The seniors at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma celebrated their final days of school in style. The school hosted a lavish prom at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, complete with 37 Chauvet fixtures. Randy Lundy, owner of Party Allstars, created a lively atmosphere using one Scorpion™ 3D RGB and two Eclipse™ RGB lasers, one Cubix™ effect light, 20 SlimPAR™ 38 and four COLORrail™ wash lights, and four Q-Spot™ 260-LED and four Q-Spot™ 160-LED moving heads. He also used ShowXpress™ software to program and control the entire system. Lundy, aka DJ Ran-D, DJ RO’ and DJ Vixen kept the dance floor packed and the students had the time of their life. Party AllStars specializes in proms, Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, Sweet 16′s and a variety of school events ranging from elementary to university level.
“Lighting played a huge part in enhancing the event,” Lundy said. “ShowXpress™ allows us to match the music and set the mood. The director of the venue said our light show was more impressive than most of the bands and DJs who perform there.”
Joey Crochet, aka DJ Crochet, is a DJ in Oceanport, N.J. who works for A & S Sound. The DJ entertainment and event production company specializes in weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16 parties, school dances, karaoke, theatrical productions, equipment rentals and more. Read on and get to know more about your fellow DJ.
1. How and when did you get started as a DJ? I became interested in DJing a few years ago when I started experimenting with Virtual DJ — I wasn’t very good. As time went on, I progressed significantly and was offered a job with A & S Sound in Oakhurst, N.J.
2. Is this a full-time job or something you do on the side?
I am a full-time student, so DJing is currently a side job. However, I would love for it to be a full-time job.
3. What fixtures are included in your setup?
I use SlimPAR™ 56 wash lights for uplighting, Q-Spot™ 260-LED moving heads for effects and COLORstrip™ linear wash lights to illuminate my facade.
4. What is your favorite fixture?
My favorite fixture would have to be Q-Spot™ 260-LED — they’re very bright and an overall great fixture. Moving heads are my favorite type of fixtures because they have so many features and are able to do so much, especially with the capabilities and control ShowXpress™ provides.
5. Best advice you can give someone just getting started in the DJ industry?
If someone gives you advice, take it in and don’t forget it. The reason I am where I am today is because I work with some very talented people. I take their advice to hear t in order to become a better DJ. Also, use Chauvet ShowXpress™ to run your lighting — it’s one of the best programs out there.
Various CHAUVET® DJ and CHAUVET® Professional fixtures were part of a demo at The Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center in Virginia, conducted by Dobil Laboratories, Inc. audiovisual systems company. Dobil staff created different themes through lighting in one of the hotel’s conference rooms, using CHAUVET® DJ SlimPAR™ 64 fixtures and SlimPAR™ Tri 12 IRC low-profile LED PAR lights, and CHAUVET® Professional COLORdash™ Batten Tri linear wash lights, next to Q-Spot™ 560-LED and Q-Spot™ 260-LED moving head lights. The light shows were programmed with CHAUVET® DJ ShowXpress™ software. Here are some colorful photos:
Formed in 2005, Anima Inside is a rock band from Ecuador that has achieved recognition in its native country and internationally. Anima Inside is the first band in Ecuador to release an album —“Reflection,” launched by EMI Music— that became a Gold Disc. Its members shared the stage with groups like Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, Mr. Big and more.
1. How did you come up with the name for the band, Anima Inside?
We were looking for a name that describes what we do as a band, and since every song has a story, we did a democracy vote. The best name we found was “Anima Inside.” “Anima” means “soul” in Latin and Italian. We added “inside” to complete the intention: “soul inside.” Two of us are Italian descendants, so in the end we all liked it.
2. How many members do you have in the band (please give the names and role)?
We have six members: Juan Jose Erazo, bass; Marcos Benalcazar, guitar; Santiago Segura, guitar; Alex Arroyo, drums; Fabrizio Torres, keyboards and Riccardo De La Cuesta, lead voice and guitars.
3. What type of music do you play? Where do you perform?
We can define our music as mainstream rock. We play in every type of venues, from theatres to nightclubs, in front of crowds of 500 people to 20,000 people.
4. What CHAUVET® fixtures are included in your setup? How many of each do you have?
We acquired a nice selection of CHAUVET® fixtures from ImportMusic of Ecuador and we really love the quality of each light. The texture and the capacity are a key factor in our setup and right now we have: 60 SlimPAR™ 56 wash lights, eight Q-Spot™ 260-LED and Intimidator™ Spot LED 350 moving yokes and eight Intimidator™ Wash LED 150 compact moving heads. We are very satisfied with all of these fixtures and use them for musical textures, solos and for their awesome gobo projections.
5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
The lights travel with us, and they are set up the way we need to for every show. It only takes about an hour to mount them and for the breakdown.
6. Complete this thought: A show without lights is like…
…a show without dynamics, without soul. Music is everything, and to set the felling every detail plays a role — especially the lights.
Brothers Gow is a five-piece band that plays a mix of rock, funk, hip hop, jazz and reggae. The group formed in Flagstaff, Ariz. in 2007 and currently tours throughout the West Coast. In addition to their creative improvisation, they are also known for their extensive light show, which includes more than 30 intelligent lighting fixtures programmed by Carson Church and Matt Collier. Read on and get to know more about them.
1. How did you come up with the name of your band?
The name Brothers Gow came about in 2006 when our lead guitarist and keyboardist went to a concert where you had to be 21 to get in. Kyle wasn’t 21, so they both used the same ID. Alex’s middle name is Gow, and after the bouncer reluctantly let them in with the same ID, the boys exclaimed “Yeah, we’re the brothers Gow!” After that, the name stuck because of its originality and also because we have all become like brothers over the years.
2. How many members are there?
Brothers Gow is comprised of five members: Kyle Merrill (guitar and vocals), Ethan Johnson (guitar and vocals), Carson Church (bass and vocals), Alex Bastine (keyboard and vocals) and Nathan Walsh-Haines (drums).
3. What type of music do you play?
Brothers Gow plays a melting pot of genres. With the driving sound of rock ‘n’ roll, complimented with influences of funk, jazz, reggae, dance grooves and progressive jamming, a Brothers Gow concert is like nothing you have ever seen, heard or experienced. Originally from Flagstaff, Ariz., we spent a year in the Bay area and settled in San Diego. There is a great local and national music scene, and we play at great local venues including Winstons, House of Blues and other great local venues. We also travel up and down the West Coast where we have built a great fan base in Oregon, Arizona and throughout California. We are touring throughout California and up to Oregon in September, so click here for upcoming dates.
4. What CHAUVET® fixtures are included in your setup?
Carson, who bought all of our lights, shares the same mentality I do with lighting: intelligent lighting adds a whole new dimension to live performances that music fans typically only get at larger, more expensive venues. We love the originality of our rig and the all positive attention it draws for the band. Our setup includes the following fixtures: four Q-Spot™ 260-LED, four MiN™ Spot RGBW, two Q-Spot™ 150-LED, two MiN™ Spot RGBW, two 4BAR™ and two Mini Strobe™ LED. 5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
Every fixture has a clamp attached and is set up at the venue. We have assembled our rig more times than I can count, so now it only takes about an hour from start to finish, including my lighting desk.
6. A show without lights is like…
A fish out of water — it looks really uncomfortable and ugly.
Jason Hadjoglou, owner of Ages Events, had the pleasure of lighting — what some might consider to be the most enjoyable gig of the year — the final audition for the New York Jets Flight Crew cheerleading squad. The audition, which took place in the team’s locker room, used four CHAUVET® DJ SlimPAR™ Pro RGBA wash lights, two Q-Spot™ 260-LED moving heads and two LED Followspot 75 spotlights to light the anxious candidates.
Mission Imposter is a four-member band based in Houston, Texas who uses CHAUVET® fixtures to illuminate their performances. The group caters to the greater Houston area and will occasionally travel elsewhere to entertain classic rock lovers. Read on and get to know more about Mission Imposter.
1. What is the name of the band?
Mission Imposter is a play on the movie “Mission Impossible” and imposter implies cover band.
2. How many members are there?
The band consists of four members: Jerry (lead vocals), Jeff (lead guitar and vocals), Randy (bass, pedal keys and vocals), eRock (drums, pads, sequences and vocals). Barry handles the sound and lighting for all of the band’s performances. The band members are all talented, veteran musicians with day jobs and an unending love for performing live. Jerry’s vocals rival some of the biggest names in the industry, Jeff’s guitar work is like perfect scores on Guitar Hero — tight 3- and 4-part harmonies everywhere and solid bass and drum work for an amazing all-around sound. They often sound like far more than four members.
3. What type of music do you play?
Mission Impossible plays classic rock and classic variety.
4. What CHAUVET® fixtures are included in your setup?
The band uses five COLORado™ 1-Quad Tour wash lights for front lighting and highlighting performers. Additionally, four Intimidator™ Scan LED 200 scanners and a Q-Spot™ 260-LED moving head, which are all mounted to truss, create back spotting on performers and project audience eye candy. The COLORado™ 1-Quad Tour wash lights are amazing. They are so bright that we have to throttle them back to balance with the other fixtures. They also produce beautiful smooth colors that really look great live.
5. Are they permanently installed somewhere or do you set them up for each performance?
We spend about 2 ½ hours loading in and setting up and 1 ½ hours breaking down and loading out.
6. Complete this thought: A show without lights is like…..
Kissing your sister. If you close your eyes it may be great, but if you open them, something’s definitely missing.
The recent Detonate Indoor Festival featured loads of CHAUVET® gear and the hottest drum and bass acts around. Sub Focus, David Rodigan, Skream and more performed under (or in front of) CHAUVET® Professional MVP™ 18 modular video panels, CHAUVET® Professional Q-Spot™ 260-LED and CHAUVET® Professional Q-Wash™ 260-LED moving heads, CHAUVET® DJ Intimidator™ Scan LED 300 scanners, CHAUVET® Professional COLORdash™ Accent, CHAUVET® Professional COLORado™ 1 Tour, CHAUVET® Professional COLORdash™ Par Tri, CHAUVET® DJ SlimPAR™ 56, CHAUVET® DJ COLORband™ Pix, CHAUVET® DJ COLORband™ Tri wash lights, and CHAUVET® DJ Hemisphere™ 5 effect lights. Check out these photos from The Forum (one of eight stages in four venues at the festival).
Congratulations to our July Facebook Fan of the Month, Noah Lis. Lis, who is a senior at a small state university in Mass., is a local entertainer, singer, songwriter and musician. He provides entertainment for more than 140 events per year and is intrigued by live concert productions.
“I consider myself to be a bit of a “gear nut.” It is amazing to see the dynamics and energy produced by a talented group of musicians, good sound, vibrant lighting and an excited audience.” Lis said.
1. Favorite CHAUVET® light/product.
My favorite CHAUVET® light product has to be my Q-Spot™ 260-LED. They are bright enough to cut through any amount of wash I have on stage, have smooth movement and feature a number of different gobos and effects that never seem to get old. They are only limited to the creativity of their operator.
2. Favorite CHAUVET® YouTube video.
My favorite is the Q-Wash™ 560Z-LED product video. I own these fixtures and chose this video because it really demonstrates the finesse, power and professionalism that went into the construction of this fixture.
3. Favorite DJ.
I’m not huge into the DJ scene but I can certainly appreciate the work they do. I prefer seeing live music and three of my favorite artists, are Elton John, Billy Joel, and Robbie Williams. They have spoken to me through my own music and song writing.
4. Favorite event/nightclub with lights.
Lighting the Christian rock group IONA. The band came over from the UK for a North American tour and gave me free reign to program scenes and movements. The show ended up being a huge success.
5. Favorite tip for new CHAUVET® DJs.
Go with CHAUVET® — they are the best bang for your buck. When I provide lighting, my philosophy is ‘the brighter the better.’
6. Complete this sentence: A show without lights is like…
A show without lights is like the 4th of July with no fireworks.
