Featured Work

Sports Event Production – A Closer Look Behind the 2019 BMW Dallas Marathon

January 21, 2020

For the last 20 years, Onstage Systems has provided a wide range of sports event production services, including audio, visual, and staging solutions for the BMW Dallas Marathon. Started in 1971, the Dallas Marathon is a massive event that draws international attention from countries like Kenya, Russia, and Mexico. A stellar finish at the Dallas Marathon can qualify runners for the Boston Marathon, which makes this event a critical checkpoint for all professional runners looking to secure a spot at the World Marathon Majors.

Since the Dallas Marathon happens every winter, event production can be a challenge given the unexpected weather conditions. In 2013, the Dallas Marathon was canceled due to an ice storm known as ‘Icepocalypse 2013’ but of course, dedicated runners who prepared for months still came to Dallas to compete.

The weather during the 2019 marathon was perfect for our winter runners and even better for Onstage Systems. After months of planning and careful engineering, we were excited to test out an innovative new design we made exclusively for the BMW Dallas Marathon.

Custom Stage Designs for Special Events

Armed with new custom structures and engineering, the team at Onstage Systems came into the 2019 BMW Dallas Marathon ready to unveil a new design. During a months-long back-and-forth with Marathon coordinators, city officials, race coordinators, and structural engineers, Onstage Systems brought an elegant solution for such a simple yet intricate problem.

Onstage engineered a custom 44-foot wide by an 8-foot tall pedestrian bridge made with a combination of trussing and BilJax decking. Pedestrians could now cross the street without interfering with the runners. To spruce up our custom bridge, we added some hardware so marathon organizers could mount banners and help offset production costs by offering sponsorship space on the most prominent banners.

Creating The Dallas Marathon

Behind the scenes, Onstage Systems providing audio, visual, and staging solutions for the BMW Dallas Marathon — Behind the scenes at 2019 BMW Dallas Marathon: Onstage System’s control room for audio, video, and lighting underneath the viewing platform

From a sports event production standpoint, there are dozens of elements that need to be designed and built if you want to produce a successful marathon.

The focal point of any marathon is the start and finish line. Similar to previous Dallas Marathon events, we created a custom start line truss support structure complete with a giant video wall for the runners and spectators in the plaza. This year, our video wall was equipped with video switching and cameras that interfaced with the WFAA live broadcast.

In 2016, BMW signed on as the official partner of the annual race, changing the name from the Dallas Marathon to the BMW Dallas Marathon. To display their latest fleet of luxury vehicles, we designed a BMW display platform.

Additional structures included a custom VIP viewing platform, custom structures for the Front of House (FOH) MC and Tech World, a full audio system for the start/finish line, and lighting accents for the BMW display.

Celebrating Half a Century of Dallas Marathons

Next year, the Dallas Marathon will celebrate its 50th anniversary, making it the longest-running marathon in Texas. We may not be able to predict the weather for next year’s race, but one thing Onstage Systems can guarantee is a commitment to providing the Dallas Marathon with the highest level of event production with the pinnacle of audio, visual, lighting, and staging solutions.

Audio Visual Production Services for the State Fair of Texas

November 1, 2019

Nearly every year since 1886, Dallas has been home to the signature event, the State Fair of Texas. Over two million people from Texas and neighboring states annually flock to Fair Park for the games, deep-fried food, and exciting live event productions.

Onstage has played a part in this tradition for many years by providing audio visual production services for the State Fair of Texas, such as professional stage lighting, audio, staging rentals, and video elements throughout the fairgrounds. We’ve also been able to take staging and stage design to the next level with a featured stage in the middle of a fountain that provided as a platform for varying dance and acrobatic performances.

Stage design, lighting, av production for the State Fair of Texas by Onstage Systems

While working the fair, Onstage has run into various audio visual production challenges. From power and cabling in a water fountain to rooftop access for performance areas, Texas-sized problems require Texas-sized thinking. The experience and versatility of our technicians play the biggest part of our success.

Stage design, lighting, audio visual production for the State Fair of Texas by Onstage Systems

Onstage has procured waterproof speaker cables that can be run in fountains as well as custom speaker configurations. All this ensures for clear 360-degree audio projection from the stage. We also had wireless lighting controls to reduce the amount of cabling within the viewing areas. To protect the robotic lighting from the constantly changing Texas weather, eco domes were used for over 4 weeks through rehearsals and live performances.

Event Management and AV Production for the Cattle Baron’s Ball

November 1, 2019

The Cattle Baron’s Ball is one of Dallas’ most well-attended fundraising events. Since 1974, the Cattle Baron's Ball has raised over $81 million for cancer research. For many years now, the one-night fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society has been hosted at Gilley’s Dallas.

The fundraiser contributes much of its success to the sponsors and partners that donate luxury raffle items such as vehicles from Volvo, Mercedes, Porsche and Range Rover, a Hawaiian Getaway, a $10K Debit Card, and a $10K Highland Park Shopping.

Onstage Systems has been a long-time supporter of the Cattle Baron’s Ball. For over 40 years we have provided this event with event management and av production services such as staging rentals, lighting, audio, live event production, and onsite technical assistance. Onstage organized the event logistics of the live auction by preparing lights, speakers, and microphones. Perhaps even more exciting than that, we were granted the opportunity to manage the full production and offer onsite technical assistance for this year’s headlining talent, Keith Urban.

Keith Urban and Travis Tritt helped raise funds with spectacular performances. However, they are only the latest in big names to have performed here. Throughout its history, many adored country music stars have supported the cause with entertainment, including Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Big & Rich, Toby Keith, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, and many more.

In the early years of the event, Onstage Systems faced challenges with venue preparation. The tent outside Gilley’s Dallas was unable to hold the number of video walls, automated lights, and large top-of-the-line speakers due to weight restrictions. Times like these are when having a staff of creative and experienced technicians become critical. Our staging department designed a custom indoor ground supported rigging grid that could fulfill all of our needs. This has since been certified by our engineers for safety and is now the standard for this event.

With Onstage’s complex staging, lighting, and audio visual elements, we had to coordinate our complex installations with vendors bringing tables, chairs, and decor that also required the space. Onstage contributes to the annual success of this event to our attention to detail and everyone’s dedication to cooperation.

Audio Visual Production for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

September 10, 2019

Our company has a very interesting history with the DSO. It began in 1980 at the Fair Park Music Hall, which at the time was the home for the orchestra. This relationship started with the founder of our company, Charles Belcher. We provided audio, engineering, and backline support for all pop artists that have performed with the symphony.

The relationship was taken to a new level early on in 1982 when we were chosen to be the sound company for the DSO's summer home at "Starfest". This was a huge step for both the DSO and our company. We provided a sound system for a 15,000 seat outdoor venue. This system stayed in place for two months during June and July for several years of Starfest.

The relationship continued through the years with Russell Purdue, who has been an integral fixture with the company for over 30 years. We were also there to support DSO with the opening of their new home at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in 1989, when they performed with Johnny Mathis and Leontyne Price. We continue to support DSO in this manner to date.

In 2012, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Onstage Systems partnered again to open Klyde Warren Park in 2012 accompanying Jackie Evancho. This has created yet another partnership at Klyde Warren Park with the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.

We may have a new name, new gear, and new engineers, but the heart of that relationship remains. This is due to Russell’s high standard of excellence and customer service to this and all other clients that give us the honor of working with us. As Russell transitions to retirement, the third generation of Onstage is charged with taking the helm and continuing the tradition of service and passion with the Symphony.

Symphonic concerts at the Meyerson, Christmas performances, as well as the Summer Series of Concerts are the hallmark of this extensive relationship. Artists of varying disciplines have played with this masterful ensemble of performers from Erykah Badu, Leslie Odom, Jr., Wynton Marsalis, and Chris Botti, just to name a few recent indoor engagements. With the introduction of our Stageline SL320, the DSO now has consistency in their performance space in the ever-challenging outdoor environment.

Our family at DSO continues to provide their symphonic artistry to Dallas. If you look about 90 feet in front of the stage, you will see a member of Onstage providing the amplification to yet another tremendous performance!

AV Production and Stage Design for the JMBLYA Music Festival

August 5, 2019

Since its inception in 2013, JMBLYA has positioned itself as one of Texas’ unrivaled hip-hop-oriented music festivals. This year, Onstage was asked to assist with the av production which included our flagship L’Acoustics K1 Speaker system as well as our Stageline SL320 for the 2nd stage. Onstage also provided the artist runway for a more intimate connection between artists and festival-goers. Production stage wings, upstage ramps and loading docks were also provided to ensure smooth transitions between artists' performances. Onstage also provided custom ADA compliant platforms and VIP viewing platforms taking the festival experience to the next level of service.

Featured Work

Sports Event Production – A Closer Look Behind the 2019 BMW Dallas Marathon

Custom Stage Designs for Special Events

Creating The Dallas Marathon

Celebrating Half a Century of Dallas Marathons

Audio Visual Production Services for the State Fair of Texas

Event Management and AV Production for the Cattle Baron’s Ball

Audio Visual Production for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

AV Production and Stage Design for the JMBLYA Music Festival

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