Lights of Hope: The light show that brought hope back to the city
There are some ideas you just can’t shake off. They keep bubbling up, crackling, and demanding to be brought to life. Lights of Hope was exactly that kind of idea. “I’m very creative,” smiles Danny Verneirt, the driving force behind GymMAX Dance. “When I’m mulling something over, it has to come out sooner or later.”
And so it came to pass: the concept, born during a trip to Germany from a light projection on a church, grew into a grand spectacle! On September 16 and 17, GymMAX Dance and Dendermonde, together with D-Dream, set the Grote Markt ablaze. Not literally, but as a beacon of light after one of the darkest periods in our recent history.
From a wild idea to a citywide statement
Flashback to COVID-19. The pandemic that brought the world to a standstill and immediately halted all events. Over time, Danny felt that the residents of Dendermonde needed light, connection, and something to move them once again more than ever. “We had just come through such a dark period, during which the city could do relatively little for its citizens,” she explains. That’s why she decided to present her creative concept to the city council.
The plan was clear: to bring people together again. City Hall was transformed into a vibrant canvas, featuring dance, music, and spectacular light projections (video mapping) that depicted the rollercoaster of the COVID-19 period—from uncertainty, frustration, and silence… to warmth and renewed hope.
Danny channelled all those emotions in an impressive way into her choreography for GymMAX Dance. This dance division of the GymMAX sports club has no fewer than 200 dancers, whom she coaches with total dedication.
A City That Chooses Hope
The City of Dendermonde was on board with her vision right away. From the very first moment, they believed wholeheartedly in the project! They decided to make the event free as a thank-you to all the residents who had gone through a difficult few months.
Danny was given carte blanche. “We were provided with a generous budget. No one ever asked, ‘How far along are you?’” she says. You can feel that freedom and trust throughout the entire project.
GymMAX Dance + D-Dream: Quality in Motion
Why does GymMAX Dance steadfastly choose D-Dream? Danny is clear: quality comes first. “We’re not just some dance group doing whatever comes to mind. We maintain a certain standard. That’s why I only work with partners like D-Dream who can match that high standard.”
“There are plenty of companies that handle lighting and can put on a show. But I want that little bit extra—and for that, you have to go with D-Dream.”
– Danny, GymMAX Dance
In addition, their communication style plays a decisive role. “We make clear agreements, and they are honoured. Everything is neatly laid out in writing: what we need, what needs to be done… It’s clear, open, and transparent. That way, very few issues arise. I don’t like surprises in such a large project.”
“Thanks to D-Dream’s clear planning, GymMAX Dance was able to communicate all practical arrangements and requests smoothly and accurately with the city and its events department in advance.”
– Danny, GymMAX Dance
Fast forward to the final rehearsal
“I didn’t just want to light up City Hall in red or green… I wanted to tell a story,” says Danny. “It’s hard to describe, but D-Dream’s technician could read my mind.” The AV partner effortlessly translated her creative, sometimes wild ideas and enhanced them with their technical expertise. “They know exactly what’s possible. Then they add just those details that take my creativity to the next level, it’s amazing!”
The city council also came to watch during the final rehearsal. Their reaction? “They were speechless. Yes, they’d expected a light show… But never this. Wow. What a story.”
“This calls for more”
The show began with dancers in the dark. The music burst forth. And then the dancers’ glowing wings spread open. A collective “Ooooh” rippled through the crowd. The first collective gasp after months of silence. “You could hear everyone gasping for breath. A goosebumps moment!”
The reactions were overwhelming. The Facebook pages of GymMAX Dance and the city exploded. “In a good way!” laughs Danny. “On the second night, there were twice as many people. The market was packed; people were even sitting on the ground. And the best part? People didn’t just stay for one, but all three performances!”
After the final show, the mayor addressed the crowd with a heartwarming message: “This calls for more.” An extra, unexpected final show followed that evening. It confirmed that Lights of Hope wasn’t just a performance, but a show that set a city in motion once again.
A gift from and for the city
When asked whether GymMax Dance and the city council would recommend collaborating with D-Dream, Danny agrees without hesitation: “Absolutely! To be honest, we don’t want to work with anyone else right now. Our experiences with D-Dream have been so positive. Not just with Lights of Hope, but also with our Winter Wonder Campus, another spectacular dance/light show. Collaborate with other AV partners? No, we’re not interested in that. We don’t want to compromise on quality.”
And so Lights of Hope became a true gift for and by the city: a creative ray of hope after a dark period. But above all, it’s a beautiful testament to what’s possible when creativity, technical expertise, and a resilient city join forces.
Would you like to create a creative ray of hope, just like GymMAX?
Then D-Dream is your partner in total audiovisual experiences.
From concept to execution, worry-free.
