Sound Division spotlights burlesque star
The Sound Division Technical Event Production Team were recently seen again in action as the main equipment supplier when US 'burlesque' dancer, Dita Von Teese, gave an exclusive UK premier performance at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, Holborn.
The event was organised by The Hospital Events Company on behalf of their client, MAC Cosmetics, AIDS fund, which gives 100% of all monies raised on sales of their VIVAGlam lipstick, to support men, women and children living with AIDS. Since 1994, total global sales have raised £45 million with the current year's UK figure standing at over £2 million. A cheque was presented at the start of the evening by singer, Mica Paris.
Dita Von Teese, the 'official face' of MAC VIVAGlam, rode a huge 9ft 'bucking bronco' VIVAGlam model lipstick in a provocative burlesque dance piece which was watched by an appreciative and vocal audience.
Amongst the 600 capacity crowd, celebrities attending included Lilly Allen, Aerosmith's Steve Tyler, Donny Tourette and Pixie Geldof, 'Desperate Housewives' star Jesse Metcalf, actress Jaime Winston, Paul O'Grady, former S Club singer Tina Barrett and fashion designer, Gareth Pugh.
The Sound Division Group had been tasked with the challenge of a 'same day' set up, to be completed to an early rehearsal deadline and a specific brief which stressed the importance of lighting the venue interior to both evoke and reflect the change of mood from the stage performance to the subsequent party on the Ballroom dance floor.
A combination of 18 x PAR 64 short-nosed uplighters and 22 x PixelLine LED units were specified and installed in the entrance Reception leading through the Bar area and into the Ballroom itself, suffusing the interior walls and ceilings in a deep, crimson red glow.
Working to a prescribed technical 'rider', the Sound Division production team also built an entire stage extension, 7m (L) x 3m (W) x 5m (H), topped by a 10ft x 10ft platform 'riser' to provide reinforced support and allow an unrestricted audience view of Dita astride the 850 Kg 'bucking bronco'.
A 5m high, 4-leg 12" box trussing was supplied and erected to allow for curtain drapes to be hung and fully enclose the stage area. A Robe 1200E Bright Optic Colour Spot - projecting a large VIVAGlam logo neatly across the surface of the front stage curtain - greeted the arriving guests.
Dita's stage performance was smoothly tracked and powerfully illuminated by 2 Robert Juliat Foxie follow spots, operated by Sound Division engineers.
For the sound requirements of the post performance party, Sound Division supplied DJ control equipment. Technics 1210 turntables were accompanied by 2 x Pioneer CDJ 1000 Mk 3 CD Players and a DJM 800 mixer.
A 2.5 K PA comprising 4 x EV sxA360 stand-mounted loudspeakers, distributed the sound clearly and evenly throughout the Ballroom.
Selina Robson, Chief Organiser for The Hospital Events Company was extremely pleased with the outcome, commenting, "The Sound Division Group regularly provide technical event equipment and services to The Hospital Events Company for both their internal and outside productions. James (Project Manager) and Chris (Head of Events) did an amazing job… under very tight timelines, Sound Division delivered an exceptional quality of service, great response to testing situations and as always maintained a good sense of humour too!"
July 2007