Events News

ProLight+Sound Shanghai
Monday, 5 August 2002

Messe Frankfurt and Intex Shanghai have announced their collaboration on a new international event in China for the professional audio and entertainment lighting industry - ProLight+Sound Shanghai. The show will make its debut at the Intex exhibition centre and the Shanghaimart from 15-18 October 2003 and will be positioned as a professional marketing platform for manufacturers of sound production, broadcasting and recording equipment, lighting, laser technology and special effects for the entertainment industry, stage, studio and event technology, and pro-audio and lighting-related computer hardware and software. As an entertainment venue in itself, the show will be accompanied by live performances and special events, including a DJ competition.

ProLight+Sound Shanghai is supported by several national and local cultural and trade associations as well as government bodies, including the Chinese Ministry of Culture Bureau for Culture Market, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Cultural Radio, Film and TV, and the China Recording Association. For more information on the show, email the address below:

Behind the Scenes @ Chitty Chitty Bang BangBehind the Scenes @ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Friday, 2 August 2002

L&SI is launching the first in what it intends to be a series of networking events for the industry. Since its opening in the West End earlier this year, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Directed by Adrian Noble, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Andrew Bruce and sets by Anthony Ward, much of the credit for its success lies in the work of the technical and creative teams who have used state-of-the-art techniques to bring this amazing stage production to life.

L&SI has arranged an exclusive backstage tour of the Palladium Theatre where you can meet with those who worked on the production and see first-hand how some of the more complex effects in the Show have been achieved. Following the tour, you'll have a chance to network with industry colleagues at an L&SI-hosted reception where you can talk further with members of the creative teams, before sitting down to watch this stunning performance from some of the best seats in the house.

The tour takes place on Thursday October 10, 2002 at the Palladium Theatre, London, running from 3.30pm onwards, and costs just £69.00 (which includes a full reception and a £40.00 ticket for the Show).

For further details contact Sheila Bartholomew at L&SI on +44 1323 418400 or e-mail sheila@plasa.org.

 
 
A.C. North tradeshow draws praise
Tuesday, 30 July 2002

The A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow 2002, held at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds on 23-24 July, was deemed a great success by both sponsors and visitors alike, with more than 400 people attending over the two days of the show.

Being the first opportunity for the A.C Audio division and its suppliers to meet the industry face to face, the tradeshow was also something of a milestone in the history of the company. As most UK entertainment technology shows are held in London or the south of England, the A.C Lighting tradeshow provided a rare opportunity for professionals in the North of England to see the latest technology from specialist lighting and audio manufacturers represented by A.C Lighting. Specialists from each participating manufacturer were on hand to give technical advice on products and applications, and a large number of the visitors took advantage of the hands-on demonstrations and training on offer.

A.C. Lighting’s Northern sales manager Jonathan Walters commented: "I am extremely pleased that the 2002 Tradeshow was so well received in the industry, and gave visitors such a valuable insight to the new products and technology our lighting and audio suppliers have to offer. It was apparent some visitors were not previously aware quite how much the range of products and services available from A.C. Lighting has grown, particularly with the range of professional Audio equipment we now offer. I would particularly like to thank all of our sponsors who supported the event, and look forward to a future opportunity for hosting another A.C North tradesho

 
Calling all Cricket and Pimms fans!
Tuesday, 30 July 2002

You are welcome to join us to support your favoured team in the fiercely competitive Hayden Laboratories Annual Industry Cricket Cup Challenge, taking place on Thursday 1 August and now in its 4th year.

Two highly-trained, athletic teams will be competing for the much-coveted championship cup, as PLASA & Clarion Events take on the might of the Sound & Lighting Industry. Come along and watch them battle it out as Clarion & PLASA fight to regain the cup after their defeat against the Hayden Labs Audio team last year.

The match will take place in the idyllic setting of Littlewick Green Cricket Club, Berkshire. The full 50-over match is scheduled to begin at 1.30pm, with tea at 4.15pm followed by the second innings before the BBQ and prize-giving kicks off at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the post-match barbecue are a bargain at £5.00 each. If you would like to attend the BBQ and for directions, please call Nicky Rowland at Clarion Events (020 7370 8231) or Simon Curtis at Hayden Laboratories (01753 888447).

(Lee Baldock)

 
 
PLASA Initiatives: gobos and massage for Light Relief
Friday, 26 July 2002

Light Relief, the industry charity that supports lighting designers with personal difficulties, has announced two major initiatives to raise awareness during the PLASA 2002 show this September - one aimed at exhibitors and the other for visitors.

The first - ‘Gobos for Light Relief’ - is encouraging as many PLASA exhibitors as possible to use Light Relief coloured glass gobos as part of their on-stand demonstrations. "Visitors will be confronted by a large projection of the logo at the front of the hall as they arrive", explained Tony Gottelier, co-founder of Light Relief. "The idea is that by encouraging exhibitors to participate, visitors will see the same image repeated all over the exhibition - we need to raise awareness of Light Relief and this is set to make a huge impact."

The idea is sponsored by Apollo Design Technology, the Indiana-based manufacturer of high quality dichroics and glass effects, who are making available a quantity of Light Relief glass gobos and any number of metal ones. To participate, simply complete an online order form on either www.internetapollo.com or www.lightrelief.org/indexform.html. Alternatively, download the artwork from the Light Relief website - the colour to match is Apollo Bikini Yellow (Rosco 312 Canary, Lee 101 Yellow).

At the same time, in the gallery adjacent to the main escalator from the lobby, Light Relief will be dispensing comfort to weary visitors and exhibitors alik

 
PLASA 25th Party plans announced!
Wednesday, 24 July 2002

As the PLASA Show celebrates its 25th annual event, a party to mark the milestone in style will be held on the evening of Sunday 8 September at The Bridge, SE1 - a stunning and atmospheric brick-arch party venue situated beneath London Bridge Station. The informal party will have an international theme to reflect the PLASA Show’s strong international audience, and the ticket price (£50 + VAT per head) will include champagne reception, beer, wine, soft drinks, buffet and dancing ‘til late - not to mention a great chance to catch up with friends and colleagues from across the industry.

Don’t miss out! For tickets and further information, contact Mikaela Fenton-Jones on +44 (0)20 7370 8207.

 
 
PLASA Association Day a great success
Friday, 19 July 2002

PLASA’s ‘Association Day’, held at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hertfordshire on 14 June, and incorporating the Association’s AGM, was a great success. The event was attended by a record number of PLASA members, and drew a positive response from all involved.

The format of the AGM has changed gradually over time, and has for some years included an industry dinner event at the close of the day. Last year, a series of ‘Break-out’ meetings were held for the first time, providing valuable discussion and feedback on a number of topics.

The aim of the Association Day is to gain further advantage from the opportunities offered by having a large contingent of PLASA members, plus the PLASA Executive Committee and head office staff, together in one place. Rather than concentrate on the AGM itself - a legal formality - the emphasis has now been shifted fully to making the day an ‘event’ in pleasant surroundings, with opportunties for communication, debate, suggestions and networking.

This year’s break-out meetings covered Membership Services, Standards/Health & Safety and Training. These lively sessions raised valuable feedback for the PLASA Executive Committee and staff, and were well-received by all who took part.

Following the ‘business’ of the day, around 100 people sat down to an enjoyable dinner with entertainment provided by two guest speakers - ex-pro footballer Paul Fletcher and impressionist Kevin Connelly - before retiring to the bar for some serious networking.

PLASA’s managing director

 
Flying Theatre’s Colours
Friday, 19 July 2002

Lee Baldock and Ruth Rossington report from ABTT 2002

From its now established base at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London, the ABTT Show continues to underline its role as a key event for the theatre industry. Well over 100 exhibitors from across the wide spectrum of supplies and services were at the show, drawing in over 2,500 visitors.

Before we get down to brass tacks, a quick mention of the Dinner, staged on the first evening, at which Major Sir Michael Parker, famed for his work on such events as the Royal Tournament and more recently All the Queens Horses, was the guest speaker. During the dinner, Andrew Bruce of Autograph Sound collected a Lifetime Achievement Award; Nick Wade, chief electrician at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, was handed Technician of the Year;

Vari-Lite’s VL1000 won Lighting Product of the Year; AVW’s Impressario stage motion control system was voted Engineering Product of the Year and Rosco’s Image Pro picked up the coveted Widget of the Year award. There’s always a good feel to ABTT and a real sense of a community coming together, no doubt fed by the presence of such organizations as BECTU, ALD, Central School of Speech and Drama, Society of British Theatre Designers and Loughborough College.

A.C. Lighting was showing examples of its wide range of lighting products, including its Tourmate range of connectors. AC was also promoting the introduction of free training courses on grandMA and Jands lighting control systems.

Allen & Heath showed the latest addition to its ML series, the 15-buss ML3000. The c

 
 
Music China sold out
Thursday, 11 July 2002

With over three months still to go until the show opening, the first Music China - the International Trade Fair for musical instruments and services - is completely sold out. Over 260 companies from all over the world have signed up to be a part of China’s first major international event for the musical instrument industry in Shanghai, the commercial heart of the world’s fastest developing nation. They will cover 15,000 square metres of exhibition space.

"We are in the enviable position of simply having no space left to sell, but the applications are still coming in," says Cordelia von Gymnich, vice-president of Communications & Leisure Fairs for Messe Frankfurt, co-organiser of the show with Intex Shanghai and the China Musical Instruments Association (CMIA). "It is unprecedented to have a waiting list for a debut international event in China. The overwhelming response we have had to this show highlights the huge demand for a quality business platform in Shanghai."

The show will offer the complete spectrum of musical instruments and professional sound equipment, as well as a programme of live performances, concerts, workshops and competitions to add sparkle to the four day event.

(Lee Baldock)

 
LIW announces keynote speaker line-up
Wednesday, 10 July 2002

International Leisure Industry Week (8-10 October, NEC, Birmingham) has announced the keynote sessions for the free seminar programme at this year's show. The programme will feature high profile speakers addressing the industry's key issues and concerns, and sharing best practice and business innovation.

Speakers include Peter Alvarez of Virgin Atlantic Airways, who will tackle issues surrounding the service-profit chain; the relationship between staff retention and customer loyalty, and share tips on best practise for the service industry. Simon Sprowell of Hilton Hotels UK & Ireland will offer insight into combining mission and vision to ensure your brand values are reflected throughout the entire organisation. Graham Abbey of easyJet will address the challenging task of developing a corporate culture that reflects your company's personality. Abbey will focus on easyJet case histories as he demonstrates how to help your people make sense of your business.

LIW show director, Neil Felton, said: "Our priority for this year's speaker programme is value - ensuring our sessions offer real inspiration, practical advice and profit-generating ideas. LIW's 2002 programme offers something for all leisure industry operators, and this educational programme is unique within the industry as it features some of the biggest names in business and is completely free of charge."

(Lee Baldock)

 
 
Showman’s Show 2002 opens for business
Wednesday, 10 July 2002

The organisers of the Showman’s Show 2002 (Newbury Showground, 16-17 October) have announced that Europe’s largest exhibition for outdoor event professionals is getting bigger this year. Following the success of the 2001 show at Newbury and the inaugural Northern Showman’s Show at the North Yorkshire Showground earlier this year, the interest for the 2002 show is already very strong. In one of the busiest years seen in the outdoor event marketplace in recent years, the show organisers, Lance Publications Ltd, are looking towards incorporating new developments and responding to industry trends.

"We will be making a few changes to the layout of the showground," said organiser Stephen Lance. "These are in part being made to accommodate increased demand for space and partly to make the show more effective for visitors and exhibitors. Even after all these years we are still learning and looking to improve the show where possible."

During recent years the innovations launched at the show have attracted an increasing number of event professionals from corporate, sporting and charity backgrounds. This year visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet the cream of the UK’s production industry exhibiting at the show, who have been central to the production of events attended by millions of people across the UK and Europe, ranging from the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, radio roadshows, pop and rock festivals and the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

(Lee Baldock)

 
Dick Tee splits from Hotcakes
Tuesday, 9 July 2002

The successful completion of The Queen's Golden Jubilee Visit to the Armed Forces in Portsmouth has effectively marked the end of the association between production manager Dick Tee and brand agency Hotcakes UK Ltd.

Tee started working alongside Chris Spencer of CJ Spencer Associates in 1995. In the spring of 2000 Hotcakes was launched with Spencer as managing director and Tee adopting the role of production director. When, in the Autumn of 2001, Hotcakes secured the contract to handle the creative development of the Golden Jubilee Visit (GJV) to Portsmouth, Tee worked with Hotcakes on the event production, at the same time as handling the site co-ordination directly for the GJV project team on behalf of the MOD. As a result, Tee has now decided to return to full 'freelance status' - choosing to concentrate on his own ‘That's EnTEEtainment’ business activities and developing The Event Safety Shop, the Bristol based Health & Safety consultancy which he co-owns with Mike Richmond, founder of REM - Richmond Event Management. "I feel that it is now time for a change," commented Tee.

(Ruth Rossington)

 
 
JHS Event 2002JHS Event 2002
Friday, 5 July 2002

With German pro audio concern HK Audio having made huge inroads into the UK & Eire pro audio market in recent years, the JHS Event 2002 presented the perfect opportunity for HK Audio to launch three new and very significant product lines.

HK Audio’s impressive pro audio range now makes a significant contribution to the presentation of the JHS Event, and represents an ideal opportunity for the many trade visitors to the show to hear for themselves why HK Audio is proving to be so successful in this most difficult of markets to break into. It’s also an ideal chance for them to speak to representatives from HK Audio, who visit the JHS Event specially to consolidate HK’s increasing UK profile and presence.

The main outdoor stage at Event is flanked by 12 boxes of HK’s stadium-friendly R Series, offering a total of 7.2kW, with the large capacity active Projector system positioned infield, providing a good opportunity to find out what these systems sound like when run at something approaching true outdoor SPLs. Elsewhere on the site, a dedicated HK Audio demo theatre featured many pro audio systems and components from the HK catalogue, including the highly successful L.U.C.A.S., E.L.I.A.S. and ACTOR self-powered active PAs.

However, grabbing most attention were the newest additions to the HK Audio line-up - Linear 3, Installation Line and D.A.R.T., an extremely useful looking portable active monitor. Features of the new Linear 3 passive speaker range include Linear 3’s LightGuide LEDs, offering continuous status information on the performance o

 
Blackout’s Perfect Planning at Tech-Ed 2002Blackout’s Perfect Planning at Tech-Ed 2002
Thursday, 4 July 2002

Tech-Ed 2002 offers Microsoft developers and IT professionals from across Europe the opportunity to update their knowledge of the latest integrated solutions from the world’s largest software supplier and hone their expertise with the product range.

Drapes and rigging specialists Blackout Ltd have been appointed by UK production house, PCI Live, to supply all the blackout draping and production rigging services for the event which is held at the enormous Fira de Barcelona 2 exhibition centre this month, filling the entire space of both gigantic halls. The first hall, measuring over 500m in length, over 15m high and some 100m wide, is transformed into 11 acoustically friendly rooms, the smallest of which seats 880 delegates, the largest having the capacity for over 2000. The second hall houses the conferences catering and keynote facilities, including a 6000 capacity room with full production rigging and automated set.

Blackout has supplied a staggering 53,000sq.m of black wool serge drape from its extensive hire stock - enough to cover 11 football pitches! Weighing in at over 30 tonnes the drapes filled three 45’ trailers. The rigging required a further five trailers to transport the 1,465m of truss, 195 motors and 36 manual chain hoists.

The thousand or so drapes specified for the project are all coded using coloured ties and loaded by room to be distributed around the halls by the trucks and local crew who are then easily able to identify which drapes go where. The drapes are suspended, using in excess of 10,000 snap hooks, from over 5km of catenary wir

 
 
DPL lights Maldon Promenade Festival
Thursday, 27 June 2002

The festival season kicked in for DPL Production Lighting at Maldon in Essex, for the Maldon Promenade two-day event, staged against the picturesque backdrop of the tidal River Blackwater.

The festival was production managed by the redoubtable Dick Tee, who was engaged in other projects when the site build started, so the co-ordination of the Maldon event fell to his associate Laura Sands. DPL were called in to suppy lighting production for the fifth time. The first night had a pop cabaret theme and starred Jaki Graham, Rose Royce (with Gwen Dickey) and The Three Degrees, rounded off with a specially choreographed Techno Show son et lumière number, complete with fireworks and projection, directed by Sean Canning from Hotcakes UK. The following event was dedicated to popular classics.

DPL’s lighting rig was shaped to follow the curves of the Orbit stage (supplied by Serious Structures). Equipment included Martin MAC 250s, 500s and 600s, over 150 PARs, UV cannons, ETC Source Four PARnels, blinders and ACLs, tech’d by Andy Higgins, who was also LD. For architectural illuminations, DPL lit the sea wall with Studio Due City Colors and also supplied four large silk flame effects for the front of the stage which looked out across a large artificial lake to the audience, who sat on the other side. The lake was drained for the get-in and then re-pumped with water for the show.

Lighting control came from an Avolites Pearl, operated by Andy Higgins and Darren Parker. The FOH platform actually stood in the water, with the multicores (housed in a special waterproof ja

 
ABTT 2002 flys theatre's colours
Wednesday, 26 June 2002

From its now established base at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London, the ABTT Show continues to underline its role as a key event for the theatre industry. The trade show, which took place last week, attracted well over 100 exhibitors from across the wide spectrum of supplies and services, as a result pulling in over 2,500 visitors.

ABTT’s emphasis on training and education was demonstrated by the wide-ranging seminar programme which accompanied the event, but the highlight was the ABTT Dinner staged on the first evening where Major Sir Michael Parker, famed for his work on such events as the Royal Tournament and more recently All the Queens Horses, was the guest speaker. The Awards announced during the Dinner recognized the work of sound designer Andrew Bruce of Autograph Sound who collected a Lifetime Achievement Award, whilst the Technician of the Year award went to Nick Wade, chief electrician at the Birmingham Royal Ballet. In the technology categories, Vari-Lite’s VL1000 won Lighting Product of the Year, AVW’s Impresario stage motion control system was voted Engineering Product of the Year and Rosco’s Image Pro picked up the coveted Widget of the Year award.

Prior to the show, the Theatre Engineering and Architecture 2002 conference took place at which technology and architecture for the performing arts was examined. Presented in the Strand Palace Hotel in London's Theatreland, the conference brought together theatre technicians, architects, consultants, lighting designers and acousticians, as well as building owners, cost consultants

 
 
A.C. Lighting to host North Tradeshow 2002
Tuesday, 25 June 2002

A.C. Lighting Ltd is hosting a new two-day trade show with assistance from the ABTT, ALD, PSA, STLD and Lighting&Sound International. The event will be held at the Royal Armouries Museum located in the centre of Leeds on the 23rd and 24th July, and will provide a showcase where professionals can meet with specialists and see the latest innovations from over 50 of the industry’s top manufacturers.

Company representatives will be on hand to demonstrate their latest products, and there will be a series of workshops on the grandMA and Jands Event 4 lighting consoles. One major attraction of the show will be the much anticipated new WYSIWYG software. The show’s location in the north of England will be welcomed by those in the area and will offer a rare opportunity to see several specialists together under one roof, see what new technology is on offer and meet association representatives. Visitors who register to attend the tradeshow will also enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch.

The venue for the event - the Royal Armouries Museum - was opened in 1996 as the new home for the national collection of arms and armour and visitors to the trade show will be offered free admission. Jonathan Walters, A.C. Lighting’s Northern sales manager responsible for the day to day running of the Leeds office commented: "In the five years that A.C Lighting has had a northern sales operation based in Leeds, it has become very apparent to us that the time and cost involved attending events held in London is a deterrent for many potential show visitors. This convinced us of t

 
AES Europe
Tuesday, 25 June 2002

Phil Ward visits the 112th AES Convention in Munich

It’s been said before how much more holistic the American AES Conventions are compared to the European ones. Rightly or wrongly, this may conjure up a uniquely Californian vision: grizzled pro audio shamen burning incense on the exhibition booths, and harnessing nature’s awesome and arcane powers in the pursuit of the ultimate sound wave.

Actually, it just means there’s more loudspeakers. In Munich, despite the fact that it is the German city most suited to outdoor festivals and the like, the beards are as tidy as a studio floor manager’s clip-board during a chat show on Zud-Deutsche Rundfunk about cycle paths. And Rundfunk - broadcasting - is the dominant theme of the AES, leaving the lion’s share of the rest of European pro audio to Frankfurt and PLASA.

The American market is bigger and more cohesive, of course, so it’s not right to draw conclusions about what’s going on based on who’s there over here, and who isn’t here over there, and vice-versa till the goats come home. But just as EAW did not appear at the New York show in December - along with many other absentees, of course - Telex/EVI Audio gave Munich a miss, in spite of being a lot closer to it than EAW is to the Jacob K Javits Centre in Manhattan.

The last time the AES was in Munich, EVI general manager Mathius von Heydekampf was presiding over a new, pan-European regime following the merger of EVI Audio with Telex. The brands from EVI’s base in Straubing in south-east Germany, especiall

 
 
PLASA Association Day hailed a great successPLASA Association Day hailed a great success
Friday, 21 June 2002

PLASA’s ‘Association Day’, held at Down Hall Country House Hotel on 14 June and incorporating the Association’s AGM, was a great success, attended by a record number of PLASA members. In an effort to gain maximum value from the opportunity offered by the AGM, PLASA again organized a number of Break-out Meetings following the AGM, which gave members the chance to discuss important issues concerning Membership Services, Standards/Health & Safety and Training. These lively sessions raised valuable feedback for the PLASA Executive Committee and staff, and were well-received by all who took part.

Following the ‘business’ of the day, around 100 people sat down to an enjoyable dinner with entertainment provided by two guest speakers - ex-footballer Paul Fletcher and impressionist Kevin Connelly - before retiring to the bar for some serious networking. Wayne Howell of Artistic Licence called the Association Day "an excellent event. Constructive, informative and enjoyable." Steve Warren of Avolites said: "I felt that the snappier AGM - leaving space for the more important Break-out groups - was a really good format and much more beneficial to the members. I am sure that as word goes around, the numbers will swell for the event. Well done to all of you," while John Simpson of White Light described the day as "excellent", and "well organised, presented and followed through." Le Mark’s Stuart Gibbons commented: "I think the 'Break-out sessions' were a great idea and created a lot of interest . . .&

 
BEDA announces exclusive support for LIW
Wednesday, 19 June 2002

The British Entertainment and Discotheque Association (BEDA) has announced its exclusive support for International Leisure Industry Week 2002 (LIW). BEDA will be using the show to host both its Annual General Meeting and Chairman's Lunch. In addition to these networking events, the BEDA Village on the show floor at LIW 2002 will showcase the latest light and sound innovations from BEDA's supplier members.

BEDA is the only trade association for the nightclub and discotheque market in the UK and its members are responsible for running the nation's nightclubs, as well as buying and specifying the lighting, sound, design, furniture, fittings, food and drink in all the clubs and discos in the UK. At LIW, BEDA supplier members will be exhibiting within the BEDA Village and displaying the extensive range of new products within the lighting and sound industry.

Also on the show floor at LIW will be the BEDA Lounge, the hub of BEDA members' activities at the show providing an informal networking area for meetings and a focal point for BEDA's light and sound supplier members. John Hayes, BEDA's chairman, commented: "LIW is an important show for the leisure industry in the UK and a perfect networking arena for our members. We are delighted to be able to support the show and believe that the BEDA Village will be a key area for promoting our members activities and showcasing new products to other potential leisure operators."

LIW show director, Neil Felton, added: "We are delighted to announce BEDA's continuing support of LIW and the exciting new initiatives we are

 
 
Stagecraft ExpansionStagecraft Expansion
Thursday, 13 June 2002

In response to increasing conference and event business in the Watford area, Salisbury-based Stagecraft has recently opened a satellite office for its Live Events division. Jackie Chambers, who has extensive experience in conference production and event management, will manage the Watford office, which will offer Stagecraft’s complete production service to companies in and around the area.

Growing business at the company’s Salisbury office has led to internal promotion for two key staff members - Fiona Clayton and Martin Palmer. New technical sales advisor Fiona Clayton originally started with the company as a hire assistant nearly five years ago and is now working closely with the five-strong sales team. She joins Martin Palmer, who has recently been appointed head of sales and projects. Stagecraft has also recently adapted its four units in Salisbury to house new staging and lighting equipment, which is available for both hire and sale.

(Ruth Rossington)

 
Get Behind the Scenes of the RAH and Tussauds Studios
Friday, 7 June 2002

With an exclusive Behind the Scenes tour, PLASA Media is offering a unique opportunity for you to take a privileged technical tour of two of London’s best-known entertainment institutions - the wonderfully atmospheric and newly refurbished Royal Albert Hall, and the fascinating Tussauds Group Studios, the creative heart of the world-famous visitor attraction specialist.

Behind the Scenes will take place on Thursday 12 September, immediately following the PLASA Show at Earls Court - one of the highlights of the entertainment technology industry calendar. As a participant in the tour, you will be transported by coach from Earls Court Exhibition Hall to the Royal Albert Hall, where you will be conducted on a backstage tour encompassing the breadth of the venue’s recently-completed £70 million refurbishment. The tour will take you through front-of-house and the historic auditorium, to the extensive state-of-the-art dimming installation and new loading bay - just two days before the RAH plays host to the renowned Last Night of the Proms. There will also be a chance for an informal chat with the technical crew . . .

This will be followed by lunch and a coach ride to the Tussauds Group Studios, where Behind the Scenes continues with a unique and truly exclusive tour. This will include the demonstration of a wax model being created from sculpting to wardrobe, with a chance for questions and answers, followed by an opportunity to hear first-hand from the technical designers how the many different projects and attractions of the Tussauds Group are put together, from

 
 
Dates announced for Pro Production 2003
Friday, 7 June 2002

Timeless Communications has announced that Pro Production 2003, ‘The Live Event Marketplace’ will take place on January 10-12, 2003, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Building upon 2002’s inaugural show, Pro Production 2003 will offer expanded educational opportunities and social functions, in addition to the trade show portion of the event.

The event is designed to bring together the world of live event production professionals who coordinate, produce and manage major concert tours, sporting events, political conventions, touring Broadway shows, large corporate meetings and tradeshow exhibits. Suppliers and purchasers of services and products used in these environments also attend this annual winter gathering. Over 1,600 attendees from 33 states and 10 foreign countries visited the first Pro Production convention in January last year.

(Ruth Rossington)

 
Places left on ISCE’s Basic Acoustics course
Friday, 7 June 2002

The Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers has informed PLASA Media that there are still a few places available on a two-day course on Basic Acoustics for Sound System Professionals, being presented by Dr Roy Lawrence on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th June 2002 at the Gardens Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester. Further information is available from Cathy Mackenzie at the ISCE, tel: 0151 639 5211 Fax: 0151 639 5212, or at the e-mail address below.

(Lee Baldock)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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