UK - evenTech Scotland 2008 (20-21 February, Marriott Hotel, Glasgow) - the entertainment and installation technology showcase for the North of the UK - has received support from manufacturers, regional solution providers, associations and media partners.

Gordon Addison, of Fibre Optic Systems states: "the North of the UK deserves its own independent networking forum and evenTech Scotland 2008 has identified this market opportunity and fills the gap." He adds: "Fibre Optic Systems recognise the potential that evenTech Scotland 2008 can do for our business in the North and is exhibiting in February in Glasgow."

Companies including Goboland, High End Systems, Martin Professional, Zero 88 and Rosco are among confirmed exhibitors. evenTech Scotland is the first of Scattered Media's portfolio of entertainment and installation technology exhibitions including eve

UK - RCF will be supporting the Venue Technology Day organised by Stage Electrics at the Wyvern Theatre Swindon on 4 February.

The Venue Technology Day will consist of a programme of presentations throughout the day from leading equipment manufacturers including Strand, ETC, Sennheiser and RCF, together with guided walk around tours and the opportunity to 'have a go' in the mini studio.

RCF will be introducing visitors to the new Wyvern sound system, which includes RCF Acustica speakers and HC amplifiers. Phil Price explains: "With such a prestige venue as the Wyvern, we were only too pleased to be able to demonstrate the system."

RCF will also be hosting a special student session, which will enable students see for themselves what goes into a professional sound system.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Building on the success of last year's A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow, which saw attendance levels up by 30%, the 2008 show takes place in a new exhibition hall with 40% more space to provide an increased exhibitor line-up and visitor capacity.

The event takes place on 29-30 April in the Saviles Hall at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, which is adjacent to the original location and now the city's largest exhibition venue.

As well as accommodating the show's expansion plans, the improved facilities also enable the organisers to provide the main exhibition, complementary theatre seminars programme and buffet lunch with a bar and dining area all within the same hall.

The A.C. North Show has become an essential industry event for buyers in the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland, providing these regions with a definitive showcase of today's entertainment technolo

UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital and The National Theatre's sound department will again combine forces to deliver their eighth course for stage management and technical theatre students keen to pursue sound as a career.

This year's five day course, to be held from 7-11 April, will follow its successful formula, filling five working days with in-depth theory lectures and practical hands-on sessions.

Both Orbital and The National are concerned that there is a skills shortfall - that young people entering the industry have little experience of the latest technology and techniques. The course is designed to enhance the 'skills sets' of students in line with the growing expectations of directors, producers and audiences.

The course offers an opportunity for students expressing an interest in theatre sound to gain an extra level of technical skill and artistic understanding.

Germany - Void Acoustics will be showing its recently-launched Waveform System loudspeakers at this year's Prolight + Sound (Frankfurt, 12 - 15 March).

Alongside the Waveform range, Void Acoustics is spotlighting its Air Series loudspeakers with the Air Motion and Airten systems, together with the Stasys point-source and Arcline line-source high-end touring systems.

Void's loudspeaker designs focus on a combination of sonic and visual impact, with a track record for creating the maximum result with the minimum number of enclosures.

Void is also hosting a one-night extravaganza - The Void Bunker Party - in a central Frankfurt nightspot on Thursday 13 March, giving its Air Series a major workout with a number of high-profile acts.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Airsound LLP, the British start-up company exhibiting its airSOUND single-point-stereo technology and product designs at ISE this week, has been invited to exhibit at Disney's "best of" CES Expo on 8 February, following the company's successful debut at the CES this month. The event, which showcases the 30 best companies from the CES and Mac Expo, to 1000 Disney top business and technology executives in Burbank, is organised the Disney New Technology Strategy Group.

airSOUND is launching a further application of its technology at ISE - for the first time anywhere - with its patented Walls of Sound design. Walls of Sound is claimed to be the world's first in-wall/ceiling speaker design to provide full spatial stereo sound from a single flush enclosure. The technology and design provides all of the advantages of wall mounted speakers without the any of the si

Germany - The 21st EVI Audio Hausmesse - the company's in-house trade fair - ran this year from 10-13 January, the venue being, as in previous years, EVI Audio's European headquarters in Straubing. .

The EVI team led by sales manager Robert Hesse and works manager Konrad Proyer welcomed around 700 industry and media partners from 48 different countries. The programme of this year's Hausmesse included not only presentations of new products but also comprehensive demonstrations and workshops as well as a tour of the new production hall and new test and demo hall.

At the international press reception in the Theater am Hagen, Martin Traut (Dynacord) and Christian Glück (Electro-Voice) followed up vice president of the business unit communication systems Robert Mulatz's words of welcome with a presentation of the year's new products. Among the highlights were the compact Dynacord

Switzerland - The 2006 Credit Suisse Sports Awards show had the distinction of being the first event ever to use Martin's LC Series of semi-transparent LED panels. And the recently concluded 2007 edition of the Sports Awards show also featured Martin's LED screens.

Held in December 2007 at Bern's Event Hall, Switzerland's best sportsmen and sportswomen were acknowledged in a live TV broadcast on Swiss station SFDRS. Specified by set designer Tomi Bricchi, the LC panels were used as a three and four metre high decorative effect upstage while also providing general lighting to the stage.

"The initial requirement was that the set should be easily changeable," comments Roni Huber, technical planner and media server operator on the show. "Because there were several different acts and scenes it was highly important that the background could be changed fast."

Cu

Australia - Allen & Heath's iLive digital mixing system was recently employed by Australian PA company, Davidson Audio, for two festival events staged at Sydney's Darling Harbour. Comprising an iDR10 stage rack and iLive-144 control surface, the system managed FOH mixing, complemented by a Martin Audio Wavefront speaker system, for the harbour's Fiesta Latin music festival and New Year's Eve show.

Fiesta is an annual four-day festival featuring over 30 acts, whilst the NYE Show was a free public event including fireworks and performances from international ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again, and Sydney favourites, the John Fields Band. Fast changeover times between acts were critical, therefore Davidson Audio needed a digital mixer with the capability of recalling sound check settings quickly and accurately.

"Set up, sound checks, performances and changeovers were completely

UK - Lifting and rigging sales specialists Lift-Turn-Move (LTM) will show a range of their standard products at ProLight &Sound 2008 in Frankfurt in March, including the Lodestar and Prostar electric chain hoists which are being highlighted at the show.

LTM started manufacturing hoist controllers in 2005 and has constructed systems for both Direct and Low Voltage controlled hoists. The past 12 months has seen the range expand from 4 channel to 42 channel units. These are available as movable, flight cased units and as wall mounted systems for permanent installations. LTM can design and construct bespoke control systems to fit a client's exact and specific requirements.

(Jim Evans)

UK - PerformTech, Scotland's recently launched show for sound, light, stage and AV technologies, reports that it has has secured "numerous prestigious exhibitors for its inaugural event" which is a collaboration between Black Light, Northern Light and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

The exhibition, to be held on 28 and 29 May 2008 at the RSAMD in Glasgow, has confirmed Christie Digital, Doughty Engineering, ETC, Hall Stage, Le Maitre, Lift Turn Move, MA Lighting, MGC, Selecon, Strand, Triple E and Zero 88 as exhibitors.

Gavin Stewart, managing director at Black Light, said: "Our plans for PerformTech really are coming on at quite a pace. The majority of industry players will be represented and will enable our visitors to view equipment that provides lighting control and effects, pyrotechnics, audio control and kit, projection, rigging, hoists, pai

Norway - Rental company AVAB CAC has provided the sound system for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, held annually at the Oslo Spektrum, for the last 10 years. The 2007 featured a Midas XL8 Live Performance System at front of house for the first time.

"This year we knew we had to be digital, as we have been for a few years, but we also wanted to provide a console with sound quality equal to that of an XL4,and with double the amount of inputs and far more outputs then a H3000," says Asle Nilsen, head of AVAB CAC's sound department.

At the controls of the XL8 were AVAB CAC senior FOH engineer Geir °stensj°. "The XL8 is a tremendous digital tool that provides easy access to all the knobs and faders, just as if you're working on an analogue desk," he says. "The five bright screens give you a great overview of what's coming into and going out of the d

Italy - The organisers of Show-Way, the new, international trade fair for professional show technology and services which takes place in Bergamo later this month, have announced details of a three-day programme of Workshops and Forums.

During the three-day exhibition, from 24 to 26 February 2008, internationally renowned speakers and associations will talk on a variety of topical subjects, say the organisers.

24 February 2008
11:30 a.m.
LIGHT & SHADE IN CARAVAGGIO
The winner of three Best Photography Oscars, Vittorio Storaro, shares his reflections on an extraordinary career.
2:00 p.m.

LIGHT & CULTURAL HERITAGE
Reflections on the relationship between the use of light and Italy's artistic heritage.
Speakers (ACCADEMIA DELLA LUCE): Marina Vio and Francesca Storaro.

2:00 p.m.
ASSOMUSICA
A discussion on the problems of "live" shows

USA - The world's largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, Lightfair International (LFI), returns to Las Vegas this May featuring a line-up of seminars and courses which the organisers say are strategically designed to educate and inform attendees on the industry's latest trends and innovative ideas. Offering 70 courses, totalling more than 200 hours of programming, this conference is the industry's largest and most diverse educational initiative, say the organisers. The LFI Conference and Trade Show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, 26-30 May, 2008.

LFI partners with some of the industry's leaders and experts to address essential topics in lighting and business practices. Topics include software and lighting applications, business and technology initiatives, design innovation, daylighting, case studies, sustainability and

Italy - The orgainsers of the Show-Way 2008 exhibition (Bergamo, Italy 24-26 February) have announced further details of one of the show's key seminar sessions, titled 'Technology and development of lamps for entertainment'.

Guest speakers Roger Van Der Plas of Philips, Gerry Schuh of GE Lighting and Joachim Denz of Osram will briefly discuss the characteristics, merits and limitations of halogen and discharge lamp sources, together with an account of the development to date of these technologies with regard to their efficiency, size, life, colour temperatures, energy consumption and compatibility with environmental regulations. The panel will then discuss the future evolution of future light source technologies with examples of their potential applications in entertainment and architectural markets.

Roger Van Der Plas studied Physics at the University of Ghent in Belgi

UK - Exhibitors at The Event Show have declared the 2008 exhibition a resounding success with almost all mentioning the very high quality of visitors as the defining factor, say the organisers.

Over 4,000 people attended the Olympia show over the two days. Michelle Tayton, manager of The Event reports, "So often we hear claims of significant increases in visitor numbers year on year to exhibitions, but this really is irrelevant if those people are not serious buyers. There are only so many people working in the industry and our visitor list reads like a who's who in events and these people have actually placed orders during and straight after the exhibition.

"We have fulfilled one of our main objectives to deliver revenue straight into our exhibitors' pockets, which has resulted in a 20% increase on re-bookings for next year's Show."

Next year The Event Show w

USA - For the 50th Annual GRAMMYs, held 10 February, 2008, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Audio-Technica supplied over 250 of its microphones, including an array of hard-wired mics and Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless Systems.

The sound system was provided by ATK AudioTek with FOH engineers Ron Reaves and Mikael Stewart, while the broadcast audio was supervised by Phil Ramone and Hank Neuberger. New York-based XM Productions/Effanel Music were onsite with their L7 remote truck to create the music mix, facilitated by Music Mixers John Harris and Eric Schilling.

Artists who performed using Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System, with the AEW-T5400 handheld microphone/transmitter and AEW-R5200 true diversity frequency-agile dual receiver, included Morris Day and The Time in a performance with Rihanna; Kanye West; an all-star gospel revue featuri

UK - Stage Electrics is supplying all lighting and electrics for the London production of Hairspray, currently playing at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. The show recently made West End history by receiving 11 Olivier Award nominations, more than any other show in the ceremony's history. The show is produced by Stage Entertainment and members of the original Broadway producing team.

Over 200 ETC Source 4's are being supplied to the UK production together with 15 VL2000 washes, six of the new VL2500 spots, 24 MAC 2000 profiles, 10 MAC 2000 performance and over 100 Rainbow Pro scrollers.

Flexibility comes from Wybron Colour Mixing CXI 'IT' Scrollers, 16 of which are employed on the show. This new product features Wybrons 'Infotrace' system allowing active feedback of all parameters of the scroller including heat, gel degradation, voltage sensing and even an aperture light s

USA - Channeling the spirit of Natalie Cole's virtual duet of Unforgettable with her late father Nat King Cole, Alicia Keys opened the Grammy Awards on 10 February by 'collaborating' with Frank Sinatra on Learnin' the Blues in a similarly manufactured moment.

Having just appeared the weekend before in front of millions watching the Super Bowl pre-game show, Keys performed at the 50th annual Grammys using Shure KSM9/UHF-R wireless.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Texas-based manufacturer High End Systems (HES) and UK-based digital solutions specialist Projected Image Digital (PID) have announced a series of free product technical training sessions running from 31 March - 4 April in London.

"The five-day session, consisting of three modules, will provide a hands-on, intense learning environment on some of today's leading consoles, lighting fixtures and digital lighting products. HES specialists from both the US and Europe will provide training," the companies say.

The training sessions will be held at PID's Headquarters, The Light Box, 111 Power Road, Chiswick, London W4 5PY, with classes running each day 9.30am to 5.30pm. Participants can register for individual modules, or for all three. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided, along with writing materials and course handouts.

The modules are as follows:
<

The Netherlands - Record numbers of exhibitors and attendees are reported by the organisers of Integrated Systems Europe 2008, which took place at Amsterdam's RAI Convention Centre at the end of January.

A total of 22,199 attendees (up from 16,269 in 2007) were drawn to 481 exhibiting companies (up from 363 last year) during the show's three days.

Reflecting on the speed with which ISE has risen to prominence, Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, said: "ISE 2008's exhibition area of 38,500 gross square metres is ten times that of our inaugural show in Geneva - just four short years ago."

Also broadening markedly is the geographical make-up of ISE's attendee base. Once seen primarily as a show for Northern Europe, ISE now attracts substantial numbers of visitors from across the continent and beyond. Italian attendance was up almost 40% on 2

Ireland - Over 80 Robe moving lights proved they were real winners in an eye-catching design by LD Tom Kenny for the 2008 Meteor Irish Music Awards, staged at the RDS in Dublin last weekend, produced by Caroline Downey and Louis Harte for MCD and broadcast on national TV channel RTE in a special programme directed by Niamh White. All lighting for the celebrity clad event honouring the very best in contemporary Irish music, was supplied by Dublin rental company Just Lite.

The show was presented by comedian Dara O' Briain, and featured performances by 11 leading artists including Westlife, Shane Ward, the newly reformed Boyzone, Sinead O'Connor, Scouting For Girls, Tom Baxter, Cathy Davey and others.

Robe fixtures took centre stage for the Awards, a mix of ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200E ATs and 700E ATs which were arranged across four trusses and operated by Darragh McAuliffe usi

USA - Bandit Lites recently lit the University of Tennessee 16th Annual Lead-off Banquet, which was held at the Knoxville Convention Center in front of a sold-out crowd.UT honored former UT athlete, Todd Helton, by making him the first baseball player in school history to have his jersey number retired.

Lighting designer Chris Lisle chose to use Martin MAC 600s, 500s and 300s and Color Kinetics iColor Accent 4ft tubes to light the event. Lighting was controlled by two High End Systems Whole Hog IIs.

"It was truly a pleasure to be involved with the UT Baseball Lead-Off Banquet," commented Lisle. "One of the key purposes of this event was to honor Todd as they were retiring his UT jersey at this ceremony. I used Mac 500s with custom gobos to project onto the walls with both [Helton's] UT and Colorado Rockies jersey numbers."

Lisle used Mac 600s to spread so

UK - Harman Pro UK is beginning a regular series of free industry training sessions aimed at improving PA-related knowledge amongst retailers. Known as the PA School, the educational initiative follows on from a successful masterclass held at last year's Harman Roadshow, and aims to give sales assistants and staff at audio retailers throughout the industry a more thorough grounding in their understanding of PA and sound reinforcement basics.

The sessions will take up an afternoon, and will cover everything a retail assistant should know - from assembling a PA for a variety of applications and budgets to actually miking up and soundchecking various types of live acts, from a lone singer/songwriter to a multi-piece band with drums and amplified guitars, basses, and keyboards. By the end of each PA School session, attendees should know everything they need to sell a live rig to a s

Latest Issue. . .