Tag: 21CC

All set for fireworks at Fawkes Festival

NEW SENSATIONAL SCOTTISH FIREWORKS FESTIVAL LAUNCHED AT DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK 

Dalkeith Country Park is getting ready for the first event in a sensational new Scottish fireworks festival this autumn. 

Billed as a unique new way to experience Halloween and Guy Fawkes night, Fawkes Festival is primed to set skies ablaze spectacularly. 

Designed and produced by the team at GC Live and delivered by technical partners West Lothian-based events group 21CC, it promises wickedly wonderful Halloween and fireworks events for all the family. 

The extravaganza, being staged across the Lothians and beyond, features an exciting programme of events with entertainment, fairground rides, fabulous food and drink and a magnificent fireworks display choreographed to music – all with a beautiful country house as a backdrop. 

It kicks off in Dalkeith Country Park on Saturday, October 28 when the first fireworks spooktacular takes place, with the festivities culminating in a 20-minute Halloween-inspired fireworks show, set to classic Halloween music, lights and lasers, with the grand vista of Dalkeith Palace as a backdrop. 

Geoff Crow, director of 21CC Group, says: “This is going to be Scotland’s biggest and best Guy Fawkes festival.  

“Since the pandemic, there have been virtually no big shows like this around the country but we’re bringing Guy Fawkes back with a bang!” 

The festival runs from October 28 to November 5 with further events being held at: Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire on October 29;  Hopetoun House, South Queensferry on November 4 and Gosford House, East Lothian on 5 November.

GC Live will also be taking the Fawkes Festival to two venues in England where there will be a special movie-themed Light-Laser-Sound Extravaganza, featuring London’s largest 15-minute immersive light and laser display to music with sky trackers, flames and special effects. 

These events are being staged at London’s Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park with shows taking place at both venues on November 3 and 4. 

For more information on the Fawkes Festival, all the events and to book tickets, go to  www.fawkesfestival.com 

Wondrous Woods partners with Scottish Autism to produce bespoke events

Lighting trail adapted for autistic visitors or visitors with sensory issues

Scotland’s most anticipated lighting trail Wondrous Woods is staging a specially tailored event to open up the extravaganza to autistic visitors or visitors with sensory processing challenges.

The company behind the spectacular illuminations, 21CC, has worked with Scottish Autism to devise a Relaxed Evening – supported by The Walter Scott Giving Group – of more subdued effects, reduced noise and more static lighting. The aim is to make the trail, in the grounds of Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Last year the event, which was Scotland’s first large-scale COVID-safe experience for the public, attracted over 35,000 visitors and this year is expected to be even more popular. But the sights, sounds and sensations of the show, which lights up the stately home and a magical woodland journey through its grounds, can prove challenging for autistic people or people with sensory processing sensitivities.

Determined to set the standard of inclusion for major events, 21CC engaged Scottish Autism as consultants to advise on best practice for the event on Monday, November 8.  The modified event is the result and will also include staggered arrival time slots, reduced capacity to minimise crowds and lower sound levels.

The team at 21CC have also worked closely with Scottish Autism to produce pre-event information which is available to potential ticket buyers through the Wondrous Woods website, and which will allow customers to ascertain what event would be best suited for their needs – the Relaxed Performance, or the standard performance, ultimately giving them the ability to make the right choice for them in advance.

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “When we came up with the concept for Wondrous Woods we wanted to ensure that as many adults and children as possible could enjoy the experience.

“Within the team we have some first-hand experience with autism so we understand that the multi-sensory nature of the lighting trail may cause sensory overload in autistic people or those with other sensory processing disorders and result in them feeling excluded.

“Working with Scottish Autism to produce something specially crafted for this unique group of visitors has been so satisfying.”

Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO, Scottish Autism said: “As an organisation committed to enabling autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives, we are delighted to work alongside the Wonderous Woods organisers to ensure the attraction is as inclusive as possible for everyone.

“For many autistic people, the sensory aspect of an event like this can prove to be overwhelming, however with some minor adjustments and preparation in place, autistic people can enjoy this attraction with their families.”

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group, this year’s trail runs from October 21 to November 14 and showcases a host of new and exciting festival themed-features including Kaleidoscope, Rubik’s Cube, Loo Lane, Pixel Campsite and Flaming Brilliant.

It sets off from Hopetoun House and follows a 2km woodland walk meandering through secret paths, amongst ancient woodlands and clearings and past the atmospheric old summerhouse before returning via the Lime Avenue to the glorious sight of the House beautifully lit up.

En route, along with creative lighting, there will also be several sound and special effects installations, which will have their volumes adjusted and lights lowered and their movements reduced.  

Dennis Wyles, Client Investment Manager at Walter Scott Giving Group, says: “We are really pleased to be supporting this Relaxed Evening after last year’s successful event. This evening increases the access for more families to enjoy this trail.”

21CC Group is a Scottish based events group based outside Edinburgh, established in 1999.  They produce events around the country for corporate groups, festivals, local authorities, and private clients.

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit:

www.wondrouswoods.com/relaxed-evening 

and www.wondrouswoods.com

21CC Group spearheads landmark Granton Gasholder lights project

 Leading Scottish based events company, 21CC Group recently unveiled the output of months of planning with a new project delivered in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh College.  

The creative lighting design company were appointed to transform the iconic gasholder tower into one of Scotland’s biggest works of art, while providing opportunities for students at Edinburgh College to work on a live creative project.  

Commenting on the success and long-term objectives of the installation, Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group explained: “We are immensely proud to have been appointed for this project, and of the results achieved by our technical production company, 21CC Productions.

“For us, it’s about giving Edinburgh a new landmark and students hands-on experience with cutting edge equipment, that will enable them to leave school, college or university with the practical skills and head start in some of the key sectors for industry growth across Scotland. 

“Over the course of the next 2 years, we are also planning to work alongside Edinburgh College to further support the students with their practical experience on the ground, introducing them to some of the newest technology available and creating a platform for them to learn more about its practical application.”  

Through providing students at the college with direct access to this equipment, it is hoped that the innovative lighting project will support the enablement of skills and create an opportunity for students to turn theory into reality across key industry sectors including theatre, media, marketing, lighting design, sound production.

 Lead lighting designer on the project – and former pupil of Edinburgh College – Neill Fleming, Lighting Technician for 21CC Group, said: “As a former student of Edinburgh College myself, who has moved into a permanent role within the industry, I am so aware of the importance of real-life experience in creating true understanding and passion for the industry.

“This is an opportunity like no other, and our installation will enable existing students the opportunity to work alongside a leading team of professionals.”  

The spectacular launch – including Edinburgh Castle-style chases around the structure – showcased the brand-new lighting displays at Granton Gasholder in all its glory.

The tower has been an important fixture of Edinburgh’s Waterfront for over a century, and the launch itself marked the beginning of a vital regeneration project undertaken by The City of Edinburgh Council, with the display proudly illuminating the skyline for a period of up to two years. 

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group concludes, “In a year where the event industry as a whole suffered greatly due the significant economic and social impact of Covid, this collaboration is significant on so many different levels, and a true symbol of hope at such a critical time.

“We are really looking forward to supporting the college further by taking some of these students and working to immerse them in some of our larger events later on in the year too.”