of its premises in east London by acquiring the warehouse space next door, creating a brand-new environment from which to service and administer a diversity of shows and events. The new staff joining the team include two project managers, two production designers and another technical manager. Maestra London’s managing director Justin Hammond comments: “I’m always very energised to see new talent coming onboard and am really looking forward to working with all our new colleagues, offering them opportunities to flourish as individuals and to excel at their work in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere”. Michaela Welford (senior project manager) worked in Dubai’s vibrant and a hig
UK - Production AV has announced two open days on 7-8 May at its new premises in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The AV hire and event company will offer hands-on demonstrations of its latest 6mm, 3.9mm and 2.6mm LED screens, 4K screen management system, media servers and camera solutions. The team will also showcase some recent projects, including large-scale projection mapping of Cheltenham’s Municipal Offices for a WWI Remembrance event and recent work on the Teenage Cancer Trust series of star-studded concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall. There will also be an opportunity to meet the team and discover more about the company’s plans for future growth. “We’re thrilled to not only have a new home but also a much larger facility, which will have a direct benefit for our clients,” says Production AV’s managing director, Pete McCrea. “There is a r
UK - KartFest, the annual fundraising event organised by entertainment technology charity Backup, is returning for its fifth edition on Independence Day (Thursday, 4 July). Organisers expect over 300 industry colleagues and friends to join on Surrey's Sandown Park, where 33 teams will battle it out in a three-hour endurance race. “So, get out your fake tan, your candy floss hair, your alien outfit, or your Mickey Mouse ears. In fact, do whatever gets you in the American mood, but book your place fast - the karts go fast,” says Backup. Besides crowning the new KartFest champions, the day will include the ‘Unusual' Pit Stop Challenge, Medialease’s Fastest Lap, a BBQ lunch and drinks, music, entertainment, the award for the best dressed team award, the Backup Sundown bar and a raffle. Each team can enter up to six drivers. Non-racer wristbands will al
UK - Harlequin Floors, flooring provider for dance, performing arts, entertainment and events, has reported “double-digit” revenue growth in 2018/19. The growth has been recorded across the whole Harlequin Group, which has offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Guy Dagger, Group CEO, comments: “Harlequin has experienced incredible global growth over the last year providing internationally renowned brands, venues and performing arts schools with quality performance floors and stages. “We have seized the opportunity this growth brings to offer all our clients across the world the outstanding customer service that is synonymous with the Harlequin brand. The highlights have probably been the growth in demand we have seen from the top global providers in the production and events industries, building on our many years of experience as the ‘go-to
UK - Stage Electrics has appointed a new technical sales consultant for the north west. Jayney Bell is returning to Stage Electrics after some years as a freelance lighting technician, predominantly for touring theatre. Bell was previously the London branch manager. Anna Western, Stage Electrics sales director, comments: “Jayney is a hugely experienced production electrician and combined with her historical knowledge of how we work, she has already hit the ground running. I am excited to have someone as knowledgeable and who knows the industry as well as she does to represent us in the north west.” (Jim Evans)
Italy - Music & Lights will be on show throughout the 2019 edition of Music Inside Rimini, held in Rimini from 5 to 7 May. The fixtures from Prolights and Tribe will be featured on the Live You Play rock stages at the event. Stage N.3, Hall C3 will be fully lit by Prolights luminaires, recreating the atmosphere of a real live show offering visitors a true live immersive experience. The stage will host live performances and the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the latest lighting and video technologies fully installed on a real stage giving visitors the chance to see the fixtures in their natural habitat. MIR will also mark the national launch of the new Prolights, Tribe and ArchWork solutions recently featured in Frankfurt at Prolight + sound. Visitors, customers and partners are all invited to meet the team on stage 3 of Hall C3 in the Rimini exhibit
USA - Fine Design Associates has been designing exhibit lighting at leading tradeshows for more than 25 years, working closely with creative company to create lighting for exhibition displays. Most recently, Fine Design was responsible for lighting an industry leading brand’s booth at the CES show held in Las Vegas in January. Principal designer, Paul Fine and his team have been working on a global technology leaders’ booth making them stand out at CES for many years. The lighting design has evolved over time to add more lighting fixtures to enhance the desired effects of their client. The booth design for this client had beautifully printed SEG (silicon-edged graphic) fabric walls extending from the four corners of the booth. Large entrances were available on all four sides of the booth. The walls created an intimate space for the exhibitor to display their produ
USA - Submissions are now open for the 2019 edition of the Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA). The event, which is the USA edition of the UK's respected Knight of Illumination Awards, first took place in 2018 to celebrate the talents and work of lighting and video designers across the sectors of Live for Broadcast, Theatre and Concert Touring & Events in the United States. This year's competition features two new categories – Opera and Corporate Events – and the award ceremony and gala dinner is taking place in Las Vegas on 22 November (Friday) alongside the LDI trade show.
The categories are: Theatre: Plays - large venue Plays - small venue Opera Musicals - large venue Musicals - small venue Live for Broadcast: Awards Shows Digital Content Unscripted Series
UK - PLASA has announced the latest additions to the seminar programme of the upcoming PLASA Focus Leeds trade show, taking place on 14-15 May at the Royal Armouries. In preparation for Stormzy’s upcoming headline appearance at Glastonbury Festival, and in association with Soundcraft, FOH engineer Raphael Williams will explain how he achieve the perfect sound for grime’s leading star. Williams will also give a comprehensive overview of his approach to audio mixing. In a session dedicated to the Ecodesign regulations, ETC’s technical director Adam Bennette will deliver a seminar unpacking the complex EU legislation. By explaining what has happened so far and what’s next, this seminar is unmissable for lighting professionals. An introduction to National Event Lifting Trainin
Germany - Artistic Licence is enjoying “unprecedented interest” in its newly launched trailing edge mains dimmer, sunDial quad. At the recent Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt, visitors were impressed by the performance achieved with dimmable LED replacement bulbs, which were dimmed to near-zero with no perceptible flicker. LED replacement bulbs were developed as easy drop-in replacements for older incandescent technology, which is now illegal in many countries. While dimmable versions of LED replacement bulbs are available, the performance with conventional thyristor dimmers is usually poor and highly bulb-dependent. As such, the development of a robust, high-performance trailing edge dimmer at an affordable price has been eagerly awaited. Product designer Wayne Howell comments: "Artistic Licence is known for its abiliity as a technical problem-solver, and withou
Germany - Record numbers visited the Ayrton stand to see the new products and witness the new lightshow populated by Ayrton’s latest fixtures. This year’s releases, the Levante and Diablo wash and profile fixtures, were in action for the first time alongside Khamsin, Bora, Ghibli, Mistral, Merak and NandoBeam, all of which illustrated the versatility, power and feature set of Ayrton’s expanding new Wash, Spot and Profile ranges. Ramping up the excitement, Perseo-S and Huracán-X made debut appearances at the show. Perseo-S is Ayrton’s first compact multi-function IP65 rated fixture developed for intensive outdoor use - think ‘Ghibli’ but weather-proof, and with a 27,000 lumen output from just a 500W source - and weighing in at less than 40kg. Huracán-X also created a storm as the 1000W big sister of Khamsin, in a similarly compact housing but with a 50,000
