SRI News
November 27, 2007
Sapsis Rigging in New York
Sapsis Rigging recently provided rigging services for two special events in New York City.
For the launch of the new Target Model-Less Fashion Show, Sapsis Rigging provided an eight-legged, self-climbing ground support system in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station. The rig was 40' wide and 80' long and was used to support lighting, audio and Barco projectors. The projectors were side-mounted to allow images to be projected in several directions. The Model-Less Fashion Show was billed as the world's first fashion show without models.
At the same time Sapsis Rigging provided the rigging for the latest 7th on Sale AIDS Benefit held at the 26th Street Armory in NYC. Sapsis Rigging has provided the rigging for every 7th on Sale event since they began in 1990. The rig for this year's production included over 75 hoists and approximately 3000 feet of truss.
The semi-annual affair features fashion designer clothing and samples on sale via an eBay auction and three sale days at the Lexington Avenue & 26th Street Armory. 100% of the money raised goes to services and housing for those living with HIV and AIDS.
August 2, 2007
Sapsis Rigging goes Kabuki in Lincoln Center.
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided design, installation supervision and equipment for the recent New York City Lincoln Center Festival engagement of the Heisei Nakamura-za Kabuki troupe in Avery Fisher Hall.
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided a super-truss rig, forty chain hoists, traditional and not-so traditional counterweight rigging, kabuki drop rigging, travelers and a host of miscellaneous rigs for the week long production.
"It was, to say the least, an interesting project", noted Michael Sapsis, project manager for Sapsis Rigging. "The compressed load-in schedule coupled with language differences made for a few surprises but the Avery Fisher Hall crew, along with the Lincoln Center Festival design team and my supervisors rose to the occasion. Avery Fisher Hall is a concert venue and not designed for this type of production. The rigging load on this show is over 20,000 pounds and is, I believe, the largest ever hung in Avery Fisher Hall.
Sapsis Rigging hangs around Spiderman premiere.
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided rigging equipment and labor to support the aerialist group Anti-Gravity during the premier of the Spiderman 3 movie. The event took place at the Top of the Rock observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Center.
Sapsis Rigging provided a truss structure to support 8 aerialists as they staged a nighttime "attack" on Sony executives and their guests having dinner in the Rainbow Room at the 69th floor.
May 2007
Sapsis Rigging at the Crystal Ball
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. as it has for more than 15 years, provided rigging equipment and labor for the annual Crystal Ball at Mt. Sinai Hospital. The Ball which takes place in the lobby areas of the Hospital at 100th street and Fifth Avenue is attended by over 1200 dignitaries and hospital benefactors.
The rigging equipment for this years' Ball consisted of 2 self climbing systems, 2 ground support units, over 1,000 feet of truss and more than 60 chain hoists and is a testament to just how much gear can fit into a very small location.
February 2007
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Focus Track System™ Gets Runway Raves
The Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Focus Track System™ met with an enthusiastic reception during the winter Market Week Fashion Shows in New York City . The track systems were installed on the runway trusses in the tents at Bryant Park and at the 26th Street Armory. Each track was over 135 ft long.
Kristopher Keeley of jkld lighting noted, "We have used the SRI focus tracks for fashion shows for two seasons now. The runway trusses are usually over the seating risers, and accessing them for lighting focus used to be a time-consuming hassle. Even changing color in the units was a major undertaking. With the SRI focus tracks, one electrician can now accomplish what used to take several electricians to do, and in much less time."
The Sapsis Rigging Focus Track System™ provides safe and efficient access to lighting, sound and other overhead equipment when a personnel lift is not available or possible.
Photos available upon request.
For more information please contact:
Bill Sapsis <info@sapsis-rigging.com>
September 2006
Sapsis Rigging once again provided rigging equipment, labor and supervision for Market Week in New York City. The venues involved in this seasons Market Week included the tents in Bryant Park, The 26th Street Armory, Chelsea Piers, Lux Studios on West 18th Street and Bumble & Bumble Studios on West 13th Street.
The equipment provided by Sapsis rigging included over 100 chain hoists, truss, a self climbing rig and staging.
Sapsis Rigging also provided rigging equipment to hang the video screens at the US Open in Flushing New York. Two screens were inside Stadium 1, and two screens were inside stadium 2. A fifth screen was hung on the outside of stadium 2.
Sapsis Rigging provided safety equipment for the recent Naomi Watts photo shoot on the Chrysler Building. The photo shoot, which resulted in the cover photo for the Conde' Nast magazine Traveler placed Ms. Watts on one of the famous eagle gargoyles at the 61st floor of the Chrysler Building.
Photos available upon request.
January 2006
Sapsis Rigging announces ETCP Certification for Staff
January 2006
Sapsis Rigging has them climbing the walls.
When Vanity Fair magazine wanted to do a photo shoot of Mikhail Baryshnikovhanging around his studio in New York City, they hired Annie Leibovitz to
take the photos and Sapsis Rigging, Inc. to suspend Mr. Baryshnikov from the
roof of the Baryshnikov Arts Center on West 37th Street in Manhattan. The
results of the shoot can be seen in the January issue.
And when NBC convinced Al Roker and Matt Lauer to descend from the heights
of Rockefeller Center dressed as Batman & Robin for the annual Today Show
Halloween special, Sapsis Rigging was there with gear and supervision. The
real trick on this one was to keep Al's cape from getting tangled in the
belay rig.
December 2005
Sapsis Rigging goes Ape in NYC.
Sapsis Rigging provided equipment and supervisory personnel for the recent pre-premiere of King Kong in Times Square. The event, which was held in conjunction with the showing of the movie at two theatres on 42nd Street, centered around a 20 foot tall, 10,000 pound King Kong and a 35 foot tall ground support truss rig.
Photos available upon request.
December 2005
Mike Sapsis, of Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided the rigging design and onsite supervision for an Intel event recently in China. The event was held to publicize the opening of two new Intel factories in the city of Chengdu. The rigging included systems for lighting, sound and projection support and was held in a badminton arena.
October 20, 2005
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Has Record Breaking September.
From New York and Washington DC to Chicago and up to Green Bay, Wisconsin, September, 2005 provided more work for Sapsis Rigging, Inc. than any previous September in its 24 year history.
Market Week in New York City found Sapsis Rigging (the company that brought you the first fashion shows in rep in the US in September, 1992) providing rigging equipment and services in The Tent on Bryant Park, the 26th street Armory for Marc Jacobs, 55 Wall Street for Y3, Donna Karan and two shows in the Celeste Bartos Forum at the New York Public Library. In addition, Sapsis Rigging provided rigging and production services for product launches at Live at Lincoln Center and Liberty Island.
Sapsis Rigging also installed a new chain hoist & truss rigging system for the Gateway Cathedral on Staten Island.
In Washington DC, Sapsis Rigging provided a renovation of the stage rigging system in Elstad Auditorium at Galludet University.
In Chicago, Sapsis rigged a 100' X 60' banner on the side of the Marshall Fields department store.
And in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sapsis installed a motorized safety net system in the Resch Center Arena to provide protection from flying pucks during ice hockey games.
Photos are available upon request.
For more information please contact
Bill Sapsis
215.228.0888
bill@sapsis-rigging.com
Sapsis Rigging Installs Antique Tapestries
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided the equipment and expertise to install three 17th century tapestries in Washington, DC. that belong to The Society of the
Cincinnati and hang in their museum at the Anderson House. The Textile Conservation Laboratory had removed the tapestries, each approximately 30 ft square and depicting woodland scenes, for cleaning and restoration.
August 1 , 2005
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provides equipment and labor for "Vertical Catwalk" fashion show at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The show consisted of up to 6 models at a time walking up and down the side of the building; in this case, 620 Fifth Avenue (The English Building). There were three runways, each 136 feet long. The rigging for the models, who are on human belay as they walk the wall, is mounted to the top of the building and anchored at ground level.
The models are members of the German stunt team Jochen Schweizer. The show, which was produced by Target Stores, lasted one half hour and was performed four times on July 27th, including once for the Today Show.
Photo © William Scott Sloan 2005
July 29 , 2005
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided the rigging for the Lincoln Center Festival's
production of Le Dernier Caravanserail. The rig, which consists of a 10
legged self climbing truss system was built inside a tent at Danrosch Park,
on the south side of Lincoln Center.
The production is a US premier for the Paris based company Le Theatre du
Soleil.
Photos available on request.
June 1 , 2005
Sapsis Rigging, Inc., a Philadelphia based entertainment rigging company, provided the rigging services for the Target Racing Team event staged at the Indiana Square Building in Indianapolis, IN. The event was staged in conjunction with the 89th Indianapolis 500 and involved raising and attaching a full sized Formula 1 race car to the facade of the building at the 21st floor. In addition to the car, three members of the ‘Vertical Catwalk’ German stunt team performed on the side of the building in and around the car.
Working with Shawn Nolan of Entertainment Structures, Inc., a Cincinnati based engineering firm, Sapsis Rigging designed, built and installed a support structure in the 21st floor of the building to raise, suspend and then lower the car. Sapsis Rigging also designed built and installed the structure on the roof of the building that supported the “Vertical Catwalk’ stunt men.
The unveiling of the car took place on May 27th. Performances by the stunt team took place on the 28th & 29th. The car was removed from the building and returned to the Target Racing Team on the 30th.
For more information please contact Bill Sapsis
bill@sapsis-rigging.com
Photos are available on request.
December 21 , 2004
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided the rigging design, equipment and installation for Paul Winter's 25th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration. The event takes place each year in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. In addition to providing rigging for all lighting and sound equipment, two gongs are flown, along with a musician, to a height of approximately 65 feet where they are played during the performance.The gongs are 8' and 4' in diameter and weigh several hundred pounds apiece. Sapsis rigging, Inc. has been providing the rigging for this event since 1989. The head rigger is Michael Sapsis. The gong performer, coincidentally, is another SRI rigger, Scott Sloan.
October 27, 2004
SRI - Leading the way, safely.
Sapsis Rigging, Inc., the leading provider of Safety Inspections in North America, introduces the most comprehensive safety program in the entertainment industry. Fall Arrest and Rescue Plans, OSHA Compliance Audits, Equipment Maintenance Plans and Certified Structural Reports comprise a few of the available services; in addition to the well-known SRI Inspections. A multi-faceted approach allows SRI to address various venue, company and individual safety needs, which industry leaders, venue managers and many others enthusiastically responded to at ETS-LDI in Las Vegas last week.
For more information please contact:
Allison Helms Allison@sapsis-rigging.com
Bill Sapsis Bill@sapsis-rigging.com
October 13, 2004
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Hires New Safety Officer
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. is proud to announce that Allison Helms has joined the SRI staff as the new Chief Safety Officer. "Having Allison will help us take our Safety Programs, already some of the best and most comprehensive in the industry, to the next level. Allison has a very clear grasp of OSHA regulations and, with her technical background, she understands how these regulations relate to our industry. I couldn't be happier" said Bill Sapsis, President of Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Allison has spent 5 seasons at Glimmerglass Opera, two of them as their Chief Safety Officer. She received her MFA in theatre production (with an emphasis on Safety) from Florida State University and her BFA at the University of Florida. Allison also has experience in both academic and regional theatre.
For more information please contact Bill Sapsis
July 2004
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Seminar program is flying high.
Bill Sapsis has taken his rigging seminar program on the road once again. In March, Bill led the rigging portions of the 19th Annual CM Hoist School hosted by Mountain Productions. This school was the first of it's kind in the United States and has trained over 750 people since it's inception.
This Spring Bill has also conducted sessions for IATSE Local 1 in New York City, Valencia College in Orlando, Hudson Scenic Studios in Yonkers, and the NJ Theatre Alliance in Princeton.
On the International scene Bill has led rigging seminars in Helsinki, Finland for the Finnish Theatre Academy and in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa for Upstage Lighting and FX-Unlimited respectively.
September 2003
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. recently completed the move of two 200 million year old dinosaurs for the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. Weighing in at several thousand pounds, the two fossils (a Plesiosaur and an Ichthyosaurus) were moved to a holding area to allow work on their exhibit area. Look for Sapsis Rigging to move them back at some point in the near future.
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. also spent the summer renovating some theatres around the country. The Greenville High School in Maine, the Grand Theatre in Carter, Georgia, the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, The Masters school in Dobbs Ferry, NY and the University of Central Florida all had major work done in their theatres.
And finally, Sapsis rigging, through it's Risk Management division, installed fall Arrest systems in Farthing Auditorium at Appalachian State University and at ETK Corp. in Elkton, Maryland.
August 2003
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. (SRI) announces the opening of our new office in St. Louis, Missouri. "This will be great" noted SRI president Bill Sapsis. "Now we'll be able to provide our wide range of services to the Midwest more conveniently and efficiently."
Michael Banvard will head up the new office. He has a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University and has been a technical director in NY at the Chatauqua Institute, at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and at the Weston Playhouse in Weston, VT. You also may remember him as the guy wearing the kilt at the Sapsis Rigging booth at the last few USITT conventions. (Gotta love those knees.)
So now you can get all of those same great products and services you've come to expect at Sapsis Rigging, Inc. from two locations.
To contact the St. Louis office
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. - Midwest
2627 Pennsylvania Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63118
866.773.1174
314.773.1174 fax
mbanvard@sapsis-rigging.com
For more details please contact
Bill Sapsis 233 N. Lansdowne Ave.
Lansdowne, PA 19050
800.727.7471
800.292.3851 fax
bill@sapsis-rigging.com
July 2, 2002
SUMMERTIME FUN FOR SAPSIS RIGGING, INC.
SAPSIS RIGGING, INC. kicked off the summer entertainment season in NYC when they provided rigging and production elements for The New York Philharmonic Memorial Day Performance at the Cathedral of St. John the Devine in Manhattan.
Another Big Apple summer tradition is the New York Shakespeare Festival, for which SRI installed chain motors this year.
While in Manhattan, Uncle Bill presented his informative Rigging Seminar to the members of IATSE Local 1 at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center.
Then, in an attempt to escape the East Coast heat wave, SRI’s president, Uncle Bill, led a four person team to Las Vegas in June, where they conducted an extensive inspection of the rigging for Cirque du Soleil’s “O”.
Sapsis Rigging is proud to welcome Brad Pope to our staff. Brad joins us in his new position as Production Manager. Brad's background is in puppetry - in both mechanical development & performance. His work has been seen in many theatres and on televison, most notably on HBO and Nickleodeon. Recently Brad was involved in product development for Paramount Industries, Inc. a noted prototype shop for the toy industry.
April 26, 2002
Sapsis Rigging - New York City...and Beyond
This past month found the Sapsis Rigging crews swarming all over New York City rigging nearly everything that they could get their hands on.
Of note was the MSNBC “Tom Brokaw’s Summit Meeting” at The Manhattan College Performing Arts Center in downtown Manhattan.
Sapsis Rigging also installed the rigging for the performance tent in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. The tent will remain in the park throughout the Spring.
And in their hometown of Philadelphia, Sapsis Rigging provided equipment and rigging services for the 11th Annual FIRST Robotics Competition at Drexel University.
March 14, 2002
Sapsis Rigging - Here, There, Everywhere
It was another busy Market Week in New York City! Sapsis Rigging supplied rigging services and equipment for the 7th on 6th fashion shows at Bryant Park, Helmut Lang, Hugo Boss, and Marc Jacobs at the 26th Street Armory.
Michael Sapsis lead the SRI team providing rigging services for the Martin Lawrence TV special in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, “Uncle Bill” Sapsis - who we believe may be singlehandedly keeping the airline business afloat - held an intensive 3-day rigging seminar at Douglas College in Vancouver, Canada. He was a session moderator for the inaugural PLSN-2002 Annual Conference in San Diego. And he conducted the infamous “Uncle Bill’s Stump the Rigger” seminar (4 years and counting!) at the USITT Conference in New Orleans.
Adding another feather to his hardhat, Uncle Bill was elected - along with Rocky Paulson and Baer Long - to Co-Chair the Rigging Certification Group of ESTA. This committee is part of ESTA’s CPC Certification Program.
January 15, 2002
Sapsis Rigging Makes Griffins Fly in Nashville
On New Years Eve 2002 Nashville, TN celebrated the completion of the renovation of The Parthenon, it’s famed landmark and museum. Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided a dramatic element of the program by flying two griffin statues simultaneously onto the parapet of the building.
The rig, designed by Bill Sapsis, consisted of two 175 foot tall boom cranes, placed 600 feet apart. Over a mile of rope and nearly 1/2 mile of cable was used to create the effect. The event which included food, fireworks and entertainment, marked the completion of a decade-long renovation of the 100 year old Greek-revival structure.
November 26 ,2001
Sapsis Rigging Rigs Victoria's Secret
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. provided a full rigging package including design, equipment and management services for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The show, which was shot in Bryant Park in New York City, was produced by Bureau BETAK and aired on ABC-TV.
Michael J. Sapsis, head rigger for the event, described the rig as consisting of a 100,000 pound roof system utilizing over fifty chain motors for the production elements. Installation took eight days; the strike lasted 30 hours.
October 13, 2001
SRI Installs a Really Really Big Flag
It’s most likely the largest flag in New York City at the moment, and it was installed on October 13 by SRI>ShowDivision at 510 5th Avenue, fully wrapping the exterior of the building. Constructed of Textalene® fabric and weighing over 800 pounds, the flag measures 150 feet wide by 50 feet high.
That’s a lot of red, white and blue!
May 7, 2001
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. Reaches Milestone
(Philadelphia, PA) Sapsis Rigging, Inc. recently completed its 500th school stage equipment safety inspection. The client was Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. With a client list stretching across the U.S.A. - from Princeton University to San Diego State University, from Radnor Middle School in PA to the Wheeler Opera House in Colorado - and with close to 30 years of experience, Sapsis Rigging is the recognized leader in safe theatre practices. Sapsis Rigging has provided individual schools, school districts, colleges and universities an array of services designed to maintain safe performance spaces. In addition to facility inspections Sapsis Rigging also provides maintenance programs and training seminars.
An annual safety inspection is the first step in determining the quality of stage equipment and the overall condition of the facility.
For more information, please contact Bill Sapsis
(800) 727-7471
(800) 292-3851 Fax
www.sapsis-rigging.com
Bill@Sapsis-Rigging.com
Sapsis Rigging Introduces Stage Equipment Maintenance Program
Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging, Inc. recently announced the addition of a new service being offered by SRI, Onsite Maintenance Programs for Stage Rigging Equipment.After conducting hundreds of safety inspections of performance spaces in high schools, colleges and universities around the country, Sapsis noted that most of the repairs required on stage equipment were due to improper maintenance and use. The new Sapsis Rigging Maintenance Program is designed to prevent premature wear on stage rigging equipment, as well as help prevent accidents that can be costly both in terms of injuries and property damage. The program offers equipment tune-ups on a frequency dictated by the annual activity the stage receives. Fees are dependent upon the amount of equipment involved and its accessibility. Discounts are available to school districts who commit more than one performance space to the program.
For more information, please contact Bill Sapsis
800/727-7471
800/292-3851 fax
www.sapsis-rigging.com
Bill@sapsis-rigging.com
March 1, 2001
OUT OF AFRICA...AND OVER TO GARY, INDIANA?
Everybody knows, itâs a jungle out there! Uncle Bill Sapsis, president of SAPSIS RIGGING, INC., recently travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to present his world-renown seminar on arena-style rigging. Graciously hosted by Kurt Du Preez of UPSTAGE LIGHTING, the two-day seminar was attended by members of the Upstage Lighting organization as well as several other AV companies and independent riggers.
While Uncle Bill was having all that fun schmoozing with those wonderful folks in South Africa, the hard working SRI crew completed a major rigging renovation of the theatre at the North West Campus of Indiana University in Gary, Indiana. The work included renovating a counterweight system and installing a fire curtain.
February 7, 2001
SRI - RIGGING ALL AROUND
SAPSIS RIGGING was recently engaged by general contractors Morse Diesel to construct a metal sculpture at the British Airways Terminal at JFK Airport. SRI installed a 105 foot curved truss as part of the piece. The sculpture was designed by Illuminating Concepts.
Sapsis Rigging furnished and installed a motorized rigging system including chain motors, variable and fixed speed cable drum winches, and a complete set of stage curtains for JC Bamford, Inc, a manufacturer of earth-moving equipment. The curtains, along with a 36 foot wide projection screen, are computerized and controlled directly from the lighting control desk. Bamford, whose corporate headquarters are located in the United Kingdom, has included a full-sized theatre as part of their new one million square foot facility in Pooler, GA, just outside of Savannah.
Closer to home, Sapsis Rigging completed a major renovation of the school auditorium at Waldron Mercy Academy in Lower Merion, PA. The installation included standard counterweight line sets and winch sets.
September 22, 2000
Sapsis Rigging, Inc. takes the show on the road... In a return engagement, Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging, Inc. traveled to Tampere, Finland to present a week-long rigging seminar. "Luckily, everyone attending understood English", Bill quipped, "so I got my message across". Bill's message of 'safety first' was also given at seminars conducted for Hartford Stage, GES Exposition Services in Baltimore, MD, and The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA.
Meanwhile, several major projects were completed by the Sapsis Rigging crews. Renovations were made to the stage rigging at the Hawken School in Gates Mills, Ohio. A large truss and acoustical panel system was installed for the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Sapsis Rigging also completed a renovation of the rigging system at Viterbo College in La Crosse, WI.
On the consulting side of life, for the McBride Corp., Sapsis Rigging designed a manual rigging system at Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. Also a new rigging system was designed for the Union Theatre at the University of Wisconsin, Madison WI.
SRI provided production support for the Robin Hood Foundation benefit at the 26th St Armory in New York City. The Robin Hood Foundation finds and funds innovative programs helping New York's two million poor residents break poverty's stranglehold. The Foundation is the largest private funder of public schools experimenting with after school options that permit parents to work and kids to have additional schooling. They also provide young people with mentoring opportunities, career counseling and assistance with basic survival needs. Other grant recipients include the nation's first minority run volunteer ambulance corps, neighborhood youth centers, food programs, homeless shelters and AIDS services.
Since its inception in 1988 the Foundation has distributed more than $56 million worth of grants, goods and services. Its Board of Directors underwrites all administrative and fundraising costs, ensuring every penny donated goes directly to those in need. For more information on the Robin Hood Foundation contact: (212) 227-6601
What We Did Instead of Our Summer Vacation
Renovations galore at The Rockland County Community College, Central Arizona College, Oklahoma State University, and the Stagecrafters Theatre as well as the beautiful, historical Irvine Auditorium right here in our home town of Philadelphia, PA.
Fashion Plates on the Town
SRI Show Division crews have been seen sporting our snarky black t-shirts and best jeans while providing production support at some of the toniest events in NYC. Events included the CFDA Awards ceremony, Marc Jacobs at Bryant Park, the launch of the new Talk Magazine at Liberty Island, the Ralph Lauren fashion show (for our 4th season in a row!), Kenneth Cole and Lane Bryant at the Manhattan Center, and the unveiling of a new cosmetic line "Manifesto" from Isabella Rossellini.
Uncle Bill Spreads the Word: Safety!
Uncle Bill's Rigging Seminars continue to be a popular addition to our arsenal of safety related services. Conducted by Bill Sapsis, these seminars cover safety issues in performance venues such as Personal Liability, Fall Arrest Systems, Hardware, Rope, Cable and Slings, Fittings, Rigging Systems, Truss and Chain Motors. Lately Uncle Bill has been spotted at Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown NY, Eisenhower Hall at West Point NY talking to the IATSE Local #311, Showorks, Inc in Wilmington DE, The Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven CT and at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria IL. Click the link for more information on our Rigging Seminars series.
SRI is hangin' out in NYC
As part of an ongoing restoration project, The Textile Conservation Laboratory hired SRI to take down and rehang several priceless tapestries at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. These massive works of textile art date from the 17th century and are being restored to their original splendor.
Across town, Sapsis Rigging hung the truss for Billy Joel's tent party, a new program launch for the USA/Network and the Crystal Ball - a gala benefit for Mt. Sinai Hospital.
"Toys for Technicians" - the new source for the entertainment industry.
(Philadelphia, PA) Hot off the presses! Sapsis Rigging, Inc. has released its new catalog and it's bigger and better than ever. Along with rope, cable, hardware and rigging equipment, Sapsis is offering improved and expanded lines of fall arrest equipment, personal safety products and tools. New products include measuring tools, lighting tools, job-site radios, and lifting and control devices. And for playtime, Sapsis provides a large range of books, videos, software and games for couch potatoes, as well as climbing equipment for the non-couch potato.
products and services you need, and is available free just by calling
1-800-727-7471 or e-mail your request (with name and mailing address) to
sales@sapsis-rigging.com
Sleepless in Brazil...
Sapsis Rigging, Inc., lead by lighting designer Elizabeth Geldhof, designed lighting and provided production consulting services for Morumbi Fashions in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The marathon event included 18 different fashion shows presented in the span of five days.
Cranes 'R Us...
It was one of those lifting-and-carrying kind of months for Sapsis Rigging in New York City. For the Conan O'Brien Anniversary Special a 55 gallon drum, sealed with video clips, needed to be lifted and then dumped into the East River for the opening shot of the special. Then at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of GATX at the New York Stock Exchange we used a really big crane to lift a 30 ton railway car. SRI also hoisted street banners for ITT at 55 Wall Street and several insurance firms at the New York Stock Exchange.
September 1998
Synagogue Solutions...
When the Central Synagogue in New York City suffered a tragic fire right before the Jewish High Holidays, SRI stepped in to help. The SRI paint crew replicated the the front interior wall, including the area surrounding the Ark and the Ten Commandments, onto a forty foot fabric backdrop using designs taken from archive photos of the synagogue. SRI riggers then hung this faux drop drop, as well as lighting and sound support, into the 7th Regiment Armory at 66th and Lexington Avenues - just in time for the congregation to attend Rosh Hashanah services. Here's a press release from the Governor's office.