COMPANY HISTORY

    The beginnings of the company were initiated when Richard was in college by the first usage of the name "Atlantic Illumination". He wanted to sound more professional than just having his band lighting referred to as "Richard's Lights". So, a name was chosen that would include the concept of lighting and also be synonymous with the area of Canada in which he worked. Then too, he was being asked for lighting by a number of persons and businesses outside his usual circle of friends, and so preferred to have a designation that would cover more than just his lighting for musical acts.

    The initial version of the company name grew out of the "Richard Bonner Lightshow" to become "Atlantic Illumination Liteshow". Very shortly afterward, this became "Lyteshow", spelled in a way as was able to be trade marked. This version would remain in use for a about eight years or so, but the word "Lyteshow" would come to be included less and less, as the company branched into sales and installations.

    During its first decade and a half, Atlantic Illumination supplied lighting at Maritime-area schools and clubs, toured with acts such as Carroll Baker, Jose Feliciano, and Roy Orbison, and did pageants and outdoor rock concerts. A high point in this era was providing the lighting and special effects for Nova Scotia on Stage, the official opening of The Halifax Metro Centre (now the ScotiaBank Centre).

    Enough business was being procured from a variety of sources, so Richard went legitimate as "Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting", a name that would better reflect the variety of lighting work. The term "Lyteshow" remained in use for live band lighting, but was eventually retired. The short version, "Atlantic Illumination", was used for all public promotion and branding.

    The first company location outside of Richard's home was on Duncan Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was a basic warehouse shared by Atlantic Illumination and the band Roadwork. When those musicians transfered to their own band house a year or so later, the group Titan moved into the building.

    The owner of the Duncan Street building then sold out to a developer, and when the AIEL lease expired, the new owner would not renew as he wanted the building to be renovated into a residence. That home occupies the same space on Duncan Street today, of which the front part of the roof line is the original dormer of the former warehouse.

    The lease expiry necessitated a move to temporary quarters at the back of the lower level in the International Order of Foresters (IOOF) building on Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth. The upstairs was the hall for St. Peter's Church located a few blocks away. (Magician Harry Houdini gave four performances in this hall in July of 1896, as part of an Eastern Canadian tour.)

    This cramped premises was simply too small, and with the increased business of that period, Richard acquired a two-story building at 80 Fairbanks Street (also in Dartmouth). Atlantic Illumination resides there to this day. The IOOF Hall was torn down not long after AIEL left. It was a downtown parking lot for several decades, but it and the property next door are now being developed into a retail/residence complex.

    Over the next two decades, the Fairbanks Street location would go through renovations from a mostly large open space to include a Showroom, Offices, Assembly Shop, Electronics Shop, Rentals Area, Gel & Lamp section, Shipping & Receiving, and a large storage area on the building's second floor.

    By this time, the company received contracts for lighting sales and installations at clubs and schools, including a continual contract to provide lighting at one of Halifax's most famous rock spots: The Misty Moon. This work actually started in the club's first location on Gottingen Street, continued through the Kempt Road address, and on to the club's final site on Barrington Street. Sadly, The `Moon' no longer exists. Its last location was most recently a science centre. This building has now been demolished and a new office tower constructed.

    Thoughout that period, Atlantic Illumination continued to furnish lighting and special effects to touring acts, major pageants, and to theatrical productions. To see rosters of those acts and shows, as well as those that came before and since, go to Artists and Shows.

    Atlantic Illumination remained at the Fairbanks location where further renovations had been planned to the property. However, a long family illness resulting in death in 1999, and then a school custodial labour strike in 2001, resulted in almost three years of reduced business.

    While recovering from the above, Hurricane Juan severely damaged the warehouse's roof in September of 2003. Before Juan, a remodelling of The Assembly Shop and Gel & Lamp section had been able to be completed. Future alterations planned at that time had been expected to entail additional offices upstairs, expansion of the main showroom, possibly into the second story, and a new street facade. All were delayed while insurance claims, government red tape, contractor woes, and a court case played out.

    During this long period of contestation, the warehouse roof deteriorated due to the impass created by all the foregoing. Then during a subsequent winter, a heavy snowfall followed by rain saw a number of roof collapses in the Maritime Provinces including on an arena, a legion hall... and the AIEL building. It was decided after this to not wait any longer for anyone to step up to the plate, and so the repairs were tackled on our own. Since this had to be done to make the building usable, the expansion plans finally came to be realised, as well.

    The warehouse has now been completely rebuilt. Interior updates include a new showroom, and equipment and shops restored or remodeled as seen in this Shop Photo Tour. The second floor now has an IT shop and warehousing, offices, a boardroom, extended storage, and rental spaces. Other recent changes include reversion to the full company name of Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting,, and a new Internet domain (AIEL.chebucto.biz), as well as branding the AIEL initials for all promotions and on the website.

Currently, the company regularly supplies lighting for stage musicals
and plays, bands and dance performances, as well as continuing with
sales and rentals. As an arts supporter, sponsorship has been
provided to Bedford Players, Dartmouth Players, Eastern
Front Theatre, Theatre Arts Guild, Theatre Nova Scotia,
and to many other theatrically-related organisations.
AIEL is also a yearly sponsor of the Halifax Fringe
Festival, and of the Robert Merritt Awards.