Blank Gold Coast issue #40 - December 2016

Dec/Jan 2017

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COAST MED IA

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BEST MAGAZINE

MUSIC issue #040

Koi Boys Earth Frequency Fest A. B. Original Rufus SEED graduates

ART + CULTURE Amateur theatre Frank Enstein Lou Duggan Trader Trove Kelsey Montague

MUSIC Van Larkins IVEY Thee End Less Wren Klauf Bleach Girls

FOOD Hot Shott Takeaway + Deliver Potager Koko Coffee Cody McKavanagh

LIFESTYLE Buzzfeed, bees Social Markets Antarctic expedition Flick Palmateer Green Heroes

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Cool Change at Café Dbar

Locla artist Christine Cooper brings her Cool Change exhibition to Café Dbar – a celebration of colour, movement and magic.

It’s Christine’s seventh year exhibiting at the gallery and it runs until 11 January. And with news that several pieces found new homes just four days in, we suggest you hustle if you want to snap up a piece of local art.

#040 DEC/JAN 2017 Editor: Samantha Morris Culture + Lifestyle Editor: Natalie O’Driscoll Design: Chloe Popa Advertising: Amanda Gorman Music Coordinator: Mella Lahina Money Coordinator: Phillippa Wright Sub editor: Cody McConnell Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography The Work Experience Kid: Madie Shaw Contributors: Marj Osborne, Natalie O’Driscoll, Samantha Morris, Anthony Gebhardt, Trevor Jackson, Catherine Coburn, Pip Andreas, Mella Lahina, Glenn Tozer, Matt Greer, Anna Itkonen, Jodie Bellchambers, Cam Alexander, Richard Scott, Emma Whines, Tiffany Mitchell, Madie Shaw, Ashleigh Wadman, Yanina Benavidez, Jamie-Lee Rowley, Sarah Loughlin, Nae Kurth, Alex Mitcheson Cover image: Yes Sir Noceur by Lamp Photography Acknowledgement of Country We show our respect and sincerely acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and their elders past, present and emerging.

RUFUS announce Gold Coast date as part of national tour

Fresh off the back of their five ARIA 2016 nominations and several laps of the globe including headline festival appearances in Australia, RÜFÜS have announced a massive 13 date regional tour of Australia, The Full Bloom Tour. The tour marks the one-year anniversary of their #1 gold accredited album Bloom, and will be the last chance for local audiences to see the band live before they take time off the touring circuit to start work on their next album. They’re at NightQuarter, Helensvale on 20 January.

20 years of single fin surfing to be celebrated in 2017

Burleigh Boardriders’ Single Fin festival, which runs 6 – 8 January, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017. The event’s come a long way since the first, which saw Peter Roberts take out the contest (by having his name drawn out of a hat). The event starts with a charity luncheon with money going to the club’s junior development program and continues with surfers of all ages competing on surfboards that are between 35 and 50 years old on the Saturday and Sunday.

Over that weekend, Hanlon Brothers will take up residency at their beloved Burleigh Headland as entertainment and a heap of other activities, including single fin exhibition, will take place. Get all the details at surfingqueensland.com.

Editorial: news@blankgc.com.au Advertising: advertising@blankgc.com.au Gigs: gigs@blankgc.com.au About us: Blank GC is independently owned and published by Samantha Morris and Chloe Popa. Most of our writers contribute their time probono to boost the cultural scene on the Gold Coast. Founded in 2013 we are the Gold Coast’s independent cultural voice, relying on advertising to keep us in the fray. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor, publishers or the writing team.

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A new entrée to elsewhere

wherelse opens this weekend. Keeping the culture of music and benefit of social iteration alive and opening up a new epicenter in Surfers paradise for new ideas and uplifting energies, wherelse will open early every day. 5.00pm kind of early.

Catering to early and late night guests, wherelse is the perfect counterpoint to elsewhere and is brought to you by the same team. Follow at fb.com/wherelsebar.

Just like Magic, Casey has a new song

Casey Barnes’ bright, breezy summer track Just Like Magic, co-written with Australia’s Michael Paynter is a welcome release just in time for Christmas and it’s already had mainstream television coverage through The Project. The song has been released just in time for a special run of shows that sees Casey hit Burnie in Tasmania as well as Tamworth Country Music Festival and also the USA with powerhouse performer McKenna Faith. If you can’t get to any of those places, you can also catch Casey at NightQuarter on 17 February.

Arts Centre turns 30

December 1986, and there was huge fanfare as Gold Coast celebrated The Arts Centre Gold Coast opening its doors for the first time. There’s no question the space has come a very long way in thirty years. With an art gallery rivaling regional galleries across Australia, visual and performing arts and live music performances from the likes Bernard Fanning and Boy & Bear passing through in the past 12 months. Ballet, orchestra, contemporary dance, theatre, exhibitions, films, contemporary music and even comedy – The Arts Centre Gold Coast has built a firm position locally as the go-to venue for all manner of events. Now with stage 1 of the Cultural Precinct well underway, The Arts Centre GC and the cultural precinct will soon become the centerpiece of the city’s cultural offering. We’re celebrating 30 years of The Arts Centre Gold Coast and we’re excited about the future of the site.

Social Markets, right on the highway at Mermaid Beach

I’m calling it. Gold Coast is the night market capital of Australia. It could be our perfect climate, it could be our penchant for outdoor-living, or it could just be that we have the best darn foodtrucks and entertainment options from across the entire nation. We’ve brought you news of a new

market at Bundall called Bundall Bazaar, we know there’s a new market at Nerang’s Paradise Country and that NightQuarter have announced their new collaboration The FareGround which will open early in 2018. But did you know there’s also a bustling night market, right on the highway at Mermaid Beach? Running every second Saturday with live bands and DJ at each event, the market dishes up two alleys of food trucks with dinner and dessert options at Mermaid Bowls Club which means there’s also barefoot bowls. There’s art, fashion and design stalls and a jumping castle and face painting for the groms. Plus, to top it all off, there’s 80s prices at the bar. Social Markets at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club run the first and third Saturday of the month with the next markets being 17 December, 7 January and 21 January from 4.00 – 9.00pm.

Gold Coast Film Festival calls for feature film and short film submissions

For the first time in the festival’s 15-year history, Gold Coast Film Festival is accepting submissions for Australian and International feature films to screen at the 2017 event.

They’re keen to receive submissions from indie filmmakers saying “we pride ourselves on providing a festival environment where your film won’t get lost,” and they’re also encouraging Queensland filmmakers to submit. On top of that, SIPFest, Gold Coast’s biggest short film festival, a long-term collaboration between Gold Coast Film Festival and Surfers Paradise Alliance is also calling for entries. Judged by a panel of industry experts, 12 of the best shorts from across Australia will be screened on the beach on Sunday 9 April with $8000 in case prizes up for grabs. Entries for both the feature films and short films are due 18 February. More at gcfilmfestival.com.

UNSeen GC returns for Summer 2016-2017

Making the most of the public spaces in the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct, Gold Coast City Gallery presents the next series of digital artworks in UnSeenGC Summer 16-17. The experience consists of virtual artworks positioned around the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct. Invisible to the naked eye, virtual objects, images, and video are discovered by looking through a smartphone or tablet. The exhibition is free and runs from 25 November 2016 – 31 March 2017,

Gold Coast Cultural Precinct. More at theartscentregc.com.au/gallery.

Biggest announcement of Broadbeach Country Music Festival’s history

Broadbeach Country Music Festival delivered an early Christmas present for fans with an announcement that AMERICA will headline the free event in 2017. Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shane Nicholson, Fanny Lumsden and Travis Collins were also part of the first lineup announcement for the event, which takes place 28 – 30 July through Broadbeach.

More at broadbeachcountry.com.

Gateways to the Gold Coast

The search is on for an artist to deliver iconic gateways to the Gold Coast that are as visually bold, expressive and memorable as the city itself. The major public artwork, due for installation before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is part of the city’s focus on public art although the design competition is open worldwide. An external panel will select up to five finalists and invite them to further develop their designs. The tender is open from 26 November – 23 December and documents are available at lgtenderbox.com.au.

Gold Coast Stands with Standing Rock

The team behind Couch Out Loud are pulling together an event for Gold Coasters to show solidary for Water Protectors at Standing Rock. Dust Temple will host an evening of art, music, performance and ceremony to fundraise for the ongoing movement towards sustainable change with all proceeds going to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. A minimum $20 donation at the door is requested but you can also donate direct at standwithstandingrock.net. The event will take place Friday 16 December and will be drug and alcohol free. For more information contact laurinda.janlewicz@ gmail.com.

NightQuarter turns one

NightQuarter celebrated its first birthday last month and what a first year it has been for the Gold Coast’s biggest and newest purpose-built live music venue. In that short twelve months, NightQuarter has evolved from an ambitious idea to an established entertainment destination for tourists and locals alike. More than 650 musicians and bands have been booked in the past 12 months – most of them local, original, independent artists. Happy birthday, NightQuarter. Thanks for your commitment to local, original music.

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without any writing, marks, or pictures having empty spaces to be filled in with information : not yet written in or filled out a piece of material prepared to be made into something by a further operation

Bond University Indigenous Gala raises $350,000 for future students Spine-tingling offering from Aquila Young

Crimson Criminal is the intoxicating new song from Aquila Young. It’s smooth and spine-tingling, infusing deep washes of synths into lucid dreaming. Last year the Gold Coast songstress made waves with debut EP Distance Echoes, gaining airplay from Triple J as well as US and UK radio.

Her debut single Vagabond gathered substantial following and landed placement in Spotify’s official playlisting. You can catch her live at Midnight Trip for new year’s eve at NightQuarter.

More than 530 business, media and community leaders from the Gold Coast and across Australia gathered at Bond University on Friday 11 November to help raise more than $350,000 to educate young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The Bond University Indigenous Gala, which has now raised more than $1.35 million since its inception in 2010, is an annual celebration of Indigenous culture, featuring high profile Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, entertainers and past and present Bond Indigenous students.

Open wide, come inside Gold for Twisted Palm

Burleigh Brewing have added another medal to their ever-growing collection, this time a gold medal at the World Beer Championship Tastings in Chicago, for their newest brew Twisted Palm. The win means they have 38 World Beer Championships medals in their over-crowded trophy cabinet, with a whopping 22 of them gold medals. To get your hands on a bottle or glass of this awardwinning brew visit burleighbrewing.com.au/ introducing-twisted-palm

Amy Shark to perform alongside Boy & Bear, San Cisco Melbourne’s iconic Royal

Botanic Gardens will come alive with the incredible music of Amy Shark in March next year. She’s just been announced to play alongside Boy & Bear and San Cisco as part of A Weekend in the Gardens. The event runs 10 – 12 March and you can get more information at aweekend.com.au.

Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima are heading to Gold Coast City Gallery as part of a celebratory exhibition to commemorate the 50th birthday of the much-loved Australian television program – Play School.

The exhibition will feature the iconic Rocket Clock, Flower Clock and the famous Play School Windows. The colourful exhibition explores the five decades of Play School by featuring toys, props and costumes from each period, alongside archival audio and video clips of past programs and presenters having fun. The exhibition will run from 3 December 2016 to 5 February 2017. www.blankgc.com.au

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16 DECEMBER Bundall Bazaar Bundall Bazaar’s last market of the year, set in the grounds of the Greek Church in Bundall. Live music, food trucks, dessert.

15 DECEMBER

Trapdoor single release

Van Larkins at Dust Temple

Trapdoor release new single Holy Truth with Radolescent, Buck Dean and the Green Lips and Aralunar Beagle at Miami Tavern Shark Bar.

Fingerstyle pioneer Van Larkins is at Dust Temple alongside similarly talented Valeri who is just 25 and has seven albums to his name. A double-header of epic proportions.

17 DECEMBER Social Markets at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club Free bowls, 80s bar prices, food trucks, markets and jumping castle and right on the highway at Mermaid.

8 JANUARY Calypso Sundays at QT

Music, lawn games, seafood and summer vibes from midday at Stingray.

13 JANUARY Karl S Williams Karl S Williams makes a jubilant homecoming at Soundlounge tonight. Previous GC Music Awards artist of the year is sure to deliver something special in front of family and friends.

UNTIL 5 FEBRUARY Happy Birthday Play School

14 JANUARY

Celebrating 50 years. A free exhibition and play space for all ages at The Arts Centre Gold Coast.

Dinosaur Jr Fuzz guitar gods, Dinosaur Jr hit Miami Shark Bar.

18 JANUARY Backstage with the Brewmaster Go backstage with the brewmaster at Burleigh Brewing Co. from 6.00pm. Register online.

Tour also runs 21 December.

Midnight Trip at NightQuarter

If killer local music is your bag, this is the event for you. The Delta Riggs, The Vans, Sahara Beck, Aquila Young, Yes Sir Noceur, Peach Fur, Lotus Ship and Keelan Mak will take to the stage to help you see the year out in musical style. General admission gets you access to the event from 4.00 – 12.30pm and includes free entry to NightQuarter markets with all 120 venders open until 10.00pm. There’s also additional live music, street performers and kids’ activities throughout the market for those not able to party until the wee hours. Details at nightquarter.com.au.

Paradise Found NYE Party

From 7.30pm until late, the Beach Hotel at Byron will come alive with cocktail bars, food stalls, live music from Sapote and Madison Kat as well as Tom & Jarry DJs. Locals’ discount applies for tickets purchased up until 24 December at Beach Bottle Shop (conditions apply). Other tickets via OZTIX.

White Party NYE

Cruise and party on a secret island at an event that’s sold out every year since 2008. International DJs, the white stage, live music and a whole smorgasbord of entertainment awaits you after you depart Mariner’s Cove.

Details at whitepartynye.com.au.

Four Winds 360

See the new year in at one of the most scenic restaurants on the Gold Coast. You’ll watch the city’s lights twinkle at your feet from the 26th floor as you feast to your heart’s content from the only revolving restaurant in Queensland.

More at fourwindsrestaurant.com.au.

Blast from the Past at Sharks

The soundtrack to the 70s, 80s and 90s will have you experiencing nostalgia overload at Southport Sharks.

Virtuosity will be on the main stage from 8.30pm, there’s a succulent seafood buffet (and a free bottle of bubbly if you book for six people or more). Plus (if the bubbly does its work), you can sing-a-long to your heart’s content at Mackenzie’s Sports Bar with free karaoke from 7.30pm.

More at southportsharks.com.au.

Midnight in Paris, Cabana Bar & Lounge

You’ll be transported to Paris with tapas, entertainment and a fourhour beverage package along with French cocktails at Cabana Bar & Lounge. It’s the closest you’ll get to new years eve in the City of Love with doors opening from 7.30pm.

More at cabanabarandlounge@ southportsharks.com.au.

Boogie Nights at QT

You’ll feel like you got stuck in 1977 if you hit NYE at QT Gold Coast. Think safari suits, the tightest hot pants possible and roller skates for a night of disco fever from 8.00pm until late. Mirror balls, bit hair blow-dries and a saucy undercurrent of indie pop culture will be the order of the day when The Boogie Nights theme runs across the hotel’s Bazaar restaurant and Stingray lounge.

Tickets via goldcoasttickets.com.au.

Party like a rock star in the heart of Surfers Paradise

Rock hard for new year’s eve like the glam rock star that you are. Hard Rock Café has a bunch of new years’ packages which include unlimited beverage options as well as dining experiences.

Get all the packages at hardrock.com/cafes/surfersparadise.

Proud presenting partner of the

A Knight to Remember

Music Awards

Dennis Knight will help you relive the best rock and roll of the 50s, 60s and 70s at Southport RSL. A two-course meal and cabaret seating just adds to the appeal. Details at rslclubsouthport.com.au.

Gold Coast

“We thought, if we’ve gotten this far now and we’re getting opportunities like this … well it’s like family… you know, you just sort things out,” Rory said.

I have to say I was worried about the four-piece when they cancelled a show and disappeared for a while. But I’m happy to be sitting with them now and seeing the lads so animated about the past few months and what’s on the horizon.

Pulchritudinous four-piece Yes Sir Noceur haven’t exactly had the most predictable year. They left the iconic Focus building – the apartment half the band shared for three years and where they actually started playing music together - and moved to Nobby’s, they had a break (from music and from each other), and hooked up with Rolling Stone. We’re also thrilled to announce they’re the first band locked in to play live at the 2017 Gold Coast Music Awards. Samantha Morris sat down with all four of the men to chat about the year that was, the whole hiatus thing and what 2017 has in store.

Eliot Toll (guitar) says Yes Sir Noceur had always planned to take a month off. Just not so much cancelling one of their shows.

“It just let us refuel the jets,” Rory said. “Any creative process, when you take a break and don’t touch your instrument, you come back with so many ideas.

“We were hanging on by thin threads,” he said. “Working hard and just life.”

“You realise you love it,” Harry added, while Marc commented on the sheer volume of songs they wrote when they got back.

“We all knew we were going on a holiday, but then at the last second we just snapped,” Eliot said. He bailed to Indonesia with Rory Swiztzer (drums). Harry Toll (bass) hit New Zealand and Marc went home to Canada.

It was during that break that they got the call about the Rolling Stone gig, which was ultimately the catalyst for reunifying the band.

Their new single Turn To Fire, released in September, saw the band collaborate with Aquila Young. Soon after, they travelled to Melbourne to perform at a Rolling Stone event called Live Lodge.

“It was fantastic. It was our first interstate, flying, toury kind of show,” Harry said.

“We linked in with a major sponsor Uppercut [which saw Rory front and centre in a men’s grooming ad campaign], through people we know. It all worked out really well.

We played with Stonefield and Flying Colours and had a chinwag with Chief Editor of Rolling Stone and Rolling Stone Australia.”

Meeting people like that, and connecting with teams from Mushroom Records and Australian Music Went has forced the band to look at how they’re releasing their music and what they’re trying to deliver as a sound.

“We have another three tracks on the back-burner, ready to be mixed and mastered,” Rory explained. “Turn To Fire was going to be the single ahead of the full EP. But now after meeting with Mushroom – people that deal with strategy – we’re going to hold out until next year.”

But it’s not just release strategy that they’re mixing up, and they admit they’re still working out how they will execute that. The big news for lovers of Yes Sir Noceur is an evolution of sound.

“We don’t want to put a mish-mash of songs together,” Marc said.

“Fortunately now we’ve got people who can listen and tell us which ones she should focus on,” Eliot added.

Marc tells me more about that evolution. “I think it comes in part with learning – none of us had any formal music training. So, we’re learning that now,” he said. “We’re watching what other bands are doing, seeing what we like.

We’re trying to create a song that’s going to be along the lines of making sure it’s something we like – rather than copy something – it’s been a fun process.”

“We never really thought about the end process,” Harry said. And they all agree their starting to grow out of the surf influence.

“That Dick Dale sound is definitely disappearing,” Rory added.

“We’re surfing way more but writing surf music less,” Eliot said. “We’re playing around with a lot of effects, trying to dial in to a particular sound. We just haven’t found it yet.”

“You could say we’re in a very comfortable identity crisis,” said Rory.

Image: Lamp Photography

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With a new year looming, they’re also comfortably looking to the future with shows in Sydney squared away (not to mention a killer slot on NightQuarter’s new year’s eve lineup), a tour of Canada in the pipeline. They’re also the first local band booked to play the 2017 Gold Coast Music

CATCH YES SIR NOCEUR: 10 DECEMBER | GD FRNDS CHRISTMAS SHOW AT MIAMI SHARK BAR 31 DECEMBER | MIDNIGHT TRIP AT NIGHTQUARTER 27 APRIL 2017 | GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS, SURFERS PARADISE BEACH

Image: Lamp Photography Awards live on the beach at Surfers Paradise as well as a spot on the main stage for Surfers Paradise LIVE which happens in the days following.

“2017 is just basically the year of the next step,” Rory said.

“We’re trying to step away from the Gold Coast a little bit, being selective in supporting bands a step or two ahead of us.”

“We’re starting to figure out our own roles,” Marc explained. ”I’m going to focus on writing and catching up on writing theory. Harry’s been doing heaps of bookings, networking with bands. Rory’s been marketing. Eliot’s been, ummm doing artistic expression.”

They all laugh at that. Actually, I think they were all laughing at Eliot.

Considering Marc has only just finished his psychology degree and for the past three years they’ve rehearsed on an electric drum kit in an apartment in Focus, Yes Sir Noceur have made great strides for an indie band working on the Gold Coast.

“Oh, we potentially have an Indo tour too,” they laugh. “So that surf rock thing might just have to come right back.”

Guy Cooper serotoninproductions.com

Yes Sir Noceur play Midnight Trip at NightQuarter for new year’s eve alongside The Delta Riggs, The Vanns, Sahara Beck, Aquila Young, Peach Fur, Lotus Ship and Keelan Mak. VIP tickets include drinks package and exclusive balcony access.

If you’re thinking of going, you need to know one critical piece of information. The band are organising a coach from Nobby’s.

Music Producer Mix Engineer Mastering

Gold Coast

www.blankgc.com.au

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BPM CLASS OF 2016 - GRADUATE SNAPSHOT

TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT

LIVVIA Another Gold Coast finalist in the Queensland Music Awards, LIVVIA brings something unique to airwaves, already being likened to artists such as Lana Del Ray, Kimbra and Meg Mac. With lyrics that linger long after the first listen, LIVVIA has performed at numerous festivals including Brisbane Festival and Bleach*.

Developing a reputation for effortless vocal melodies and performances that demand your attention alongside enigmatic lyrics, LIVVIA’s songs are matched by a voice that is at once sultry and undeniably fierce.

Your music has been likened to Lana Del Ray, Kimbra and Meg Mac, what sort of music did you listen to growing up?

I actually listened to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, Shania Twain and Stevie Nicks believe it or not. When I was younger my family moved a lot and went on a lot of road trips. It was during this time I remember listening to my Dad’s favorite bands in the car, singing along to some classic tracks which have continued to somehow influence my music today.

You recently travelled to Nashville to record with producer Trey Bruce. Can you tell me about that experience?

Writing with Trey is something that has opened my creative writing mind. It’s so hard to really capitalize on the entire experience, as I truly believe that it will be a number of months before the highlights and experiences of the trip sink in. What I do know is I am super pumped for 2017 and to let the year ahead speak on behalf of my experience in Nashville.

Now that you’ve finished the Bachelor Popular Music what’s on the horizon?

Early next year ill be releasing my debut EP, which is very exciting and overwhelming all at once. I’m planning on doing an east coast Queensland tour to begin with and then tour down into NSW as well. Next year is all about developing my brand as “LIVVIA” and getting all amongst the vibe that is happening here around Brisbane and the GC. I eventually see myself making the move overseas within the next two years or so. I’ve had such a small taste of what’s happening in the States, that it makes me eager to explore perhaps the scene in Europe and what’s happening over there.

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ATHENA JOY At just 21 years of age, Gold Coast’s Athena Joy is already turning heads. With subtle pop tones and an emotional, moody edge, she was named a finalist in the 2016 Queensland Music Awards and has played big stages such as City Sounds, Valley Rack It and NightQuarter.

The track which saw her make inroads in 2016, Blue was premiered by AAA Backstage and described as ‘hauntingly beautiful’.

Airplay on triple j Unearthed and community radio stations followed. She’s since been busy in the studio recording tracks for a follow-up EP, due for release in early 2017.

Congratulations on being a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards. What impact did that have on your year?

Bringing the fun back, Twelve Past Midnight blend blues, rock and pop, like a culmination of your entire music library in one convenient project.

The Gold Coast based four-piece comprise Queensland Music Award finalist Jordan Pineda (lead vocals), Ryan Brook (lead electric guitar), Alex Cremin (bass guitar) and Aidan Salvador (drums) and they’re quickly becoming known for stand-out performances at premiere venues like The Arts Centre Gold Coast, QPAC and NightQuarter.

Blank: Your music channels a blend of genres. I guess all original music does. Can you tell me what kind of music your parents listened to when you were growing up? Did this have much impact on your own musical taste / journey?

Ryan: My earliest memory of music was when I was probably four sitting in the back of my Dad's four wheel drive. I think it was Madonna or Dianna Ross playing on the radio at the time. Either way, I guess it was a fairly good introduction to 80's pop because it has stayed with me ever since. New age bands like The 1975 that utilise similar techniques to 80's pop artists really intrigue me and it can definitely be heard as an influence in our sound as Twelve Past Midnight.

It was the first song I’d done a proper planned release for so to have it be so well received was really rewarding. I feel like it’s helped me get inside the real music industry. No one really knew who I was before. Thanks to the Queensland Music Awards I’ve been able to play a lot of cool shows this year. I feel like I have a bit more legitimacy to my projects now and people are taking me more seriously.

Alex: My parents used to blast 90's and early 00's Rock and punk like the living end, good Charlotte and Blink - 182 which really gave me an affinity for the 'angsty' side of music.

You’ve got an EP due for release in early 2017, what can we expect?

Alex: The Tivoli or The Triffid would be pretty amazing but Riverstage would be a personal goal.

The EP was inspired by the sound of my single ‘Blue’ and really the journey of falling into and out of a relationship.

I’m a perfectionist and I know how I want it to be so it’s taking a while to get it right but hopefully it’ll be worth it.

Ryan: There's so many I can think of but The Tivoli has always been number one on my list. I've seen all of my favourite artists there and to say I stood where they did would be pretty cool.

Having access to such high quality programs through the Bachelor of Popular Music must have a profound impact on your music career. What were the highlights of the course?

Blank: The Bachelor of Popular Music program gives emerging artists like you guys such a great footing in the music industry. Can you tell me about your experience there?

There are so many highlights for me it’s honestly so hard to summarise. I was accepted into a few courses after highschool but I know that not one of those other courses could have done for me what BPM has done. Before the course I honestly didn’t think of myself as a songwriter and didn’t really realise the role that songwriting plays in my life.

In first year if you had told me I’d be pumping out 20 songs in ten hours for Immersion days or be spending time in Nashville working with professional songwriters, I would have probably laughed at you or cried (I don’t really know what’s worse). But these are things I’ve managed to do thanks to BPM.

Blank: You’ve performed at a heap of cool venues – including big stages like at NightQuarter. If you could perform on any stage in Australia – what would it be?

Jordan: I feel like it’s given us the real truth of what our industry looks like today. We’ve been privileged to play on so many stages, record so much of our own music and we've met so many mentors along the way who inspire and motivate us at every point. I think that's what gives us the confidence to move forward with our music careers.

Now that you’ve graduated, what’s on the horizon?

Aidan: We're expanding on our back catalogue currently as we continue to work throughout the year. We don't want to give anything away just yet but we feel that 2017 is going to be a big year for us which is something we are all looking forward to.

Jordan: More music and more shows!

SUNDAYloving BAZAAR Restaurant is serving up Sunday lunch every week from 12–3pm

SOAK UP THE WEEKEND VIBES AT BAZAAR RESTAURANT’S SUNDAY LUNCH. The perfect spot to catch up with friends and feast on Bazaar’s famous spit roasted meats, seafood straight from the trawler, salads plucked fresh from QT’s rooftop kitchen garden and the finest spread of sweet treats on the Coast.

$59 per adult | $29 per child Bookings essential. Book online at qtgoldcoast.com.au

7 Staghorn Avenue Surfers Paradise | 07 5584 1200 | www.qtgoldcoast.com.au

Y A D N U S Y EVER M 12PM FRO MES,

A G N W A L , C I S D U N M A D SEAFOO OCKTAILS C R E M M SU

For booth booking and enquires call 07 5584 1243 or email stingray_goldcoast@evt.com QT Gold Coast 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise qtgoldcoast.com.au

www.blankgc.com.au

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NIGHTQUARTER • GOLD COAST

NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVAL

THE DELTA RIGGS THE VANNS » SAHARA BECK AQUILA YOUNG » YES SIR NOCEUR MAGICIANS » STREET PERFORMERS » FIRE TWIRLERS NIGHT MARKETS » STREET FOOD » BUSKERS

TICKETS ON SALE NOW WWW.NIGHTQUARTER.COM.AU NIGHTQUARTER.COM.AU � 1800 264 448 � TOWN CENTRE DRIVE, HELENSVALE, GOLD COAST

PUNK'S NOT DEAD Punk’s not dead… she’s just middle-aged. This year marked the 40th anniversary of what is widely considered the Big Bang of the punk movement, or so the story goes.

Richard Scott 1976- 1977

London, 1976, amidst a background of IRA bombings, National Front marches and god-awful Seventies prog-rock, a band emerged that would stir up England’s discontented youth and spawn countless copycats.

The Sex Pistols: Pretty Vacant

Musically, the Sex Pistols were nothing short of a racket. Short, fast, angry songs - snarled rather than sung - with a distinctly uncomplicated approach to chords.

But punk was never about the music alone. Overseen by svengali Malcolm McLaren, and styled by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, the Pistols became the poster-boys of anti-fashion (safety pins, leather jackets, bondage gear), subversive and anarchic politics and a fierce DIY aesthetic.

I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN JANDY NELSON In young adult novel, I’ll Give You the Sun, Jandy Nelson writes like you’ve been doing it wrong—the English language—the whole time.

13 year old Noah and his twin sister Jude are as close as they are competitive, battling over individuation, parental favouritism, first love, and dissected pieces of the world, like ownership of the flowers and sun.

When their creative mother suggests the twins apply for art college instead of traditional school, Noah—self-confessed weirdo (“I wish I were a horse.”) who is sick of being bullied—knows art college could change his life. Nay, save it.

His popular sister, Jude, is unconvinced, more interested in wearing red lipstick, surfing, and lunging from cliffs. Until she and her ecstatic mother see Noah is a rising flood of artistic talent in a paper cup. Jude wants to be the favourite.

A mysterious tragedy occurs, which sends their competition spiralling. We are flung three years into the future where Jude, the new narrator, is named ‘C.J.’ What happened? And why are the twins managing life, grief, and betrayal like they’ve traded places?

The decision to alternate between Noah’s and Jude’s perspective, across two time periods, builds intrigue and pace. While some plot twists are obvious and the coincidences mount high, the point is magic, which this story has in abundance.

Nelson’s descriptions are so on point and other-worldly, you may require swoon-breaks. The use of painting placards to demonstrate Noah’s in-the-moment feelings is particularly effective: we stroll through the art gallery of a boy’s heart.

The love interests are just as intoxicating. New kid, Brian, with his electric hair and tongue perched against his spaced teeth, will have you expecting stars to fall from suitcases. Oscar, who is also well-rendered, makes for a less comfortable romantic lead as an older, troubled male.

The novel’s key themes are… something about grief, forgiveness, and being true to one’s self.

I don’t know.

I was too busy being transported and then wild with happiness to pay attention.

Nae Kurth

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Trading in national hysteria and public indecency, it wasn’t long before the movement had spread from McLaren and Westwood’s little London shop (Sex) to take over the country. By ’77, a hundred or more punk bands had formed, including The Clash, The Buzzcocks, The Slits, The Damned and The Adverts.

By ’78, it was all over. The Pistols imploded, Sid Vicious died the year after. But the trial was already blazed.

Still, even today, the “anniversary” of punk is a contentious one: just this month, Westwood and her son, Joe Corre, set fire to more than £5 million ($8.4 million) of punk memorabilia on The Thames as a protest against such “nostalgic” celebrations.

The Clash: White Riot The Buzzcocks: What Do I Get? The Damned: New Rose The Jam: In The City Penetration: Don’t Dictate Wire: 12XU The Stranglers: (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) The Undertones: Teenage Kicks The Sex Pistols: God Save The Queen

Anthony Gebhardt, Senior Music Writer, Blank GC Proto-punk (pre ’77) The Damned: New Rose

“Punk was never, never meant to be nostalgic,” Corre told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“And you can’t learn how to be one at a Museum of London workshop. Punk has become another marketing tool to sell you something you don’t need.”

Crime: Hot Wire My Heart

Furthermore, music historians themselves can’t seem to agree on punk’s actual birthday.

The Saints: (I'm) Stranded

Yanks will argue, vehemently, that New York already had a thriving, nascent punk scene long before the Pistols came along; many accusing McLaren of pilfering the whole concept wholesale after watching the New York Dolls perform.

Some will point the finger at seminal American “proto-punk” bands like The Stooges, MC5 or even The Velvet Underground; others to sixties garage rock like The Sonics, The Monks, The Standells or Los Saicos.

And closer to home (and completely independently of London or New York) Australia had it’s own scenes emerging in the warehouses and house parties of late ‘70s Sydney and Brisbane, via Radio Birdman and The Saints respectively.

The latter loathing the punk tag that followed them around.

So how exactly do you define the undefinable? You can’t. The closest you can do is put together a bunch of punk playlists, as we’ve done here, and hope for the best.

Because nothing quite screams anarchy like making a list…

Richard Scott Note: Quotes from Joe Corre were published in the Gold Coast Bulletin on 27 November: Punk memorabilia burnt on the Thames.

Michael Yonkers Band: Puppeting Electric Eels: Agitated The Stooges: I Wanna Be Your Dog MC5: Looking At You Ramones: Blitzkrieg Bop The Modern Lovers: Roadrunner New York Dolls: Personality Crisis

'60s garage-punk The Music Machine: Talk Talk The Sonics: Strychnine The Elois: By My Side The Alarm Clocks: No Reason To Complain The Blue Stars: Social End Product Adrian Lloyd: Lorna The Emperors: I Want My Woman

TO SEE THE REST OF THE LISTS INCLUDING 70S AUSSIE PUNK, 80S AMERICAN PUNK, POST-PUNK ALBUMS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS, PLEASE VISIT BLANKGC.COM. AU.

Image: Sex Pistols in Paradiso by Photographer Koen Suyk, Nationaal Archief Den Haag

Thee Sixpence: My Flash On You The Evil: I'm Movin' On Los Saicos: Demolicion

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SUMMER

GIG GUIDE

FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM WALLY & THE GATORS SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM GEMINI DUO SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER 1.00PM-5.00PM BENNO’S BIG SING MONDAY 5 DECEMBER 11.00AM-2.00PM DEANA PEHER FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM ROCKKS SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM HOTWIRE SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 1.00PM-5.00PM ABBIGAYLE ANDERSON MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 11.00AM-2.00PM TOMMY MEMPHIS FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM BUDDY LOVE & THE TREMORS SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM ROCKHOUNDS

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER 1.00PM-8.00PM GREG BANKX & STARS OF TOMORROW MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 11.00AM-2.00PM DEANA PEHER FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM MATRIX DUO SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM CATFISH & THE DEEJAYS SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY CLUB CLOSED MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 11.00AM-2.00PM CRAIG SHAW FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER 7.30PM-11.30PM LONG GONE DADDY’S DUO SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 8.30PM-1.30AM NYE - WALLY & THE GATORS SUNDAY 1 JANUARY 1.00PM-5.00PM ABBIGAYLE ANDERSON MONDAY 2 JANUARY 11.00AM-2.00PM TOMMY MEMPHIS

FRIDAY 6 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM WALLY & THE GATORS SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM GEMINI DUO SUNDAY 8 JANUARY 1.00PM-5.00PM RUSSELL SPROUT MONDAY 9 JANUARY 11.00AM-2.00PM MICHAEL WHITMORE FRIDAY 13 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM ROCKKS SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM LONG GONE DADDY’S SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 1.00PM-5.00PM THE RED MEN MONDAY 16 JANUARY 11.00AM-2.00PM CRAIG SHAW FRIDAY 20 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM GORAN SEDLAR DUO SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM SLIQUE DUO

SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 1.00PM-5.00PM CHI CHI DUO MONDAY 23 JANUARY 11.00AM-2.00PM GREG BANKX THURSDAY 26 JANUARY 12.00PM-8.30PM BONE LAZY & GREG BANKX FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM MATRIX DUO SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 7.30PM-11.30PM ROUTE 66 SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 1.00PM-5.00PM GREG BANKX MONDAY 30 JANUARY 11.00AM-2.00PM STEVE HILL

BLEACH GIRLS: BLITZKRIEG ALOHA Hailing from the idyllic surrounds of Byron Bay, hot new garage-surf two piece Bleach Girls, Fi Fi Bleach on drums and vocals and Mickey Bleach on guitar and vocals, have been making some serious waves on the local music scene across 2016. Having just dropped their debut EP Hi, Anthony Gebhardt fired off some questions to get the low-down on the band and where they’re taking things next year.

Give us a quick rundown on how you two came together and started making music?

Mickey and I met because we both used to own Kombi vans that would break down all the time. We’d always see each other driving around the coast and wave at each other. We found out that we both played music and spoke about forming a band for about four or five years, but were always busy with our own projects. And then one night on the piss we agreed to actually do it and here we are.

Can you describe the process of recording your debut EP, Hi! And what was it like working with Mark Duckworth, who's been floating around the Gold Coast music scene for many a moon now.

The writing process for Hi! began in an old storage shed that we turned into a jam space in Burleigh. We wrote about 20 songs and jammed them every day until we were happy.

So we booked a bunch of shows and took

BLEACH GIRLS ARE AT OZFEST, 28 JANUARY AT MIAMI TAVERN

off to Bali for a month to tour, have some fun, get a tan and drink some beers. People really dug it so we got back and recorded our favourite tracks at Blind Boy Studios with Duck. He is one of our favorite humans so naturally it was a great time! He totally gets us, what we are about and understands our sound. He is a musical lord really and does so much for music on the Gold Coast! We’re already working on the next release together.

Has the lo-fi garage/punk/surf/scuzzy pop stuff coming out on Burger Records, as well as Oz bands such as Dune Rats, played a part in shaping your sound and outlook?

Or are you more old school Ramones loving types..or both!?

Definitely more old school! If the Beach Boys met the Ramones, Bleach Girls would be their love child! The Dunies are top blokes though! And they work bloody hard!

What's been the craziest or most exciting gig you've played so far?

Any grand plans for the band in 2017, or take it as it comes?

The whole tour with the Goons of Doom was pretty wild! We got to follow around the WSL tour and play a bunch of shows with them, which was all time. Apart from Duck they are also our favourite humans ;)

We’re touring up and down the east coast all over summer. Really looking forward to Oz Fest on the Gold Coast. We’re playing a couple of really great festivals next year that we’re looking forward to announcing soon.

The next EP is on the boil also. Mainly we’re just looking forward to having fun and to keep doing what we love!

THE KOI BOYS MAKE MUSIC THAT’S MEANT TO BE Suave Gold Coast trio The Koi Boys have been impressing crowds at famous Broadbeach haunt Koi and at private and corporate functions for the last ten years. But it was their success on TV’s The Voice which has really seen the handsome group step up their musical game. Jodie Bellchambers caught up with band member Nuz in line with the release of the boys’ debut album Meant to Be. How are you feeling about the upcoming album release of the first Koi Boys album?

I’m excited, very excited, it’s been full on letting everyone know about the pre-order and the album release date. My job in the crew is to look after all of the social media so I have to make sure we are getting the word out, we hope that everyone loves it as much as we love it. We’ve had some good feedback on a few of the covers I guess from our point of view we have made some of the newer cover songs more melodic to feel the song to suit a broader range.

How much has your experience and exposure on The Voice propelled your career?

Tenfold – we would never have this opportunity if we had not jumped on a vehicle like The Voice. It’s probably the biggest vehicle for any singer songwriter artist to propel from singing at your local venue to you to be performing on bigger 16

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stages. And having the opportunity to be presented and exposed to new networks even for inside information. Another advantage is releasing a CD to major outlets like JB or they will only accept CDs that come from a label so it really helps. Whilst social media is big, you need radio stations and big distribution networks onside. Our expectations were overwhelmed we were like kids in a lolly shop when we were awarded this opportunity. You just don’t realise how big it is especially when you have been singing at a local restaurant for over 10 years.

If you could collaborate with another artist who would you choose?

My voice is a high voice – I hold that down in my new school music like R&B and even rappers. I’m not a rapper, but I certainly enjoy them. Probably the Weekend or Drake or even John Legend – it doesn’t really matter who for me because I look at the networks of other artists and how popular

they are so anyone who is more popular than me is a bonus. We just love music it keeps you young and performing on stage, it has the healing ability to be vibrant and keep you moving and keep you happy. The basic ingredients for joy, we love bringing joy to

people. We are happy chappies as we are and love having fun – we jump onstage and bring that energy. We have to watch that balance now, we have to maintain a serious etiquette to deal with the business side.

Regional Arts Development Fund Apply now cityofgoldcoast.com.au/radf

TRANSFORMATIONS AT EARTH FREQUENCY

Earth Frequency Festival has long been a strong community focused on music, arts, lifestyle and environment. What started out as a small landcare party has grown into one of Australia’s most transformational gatherings. Next year’s lineup features Beardyman, The Herd, Ace Ventura, Opiuo, Marcus Henriksson aka Son Kite, Desert Dwellers and Kingfisha, amongst dozens of others, plus there are workshops, performances, live arts, kids activities, markets and food over four massive days.

Festival Director Paul Abad chatted to Samantha Morris about the event’s twelfth anniversary, starting with the biggest lessons he’s learnt.

“Looking back I think the ideas and lessons that have helped me the most would be to grow one step at a time year by year,” Paul said, adding that for any festival to have lasting value it needs to take an inclusive, community-focused approach and to be about connections formed as much as the entertainment on offer.

“I think the 2017 lineup is our strongest to date,” he said. It’s the first time the festival has booked artists like The Herd, Ace Ventura, Beardyman and Marcus Henriksson.

But at the same time festival favourites like Opiuo, Desert Dwellers and Spoonbill will return. As well as a diverse music lineup, Earth Frequency Festival also places a big emphasis on family.

“I love the fact that many families attend each year and that the age range of the festival audience is so broad,” Paul told Blank Gold Coast.

“As usual we will have the Family Realm and Parenting Place offering workshops, entertainment and activities for kids and their families including kids yoga, magic shows, circus, art workshops and more.”

The event had a challenging year in 2016 with tighter council conditions as a result of what can only be described as a smear campaign from a small number of local area 18

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objectors. But Paul says there is good news on that front.

“Months of work have resulted in a more practical noise monitoring methodology and better sound levels for the upcoming edition,” he said.

“As we close the big stages at midnight, we're looking at a range of options to keep the good vibes flowing - the art gallery will be open, we will have late night food stalls and markets, a few 'after hours' small music venues and some great new ideas coming through including a game show in the workshop village which I really hope comes to fruition.”

“I'd just like to express immense gratitude to everyone who supports Earth Frequency in any way - working, volunteering, performing or coming along to party. It’s been an incredible journey to go on and a constant source of inspiration and happiness for me,” Paul said.

THE TWELFTH EDITION OF EARTH FREQUENCY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE AT IVORY’S ROCK FROM 17 – 20 FEBRUARY. DETAILS AT EARTHFREQUENCY.COM.AU.

RÜFÜS IN FULL BLOOM Fresh off the back of their five ARIA 2016 nominations and several laps of the globe including headline festival appearances in Australia, RÜFÜS have announced a massive 13 date regional tour of Australia, The Full Bloom Tour. The tour marks the one-year anniversary of their #1 gold accredited album Bloom, and will be the last chance for local audiences to see the band live before they take time off the touring circuit to start work on their next album. Cam Alexander caught up with the band.

Some of the places on your regional tour would have never seen a RÜFÜS live show before, are you taking the full stage show to all the towns?

We have to tone it down a little, especially compared to the Hordern Pavilion, Festival Hall or Riverstage shows, but essentially it’s the same show. We’re taking lights, our crew, we might be travelling with a sound system we all believe in, the whole package. So the quality of show should be really great. Some of these places probably haven't experienced a live electronic show.

The last time you were on the Gold Coast you were at Coolangatta Hotel. This time you’re at the Nightquarter, which has already played host to acts like Safia and Sticky Fingers. Are you excited about coming back?

Yeah for sure! It’s pretty cold over here in the US - we’re missing the start of the Australian summer, so we’re excited to cover some ground across the east coast, especially back to the Gold Coast which always has some lovely weather.

You’ve been touring non-stop since Bloom came out, any favourite places?

That’s hard, some of the festivals we’ve played have been really special. Coachella was one of those. We had a really great set time, the

tent was packed. We were up against Ice Cube on the Main Stage just after the N.W.A movie came out as well. But it was the best vibe, everything went right. But this bus tour we’re on now has been a big blur of awesome times too.

Speaking of artists, your artwork for Bloom, which was nominated for an Aria is so cool, how did you guys meet Jack Vanzet?

We’d been following him for a while and had been one of our favourite artists. It may have even been from his artist name, Thrupence, which is his music project he’s been doing.

We saw him post all these different artworks that were all flowing paint artworks and we really wanted someone to do all of the artworks for this second record, from start to finish.

What’s next in store for RÜFÜS? After a well deserved break of course…

We’re touring through to the end of that regional run and then at the end of March/ April I think we’re going to set up shop somewhere, maybe in LA. We kinda wanna move somewhere where we can get some new inspiration and some fresh ideas!

RÜFÜS IS AT NIGHTQUARTER, HELENSVALE ON 20 JANUARY.

12

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BLANK GOLD COAST NAMED CITY’S MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR Blank GC, this very grass-roots street press surprised the media industry on Saturday night when it took out the gong for Best Magazine at the 2016 Gold Coast Regional Media Awards, affectionately known as the MACCAS. Our Cultural Editor, Natalie O’Driscoll was also one of three finalists across the city for Best Magazine Feature story.

On paper, one could perhaps understand the surprise, with our team of volunteer writers, no prior experience in cultural journalism or publishing and no financial backing when the magazine launched in print and online in December 2013.

But, when you consider the impact and growth that Blank GC has had in just three years, the judges can be applauded for recognising our role helping to shape the region’s identity and contributing to the growth in the local music scene as well as the City’s cultural tourism offering.

Three years on we still have a tiny team and no office! But that hasn't stopped us from growing to a print run of 10,000 copies a month with the magazine available at 250 outlets between Byron Bay and Beenleigh.

Blank Gold Coast gives a voice to creative workers, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs across the city. As well as our small team of professional writers, we also have 132 volunteer writers who proudly use Blank GC as a playground to hone their craft. It's a thriving, committed community.

We’re proud to have been media partners to some of the City’s most significant cultural events: Bleach* Festival, SWELL Sculpture Festival, Buskers by the Creek, OzFest, Gold Coast Open House, Bonjour French Festival and Gold Coast Film Festival as well as events outside of the city such as BIGSOUND – the southern hemisphere’s biggest international music event.

In 2015 we launched the first Gold Coast Music Awards in twenty years, working closely with Burleigh Brewing Co and other corporate citizens to shine a spotlight on our thriving local music scene. Last month we announced a new partnership with Surfers Paradise Alliance which will see the 2017 awards ceremony grow 1000% when it takes place on the beach with the Surfers Paradise LIVE festival featuring pop sensations, The Veronicas.

So, three enormous cheers to our amazing contributors. You just won Best Magazine on the Gold Coast: Aaron Chapman, Adam Christie, Ali Bryant, Amanda Gorman, Amy Mitchell-Whittington, Andrew Scott, Angie Charles, Anna Itkonen, Anthony Bligh, Anthony Gebhardt, Ash Martin, Ashleigh Wadman, Ayse Musa, Beck McGaffin, Ben Michaels, Benjamin Allmon, Benny D Williams, Bernie Palings, Bob Westerman, Bree Garland, Cam Alexander, Camilla Jones, Carmel E Lewis, Catherine Coburn, Catherine D’Avril, Chloe Pickard, Chloe Popa, Chris Barron, Chris Lamaro, Christian Stanger, Christie Ots, Claudia McCristal, Cody McConnell, Damian Papworth, Dan Maynard, Daniel Marshall, David Simmons, Dion Parker, Dominic Murray, Doris Prodanovic, Dusk Stone, Eden Tokatly, Elizabeth Ansley, Elli Webb, Elliott McLeod, Emily Hosking, Emily Norman, Emily Russell, Emma Ballard, Emma Whines, Erin Bourne, Genghis Tuan, Gina Martin, Gina Martin, Glenn Tozer, Heidi Braithwaite, Heidi Maier, Hudson Tesoriero, Iain Wright, Issy Schonenberg, Jackie Martin, Jake Wilton, James N Dowie, James Wills, Jan Hranička, Jariah Travan, Jarred Brunt, Jay Annabel, Jennifer Chastre, Jes Johnson, Jesse Kenny, Jessie RyanAllen, Jodie Bellchambers, Josh Parenno, Julia Schafer, Karin von Behrens, Katie Hooper, Keiren Bond, Kellie Lindsay, Kelly Tuari, Kemii Maguire, Kirra Smith, Kyle Butcher, Kylie Cobb, Kylie Daniel, Lana Miele, Lani Motiekatis, Leah Martin-Brown, Leigh Kelly, Leisen Standen, Lincoln Hillard, Linda-Rosa Hewing, Lisa Silverstone, Lisa Smith, Lizzy Keen, Locke Fitzpatrick, Loki Liddle, Louise Christie, Lucy Tucker, Madie Shaw, Maggie Muurmans, Marj Osborne, Mark Weblin, Marlene Katene, Matt Greer, Melanie Brennan, Mella Lahina, Mic Smith, Michael Roach, Nae Kurth, Naomi Edwards, Natalie O’Driscoll, Nate James, Nev Pearce, Nicole Madigan, Nicole Willis, Odette Bettany, Petra Salo, Phillippa Wright, Pip Andreas, Regotron Leayr, Richard Scott, Rick Hollis, Roselle Tenefrancia, Ryan Murr, Salvador Cantellano, Sam Gilmore, Samantha Morris, Samantha Morris, Sarah Beecroft, Sarah Gardner, Sarah Loughlin, Sarah McEwan, Sarah Molloy, Shani Ishigaki, Simon Graham, Simone Gorman, Stav Giouzelis, Steve Griff, Tari Peterson, Terry “Tappa” Teece, Tiffany Mitchell, Timmy Burdett, Tori Heath, Trevor Jackson, Vanessa Tokatly and Yanina Benavidez.

This copy of Blank marks our third anniversary and the 40th edition we’ve produced since reaching our crowd-funding target of $10,000 on 14 December 2013.

None of this would be possible without our advertisers – all of whom themselves are contributing to the local cultural economy.

We’ve had delivery drivers, council staff, bands, venues, Gold Coast Tourism, our own family members (especially Bogdan, Leontine, Victor and Darrin), those original 100+ crowd funders, our 250,000+ readers, social media followers and friends (like Phillippa) throw immense weight behind Blank Gold Coast over the past three years.

Dec/Jan 2017

But we’d especially like to thank the 130-odd writers, photographers, editors, reviewers and supporters who’ve produced more than 3000 positive stories about Gold Coast culture over that time.

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GROM’S CORNER

Image: Claudio Kirac

The school holidays are closing in fast, starting Saturday 10 December and back to school on Monday 23 January 2017. Here are some family friendly happenings over the next couple of months!

CITY OF GOLD COAST SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Hundreds of fun, free and low cost school holiday activities are provided by the City of Gold Coast across the region so the kids can experience nature, explore parks, get active, check out libraries or visit a community centre. This year, the kids can experience stand-up paddle boarding, go on a kayak tour, walk on the wildside, try stop-motion animation, get involved in Lego engineering, participate in summer reading and more!

COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTRES

City of Gold Coast’s Community Centres offer a range of activities over school holiday periods. All activities are free and designed for young people aged 12 to 17 years.

NATURALLYGC PROGRAM

CULTURE KIDS SUMMER PROGRAM AT THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST

Looking for the perfect way to entertain your children during the January break? Look no further than the Culture Kids Summer program at The Arts Centre Gold Coast!

Running between 9 and 22 January, Culture Kids offers a range of workshops, shows, free performances and activities the whole family can enjoy. Plan an entire day out with a variety of options for mornings, lunchtime and afternoons for children aged between 5 to 12 years. You can even take the hassle out of meal times by pre-ordering a kid friendly lunch box for your little one to enjoy.

Workshops •

Ballet for both junior and senior artists with Queensland Ballet

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Vocal workshops with Rob Mills

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Screen Acting workshops for all ages presented by The Warehouse

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Contemporary and Hip Hop inspirational dance sessions with Jesus Elias Almenares, former principal dancer with the hugely successful Ballet Revolution

Let the kids go wild these school holidays. The NaturallyGC program connects kids with nature through free and low cost activities such as kayaking, bushwalks, nature play, coastal education and wildlife shows. This program is primarily for kids aged between 6 and 14 years.

Shows •

From Brisbane to Broadway and back again, Cre8ion bring us Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys, a sweet and amusing musical theatre piece for all the family

ACTIVE & HEALTHY HOLIDAY PROGRAM

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Justine Clarke Sings! brings your favourite songs by this much-loved children’s singer and Play School presenter to life including Watermelon, Dinosaur Roar and all the hits from her album Great Big World

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International children’s superstar Mister Maker & The Shapes will ‘make it!’ in a brilliant, fun and fast paced interactive show

Discover the great outdoors these school holidays so that your kids reap the benefits of unstructured playing, learning and being physically active in our many parks, beaches and natural playgrounds. There are hundreds of activities on offer these holidays for kids aged four to 18 years.

Free

LIBRARIES

Participate in a range of creative "make it" themed activities these summer school holidays at our City Libraries.

Programs are free and include stop-motion animation, digital design, sewing, decoration, Lego engineering, sculpture and STEAM activities, including boat building.

Visit the Libraries' online calendar of events for more.

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•

Corroboree – all children can experience the unique artistic features of Australia’s Indigenous culture in this drop in/out program

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Live music outdoors with the Terrace Stage Concerts

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Story Time and Drama Games offer an interactive experience

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Escape the summer heat with a free screening of Trolls on Sat 14 Jan in the Arts Theatre and weekday Pixar Short Films in The Basement

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Robot Helmets and Play Space – creative workshops

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Happy Birthday Play School: Celebrating 50 years exhibition

BLEACH* FESTIVAL 2017 TEASES WITH GLIMPSE INTO WORLD PREMIERE FRANK ENSTEIN One of Australia's most surprising contemporary arts events, Bleach* Festival has released the first glimpse of its 2017 line-up, exploring the convergence of sport and art, bringing cutting edge music, circus, theatre, dance, cabaret and visual art to 14 locations on the Gold Coast, across two weeks and three huge weekends from 31 March to 16 April.

Frank Enstein, one of three world premieres in Bleach* Festival 2017, is a new commission that will bring two of Australia's boldest contemporary dance companies Gold Coast / Berlin based The Farm and Perth based Co3 Australia - together for the first time.

Rising star, actor, dancer and fearless filmmaker Daniel Monks will take centre stage as the eponymous Frank, who creates a series of übermensch or hyper athletic monsters.

The new production, which features magic, breathtakingly physical dance, an original score and a wicked sense of humour, is designed to appeal to children and adults.

"Frank has spent most of his life alone, terrified of people, and yet, like most of us, harbours a deep need to connect and be loved," described Daniel.

"Because of his physical disability, he feels even more isolated from the predominantly able-bodied society... He creates these perfect creatures so he can experience love, and finds safety in what he believes to be the artificial nature of their love; allowing himself to experience relationships without having to face the terrifying risk of actually connecting with real, autonomous humans."

Bleach* Festival's Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said Frank Enstein's themes of body image and physicality were a sign of things to come from Bleach* Festival 2017, which would embrace all things sport and art in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games 2018.

"Strength, passion, power, risk, grace, endurance and beauty can be found within both sport and art, and both show us our shared humanity. What better place to explore these ideas than on the Gold Coast?" Louise said.

Natalie O'Driscoll

FRANK ENSTEIN WILL PREMIERE AT BLEACH* FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY 31 MARCH 2016 AT THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST. THE FULL PROGRAM FOR BLEACH* FESTIVAL 2017 WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 1 FEBRUARY 2017.

ALWAYS ON

theartscentregc.com.au | (07) 5588 4000

ART LOVERS AUSTRALIA: A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE ART In the spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation that has come to define the Gold Coast, two local art lovers have combined their talents to form a new marketplace for contemporary Australian art, Art Lovers Australia.

Nancy Donaldson and Jarrod Knight have been intimately involved in visual art for over 20 years, both as creators and consumers. It was during one of their many cups of tea at the Tweed River Gallery that a question emerged: ‘how do we get more people to see art’? Thus Art Lovers Australia was born, first as a Facebook page and then as a website that launched in October.

According to Nancy and Jarrod, “Art Lovers is run by artists and is a curated gallery space. We do more than sell art; we also offer a booking facility for art experiences, workshops, retreats and tours. We provide an opportunity for people to be really involved in the arts.”

Being arts lovers themselves, artists can expect a more personalised approach to arts commerce from Nancy and Jarrod. As well as direct access to the directors, artists are provided with opportunities to raise their profile through feature posts, blog articles and media opportunities.

Nancy and Jarrod have a significant focus on local artists, meaning that Art Lovers Australia has joined a growing list of businesses spotlighting the City’s artistic talent and positioning it within the wider Australian art market.

Currently Art Lovers Australia includes Gold Coast based artists such as Archibald finalist Lee Wise, Daniel Jurin’s beachscapes, Rachel Favelle's pop surrealist portraits, Gayle Reichelt's encaustic shipwrecks and Sharon Grima's nature inspired drawings.

From 2017, Art Lovers Australia will offer workshops and international art tours and will engage with bloggers from around Australia to write about exhibitions and art experiences.

Visit Art Lovers Australia at artloversaustralia.com.au.

GET THE FULL STORY AT BLANKGC. COM.AU AND READ MORE STORIES BY ASHLEIGH WADMAN AT CULTGC.COM.

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DREAMING WITH YOUR EYES OPEN: WHY JOINING AMATEUR THEATRE MAY BE FOR YOU The theatre is a place where storytellers of all ages can band together to bring fantasy, comedy, history, mystery, romance, and any other genre you can think of, to life. A cast of actors and a crew of backstage and technical hands work like clockwork to execute a combination of light, sound, and props to transport its audience into another world; a world of make believe, where one can dream with their eyes open.

It is almost impossible to describe how a show comes together; there are so many elements and roles. For a production to take flight, it is the duty of a dedicated director to spark the process to begin creating the magic needed to transform words and directions on a script into the staged experience. Actors and actresses are called upon to audition for various roles, all equally as important. Once the cast is put into place, the rehearsal process begins.

Costumes, lights, sound, props and stage set are built into the scene. Not to forget the work done by the front of house staff, costume designers, set builders and plenty more behind the scene roles. Finally when everything is fine-tuned, the show is set for the stage.

Time freezes in the silence, until the actors walk on stage ready and confident, not completely themselves, but the characters they portray. Being on stage is like no other form of art. It’s in the moment and intimate. There is no room for flaws and everything flows with the story.

Finally it’s time the show has come to an end and curtain call proceeds. The invigorating feeling you have been able to share another story with the world and influence the emotions of the audience whether through laughter or sadness is overpowering. Every character you play, a piece of them stays with you.

Image: Charlotte Ham it alive and thriving. Theatre provides a community with an outlet to play, and to be entertained, of course. It brings all types of people together and allows those with dreams beyond the norm to make them a reality.

How can youth get involved in amateur theatre?

The door is always open. Community theatre is a very inclusive venue whereby the doors are open to everyone.

Youth who are interested in pursuing theatre have the option to attend classes that empower creativity and teach a fundamental understanding of stagecraft and theatre etiquette.

What is one of your highlights of story telling through theatre?

A highlight of community theatre is the ability to play and create. While there are a number of plays and musicals which tell stories of famous figures of the past, on a more community-based level, locals can experiment with stories of their own and their own experiences. This can clearly be seen in youth theatre whereby students will channel some of their own experiences to devise pieces of theatre. This process of devising has a more authentic and 'raw' feel as it is something they can relate to and make real.

Are you interested in becoming part of an amateur theatre? Check one of these Gold Coast companies out: Beenleigh Theatre Group, Beenleigh | beenleightheatregroup.com Goat Track Theatre, Helensvale, Ormeau, Tugun, Robina and Tamborine | goattracktheatre.com

I asked amateur theatre director Benjamin Bray about his opinions on how the theatre contributes to the community and his experience working in the theatre scene.

Gold Coast Little Theatre, Southport | gclt.com.au

What does the theatre offer and how does it benefit the community?

Spotlight Theatrical Company, Benowa | spotlighttheatre.com.au

The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed. It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive. Community theatre is a prime example of this as it is fueled by like-minded people who are passionate to keep

Javeenbah Theatre Company, Nerang | javeenbah.org.au

Tweed Theatre Group, Tweed Heads | tweedtheatre.com.au Madie Shaw

COASTAL VIEWS INSPIRE LADLEY’S LUSCIOUS LANDSCAPES Since moving to the Gold Coast 12 years ago, David Ladley has been painting with a beach theme in many forms. Many have featured iconic surf towers. Even though the yellow topped towers are all the same, his trick is to make each painting different within its local setting, with many of his paintings finding their way into homes throughout Australia and overseas. His solo exhibition Luscious Landscapes is to hit ONE Arts Gold Coast, and Director Carol Collins asked David some questions on our behalf.

What’s the exhibition all about?

This show is about the wonderful images just hours from home. I live quite close to the beach, easy walking distance, seeing the ocean and early morning light with the colours and clouds in a never ending variety. This is what excites and provides the passion that produces the best and most satisfying artwork.

Where do Luscious Landscapes come from?

These paintings have been done over the last few years of Gold Coast areas and on trips driving south. For years whenever we’ve driven never spending the time to explore the many small coastal towns because they were off the highway. So we have now made some slow trips visiting just about all the towns, villages and headlands down through NSW. I just love the coastal rivers, rocky headlands, waves crashing over rocks.

So armed with sketchbooks, canvases, boards and lots of paint, I’d drive to a likely headland, park the car and with folding easel and small folding seat for comfort, I’d set off walking all around the location looking for that perfect spot.

HIDDEN TREASURES AT TRADER TROVE FOOD AND ART COMBINE:

Christine Avenue sits quietly among the network of streets filtering through Miami. Sitting proudly, not far from where the street meets Gold Coast Highway, is Trader Trove, a haven of local and imported wares with a vintage flair.

Ceilings soar above the showroom as natural light welcomes customers through the rustic doors.

When The Kitchens at Robina commissioned a 10.5 metre wide bespoke artwork from acclaimed street artist Kelsey Montague, the aim was to create a feast for the eyes as well as for the tastebuds. And the Tree of Life delivers in spades, with hordes of curious shoppers taking the opportunity to watch Kelsey craft the outstanding wall mural during her sojourn there in November.

Each item here is hand-sourced by the owner, Avalon Beban: wicker, Afghan rugs and rattan energise the room. She says building the business was an exciting project, one that is very close to her heart.

RENOWNED STREET ARTIST KELSEY MONTAGUE MAKES HER MARK ON THE KITCHENS

Kelsey Montague’s art has turned heads worldwide – from the bustling streets of New York to California’s coastline – with her interactive street illustrations and #WhatLiftsYou campaign that invites passers-by to ‘step’ into the artwork, take a snap, and share their images on social media. We shot a few questions to Kelsey about the mural.

Tell us about the Tree of Life wall mural. What little elements are in there for people to search for?

The Kitchens is a community hub based around fresh food, so I knew an interactive tree of life would be perfect for the mural because its spiritual meaning symbolises life, interconnectivity and nourishment, and in the past, the tree of life has been depicted with fruits and natural foods. I’ve basically reworked that idea for Robina Town Centre, and have included in it some veggies like carrots and asparagus, some fruits like pineapple, watermelon and bananas, plus other favourites like ice cream, and of course, some coffee!

What do you hope to gain from this exhibition?

Is there much difference in art that you create publicly vs. art that you create in private?

I think it’s great to be able to showcase locally made product and give the public a chance to see the coastal environment through my eyes. I think we have a wealth of local grassroots talent here on the Gold Coast and I am happy to be able to present my artwork here at ONEArts Gold Coast from 6 January.

No, I actually don’t. I feel really comfortable creating my pieces in either setting, because I love what I do. It doesn’t matter if I paint in public or private setting. I tend to have a similar creative process for each of them, so the result tends to be of a similar caliber.

Carol Collins

LUSCIOUS LANDSCAPES IS SHOWING AT ONE ARTS FROM 6 JANUARY TO 1 FEBRUARY VISIT DAVIDLADLEYART.COM OR ONEARTSGOLDCOAST. COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. 28

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You've facilitated people all over the world to talk about what inspires them. But what lifts you?

My family lifts me. My mum is my mentor, my dad is my biggest fan, and my sister is my business partner. And I can’t forget my sweet dog Roo! Natalie O'Driscoll

“I was very careful about the intention I set in the beginning and through each and every stage from the renovation of the building to choosing my staff and each and every piece we have on sale.”

“The set up flowed really well, it was more my own expectations that I had to keep in check. I was working on intuition and making decisions based on that. It’s always the battle between mind and heart when working on something this way.”

Doors opened on 12 November for the opening night of Mitch Gobel and Sally Mustang’s Paradise Valley exhibition.

People filed excitedly through the entrance and the soft hum of discussion echoed through the effervescent space. Colour bounced back from the freshly painted white walls; an idyllic juxtaposition. The space housed the artworks as if they were its own.

The inspiration for Trader Trove was drawn from Avalon’s desire for a creative outlet, while connecting with other creative-types. The exhibition inspired the likes of a diverse crowd, some of whom travelled from the farthest nooks of the country to be present.

“I knew I wanted a space that facilitated people coming together to share knowledge and inspire one another.

Creating a community was my main objective. I felt the space just needed to be created and it would organically grow and become something beautiful. I wanted a space with integrity and soul that felt really special to be in. I think I've created this and feel the vibes are playful, fun, soulful and in harmony.”

Jamie-Lee Rowley

TRADER TROVE IS AT 22 CHRISTIVE AVENUE, MIAMI.

SOCIAL MARKETS, RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT MERMAID BEACH fashion and design stalls, which highlight some of the awesome talent producing quality goods locally.

I’m calling it. Gold Coast is the night market capital of Australia. It could be our perfect climate, it could be our penchant for outdoorliving, or it could just be that we have the best darn foodtrucks and entertainment options from across the entire nation.

Whatever the reason (and seriously, who’s complaining), we’ve really honed our night market offering, thanks in part to the pioneers at Miami Marketta.

Last week we introduced you to Bundall Bazaar, which runs Friday nights at, you guessed it, Bundall.

But the latest cab off the rank is Social Market at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club. Running every second Saturday with live bands and DJ at each event, the market dishes up two alleys of food trucks with dinner and dessert options.

The Social Markets have also put kids front and centre with a jumping castle, face-painting and bowls for children. And of course there’s barefoot bowls for the adults too.

And if you think the 80s are making a comeback, you’ll be right on the money at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club. Their beergarden prices have been stuck in the 80s for like forever.

You’ve probably driven past the Mermaid Bowls Club for the past ten years and not even noticed it. It’s just off the Markeri Street and Gold Coast Highway intersection at Mermaid Beach and if you wanted to take the light rail it’s about a ten minute walk from the terminus.

And with all good night markets, it’s not just about the food (although it’s really about the food, isn’t it?) There’s also art,

Samantha Morris

SOCIAL MARKETS AT MERMAID BEACH BOWLS CLUB RUN THE FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH WITH THE NEXT MARKETS BEING 17 DECEMBER, 7 JANUARY AND 21 JANUARY FROM 4.00 – 9.00PM.

IT’S TIME TO VIEW NEW YEARS EVE DIFFERENTLY...

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1st sitting: 5:30pm - 7:30pm, adult $119, children $49 (5-12 years) 2nd sitting: 9:00pm - 1:00am, adult $259, children $99 (5-12years) 2nd sitting includes: 3 hour beverage package including selected wine, theme, beer & soft drinks until 12am. DJ from 10:30pm Call 07 5592 9906 or email: fw360.surfersparadise@ihg.com | Bookings essential.

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FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

Ragga Jump | The Rails, Byron

SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER

WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER

Lanks + Hein Cooper | NightQuarter

Palmy Sunday Funday: Chocolate Stings + Felicity Lawless | Pirate Park, Palm Beach

Electrik Lemonade | Miami Marketta

James Street Preachers | Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach

The Ruiins (single release) + Vanilla Gorilla + Moonlight Society | Miami Shark Bar Andy Jans-Brown & Cozmic | Southport Sharks

GOLD COAST GIG GUIDE

MONDAY 12 DECEMBER

Summertime Sessions in the Village: Jason McGregor + Blues Stomp Holding Co. | Cuddihy Park, Mudgeeraba

Lloyd Saniel | Southport Sharks

Rockks | RSL Club Southport The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise Jason Delphin (3.00pm) | Walrus Social House Bohemian Cowboys | The Rails, Byron Taisha Tari Duo + Paul Atkins | Swannies Southport Matty Rogers | Burleigh Brewing Co The Day Surgeons | Hotel Brunswick Matt Stillert | Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers

Shane Wilkie | Swannies Southport

TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER

Dan Irwin + DJ Elliott Ramsay | The Social Markets, Mermaid Beach Bowls Club

Hotwire | RSL Club Southport Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise Jason Delphin | Coolangatta Hotel The Swamps | The Rails, Byron George Ferguson Trio | Swannies Southport The Swamp Stompers | Hotel Brunswick

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER Planet + Mar Haze + Whoa! | Miami Tavern Shark Bar Dan Hannaford (2.30pm – 5.30pm) | The Avenue. Surfers Paradise

Cath Simes Band | Hotel Brunswick

Sam Buckingham (2.00pm) | Currumbin RSL The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel Sarah Grant Duo | The Rails, Byron Amanda King | Swannies Southport Ooz | Hotel Brunswick Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

Josh Boyd | Swannies Southport

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER

FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER Captain Wow | Southport Sharks

WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER

Tash Lockhart (acoustic, from 1.00pm) with Sharks xmas family night with LOL crew (5.00pm) | Southport Sharks

James Street Preachers | Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach The Button Collective | The Rails, Byron

THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER

Will Anderson (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Zookeepers | Southport Sharks

Ned Walker | Swannies Southport

Fat Picnic + Hoo8Hoo | NightQuarter

Kobya + Asher Chapman (2.00pm) | Sheaok Shack, Fingal

THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER

Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Chris Aronsten | The Rails, Byron

Leigh James | The Rails, Byron

Scott Dayvee | Swannies Southport

Rockhounds | RSL Club Southport

Devils Kiosk | The Rails, Byron

Voice and Congas | Southport Sharks

Ooz | The Rails, Byron

Mattie Barker (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

NightQuarter Christmas Carols: Tiffani Wood + Jenna Dearness Dark + Colt Seavers | NightQuarter

Scott Sayvee | Swannies Southport

GD FRNDS Christmas party: Borneo + Yes Sir Noceur + Idiio + Wren Klauf + Discodisco + Klubknight | Miami Shark Bar

The Hodads | Southport Sharks

Tommy Memphis (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

Madonna tribute (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks Jesse Morris Band | Miami Marketta

Kenny Slide | The Kitchens Robina Town Centre (5.00pm) Cover Shot Jam Sessions + Open Mic | Commercial Hotel, Nerang Zookeepers | Southport Sharks Van Larkins + Andrea Valeri | The Dust Temple, Currumbin The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel Matt Stillert | The Rails, Byron Scott Dayvee | Swannies Southport Totum | Hotel Brunswick

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER Leopold’s Treat | Miami Marketta Izania | NightQuarter Late for Woodstock | Southport Sharks Trapdoor Holy Truth launch | Miami Shark Bar AKoVA | Mandala Organic Arts Cafe Buddy Love & The Tremors | RSL Club Southport

Kenny Slide | Beenleigh Rum Distillery Josh Needs (2.30pm – 5.30pm) | The Avenue. Surfers Paradise Wax Lyrical: original songwriters night, 6.00pm | Mandala Organic Arts Rabbit Radio Christmas Party: Baskervillain + Hobo Magic + Dangerpenny + STRAAYS + Stone Witches | Miami Tavern Shark Bar Greg Bankx & Stars of Tomorrow (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport Pinksta and Swaussey Fire (1.00pm) | Advancetown Hotel Cheynne Murphy | The Rails, Byron Palmy Sunday Funday: The Hussy Hicks + Mrs Miyagi + Mattie Barker | Pirate Park, Palm Beach Paul Atkins | Swannies Southport Joshy Dredz (3.30pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co The Ninth Chapter (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER Lloyd Saniel | Southport Sharks Deanna Peher (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport Bill Jacobi | The Rails, Byron

Wandering Eyes | Miami Marketta Matrix Duo | RSL Club Southport The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise The Twine + Benny D Williams | NightQuarter Dan Hannaford | The Rails, Byron Taisha Tari Duo + Paul Atkins | Swannies Southport Michael Kopp | Burleigh Brewing Co Supercheese Duo | Hotel Brunswick Gavin Mescalito | Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers

SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER Fireworx | Southport Sharks Bill Jacobi + Gavin Denier (2.00pm) | Sheaok Shack, Fingal Fat Picnic | Miami Marketta Mattie Barker (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Catfish & The Deejays | RSL Club Southport Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise World on a String + Michael Buble Christmas Crooners Tribute Choir | NightQuarter Hunter & Smoke | The Rails, Byron Push | Hotel Brunswick

MONDAY 26 DECEMBER

Electrik Lemonade | Hotel Brunswick

The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Amanda King (1.00pm) + kids disco with LOL crew (5.00pm) | Southport Sharks

Jimmy Davis + Izania | NightQuarter

Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

The Monkees | Jupiters Theatre

TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER

Goodrich | The Rails, Byron

Voice and Congas | Southport Sharks

Craig Shaw (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

Taisha Tari Duo + Paul Atkins | Swannies Southport

Luke Ferguson Duo (2.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Sean Fitzgerald | Burleigh Brewing Co

The Rails 35th Birthday: The Hombres | The Rails, Byron

Khanage | Hotel Brunswick

Abbigayle Anderson (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport Nicole Parker Brown (1.00pm) | Advancetown Hotel Jason Delphin | Palm Beach Surf Club

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Josh Lee Hamilton (3.30pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

Zambabem | Miami Marketta

SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER

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Shane Wilkie | Swannies Southport

Micka Scene + Auckland Trio (2.00pm) | Sheaok Shack, Fingal

Broadfoot | Hotel Brunswick Pauly P | Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers

Ned Walker | Swannies Southport

Josh Boyd | Swannies Southport

Marco | Southport Sharks Jerome Williams (2.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Andy Janz Brown | The Rails, Byron

TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER Voice and Congas | Southport Sharks

DISCOVER GOLD COAST'S BEST NEW MUSIC

Raku O’Gaia (2.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

The Lyrical (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

Kellie Knight & The Daze | The Rails, Byron

Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

Dan Hannaford | Hotel Brunswick

WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER James Street Preachers | Cambus Wallace, Nobby Beach O.L.B | Southport Sharks Rumblefish | The Rails, Byron Scott Dayvee | Hotel Brunswick

THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER Kenny Slide | The Kitchens Robina Town Centre (5.00pm) Zookeepers | Southport Sharks Bill Jacobi (2.00pm) | Currumbin RSL The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel Pink Zinc | The Rails, Byron Biggy P | Hotel Brunswick Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER

MONDAY 2 JANUARY Tommy Memphis (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport Ooz | Hotel Brunswick

TUESDAY 3 JANUARY Jason McGregor (8.30 – 11.30pm) | The Avenue, Surfers Paradise Bill Jacobi | Hotel Brunswick

WEDNESDAY 4 JANUARY Phil Brommers | Hotel Brunswick

THURSDAY 5 JANUARY The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel Raku | Hotel Brunswick Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

Dan Hannaford Band (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

THURSDAY 19 JANUARY

Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel

MONDAY 9 JANUARY

Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

Michael Whitmore (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

THURSDAY 12 JANUARY The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel Big Music | Hotel Brunswick Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

FRIDAY 13 JANUARY

Jae Haydon | Hotel Brunswick

FRIDAY 20 JANUARY RÜFÜS (ticketed) + Roland Tings + Lastlings | NightQuarter Vanishing Shapes | Miami Marketta Lure + Monsters of the Midnight Sun + UverseU single launch + Syrup Go On | Currumbin Creek Tavern Goran Sedlar Duo | RSL Club Southport The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Karl S Williams | Soundlounge Currumbin

Pauly P Duo | Hotel Brunswick

The Mason Rack Band + Tash Lockhart | Southport Sharks

SATURDAY 21 JANUARY

Caravan Sun | Miami Marketta

Hunting Jade | Miami Marketta

Bligh + The Rekindlers + Weather Permitting + Dreams of Indigo | Currumbin Creek Tavern

Dallas James (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Christopher Mapstone | The Dust Temple, Currumbin

Slique Duo | RSL Club Southport Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Agent 77 | Southport Sharks

FRIDAY 6 JANUARY

The Wet Fish | Miami Marketta

Mat McHugh | Soundlounge Currumbin

Killer Queen Experience + Let There be AC/DC (Covers) | Lonestar Tavern

Bearfood | Miami Marketta

The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Bluescorp + Tash Lockhart | Southport Sharks

The Elliotts + The Settlement | NightQuarter

Pink Zinc | Hotel Brunswick

Wally & The Gators (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

The Firetree | Hotel Brunswick

SUNDAY 22 JANUARY

The Spitting Swallows + Wootton Major + Trapdoor + Tokyo Beef | Miami Tavern Shark Bar

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY

Long Gone Daddy’s Duo | RSL Club Southport The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise Sovereign | NightQuarter The Ninth Chapter | The Rails, Byron

Rockks | RSL Club Southport

Dinosaur Jr | Miami Tavern Shark Bar. Get details here.

Pink Zinc | Hotel Brunswick

The Bredda Brothers + Satisvibes | Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Luke Houselander | Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers

Pete Allen | NightQuarter

Trapdoor + Peach Fur + Aralunar Beagle + Breizers | Currumbin Creek Tavern

Wandering Eyes | Hotel Brunswick

Katy Perry Tribute | Southport Sharks

SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER

The Twine | Miami Marketta

Virtuosity (8.30pm) | Southport Sharks

SATURDAY 7 JANUARY

PARADISE FOUND NYE Party: Sapote + Madison Kat + Tom & Jarry DJs | Beach Hotel, Byron

Katie Who | Miami Marketta

Danny Widdicombe (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Lyrica Blue + Jerome Williams (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL

Wally & The Gators (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Gemini Duo | RSL Club Southport

Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise The Delta Riggs + The Vanns + Sahara Beck + Aquila Young + Yes Sir Noceur + Peach Fur + Lotus Ship + MORE | NightQuarter Peter Hunt and the Hummin + Hugh Jones (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack, Fingal The Preatures | Hotel Brunswick DJ Saxon | Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers

SUNDAY 1 JANUARY Kenny Slide | Envy Hotel, Broadbeach Josh Boyd (1.00pm) | Southport Sharks Abbigayle Anderson | RSL Club Southport

Jive Cats | Southport Sharks

Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise

Jaeden Ogsten (3.00pm) | Currumbin RSL Long Gone Daddys | RSL Club Southport Satisvibes + The Bredda Brothers| Ultra Lounge Bar & Dining, Surfers Paradise Dubarray + Chris Flaskas | NightQuarter Andy Burke + Dubarray (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack, Fingal Push | Hotel Brunswick

Nicole Parker-Brown | NightQuarter Mapstone + Mark Riddout (2.00pm) | Sheoak Shack, Fingal

Chi Chi Duo (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport The Feramones | Hotel Brunswick Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

MONDAY 23 JANUARY Greg Bankx (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY British India | Hotel Brunswick

Ministry of Sound The Reunion Tour: John Course + Mark Dynamix + Kid Kenobi + Stafford Brothers | NightQuarter

SUNDAY 15 JANUARY

Hunter and Smoke + Rosie Misschief and TK BassDread | Sheoak Shack, Fingal

Trapdoor + Radolescent + STRAAYS + Future Haunts + Planet | Miami Tavern Shark Bar

Bone Lazy & Greg Bankx (12.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

The Red Men (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

The Bredda Brothers + DJs | Burleigh Heads Hotel

Wild Marmalade | Hotel Brunswick

Cover Shot Open Mic Night / Jam Session | Commercial Hotel, Nerang

The High Rollers | Hotel Brunswick DJ Acoustic + DJ Elliott Ramsay | The Social Markets, Mermaid Beach Bowls Club

SUNDAY 8 JANUARY Ned Walker (1.00pm) | Southport Sharks Russell Sprout (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Unplugged Acoustic Jam Session (1.30pm) | Burleigh Waters Tavern

MONDAY 16 JANUARY Craig Shaw (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY

* Catch these SEED artists playing at a venue near you

WWW.SEEDSERIES.BANDCAMP.COM

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A.B. ORIGINAL

ESSIE THOMAS

SOME JERKS

AQUILA YOUNG

Briggs and Trials, long term friends and now collaborators as duo A.B. Original, bring the angry back to rap with Reclaim Australia, an in-your-face, no-holds-barred look at Australian race relations. Musically, the duo channels NWA / Public Enemy with aggressive rhetoric (and a sprinkle of policebaiting) set to hard-hitting beats more usually reserved for the US west coast 90s rap scene than the more generally laid back modern Aussie hip hop. “We want to make rap scary again,” said Briggs during an interview at the 2016 BIGSOUND in Brisbane. They have succeeded. Drawing on some of the worst aspects of 200 years of Australia’s white occupation for lyrical inspiration, the album is already drawing both praise and criticism for its unflinching messages.

The album cover depicts the music from Essie Thomas’ second studio album – big hearted songs with a twist of styles from blues, folk and jazz and a sprinkle of orchestral production magic. Essie crowd-funded the making of this album and every dollar has been well spent when you hear the composed instrumentals, recorded and mixed by local maestro Scott French.

Andrew Stafford’s incendiary book on the history of Brisbane music, Pig City, has now given birth to a record label of the same name. And Strange Ways, the debut full length release from Brisbane trio Some Jerks, is the first record to be released under its imprint.

We first heard of the unique Aquila Young in 2015 after her first single Vagabond blew up both Triple J and Triple J Unearthed airwaves.

Her EP that followed further clarified the talent this local lady has and gained her some much deserved attention from some bigger fish in the industry such as Dom Alessio and one of Australia’s leading online magazines Society Of Sound. Now, a year later, Young has released, Crimson Criminal, bursting with honest lyrics, raw vocals and brooding production.

Reclaim Australia

Stand out tracks include single Jan 26 feat Dan Sultan, an impassioned plea to change the date that Australia celebrates what most Indigenous people consider to be Survival Day, or Invasion Day. (Seriously, why the fuck hasn’t this happened yet?). “You can call it what you want, it don’t mean a thing to me” dismisses Sultan in the chorus.

Lyrics such as: They screamin', "love it or leave it" I got more reason to be here, if you could believe it Won't salute a constitution or who's underneath it Turn that flag to a noose, put a cease to your breathin' don’t leave much to the imagination. And that’s the point. This isn’t some esoteric, placatory attempt at joining hands and singing Kumbayah. A.B. Original is providing a platform for both historical and current Aboriginal grievances to be aired with all the attendant anger and hurt that accompanies them. The whole album is an emotional piece of work, but Caiti Baker’s searing vocals on the chorus of Dead in a Minute definitely hit a nerve, while Reclaim Australia feat Gurrumul gave me goosebumps. As a white Australian I found part of the album uncomfortable, part devastating and part eye-opening. As an old school rap fan it gets two big thumbs up.

Natalie O'Driscoll

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Hearts on the Table

The first track Hold On is a fuss-free folky poetic number with a hint of Missy Higgins, yearning for time to stay still with some impressive drumming rhythms by Anastasia Scales. This introduction does not lull us into a false sense of folk security as we are surprised to hear Essie’s smooth groove Sade-like sounds on second track, Caught (Hearts on the table). Made Out of the Wind is led by an acoustic guitar that drives the song into a foot tapping, shoulder swaying number; “like a melody so fine, so sweet.”

Earnest guitar picking, percussive instruments and a muffled drum beat are used to add drama to the life affirming Don’t Look Down while Light at the end of the tunnel provides a clever electronica, flute layer vibe with high register plinking piano runs, to build a story without words. It’s the little bowl of sugar on Essie’s Hearts on The Table album. Not What We Asked For offers a slight reggae inspired interlude, while Big Man would be a gift for an artist like John Butler to sing – it screams JBT all over, rollicking drums, fiery guitar rhythms and rousing lyrics.

This is a tightly packaged album with every song going somewhere different, from a songwriter who doesn’t mess with her words.

And for every listen you discover beautiful little musical nuances enticing you to hit play again.

Hearts on the Table is available on iTunes.

The Essie Thomas Ensemble plays Woodford Folk Festival in December and Earth Frequency Festival from 17 February 2017.

Tiffany Mitchell

Strange Ways

The band, consisting of singer and bass player Victoria Watson, drummer Simon Walker and co-vocalist and guitarist Will O’Brien, have variously plied their trade across a range of Brisbane acts such as The Aampirellas, Brindle and Kewpie Doll.

And their pedigree and ability to craft catchy tunes without blanding out is amply displayed across the album’s ten straight to the point and right on the money numbers.

Musically the band expertly combine a moody, lilting girl group ethos, trebly, surflaced guitar and melodic garage smarts with a hint of 90’s indie. Pixies by way of the 60s.

Opening track Napoleon jumps out of the blocks with a driving guitar riff and the sweet yet biting vocal presence of Watson.

Bridget is a darkly noirish number with evocative male-female vocal interplay and a twangy mid song interlude. Title track Strange Ways sets the bar high, its drivingly bruised vibe augmented with layered female vocals and knowingly contemplative lyrics; “with all of our strange ways, would it be the same again?”

A cover of Slayer’s Raining Blood may sound bamboozingly odd in the general context of the band’s sound, but the frenetic surf guitar treatment the band give it lends itself perfectly to the ominous vibe of the original.

Rabbit Hand is a frantic 30 second rock-out interlude before the garage-surf stylings of Wild Man return the record to more familiar territory. The band go out in a feel good wave of melody in the form of a cover of Blondie’s Dreaming, a sweetly catch way to round out a highly impressive set of tunes that stick to a punk ethos of no song more than three minutes long. Strange Ways delivers a smash-bang killer set of tunes, and is an impressive entry point for Pig City Records onto the recorded music landscape.

Anthony Gebhardt

Crimson Criminal (single)

The song starts slow and draws you in with a steady rhythm from delicate synths and echoing riffs. The vocals then capture the audience as they ooze pain and longing with harmonies that allow added emotion.

As the song continues on, the beat becomes more and more prominent driving the song and injecting it with intensity, adding to the brooding feel. The chorus explodes with whispering, but strong vocals that coincide perfectly with the electronic beat that carries the story of the song.

The lyrics tell a story of a toxic love allowing listeners to relate and grieve along, but they are also just left field enough that it doesn't turn into a pop anthem. Lines like ‘I paid the price to be tasting the fumes’ and ‘How you pull me in/How you sense my skin/How you get me off’ adding raw emotion into the song and giving listeners a taste of what is brewing inside her mind.

It’s a mature and eclectic second single for Aquila Young and it really showcases how much a year can make an artist grow. It’s just different enough to make you stop and listen and wonder where she's going to take her music next.

Emma Whines

IVEY STICK TO THEIR STRENGTHS WITH NEW TRACK LAST WEEK

BLEACH GIRLS

TOMMY SHEEHAN

Hi!

The Cold

There’s a surprisingly substantial complexity to Bleach Girls’ debut outing - a band who’ve made a reputation by playing a massive amount of live shows in their short career. With Hi!, there’s more than meets the eye.

Whether it’s as dynamically obtuse as Bleach Girls want it to be, the male / female forcefulness to the two-piece’s energy is buoyant and, at often times, hypnotising.

Fi Fi on the drums and Mickey leading out front, their presentation is nothing new but their composure and ability to craft punchy, distorted and bubblegum garage rock is a true concerted effort.

You’d think a two-piece lo-fi duo making bratty, beach-infused songs about adolescence and getting drunk on and around the beach would have no affect on the music scene, not anymore. But Bleach Girls are riding that wave hard, fast and don’t care what anyone thinks of them along the way. Really, that’s where the biggest appeal to this band comes.

Channelling their prodigies of FIDLAR, Best Coast and even early Wavves, the debut EP is dripping with sunshine and good vibes and makes no attempts to be anything less.

Hell No doesn’t win over with its lyrics, but plays to the band’s back-and-forth dynamic so effortlessly that it is too charming not to enjoy. 16 is precisely the short, sharp, fast song I would have blasted when I was a poor, rebellious 16 year old. Elsewhere on the EP, there are moments indebted to Surfer Blood and Alvvays.

With a VB bottle front-and-centre, Hi! isn’t going to revolutionise the lo-fi scuzz of garage rock, but with Bleach Girls’ kinetic bond, both on-and-off-stage, the music is so natural and fun loving. Bleach Girls are teaching us, once again, to never drag our feet when in the sun.

If you've ever met Tommy Sheehan before you'll know he's one laid back dude. You might have recognised him anchoring Aquila Young's band or collaborating with one or more of a number of emerging Gold Coast acts such as Lane Harry x Ike Campbell, or Jackson James Smith. His solid reputation as a chilled deliverer of ambient vibes is further cemented in his debut EP release, The Cold.

Far from cold, I found myself warmed listening to his tunes, perfect for a relaxed Sunday soundtrack at home. Reminiscent of Jose Gonzalez perhaps, or Patrick James if you prefer a more local comparison, Tommy's opening tune Old House, driven by his minimalist acoustic guitar, shuffling snare, and catchy melody had me tapping along.

Thoughtful, even melancholy at times, the remainder of The Cold takes a slower approach, with the three tracks meandering along sentimentally. It seems clear a coast life had influenced this young man as each title brought to mind themes of water and the beach. The female vocals on Undertow offered a lovely complementary sound scape and the song stuck in my head long after the track had concluded.

"Will you find what you're missing, now you live in the city..." (Drift).

Picking up a copy of The Cold might just be what you're looking for, whether you live in the city or not.

IVEY are going from strength to strength with the release of their new track Last Week. With the success of their last track, All Things Good, they have been playing shows across the country.

Last Week has that trademark IVEY guitar tone accompanied by a beat that would make anyone want to dance. They’ve stuck to their strengths and contrasted the male/female vocal really nicely. Both Millie and Lachlan take turns to tell their side of the story and then come together in the chorus to create a catchy harmonisation that everyone can sing along to.

The stripped back production of the track gives it a similar feel to the rest of their work and creates a real lo-fi vibe. The fact that the song was all tracked live is a testament to the sound and energy that they’re going for.

Cam Alexander had a chat to the band.

Half of you guys are still in school, if I'm correct, do you find it hard to balance school and band commitments?

Well, Matt just graduated as of last week, so not anymore, but yeah it gets really difficult sometimes, but we push through. I mean we’re all individuals and all have our own lives (uni, work, relationships etc) but we find the time. We love this band so it doesn’t ever feel strenuous.

Your Last Week tour is about to kick off, how does it feel to be playing in places like Sydney and Woolongong? I've heard the Rad Bar in the gong always has a sick vibe.

Yeah! We played our first show last night in Sydney, and it was so rad, was not expecting a crowd but we had a good little crew there, it was really nice coming to a city you’ve never played in and seeing people dancing to your music. Yeah we’re super excited for rad bar, we’ve heard lots of good things and have lots of good mates in the gong!

What was the inspiration and writing process for your new track Last Week?

It’s all about falling in love very quickly, which is scary and beautiful at the same time. It was written about my current girlfriend, and the intensity between us when we started seeing each other!

I wrote in about five minutes actually, and like always, took it to the band and we reworked it and then recorded it pretty much live, it’s very different for us as a band but we’re super happy with it.

What's next for you guys? Are you planning on bringing out more singles, a bigger body of work or just more touring?

To be honest, we’re not sure. We’ll see what happens, we just want to keep building ourselves, so if that comes in the forms of singles or a larger body of work, only time will tell. In touring aspects, we just wanna keep playing shows, that’s all it’s about really, it’s the best feeling in the world.

Glenn Tozer

Jake Wilton

www.blankgc.com.au

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CHARGING AHEAD FOR WOMEN'S BIG WAVE SURFING Felicity Palmateer doesn't like to label herself a "slashie", the term used for the new generation of multi-skilled, professional life jugglers who bind hobbies and career into one and make viable incomes from everything combined. But there is certainly nothing to be ashamed of in chasing your dreams and living life on your terms. Besides anyone who can juggle surfing competitively in 20ft waves one day and look good modelling swimwear the next, deserves credit our eyes. Mella Lahina reckons it's time Felicity added "big wave" surfer to her already impressive resume.

What brought you to the Gold Coast?

Before the Gold Coast I was living in Sydney and before that I was in Margaret River, which is where I am from and I kind of moved to the East Coast of Australia mainly for surfing. Western Australia is quite remote and far away from everything and there are so many opportunities here on the Gold Coast especially for women’s surfing, there are so many girls surfing, more contests, amazing waves, warm water, it’s pretty enticing.

What was your first impression of the Gold Coast when you got here?

I remember coming here when I was about 14 years old and it was the middle of winter and I came here expecting to wear a steamer and I was looking at all these kids at D’bah wearing steamers and short arms and I was thinking it must be cold out there. I remember going out there and thinking OMG this is the best place in the world, the water’s so warm and I was like wearing bikinis and all these other girls and

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boys were like what is this chick doing. Warm water and tropical weather all year round, I was like sign me up!

Have you surfed many coldwater places apart from Margaret River?

Western Australia is cold for like six months of the year and then the other six months it’s extremely hot, but I’ve been to Tasmania for the Australian Junior Surfing titles like ten years ago and that was freezing. I remember it was summer, but the water was still so cold in November or December it was like 11-12 degrees in the water… ice cream headaches every time you were duck diving.

Any advice for girls who are going into competition?

Honestly, the more you do it the better you get. That’s why board rider comps are so good, they are like the footsteps for getting onto the QS or the WCT because these junior club rounds instil that competitive nature from such a young age.

So by the time you’re surfing state rounds and then Aussies or ISA or juniors it’s like second nature, the more you do it the better you’re going to get. The more experience you can get the better.

How nervous were you before the first ever women's big wave Pe’ahi event?

Probably the most nervous I've ever been in my life.

There were a lot of firsts that day, first big wave women's competition, first time I've ever ridden a 10ft board, first time wearing a V1 (big wave flotation wetsuit), first time I'd seen that wave let alone surfed it. I had to adapt really fast.

So yeah it was pretty nerve racking.

What’s it like to throw yourself over the edge of a 20ft wave?

I really don't know I was paddling in blind most of the time because the wind was so strong! No I must be crazy because I love it. I’m chasing the feeling all the time. It's amazing - I love that adrenalin feeling. And I was stoked to make the final and come third.

Will you be surfing more big waves in the future?

Definitely I've been surfing bigger waves since I was young and coming from Margaret River I'm used to surfing waves with power. Next time I want to be more prepared so I'm working on my fitness. I want to be ready next time.

FOLLOW FELICITY ON INSTAGRAM.COM/ FLICKPALMATEER.

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Summertime Sessions in the Village with Jason McGregor + Blues Stomp 9 December Cuddihy Park, Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba (5.30pm-7.30pm) f: SummertimeSessions Santa and his Sleigh will visit Mudgeeraba Village 9 December Santa will be collecting presents for the disadvantaged Cnr of Swan Lane & Railway Street, Mudgeeraba (6pm) f: SummertimeSessions Jazz and Blues with Nicole Parker-Brown and The Late Show 11 December Advancetown Hotel, Nerang Murwillimbah Road, Advancetown (1pm-3pm) f: Advancetownhotel

Villa ge to the

Hinterland

Summer Time SESSIONS In The Village

Mudgeeraba CHRISTMAS Sunset Markets 23 December See Santa, Carol Singers and all things Christmas Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba f: Mudgeeraba Sunset Markets Chisel Revived New Years Day (Tribute Band) 1 January Advancetown Hotel, Nerang Murwillimbah Road, Advancetown (1pm-3pm) f: Advancetownhotel Syd Duncan Community Nature Play Park Opening 13 January Syd Duncan Park, Lower Beechmont (commences 3pm) w: goldcoast.qld.gov.au Movies under the Stars 13 January Syd Duncan Park, Lower Beechmont (commences 7pm) w: goldcoast.qld.gov.au

5:30-7:30 pm Feb 3 Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24 Mar 3 Mar 10 Mar 17

CUDDIHY PARK: CNR RAILWAY ST & SWAN LN MUDGEERABa

Mrs Miyagi + Captain Dreamboat Taylor + Foxfires Marshall Okell + The Long Johns Bare Bones + Kirsty Abrahams Satisvibe + Andrea Kirwin trio Micka Scene + Phil and Tilley Ofa + Jah Butu

music art event s

HOMEWARD BOUND: WOMEN IN SCIENCE UNITE FOR CHANGE On 2 December this year, 76 female leaders in science from around the world set sail on an Antarctic expedition like no other. Homeward Bound is a ground-breaking 10 year initiative which aims to build a coalition of 1000 women in science. The collaboration seeks to both significantly elevate both the numbers and positions of women in scientific leadership roles throughout the world while focusing on building a sustainable future for the planet. This first voyage provides the kick-off point to the rest of the long-term project.

“Having worked in science over the last 20 years and moving in to a more senior management role this is becoming more and more apparent to me. I see the trip as an opportunity highlight this issue as well as educating myself through the leadership and strategy program that will be presented on board and that we have partaken in over the year leading up to the trip.”

The brainchild of leadership expert Fabian Dattner and Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas of the Antarctic Climate Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, the 19 day Antarctic voyage will see participants undergo significant strategic and leadership training as well as further education on global climate and earth systems.

“Personally, I would like to highlight the lack of women in senior positions in STEM (science, technology, maths and engineering) fields,” she says.

Co-founder Fabian Dattner literally dreamed about the project one night, and quickly set about making it a reality.

“You know in Paris [UN Climate Change Conference 2015], of the 34 sub-committees only four were chaired by women.

All the women are outside doing the work, but where the politicians are meeting, 90 percent of them are men,” says Fabian.

“I have been working in the region for 30 years and I’m deeply worried about the very clear absence of female leadership.

“Women are the backbone of the not‐for‐profit, disability and education sectors, they are emerging in all universities as significant percentages of graduates, they take up significant percentages or our workforce and they provide the most unpaid community work. They do most of the work in our homes, are more trustworthy with money and they excel at all but four of 16 well-researched leadership capabilities. And they are in a profound minority in executive decision making roles which shape our future.”

The expedition is a cog in a much larger machine.

Throughout 2016, the participants have been working on 12 separate projects designed to develop their leadership and strategic capabilities, using science to build conviction around the importance of their voices. The idea is that these projects will reach action levels during the expedition, ready for all of the participants to take back to their respective countries for implementation. The next group of women will then undergo the same state-of-the-art training, with the same cycle of education and implementation taking place over the next 10 years. The program directors are aiming to work with 1000 women in science throughout that period.

Tina Schroeder, Senior Research Officer at The University of QLD is one of the initial 76 participants.

“I was attracted to the trip as I believe that women are underrepresented in leadership and senior management positions in science, but also in the general workforce,” she explains.

In her career, Tina has noticed some vast disparities when it comes to women in leadership positions in science.

“Although about 50:50 men and women carry out undergraduate studies in the field of science, when they reach postgraduate studies only 30-40% are women and in senior positions within the university this figure drops to 10-20%. If this project can highlight these statistics and get us moving towards changing them, I would be happy.

“I am also really interested in all the leadership, strategy and management training we are going to receive during the trip as I believe this is something that is not focused on in academia. We have brilliant scientist finding themselves in leadership and management positions without any management training which can lead to interesting dynamics.”

Fabian Dattner

Tina is excited by the aims of Homeward Bound, and sees great potential for the participants.

“I think the group of women on board have a great opportunity to make an impact and raise awareness of the problems women in science face today.

“The 10-year initiative that Dattner-Grant are aiming for, educating and connecting 1000 women in science around the globe will send a powerful message that this is the time for change and women are ready to step up to the table and be heard,” she continues.

“I also want to be a role model for my two daughters and all young girls and women by sending them the message that you having a career in STEM as a women is ok and I want to make it easier for them to achieve this should this be their chosen career path. It is time for women to get a seat at the table and be heard.”

Natalie O'Driscoll

THE ANTARTIC EXPEDITION RUNS FROM 2-21 DECEMBER. APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT PROGRAM, DEPARTING IN 2018, WILL OPEN 17 JANUARY 2017. THERE ARE ALREADY HUNDREDS OF WOMEN WAIT-LISTED FOR THE SECOND PROGRAM. Tina Schroeder www.blankgc.com.au 37

FINDING FOOD FOR THOUGHT

POTAGER

502 Carool Rd, Carool NSW

Image: Lamp Photography

The world of food is changing. We as humans are eating a wider range of foods than we ever have done before. Consciously choosing what we put in our mouths and showing great curiosity as to where it has come from, how it has been grown and sourced. Yet there are foods out there hidden within the layers of nature that we everyday people don’t even know about. Ones that prove hard to find but that are also potentially right under our very own noses.

Meet 20-year-old Cody Kavanagh. Born and raised in Warwick (180km west of the Gold Coast) this young man found an early passion for food whilst at school. Driven to perfect his craft and eager to see how far he could take it, he shortly found himself leaving high school; not before finishing his final food exam by cooking for his vegetarian teacher a dish of pig’s blood jelly and dark chocolate ganache macaroons.

He then found himself cutting his teeth in Aria - one of Matt Moran’s signature restaurants in Brisbane - before heading to Sydney and into the realms of bigger restaurants and then further afield in Europe.

He landed himself a temporary role at Heston Blumenthal’s development kitchen in London, working on an array of projects, the most coveted being the development of foods for astronauts at the International Space Station.

“I sent food into space at the age of 18,” Cody laughs.

On returning to Australia, Cody then found himself working under renowned chef James Viles in his restaurant Biotta in the Southern Highlands, and this is where his focus really began to shift from the almost ‘mad scientist’ ideals of the previous few months, to a more nature-focused approach to his cooking.

“It was great though,” Cody remembers.

“I had done all of this science behind food playing with rotary evaporators and liquid nitrogen, but now it was time for me to focus on the foraged aspects, and what you can take from the wild – it’s the best of both worlds, and for me that’s where my cooking is headed.”

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Heading out into the wild and foraging for means of food is by no means a new concept.

After all, our ancestors were pretty good at this practice. But where has this ability and also desire to revert to nature for subsistence disappeared to? Is it our own ability to walk into a shiny, air-conditioned supermarket and buy perfectly shaped vegetables wrapped in plastic bags that has helped us lose this once strong part of our nature?

Yet, amongst a newer breed of chefs and culinary artisans, there is this wonderful movement of reverting to nature and going out and foraging. Herbs, fruits, and berries that if you didn’t go out looking for them, then you would never see them or have the pleasure of tasting them.

“I’ve found Surinam cherries growing up in Mount Tamborine, and you can’t get anything that tastes like them. They come from South America but must have been introduced. They’re pretty hard to find!” enthuses Cody.

It doesn’t stop with fruits. Cody has attained a small hot house out in the hinterland with some other like-minded chefs, where they have begun to grow their own produce. He has also begun his own line of vinegar that he is currently selling to three extremely well known and respectable restaurants here on the Gold Coast.

“These beautiful native ingredients that very few people actually get to try, deserve a voice,” Cody declares.

As I sit and talk with the young chef his insights and points of view are nothing short of admirable. Working long hours as a full-time chef he is then going out into the wild and foraging on his days off until sometimes past 10.00pm. I have little doubt that Cody truly lives and breathes his passions for food and foraging for native ingredients, completely engaged in his work.

An admirable step perhaps, towards finding food the old fashioned way; without the use of a shopping trolley.

Alex Mitcheson

INTRIGUED TO SEE HIS WORKS AND EVEN HIS OWN BRAND NAMED KWOBA? THEN FIND HIM ON INSTAGRAM: @ CODYMCKAVANAGH

It’s taken many journeys to get to Potager: the 15-minute drive up the hill from Coolangatta, the journeys of owners Peter Burr and Gareth Leslie from Sydney and Ireland and, most of all, our journey away from manufactured culture to a more harmonious, grounded lifestyle and cuisine.

bisque, and a Tuscan terrine of pork, rabbit and chicken, served with radishes and cornichons. Mains, such as our Peruvian fish stew (Sudado de Pescado) or the Sticky lamb ribs, are really generous serves and, for some, two starters could form a meal, especially with wine and a shared dessert.

You could live a lifetime on the Gold Coast yet never go to Carool. If this is the case, you’re missing out. Though this area is only one ridge over from Currumbin, we’ve crossed the state border on the journey and are now officially in the Tweed Shire.

We cannot resist the Salted caramel and chocolate tart with poached pears, homemade ice cream and caramel popcorn.

It’s fabulously rich, and perfect to share.

Set on a 10-acre property, the restaurant is in the middle of an expansive vegetable and edible flower kitchen garden. Greeted at the door by Peter, whose personalised service is rarely seen in larger restaurants, we’re ushered to our table in a venue that jumps out of the pages of Country Life magazine. It’s wholesome, soul-nourishing and practical: blankets to hold fresh breezes at bay hang on pegs on one wall, pots hang from the kitchen window holding produce for use in the kitchen, and vintage prints of vegetables are warm reminders of the origins of our food.

We’re half expect to see Maggie Beer emerge from the kitchen, a pheasant hanging from one hand. Instead it’s Gareth, the chef we’d first met at From Earth and Water and later at Gwinganna.

At Potager, his skills, previously applied to vegetarian cuisine, find a wider audience using seasonal produce from the ‘potager’ or kitchen garden together with produce bought from local markets, Tweed seafood and locally-sourced meat in his world-influenced rustic fare. It’s food loved by locals, many of whom patronise the restaurant at least once a week.

The local theme extends to the timber tables, handmade by Tweed’s Lobo Workshop, and serving ware crafted by Buringbar’s Chez Pottery and Murwillumbah Potters.

On our visit, our meal choices lean towards Tuscan and French provincial, beginning with two entrées: delicate handmade Moreton Bay Bug ravioli in a rich seafood

It’s a glorious mid-season day as we relax over our food. In the distance beyond the rolling hills and fifty shades of green, planes are taking off carrying travellers on their own journeys.

The proximity to the airport was a reason why they bought this property ten years ago, Peter tells us, as well as being closer to his parents on the Gold Coast. Although they’d planned to start a bed and breakfast, the runaway success of their pop-up at the nearby Ilman Estate Winery, persuaded them to open a permanent restaurant early in 2016.

For Peter, the journey is not yet complete.

The restaurant’s foyer holds a railway Sydney station board; memorabilia of daily travel from the suburb where Pete grew up in Sydney. He’s still commuting to his business in Sydney for several days at a time, a journey that for now bridges two very different lives.

Away from city life Potager may be, but there are sophisticated touches on the wine list, the strong collection of boutique Australian wines including a couple from local Ilnam Estate, with organic, vegan, and preservativefree wines a feature. The restaurant also serves Zeta’s Coffee from Carool’s Wirui Estate.

As we dine, we contemplate why the Gold Coast, with all its valleys and green pasture edges, has no restaurant quite like this.

Perhaps it is all about the journey we make.

It’s part of what makes Potager so special.

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast foodgoldcoast.com.au

HOT SHOTT

Building a team and managing food costs are issues Kellie and Jenna have faced in their pursuit of their dream café.

Gold Coast café culture has done well from the downward shift in fine dining culture. Hot Shott is no exception.

“It’s an exciting challenge. Our core team is strong, but getting good staff is the trickiest thing,” Kellie tells us. “This is our first venture. It’s a steep learning curve for us but the community has been very supportive. We’ve had regulars from Day Two.”

Owners and business partners, Chef Kellie Rolfe and Barista Jenna Finch took the opportunity to move from their jobs at Palazzo Versace to open their own business in Main Beach.

“Next year, we aspire to open at night,” Kellie says. “We’re looking forward to the Gold Coast 600 and the street Christmas party.”

The owners have complementary skills, Jenna’s gained on the Gold Coast in five star hotels and Kellie’s from travel, working in five countries over eight years, including at Banff, Bermuda and London’s Savoy, before returning to Australia to take up the position of Banquet Chef at Versace, where she met Jenna.

In the meantime, plans are to take things step by step, to keep growing to be a well-rounded eatery and to create their own learning bases. So far, though, in a street that’s suffered a veritable eatery drought, Hot Shott has proved to be exactly that!

3/17 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach

Hot Shott is one of at least five GC cafes who’ve gained chefs from Versace as the demand for more casual venues has grown; Cadence, Simple Coffee, Caffe Republic, Black Sheep Bistro are some others who’ve scored as well. Now it’s Main Beach’s turn, the pair hoping to add something special to the street on its journey back to life.

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast foodgoldcoast.com.au

“Main Beach used to be such an amazing strip, then it went through a lull in the GFC,” says Kellie. “Although we looked from Southport to Main Beach, we never really strayed from Tedder Avenue. Actually, we had our eye on this place for a few months.”

With true commitment, the pair worked hard to build their dream, even laying bricks and tiles themselves to keep costs down.

There’s a rare naïve boho feel to the décor. Alice in Wonderland-like, animals peer down at our food from their place on the walls. It’s frivolity we rarely see, a joyfulness Kellie says she picked up in Bermuda during her stint there as a chef.

“I want to be playful and see what I can do with food,” she adds. “Visually you see it, smell it, taste it. When you play with all the senses you create a different experience – playful, but not unapproachable.”

Sporting an all-day breakfast and lunch menu, her dishes cross the boundaries of tradition and whimsy. It’s exciting for the diner, the theatre of my smoked trout for breakfast played out as it emerges, smokin’ hot from under a cloche; the latest US trend to hit the coast. Fortunately for vegetarians, it’s not just the trout that’s smoked, but the avo as well!

Difference continues: Eggs Bene is served in two mini croissants featuring house made hollandaise, the Serious Burger with parmesan and rosemary truffle-duck fat fries and smoked aioli is worth raving about (OMG!), while the tiered bagel board and cinnamon scroll pancakes display deft twists to classic comfort food, fashion circling back to well-loved traditional dishes presented with new flair.

The Hot Shott is novel as well. Gimicky? Maybe, but why haven’t we thought of a chocolate lined waffle cup for an expresso before? Taste not waste! The Hot Shott certainly beats a paper cup!

“It doesn’t cost any extra to create a ‘Wow!’ factor,” Kellie tells us. She’s right, of course, but what it does cost is imagination and a stepping up to the challenge of being different. No problem there. It’s a task Kellie and Jenna are happy to meet head on.

“Even our tourists are waking up to the importance of good food,” Jenna says. “We’re catching up, finding our point of difference and good service.” www.blankgc.com.au

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KOKO COFFEE ROASTERS 17 Karen Avenue, Mermaid Beach

Sometimes in life we will find ourselves at a crossroads, with the decision we make dramatically shaping the rest of our lives. For Alex Winter, that decision was a debate between wine or coffee, New York or Bali, the fast lane or grass roots. Luckily for the Gold Coast, he chose the latter, and embarked on a journey that has now lead to him opening KoKo Coffee Roasters, a boutique coffee roaster, wholesaler and retail outlet in Mermaid Beach.

for whatever price they could obtain to roasting the beans themselves, packaging and selling their own brand.

He also became involved in micro-enterprise, assisting villages with small loans and practical training to improve their operation and business. These rural villages were roasting their beans using primitive techniques, so Alex taught them to roast properly, declaring: “That’s where my love of roasting came from.”

I’m greeted into KoKo Coffee Roasters by owner Alex with a laid back smile and the offer of a cold filter coffee made on Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans, revealing his magic powers extend beyond great coffee to also psychically knowing exactly what I wanted.

After 18 months, Alex came home and added a Master of International Business to his Wine Marketing and Business Degrees and took off again this time to Bangkok where he worked for the UN in the Office of Drugs and Crime, primarily dealing with Human Trafficking. It was here that another fork in his path appeared: whether he remained in Bangkok, or come back to the Gold Coast and roast coffee.

Clearly the allure of our golden beaches was understandably too much to pass up, and so KoKo Coffee Roasters was born.

Occupying a great space in the industrial area of Mermaid Beach, wedged between 19KAREN art gallery on one side and the new The Borrowed Nursery on the other, KoKo Coffee Roasters keeps things industrial with its fit-out.

Small design accents dotted around as though in homage to its creative neighbours. A beautiful, custom built matte black La Marzocco machine sits front and centre on the bench, itching to make you a coffee, whilst the roaster is visible in the background.

Every cup of KoKo Coffee you consume comes with the knowledge that each bean was handpicked by Alex, who has visited many coffee farms around the world, selecting the very best for his venture. Researching where to go, he recently embarked on a three week trip around Brazil, visiting five farms in three weeks and bringing what he learned home, essentially completing the circle of speciality coffee from the farmer with their green beans, to the buyer, the roaster, the barista and finally to the consumer.

What makes KoKo Coffee Roasters a point of difference is that they are open to the public and anyone can come in, try the coffee and take home some beans stamped with their logo of a crown wearing bear cradling a hot coffee as “our coffee helps to bring out your inner grizzly!” Alex informs me.

“It was a magical experience. I learned a lot, made some fantastic connections and tasted some fantastic coffees,” he enthuses.

Alex’s love of coffee started from a very young age when he snuck an espresso before school one day and was immediately hooked. Fast forward a few years and it was this love of coffee that perhaps drove him to forgo an internship with Wine Marketing Australia in New York for an AYAD exchange working in an Australian aid development program in Bali.

“I had to make a tough decision, and thankfully it was the right one,” Alex informs me. He discusses his work with the women who would grow and pick their own coffee beans, moving them from selling their produce to a co-op

With quality being of paramount importance, Alex spent many days considering the beans and on the cupping table perfecting the two KoKo coffee blends. The Bear Hug is mellow, with flavours of milk chocolate and nougat. The espresso I sample has a woody scent with mild tannins that build with each sip along with a flavour of dark cherry. In piccolo form the Bear Hug is perfection, with a beautiful aroma and the sweeter caramel and nougat flavours being enhanced by the milk.

KoKo Coffee’s Dehibernator blend is bolder, with punchier flavours of toffee and dark chocolate, which Alex says is more suited to the GC market as we like our coffee “with a bit of oomph”, which is exactly what I experience when digging into a short macchiato of the blend. Sharply scented with notes of almond, bites of citrus permeate the flavour of the coffee with banana and the gloriously bitter dark chocolate rounding out the experience.

If you are interested in coffee and strike up a conversation with Alex, it’s easy to find yourself lost in the discussion as his passion and knowledge seems boundless where his favourite topic is concerned. In discussing the coffee scene on the Gold Coast his eyes light up with excitement.

“It’s booming, it’s fantastic!

“More and more people are growing to appreciate good coffee, they are seeking out new places and hunting down good coffee.”

Currently, open to the public from 6:30am to 1:00pm Monday through Friday, and 7:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, make some time to drop by KoKo Coffee Roasters, become lost in the great coffee and unleash your inner grizzly.

Catherine Coburn

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Alfresco, Surfers Paradise and Cicchetti on Isle of Capri do takeaway only, while Mario’s Cantina does direct delivery to Broadbeach (or pickup) when you order online.

FOOD TO GO

Salt Meats Cheese delivers through Menulog or Deliveroo to Surfers Paradise, but you’ll have to eat in to score their squid ink lobster pizza!

Justin Lane Establishment Burleigh has its own app, selling garlicky seafood pizza or spicy pork and fennel meatball on homemade sourdough Sundays only for takeaway.

Despite our extraordinary diet of cooking shows on TV, statistics tell us that we are eating lots of food on the run. Australians are spending more than $7.16 billion on fast food meals every year, BMag told us in 2015.

For more indulgent Italian, That's Amore in Miami has a firm fan base, ‘the best Italian I've come across on the GC’, according to one of its customers. Due Amici’s pasta is also superb, especially the Porchini-filled ravioli. Pick up only.

Think of takeaway, and our brains are flooded by media images of fatty, salty, sugary foods. According to emma, Queenslanders lead the country with their love of fast food, with price and convenience being the factors driving fast food consumption rather than taste.

ASIAN Thai is one of the healthiest cuisines if you add lots of vegies to your meat and ask to hold the sugar and salt.

Most do takeaway, but less use delivery service.

We all grab food to go. While some people opt for complete specialty food and diet meal delivery services, few of us want that food all the time (or can afford it).

Time poor, busy, tired, or just wanting a break; they’re all reasons for grabbing a takeaway or getting food delivered. Our Blank team is no different, so we asked them for some of their faves.

How to get it? Some restaurants only offer takeaway. Others deliver either directly or through Eat Now, Menulog, Delivery Hero or the latest service to the Surfers and Broadbeach areas, Deliveroo (app or website).

Deliveroo services some top nosh restaurants, including Brady’s Fish, Shiraz Persian (also through Menulog), and Lemongrass Thai in Surfers; Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Cardamom Pod and Mecca Bah in Broadbeach. They even give bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer points for dollars spent (if you do that stuff)!

Then again, many people are happy to pop into their favourite restaurant, whether it be The Good Wolf in Miami (the #1 takeaway joint on coast, according to some of the Blank team), Easy Street Diner for some Americana treats, or The Magic Apple, BSKT, Mandala Organic Arts or The Shack Superfood Café for some healthy macro take away food.

That’s the how, but what’s the ‘what’? Not all food delivers well. You can take away a sandwich or healthy wrap for lunch, but do we really want fine food delivered in polystyrene? We’d much rather eat out!

We care about our nutrition, so the challenge is to make our ‘food to go’ as healthy as possible, yet food we can reach with ease; food which still tantalizes our tastebuds when we come to eat it.

INDIAN FOOD is one of the cuisines which translates best as a takeaway because of its composition. Dry curries, plain or saffron rice, roti, dahl and tandoori are good food choices. Many Indian restaurants also serve Halal food, as does Shiraz Persian.

Indian Hut on Christine Corner (Varsity) ‘is the bizz’, one of our friends say. Open daily for lunch and dinner, their food is very affordable and full of flavor. It’s pick up only, but ringing ahead can save a wait. Likewise at Kohinoor, which is much loved by Palm Beach residents.

Agnee Indian (Robina) is a personal favourite, especially for their Meen Moilee (Fish cooked with coconut milk, green chillies & ginger) and Prawn Masala. Pickup only.

Saffron Broadbeach delivers its rich feasts through Menulog, as does Foodie Indiya in Nerang, which serves really tasty homestyle Indian food. Try the Keema Gosh, or a whole Tandoori chicken for $15.95.

It’s a bargain! They also deliver through Menulog.

ITALIAN. Think pizza, pasta and more, Italian’s a favourite. Steer away from creamy sauces and choose thinner crust on your pizza for a more nourishing meal. We’re getting better Italian food available for delivery than ever before! Toss together a quick salad to eat on the side.

Chiangmai Thai (Broadbeach and Surfers), Thai Eatery Main Beach, Bangkok Thai on Chevron, Thai on the Hill and Pop Pad Thai Robina are all popular Thai restaurants which do takeaway. The best deal we’ve found is at Sukhumvit, Sorrento, where from 4.30 – 6pm daily, a range of main courses are available for $11 each pickup. Ring ahead.

We’re fans of brown and wild rice sushi as well as don bowls of fish or steak. Order your dish freshly made to take away from your preferred sushi outlet. Sushi at Palm Beach is a favourite, as well as O-Sushi at Broadbeach and Coolangatta, Top Noodle Coolangatta, as well as Sushi Train Benowa for its fast turnover.

Kenny’s Malay Broadbeach Waters, Ipoh Satay House and Kampung Malay (various locations) are other favourite Malay Chinese restaurants doing takeaway. For a dirt cheap dumpling tummy filler, try the Oriental Bakery on the highway in Mermaid Beach.

Deliveroo also delivers Asian delights The Noodle Hut Chevron and Hideaway Kitchen & Bar to Broadbeach residents.

MEXICAN. While acknowledging that some Mexican dishes survive take away better than others, burritos make great nutritious takeaway food.

Zambrero’s launch of their new black rice gluten-free tortilla takes place in November 2016 – a bonus for food intolerants.

Supporting local art and culture

Guzman Y Gomez impresses us on many fronts. Giving back to charity through Mission Mexico and making a stand against animal welfare by only using 100% Lilydale free range chicken are two more reasons to like Guzman. Food service is fast, all made by hand to order, with everything cooked on site, served in recycled containers. With outlets dotted across the coast, Nerang has a drive-through - a great place to pick up takeaway on the way home, whereas you could grab a burrito from the Oracle to eat on the beach.

Monthly exhibitions

Alfred’s at Mermaid Beach also has a great burrito to go on your way back from the beach.

And that BBQ chook takeaway? We’re waiting for free range BBQ chooks to come back to the coast. Fresh, that is. Some good takeaway options are still on the way…

cnr Verona AveMarj & Osborne Via Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast Roma, Isle of Capri foodgoldcoast.com.au Sources

oneartsgoldcoast.com

Queensland – emma Out of Home Dining Report 2015, http://emma.com.au/ emma-out-of-home-dining-report/queensland-emma-out-of-home-dining-report/

Williams R 2015, ‘You won’t believe how much Aussies are spending on fast food’, BMag, 16 February, http://bmag.com.au/eating-and-drinking-in-brisbane/ latest/2015/02/16/you-wont-believe-how-much-aussies-are-spending-on-fast-food/

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JOHN STEELE SINGERS

PHONCURVES AVA KITE STRING TANGLE

BOBBY ALU THE DELTA RIGGS

WOLFMOTHER

AQUILA YOUNG

JARED PORTER

HUSSY HICKS

Q.What do these artists have in common?

A. Queensland Conservatorium's Bachelor of Popular Music

ELLA FENCE

Unique to the Queensland Conservatorium, the Bachelor of Popular Music can help you transform your musical passion into a successful and sustainable career. Our graduates cleaned up at the 2016 Gold Coast Music Awards, and boast successes in the Queensland Music Awards, Triple J's Hottest 100 and the Grammies.

We'll help you foster your creativity, along with the musical innovation needed to succeed in music technology, production, performance, songwriting and the business of music.

Make your passion your purpose.

Visit griffith.edu.au/popular-music

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Discover your new favourite artist today.

Download SEED's latest album for FREE. Visit seedseries.bandcamp.com Featuring the cream of the crop from South East Queensland, SEED artists are not so quietly developing a reputation for smashing it. In the past 12 months, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had multiple acts score spots on festival line-ups, win music awards and receive nominations in Triple J's Hottest 100.

Powered by the Queensland Conservatorium, SEED is an innovative artist agency that helps emerging musicians find their feet.

Support homegrown independent music.

Visit seedseries.bandcamp.com Follow @theseedseries

CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL

CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL

Twitter : @chriskere MyMy Twitter : @chriskere

My Twitter : @chriskere

Image: Lamp Photography

Image: Lamp Photography

NEW PSYCHEDELIC SAN MEI: MOVING FORWARDS SWEETNESS ON Mei is the latest musical talent to rise THEE GOLD COAST San out of the Gold Coast and is quietly sending Thee End Less is a new blues, roots and psychedelic band hitting the Gold Coast scene with an almighty bang. Frontman Nige Maunder’s music will make you feel like you’ve wandered back in time to the 60s, when bands like The Doors were breaking into the mainstream and life was all about peace and love. Mella Lahina sat down with Nige to talk about his latest EP and thoughts on living on the Gold Coast.

ripples through the music industry with new single Rewind, which has just been added to spot rotation on Triple J as well as becoming a featured submission for the Queensland Music Awards. We were intrigued to find out where she has been hiding all these years and why we hadn’t heard of her before.

How long have you been playing music for?

I believe the music scene is growing constantly and very much alive, it’s exciting to see it keep building and to be a part of it. With more venues popping up and unique events that keep giving more opportunity than ever for local bands to have a platform to play.

I have played in a couple of bands, Adam and Dusty which was a Brisbane folk band and I played in a band in Canada which was really fun, but I only really started my San Mei project in 2012. I released a couple of singles but I’ve been taking it slow, releasing a single here and there just to work on my sound and develop my own thing, to make sure that I was ready to go ahead do lots of shows, working behind the scenes on this project.

The most under-rated musician right now?

Are you self produced?

I would say local Gold Coast band Taylor. Talented artist, epic songwriting by Dave Taylor and anybody who knows their music would know what I am talking about.

When I was younger I had some experience going into the studio and recording some demos, which helped me get my head around the processes and different terms and how efficient you need to be in the studio. Now I really enjoy it, especially the last track I learnt a lot about being prepared before you go in and just getting the job done. When I go into the studio the track is pretty much fully formed, I might do some pre production chats about this part be taken out or shorten this part, just nut it out and refine it. I’ve done that with pretty much every track I’ve recorded.

What are your thoughts on the GC music scene?

Also The Murlocs, those guys are bad ass mother fuckers. (ha ha ha) Tell me about your new self-titled EP Thee End Less?

The last two years I locked myself in a room and started writing and creating music. Scotty French and I recorded the first track back in Jan 2015 with Matt Hall (keyboardist) and Jake Martin at Love Street Studios but then schedules and life happened… it came to fruition about two months ago. I did all the writing and took seven songs to the studio and Scotty worked his magic on it. I’m stoked with the sound, I’ve had this idea for a while and it’s finally come together. I’m releasing the whole EP as a digital release in December 2016.

Maybe the next recording will be hard copies… maybe vinyl?

THEE END LESS EP IS AVAILABLE VIA BANDCAMP. 44

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LIVING THE FINE LIFE WITH FLOATING BRIDGES Floating Bridges are a seven-piece roots band hailing from the Sunshine Coast and have just dropped your summer anthem for 2016, Finer Things in Life. Mella Lahina had a quick chat to Dale Mallet, vocalist and percussionist, who made some time in between Floating Bridges’ busy gig schedule.

Let’s talk about your latest single Finer Things in Life.

What inspired that song?

This song is one of the first songs that I wrote myself. I travelled a lot last year and spent a lot of time on the guitar, taught myself a few chords, got more in-depth with writing music. I also moved to Coolum, which is a nice town and has a good vibe.

This song is about taking a chill pill, stepping back but pushing yourself to do things that make you happy. I was getting home from work and I lived so close to the beach but wasn’t experiencing it or enjoying it, I would sit down and watch a movie or the telly instead. I get a lot more inspiration from being outdoors.

Any plans for a new album?

Who do you play with and when will you be releasing more music?

I play guitar and I have a lead guitarist who plays synth as well. My hubby plays bass and I also have a drummer. I have an EP that I’m planning to record in the New Year for release maybe early/mid 2017.

Mella Lahina

YOU CAN WATCH SAN MEI’S NEW SINGLE ON YOUTUBE.

Plans for an EP. We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves to release an album as we put a lot of time and effort into our past two albums. Right now we are theming our album and have a handful of songs that fit well. An EP will be on the cards next year, but we want to put the time and effort to create quality songs rather than putting songs out just for the sake of it.

You are playing a gig at Miami Marketta early Feb 2017.

What can the audience expect?

Towards the end of this year we may release another single we have a couple of tracks and we are just deciding which one to release next. We played Miami Marketta two years ago and we are keen to get back, as there is always a crowd, which is great exposure.

FLOATING BRIDGES PLAY THE BOUNDARY HOTEL IN BRISBANE ON 14 JANUARY AND MIAMI MARKETTA ON 3 FEBRUARY.

www.blankgc.com.au

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A COUNCIL GRANT HELPED AMY SHARK AND IT CAN HELP YOU TOO Amy Shark has been making enormous waves over recent months. On the back of a win at the Queensland Music Awards, three finalist spots at the Gold Coast Music Awards and one million Spotify streams of her song Adore, she’s been signed to a major label, banged out a killer Like a Version on triple j and even got an invite to the ARIAs. You know what helped her find her feet? A RADF grant did.

Amy received funding in thw 2015-16 round of funding to collaborate with Grammy-award winning producer M-Phases as well as three emerging producers to record her debut EP Sweats and Shivers.

Applications are also now open for Germinate, which is administered across three streams. One stream is for projects up to $5000 for early and developmental stages of work.

Another stream is for activities up to $5000 like strategic planning and professional development. And one is for up to $2500 in support for cultural leaders to participate in professional activity that will enhance skills or see them work with peers and mentors.

Be like Amy. Get more information including guidelines and application information at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/radf.

Samantha Morris

RADF is the Regional Arts Development Fund.

RADF funding opens in January and is managed through a two-step process. First, you submit your project outline and budget and meet face-to-face with the RADF committee.

Then if you’re shortlisted, you’ll submit a detailed application for assessment.

BE LIKE AMY. GET MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION INFORMATION AT CITYOFGOLDCOAST.COM. AU/RADF.

FIVE-PIECE FINGERSTYLING Jason McGregor makes music full-time. A member of the Lamplights and touring with Adam Brand, he also has his own five-piece band (called the Jason McGregor band) and he’s touring a show called Rumour Has It – a cabaret about Adele. He does “all the other solo things” too – performing a mix of originals and covers. When he shows up to his interview he’s come straight from one set to pick up his kids during a three-hour break – before he has to go back.

He’s toured around Europe, done trips to festivals in Germany and Italy, delivered clinics for music stores, had endorsements from Fender and Maton and been named a national fingerstyle guitar champion. But what Jason loves most of all, is people.

“What I love about any gig anywhere is connecting with people,” he said. “That’s my challenge – whether at a market or a festival, or a corporate – I’m always looking for someone to connect with.”

Image: Lamp Photography 46 www.blankgc.com.au

And although Jason plays a mix of originals and covers, he says that because of his skills on guitar, he can arrange those songs however he wants.

“I make my own versions of everything,” he said. “I keep the essence of songs there but always put my own spin on it.”

“I have to have a balance. I can’t just be doing cover gigs. But I have so many projects on the books it helps keep me sane.”

Jason started playing guitar when he was 16 and his uncle gave him a Tommy Emanuel CD. He hadn’t been playing long but was adamant he was going to play like Tommy. He didn’t have internet or YouTube.

“Then (later) I’d grab these programs to slow the songs down and work them out,” he said. “Then I’d watch their hands and realise I got stuff wrong.

“Eventually I met people who knew a thing of two who’d show me stuff, but really for the most part, I’d work it out for myself.”

“It’s a handy trait to have when you’ve got to learn a band’s repertoire in a short amount of time,” he laughed.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW BY SAMANTHA MORRIS AT BLANKGC.COM.AU

Sam Buckingham

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Jaeden Ogston

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Jerome Williams

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A.B ORIGINAL TAKES NO PRISONERS Take rapper and Indigenous mentor Briggs, Funkoars member and producer Trials, hard-hitting 90s style beats and a helluva lotta attitude, and you’ll come up with A.B Original. This take-no-prisoners duo have decided to bring the scary back to rap with their debut album Reclaim Australia, packed to the brim with Indigenous empowerment and a healthy dose of outrage over the racial issues being faced

by Australian Aborigines. Prior to the album’s release, A.B. Original performed and spoke at Brisbane’s BIGSOUND conference. Mella Lahina sat down with Adam Briggs for a more in depth chat.

At this stage their controversial single, January 26 feat Dan Sultan had just hit the airwaves. With lyrics such as: That's that land takin', flag wavin' attitude Got this new Captain Cook dance to show you how to move How you wanna raise a flag with a rifle To make us want to celebrate anything but survival?

Nah, you watchin' tele for The Bachelor But wouldn’t read a book about a fuckload of massacres?

I remember all the blood and what carried us They remember twenty recipes for lamingtons Yeah, their ancestors got a boatride Both mine saw them comin' until they both died Fuck celebratin' days made of misery White Oz still got the black history,

music of A.B Original. For Briggs, who grew up watching friends and family die, the guilt over succeeding is getting better.

For him it’s important not to waste the platform he has been given and that it’s ok to want more, it’s not being greedy. He does however, want to give back.

Hence the creation of Bad Apples, Briggs’ own record label. The objective of Bad Apples is to genuinely nurture, develop and provide structure and opportunity for emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. We ask who is currently exciting him on the scene.

“Indigenous artists like Birdz, Philly and Nookie are great artists but also leaders themselves and those guys, we are hoping will have a big 2017 and the launch of A.B Original is to help those guys so they can have a platform and support us on tour.”

And the recent rise of women rappers such as Sampa the Great, Tkay Maidza and Ecca Vandal?

we figured the guys were experiencing some kind of backlash.

“Sampa the Great is awesome,” Briggs declares.

“People were pissed off,” said Briggs.

“It’s important, we need more girls. We are influencing and creating paths for indigenous artists and those girls are creating paths for the female audience. Sampa and the others aren’t just good for girls but they are good for music full stop.”

“But that’s just the nature of it though, when you question the Australian way, white Australians get their nose severely out of joint. And that’s the nature of this record.”

Briggs shrugs. “We are who we are and these songs are a reflection of who we are.”

Education from the Indigenous perspective, uncomfortable conversations and change are the themes behind the

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“In Indigenous communities mediocrity is accepted so often that it becomes the benchmark. When I created Bad Apples I said mediocrity is not gonna cut it.”

Briggs is clear on his goals, messages and ideals. Yet many white Australians still seem

confused about where to stand on issues of racism and patriotism, even educated ones. Briggs is quick to correct my idea of ‘education’.

“These guys are not educated. What I mean they are not educated correctly. I’ve met educated racists... What I’m talking about is real education, the conversations that have to be had and the facts that need to be shared and understood. And the lack of empathy and the kind of attitude that Australia has toward its indigenous people, who want to talk about pulling up your fucking bootstraps, well how do you do that when you don’t have any bootstraps?”

Whether you’re a fan of A.B Original’s west coast/Aussie hybrid hip hop style is subjective. It's the message behind the music that is critical for Australians to engage with because, as Briggs stated during our interview and in the conference, these conversations need to be occurring, especially now with the raised awareness of the continued mistreatment of Indigenous people in Australia.

Interview by Mella Lahina Story by Natalie O’Driscoll and Mella Lahina

YOU CAN CATCH A.B ORIGINAL AT LANEWAY FESTIVAL IN JANUARY, AND RECLAIM AUSTRALIA IS AVAILABLE NOW.

STYLIN’ VAN LARKINS Van Larkins is hailed world-wide as a leading songwriter and guitarist in fingerstyle earning him magazine covers, a coveted spot on the CandyRat Records roster, endorsements and praise from the world's leading artists in the genre, including Andrew White, Phil Emmanuel and Strictly Ballroom's Antonio Vargas. Soon to release his fourth studio album, Cinder Moon and feature in a world-first fingerstyle guitar movie, Van Larkins is without a doubt one of Australia's proudest exports and must-see performers. Before he hits Dust Temple alongside Andrea Valeri – who is just 25 and has seven albums to his name, Van Larkins spoke to Blank’s editor Samantha Morris.

What is fingerstyle?

Fingerstyle is a technique based genre, making the art-form accessible to guitarists of different backgrounds. My new album features tunes composed over a four-year period inspired by everything from psytrance to funk where I use double tapping, slap harmonics, neck bending and percussion on the body of the instrument.

You don’t sing or play other instruments on your tracks. There’s no loop pedal. It’s just you and the guitar. What’s your earliest memory of guitar-playing?

I picked up a guitar when I was 13, playing along with my dad's records of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, but it wasn't until I was 16 and introduced to acoustic fingerstyle that I really started to "play". I

still listen to a lot of different bands, many of which use effects and looping, this continues to inspire me and has presented the welcome challenge of trying to emulate these effects live.

Can you tell me about some of the things you do to or with your guitar to create the effects and sounds we can hear in your music?

I believe you are only ever limited by your imagination, I achieve 'delay' by shaking my hand quickly while making contact with the strings, it looks really weird, but sounds awesome! 'Wah' can be achieved by resting your arm on the face of the guitar, then removing to mute and un-mute the sound and bending the neck creates an extreme pitch bend, which I like to apply to harmonics.

It's almost digital in nature, but delivered organically, too much fun.

How do you see your music evolving in the future?

You’re at Dust Temple on 15 December. What do you love most about the Gold Coast?

Now that I have learned to create these effects acoustically, I may just have to electrify everything to see what happens... that and the deep well of inspiration that is the internet, continues to inspire my own compositions.

Aside from the fact I was born there in Southport, the Gold Coast is exploding! SO much talent and excitement there, I never wait too long between visits. Can't wait to play there again!

VAN LARKINS AND VALERI ARE AT DUST TEMPLE ON THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER

whats coming up…

Thursday 15th December Van Larkins & Andrea Valeri (Italy) Fingerstyle Guitar Revolution

Friday 16th December Gold Coast stands with Standing Rock Fundraiser

Enjoy the!

Season

Friday 13th January Christopher Mapstone

Thursday 26th January Alternator Poetry Jam & Charlie Marshall & the Body Electric & The Antibodies 54 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters facebook.com/thedusttemple

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Image: Dan Maynard Photography

GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS A BIG NEW CARNIVALE WILL CALL CARRARA HOME WILL HIT THE BEACH IN 2017 Imagine sitting under an enormous 250 year old Moreton Bay fig tree, hung with fairy lights listening to original local music, with a massive night market taking place around you and a purpose-built 750 person venue right there.

Striking a balance between nostalgia and innovation, the architectural design of the site will draw from whimsical images of fairgrounds and carnivals of days past, while innovating with upcycled materials to create something completely new.

The FareGround, slated to be the largest night market in Australia will deliver all of that, and more, when it opens in early 2018.

In Carrara, no less.

The space will have a magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree as its centrepoint. At 250 years old, the tree pre-dates white settlement of Australia.

The FareGround is a collaboration between Carrara Markets owner (and Sirromet Wines founder), Terry Morris and NightQuarter entrepreneurs Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude. The initative will see an unused urban space, adjacent to Carrara Markets, right next to the Gooding Drive roundabout transformed into a buzzing night market, right before the Commonwealth Games hit town.

“The branch span is 40 metres, and is believed to be the largest Moreton Bay fig in the world. With string lights and seating under the branches, people will be able to sit and experience the beauty of this tree from a bygone era, ” Michelle said.

Michelle Christoe said they’re taking their inspiration from old world fairgrounds.

Think carousel rides, ferris wheels and sideshow alleys. And then they’re throwing into the mix 40 chef-driven street kitchens, eclectic bars, circus, live music and 30 creative local arts and craft vendors.

“With NightQuarter, we have seen that there is a demand for vibrant community spaces with high quality street food, drink and entertainment offerings. The street food trend has had a huge impact on the Australian market,” Michelle said.

To top it all off, FareGround will also create a new 750 person live music venue. The local music scene has long lamented the gap in the market for a venue this size. So as well as offering opportunities for street performers, buskers, circus acts and theatre performers, the venue is also expected to attract touring bands wishing to cater to that mid-size audience range.

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The new space will have seating for 4000, with 2000 car parks and will provide employment for an estimated 650 people. It will open Friday and Saturday nights from 3.00 – 10.00pm and on Sundays from 1.00 – 8.00pm but it will also open Wednesday and Thursday nights on school holidays.

And if you’re worried about driving and public transport, they’ve got that covered too.

“We’re hoping to have a shuttle bus going from Broadbeach,” Michelle told Blank Gold Coast. “And probably from Nerang station as well.”

FAREGROUND WILL OPEN IN EARLY 2018. STAY TUNED TO BLANK GOLD COAST FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OR APPLY TO BE A VENDOR AT THEFAREGROUND.COM.AU.

Gold Coast Music Awards has announced a bangin’ new partnership with Surfers Paradise Alliance that will see the event move to the beach at Surfers Paradise for three years.

It’s a bold move from the event’s spiritual home at Burleigh Brewing Co. and organiser Chloe Popa says it’s impossible to ignore Surfers Paradise as the beating heart of the city.

“Surfers Paradise has an incredibly rich musical history,” Chloe said. “It’s difficult to think of the Gold Coast without thinking of Surfers. There’s a concentration of venues, it’s on the light rail line, there’s plenty of options for families. It ticks a lot of boxes.”

“When we launched the awards, someone asked us where we saw things headed and all of us said we wanted to see the event on the beach at some point,” Chloe said.

Now, just three years in, that’s exactly what will happen.

Through the partnership with Surfers Paradise Alliance, the Awards will utilise the infrastructure installed for Surfers Paradise LIVE on the night before the major festival takes place.

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said the initial three-year partnership reflected SPA’s dedication to the local Gold Coast music industry.

“Gold Coast Music Awards recognise and foster aspiring local artists, so teaming up with them is the perfect alignment for both organisations,” he said.

Division 7 Councillor Gary Baildon AM said the partnership is fantastic news and testament to the growth and diversit y of what Surfers Paradise has to offer.

“Congratulations on the joining of two fantastic home grown events – Surfers

Paradise LIVE and the Gold Coast Music Awards – for the next three years,” Cr Baildon said.

It’s expected an audience of around 3000 people will attend the event on the awards night.

“We’ll have a massive stage at the end of the mall where we’ll showcase some of the best Gold Coast bands,” Chloe Popa said. “And adjacent to that, we’ll have our VIP marquee to present our awards in front of the music industry.”

“This move means we can open the awards up to a much bigger audience – Gold Coasters will be able to come along for free and discover their new favourite local band.”

The new format will see live feeds between the main stage and the awards stage with members of the public able to see awards presented via the feed. At least four bands will play between award presentations in front of a large audience at the end of the mall.

Organisers are also set to announce new categories, new opportunities for finalists and winners and even new brand concepts designed by artist-in-residence, Dion Parker.

The partnership with Surfers Paradise Alliance will also see a greater number of Gold Coast bands included throughout the LIVE programming.

GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTED BY SURFERS PARADISE ALLIANCE WILL TAKE PLACE THURSDAY 27 APRIL FROM 5.30PM. NOMINATIONS OPEN 20 JANUARY AT GCMUSICAWARDS.COM.

Image: Jake Wilton Photography

Image: Room Riot Photography

MARCUS BLACKE’S BOOK OF SPELLS THE EYES HAVE IT eccentric mind of Sam Faulker, lead UMBRELLA BRAIN The In Eyes is a three-piece hard-rock Gold Coast protagonist of local four-piece Wren Klauf, is ban. Comprising Rosie Jacobson (vocals), Mella Lahina gets inside the mysterious brain of Marcus Blacke Where and what have you been up to these last two years?

Hanging out in NY a quite a bit, trying to adult and life correctly. I had dinner with Barry Humphries the other night, I found out he likes my songs. Working in my old man’s restaurant a bit, scratching my head and wondering / standing in awe of life. I try to get up early and start working most days. I made an album with Malcolm Burn. It was immensely satisfying working with him, he's a true artist. I think we did a thing, I think it was a small spec of art.

Your album is described as elusive and evocative and I have to agree because it seems to have appeared out of nowhere.

I recognise some of the track names but they sound completely different. Am I going crazy?

The label I signed with a couple of years back didn't have the money to do publicity here so American publicity was what we got. I find when I spend all day on computers emailing people and begging for attention it sucks the life out of my music, it becomes a pestilence in my life, so I don't do it.

The label wanted to re-record half of the first album, which was strange as those songs are really past their use by date personally speaking, but we got something in the end. I think we improved them as well so I'm glad we were pushed.

You recently released a video clip for Umbrella Brain.

What is that song about and why did you choose it for the clip?

It is just another attempt to reflect the true reality of life with some wit. I like songs to remain personal to the audience.

Sure you can go over them and analyse them later but I try not to alter them too much which I'm still learning how not to do. It's probably one of my top three from the album so I just went with it.

CHECK OUT MARCUS BLACKE'S VIDEO UMBRELLA BRAIN ON YOUTUBE.

something entirely off-kilter to that of the Gold Coast music scene. Which is precisely why his music and thought patterns are so refreshing.

A healthy blend of early psych and intelligent pop licks all packaged in your dad's loosefitting pair of jeans of the early '90s. Wren Klauf introduce themselves.

What do you love most about living on the GC?

Gold Coast... Greatest city in Queensland... Southport, greatest suburb in Gold Coast.

The folks and general artistic output from the GC is intense.

We're in for some massively positive changes I reckon.

The most under-rated musician right now?

Hard to answer. Everyone is great. Kirin J Callinan is one of Australia's most unique performers. You need to listen to his debut Embracism and view as many live performances as possible. Not under-rated, just needs your attention.

What’s your most vivid musical memory?

Propagandhi's show at Miami Shark bar a couple years back.

We thought the wooden floors up front were going to cave in to the underneath bar. Scary but awesome. Those blokes are next level song writers and performers. What a night...

If you could take five musicians on a road trip around Australia, who would you choose?

WK blokes and five others? Yep. Sean Regal Thomas, Andy Partridge (XTC), Kirin J Callinan, Guy Picciotto and The Keepaways. Thats more than five but it's vital, sorry.

Tell us about the best gig you’ve ever played?

Hot TODD Time Machine, AKA: The Todd Show. A show dedicated to a top notch coastal gem of a bloke. Killer Trunk Hunks, Von Villains, Wren Klauf and Not Lenny. With Deltora Quest DJ's and live visual art. Fucking mint and Todd and I exchanged a few loving words.

WREN KLAUF’S NEW SINGLE SPELLBOUND IS OUT NOW AHEAD OF THEIR EP GAWK DUE EARLY IN 2017. THE PLAY GD FRNDS CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE AT SHARK BAR, FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER.

Luke Hildebrand (guitar), and Dylan Quigg (guitar), In Eyes released their first single Mercy earlier this year. We caught up with the band’s frontwoman, Rosie.

What are your thoughts on the GC music scene?

The music scene is flooded with incredible artists, be it soloists, duos, or full on bands. There are so many genres at play here and it's awesome that you can go see a metal gig, and a folk or indie gig on the same night if you want to.

Unfortunately, a lot of the venues here hosting regular gigs are 18+ venues, which means a lot of underage fans miss out on shows. Hopefully, we can get some more all Ages venues up and running.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give an aspiring musician?

Make music because you love it, and because you need it.

Use music as a catharsis, and never stop writing. Music is hard work, so be prepared to be incredibly frustrated, and incredibly excited almost 100% of the time. Don't be scared to explore different genres or themes within your music, and don't be scared of being honest.

Tell us about the best gig you’ve ever played?

We supported our friends in Double Lined Minority on the GC leg of 'The Get Around Tour' in 2015. There were 150 people that came and the vibe was incredible. That was our first proper show too.

If you could take 5 musicians / artists on a road trip around Australia, who would you choose?

There's no way Hayley Williams from Paramore, and Matty Healy from The 1975, are not coming on that trip. Assuming my band mates are already in the car, I would take Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars, Dallas Green from City and Colour, and someone like Miley Cyrus, just for the hell of it.

Final parting words?

If you love music, support your local scene, and go to as many shows as possible.

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The pre-eminent 2016 Premier’s Sustainability Awards raise awareness about environmental issues while rewarding and motivating Queensland’s community groups and businesses that take positives steps towards sustainability excellence.

Company director Kieran Richardt, who is also a member of award-winning Gold Coast band Leopold’s Treat talked about how it felt to be recognised at the awards.

“I feel like we’ve ended 2016 with a big success. In honesty, I feel honoured and humbled,” he continued.

“It’s incredible seeing what so many other organisations and businesses are doing for our state, and the future of its people and environment. To be chosen out of that group in the small business category is a real delight.”

SAVING THE WORLD, ONE TINY GREEN HERO AT A TIME GreenHeroes is an organisation that aims to raise little conservationists. With research showing that the early formation of ideas about life impact on our career choices and character development, it certainly makes sense to start ‘em young when it comes to taking care of the planet. Sarah Jantos talked to us about what GreenHeroes actually does and why.

“Research shows that by the age of weven, children witness scenes, are involved in activities and are exposed to events that begin to concrete in us - the moral codes we live by,” explains Sarah.

“It is also at this age that children are actively seeking ways to make an impact, which we usually recall in the negative - tantrums and obstinance for example! This same wandering energy, when shifted into the positive, becomes a great power and an incredible delight to watch.

“Children are born nature lovers,” she continues.

“If this love is nurtured at a young age; an inspired tree climber, birdwatcher, gardener or wildlife photographer emerges. These are the up-and-coming conservationists of our world - a generation of child whom, based on this early love of nature - will stretch far beyond environmental compliance. A generation for whom a common knowledge of the way the natural world operates is the norm.

“GreenHeroes will grow to understand how to interpret weather patterns, read and observe subtle shifts and changes in plant life, wildlife and ocean life.

“They will live a life that creates no rubbish, they will know how to store their own renewable energies. They will care for wildlife. They will regenerate. They will tread lightly because they fell in love with nature when they were young - and they cannot turn their backs on it.”

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It’s a beautiful and hopeful image for the future; a child with muddy hands, bare feet and mossy hair being a part of a worldwide conservation effort.

The GreenHeroes team consists of Sarah, a dedicated wildlife carer and scientists Nicole McLachlan and Jordyn DeBoer. Together they have run Sunday community events over the last 12 months. Programs have included marine science expeditinos, beach cleans, dune care, planting days and days in the forest, and feedback from parents and children has been enormously positive. Now the team are looking to expand into preschools and primary schools. Sarah explains.

“The Wild For Life program is aimed at bringing the GreenHeroes philosophy into schools and bring learning outdoors.

“The program for first term of 2017 is themed around wildlife conservation. However, outdoor learning encompasses so much more than just the topic being addressed.

“For example, planting a butterfly garden, creates an atmosphere for problem solving, decision making, number relationships, structures, complex vocabulary, healthy living, cause and effect, creativity, imaginative thinking to name a few.”

Other topics offered by the team include: bird friendly yards, native bees, supporting wildlife carers, saving wildlife one plastic piece at a time, nesting box workshops, conservation of reptile habitat and reptile show, insect and bug shows and butterfly life cycle kits.

Natalie O'Driscoll

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GREENHEROES, VISIT FACEBOOK.COM/ GREENHEROES.COM.AU.

BURLEIGH ENVIRO FIRM RECOGNISED AT 2016 SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS Natura Pacific, a Burleigh Heads-based environmental consulting firm, took out a Highly Commended award at the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s annual Sustainability Awards 2016.

Natura Pacific provides ecological and sustainability consulting services across Australia and internationally.

The company uses 100% of net profits from this work to deliver nature-based learning programs to more than 26,000 young people every year. Their inspiring social enterprise model has led Natura Pacific to become a renowned name in ethical and environmental sustainability.

Kieran said Natura Pacific has delivered environmental education programs to over a quarter of a million children in Queensland and northern New South Wales since the company was set up in 2006.

“Our team recognises the incredible importance of our environment in Queensland, and that we really have to safeguard what remains and replenish what we have lost if we are to continue to successfully coexist”.

This year, Natura Pacific was also a finalist in the Healthy Waterways Awards for their waterways guides, developed with the support of City of Gold Coast and released through the City’s Waterwatch Program, and won the 2016 Peter Doherty STEM Education Partnership Award and the 2016 United Nations World Environment Day Sustainable Business Award.

Samantha Morris

OUTBACK SPECTACULAR

It might be cheesy; it might be a touristy. But the Australian Outback Spectacular is nothing if not impressive. With over 50 highly trained animals in the show, special effects, and acrobatics there is not a dull moment! Animal lovers will go nuts for this entertaining mix of comedy, impressive stunts and Aussie outback history.

The team at the Outback Spectacular whisk you inside quickly and get you into the spirit with a cowboy hat, then into their outback-themed bar to grab a drink, listen to some live country music, and a chance to meet some of the talented dogs and horses that star in the show.

The whole evening is very efficient. There is no waiting in line or hanging about; the staff settle you into your seat and pour you a complimentary beer, wine or soft drink and serve your starter before you have even had chance to take it all in.

The huge arena has a great atmosphere, and the table layout is arranged so that everyone gets a good view!

As the show starts you see amazing stunt riders on horseback, quad bikes jumping onto the stage, and circus performers wowing the audience with their acrobatic skills. The incredible lights and special effects add to the atmosphere, while the waitresses top up your complimentary drinks regularly without interrupting the show.

Perhaps the most impressive parts of the show were the synchronised horse riders. Without giving too much away, have you ever seen a guy standing on two horses while jumping through fire?

A great mix of history and entertainment, the shows at the Outback Spectacular are perfect for families, groups of friends, or couples. There is a bit of singing, a bit of poetry and storytelling, as well as some amazing footage of iconic Australian outback landmarks projected through the arena.

Alongside the complementary drinks, you also get a threecourse meal included with the price of your ticket, which is served throughout the show.

To book tickets to the show visit outbackspecatcular.com.au Sarah Loughlin itsonlyaplanerideaway.com

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BUZZZZFEED If your social media is as superficially proactive as mine you would have by now seen numerous posts and memes - shared by that brave 3% of facebook users - regarding the addition of seven species of bees to the US Fish and Wildlife Services endangered species list. As most people understand, bees are known for their role as pollinators and it would be prudent to investigate what species have been listed and the cause of their decline. This raises fears regarding the security of our food production, not to mention the prospect of bitter tea, bland weetbix and dry, sad pancakes. As it turns out the focus of America’s federal protection are seven species of the yellow-faced bee in the genus Hylaeus – a small, unconventional bee native to the Hawaiian Islands.

Although playing a significant role in the pollination of native flowering plants, the yellow-faced bee is not utilised as an agricultural pollinator and plays no role in the production of our stable, necessary crops including wheat, rice, maize and other flowering fruits.

Contrary to the general image that bees live in large, cooperative hives - these solitary insecta prefer to nest in small cavities of marooned coral rocks or the hollow stems of select coastal fauna. The larvae are only protected by a thin, biological “cellophane” which leaves them vulnerable to predation as invasive ant species can penetrate this membrane and easily access the buffet of plump, defenceless larvae. Additional factors including climate change and additional invasive species play a significant role in their declining population.

The revitalised buzz (sorry) about bee numbers was first ignited by events in 2006-2007 that did see a significant loss of global honey-bee (Apis Mellifera) populations - the most common agricultural pollinator - coined as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Bee populations generally experience losses during wintertime between 15-20%, although these losses are quickly made up through the queens ability to lay more than 1,000 eggs per day. However the increased percentage of population decline through the CCD of 2006-2007 – sometimes as high as 90% - has

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OUR COMMONWEALTH GAMES DO IT THE SUSTAINABLE WAY

been linked to climate change, bee susceptibility to viruses such as the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) and hive infections of the varroa mite. However new research has uncovered similar large scale colony loss events having been documented as far back as 1868, indicating that there might be a cyclical aspect to this phenomenon.

A class of pesticides known as “neonicotinoids” have made a beeline (sorry again) into the social media spotlight when discussing population demise, and although research from the University of Maryland states that “It’s becoming clearer that some problems are the direct result of pesticides” they “could not find any one pesticide that seemed to be directly connected to CCD.” While not directly connected to any CCD event, it is becoming clear that pesticides may contribute to increased seasonal bee decline.

Thankfully no further CCD events have been recorded since 2010, and analysis of data collected by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations has revealed “that the global population of managed honey-bee hives has increased ~45% during the last half century” and even with the introduction of neonicotinoids, statistics from the U.S Department of Agriculture have shown worldwide honey-bee populations have been stable or increasing for the past 20 years.

In summary social media might be fun, engaging, a great communication tool and the perfect way to remind everyone that you eat nicely arranged food, own a pet or have reproduced – however it is also a hive (still sorry) of unchecked misinformation produced to generate capital by luring in readers with sensationalist headlines or promoting questionable products. Take a second to check a few facts, seek source verifications, check for reliable references and data and be wary of unverified claims or links to online stores. If we can all take steps to filter out the bulls@*t it will make our social media a much more factual place, and would definitely help alieve my worsening carpel tunnel.

Matt Greer

The XXI Commonwealth Games will take place on the Gold Coast, 4-15 April 2018. The Games (GC2018) have been years in the planning and we are now entering the phase where things are starting to roll out and progress becomes visible. Events, especially major events, can be wasteful, with a big clean up bill and not much more than memories left behind. But with sustainable practices taking over more and more of the event management industry, what can we expect from the Games on the Gold Coast?

I was lucky enough to sit down and talk to Chelli Easson, Sustainability and Legacy Manager and Katie BartonHarvey, Sustainability Marketing Manager from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) about the sustainability aspirations and direction for 2018 and beyond.

Sustainability has been integrated into the planning for GC2018 since the bid was launched in 2011. Out of these processes and using two international best practice frameworks, nine sustainability priorities have been developed for GC2018; sustainable food and beverage, active and public transport, economy and community focused on legacy outcomes, carbon targets, accessibility, inclusivity and diversity, sustainable procurement, environmental impacts and waste management. These priorities have been embedded into all aspects of planning and are aimed to ensure high sustainability standards.

“Our goals are to demonstrate sustainability in action, engage with stakeholders, raise awareness and drive behaviour change,” Katie Barton-Harvey said. “Some aspects of sustainability are going to be more obvious than others, such as accessibility.”

And of course, it doesn’t stop there. The GC2018 Food Experience that sets out benchmark standards for delivery of food and beverage is one example of sustainability in action.

Another is the introduction of sustainable printing.

“A number of the tenderers used the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as a catalyst to review their current printing sustainability status and improve what they were doing,” GOLDOC chairman Mr Peter Beattie AC said in a recent statement.

Sustainability in event planning involves a lot of behind-thescenes work, which is often not visible to the public and yet it is so very important for the public to see, understand and hopefully participate in.

READ THE FULL STORY BY ANNA ITKONEN AT BLANKGC.COM.AU.

I’M NOT RACIST, BUT…

ANITA HEISS

This summer, if you’re interested in expanding your thinking and examining your biases and behaviours, there is no better book than I’m Not Racist, But… which is unfortunately timely—forever timely—but especially so given current world events.

ART AS MEDITATION, NATURE AS INSPIRATION

Apologies shoves us in to the reality of being an Aboriginal Australian: we see the cumulative effect of the last two hundred and twenty-nine years and catch a glimpse of what might be the daily struggles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples.

Brewing Local Artists (BLA!) is a brand new initiative by those cool cats over at Burleigh Brewing Co. Keen to utilise their unique space for a range of activities which reflect and support the teeming Gold Coast culture, Burleigh Brewing Co. created BLA! to showcase the works of Gold Coast artists while also providing attendees a chance to engage with the artists personally or by viewing them work live.

The inaugural event was a resounding success, with a diverse range of styles and mediums on display. The artists’ brief was Balance, Character & Soul, an opportunity for them to demonstrate their take on the Gold Coast’s unique culture and lifestyle. The beauty of interpretation was evident on the evening, with abstract sculpture, photography and fine art jostling for the coveted “Crowd Favourite” votes. The title went to local artist and interior designer Lou Duggan for her large seascapes. She chatted with Natalie O'Driscoll about her inspirations.

Heiss’s prose is honest and relentless, the courageous stuff of change. It’s often visceral, uncomfortable—goose bumps could swarm, throats could roughen. The more I read, the more new understandings roared through me like a road train.

“There’s something about the way nature’s light, texture and movement subconsciously enrich our souls. It begs you to stop and engage with its easy rhythm and asks nothing in return,” she says.

Author, Anita Heiss—a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales—presents us with a collection of poems that will grip our attention.

“You say you want the truth about Indigenous lives, Of our reality.

But your own reality means You can’t handle it.”

The writing is scalpel-sharp, with evocative rhythm and pacing. In particular, the staccato of Different Lives, Different Values emphasises the stark polarity of Australian experiences.

Who’s Truth shows us the role of power in our dominant narratives. Anthropology is… and Aboriginal Studies push us to reflect on the study of Other, to the exclusion of Self. I am left with the dehumanising feeling of being trapped under a magnifying glass, while others exotify and criticise every twitch I make.

Heiss asks us to consider and own the many ways in which we may wear blinkers and be complicit: when it comes to racism, there is no neutral place.

“I do not ask you to tell me—

the entire history of your society

or the customs of your ancestors

or why your people can’t seem to

agree on anything.”

“I'm embarrassed to say this as it's so cliché, but impressionism spoke to me from a very young age. I have a giant fig tree in my garden, the way light dances through the leaves at different times of the day and in different seasons is mesmerising to me.”

Characterised by layers, the palest of colours and their large size, Lou’s seascapes evoke a sense of serenity in the observer. I wonder if the process is a peaceful one for her.

“I feel an amazing sense of calm when I paint,” says Lou.

I’m Not Racist, But… is a gift, mandatory reading for all Australians.

I close the book and know I will visit it again and again.

Nae Kurth

“My brain rests from the puzzle of daily life and becomes absorbed by the emotion nature evokes. It's reliable beautiful and uncomplicated, it feels like a dance of light and texture.

That sense of calm is reflected in the colour palette I work within.

Image: Lamp Photography “Primarily, I want the piece to reflect that sense of calm with no conflict in colour or intensity. Secondly, I want my art to sit quietly within a space complementing its surroundings, to be a calming place to rest your eye and find peace without the need to scream ‘look at me’."

An average painting for Lou takes approximately seven to ten days to complete, with lots of drying time between layers. She discusses her technique.

“I paint using plaster and acrylic paint in a series of layers.

“My technique isn't really influenced by any artistic style, it has developed very organically as I searched to find practical ways to place texture and emotion on the canvas.

“For me, painting is a highly emotional experience, so my hands and rags are my tools, they give me the freedom to put my entire body into the painting without the limitations of a paint brush. It's also the reason my paintings tend to be so large.”

As well as her interior design business, Lou also runs a business, which creates DIY kid’s cake kits for busy parents.

This means that she gets to nurture her creative side each and every day in a myriad of different ways. Lou feels incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.

“Anyone who knows me, knows that I have one of those busy brains that never shuts down, I'm an over thinker and everything I think comes out of my mouth!

“Art is my meditation, it's my opportunity to place my soul on the canvas, to put words to one side and let emotion take over. I think that's why so much of my art is a reflection on relationship with nature.”

“I imagine my art sitting quietly in your environment, a place to rest your eye from the chaos of life, providing a sense of calm and a chance to breathe.”

YOU CAN FOLLOW LOUDUGGANART ON INSTAGRAM FOR EXAMPLES OF HER WORK AND BURLEIGH BREWING CO RUNS COOL CULTURAL EVENTS ALL THE TIME. www.blankgc.com.au

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DANCE LIKE EVERYONE'S WATCHING (AND YOU DON'T CARE)

There's no excuse for not dancing. Our region is spoilt for choice when it comes to dancing opportunities. You don't have to wait for a band or DJ you like to be playing nor do you have to spend your life dancing to your own music in your undies in the confines of your living room. Once again Blank GC makes your life that little bit easier by providing you with all the info you need to get out and get down.

YOGA BEATS PROJECT If you like yoga, didgeridoo healing, open-meditative dancing, playing and fun then get down to Yoga Beats in Mullumbimby. Pablo Gascon is a yoga and pilates teacher from Spain who has been developing Yoga Beats for the past three years after a challenging and confronting time furthering his yoga training in Kerala, India. Pablo says a few years ago he was too shy and self conscious to get up in front of a crowd and dance or talk, but practising and believing in himself caused a shift. He feels dancing is a healing therapy on its own but he had the idea to fuse dance with yoga, and he started introducing a few moves in the gym with his clients. Yoga Beats Project was born.

The two hour Yoga Beats session starts with breath work and some gentle yoga asanas, then slowly some movement is introduced with the yoga. There is embodiment into more movement which Pablo will guide for those who are not comfortable, or free flow for those who are. Then the upbeat, crazy dance starts. Pablo helps people in the group feel involved and connected throughout. One way he does this is through fun, child-like play such as holding hands and running around the room. There is also some one on one time with a stranger closest to you. That can be a little confronting, but under Pablo's guidance it's easy to open up.

Yoga Beats is for everyone even if you haven't done yoga, or dancing, before. The next event is December 10th at Yoga Bones, Brisbane. Check the Yoga Beats Project Facebook page for information about future events in Mullum.

ECSTATIC TEMPLE DANCE Camila Caeron has dance in her blood. Not only does she hail from Brazil, a country with a passion for dance (think Carnivale), her parents met on the dance floor. However, when Camila was in Brazil, she wasn't doing much ecstatic dance. That passion started after moving to Australia when she started doing 5 Rhythms, Open Floor, Dancing Freedom, and Tantra. She was living in Melbourne and started going to transformational festivals like Seven Sisters, and started running dance workshops there. She decided to study dance movement therapy and hasn't looked back.

Camila comes from a corporate background as a project manager, a part of her life she calls her masculine side. When she is dancing she feels more connected to her feminine side. She moved to the Northern Rivers and chose to study 5 Elements after meeting her mentor Malaika. 5 Elements Dance Activation combines ancient indigenous practices, shamanic practices, Ayurveda and yoga. The five elements are earth, fire, water, air and ether. While Camila hopes to concentrate on studying the actual elements further in the future, the dance events she runs on the Gold Coast are Shakti (feminine energy) Activation evenings for women only.

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"Feelings of guilt and shame can arise when exploring the sensual side of the dance" Camila says, and she helps women deal with that by providing a nurturing, supportive, safe environment, a chill-out zone, and helpers on the night. At the end there is a talking circle and a general chat. She also offers post event support if needed.

Her goal is to provide a 'Temple' to help women activate their feminine energy, and when they are ready, she will provide events for women to join with men in dance.

"Sometimes when there are men in the space, women can shut down unconsciously, and not have a deep, liberating experience."

Camila says she has developed a good sense of boundaries when dancing around men; "Sometimes I might want to be touched, for example, and sometimes I don't want to be touched. The boundaries are so important for women to feel safe."

Camila will be running six week workshops in the future.

The next Ecstatic Temple Dance Shakti Activation will be at Gecko House, Currumbin 17th December. Call 0424 540 491 for more information.

A FEW OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES: SALSA For a more structured dance environment where you learn the steps and men do the leading, get down to Varsity Lakes Tavern every Wednesday evening from 7pm for Cuban Salsa lessons. Run by Amihan Mendoza and her partner Myles, you will easily advance through the different levels from beginner to level 2, and you don't have to go with a partner. In fact most people go on their own. Great way to meet people. No internet required. Go to the Tumbao Latino Facebook page for more info.

HEART DANCE ON THE OPEN FLOOR Another open dance / moving meditation option good for people of all ages and parents with kids - child minding is available and they usually have vegetarian food available for purchase afterwards. Every Sunday morning 10am to 12noon at the Ocean Shores Public School Hall. Call Liat on 0408 148 654 for more info.

L.O.A.D. LIGHTS OUT AND DANCE Daggy dancing to your favourite tunes with the lights out so no-one can see. From KC and the Sunshine Band to Tame Impala, it's all songs you know and can sing along to. You can request songs before the night on the Facebook page too! Monday nights 7pm to 8pm at Burleigh Primary School Hall. Contact Karls or Anna on the L.O.A.D. Facebook page for more info.

Pip Andreas thinklovelive.com

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