With Corona virus shutting all venues down and technicians etc becoming unemployed, we need to keep our skills levels up. Not only to keep us occupied but in readiness for when the venues slowly re-open in the future.

So what is there out for us entertainment professionals to do?
Well head over to ETCConnect and learn more about programming their EOS Family consoles, or DMX theory. They have a great range to choose from
https://www.etcconnect.com/Support/Training-Events/Training-Resources-Europe.aspx

Or head over to the ACT website and do some of their courses. There is courses in GrandMA systems. Normally you would pay for these courses but due to the virus, they are offering them for free. You will need the promo code: act4me
https://academy.actlighting.com/series/online-courses

Are you Chamsys user? Would you like to win a MagicQ MQ70 console? Well the makers of Chamsys are running a compitition for lighting folk to using a rig design they supply and your favourite music track and program to that track. Then upload a screen capture before April 10th.
More info here: https://chamsyslighting.com/pages/pls-competition

Have you wanted to learn more about wysiwyg, Cast Software are offering information sessions. Recommended for both new and experienced users, our live online training seminars are carefully crafted to focus on specific areas of wysiwyg to help save you time and to work more efficiently. Follow this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wysiwyg-essentials-getting-started-registration-94792768723

If you are an audio guy, Reaper are offering a temporary license key valid through to the end of June 2020. Just go to this page: http://cockos.com/reaper/reaper_2020_temporary_license.txt

Another audio Software package for Windows users is SFX: Sound Playback by the guys at Stage Research. They are offering it for free. Head to thier page to get this great offer. https://www.stageresearch.com/

Strand Lighting is also offering online training. Let Strand teach you the basics of the world of lighting systems design online as well as learn more about its consoles, dimming and distribution, and networking products.
Let Strand teach you the basics of the world of lighting systems design online as well as learn more about its consoles, dimming and distribution, and networking products.
There is further information and course descriptions on its Online Training page.
Further information from Strand Lighting: www.strandlighting.com

Avolites are also offering some online training for their software as part of the Avolites Academy.
Over the coming days and weeks, the full schedule and resources can be found on this dedicated page where we will be giving you the opportunity to improve or update your skills via online webchat, training, or tutorials from our Facebook community forums for both Titan and Ai platforms.

The owners of the Vista lighting software ChromaQ are also giving you a chance to upskill on thier software. Free VISTA webinars covering a variety of topics: https://www.facebook.com/chromaq.lighting

Gaffer Systems are a new visualization software package being developed. Try the full version of their “up-and-coming” 3d modeling/visualization tool, for FREE: https://gaffersystems.com/2020/03/12/gaffer-for-free/

Obsidian Control Systems are also offering webinars on the lighting software which is developing quite a following. Starting March 23, Free Online Classes (Webinars) on ONYX and Netron: https://obsidiancontrol.com/events/Obsidian_online_classes

For users of Vectorworks Spotlight, there is a a relevant webinar available for free to learn more . You will explore some of the most common workflows and utilize the latest tools and commands of Vectorworks® Spotlight software. Follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vectorworks-spotlight-essentials-seminar-free-for-a-limited-time-tickets-63899477056?utm_campaign=launch&utm_content=entspotlightgrouppage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=

Anyone familiar with LX Series Pro software will be pleased that they have also responded to the virus issue with an emergency license. Claude Heinz Design is making a temporary LXSeries Pro license available for free to anyone. The license can be installed in LXBeams or LXFree for Java (v2.3.5) and provides access to the full functions of LXSeries Pro during the current emergency. Link: https://www.claudeheintzdesign.com/lx/lxseriespro_covid19.html

There is many more and I will in next day or so will provide leads to other resourses to keep us busy.