Silk performers demonstrated incredible skill and strength at the Cannon United Kingdom Awards recently. The acrobatic show used a Stage Technologies automated winch to give greater height and movement to one of the silk performers.

The awards were held at the East Winter Gardens in Canary Wharf, London, a beautiful glass building with a very high arched ceiling, ideal for an aerial performance. Stage Technologies worked Acrobat Productions, a visual and physical artistes' consultancy, which wanted to add something special to the Cannon Award by including the automated effect. Stage Technologies provided a BigTow290 performer flying winch, controlled by a simple Saxis control unit and handheld controller. For more information, visit the Stage Technologies website.

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How many RC4Magic receiver-dimmers can be used in one show? There's no limit! Ask Cirque du Soleil who is hiding small RC4Magic DMX2dim receivers in costumes all over a new show. Which show? Sorry -- that's a secret. Let's just say the circus is now more "magical" than ever.

RC4 Wireless is supplying the lighting equipment for the new show. To find out more information about the RC4Magic Wireless DMX and Dimming system, check out www.theatrewireless.com; call toll-free 866-258-4577; or e-mail moreinfo@theatrewireless.com.

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Thern Inc., a leading manufacturer of winches, cranes, and rigging systems, recently announced a partnership with Hall Stage North America (HSNA) to form a new network of distributors and installers serving the theatre rigging industry. Created by Hall Stage Limited, a United Kingdom (UK) company, HSNA was designed to provide a comprehensive distributor network serving the United States and Canadian markets.

HSNA has an extensive catalog of over 1,200 items. Coupled with Thern's product offering of clew winches, roll drops, and line shaft and drum winches, the new venture will provide customers with a full menu of rigging options. Products will be available from stock via a network of suppliers and installers across the U.S. and Canada beginning in the second quarter. The new venture was announced at USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

For more Hall Stage information visit www.hallstage.com or contact rick@hallstage-inc.com. Learn more about Thern products at www.thern.com or via e-mail at info@thern.com or call 800-843-7648.

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TOMCAT USA celebrated 15 years of in-depth training courses for professionals in the entertainment industry with a sold-out Hoist and Rigging Workshop in Midland, Texas.

Top-notch instructors and 82 participants from all over the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom were brought together for the four-day workshop. This year also marked the third annual Advanced Hoist and Truss Workshop with 10 participants from around the United States.

Don Dimitroff of Columbus McKinnon coached participants through the disassembly and reassembly of a Lodestar chain hoist. Rocky Paulson, recently retired president of Stage Rigging Inc., taught safe rigging techniques, while Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances gave instruction on fall protection practices and equipment. Training was rounded out by Keith Bohn's truss class on design, usage, and theory.

The traditional "factory night" at TOMCAT USA featured a tour of the facility, demonstrations, and graduation ceremony.

The Advanced Workshop was brought back by popular demand after its successful debut in 2005. The Advanced Workshop is a two-day course with more in depth training for those who just can't get enough.

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