News

WISONSIN DELLS, WI  – There aren’t many towns of 1,200 that attract over 4 million tourists a year, but then few things about Wisconsin Dells are ordinary. Billing itself as the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” this rural hamlet is home to 20 waterparks, including the largest in the United States. For drier fun, there’s also go cart racing, safaris, skydiving and similar attractions. Knuckleheads Bowling and Indoor Amusement Park fits right into the fun-filled spirt of Wisconsin Dells.

KNOXVILLE, TN — After a summer of the fairs/festival circuit, country artist Martina McBride’s new tour design was seen at a variety of U.S. arenas and theatres in October.  Along the road, McBride is following the mantra of her “Love Unleashed Tour” by generously supporting local food pantries and charities for those in need. The tour’s lighting designer and operator, André Huff, sought out reliable control by specifying Avolites’ Sapphire Touch console along with an Avolites Ai media server.

SAN FRANCISCO — Olivier Rochette, 42, was killed during setup for Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia in San Francisco Nov. 29. The accident, involving a telescopic lift, was first reported to emergency responders at about 6:45 pm, according to reports. Rochette, son of Cirque du Soleil co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix, was rushed to a hospital with a head injury but died at 10:37 p.m. He had been working as a technician on the show at the time of the accident.

VENTURA, Ca. – Total Structures is very pleased to announce its latest training event which will be held in Ventura, California, during the month of January.  A wonderful time to be visiting the west coast with average temperatures in Ventura at that time of year being around 66 degrees! This five day ETCP recognized workshop will include instruction and advice on the safe use of outdoor structures as well as an explanation of the American National Standards ANSI E1.21 – 2013 (Entertainment Technology – Temporary Structures Used for Technical Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events)

LOS ANGELES – Zylight, a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative LED lighting solutions, will host an open house on Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m. at the company’s offices at 10718 McCune Ave. in Los Angeles. The company also announced its 2016 Holiday Rebate Program, which offers up to $200 to U.S. and Canadian customers on select products purchased online or through authorized dealers through Dec. 31.

COON RAPIDS, MN – Moisés Kaufman’s moving drama 33 Variations follows the transformative journey of a musicologist, who, after being diagnosed with ALS, sets out to learn why Beethoven felt compelled to write 33 variations of an otherwise unheralded Anton Diabelli waltz. Lighting such an ethereal production requires a design that’s as subtle, varied and delicately balanced as the Kaufman’s beautifully crafted play itself.

QUEBEC, CANADA. – The city of Rouyn-Noranda in western Québec, Canada, is proud of its beautifully-designed city hall building. Serving as the administrative building for the region’s municipal government as well as an important cultural gathering place, its distinctive architectural design also makes it an important city landmark. In order to highlight the building’s modern architecture after dark, as well as Citizenship and Cooperation Square, Rouyn-Noranda’s city government sought a dynamic exterior lighting scheme.

NYC – Behind the Scenes announces the creation of a new granting program, the BTS Counseling Fund, which is designed to provide early access to mental health and addiction counseling for entertainment technology professionals by assisting with the associated financial burdens. Behind the Scenes was approached earlier this year by Karen Sherman with the idea of creating the fund, “I’m a choreographer whose day job is as a stage technician; I’ve worked both sides of the stage for over 20 years.”

NASHVILLE – The Moody Blues wrapped another successful run with a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites. Lighting designer Mick Thornton utilized a rig featuring Robe Pointes, Bandit’s exclusive GRNLite Moving Washes and Pars, as well as 80 Claypaky Mirage Panels controlled with a grandMA1 console.

SYRACUSE, NY – The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Board of Directors has committed an unprecedented $500,000 to increase the impact of some of the organization’s most important programs, including Rigging Safety, Gateway Diversity and Innovation Research Grants.

SPRINGFIELD, MA – For musical acts performing at the 2016 Big E farm show in Springfield, MA, LD Spencer Lavoie used a rig that included Rogue fixtures and PVP S7 LED video panels from Chauvet Professional.