diff --git a/light8/panels.py b/light8/panels.py
--- a/light8/panels.py
+++ b/light8/panels.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ monofont = ('Courier', 8)
 
 class Controlpanel(Frame):
     def __init__(self, parent, xfader, refresh_cb, quit_cb, jostle_cb):
-        Frame.__init__(self,parent)
+        Frame.__init__(self,parent, bg='black')
         controlpanel = self
         for txt,cmd in (
             ('Quit',       quit_cb),
@@ -21,18 +21,17 @@ class Controlpanel(Frame):
             ('Clear X',     lambda: xfader.clearallbuttons('x')),
             ('On -> Y',     lambda: xfader.grab('y')),
             ('Clear Y',     lambda: xfader.clearallbuttons('y'))):
-            Button(controlpanel, text=txt, command=cmd).pack(side='top', 
-                fill='x')
+            Button(controlpanel, text=txt, command=cmd, bg='black', 
+                fg='white').pack(side='top', fill='x')
         # jostle button
-        Checkbutton(controlpanel, text="Jostle", 
+        Checkbutton(controlpanel, text="Jostle", bg='black', fg='white',
             command=jostle_cb).pack(side=TOP, fill=X)
 
 class Console:
     def __init__(self,lightboard):
-        print "Light 8: Everything's under control"
         t=toplevelat('console')
-        self.frame = Frame(t)
-        self.entry=Entry(self.frame)
+        self.frame = Frame(t, bg='black')
+        self.entry=Entry(self.frame, bg='black', fg='white')
         self.entry.pack(expand=1, fill='x')
         self.entry.bind('<Return>',
                         lambda evt: self.execute(evt, self.entry.get()))
@@ -57,15 +56,15 @@ class Leveldisplay:
             # frame for this channel
             f = Frame(frames[channel > (num_channels/2)])
             # channel number -- will turn yellow when being altered
-            num_lab = Label(f, text=str(channel), width=3, bg='lightPink', 
-                font=stdfont, padx=0, pady=0, bd=0, height=1)
+            num_lab = Label(f, text=str(channel), width=3, bg='grey40', 
+                fg='white', font=stdfont, padx=0, pady=0, bd=0, height=1)
             num_lab.pack(side='left')
             self.number_labels.append(num_lab)
 
             # text description of channel
             Label(f, text=Patch.get_channel_name(channel), width=8, 
                 font=stdfont, anchor='w', padx=0, pady=0, bd=0, 
-                height=1).pack(side='left')
+                height=1, bg='black', fg='white').pack(side='left')
 
             # current level of channel, shows intensity with color
             l = Label(f, width=3, bg='lightBlue', font=stdfont, anchor='e', 
@@ -88,7 +87,7 @@ class Subpanels:
         sublist.sort()
 
         for p in scenesparent,effectsparent,scenes:
-            sw = ScrolledWindow(p)
+            sw = ScrolledWindow(p, bg='black')
             for but,units in ( (4,-4),(5,4) ):
                 sw.window.bind("<ButtonPress-%s>"%but,lambda ev,s=sw.vsb,u=units: s.tk.call('tkScrollByUnits',s,'hv',u))
 
@@ -128,7 +127,7 @@ class Subpanels:
                 width1=longestname
 
             # make frame that surrounds the whole submaster
-            f=Frame(parent, bd=1, relief='raised')
+            f=Frame(parent, bd=1, relief='raised', bg='black')
             f.pack(fill='both',exp=1,side=side2)
             
 
@@ -151,6 +150,10 @@ class Subpanels:
                             orient=orient1,
                             labelwidth=width1,
                             **scaleopts)
+            s.configure(bg='black')
+            s.label.configure(bg='black', fg='white')
+            s.vlabel.configure(bg='black', fg='white')
+            s.scale.configure(bg='black', fg='white')
 
             # tell subediting what widgets to highlight when it's
             # editing a sub
@@ -181,7 +184,7 @@ class Subpanels:
                         ("SaveStg",lambda l=lightboard,name=name: l.save_sub(name,l.stageassub(),refresh=1)),
                         ):
             eb = Button(f,text=txt,font=stdfont,padx=0,pady=0,
-                        bd=1,command=cmd)
+                        bd=1,command=cmd, bg='black', fg='white')
             eb.pack(side=side1,fill='both',padx=0,pady=0)
             
     def axisbuttons(self,f,s,xfader,stdfont,side1,name):
@@ -189,7 +192,8 @@ class Subpanels:
             cvar=IntVar()
             eb_color = ('red', 'green')[axis == 'y']
             cb=Togglebutton(f,text=axis.upper(),variable=cvar,font=stdfont, 
-                            padx=3, pady=0, bd=1, downcolor=eb_color)
+                            padx=3, pady=0, bd=1, downcolor=eb_color, 
+                            bg='black', fg='white')
             cb.pack(side=side1,fill='both', padx=0, pady=0)
             s.bind('<Key-%s>'%axis, lambda ev,cb=cb: cb.invoke)
             xfader.registerbutton(name,axis,cvar)