In this, our issue dedicated to clubs and lounges and their technology, we've intentionally gone off course a bit to accommodate timely coverage of the new Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club. An enlightening visit to Infocomm took us, inevitably, to the doors of Mr. Wynn's latest achievement, where no detail is neglected, no luxury spared, and no amount of excess deemed excessive, so much so that we had to cover two aspects of its design. Outside, visitors are treated to one of four different shows on the half-hour at The Lake of Dreams, with lighting design by Patrick Woodruffe (p. 22). Inside, we find a theatre in the round housing Franco Dragone's Le Rêve, this month's cover story, with lighting design by Koert Vermeulen (p. 26). Both are a must-see if you're in Las Vegas, which, I know, is so rare in our business. (This is what sarcasm looks like in print, sans emoticons.)
But we haven't forgotten our intended focus. There are plenty of projects, gear, and discussion about clubs in this issue, as well.
And on the business end of things, fearless leader/associate publisher/editorial director David Johnson gives a report on the state of the industry (p. 52), based on feedback from a recent survey spanning readership of LD and sister publications Entertainment Design and SRO. The report hones in on extremely important issues facing our industry and where technology is going.
One final note: we're really pleased with the recent success of the 2005 Broadway Master Classes, which included an entirely new component, Projection Master Classes, in addition to those for sound and lighting. We had a record number of attendees and sponsors, so thanks to everyone for all the support, and kudos to our star-studded faculty of designers, as well as all the EDDY winners. For more info, visit our dedicated site: www.broadwaymasterclasses.com.
Enjoy the summer. Here's hoping it's endless.