BACKGROUNDER ON CLUB INFERNO -- SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Veteran lighting installers Sid and Kelly Norris (Music City Installation, Springfield, MO ) have created lighting systems of every shape and size for hundreds of club owners. When the brother-partners came across an 11,000 sq. ft. building originally designed for JC Penney in 1919, they seized the opportunity to start their own club. With help from Elation Professional and American DJ, the Norrises were able to turn a music store inside the vintage structure into Springfields new hot spot called Inferno.
"At first, the plan was to use the store as a product display showcase for our clients," said Kelly Norris. "We tossed around ideas such as using a giant stained glass fixture with natural gas flames shooting from the top to gain attention. This brought up the name Inferno, and we decided to just go for it and open our own nightclub."
Although the city vetoed the giant outer flame, Inferno has risen from the ashes to become the citys hottest club. Currently, Inferno engulfs 5,500 sq. ft of the historic building, and burns with spectacular lighting effects created by over three dozen Elation Professional and American DJ fixtures. Inferno also uses the Elation Professional Show Designer controller to keep its brilliant blaze of lights in check.
Due to the tremendous response to the club, the Norrises will soon spread Infernos flames over an additional 4,000 sq. ft. They plan on adding more Elation Professional and American DJ fixtures to keep the clubs fiery image burning.
"This is our first experience with Elation Professional and American DJ, and we are very impressed with the quality of the fixtures, as well as the service that we received," said Kelly Norris. "We credit Infernos great interior to the special lighting effects, and as we expand the club we want to add more fixtures keep Infernos electric effect."
True to its name, Inferno sets the night ablaze with fiery special effects created by 8 American DJ Torch Lights. The Torch Lights flame effects spread throughout the entire club and flicker from every surface including behind the bar and around the DJ booth.
In addition to the Torch Lights "fire" effects, the Norrises used American DJ H2Os and Galactic Stars to add the elements of "water" and "air" (space). Four American DJ Galactic Stars shoot tons of multi-colored laser beams in all directions, while four H20s ripple effects are used to create a melting "lava look" to soothe the crowd before Inferno heats up with the heavy dance music.
Along with the American DJ lighting, the Norrises decided to spark up the atmosphere by using over one dozen Elation Professional effects. Four Elation Joy 300s are linked together and positioned on a round truss in the center of the room to provide quick moving multi-colored gobos. Two Elation Patend Light 1200s are placed in opposite corners of the room to "push the crowd over the cliff" with their 3-way and 5-way colored prism effects.
Inferno also illuminates with intense colors by utilizing 4 of Elation Professionals extremely bright Color Spot 575s, and 4 Color Wash 250s. Four Elation Opti Par high-output par cans were included to spotlight bands and other special events on Infernos stage.
Of course, where theres fire theres smoke, and Inferno puts out a ton of smoldering fog effects by using the Elation Professional MB-1500 Fog Machine. "The MB-1500 produces tremendous fog effects that are very long-lasting and save us from purchasing a ton of fog juice," said Norris.
To control Infernos spectacular blaze of lighting effects, the Norrises chose the Elation Professional Show Designer controller. "We are very happy with the Show Designer," said Norris. "It is a high-quality product that is very user-friendly and has excellent programmability. Best of all, it can control a very large range of fixtures.
"As longtime installers, weve worked with many varieties of lights," added Norris. "When shopping at the winter NAMM show for our club, American DJ and Elation Professional really stepped up to the plate by offering the best products and providing us with incredible service."
"We are very proud to have our products used in a world-class club like Inferno," commented Ron Ramirez, sales manager at Elation Professional. "Our commitment is to provide high-quality effects to enhance the theme of any club or establishment. Club Infernos lighting environment is a true example of how we can help add that unique touch to those who are looking for extra special lighting effects."
Club Inferno is located at 220 South Campbell Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806. Phone: 417-832-1545.
For more information regarding Elation Professional products, contact Elation Professional at 323-582-3322. Fax: 323-582-3108. website.: www.elationlighting.com
For more information regarding American DJ/ lighting products, contact American DJ at 800-322-6337. Fax: 323-582-2610. website: www.americandj.com
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List of Elation Professional/American DJ Products
Used at Club Inferno
Lighting:
4 x Elation JOY-300
4 x Elation Color Wash-250
4 x Elation Color Spot-575
4 x Elation Opti-Par/N
2 x Elation Patend Light-1200
8 x American DJ Torch Light
4 x American DJ H2O
4 x American DJ Galactic Star
2 x American DJ Snap Shot/DMX
Lighting Controllers:
1 x Elation Show Designer
2 x American DJ Light-Copilot
Fogger:
1 x Elation MB-1500