USA - With the opening of the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Centre (PACE) in Parker, Colo. late in 2011, audiences looked forward to an exciting season of more than 60 performances of 28 different shows.

The inaugural season includes productions of A Christmas Story and Annie, the premier of an original musical, a custom light show created by Luma, the Irish dance troupe direct from Ireland-Celtic Nights, and an interpreted production of Stuart Little for hearing and deaf audiences.

The new facility's 536-seat theatre - one of two performance spaces in the extensive centre - can host this diverse series of events because of the easy-to-use automated rigging system provided by J. R. Clancy, Inc., and installed by Barbizon Light of the Rockies. Barbizon's Rick Loudenburg was on the design team as the theatrical rigging and lighting integrator with Semple B

Europe - The lead up to Christmas 2011 saw Coldplay, undertake a 12-date European arena tour with their album Mylo Xyloto, taking with them a set designed by Misty Buckley and Paul Normandale which featured specialist pieces by UK-based Brilliant Stages.

Chris Martin's inspiration was of the tour as a ball of energy with a warm nucleus reaching out into the audience to provide an inclusive, intimate atmosphere despite the size of the arenas toured.

The design incorporated a crescent stage which spanned the main stage, and a cross-shaped B stage both of which were built by Brilliant Stages and delivered to Park Royal's LH2 studios for rehearsals prior to the tour's launch. The arc'd stage was low enough for Martin to run across and not obscure the sightlines of audience seated behind it, yet angled enough for those at ground-level to gain clear sight of the stunning artw

USA - Following unprecedented interest at the recent LDI Exhibition in Florida, Dirty Rigger Gloves and Accessories are now available for the first time in the USA.

Minneapolis based Monkey Wrench Productions have taken stock of the entire DR range, including the brand new Kevlar Protector Glove and the Compact Tool Pouch.

Dirty Rigger's export manager Matt Every says, "I couldn't be happier to announce Monkey Wrench as the first US stockist for Dirty Rigger - there's been so much interest in the USA from individuals and businesses it's great to now have somewhere to direct them.

"The DR range is produced using some of the most innovative materials in the world, designed from scratch by a team who use gloves and tool pouches day after day. With the new items expected for release in 2012, the USA rigging world really has something to get excited about."

(Jim

UK - Milton Keynes based Impact Production Services (IPS) has added the new Prolyte H40R Truss to its extensive rental inventory. The truss has been supplied with a powder coated black finish. Launched at PLASA 2011 in September, and arriving now in the UK, this innovative product combines the compact dimensions of Prolyte H30V Truss, with the loading capacity of the larger H40V truss.

Manufactured by Prolyte Group, the H40R Truss has three sided webbing with thicker braces on the bottom side allowing easy mounting of fixtures- allowing weight to be evenly distributed on the truss, and avoiding the complications getting hook clamps in the correct chord spacing along the sides of the truss. The H40R also has a clever spigot orientation to enable the truss to be easily fitted together on the floor before rigging.

Jon French, head of rigging at IPS who took the H40R out on its fi

The Netherlands - Chief has expanded its series of interactive mounts to include flat panel and ceiling-mounted projector solutions. Combined with flexible, user-friendly technology, these new solutions easily convert standard TVs and projectors into interactive environments that will last for years to come, says the company.

Powering the interactive experience is eBeam technology from Luidia Inc. Through a receiver built into the mount, any standard flat panel or projector is quickly turned into an interactive solution.

Each interactive solution includes a lightweight, ergonomic stylus featuring real-time rendering capabilities. Three interactive accessories are available for use with most Chief flat panel mounts, and one additional accessory for use with any ceiling-mounted projector installation. The new solutions join Chief's Interactive Short Throw Projector Mount, launch

UK - Following 26 action-packed years with stage set fabricators Brilliant Stages, John Gittins has branched out as a consultant offering his design and project management skills on a freelance basis.

Gittins, a qualified engineer and CAD designer, spent his time at Brilliant Stages project managing and designing specialised sets for large-scale tours, cruise ships and events. Originally coming on board to look after the woodwork side, with Tony Bowern on metalwork and Charlie Kail on welding, Gittins experienced every aspect of the industry and, as operations manager, spent the last 10 years running the company with general manager, Tony Bowern.

"It's been a brilliant journey and I have had the opportunity to work on some of the greatest, largest and most technically challenging projects of the last quarter of a century," says Gittins. "I'm now looking forward

USA - BSR E1.6-4 - 201x, Portable Control of Fixed-Speed Electric Chain Hoists in the Entertainment Industry, is now available for public review on the PLASA website (address below) until March 26.

The control systems covered are most often used to control one or more chain hoists being used to fly equipment or scenery in shows or events being done in arenas and convention centres.

For more information, please contact:

Karl G. Ruling

PLASA Technical Standards Manager

630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 609

New York, NY 10036

1-212-244-1505

karl.ruling@plasa.org

(Claire Beeson)

USA - Flightcase and loudspeaker solutions specialist Penn-Elcom has joined forces with California based Janal Cases - one of their long time valued customers - in a new year long initiative to help raise awareness of breast cancer to celebrate the 25th year of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM).

BCAM is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to all those affected by breast cancer.

Penn Elcom is donating pink grip handles to the initiative, which are being offered - fitted free of charge - on cases ordered by Janal's customers for a donation of any size, starting at $25.00.

Muffie Alejandro from Janal Cases approached Penn-Elcom to be a partn

UK - The Trafalgar Sun - a new art installation replicating an early morning sunrise - brightened up London's Trafalgar Square on Monday 23rd January, a date defined by academics as 'Blue Monday' as it's apparently "the most depressing day of the year".

As an antidote to the midwinter blues, art collective Greyworld were commissioned by fruit juice brand Tropicana (as part of their Brighter Mornings campaign) to create a giant, uplifting sunrise over Trafalgar Square. It measured 9m in diameter, weighed two and a half tons and gave off over four million lumens of light, the equivalent of 60,000 light bulbs.

Andrew Shoben, founder of Greyworld said: "There are very few moments more spectacular and uplifting than watching an early morning sunrise. We have tried to capture the evocative nature of this natural phenomenon and share it with the public by creating our

The Netherlands / UK - XLNT Advanced Technologies and Lift Turn Move (LTM) have announced an agreement for LTM to become the UK and Ireland sales and distribution dealer for CyberMotion, the world's first dedicated mobile stage automation system, and the DS8 Solid State motor controllers for standard chain hoists. The deal was announced at the CUE trade show in Rotterdam on 16 January.

Developed and manufactured by XLNT Advanced Technologies in the Netherlands, CyberMotion is the first system that combines automated hoists, automated winches and automated trolley/track systems, together with a user-friendly dedicated control desk - a complete solution for mobile and flexible applications including touring, one-off events and theatre.

LTM, owned by John Jones, David King and Dave Ward, has an established and dedicated sales and support team for the entertainment market. XLNT co

UK - Blackout provided bespoke heart shaped draping for this year's star-studded National Television Awards (NTAs) held at the O2 Arena, Wednesday 25 January 2012.

Broadcast live on ITV1, the annual event was hosted by Dermot O'Leary and saw stars from across the TV world commended in 14 categories.

This year's set design was the brainchild of Nicoline Refsing of Rockart Design and featured a stunning giant heart framing the stage and surrounding a projection screen for the show's graphics.

Blackout were contracted by NTA Producers Indigo Television and have provided extensive draping for the NTAs for the last five years. This year the five-strong team installed a custom made black wool serge drape 60m wide with a 24m drop , with a heart shape cut out to perfectly fit the set's design and allow flawless rear projection.

Chris Brain, Blackout's installation director led a t

UK - Airing live last Wednesday The National Television Awards was as glitzy and glamorous as ever before. For the third year running, Le Mark's StudioTak studio flooring played a key part in its lighting setup and set design. Le Mark's high gloss black StudioTak studio floor was the base of the stage design, decorated with a second gloss red layer to give a visually stunning set.

Constructed by London based Blackfriars Scenery, the set uses the latest technology combined with StudioTak flooring to make a stage bigger and better than ever before. Project manager Perry Judge says, "We've used Studiotak for the last three NTA's and a host of other awards shows over the past few years, it's a great floor and works really well with the studio lighting."

Le Mark's Leanne Baker says, "It's always a great feeling to see our floors on TV, especially when they're used on

UK - LS-Live developed and delivered a dynamic stage set to accommodate lively performances from mainstream hip hop's man of the moment, Tinie Tempah.

Known for his energetic fusion of pop and hip hop, the rapper embarked upon his first UK arena tour in 2011 with a stage design that was both edgy and futuristic, blending elements of live performance with the intensity of a club show.

Tour manager JP Firmin brought his partner at The Tour Group, Antony Randall, on board as show producer and together they created a production team capable of elevating his career to new heights in the touring arena.

In turn, Randall recruited designer Willow Perron into the mix to help shape a creative look for the show and produce video content for the screens. Together they collaborated with LD Andy Hurst, and stage and set suppliers LS-Live.

The latter's journey with Tinie Tempah began in

UAE - Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) hosted the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show and to help support this they have invested in 40 500kg CAT-A LoadGuard hoists from LTM. These have been added to the in-house hoist fleet now standing at over 120 chain hoists.

DWTC rigging manager Matt Kirby commented, "I have known the guys from LTM for years and I trust their opinion on rigging and lifting. We've bought hoists from local suppliers in the past, but we felt the LoadGuard offered by LTM was the best way to push the site forward in terms of safety. LTM delivered the hoists and Guardian Hoist Controllers in super fast time as we needed the new hoists for the Dubai International Motor Show.

"Over 700 load points needed to be rigged throughout five halls so it's been a really busy period for us, so having the new hoists helps as they are really small in weight and due t

UK - Unusual Rigging has announced that, with immediate effect, all its NRC assessments will take place at the company's facility in Bugbrooke, Northampton, including any originally scheduled for Earls Court.

Robin Elias, technical director at Unusual , explains, "Earls Court is out of commission for several months this year, as it's one of the Olympic venues, and this made the booking system difficult. We felt it was easier for all concerned to move assessments to Northampton. We're easy to reach from most parts of the country, the facilities here are excellent - and we lay on a pretty good lunch."

Unusual Rigging offers four assessment days each month, more than the other companies in the scheme, and last year assessed 55 riggers at Level 2 and 33 at Level 3.

With all the various events scheduled to take place in 2012, this year will be a busy one for riggers: Un

UK - Organisers of the first ever Stage Management Conference (Arts Theatre, central London - 12th Feb) have announced that speakers and sessions for the event have now been finalised.

"As well as being hosted by Barbara Eifler, executive director, and Rebecca Emery - chair of the board of the SMA - and featuring a keynote speech by Vikki Heywood, we also have two panel discussions taking place. The first focusses on Valuing Stage Management, and is chaired by the charismatic Ken Bennett-Hunter, with Jamie Byron, James Williams, Antonia Collins and Charles Evans, all established professionals in the industry," say organisers.

The afternoon will feature five break-out sessions: Social Media and the Stage Manager, led by Caron Jane Lyon who specialises in online communications and networking; A Look at Life After Stage Management, with Antonia Coll

USA - Reed Rigging provided production rigging support for a specially designed and constructed set for the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon television show broadcast from Indianapolis's Hilbert Circle Theatre. The Indianapolis-based broadcasts coincided with Super Bowl week for the NFL. Last year's Super Bowl set a U.S. audience record of 111m viewers, and this year's contest is expected to exceed that number.

The Hilbert Circle Theatre, home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, was transformed from its 1916 historical splendour to a fully-functioning 21st Century television broadcast studio incorporating miles of cable, cameras, video walls, lighting and state of the art audio systems into its ornate and elegant interior.

"We are very pleased to provide our support to this outstanding production," said Michael Reed, founder and president of Reed Rigging. &quo

Norway - Mojo Barriers has appointed Norwegian security firm Vaktvesenet AS, making them an official distributor of its stage barriers.

The appointment of Vaktvesenet AS as an international partner gives live event and venue clients across Norway access to Mojo's products and expertise.

Frank Klaveness, operations manager Vaktvesenet said, "The partnership officially began on 1 January this year and was the result of strong demand from the local Norwegian market. We are very pleased to be working with Mojo Barriers, and bringing their products and experience to events in the region.

"Mojo is already well known in Norway as the leading stage barrier and crowd control company and many acts tour with their own systems, which we will now be able to supplement with additional barriers.

"To enable maximum market reach we have formulated our own partnership with gl

USA - Portland-based Hollywood Lights have taken stock of the full Dirty Rigger Gloves range as part of a new Northwest U.S. distribution deal.

Dirty Rigger's product manager Steve Marshall says, "For more than 60 years Hollywood Lighting Services has been dedicated to providing the customer with exceptional service and superior equipment, for us to be working with them in the US is a great step forward."

As well as distributing the range, Hollywood Lights has also worked with the Dirty Rigger design and production team to specifically tailor the gloves for the US market. Enhancing the gloves to work better under the various environments they're subjected to and making subtle but hugely effective changes to their design.

(Jim Evans)

USA - J. R. Clancy has announced the promotion of two of its top-performing employees: Bridget Cox is now the company's director of project management, and Patrick Finn has added product development to his responsibilities.

Bridget Cox joined Clancy in 2008 as a dealer project manager. In this position, she served as the project lead on some of the company's largest jobs, including the Palladium at the Carmel Centre for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, and the massive Civic, Cultural & Retail Complex (CCRC) in Singapore. In her new position, she will oversee both the contract and dealer sides of the business, working with a team of project managers to ensure the success of all of Clancy's major projects.

Patrick Finn joined Clancy in 2009 as a dealer project manager, handling projects including the renovation of the Paris Theatre in Las Vegas, the new Pirates Voyage att

UK - ShowTex is sponsoring the 2012 TPI Awards which take place in London on 13 February. 2012 marks the second year in a row that ShowTex will sponsor this annual gathering.

The awards ceremony, hosted this year by BBC 6 Music's Stuart Maconie & BBC 5 Live's Danny Baker promises to be an entertaining show honouring the hard work of companies represented in the 30 award categories as well as a great opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere with some of the best in the industry.

Sponsoring the awards is also a fun and easy way to support the live production industry that ShowTex is an integral part of, says the company. The drape, tracks, and motion systems specialist supplied custom manufactured stage curtains and one of a kind flameproof fabric constructions over the past year for performances of Take That, Iron Maiden, Prince, Sting, Batman Live, designs by Es Devlin a

UK - With their new album Mylo Xyloto having already hit the number one spot in 19 countries, Coldplay are promoting it with live dates through 2012. Hire company Wigwam Acoustics is providing a DiGiCo SD7 mixing system and three XTA DP548 processors, which have been specified as part of the sound system.

Unlike many bands, Coldplay aren't playing a conventional 'tour'. While there are strings of dates arranged, the band is apt to play one or two dates at different places in the world at comparatively short notice. As a result, a close relationship with their audio supplier, Wigwam, is vital to the smooth planning and execution of the shows.

"It's fairly fast and furious with Coldplay at the moment, they jet off here there and everywhere," says Wigwam's Alex Hadjigeorgiou. "They do a pretty good job of moving their kit around, but they do get to the point

UK - Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout provided extensive draping across five areas of ExCel for the Cisco Live! conference, 30 January - 3 February 2012.

Over 6,000 IT professionals from across the globe attended the event, with prestigious speaker sessions being staged back-to-back across the venue.

Blackout was called in by event agency George P. Johnson for the fifth year running, using drapes across the venue to create bespoke areas for the conference's popular Breakout Sessions, including the creation of three rooms in Capital Hall and a further eight in the South Hall.

The South Hall alone consisted of over eight tonnes of white voile drapes backed with black wool serge, used to create eight equal sized rooms all with a height of over 10 meters.

Chris Brain, Blackout installation director, said: "The key aim for us at Cisco Live was to create comfortable a

USA - J. R. Clancy has announced the promotion of Marilyn Larsen, a 25-year veteran of the company, to Marketing Services.

Larsen came to Clancy in 1987 as a receptionist, and quickly moved up to office manager. In 2001, she went to work for Mike Murphy in engineering and project management, and most recently, she added marketing services to her responsibilities, supervising all advertising, public relations, and marketing activities for the company. She is also the principal liaison with Wenger Corporation, Clancy's parent company for marketing needs.

(Jim Evans)

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