Compiled by Michel Nolan, staff writer
http://goo.gl/PLUXJ

Jim Souza, great-grandson of Manuel de Sousa and president and CEO of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza based in Rialto, is a pioneer of the new era of fireworks productions. He was the first to put the shows to music, creating Pyro Musicals with patriotic music and American history. In 1976, he created the Sky Concert, using the art of fireworks with music broadcast over radio airwaves. These types of shows are now industry standards. Fireworks have been an American tradition since the beginning of our country's history, he said. The first Independence Day show took place on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia at the request of the founding fathers, Souza said. He went on to quote a newspaper report of the time, "At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with 13 rockets on the commons." More than 300 years later, we're still celebrating. No longer the Inland Empire's secret, Pyro Spectaculars is staging about 400 fireworks extravaganzas across the country to celebrate America's heritage. Souza says he loves patriotism and celebrating America's independence,

Early 1900s: Manuel de Sousa and his family arrive in San Francisco from Portugal

Early 1900s: Sousa and his family begin creating fireworks for the Portuguese community's celebrations; he becomes known as Papagayo (meaning Parrot) for his colorful showmanship

Pre-World War II: Sons of Manuel de Sousa continue to carry on the tradition

1950s and '60s: Grandson Bob rekindles the flame after interruption by the war and begins creating shows for county fairs and Fourth of July shows, eventually joining forces with a large consumer fireworks company

1970: Pyro Spectaculars opens its doors in Southern California

1989: Bob's son, Jim, who took part in shows since he was 12, takes over Pyro Spectaculars

Since 1990: Under the leadership of Bob and Jim Souza, the company has developed into a powerhouse in the fireworks display industry and is now widely known as the "Fireworks Ambassadors to the World."

Current: Jim Souza, his brother Gary Souza, and his daughter Nancy Souza Gilfillan along with her husband Ian Gilfillan carry on the fireworks tradition.

Future: Jim's sons Paul and Christopher are well-established in the fireworks business nationally and internationally. Paul is charged with doing Americafest at the Rose Bowl with a 30-man crew; Christopher does Macy's in New York with a 50-man crew; they have been joined by Nancy and Ian's sons Matt and Kevin.

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_23584829#ixzz2YKtim0Zs

From: http://www.today.com/video/today/52383150

The eight-time Grammy winner chats about his upcoming task “curating” the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, for which he singlehandedly selected all the music.

Check out the video below.

On Wednesday, July 3 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® Executive Producer Amy Kule, accompanied by global superstar Usher, will visit the New York Stock Exchange and ring The Closing Bell® to highlight the 37th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks.

For this first time in the history of the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks' show, a superstar artist has collaborated with Macy's creative and pyrotechnic teams on the 4th of July Fireworks. Eight-time Grammy® Award-winning artist Usher has curated the overall design of the show, entitled "It Begins with A Spark."

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be broadcast live on NBC on Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT/MT nationwide and the fireworks soundtrack can be heard locally on radio stations 1010 WINS and Z-100.

Check out the video of the event below.

FOX40 cameras went inside the planning of the spectacular fireworks show planned for this year’s Celebrate America event. Pyro Spectaculars very own Kevin and Matt Gilfillan were featured in the segment. Check out the video below.

Text, Photos and Videos from http://macys.com/fireworks.

CURATED BY USHER

"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 t hat 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."
-- Usher

This year, Macy's creative team joined forces with superstar Usher to develop and present the 2013 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Together in Jimi Hendrix's historic Electric Lady recording studios in Greenwich Village, Usher and the Macy's team collaborated to create a musical score t hat includes hit songs by artists Jimi Hendrix, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Cooke, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Usher himself. Using t his score as a guide, Usher provided inspiration for the visual design for the show, partnering with Macy's pyrotechnic designers the Souza brothers.

"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."
-- Usher

Check out http://macys.com/fireworks for more photos and videos.

Click a photo above to see a larger version.

From: MarketWatch | The Wall Street Journal
http://goo.gl/xoDPR

"It Begins with A Spark": Global Superstar Usher Joins Macy's in Curating the Concept, Music and Design of the 37th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks ® - The nation's largest display of Independence Day firepower will feature 40,000 fireworks igniting the sky over the Hudson River in New York City

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.

By Mike Axisa | Blogger
January 23, 2013 8:48 pm ET
From: http://goo.gl/MOaBe

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.

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:mmckenzie@seattletimes.com

The family that designs the biggest Fourth of July fireworks display in the country gave The Daily an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at […]