Brown Note Productions, Inc. in Thornton, Colorado deployed 92 new Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy fixtures at DJ Sammy Virji’s high-energy show in Denver’s Civic Center Park on September 13. Set against the awe-inspiring, neo-classical backdrop of the City and County Building, Virji thrilled a crowd that braved inclement weather for an amazing night of electronic dance music.
Virji has exploded on the EDM scene since he last played Denver one year ago at the Greek Theater. He has played Coachella and Tomorrowland, charted hit solo tunes and made notable collaborations in the lead up to one of the biggest shows of his career at Civic Center Park.
Brown Note teamed with Chris Schroeder Productions and Lighting Designer Erik Mahowald of Bending Light Productions to use 92 Ultimo Sharpys to create a bold, dynamic backdrop of light that framed both the artist on stage and the iconic building behind him. The fixtures’ sharp beams and speed allowed them to sculpt the performance environment with energy and precision, adding depth and drama that elevated the open-air setting into a fully immersive visual experience.
According to Mahowald, his Bending Lite Productions “has been excited about the release of Ultimo Sharpy, Claypaky’s next-generation beam moving head, for a while now. In the midst of all the new technology coming out within the lighting industry, we have been waiting for an update of the Sharpy, one of our biggest workhorses.
“For Sammy Virji we wanted to design a lighting package that not only wowed the audience from afar but also left [the City and County Building] behind the stage completely unobstructed by structures. Ultimo Sharpy gave us the confidence that we could create an impressive light show and lighting architecture.”
Ryan Knutson, President at Brown Note says, “What truly sets the Ultimo Sharpy apart is its new color mixing engine—a major leap forward from the traditional color wheel found in most beam fixtures. Lighting designers have been asking for this level of control, and Claypaky delivered. The upgrade brings richer color rendering, smoother transitions, and far greater creative flexibility in a compact, high-output beam. Combined with its ultra-fast movement, constant pan rotation, and robust IP protection, the Ultimo Sharpy redefines what a fixture of this size and heritage can do. It’s a game changer for designers looking to push the limits of performance and precision.”
Ultimo Sharpy’s IP66 rating was a big advantage for Virji’s show since rain fell as forecast prior to his set but largely let up in time for his performance. Mahowald was pleased with his debut use of the fixtures, especially their IP capabilities. “Ultimo Sharpy is not only fast, bright and compact, it is IP-rated. Bending Lite designs a large amount of outdoor events and being able to have a high-quality beam [exposed to] the elements is going to be a game changer.”
Knutson concurs with Mahowald. “The Ultimo Sharpy is a versatile, IP-rated beam fixture making it a natural fit for both touring and permanent outdoor environments. As legacy fixtures in this category age, the Ultimo Sharpy stands out as a reliable next-generation replacement. Its speed, punch and weather-resistant design make it ideal for everything from festivals and large-scale civic events to permanent architectural or municipal installations where consistent, high-impact lighting is required year-round.”
Chris Schroeder Productions shared production duties with Brown Note for the event. Alex Van Roon was the Lighting Operator and ED36North the Video Operator.
Inner Circle Distribution is the exclusive distributor of Claypaky in the United States.
Photo Credit: Sam Silkworth - Silky Shots
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