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World Superyacht Awards
After a short sabbatical we are delighted to be working with Philip Talbot again. Philip’s shows have always been a pleasure and inspiration for us; he has actively encouraged our creativity at Astral so we were delighted to be asked to light The World Super Yacht Awards in May this year and are looking forward to being back at the Guildhall again for such an illustrious event. Click here for a link to Philip’s website where among his work you can see some of our previous productions with him www.talbotproductions.co.uk
Joy Of Sound
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A creative project that we were involved with in May was to work in collaboration with Will Longden at Joy of Sound to realise his vision of an inclusive arts project, promoting social and economic inclusion through music and the creative arts. The event was held at St Peters Church and Heritage centre in Vauxhall and was a huge success with musicians.
The event encompassed a very relaxed and creative atmosphere reminiscent of some earlier events that Astral have been involved in. Inclusive events are a subject that we are currently researching at Astral with a view to introducing all inclusive venues at other music events. Read more about Joy of Sound here www.joyofsound.net
The Lord Lieutenants Ball
In January 2009 Astral were delighted to be selected to light the Lord Lieutenants Ball on behalf of Kent Community Foundation. This particular event was especially delightful as it was close to our base in Medway. The event was held on a mezzanine floor of number 3 slip, built in 1838 this immense covered slip was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. The Historic Dockyard, former home and supporter of the Royal Navy’s shipbuilding activities for over 400 years is the site where HMS Victory and many other ships were built. The project was particularly challenging since not only did we have to light the structure we also had to distribute power to a fully functioning kitchen and two extensive heating systems since the structure below the mezzanine was open. For each the kitchen and heating systems we provided a 3 phase 63amp distribution system whilst the lighting system supplied by Astral consisted of 48 LED wall washers, a dozen 1 watt LED fittings, source 4’s, and 6 Revo 100’s, control was by Avolites. The entire lighting systems in contrast to the kitchen and heating consumed less than 13amps.
Winter 2008
Astral were delighted to be back at Westonbirt National Arboretum this year for the annual enchanted forest and winter trail. The mile long trail is lit using a combination of generic low consumption lighting, LED lighting and run entirely on recycled bio fuels yet again reducing the environmental impact. A further addition this year was using low energy light bulbs in the festooning leading from the car parking areas to the trail thus reducing the impact even more.
Autumn 2008
In conjunction with events with elegance, it was a rare occasion for Astral to be on home ground in Medway. We lit the Halloween trail through the catacombs below Fort Amherst. The event, with a cast of over 50 ghouls, ghosts and freaks scared visitors for over a week using kilometres of cable, dozens of led’s, discharge lamps and generic lighting, we also supplied 4 separate sound systems for a scary sound-scape playback.
We were delighted to be invited to light the opening party for Liverpool Biennial this year. ‘Made Up’ was held in a disused warehouse which had to be cleared before being totally transformed. The installation included art works, interior and exterior architectural lighting as well as live music.
Running co-currently with Liverpool Biennial was the Monaco Boat Show in September where Astral supplied exhibition lighting and distribution systems to Devonport Royal Dockyard, Summit Furniture and British Marine Federation.
At the same time we were also at East Meets West Twilight Spectacular where we supplied Chelmsford Borough Council with 3 stage structures and a disabled platform for Essex County Council’s collaboration with Walk the Plank Theatre Company as part of the Essex – Jiangsu Cultural Festival.
AGNP go from strength to strength, It is always a treat for us to come and light the Kerrang awards and the Mojo Honours list for them. As well as design, build & operation of the show rigs we have supplied the outdoor covers and smoking shelters. AGNP also commission Astral to light HMV twice a year too.
Our conference lighting supply to JB Comms is as ever on-going and this autumn we have helped them with Nestle Purina and Permal Investment conferences among others at various venues across the U.K.
Summer 2008
As usual summer was long and busy for Astral we had outdoor stages and covers at St Albans, Canterbury and Chelmsford among others as well as many other lighting events country wide.
In June Astral were delighted to be back at Glastonbury Festival of the Arts again supplying lighting to the all new for 2008 ‘Shangri –La’; a festival inside a festival. Highlights included a colour changing bamboo forest at the entrance and environmental lighting throughout the site. We also supplied Shackney, Slumbarave, the Jacuzzi Lounge, Tilted disco, and Tarts and Tease among many others within the festival. Details of this event can be found at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Immediately after Glastonbury we were at the British Grand Prix for McLaren, lighting the presentation in the Paddock Club and
nhancing the Vodafone Mercedes McLaren car for well heeled F1 fans.