Europe - CUK Audio’s retail sales channel manager, Steve Barton, has just completed – and won - a gruelling 2,500-mile rally across Europe to raise money for the motor industry charity, BEN. A total of 28 teams took part in the event organised by Bilstein Group UK which took them through 10 countries in seven days via some of Europe’s most beautiful – and challenging – driving routes.
Barton and his team-mate, Nik Edwards drove a CUK Audio-branded 2005 MG ZT-T diesel estate (don’t be fooled, they were pretty fast, aggressive drives in their time!) to take part in the Banger Rally that left Marden in Kent on 15 September to cross the finish line seven days later at Bilstein’s new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Markham Vale.
Sponsored by CUK Audio, the vehicle sported logos from several manufacturers in CUK’s MI/retail portfolio, namely dB Technologies, HEDD, ADK microphone, Caymon & Procab. The route took Team CUK through some of Europe’s most difficult and spectacular driving terrain including the Stelvio pass in Italy, the Grossglockner and Hahntennjoch passes in Austria and the Butter Tubs pass in Yorkshire. So far, the event has raised over £25,000 for BEN, a charity dedicated to the support of persons and their families who have worked or are working in the automotive industry.
(Jim Evans)

UK - Martin Audio has announced a series of webinars that will kick-start a new monthly education programme for its bestselling product ranges and software platforms.
A major development in Martin Audio’s training initiative, these live sessions will initially be conducted by members of its product support group and in time start to introduce guest speakers featuring end users who will share their experiences, insights and expertise.
These sessions will be offered to audio professionals wishing to leverage Martin Audio’s technologies and optimise their advanced tools for problem solving in field applications. These webinars can be accessed from anywhere in the world, and all sessions are available free-of-charge.
Martin Audio’s director of marketing, James King, commented, “Our brand has started to become pervasive around the world and it follows that we need to accelerate our education offering to reach these new end users and to maximise learning for system integrators and rental companies of our products and software platforms.
“The sessions start with our new Wavefront Precision optimised line arrays – sales of which have outstripped all our expectations – and are followed up with sessions on Display software, CDD and O-Line as well as topics like noise pollution management.”
(Jim Evans)

USA - The deadline for ordering 2017 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards is just one week away. These cards were created especially for Behind the Scenes and are a great way to spread holiday cheer while bringing help and hope to your colleagues in need. The order deadline is 29 September - so place your order now at www.behindthescenescharity.org/holidaycards!
Three card ordering options are offered: personalised cards with a company logo and custom message, card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, and electronic versions for delivery by email. All proceeds benefit the Behind the Scenes charity which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured.
This year’s designs are particularly evocative of the season and include the work of four students - Taylor Brooks, William Gerton, Delayne Henderson, and Cassidy Woodburn - from the Fine Arts Academy at Mt. Vernon Senior High School in Mount Vernon, Indiana. Robert Mendoza returns with another of his popular whimsical creations and Brian Fockler contributes a striking card featuring the BTS ghostlight.
For more information about Behind the Scenes, to donate, or to apply for a grant, visit www.behindthescenedscharity.org.
(Jim Evans)

UK - SLX has announced the launch of its new student bursary scheme. The scheme is aimed at second and third year lighting design, technical and event management students across England and Wales, providing five successful candidates with equipment, support and opportunities throughout the academic year.
SLX has supported and sponsored students in many ways through its history, employing student casuals, offering sponsorships and apprenticeships across the business.
Jo Sunners, business development manager at SLX describes the inspiration behind the scheme: “We’ve decided after a few months of consulting with drama schools and industry professionals to launch a new way of supporting the next generation of talent in our industry, something myself and SLX are extremely passionate about. I’m really excited to work with and support the successful applicants in the coming months.”
The bursary will be awarded annually going forward and will help the students who can best display a passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the industry, to grow their network and increase the tools at their fingertips.
Applications are already open for the bursary and the deadline is 11 October, after interviews of the shortlisted students have taken place, the recipients will be announced. The application form is now available at www.SLX.co.uk.
(Jim Evans)

UK - On its first ever public outing at PLASA 2017, Le Mark’s new PAL Label Challenge was attempted by some of the shows strongest visitors and exhibitors, but remained completely undefeated.
“The PAL Label Challenge is so much fun. It gets really competitive between friends and colleagues but so far, no one has made it budge.” Said Le Mark’s marketing & strategy manager, Mark Gibbons.
What’s the PAL Label Challenge? Le Mark wanted an entertaining way to demonstrate the raw strength of the adhesive they use in selected PAL Road Case Labels. With the help of with 5 Star Cases, they designed a set of flight case plates, fitted with heavy duty handles and stuck them together using the very same super-strength foam adhesive used in their foam-backed PAL Labels. The challenge is to see if anyone has the strength to pull them apart.
With no one successfully completing the Challenge at PLASA, the search continues…
(Jim Evans)

UK - Storm Ltd. of the UK has optimised its large inventory of ProPlex Data Distribution units, installing them in rugged, touring racks, a solution for their work on productions throughout the UK and Europe.
“ProPlex provides a truly versatile and reliable solution for our networking demands,” says Storm’s hire coordinator, James Price. “Much of our work involves ‘rolling’ entire systems in and out of venues quickly, and by installing ProPlex in dedicated racks we have our entire networking ‘brain’ in a single package. Some of our racks include the GBS 10-port, Opto-Splitter 2x8, and IQ DMX-Ethernet nodes. We also have IQ Minis for truss-mounting. Everything is wired with ProPlex cable, making our network arsenal ready for anything.”
Storm’s director, Dave Knapp adds, “The ProPlex software and devices are intuitive and very easy to use, as well as powerful, reliable, and bullet-proof. The flexibility offered by the IQ Two and ProPlex Opto-Splitters makes data routing via both hard-switchable and soft-patched universe outputs extremely easy when dealing with corporate events and other rental applications. We have racks going to Prague and currently at a corporate event in Vienna, as well as on the UK theatre tour of Dirty Dancing. Loving the kit and of course, the support from TMB.”
Since 1996, Storm has provided full technical production services including, lighting, rigging, sound, video, and staging throughout the UK and Europe. Serving a wide range of events from small conferences to large arena shows and tours, Storm al

UK - ER Productions is an innovative laser specialist providing cutting edge laser products and choreography to some of the most iconic shows internationally.
“We use Le Mark because of their good quality products; not just flight case labels but other items we have ordered. Le Mark's Hannah Tuoy in business development is always speedy with our requests and keeps us updated as to our orders,” said Hannah Williams, production assistant at ER Productions.
The PAL case labels that ER Production bought were used on flight cases, which contain the kit required to make the show a success, and go all over the world to the variety of shows they work on.
“Each case is clearly labelled which aids us not only when packing the kit in the warehouse, but also at the gig for set up & de-rig,” explained Hannah.
Le Mark’s PAL case labels are not restricted by layout, size, colour or shape.
(Jim Evans)

South Africa - Not tip-toeing around what’s wrong and very wrong in the Rainbow Nation, South Africa, Mamba Republic is a rapidly-paced satirical sketch theatre comedy which reunites the talents of Ben Voss (Beauty Ramapelepele) and John van de Ruit (Spud). This brutally amusing production, from its opening at Durban's Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre through to its performances on the Main programme at the National Arts Festival in July, and its current run at The Theatre on the Square in Sandton ending 19th August, has continually had its audiences in stitches.
The Mamba Republic team generously donated R13 000 towards the SOS Charity Fund from ticket sales.
With their blend of sharp wit, hopeless optimism and clever characterization, the duo sank their fangs into the fiascos and foibles of South African life.
“As a theatre show, Mamba Republic is very pleased and proud to be pledging support to SOS,” commented Julia Clarence, from the Mamba Republic team. “We became aware of the charity through conversations with long term colleague and friend Michael Taylor-Broderick. He offered us his superb eye in an advisory capacity and in turn, we decided to pledge some money to the charity as a thank you. Michael's vision has been key to the look and aesthetic of our show, and we are grateful to have had his wisdom on our team. It is not often that theatre show can find such a direct avenue to give back to charity, so we are delighted that this venture was made possible by Michael and DWR Distribution.”
The SOS Charity

Australia - TDC – Technical Direction Company supplies innovative video technologies to high profile live events, light festivals, TV productions and live performance.
The recent TDC Open House held at TDC’s Alexandria Headquarters on 2-4 August enabled production professionals to get their hands on the latest technologies, talk to expert TDC teams about how these new tools can be used in future projects, and to peek at the latest tools and technologies coming out of worldwide R&D labs.
“While we’ve always been known for using the latest video technologies in innovative ways to realise our clients’ projects, we’re now getting ahead of the game by developing and deploying technology such as automation, motion tracking and real time content generation that will be the future of live entertainment,” said Michael Hassett, managing director at TDC. “Throughout the open house event, our clients rebooked for double appointments and brought their important clients with them. The audience included many of Australia’s leading production people from TV, corporate, theatre, artistic groups, graphics houses along with eager students from NIDA and the Australian Film and television institute.”
These VIP guests had the opportunity to see some of the world’s latest and best video technologies.
TDC has expanded their capabilities to include show pre-visualisation, motion tracking, automation with technology demoed by TDC experts using d3, Notch, Blacktrax, the latest UDX projectors from Barco, along with TDC’s broadcast OB capabili

UK - Event design and technical production company Maestra London has expanded its team with three new staff.
Leonie Cumisky joins as PA and office manager, Paul Hayes comes on-board as assistant technical manager and Frank Uhl is the new warehouse manager.
Says Maestra London director Justin Hammond, “We’ve had a fantastic year and it’s very exciting to strengthen the team with more excellent personnel. Leonie, Paul and Frank come from a diversity of backgrounds and their dynamics, vitality and excellent personalities will be a great asset to our collective vision and goals.”
Leonie graduated from Goldsmith’s College, London, with a BA in Media & Modern Literature and previously worked for over three years as office manager for a leading UK design practice. Prior to that, she freelanced in the worlds of advertising and digital media.
Paul’s previous work experience includes gaining a degree in Music Production & Business at the University of Westminster and since has worked freelance for a number of different event and technical production companies and music venues, honing his technical skills.
Frank attended a Jazz conservatoire in France after which he completed a BA in Music Performance in London and then focused on audio and music production. He’s also taught world music production and digital drumming at West Herts College.
(Jim Evans)

USA - At iWeiss, ProPower means continuity in more ways than one. Their oldest ProPower Rack Power Distribution (RPD) rack has been in continuous service for 17 years, in the most challenging and hostile theatrical conditions. With over 1,500 ProPower racks in service across North America, the story of this reliable workhorse product is worth telling.
“After 17 years of continuous use in the construction and renovation of venues, amidst all the associated debris, dust and dirt, our oldest ProPower rack still functions flawlessly,” says Richard Parks, VP of rigging and installation at iWeiss. “I can’t praise this product enough. It always saves us time and money with a single tie that the crew can work without an electrician, and it always passes the OSHA and AHJ inspections.”
Parks adds, “This rack has supported dozens of crews, rigging, welding and hoisting, year after year. It’s been used to power everything from power tools to sophisticated motion control and stage machinery. We’ve gotten more than our money’s worth from our ‘Old Faithful’ ProPower distros.”
For 40 years, New Jersey’s iWeiss has provided quality drapery and rigging solutions to the entertainment industry. Offering a variety of products and services, including project management; draping; installation; steel fabrication; backdrops; rigging; automation; and more, iWeiss takes great pride in superior performance and personalized service.
Custom-configurable ProPower power distribution systems offer a comprehensive range of distro panels incorporatin

Ireland - The annual Galway International Arts Festival is one of Ireland’s largest cultural events. This year’s line-up features musical performances by Dublin’s own Gavin James, England’s Passenger, original Beach Boy Brian Wilson, and many others. Lighting for the eclectic series of nightly concerts in the festival Big Top is provided by Light Source, with data networking by ProPlex.
“We have used ProPlex cable and devices for every show over many years,” says Light Source general manager, Ciaran Donnelly. “This gig has two GBS 10-port switches, four Opto-Splitters including two Minis in the truss, and an IQ Two 1616 16-universe DMX node. Tying the system together are over 200m of ProPlex Fibre, and 200m of ProPlex Cat 5e and DMX cables.” Donnelly added, “Additionally, we are using 200 meters of ProCable Multicable, fanouts, and 16 amp TRS mains cables.”
Light Source system tech, Brendan Cummins, adds: “The flexibility offered by the IQ Two and Opto-Splitters makes data routing via both hard-switchable and soft-patched universe outputs extremely easy when dealing with touring bands and artists. The ProPlex devices and software are intuitive and very easy to use, as well as powerful, reliable, and bullet-proof.”
(Jim Evans)

USA - Theatre Projects has announced that industry veteran Robert Young is rejoining the company after eight years away. Robert has over 25 years of experience as a designer and theatre consultant, and he’ll be returning to help the design team create dynamic, versatile, and engaging performance spaces across the globe.
Robert began his career in theatre consulting with Theatre Projects in 1999 and spent the next decade designing and specifying theatre systems and managing the technical production department. His work contributed to the creation of more than 150 projects - including many award-winning and acclaimed performance spaces. During this time, Robert established a reputation for taking a hands-on approach to designing innovative, flexible theatre equipment systems utilizing the latest theatre technology.
In 2009, Robert joined the Acoustics, Audiovisual, and Theatre Consulting practice within Arup, leading the firm’s West Coast operations for Theatre Consulting. He established himself not only as an inventive designer, but also as a talented project manager capable of delivering large-scale projects efficiently.
“I look forward to bringing my knowledge and skill set back to Theatre Projects,” Robert said. “I’ve gained a global perspective, a wealth of leadership experience, and created some remarkable performance spaces along the way. I’m thrilled to come back and join a team solely focused on delivering the best venues for their clients - Theatre Projects.”
(Jim Evans)

UK - Flight case hardware and 19-inch racking manufacturer Penn Elcom continues to invest in all its facilities to ensure the production process stays efficient, and meeting the increased demands following the launch of global online sales portal, pennelcomonline.com in January 2016.
A range of new engineering equipment has been installed at the Washington, Tyne & Wear HQ over the last 18 months, including new metal brake presses, plastic injection moulding machines, riveting assembly lines and machinery to enhance processes like wood laminating, PVC / HPL, zinc plating and powder coating.
There have also been upgrades to the warehousing and distribution departments.
Consolidating all these key manufacturing processes under one roof and minimising sub-contracting enables Penn Elcom to have a high degree of control over its products, which guarantees meticulous quality control and the high standards for which the brand is renowned.
“It also makes the company versatile, agile and responsive to client needs,” explained David Brown, MD of Penn Elcom UK.
The 105,000sq.ft Washington plant is divided between manufacturing and warehousing and currently employs 133 full time staff, out of a total of 194 in the UK. The others are based at the Hastings facility in East Sussex, giving Penn excellent coverage and fast deliveries all over the UK and beyond.
The company also has major manufacturing bases and distribution centres in Mexico and China. These four facilities are the bedrock of a highly successful worldwide trade operation.