International News

WAKEFIELD, U.K. — More than 50 students taking part in Backstage Academy’s 16-month live events production course have been getting hands-on experience with an assist from industry partners including lighting gear manufacturers and rental companies. Graduates earn a Foundation Degree in Live Events Production, which was independently written in collaboration with industry practitioners (validated by The University of Bolton) and places emphasis on practical experience.

BROADBEACH, Australia — The ULA Group installed more than 500 Anolis LED fixtures within the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), including Anolis ArcLine and ArcSource full color spectrum units.

GEEL, Belgium — Lighting Designer and operator David Smeets of TCF placed Robe moving lights at the heart of his design for the Main Stage at the 2013 Reggae Geel festival, held Aug. 2-3. Headliners included Pentateuch, Iba Mahr & Dubtronic Kru, Ironites, Freddie McGregor and many more.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — LD Declan Randall is using Philips Vari-Lite’s VL3500 Spot Luminaires and customized gobos for the Johannesburg production of Starlight Express. Theatre lighting supplier Gearhouse Splitbeam provided the fixtures for the production, which played at The Mandela, Joburg Theatre.

ZURICH, Switzerland — The 22^nd Street Parade drew nearly 1 million revelers into downtown Zurich on Aug. 10 with Bob Sinclar, Fedde Le Grand, Nicky Romero, Westbam, NERVO and others performing on eight large stages, 30 music trucks and additional areas next to the festival site.  Laserworld added to the visuals at the event.

DURBAN, South Africa — For a June 14 Zakes Bantwini concert at the Durban ICC commemorating the June 16 1976 Soweto Uprising, a.k.a. Youth Day, Simon Hampton from production company Black Coffee handled both the set and lighting design and included Clay Paky fixtures in the rig. Black Coffee worked with Mayonie Productions and the Ethekwini Municipality on the show.