Canada - Broadweigh was the load monitoring brand of choice for the CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s Merry Merry Music event this festive season. The centre, which attracts over 50m visitors annually, staged a programme of celebrity performers at Christmas, in place of its festive tree tradition, which has had to take a break due to a major roof replacement project. Rigging company Paradigm Rigging was brought on board to support some of the technical aspects involved in bringing a holiday atmosphere to the mall space as well as supporting and enhancing the musical performances. Michael Sorowka, MD, Paradigm Rigging commented: “We were brought on board to work with the rigging and load monitoring of the grid structure being used to suspend multiple snowflake scenic elements, as well as a large 5000lb circular video wall. Given the space the project was being assembled in
UK - As Entourage Pro, the freelance crew network and technology insights company, celebrates having successfully placed hundreds of crew on tours and gigs across the globe this summer, co-directors Joel Perry and James Stanbridge have announced the appointment of Harvey Goldsmith CBE to the Entourage Pro board to further expand their standing in the industry and help communicate the site’s suite of services to the global sector. Goldsmith is one of the best-known names in the industry. He has acted as promoter for Live Aid and Live 8, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Jam, Teenage Cancer Trust, Madonna, Queen, Hans Zimmer and countless other international artists, and has recently launching the Nvisible Agency. He will assume the role of non-exec director at Entourage Pro with immediate effect. “I’m excited to join this young, pioneering company,” he says. “E
Australia - ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here returned to the Australian jungle earlier this month, for the first time since the Covid pandemic saw it relocated to North Wales. Unusual Rigging was once again involved, providing consultancy and creating the brief for two aerial stunts. Unusual’s Robin Elias has worked with ITV on the hit show for years and, while the show was filmed in Wales, a team of Unusual riggers headed by senior production rigger, Sam Carter, were on set, rigging and operating the challenges. With the show’s return to Oz, Australian-based Tri-Point Rigging were once again contracted to manage and execute the project locally, with Unusual Rigging consulting with Tri Points’ Graham Dew & Damian Green, on two of the key challenges. Robin commented, “It’s a great pleasure to once again work with the I’m a Celebri
USA/Spain - A simple solution that protects trusses from damage and scratches was unveiled by Fantek at the 2022 LDI show in Las Vegas. The Fantek Ring (F-Ring) is a cost effective and patented innovation that can be installed on trusses in a matter of minutes. Once in place, the F-Ring ensures that no damage can occur when the truss is being stacked on trolleys, moved from venue to venue or placed on the ground. Although removal is easy, there is no need to remove the F-Ring before using the truss, which means that the same F-Ring can remain in situ for the duration of the truss's life. And because it is very secure there is no opportunity for the F-Ring to be lost during transit. Available in sets and already in stock, Fantek's F-Rings are suitable for rental companies that want to protect their valuable truss stock. They are compatible with all truss models from any
Europe - Nearly 45 years after founding Belgian event staging pioneer Stageco, Hedwig De Meyer is stepping down from his leadership role, and has named Hans Willems as Stageco Belgium’s new executive CEO, effective 1 January 2023. The move, says De Meyer, 68, was intended to take place two years ago but was delayed due to the pandemic lockdown. “Now that our business has begun to stabilise after a very busy summer, the time feels right to pass the baton to Hans, who gave us every confidence that he was the most logical choice of successor,” he explains. Formerly head of R&D at Stageco, Willems, 51, established his own business, Wicreations nearly 18 years ago. As CEO, he has driven his company to become one of the global live industry’s leading creative players in motion technology. Together, Stageco and Wicreations have collaborated on many of the world
Germany – Stage lighting and rigging specialist Christie Lites has opened a Berlin base to strengthen its Central Europe operations. Located in the north of the city, Christie Lites’s Berlin shop, which is already fully operational, offers local industry expertise and a diverse and well-serviced inventory to the company’s existing network across the USA, Canada, and the UK. Christie Lites CEO, Huntly Christie, comments: “We are pleased to be launching our European operations in Berlin, alongside the Clair team at the Black Box production facility. We have plenty more work to do to bring our operations to scale but are well on our way after only six months in the market.” The new location has also seen Christie Lites expand its global account rep team, appointing respected industry professional Torsten Mund as their first account/rental representative ba
UK - As a contribution to Global Lifting Awareness Day, the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) put lifting-related topics for end users in the Entertainment sector under the spotlight. Without lifting the entertainment industry will grind to a halt: theatre, television and film sets would not be moved, lighting rigs for live concerts will remain on the stage instead of above it. However, in the spring of 2020, the sector really did come to a sudden stop. Entertainment was hugely impacted by Covid, being one of the first sectors to be put into lockdown and often one of the last to be freed from restrictions, as Paul Fulcher, founder and managing director of Rigging Services, explained in his presentation on Post Covid rigging training requirements for new recruits working in the Entertainments Sector. Many freelance contractors found themselves out
Europe - Neumann&Müller has developed an IoT-based system for checking and monitoring safety-related suspension points used to bear loads in the event sector. Loadwatch has been designed to monitor many such suspension points in parallel. This new product underwent its first major acid test at Fira de Barcelona. It provides trade fair companies and venue operators with greater safety in load distribution to load-bearing structures. Loadwatch can be seamlessly integrated into trade fair and event processes, says N&M. The information needed for assigning parameters to the individual load cells is transmitted digitally and wirelessly. Feedback on the approved load case is given visually by LEDs on the device itself – whereby a traffic light system signals the degree of utilisation. Further information is transferred via an ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) interf
USA - Powersoft has confirmed its first-time attendance at IAAPA Expo, the largest trade show for the attractions industry, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, from 14-18 November 2022. At booth #465, the Powersoft team will be showcasing Mover, the company’s low-frequency direct-drive/tactile transducer, which is designed to reproduce sound through haptic perception, or the body’s capability to feel low-end frequencies through bone conduction. More accurate, powerful and efficient than other existing products, Mover can be used in moving floors, seats and rides to transfer both audible and inaudible frequencies to the human body – its earth-shaking vibrations adding another dimension to theme and amusement park rides, museum exhibitions, science centres, clubs, and other attractions where an immersive user experience is desired. Powersoft Mover enables AV p
UK - Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena hosted the first Tropic skincare in-person ‘Glammies’ event to be staged since the pandemic. Attended by 4,200 Tropic ‘Glambassadors’, product launches were combined with aspirational and motivational speeches, recognition segments and an evening gala Awards, plus full entertainment including live music from the 20-piece Symphonic Ibiza orchestra. Central Presentations Ltd (CPL) supplied a full production package – lighting, audio, video, screens, rigging and staging – working for producers, Pandora Events. Two days of build and two days of rehearsals preceded the one-day event, with CPLs team of around 40 led by Lee Gruszeckyj. CPL created the production design from initial sketches to full supply and delivery. Being the first Glammies post-Covid, it was all about creating a big spectacle with lots of vibrance and
Slovenia - The venue known today as Dom kulture Kamnik (DKK), located to the north of Ljubljana in Slovenia, was built in 1953 as part of the Kamnik Chemical Industry. Constructed by the workers themselves, DKK was designed to be a cultural entertainment centre to serve the local community. Although the main stage incorporated hoists, the venue was primarily used as a movie theatre until it temporarily closed its doors in 1991. With the idea of revitalizing live performances came the decision to renovate the building. Over the past two decades, a variety of improvements have been made, including the recent installation of a stage machinery system from ETC Rigging, comprising Prodigy P2 hoists, Helix cable management, a ColorSource Raceway prewired power and data distribution system, and a QuickTouch Preset controller. “Back in 2017, we were at DKK installing an ETC C
UK - Andy Bell, former operations director at KB Event, has joined Truckingby as events operations director. Andy has over 23 years' experience in live event trucking, working with bands and artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rod Stewart, the Stereophonics and many more. “I’m looking forward to bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge into Truckingbyand being a valuable part of their team in expanding their live events division,” says Andy. Kevin Hopper, Truckingby managing director said Andy’s appointment to the company adds additional strength and knowledge to our live events logistics operation, we are all looking forward to working with him, and wish him all the best for the future with Truckingby.”
USA - This month, the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC) welcomed Michael Nishball as its newest full member. Membership into the ASTC, follows a highly selective process that considers a candidate’s range of capability and experience, their past industry achievements, and the quality of service they provide to clients. “I can think of no person more deserving of full membership,” offered Scott Crossfield, Theatre Projects principal and fellow with the ASTC. “Michael’s experience in equipment and systems design is unparalleled, and he is the type of person we want in the ASTC: committed to the industry, dogged about the appropriate use of technology in the design of performance spaces, and invested in safety for audience and performer as his number one priority.” Michael is Theatre Projects’ principal theatre equipment designer and one of the
UK - The 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, took place at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium in August, Celebrating the rich history, culture and identity of the city and the West Midlands, Unusual played a key role as the contracted rigging supplier. Working for Gary Beestone, Unusual’s job was to provide all the rigging and install all the lighting for the spectacles. Sam Carter, Unusual’s lead rigger on the project explained: “It’s been a couple of months now since the opening ceremony and the feedback we’ve had ever since has been unreal! We had our work cut out – it was a mammoth event with a modest budget, but the result was two fantastic ceremonies.” Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium is a relatively new venue, with the west stand just recently built and the north and south stands set up as temporary structures. Big towers were ere
Europe - ETC has announced that the two new models of the innovative Prodigy P2 package hoist are now shipping, adding more load capacity to this line of utility hoists. Like the existing 300kg model, the compact profiles of the new P2-600 kg and P2-900 kg powerhead means they can fit into spaces that other hoists cannot and can be used with the unique structural compression tube which allows drop pulleys to be positioned anywhere along the length as well as absorbing lateral forces on structures that were not originally designed to support motorised rigging systems. These technologies allow many more venues to access the safety and speed advantages that automated hoists provide for setup of stage electrics, drops, and scenic elements. The full line of Prodigy P2-300, P2-600, and P2-900 hoists alongside ETC’s control systems with SIL-2 safety functions, are manufactu
UK – Berkshire-based Full Production has announced a new strategic partnership with Coventry-based Avion TSL. The partnership will see both companies benefit from the sharing of premises, resources and expertise, enabling the delivery of a stronger and faster service to a broader range of clients in the UK and beyond. Founded in 2010, Full Production has worked on a variety of top-flight events in recent years, from touring exhibitions and awards shows, to television, festivals and other special events. Drawing on a network of skilled designers, project managers and crew, the company prides itself on its central ethos of ensuring the customer’s vision is realised as fully as possible. Avion TSL, a family-run business formed in 2001, specialises in providing full-service production for, concerts, fundraising events, fairs, Christmas walks and other visitor experien
Europe - Prolyte has announced its expansion in Norway with the appointment of Prostage as its new distributor in the country. Prostage AS was established in 2008 in Oslo by CEO Gunnar Waldemar Naas. Since then, the company’s main goal has been to offer high-quality professional lighting, sound, and stage products at an affordable price. “I am thrilled to work closely with Prolyte and their technical team in a distributor capacity, having worked with their products in a wide variety of projects for more than 20 years. The quality of their products, combined with their well-known level of know-how and service makes Prolyte a solid partner, and the collaboration will further strengthen our position in the Norwegian market”, said Kai Vidar Bech, technical manager, of rigging & stage machinery. Prostage is the exclusive distribution partner in Norway for se
Germany - This year, HOF celebrates its 25th anniversary. What began in 1997 with five employees has grown over the past 25 years into a team of over 50 people. The areas of special construction made of aluminium and steel as well as trusses for event technology still represent HOF's core business. In parallel, HOF has established itself over the past two and a half decades as a reliable partner for industry clients from the food, automotive and agricultural sectors when it comes to special constructions and contract welding work. From day one, the motto of company founder Hans-Wilhelm Flegel has been: "The crazier the idea, the better. There is no idea that cannot be implemented." HOF has remained true to this motto over all these years and still lives by it: "We don't do things by halves. What we do, we do it right!" One of HOF's first major projects was the to
UK - The Stage Bus, a Birmingham-based events production company that provides solar-powered staging solutions, has released the latest version of its newest stage, The Stage Box. A concept that’s been designed and constructed at the company’s Halesowen HQ, The Stage Box is built into a converted 20ft shipping container. It provides a stage platform which can operate from the back of a truck, or as a detachable unit which can self-dismount using hydraulic legs. The entire stage is solar-powered, and can run for up to eight hours on a full charge. The latest version of The Stage Box expands its power capacity with a modular solar battery system, allowing its running length to be extended past the eight hour mark. Combined with its nature as a self-contained unit which can be locked up and safely left at any event site overnight, this makes it the ideal choice for sm
UK - PLASA Show, London’s international event for entertainment technology, will once again open its doors at Olympia London from 4-6 September. Thousands of professionals from across the live sector are expected to attend the show, coming together to celebrate the industry’s strength and innovation following the pandemic. Tickets are still available for £15, which will increase to £20 on the door. 200+ global brands will sit side by side in Olympia’s Grand Hall, representing the very best of pro audio, lighting, audio-visual, rigging and staging technologies. These include the show’s headline sponsor Robe, as well as fellow lighting brands Chauvet Professional, Claypaky, Ayrton, Avolites, ETC, Elation, GLP, Vari-Lite, Martin, TMB, plus many more. The pro audio sector is well covered, with brands such as d&b audiotechnik, Sennheiser, Yamaha, DiGiCo, Shure, RCF
UK - TAIT has confirmed the appointment of Mark Dakin as managing director of TAIT Neasden & Haverhill in the UK. Mark brings to TAIT over 40 years of production and technical direction for London’s principal opera companies and major performing arts venues, including the Royal Opera House, National Theatre and English National Opera. In this new role, Mark will oversee local business operations, team and clients, whilst working closely with the Global Executive Group. Mark Dakin comments: “The one thing that links the many varied roles I have held over the 40 years of my career, is the artistic application of technical expertise, the joy of collaborative practise and the balancing of the systems that enhance and deliver the artistic vision of creatives and optimise the business imperatives of producers and organisations. “I am thrilled to be join
UK - Le Mark Group will be exhibiting its extensive product range at this year’s PLASA show. Two new Dirty Rigger products will take centre stage; the V3 edition of the heavy-duty backpack and four-way stretch ladies’ work trousers will both be showcased on Stand E20. Additionally, Paper-Tak– a paper-based alternative to generic PVC tape will make its debut. Visitors will also be able to see a selection of Le Mark’s best-selling tapes, labels, flooring and crew wear, with a knowledgeable team on hand to answer any queries. Speaking ahead of the show, Stuart Gibbons OBE, managing director, Le Mark Group said: “We’re delighted to be returning to the show again this year and we’re really excited to see what people think of the new products we will have on the stand. The Dirty Rigger backpack has been built around industry feedback. It’s comfortable to wear
Europe - Blumano, engineering consultancy and advisers for safety and stage machinery design, has announced its expansion with Blumano Deutschland. This base, located in the heart of Western Europe, will work closely with Blumano’s network of offices in Ireland, the UK, Italy, South Korea and the Netherlands. Laura van Haperen joins this organisation and brings impressive experience and her qualifications as a DGUV V 17/18 (formerly BGV C1) expert in Germany. Her career as a safety expert in machinery and equipment for stages and other production facilities includes collaborating with leading companies in the entertainment industry. She has also improved quality management issues regarding business and technical processes throughout her work with automated stage machinery manufacturers. Laura and Blumano's other directors met during standardisation meetings within CE
UK - Prolight Concepts Group has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Flightcase Juice. The addition of this brand ‘enhances the current umbrella of brands, and enables Prolight to continue to stock, supply and develop this popular consumable’. This label cleaner and permanent market remover is developed and manufactured in the UK and is currently available in 0.75 litre spray bottle. A 5-litre version is also available which is suitable for refills or larger usage requirements. Mini sample bottles of Flightcase Juice will be given away at the upcoming PLASA Show in London. Managing director Andrew Jeffrey comments, “I am pleased to welcome Flightcase Juice in our group. We will be looking at further expanding the range with the same dedication and passion that we have applied to our other brands over the years.”
