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Fire Devastates Historic Boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ

Joe Kleiman
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Fire Devastates Historic Boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ

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By Joe Kleiman, In Park News Editor

Seaside Heights, NJ, USA (September 13, 2013) — First Snooki, then Sandy.  Now fire has ravaged the historic shoreline boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

The boardwalk’s construction was completed on December 9, 1921, but its roots date back five years prior with the first discussions in city government and the introduction of the town’s first seaside amusement.  According to the book “Down on the Jersey Shore” by Russell Roberts and Rich Youmans (Rutgers University Press, 1993):

It was on January 7, 1916, that the matter of building a boardwalk was discussed during a Seaside Heights council meeting.  This might has been considered a bold step for a town that just seven years before had consisted of only three buildings, but clearly the time was right.  Within the previous few years the town had grown enormously, helped along by the opening on December 5, 1914 of the first bridge to span Baranegat Bay . . . This bridge made the Heights the closest beach resort to Philadelphia for those traveling by car, and across the bridge they came.

The foundation of the boardwalk had already been laid one year prior to that January 7 council meeting, when Philadelphian Joseph B. Vanderslice constructed a pavilion on the beach, the high point of which was a gasoline-powered merry-go-round.  This proved to be a failure.  However, in 1916 Frank H. Freeman, later to be mayor of Seaside Heights, took over the pavilion and installed an electrically powered carousel, beginning a long and successful career at the Heights.

The boardwalk has continued to grow over the years, adding numerous rides to its amusement operations, including some salvaged from closed Coney Island parks.  Currently two parks exist on the boardwalk, Casino Pier and Funtown Pier, along with a number of independently operated retail, restaurant, amusement, and bar operations.

The town has remained popular with families and young people for decades, with the annual population doubling from 35,000 to 60,000 as visitors stream in from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other bordering states.  Between 2009 and 2012, MTV played the popular “Jersey Shore” television show filmed on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.  And while the town at first tried to distance itself from the production featuring rowdy, promiscuous youth, the Center for Governmental Research reported in 2012:

Seaside Heights pulled in $807,000 in parking facilities revenue in fiscal year 2007  (before the show went into production).  In FY 2010, the Seaside Heights budget reflected that more than $1.1 million was anticipated (the show’s first broadcast was in December 2009).  Actually realized in cash that year was $1.3 million, and the most recent FY 2011 budget shows anticipated revenues of $1.2 million.

From the $807,000 collected in 2007 to the $1.3 million collected in 2010, it can be said that Seaside Heights parking meters are now handling about 61% more of tourists’ and beachcombers’ pocket change. We can’t speak for other factors that come into play (weather, for instance; or the recession’s effect on what are now known as “staycations“).  But the Jersey Shore, with a viewership of 8.5 million and counting, has transformed Seaside Heights from just another summer beach destination in Jersey into a household word.

Last year, the town and boardwalk were devastated by tropical storm Sandy, which destroyed or damaged almost all of the boardwalk.  Casino Pier’s 52-foot high Star Jet rollercoaster sitting in the Atlantic Ocean, photos of which were seen worldwide, become an iconic image of the storm’s legacy.

Since Sandy, more than $20 million in federal, state, and local funds have been appropriated for rebuilding of the boardwalk.  Britain’s Prince Henry even paid a royal visit to the site on May 14, 2013.

Yesterday, tragedy hit again as, at 2:30 pm local time, fire broke out at he Kohr’s Ice Cream stand.  Five hours later, the fire had spread to a six block length of the boardwalk.  In all thirty-two businesses were destroyed, including most of the Funtown Amusement Pier, which was gearing for a 2014 reopening.

Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading north by ripping apart a 25-foot portion of the boardwalk’s planks (much of it newly laid in anticipation of Harry’s visit) and filling the area with sand from adjacent beach dunes.  Among the businesses saved was Casino Pier, which posted this morning on its facebook page:

Our hearts go out to all of our neighbors and fellow business owners in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights during this difficult time. We thank all of the courageous fire fighters and first responders for putting up such a strong fight yesterday and today. Thoughts and prayers from Casino Pier.

Please note that our Casino Arcade and Pier Surf Shop IS OPEN today.
The Pier rides, Go Karts, Golf, Pier Grill and Midway Games will be open tomorrow at noon.

We hope to see you all then!

Following the destruction to the park by Sandy, Casino Pier hired Jack Rouse Associates to develop a master plan and programming services for its “rebirth.”  This plan is outlined in the upcoming issue of InPark Magazine, and it’s available now to read on InParkMagazine.com

Qube Cinema Providing 4K 3D Solution for Digital Laser Projection Demo

Joe Kleiman
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Qube Cinema Providing 4K 3D Solution for Digital Laser Projection Demo

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Burbank, CA, USA (Nov. 8, 2013) — Qube Cinema will provide its True 4K 3D™ system to help power a series of laser projection demonstrations being shown by Laser Light Engines (LLE) the week of November 11 in Burbank. The Qube Cinema XP-I server and dual Xi integrated media blocks (IMBs) will deliver 3D 4K content to the latest laser projection technology from LLE. Industry attendees will see how laser-illuminated cinema projection, run from a single server to dual IMBs, will improve 2D and 3D exhibition.

“We did internal demos with Qube Cinema’s True 4K 3D system last year and it was superb,” said Bill Beck, founder and executive VP of business development for LLE. “We’re delighted to have Qube providing the technology to showcase our latest laser illumination technology.”

Four separate side-by-side sessions will show 2D content on both white and silver screens. The demonstrations will include split-screen, butterfly comparisons of laser vs. Xenon illumination. In addition, there will be three sessions showing both Hollywood theatrical content and images especially chosen from the giant screen film library and projected in 3D onto a silver screen at full 4K resolution. These will also show laser vs. Xenon comparisons.

“This is where the Qube Cinema True 4K 3D system really shines,” explained Beck. “95% of the audience will never have seen 3D content at this resolution before. It’s great that Qube has developed this technology that supports advanced and future high resolution 3D requirements.”

NEC Display Solutions will provide two NC 3240S 4K DLP Cinema® projectors. One will be lit by a standard Xenon lamp. The other will use the LLE laser engine to demonstrate off-board illumination, despeckling performance and to compare the quality of images for different content.

Images from the two projectors will be synchronized by the Qube server and embedded IMBs. The synced Xi IMBs are a benefit because they allow for this multiple projector playback.

“Qube Cinema remains the only manufacturer capable of delivering dual-projector 4K 3D,” said Eric Bergez, director of sales and marketing for Qube Cinema. “Along with our ability to playback from a single DCP, the Qube True 4K 3D system provides the power to playback large format DCPs at bitrates four times greater than the standard DCI spec. The system also supports high frame rates of 120 fps per eye on all our dual-projector configurations. We’re thrilled to be a part of Laser Light Engine’s demos.”

To register to attend one or more of these sessions, please visit http://www.laserlightengines.com/rsvp.php.

For more information about the Qube Cinema XP-I server, Xi 4K IMB and True 4K 3D™ visit www.qubecinema.com.

Riding the Wave

Martin Palicki
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Riding the Wave

[Editor’s Note: InPark was going to press with this article when news of the tragic fire at the pier arrived on 12 Sept, 2013]

The buzz of the arcade.  The aromas of cotton candy and saltwater.  The screams of happy coaster riders mingled with the pounding of the waves crashing below.  These were the sights, smells and sounds of New Jersey’s Casino Pier for 52 years.  Until they were washed away in an instant, along with most of the Jersey Shore.

www2On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy leveled the cherished Seaside Heights amusement park, sending its JetStar roller coaster, Stillwalk Manor dark ride, and Centrifuge ride into the Atlantic Ocean and reducing most of its boardwalk to pilings.  Retail, food and game buildings had to be demolished, and electrical and mechanical infrastructure was unsalvageable.  But Casino Pier’s owners persevered.  With the help of a master plan and attraction program created by Cincinnati firm JRA (Jack Rouse Associates), Casino Pier re-opened its boardwalk to a relieved and excited public on May 24, 2013.  In this article, we interview Maria Mastoris, spokesperson for Casino Pier, and Jeff Lichtenberg, Senior Project Designer at JRA, to discuss the planning and reconstruction process, the need to balance technology and tradition, and the resilience of the Shore.

Casino Pier GamesAs demoralizing and destructive as Hurricane Sandy was, the words “pack up and go” were never part of the owner’s vocabulary.  “It has never been a question to [them] of ‘if’ we are rebuilding,” explained Mastoris.  “It was a matter of how quickly we could.  The shore means a lot to many people.  It holds generations of memories, and we wanted to rebuild those memories for everyone.”  Added Lichtenberg, “When I went to the November IAAPA Expo in Orlando, just one month after Hurricane Sandy, the question was ‘what can realistically be done by Memorial Day?’  At this point, we were only six months away.”  Because JRA had previously completed multiple projects on the Shore, the Storinos hired the firm in January 2013 to develop an immediate conceptual plan for the lower pier and a long-range master plan for the upper pier.

For the owners, the goal of JRA’s planning effort was to combine the same elements that had made Casino Pier a national treasure for over five decades with new, unique elements and give it all a facelift for this new beginning.  “It was interesting how our plans evolved,” said Lichtenberg, “What existed prior to Sandy was a solid, successful and functional entertainment attraction that over the years had been tweaked to maximize efficiency, entertainment value and profit.  What worked was not to be re-invented but rather enhanced.  JRA studied sight lines, building aesthetics, accessibility and the attraction mix with a goal to create a total experience that addressed all age groups and kept a strong link to the history and nostalgia of Casino Pier.”

Because of the degree to which Hurricane Sandy destroyed the boardwalk and pier, the Storinos and their team had to start from scratch, beginning with the construction of a stronger and more structured pier.  The upper deck, which will re-open in 2014, traditionally housed the more “grown-up” rides, but since the team knew they could only have the lower deck for the 2013 season, they had re-configure this traditional layout to offer a variety of both kiddie and thrill rides in the smaller lower pier space.  Included in this new ride mix are the Super Storm, a spinning pendulum ride that can bring riders up to 70 feet and rotate 360 degrees, and the Surf Shack, a multi-story fun house that resembles a popular attraction lost to the hurricane.

Casino Pier CarouselIn an increasingly technological age, when entertainment is often dolled out in small, digital, easy-to-swallow bites (or bytes), one of the greatest challenges in re-envisioning Casino Pier has been maintaining its mid-20th century charm while infusing 21st century innovations.  The Casino Pier team had to balance time-honored traditions with the fads of the moment.  Mastoris feels there’s room for the fleeting and the constant: “We believe that this rebuilding process gave us the opportunity to meet the expectations of this generation.  Many of the older visitors like to see the same rides and games, because it reminds them of their childhood.  However, today’s generation needs to be kept amazed and entertained.  By putting rides on the pier, adding new prizes to our games and keeping up with social media antics, I believe we are keeping this new generation satisfied.  The main reason people return year after year is the family tradition of traveling to the Jersey shore and spending time on the boardwalk, creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

According to Mastoris, the Jersey Shore community and visitors have embraced the new look and attraction mix of Casino Pier and have been excited for what lies ahead.  Despite dreary weather opening weekend, guests flocked to the boardwalk and pier, enjoying the arcade, carousel and mini-golf.  Though the majority of rides were not yet open, visitors could see both the progress that had been made to date and the previews of what was to come, and throughout the spring and summer they anxiously awaited Casino Pier’s Facebook announcements of new or returning rides and attractions.  “Guests have been cheering us on and supporting our progress since Day One,” she said.  “A lot of our team members said guests stopped to say ‘thank you’ for a job well done.  It was heartwarming, because we wanted to be open to thank our guests for their support over the last seven months.”

When asked if the return of Casino Pier meant the Jersey Shore was “back,” Mastoris didn’t hesitate: “The mantras ‘Jersey Strong’ and ‘Stronger Than the Storm’ may seem silly, but it has been a way of life here – an anthem to work to.  The Jersey Shore is certainly coming back and coming back better.  Look at what’s been done just since October – it speaks to the resilience of Jerseyans.  There is still a long way to go yet.  Residences need to be rebuilt and neighborhoods need to regrow, but seeing what was done so far makes us confident in the renaissance of the Shore.”

• • •

Attraktion! displays PLAYOKE Dance to the European market at EAS 2013

Judith Rubin
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Attraktion! displays PLAYOKE Dance to the European market at EAS 2013
PLAYOKE Dance
PLAYOKE Dance

Attraktion! already has more than a dozen PLAYOKE Dance systems under contract, including two with educational content for a major information technology & communication experience center being developed in Riyadh, by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Vienna – Attraktion! GmbH will present its PLAYOKE Dance product to European entertainment markets at IAAPA’s Euro Attractions Show, taking place from 18th to 20th September at the Port de Versailles Convention Centre in Paris. PLAYOKE Dance is said to be the first interactive dance game of its kind, using 3D group motion tracking and designed specifically for out-of-home commercial use. Attraktion! will introduce PLAYOKE Dance at EAS (booth #2106) to show its applicability to theme parks, family entertainment centers, science centers and other leisure facilities.

 

At the heart of PLAYOKE Dance is the pioneering application of 3D motion tracking to groups. Movements and steps of players are tracked, analyzed and compared in real time. The immediate feedback, combined with a system of points and ranking, adds a competitive element and a challenge designed to make the experience more entertaining and satisfying. PLAYOKE Dance offers multi-faceted content options which provide entertaining and “edutaining” experiences for kids, teens and adults. Operators of indoor amusement venues can offer customized experiences such as dancing to famous pop music videos, interacting with animated mascots, or playing edutainment games.

 

Markus Beyr
Markus Beyr

“Attraktion! is continually growing its portfolio of products and services, and PLAYOKE Dance has been a milestone for the company since it was first introduced in spring of this year,” says Attraktion! Managing Director Markus Beyr, a leisure sector entrepreneur who has realized some 200 attractions over two decades in the business. Attraktion! already has more than a dozen PLAYOKE Dance systems under contract, including two with educational content for a major information technology & communication experience center being developed in Riyadh, by the government of Saudi Arabia.

 
Playoke GmbH represents a subsidiary of the Attraktion! group of companies. The initial Playoke product line, PLAYOKE Courses, debuted to the fitness market in April 2013 at the FIBO show in Cologne. PLAYOKE Courses programs range from basic step, aerobics and dance movements to more rigorous, intermediate and advanced options. The PLAYOKE Dance product line targets the entertainment and leisure business. PLAYOKE Dance can be experienced at the Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Paris between 18th and 20th of September, in Hall 5 at booth #2106. Markus Beyr is available for meetings during EAS. Business and press inquiries are welcome at any time.

Related articles from InPark:

Attraktion! showcases PLAYOKE Dance at Asian Attractions Expo (June 2013)

Dataton WATCHOUT Continues to Engage Visitors With New Works at New York’s Museum of the Moving Image

Joe Kleiman
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Dataton WATCHOUT Continues to Engage Visitors With New Works at New York’s Museum of the Moving Image
SINGLE STREAM, 28 minutes, color/sound. Exhibition view. Photo by Jason Eppink. © Museum of Moving Image
SINGLE STREAM, 28 minutes, color/sound. Exhibition view. Photo by Jason Eppink. © Museum of Moving Image

Linköping, Sweden (September 10, 2013) — Since its renovation in 2011, the Museum of the Moving Image’s lobby wall has become a showcase for adventurous video installations and curated exhibits of web art. “The lobby is the first thing that visitors see,” said Jason Eppink, associate curator of digital media at Museum of the Moving Image. “It is a challenging space to program and curate because it’s first and foremost a functional space. There are visitors coming in and out of the building to speak with guest services and ticketing.”

During the renovation, prime audiovisual contractor Electrosonic, supported by Show Sage, Dataton Premium Partner for North America, upgraded the audiovisual technology across various areas of the museum including its lobby wall. Electrosonic senior sales consultant Bryan Abelowitz noted: “We worked with Museum of the Moving Image throughout the 1990s and did their original ‘Behind the Screen’ core exhibition. In 2011, we provided a state-of-the-art, 21st-century upgrade, which included WATCHOUT in the lobby wall. We chose WATCHOUT for our project because it is so reliable and is able to handle a range of video and audio formats that the museum can easily operate.”

“We’ve relied on the WATCHOUT system from the very beginning,” said Jason Eppink. “The Museum is dedicated to the moving image in all its forms, so we use the free run capability of WATCHOUT to manage a wide range of works, including live action video, animation, and animated GIFs. The lobby wall is used to both exhibit artwork examine cultural phenomenon.”

“WATCHOUT is a rock-solid platform. In future, we are looking at using the Dynamic Image Server function to further engage audiences.”

Redesigned lobby, Museum of the Moving Image. Credit: Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of the Moving Image
Redesigned lobby, Museum of the Moving Image. Credit: Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of the Moving Image

Jim Testa, president of Show Sage said: “It is terrific to see the Museum of the Moving Image use Dataton WATCHOUT to its full capability. Through WATCHOUT’s power and versatility, the museum is able to create highly experiential exhibits of film and other works of art that amaze and inspire the public.”

The latest exhibition, SINGLE STREAM opened on July 3 and runs through November 3, 2013. SINGLE STREAM is a visual and sonic exploration inside a recycling facility, the video blurs the line between observation and abstraction, plunging the viewer into the steady flow of the plant and capturing the complex processes devised to treat the enormous amount of waste Americans produce every day.

“SINGLE STREAM is a collaboration between three artists, one of whom is a sound ethnographer. He recorded audio on-site and constructed a sound track specifically designed for the four-speaker system in our lobby. This is managed through WATCHOUT by splitting two stereo audio files before sending them to the speakers,” explained Eppink.

“Throughout the project, working with Electrosonic, Show Sage assisted with technical support and advice that we needed. So far, SINGLE STREAM has been received very well.”

Lars Sandlund, chief operating officer at Dataton says: “Dataton is located in several film museums around the world to engage, enthrall and inform audiences. This latest use of WATCHOUT at Museum of the Moving Image demonstrates the effective way in which our technology combines large-format video display for rotating exhibitions through a future-proof solution.”

The building which houses Museum of Modern Image was designed by architect Thomas Leeser and is located on the site where Paramount’s East Coast production facility, the famed Astoria Studio, stood in the 1920s.

www.dataton.com

Ferrari World Revs Up For Week-Round Operation

Joe Kleiman
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Ferrari World Revs Up For Week-Round Operation

image001 (1)Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (September 10, 2013) — Adrenaline junkies can get their speed fix every day as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi moves to a seven-day operational week starting September 30th, 2013.

The move – which was first announced during Arabian Travel Market last May – will see the world’s largest indoor and only Ferrari-branded theme park open all week long, including Mondays when the park normally closes to the public.

“Our move to a 365-days-a-year operation was prompted by the growing entertainment demand on Yas Island, which is now firmly established as a regional leisure destination,” said Mike Oswald, General Manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. “We opened on several Mondays in the past to meet high demand during major holiday seasons and the response from visitors and travel partners was very positive. The seven-day operation also fits perfectly with the continuous entertainment offering available on Yas Island through other key attractions such as Yas Waterworld.”

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a signature attraction of Yas Island and one of the most iconic structures within a highly concentrated entertainment offering which includes another mega theme park – Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, a wide range of excellent hotels, a world-class golf course, a Formula 1 racing circuit and a concert arena hosting world-class musical events.

Guests are sure to have a memorable experience at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi with more than 20 Ferrari-inspired rides and attractions designed to inspire people of all ages to find their drive, test their threshold for thrills and emerge winners. From state-of-the-art multi-sensory attractions such as Viaggio in Italia and Speed of Magic, to truly spine-tingling rides such as Formula Rossa, fun family rides such as Fiorano GT Challenge and Bell’ Italia, and hearty Italian restaurants such as Mamma Rossella, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has something to thrill everyone.

www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com

IMAX Film “Jerusalem” and Photographic Exhibition Transport Discovery Place Visitors to the Holy Land

Joe Kleiman
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IMAX Film “Jerusalem” and Photographic Exhibition Transport Discovery Place Visitors to the Holy Land

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Charlotte, NC, USA (September 10, 2013) —  Jerusalem: sacred to half the people on earth; fought over more than any other place in history; conquered and destroyed, rebuilt and reinvented repeatedly over 5,000 years. Now, for the first-time ever, a new giant screen film adventure immerses audiences in a spectacular cinematic journey – soaring high above the Holy Land and plunging deep into the vibrant Old City – so they can experience as never before the iconic sites cherished by billions. The new film, JERUSALEM, will make its Southeastern U.S. premiere at The Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theatre at Discovery Place on Saturday, September 21.

Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek into the Darkness,” PBS’s “Sherlock”), JERUSALEM gives audiences a rare glimpse of the ancient, storied city, as well as exclusive access to iconic holy sites and little-known parts of the region – including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the mountain fortress of Masada.  Filmmakers were granted special permission in the region’s strict no-fly zone, enabling them to capture the first-ever large format aerial images of the Old City and throughout the Holy Land.

Audiences will discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to three major religions through the stories of Jewish, Christian and Muslim families who call Jerusalem home. They will also join renowned archaeologist, Dr. Jodi Magness, as she travels underground to solve some of this city’s greatest mysteries. Find out why, after thousands of years, Jerusalem and the Holy Land continue to stir the imagination of billions of people.

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Filmgoers can continue their exploration of these three major faiths at Families of Abraham, a photographic exhibition that explores the commonalities between Christians, Jews and Muslims.  Led by project director and curator Eleanor Brawley, a team of eight local photographers followed eleven different Jewish, Christian and Muslim families from the Charlotte area for a year, documenting daily life and faith practices. They captured Holy Days across the three religions, as well as family milestones and moments from the families’ everyday lives.  The results are showcased in an intimate and insightful exhibition of faith and commonality.  Families of Abraham will be displayed at Discovery Place through January 12, 2014 and is FREE to all visitors.

JERUSALEM is an original production from Cosmic Picture and Arcane Pictures and distributed by National Geographic Entertainment. The 43-minute large format film was executive produced by the late Jake Eberts, legendary producer of movies such as “Gandhi,” “Chariots of Fire,” and “Dances with Wolves”; produced by Taran Davies, George Duffield and Daniel Ferguson; and written and directed by Daniel Ferguson.  Large format industry veteran Reed Smoot, ASC is director of photography.

“With this extraordinary film’s immersive experience, audiences will feel as if they are really walking the streets of this beloved and iconic place,” said Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Entertainment.

“Through the unrivaled beauty, visceral nature and incredible technology of the giant screen format, you feel as if you are experiencing Jerusalem up-close and first-hand,” said writer/director Daniel Ferguson.

JERUSALEM runs through March 30, 2014.

 Families of Abraham was created by Eleanor Brawley, curator, with assistance from Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte, North Carolina and made possible by generous grants from John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Arts & Sciences Council and Lilly Endowment, Inc.

 www.discoveryplace.org

 

Chicago Lightscape Lighting and Sound experience enhanced by DesignLab Chicago

Martin Palicki
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Chicago Lightscape Lighting and Sound experience enhanced by DesignLab Chicago

Photo Courtesy Chicago Loop Alliance

When the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) wanted to attract more people to the shops and businesses of State Street they weren’t sure exactly what type of experience they would create. They knew, however, that they wanted a unique placemaking installation that drew on the latest technology available.

DesignLab Chicago helped develop the solution in the form of clusters of giant LED-lit fiberglass “reeds” – symbolic of the prairie grass that constituted a historic Chicago long since gone – capable of creating coordinated light shows in conjunction with hidden sound systems.

DesignLab worked with a team of lighting professionals, show designers and technology integrators to overcome challenges of wireless control, crowded bandwidth and limited power supply to create a dynamic showpiece that has attracted thousands of visitors and continues to evolve.

“The multitude of LED-lit reeds allow Chicago Lightscape to essentially become a high-technology, low-resolution digital canvas,” explains DesignLab’s President Larry Schoeneman. A series of programmed shows combine music and sound effects with the colored lights, creating immersive experiences up close, and moving images from further away. “Its flexibility and durability have continued to make Lightscape a premier placemaking installation,” added Schoeneman.

The CLA expanded the system in 2012 and has the capability to add the system to more streets in the future.

Excellence Awards Architainment Nominee – read about the project from Live Design and their 2011 award competition

CLA Video on Streetscape – view footage from the grand opening of the project and see the lights in action

About DesignLab Chicago

DesignLab has been a principal provider of quality lighting systems and products throughout the Midwest for 30 years.  Born out of a garage as a reaction to existing dealer prices DesignLab was established on the ideal that all customers have the right to a fair deal.

DesignLab is heavily involved in the theatrical and themed entertainment markets. The company also works in the architectural and placemaking industries.

designlab-chicago.com

About Chicago Loop Alliance

Chicago Loop Alliance was founded in 2005 following a merger between the Central Michigan Avenue Association and the Greater State Street Council, which was created in 1929 and consisted of local merchants eager to promote economic prosperity for their businesses during the Great Depression.

According to its mission, “Chicago Loop Alliance is a member-based business organization that represents Chicago’s most dynamic mixed-use district—the Loop—and advocates for the rapidly growing central business area. Chicago Loop Alliance is focused on promoting and uniting Loop businesses and organizations to support one another in creating a vibrant, flourishing Loop where people live, work and play.”

chicagoloopalliance.com

Glow with the Show Mouse Ears Hit WDW to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of Fantasmic at Studios Theme Park

Joe Kleiman
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Glow with the Show Mouse Ears Hit WDW to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of Fantasmic at Studios Theme Park

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Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA — Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort will light the night thanks to new Glow with the Show Ear hats that will  change colors in sync with fireworks, shows and each other at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

These interactive versions of the famous Mickey Ear hats will debut on Oct. 15 during the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic!, the nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

These Ear hats glow in myriad colors, commanded with the latest technology to complement the imagery and beat of the fireworks and spectaculars. When not activated by these experiences, more surprises are in store for participants as the ears glow with other ears and settings around the Vacation Kingdom.

“Technology allows the Ear hats to dance and play along with each musical and illuminated sequence.  They truly bring the show’s environment out of the lagoon and the sky, and into the audience in an amazing and dazzling new way, making our guests truly Glow With the Show,” said Dara Trujillo, manager of merchandise marketing, communication, synergy and integration, Walt Disney World Resort.

Beginning Oct. 19, guests will be able to experience the Wishes fireworks extravaganza at Magic Kingdom with the new Glow with the Show Ear hats. And during the holiday season guests can don their hats and “glow” with Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and at Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks display and Celebrate the Magic, the nighttime projection show at Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.

Each set of Glow with the Show Ear hats is available for $25 at select locations throughout the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

For more than 55 years, the classic, black Mickey Mouse Ear hat has been a Disney Parks favorite and signature souvenir item. Across the decades, there have been more than 200 different ear hats including limited and novelty editions. The new Glow with the Show Ear hats made their debut at Disney California Adventure in 2012 at World of Color.  The ears are also in use at Disneyland Paris.

www.wdw.com

 

Carowinds Adding Two New Thrill Slides to Boomerang Bay for 2014 Season

Joe Kleiman
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Carowinds Adding Two New Thrill Slides to Boomerang Bay for 2014 Season

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Charlotte, NC, USA /PRNewswire/ — Carowinds, Thrill Capital of the Southeast, is excited to bring two new breathtaking water slides to Boomerang Bay for Summer 2014.   The mega-slides are the first phase of a multi-year, multi-million dollar capital investment plan at Carowinds.  The new slides will stand over 4 stories high and add 600+feet of sliding fun, bringing new thrills and splashes to the popular water park.  The slides will offer two distinctively different rides unique to Boomerang Bay.

Surfer’s Swell will travel a total of 263 feet; riders will plunge onto an angled wall that mimics the sensation of catching an ocean wave.  Guests then gracefully enter a final tunnel for a fun ‘splash landing’ into a pool at the bottom of this 45 foot tall experience.  Dorsal Fin Drop offers 351 feet of slide and takes riders on the whirl of a lifetime as they gain speed in a curved-tunnel that blasts them into a bowl.  Like a shark circling its prey, guests spin and swirl before sliding into the corkscrew exit.

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The slides are primed to make Boomerang Bay better than ever in 2014 as they add to its popular attractions, including two wave pools, 11 slides, and 2 kiddie splash pools with over 2 million gallons of water in total.   “Cedar Fair is committed to building more excitement and value for our Carowinds guests,” says Bart Kinzel, Carowinds Vice-President and General Manager, “The slides are just the first phase of a multi year park investment plan that will continue to deliver the best-day-of-summer that guests have come to expect.”

Set to open in May 2014, construction will begin this Fall and will be documented on the Park’s social media channels.

In addition to the 2 new slides, Carowinds will enhance the dining experience and food offerings at the park with a multi-million dollar investment.  The investment will provide guests with a broader variety of food service options; additional air-conditioned venues and expanded capacity to feed and entertain the thousands of daily visitors at the park.

www.carowinds.com

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InPark Magazine (IPM) covers the intersection of themed entertainment and technology. We specialize in creating custom-crafted content designed to appeal to the industry’s top designers, creators, developers, owners and operators.

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