This Thursday, May 15, leading UK entertainment lighting supplier The White Light Group will be holding an Open Day at its headquarters in Wimbledon, south London. Originally conceived as another chance for people to explore White Light's base following the company's move there almost 18 months ago, and for customers to bid White Light's hire director Mike Crossman farewell as he leaves the company on a round-the-world tour, the Open Day is now expanding into something of a mini trade show.
"This will be the third Open Day we've held here in Wimbledon," says White Light's general manager, Bryan Raven. "The first two proved hugely successful in letting people explore the facilities we have here and allowing them to play with the latest lighting products. A number of manufacturer's representatives were around on both previous occasions; this time, we thought, who better to demonstrate the very latest products than the people who actually make them?"
As well as staff members from all of the White Light Group companies, including White Light Hire, White Light Sales, The Moving Light Company, The Service Company, Colourhouse, Modelbox, and Enliten, the Open Day will allow visitors to explore the latest products from a variety of suppliers and manufacturers including Blackout (with its new LED starcloths), E\T\C (with the latest in large-format projection equipment), Howard Eaton Lighting Limited (liquid nitrogen effects), Le Maitre (pyrotechnics and low smoke), Lee Filters (including its glass color ranges), Look Solutions (smoke machines), Prolyte & Lite Structures (trussing), Pulsar (showing its LED products, now available in White Light's hire stock), RADlite (with its video control systems), Rainbow (color scrollers), Robert Juliat, Rosco (with the ImagePro and other new products), Selecon (with its range of spotlights), Stage Technologies (showing its Pathway flying system), Zero 88 (with its Frog range), and others. The Moving Light Company will be showing the latest moving lights from Coemar, Martin, and High End and will also be giving visitors a chance to compare the very latest lighting consoles from grandMA, Compulite, ETC, Strand, and Flying Pig side-by-side and hands-on.
One of the highlights of the day, weather permitting, will be the chance to ride in a hot-air balloon, to raise money for Light Relief; in particular, lighting designer and friend of White Light, Mark Ridler, who was recently involved in a serious road accident. The day will also include music from the South London Jazz Orchestra, food, drink, and chat. The event starts at 2pm and runs on into the evening, and all are welcome. "We look forward to seeing everyone there," says Bryan Raven.
More information, including the latest details of companies demonstrating their products, and information on traveling to White Light, can be found at www.whitelight.ltd.uk/openday, or by telephoning White Light at 208-254-4800.