ADJ ElectraPix Par 7 Fixtures Create Vibrant Backdrop for Splash of Culture Event in Newmarket, Canada
Last fall, a collection of ADJ ElectraPix Par 7 LED fixtures helped transform the Mercedes-Benz Newmarket Water Feature in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, into a stunning open-air performance space for the Splash of Culture event. Used to illuminate towering trees behind a floating stage, the fixtures delivered bold color, impressive coverage, and completely cable-free convenience, providing the perfect visual complement to an evening of live music under the stars.
Presented as a free community celebration of art, water, and music, Splash of Culture featured performances from Patrick Fockler, Quisha Wint and Daniel Panetta, and The Midnight Company. The event showcased an eclectic mix of blues, soul, jazz, and R&B-inspired sounds, set against the unique backdrop of the Mercedes-Benz Newmarket Water Feature, with the stage constructed directly over the water.
Local production company EJSE AV was responsible for the transformation of the space into a fully realized concert environment. Tasked with planning and managing the production was EJSE AV Account Manager Ryan McLeod, who oversaw the design and deployment of the lighting, staging, and audio systems. Meanwhile, the company's in-house Lighting Designer, Kevin Ellis, was responsible for designing, programming, and operating the lighting system.
To create a vibrant natural backdrop, the team deployed 40 ADJ ElectraPix Par 7 fixtures to illuminate the line of trees behind the stage. Early adopters of the ADJ ElectraPix Series, EJSE AV already had confidence in the fixtures’ performance — but the event provided an opportunity to push them even further.
“We were already huge fans of the ElectraPix Par 7, but this event really demonstrated just what a great fixture it really is,” explains Kevin. “The event was delayed a couple of weeks due to severe bad weather, which meant a lot more leaves had fallen from the trees than we were originally expecting, so we were worried about how well they would catch the light. But the ElectraPix Par 7s outperformed our expectations in every way. We were able to cover full trees, with heights of 30 and 40 feet, without any issue. The trees ended up forming the perfect canvas because as the sun went down, the backdrop kind of naturally took shape. It ended up looking fantastic. A lot of people commented on the effect and our client was ecstatic.”
As daylight faded, the illuminated trees evolved into a dramatic, colorful backdrop. Rich, saturated hues bathed the foliage, while dynamic chases ran across the 40 fixtures to bring added energy during up-tempo musical moments. The result was a layered, immersive environment that enhanced both the visual impact and emotional atmosphere of the performances.
A key advantage for the EJSE AV team was the fixture’s fully wireless capability. Featuring built-in Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and wireless DMX connectivity, the ElectraPix Par 7 units eliminated the need for power and data cabling — a significant benefit when the fixtures needed to be distributed across a wide expanse of trees.
“Having both battery power and wireless DMX connectivity meant that we could place the ElectraPix Par 7 fixtures in all kinds of wonderful and interesting places to get the desired effect,” comments Ryan. “Without the need to run out cables, we were able to set them up in no time. There was a bit of guesswork involved when we set up in the daylight, ballparking the placement and angles. But it would have been easy to tweak the positioning as it got dark, although they are so bright we didn’t end up needing to move anything!”
Powered by seven 20-Watt Hex Color (RGBAL+UV) LEDs, the ElectraPix Par 7 offers vibrant color mixing, individual pixel control, and additional background glow LEDs for expanded creative possibilities. Its IP65-rated enclosure makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use — an essential feature for an event exposed to the elements.
“I think the photos speak for themselves,” concludes Kevin. “We were able to achieve all the looks we wanted, including highly saturated colors, with ease. And, especially after the sun went down, the illuminance was fantastic. The battery life of the fixtures was also very impressive. Even though we set the fixtures up early in the day and they had to get through to the end of the evening, I believe that most of them still had more than half their battery power remaining when we put them away.
By combining powerful output, flexible wireless operation, and rugged outdoor-ready design, ADJ’s ElectraPix Par 7 fixtures enabled EJSE AV to create a dynamic, colorful environment that elevated Splash of Culture into a memorable visual and musical experience for the Newmarket community.
Event
Splash of Culture
Venue
Mercedes-Benz Newmarket Water Feature
Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Drive, Ontario, Canada
Lighting Vendor
EJSE AV
www.ejse-av.com
Production Manager
Ryan McLeod
Lighting Designer
Kevin Ellis
ADJ Lighting Gear
40 x ElectraPix Par7
