Usher creating ‘different take’ on July 4 fireworks
From: http://www.today.com/video/today/52383150
The eight-time Grammy winner chats about his upcoming task “curating” the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, for which he singlehandedly selected all the music.
Check out the video below.
Global Superstar Usher, Macy’s, and Pyro Spectacular close the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the 37th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks®
On Wednesday, July 3 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® Executive Producer Amy Kule, accompanied by global superstar Usher, will visit the New York Stock Exchange and ring The Closing Bell® to highlight the 37th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks.
For this first time in the history of the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks' show, a superstar artist has collaborated with Macy's creative and pyrotechnic teams on the 4th of July Fireworks. Eight-time Grammy® Award-winning artist Usher has curated the overall design of the show, entitled "It Begins with A Spark."
The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be broadcast live on NBC on Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT/MT nationwide and the fireworks soundtrack can be heard locally on radio stations 1010 WINS and Z-100.
Check out the video of the event below.
Inside the Pyrotechnics of Celebrate America
FOX40 cameras went inside the planning of the spectacular fireworks show planned for this year’s Celebrate America event. Pyro Spectaculars very own Kevin and Matt Gilfillan were featured in the segment. Check out the video below.
37th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
Text, Photos and Videos from http://macys.com/fireworks.
CURATED BY USHER
"I'm really excited to add my flavor to the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, the largest show in America. As an artist, it's important t hat I expand creatively into new areas. Working on the score and fireworks design has been a great experience that's allowed me to share my voice in a new way."
-- Usher
This year, Macy's creative team joined forces with superstar Usher to develop and present the 2013 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Together in Jimi Hendrix's historic Electric Lady recording studios in Greenwich Village, Usher and the Macy's team collaborated to create a musical score t hat includes hit songs by artists Jimi Hendrix, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Cooke, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Usher himself. Using t his score as a guide, Usher provided inspiration for the visual design for the show, partnering with Macy's pyrotechnic designers the Souza brothers.
"The 4th of July is a collective celebration of freedom and I hope that through the music and visuals, I've helped express the energy and passion of our nation. I can't wait for the countdown, we're getting ready to surprise the audience with the ultimate Independence Day party."
-- Usher
Check out http://macys.com/fireworks for more photos and videos.
Pyro Spectaculars and Pyrotechnic Innovations Form Training Partnership
The partnership gives Pyro Spectaculars by Souza exclusive access to the well-developed operator recruitment resources of Pyrotechnic Innovations, in addition to collaborating in a new program that aims to take pyrotechnic operator knowledge, public safety, and show performance to a higher standard.
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza and Pyrotechnic Innovations announced today that they have formed an alliance to help recruit, train, and retain qualified pyrotechnic operators in the United States. Building from the online platform that Pyrotechnic Innovations has developed, they plan to pioneer an industry-leading program, which utilizes both academic, and field exercises to methodically increase the knowledge of each pyrotechnic operator throughout their career in the fireworks industry. Jim Souza, President and Chief Creative Officer of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza tells us, “I’m excited about working with Pyro Innovations in this new collaboration. Pyro Innovations has a strong history of finding and training great operators. I’m confident that our joint efforts will yield tremendous value for both organizations.”
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, one of the largest, most respected fireworks display companies in the world, whose show quality, operator knowledge, and safety are already industry leaders, will once again be moving the bar higher. “We are going to take the best and make it even better,” said Mike Tockstein, President and CEO of Pyrotechnic Innovations. Tockstein continues, “We are not only going to create a more standardized training program, but also opportunities for any of our pyrotechnic operators to add more advanced skills to their fireworks knowledge bank, enabling them to elevate themselves well above what normally constitutes being a licensed pyrotechnic operator.”
Increasing opportunities for that operator is not their only goal. “Safety around large display fireworks is always paramount,” says Tockstein. Souza, who is past president of the American Pyrotechnic Association (APA) and is currently on the NFPA Fireworks Code Committee, goes on to comment, “Pyro Spectaculars has a long history of leading the pyrotechnics industry in operator and fire service training. This program is the natural progression of Pyro Spectaculars and will ensure our operators will continue our 35 years of safety leadership in the industry.” The program aims to create a lifecycle, which continually trains, updates, and qualifies operators to ensure public safety and outstanding show performance.
Additional details of the program will be released as they become available. You can apply to become a pyrotechnic apprentice by visiting Pyro Spectaculars by Souza at http://pyrospec.com or Pyrotechnic Innovations at http://pyroinnovations.com.
About Pyro Spectaculars by Souza:
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is an American pyrotechnics company based in California. Known for designing and producing thousands of fireworks displays every year around the world, Pyro Spectaculars by Souza has been responsible for the special effects at multiple Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, MLB World Series and Bowl Championship Series games. In addition, Pyro Spectaculars annually produces the two largest Fourth of July fireworks celebrations in the United States, the Macy*s Fourth of July spectacular in New York and Americafest in Pasadena. By far the largest fireworks company on the West Coast, Pyro Spectaculars produces approximately 400 local fireworks shows over the July 4th holiday. Under the leadership of Jim Souza, Pyro Spectaculars has continued to be America’s Premiere Pyrotechnic Production Company, with unmatched experience, skills, resources and qualified personnel.
For more information about Pyro Spectaculars by Souza please visit, http://pyrospec.com.
About Pyrotechnic Innovations:
Pyrotechnic Innovations, also widely known as Pyro Innovations, was founded by Mike Tockstein in 2002, and is dedicated to providing a means of entering into the field of pyrotechnics, to communicate the cutting edge standards in pyrotechnics, and all associated training. This is accomplished through field exercises and their extensive Fireworks Training pages, which include tons of information; with step-by-step video explanations you won't find anywhere else, on the methods used to set up a professional fireworks display.
For more information about Pyrotechnic Innovations please visit http://pyroinnovations.com/
UPDATED: Fireworks to Celebrate Thunder Valley 10-Year Anniversary
Rocklin and Roseville Today
From: http://goo.gl/8LImt
Thunder Valley Casino Resort is celebrating the Grand Finale of its 10 Year Anniversary Celebration this Sunday, June 9 with a spectacular fireworks show.
Starting at 8 p.m., guests are invited to gather in Thunder Valley's Outdoor Amphitheater. Fireworks will start promptly at 9:20 p.m. and be accompanied by a special Thunder Valley Summer Concert Series soundtrack.
"We invite everyone to gather at Thunder Valley this weekend for a phenomenal fireworks show as we commemorate 10 years of success," said Dawn Clayton, General Manager at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. "Over the years, Thunder Valley has become part of the fabric of our community and we look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with our loyal supporters."
Also during the Grand Finale Celebration on Sunday, 10 lucky players will each drive home in a new Camaro as part of Thunder Valley's $1,000,000 Camaro-A-Day Giveaway. Drawings will be held at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10:10 p.m., with two car winners at each drawing time.
Free cupcakes will also be given to Thunder Club cardholders beginning at 12 p.m.
For more information visit Thunder Valley's 10th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, June 9, 2013
12 p.m. Free Cupcakes
9:20 p.m. Fireworks Show
10:10 p.m. Final Camaro Drawing
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
1200 Athens Avenue
Lincoln, CA 95648
Check out photos from the event below.
2013 Fire Service Fireworks Safety Seminar
Thank you to the fire service professionals that attended this year's Fire Service Fireworks Safety Seminar. The We truly appreciate your time and dedicated service!
The seminar consisted of a two hour lecture on the firework industry and a demonstration of various firework effects.
Check out photos from the event below.
Usher testing fireworks with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza for the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Click a photo above to see a larger version.
“It Begins with A Spark”: Global Superstar Usher Joins Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
From: MarketWatch | The Wall Street Journal
http://goo.gl/xoDPR
"It Begins with A Spark": Global Superstar Usher Joins Macy's in Curating the Concept, Music and Design of the 37th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks ® - The nation's largest display of Independence Day firepower will feature 40,000 fireworks igniting the sky over the Hudson River in New York City
NEW YORK, May 09, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- This 4th of July, the nation's largest patriotic pyrotechnic display will illuminate the night sky over New York City as the 37th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks(R) rumble to life. A spectacle like no other, this year's show will feature a first-ever, one-of-a-kind collaboration with global superstar Usher, who has sold over 50 million records worldwide throughout his illustrious career and will join Macy's in igniting sparks over the Hudson River
.
"This year Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be transformed into a giant party in the sky captivating audiences along the Hudson River and on television screens across the country," Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. "Since 1976, Macy's Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry. With this first-ever collaboration with Usher, we are taking the show to the next level of entertainment spectacle, combining the very best of Macy's Fireworks with Usher's unparalleled artistic vision."
"I'm really excited to add my flavor to the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, the largest show in America. As an artist, it's important that I expand creatively into new areas. Working on the score and fireworks design has been a great experience that's allowed me to share my voice in a new way," commented Usher. "The 4th of July is a collective celebration of freedom and I hope that through the music and visuals, I've helped express the energy and passion of our nation. I can't wait for the countdown; we're getting ready to surprise the audience with the ultimate Independence Day party."
For the first time in the history of the show, a superstar artist is collaborating with Macy's creative and pyrotechnic teams. Lending his artistic inspiration and talent, eight-time Grammy(R) Award-winning artist Usher is curating the overall design of the show, entitled "It Begins with A Spark." From the rousing musical selections to the spectacular Fireworks in the sky, Usher is putting his visionary stamp on the nation's biggest Independence Day party.
Beginning with the score, Usher's musical tastes are evident and reflect a melting pot of influences that span several decades of music. From current smash hits by artists like Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia to classic artists like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra 
and Sam Cooke, the explosive evening will feature a taste of musical styles ranging from pop and soul to country and electronic dance music. With a selection of Usher's top hits in the mix and Americana favorites such as "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" rounding out the presentation, the Fireworks will have a spectacular back beat as they paint the night sky.
Usher's artistry also extends to the canvas in the sky. In collaboration with Macy's Fireworks designers Gary and Jim Souza, Usher is providing visual design cues, inspiration and direction for the pyrotechnics that are choreographed to the score. Featuring never-before-seen effects, shapes and colors, the partnership is yielding a dazzling spectacle that will spark a wave of awe in audiences from coast-to-coast.
The 37th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells during a 26-minute synchronized display. SOUSA Fireworks is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics which will be positioned on the Hudson River approximately between 24th and 40th Streets. With an average of 1,800 shells launched per minute, Macy's Fireworks show provides the biggest booms in the nation.
Macy's explosive spectacle is made possible in part by KitchenAid(R), Kool-Aid(R), Planters(R) and is presented in partnership with the City of New York. Revelers lining the Macy's Fireworks viewing locations are encouraged to enjoy the full experience by tuning in to radio stations 1010 WINS-AM to hear the musical score to which the show is choreographed. Spectators from coast-to-coast will also have a front row view of the pyro in the sky by tuning to NBC's national broadcast of "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT/MT (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnics, the 4th of July's most popular entertainment special will feature performances from the nation's hottest musical acts.
For more information on the 37th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy's Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495. Information will be available as of June 4, 2013.
California Fireworks License Renewals Due TODAY!
Attention California Operators! Your annual pyrotechnics renewal form must be postmarked today. If it is postmarked after today the fee is increased.
Check out: http://goo.gl/sgoFO for more information.
2013 Operator Seminar & Showcase Highlights
| On Saturday, April 28, 2012 Pyro Spectaculars held its annual operator seminar and show case. Every year we bring together our operators and friends of the company for a BBQ picnic and a private fireworks show. This year's showcase was held at Cerritos Park East in the city of Cerritos. The event was attended by over 200 people. Pictured from left to right: Louis Black, Sharon Hatch, Lawrence Johnson, Robert Wilson, Kevin Taylor, Hank Schmel, Thomas Sanders, Jim Souza, Dave Palmer, Paul Souza, Robert Bronner, Chris Souza, Aaron Beargeon, Benard Daverin, Ryan Murphy, Brendan Mckenney |
|
Thank you very much to our spectacular operators, staff, friends and family for making the event a success. We very much look forward to seeing you all on July 4th!
Check out the photos below to see highlights from the operator seminar and showcase.
Pyro North Operator’s Seminar Evaluation
{chronoforms}Pyro_North_Operator_Seminar_Evaluation{/chronoforms}