July 4th Extravaganza begins in
| 4 | 3 |
DAYS!
July 4th Extravaganza begins in
| 4 | 3 |
DAYS!
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.
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are the nation's largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy's and designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, CA, Macy's Fireworks are a digitally-synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing popular music and patriotic score. Annually fired from various locations across New York City, Macy's Fireworks features shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 3 million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide, Macy's 4th of July Fireworks have become the nation's premiere 4th of July celebration event.
For Macy's media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.
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SOURCE: Macy's
By Mike Axisa | Blogger
January 23, 2013 8:48 pm ET
From: http://goo.gl/MOaBe
The Mariners have called Safeco Field home for 14 seasons now, but for the first time since the building opened, the club will have postgame fireworks displays in 2013.MLB.com's Greg Johns reports the M's are teaming up with Pyro Spectaculars -- the company that puts together the New Year's Eve display at the Space Needle -- to provide fireworks displays following games on June 28 (Cubs) and Aug. 9 (Brewers). Both games are on a Friday.
"Fireworks have a long tradition in Major League Baseball and we're excited to bring that to Safeco Field,” said Mariners marketing director Kevin Martinez. “Hopefully it becomes a new summer tradition here in Seattle."
The City of Seattle has limited the team's fireworks ability through the years because of concerns over traffic safety on nearby Interstate 5, so the Mariners and Pyro Spectaculars worked with the fire department to develop a safe and acceptable show. The two fireworks nights are part of a special events schedule that includes Ken Griffey Jr.'s induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame on Aug. 10. The full promotion schedule can be found on the team's official site.
For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnBaseball on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed and "like" us on Facebook. Also, individually interact with us on Twitter: @MattSnyder27, @daynperry and @mikeaxisa.
From: http://goo.gl/7FP32
The Seattle Times
By Madeline McKenzie
Seattle Times staff
Greet 2013 Seattle-style at New Year’s at the Space Needle on Monday. One of the world’s largest structure-launched fireworks displays and a local tradition, the event draws big crowds to Seattle Center and viewing points around town, with a large audience for TV broadcasts.
“It starts getting packed here by 10:30 p.m., so it’s good to arrive by then,” advises Seattle Center Director of Communications Deborah Daoust. “The Monorail and other alternative forms of transportation make it easier to get here, and food vendors in the Armory will be open until midnight so people can stay in out of the cold until the fireworks show.”
The Armory, formerly called Center House, was remodeled this year and renamed for the National Guard Armory it once was. Besides the eateries, there’s an all-ages dance with live music Monday night, and ice skating at Fisher Pavilion is open until 11:30 p.m., so there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting for the new year.
The Space Needle Observation Deck and restaurants close at 6 p.m. Monday for private, sold-out events. Monorail service is suspended after the 11:15 p.m. run from Westlake Center on Monday until the fireworks show is over, then resumes until 1 a.m.
Tuesday, kick off the year boldly at the Polar Bear Plunge at Seattle’s Matthews Beach Park. Costumes are welcome at the festive event and everyone who submerges neck-deep in Lake Washington gets an Official Patch of Courage to commemorate their bravado.
Both events are free. Happy 2013!
New Year’s at the Needle
Time: All-ages dance, 8-11:45 p.m. Monday, Seattle Center Armory. Fireworks show at the Space Needle starts just before midnight.
Cost: Free.
Location: Seattle Center, Seattle.
Madeline McKenzie: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By: Ben Worthen
Wall Street Journal
Published on: December 26, 2012
Link: http://goo.gl/Io3bi
Jeff Thomas has been setting off explosives in the Bay Area since 1974. Don't worry: He runs Bay Area operations for Pyro Spectaculars Inc., a major producer of fireworks displays.
Mr. Thomas coordinates fireworks in many communities, including for San Francisco's Independence Day and New Year's Eve celebrations.
In recent years, he also has put together shows for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.
When major-league baseball slugger Barry Bonds hit his record-breaking home run for the Giants in 2007, Mr. Thomas had a fireworks celebration ready to go.
"We sat for a week and a half waiting for him," says Mr. Thomas, 59 years old.
With New Year's Eve approaching, Mr. Thomas discussed his favorite fireworks displays, the best places to watch the shows and the San Francisco area's omnipresent challenge—the fog.
WSJ: How have fireworks changed since you started?
Mr. Thomas: There are brighter reds, brighter blues and stronger golds. There is now orange and pink and aqua and magenta. The patterns in the sky have gotten more creative. I like the big, long duration, gold, glittery type effects. The products themselves have gotten more reliable.
We have a database now that we didn't have 25 years ago with video of each shell, so if you forget what something does you can go back and revisit the video.
Each show is different, each venue is different. Sometimes the New Year's show, I can use 10-inch shells because we're launching the show out in the water, where there's no spectators or buildings. That's pretty rare. That's [the size of] a basketball. Usually [shells are in] the five-inch to six-inch range.
The five-inch goes 500 feet in the air before it explodes, the 10 inch goes 1,000 feet in the air before it explodes.
A 10-inch shell might go to 2,500 feet across the sky, whereas a five-inch might only go 1,000 feet across the sky.
