Gary Hunt 

Gary Hunt: Lighting Designer and Events Director

I'm an accomplished Lighting Designer and Events Director with a rich and diverse background in the entertainment industry. I have extensive experience that spans various renowned venues and includes touring with notable artists. My passion for creating immersive “nightlife” lighting experiences has earned me accolades and recognition throughout my career.

In my current role as the Lead Lighting Designer & Director at Good Room since 2017, I've played a pivotal role in establishing the venue as the "Best Small Club in North America" according to DJ Mag in 2022. Before joining Good Room, I served as the Lead Lighting Designer & Director at Elsewhere, where I helped the venue secure the title of "Best New Music Venue" in 2018 by Timeout NY.

My experience also includes working as the Lead Lighting & Visual Designer at Soul Cycle / Equinox Fitness from 2019 to 2021. In this role, I was responsible for designing and implementing lighting and visual elements to enhance the overall atmosphere and ambiance of the fitness facilities. Here I was able to apply my creative vision and expertise in lighting design, which contributed to creating an immersive and energizing workout environments for the members.

My career highlights includes my role at Verboten as the Lead Lighting Designer & Director from 2014 to 2016, with the club receiving recognition as the "Best Dance Club" by Village Voice in 2014. Music Hall of Williamsburg, where I served as the Lighting Director from 2010 to 2019, the venue was recognized as the "Best Rising Star Music Venue" by Time Out NY in 2012 and as the "Best Live Music Venue" by Village Voice in the same year. Lighting Director at House of Yes from 2016 to 2019, I also made a significant impact at venues Good Units, Santos Party House, and Rough Trade NYC, each earning accolades for their contributions to the nightlife scene.

With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to pushing boundaries, my talents have extended beyond venues. I've toured with renowned artists, including Janelle Monae, Solange, Kelela, MØ, Joey BadA$$, Ms Mr, Phantogram, Twin Shadow, Penguin Prison, and Chk Chk Chk.

My early career was marked by my marketing and event management roles at Hudson Hotel, King & Grove Hotel, Truth Anti-Tobacco Tour, Nickelodeon, adidas / Studio Distribution/ !K7 Records / Unruly Records and other various “underground” music events. My diverse background and experiences have shaped my creative approach and contributed to my success as a multifaceted professional in the industry.

Last but not least in June of 2023, I was awarded a “Certificate of Recognition” on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore, MD, in recognition of my role in the creation and development of the “Baltimore Club” music genre. Launched in Baltimore recreation centers and nightclubs in the early 1990’s this homegrown musical genre is now recognized worldwide, partially through my efforts of producing a series of Daytime/Nightlife events during (2006 - 2012) throughout the city that specifically featured the creators / top DJs of the music genre exposing them to a new audience while pairing them with clients such as Perrier & adidas.

Skills: These skills showcase my proficiency in various industry-standard tools and software used in lighting design, video mixing, LED mapping, audio and time code synchronization, and AutoCAD drafting. With my expertise in these areas, I am well-equipped to create captivating visual experiences and synchronize lighting, video, and audio elements seamlessly.

1. Lighting Consoles / Timecode*

   • MA Lighting - Grand MA 3*

   • Chamsys - MagicQ

2. Video Mixing:

   • Resolume Arena

3. LED Mapping:

   • MadMapper

4. Audio:

   • Ableton

   • Reaper

   • Pioneer CDJS

5. AutoCAD:

   • VectorWorks

Work Experience: 

Good Room - NYC: Lead Lighting Designer & Director 2017 - Present

Soul Cycle / Equinox Fitness - NYC: Lead Lighting & Visual Designer 2019 - 2021

Elsewhere - NYC: Lead Lighting Designer & Director 2017-2018

Brooklyn Steel - NYC: Lighting Director 2017 - Present

House of Yes - NYC: Lighting Director 2016 - 2019

Verboten / Shimanski - NYC: Lead Lighting Designer & Director, 2014 - 2016

Roughtrade - NYC: Lighting Director  2014 - (closed)

Baby's All Right - NYC: Lighting Designer & Director 2014 - 2015

The Gramercy Theatre - NYC: Lighting Director 2012 - 2014

King & Grove Hotel - NYC: Audio/Tech, Event Set-Up 2012-2014

Music Hall of Williamsburg - NYC: Lighting Director 2010 - 2019

The Hudson Hotel - NYC: Audio/Tech, Event Set-Up 2010-2012

Good Units - NYC: Lighting Designer & Director 2010 - 2012 (2014 closed)

Santos Party House - NYC: Lighting Designer & Director 2008 - 2010 (2016 closed)

Nickelodeon - NYC: Assistant Events Manager 2006-2008

Truth Anti-Tobacco Tour - USA: Events Marketing 2005-2006

Studio Distribution / !K7 Records - NYC: Lifestyle Marketing & Events Director 2000-2005

Tours:

Kelela: 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2023 - Global

Janelle Monae: 2019 - Global

Solange: 2017 - US/CA

MØ: 2016 / 2017 / 2018 - Global

Joey BadA$$: 2015 - Global

Ms Mr: 2015 - US

Phantogram: 2013 - US

Twin Shadow: 2012 - US/CA

Penguin Prison:  2011 - US

Chk Chk Chk: 2011 -US

Venue Awards:

Good Room - Best Small Club in North America - 2022 - DJ Mag

https://djmag.com/news/these-are-winners-dj-mags-best-north-america-awards-2022

Elsewhere - Best New Music Venue - 2018 - Timeout NY

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/brooklyns-best-new-music-venue-elsewhere-announces-the-debut-of-its-rooftop-space-042618

Verboten - Best Dance Club - 2014 - Village Voice 

http://www.villagevoice.com/bestof/2014/award/readers-choice-contest-2014-5026240/

Music Hall of Williamsburg - Best Rising Star Music Venue - 2012 - Time Out NY

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/live-music-best-rising-star-venues?package_id=42807

Music Hall of Williamsburg - Best Live Music Venue - 2012 - Village Voice

http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-10-17/news/best-of-nyc-trade-readers-poll/full/

Good Units - Best Place to Dance - 2010 - Village Voice 

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2010/12/presenting_soun.php

Santos Party House - Best Club- 2009 - Paper Magazine

http://www.papermag.com/2008/11/about_last_night_papers_fourth.php?gallery3489Pic=2#gallery-3489

Santos Party House - Best Club -2009 - The L 

http://www.thelmagazine.com/newyork/nightlife-awards/Content?oid=1373706&storyPage=6

Santos Party House - Best Place to Dance - 2008 - Village Voice

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2008/10/best_new_dance.php