Blank GC issue #49 - October 2017

October '17

issue #049

MUSIC

ART & CULTURE

FESTIVALS

FOOD & DRINK

LIFESTYLE

Sarah McLeod Mickey The Tea Party Britich India Australian Music Week

Hotelling Blanc de Blanc Sideshow Cross Currents Gold Coast Open House

Mullum Music Festival Festival of Small Halls Buskers by the Creek Hey Sunshine!

Bluesfest

Best 10 Poke Bowls Southeast Espresso The Island Nero Stone & Wood Beach Clean

Whale Therapy Stop Adani Breastcancer Research Book reviews

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Mullum premieres Harry James Angus’ new live show

Sprung Festival returns, with new Gold Coast home

OCT

Sprung Festival only ran for three years and when it did it built a reputation for showcasing the premier crop of hip-hop talent in Australia. We have good news for hip-hop fans, because Sprung Festival is back and this time it’s bringing the genre’s most unique voices to the Gold Coast. A. B. Original, Illy, Allday, Tkay Maidza, Spit Syndicate, Pez, Ivan Ooze, B Wise, Mathas, Caiti Baker and Jesswar will all bring the goods to the Parkwood Precinct on 28 October.

Kingswood bring After Hours to Gold Coast Image: NJA Photography

Kingswood will round out 2017 in spectacular style, with a mammoth national tour that sees them visit Gold Coast for the second time this year. They’ll land at NightQuarter on Saturday 21 October, bringing tunes from latest album ‘After Hours, Close to Dawn’ with them, as well as rambunctious rock ‘n’ rollers The Vanns, and Sydney’s rockers Dear Seattle who join the tour in support.

Harry James Angus has had a long love affair with Mullum Music Festival. He was Festival Patron in 2014 and 2015 and programmed one of the festival venues, he’s been involved in every community aspect of Mullum Music Festival from the Youth Mentorship Program to the annual street parade and he’s one of the Mullum’s most loved artists having performed countless times in a myriad of musical guises since 2010. So it’s only fitting that Harry James Angus will premiere the full nine-piece incarnation of his new live project ‘Struggle With Glory’ at Mullum Music Festival. The festival runs 16-19 November, 2017 and you can get tickets at mullummusicfestival.com.

Ocean Alley announced as The Growlers support Live at Bond’s last hurrah for 2017 Our friends at Bond University will roll out a double-header for their last Live session for the year. Ella Fence and Will Anderson share headlining slot for the Sunday 8 October show which takes place at ADCO Amphitheatre. Will Anderson performs at 3.00pm and Ella Fence at 4.15pm.

Hey Sunshine

SATURDAYS 7-10PM & SUNDAYS IN THE BEER GARDEN 2-5PM for more info www.surfclubaustralia.com 4

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We all know what a music festival in a winery is like. But a festival in a brewery?

That’s got Gold Coast written all over it. Hey Sunshine’s inaugural music party will do just that. Take the party to the beer, transforming Burleigh Brewing Co’s taphouse with surffilm projections, light show and nostalgiathemed stage. And if that’s not enough to have you salivating, the lineup will finish the job. Brisbane’s psych-pop overlords The Belligerents headline the bill, celebrating the September release of their debut album and Bootleg Rascal will sonically delight with hip-hop infused electro-soul beats.

Gold Coast’s Peach Fur, Byron Bay’s Galaxy Girls and The Cinema Wristy’s and Sydney’s Borneo are also on the bill. Live art, market stalls, a platform for young local creatives, all housed in a brewery. That’s a lot of ticks ladies and gentlemen. Hey Sunshine rolls into Burleigh Brewing Co on Saturday 14 October.

Ocean Alley engulf you with an immense soundscape and visual performance through a unique and refreshing brand of psychedelic-reggae-fusion. The Sydney six-piece have toured relentlessly and have just been rewarded with the support slot of summer 2017. They’ll be joining The Growlers at Miami Marketta on Sunday 5 November. Tickets through Oztix.

Rocking for West Papua 2017 Cooly Hotel will rock for West Papua this month, with four big rock bands providing the tunes to support the cause. Thrash metal merchants Wartooth perform alongside Gold Coast punk rockers Monster Fodder and Cairns-based heavy metallers Odius.

Filling out the lineup is Gold Coast’s Charlie Rebel who’ve performed alongside British India, Wolfmother, Cog and The Radiators.

Rocking for West Papua takes place Sunday 8 October from 2.00pm – 8.00pm at the Cooly Hotel. Tickets via Oztix.

Stranger Things for Smoking Martha Coming off their debut album ‘In Deep’, Smoking Martha have delivered a smoldering new single ‘Stranger Things’. It solidifies the local five-piece’s position as the bearer of hook-drivern riffs and alluring vocals.

Frontwoman Tasha D describes the song as being “two songs in one” with an explosive ending and is the result of Smoking Martha teaming up with Matthew Bartlem (Loose Stone Studios) to create the debut album. If you want to see why Tasha D and her band have earned such a rocking local reputation, they’ll be at Currumbin Pub, Friday 10 November to deliver sonic proof. Chelsea Rockwells and Tablefox are in support.

Cosmic Horizon for Sunrose They’re due to release their debut EP in early November and to get you warmed up, Sunrose have dropped the second single off that EP called ‘Egoless’. In a world ruled by ego, the track explores the idea of living modestly with melodic grooves reflecting the ever-changing and evolving state of the ego inherent in all humans. You can listen to the track at sunrose.bandcamp.com.

Cosmic Dad back at Currumbin Woollongong’s Hoon is touring their new album ‘Hoon’ and taking Cosmic Dad along for the ride at Currumbin Pub this month. It’s a big lineup with Die For Mushies and The High Kats also joining the bill. The ‘Hoon’ album tour lobs into Gold Coast on Saturday 7 October. $10 tickets and 8.00pm kickoff.

Everybody loves Custard One of the nineties’ most prolific, and scene-setting bands is making a comeback.

They released their first album in 16 years after returning to the studio in 2015 – which is no surprise, because while Custard itself kind of disappeared from gig guides, the various projects its members were involved in continued to record and tour music.

Custard released five albums in that decade, combining intelligent pop with a peculiar sense of humour and an uncanny ability to write songs that connected with all manner of people. They developed a cult following, and their tracks ‘Apartment’ and ‘Girls Like That (Don’t go for Guys Like Us) killed it in the Hottest 100 prior to their disbanding in 1999. We’re incredibly excited that Custard will be popping into the Soundlounge on Friday 20 October.

Indie rockers take over A Day On the Green

Mekong Merchants drop ‘Ocean Tone’ Recorded at Love Street Studios, Mekon Merchants debut EP ‘Ocean Tone’ surfs the full gamut of guitar fuzz, wah, slide, echo and reverb typical of the psych-rock genre.

The new Gold Coast outfit formed around guitarist/vocalist Stu Tume, bass player Kenji Tamura, Scotty French on drums and Rhea Robertson adding vocal touches and was named after Stu spent three years living in Saigon. The EP is out through all the usual outlets, and on vinyl.

Finalists revealed for Busking Battle ahead of festival Buskers By The Creek has named ten of Australia’s finest troubadors as finalists for its 2017 Battle of the Buskers, which takes place Friday 13 October at the Currumbin Pub. The battle preceds the multi award-winning two day festival and sees our top emerging talent play-off for the coveted Buskers’ crown as well as prizes worth more than $10,000.

Competition will be fierce this year with Tessa+Devine (pictured) joining Melbourne Youtube sensation Joel James, SXSW showcase sweethearts, The Heart Collectors and Gold Coast's own ethereal harpist ELSKA among the finalists announced. Get the full list at blankgc.com.au and head down to Winders Park, Currumbin Creek for the festival which runs 14 – 15 October to see all the talent up close and personal.

The Angels hit the road Australian rock legends The Angels are back on the road across the country in October with a stellar supporting cast. The longserving rockers are celebrating the release of their Bob Yates-authored biography The Angels and accompanying double CD, Brothers, Angels and Demons that features tracks from every period of their history including their pre-Angels period. Joining The Angels at NightQuarter on 2 December are Rose Tattoo and Mi-Sex.

Soiree a Treat for Leopold’s fans Leopold’s Treat will hold another not-sosecret soiree this month, with a familyfriendly gig at Tallebudgera Community Hall, Saturday 7 October. Nestled at the base of the stunning Gold Coast hinterland, Tallebudgera Valley is the perfect spot for a magical springtime evening soiree. Leopold’s Treat will deliver their unique homegrown folk stylings to the occasion, supported by soulful flamenco queen Felicity Lawless.

In addition there will be gypsy wanderers, a sunset meditation, stalls, poetry, art and more. Doors open at 4.00pm, but there are no door sales, so get tickets before 3 October.

Tickets at leopoldstreat.yapsody.com.

Editor in Chief: Samantha Morris Cultural Editor: Natalie O'Driscoll Design: Chloe Popa Partnerships Manager: Amanda Gorman Partnerships: Simone Gorman-Clark Money Coordinator: Phillippa Wright House Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography Editorial Intern: Catherine Gunther Image: NJA Photography

The Beautiful Girls return to Miami Marketta In 2017 and 2018, The Beautiful Girls are taking it all the way back to the sonic beginnings to celebrate the anniversaries of their two seminal releases ‘Morning Sun’ and ‘Learn Yourself ’. Frontman Mat McHugh has decided to strip back the band’s performances to their original essence – the striking three-piece sound which first brought the band to attention fifteen years ago. They’re hitting the stage in Europe first-up playing venues in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and then it’s back home to Australia over spring and summer to bring back the songs and sounds that made them so loved fifteen years ago. The Beautiful Girls are at Miami Marketta on Thursday 4 January. Tickets via Oztix.

#049 OCTOBER 2017

Prepare for iconic indie rock anthems in the great outdoors when The Living End, Spiderbait, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Tumbleweed and The Fauves combine for an almighty A Day on the Green national tour next February. It’s a bill bursting with bands who were part of the alternative heyday of the 1990s, a period that has left a remarkable legacy on Australian music fans and continues to be held with muchos affection. In the live arena their reputations were made through performances marked by energy, passion and verve – qualities that will once again be on display during this tour. A Day On The Green, Sunday 25 February will feature The Living End, Spiderbait, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Tumbleweed and The Fauves. Tickets via ticketmaster.com.au.

Australian Music Week lineup Australian Music Weeks takes over The Shire on 2 and 3 November and has become a much talked about conference in the Australian music scene. 100 artists will use the event to show off their talents to music industry figures from all over the world. The event announced its 100 live acts recently and it includes a bunch of Gold Coast talent, including Gold Coasters Eliza and the Delusionals (pictured), Hanlon Brothers, Will Anderson and Karl S Williams. Tickets are available through Oztix and the full announcement is at blankgc.com.au.

The Black Sorrows at Southport RSL The Black Sorrows have earned the reputation as a dynamic live act. At the helm, Camilleri steers the band through an energetic interplay of solid grooves and well-crafted songs that mix those well-worn ingredients of blues, soul, R&B, gospel, country and even Brill Building pop. Writer of milestone Australian songs such as' ''Hit And Run', 'Shape I’m In', ' Harley and Rose', 'Chained To The Wheel' and many more, Joe Camilleri’s music has become part of Australian music culture. Now the Sorrows are heading to RSL Club Southport for one killer performance on Thursday 19 October.

Tickets via rslclubsouthport.com.au

Contributors: Anthony Gebhardt, Natalie O’Driscoll, Samantha Morris, Erin Bourne, Greg Smith, Sarah Molloy, Nae Kurth, Marj Osborne, Catherine Coburn.

Acknowledgement of Country: We genuinely respect and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and play. We honour their elders past, present and emerging as well as the rich contribution that continues to be made to society through art, story and music.

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. Founded in 2013 we are the Gold Coast’s independent cultural voice and we rely on advertising as well as our generous contributors 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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Deck Acoustics

ENTERTA INM ENT High Noon

ENTERTA INM ENT Vinyl Frenzy

THE SCIENTISTS: SET YOUR WORLD ON FIRE

Much revered Australian swamp-rock band The Scientists are about to embark on a one-off, five date reformation tour of Australia, including a highly anticipated show at The Triffid in Brisbane on Saturday 4 November.

Once credited by renowned English music critic Everett True as the band that invented grunge, in truth their oeuvre covered a much broader spectrum, from edgy, 60s infused garage rock through to pummelling, mutant art-jazz and fuzzed out twang. Long-time critical darlings, their appeal runs the gamut from hip indie kids through to an impressive swathe of fellow musos; artists of the ilk of Mudhoney, Sonic Youth, Kurt Cobain and John Spencer have all professed to bow down and worship at their altar.

The band existed in two distinct incarnations, the embryonic Scientists of the late 70s Perth scene, which morphed into the harder edged version of the band that moved to Sydney and ultimately imploded in London in the mid 80s. And it's this second line-up of the band that have gotten together to honour the outfit’s legacy and play this upcoming run of shows around the country. So expect to hear a tasty selection of latter period Scientists tracks of the ilk of ‘Fire Escape’, ‘Swampland’, ‘Set It On Fire’ and ‘We Had Love’.

The one constant across the entire journey has been frontman and guitarist Kim Salmon, a man whose musical longevity and pedigree is as impressive as anyone walking the Australian musical landscape. I was lucky enough to chat with him recently, and you can read the full interview online at blankgc.com.au.

The words “iconic” and “influential” are fully justified when it comes to describing the Atom Bomb impact of The Scientists across the alternative music landscape. So for fans, curious newbies and musical trainspotters alike you'd be nuts to miss them when they detonate upon the musical landscape on 4 November.

Anthony Gebhardt

UNLEASHING THE SEETHE Quirkily catchy Brisbane musician Mickey (aka Mickey Van Wyk) made quite a splash around these parts earlier this year, on the basis of his jubilant debut single ‘Clever Clones’. And he’s just followed it up with a new slice of melodic pop, in the form of his latest release, ‘Seethe’.

When chatting with Blank GC previously, “fun” and “honesty” were two words that Mickey used in describing himself and his music. He was also a big wrap for renowned Gold Coast music producer, musician and all-round creative guru Guy Cooper, who has collaborated with Mickey on both his releases to date. So this time around Anthony Gebhardt asked Guy what it was like to work with an artist as unique and theatrical as Mickey.

“Mickey is like no other artist I have worked with,” Guy said. “I love his voice and the songs are always so intricate and layered.”

“He has an indie pop-rock blend to his song writing that really identifies the core emotion of the song, and drives that home with some amazingly acrobatic vocals.”

“I was hooked producing the tracks, so I joined the band too!

The new single 'Seethe' is such an energetic and fun track, it has a power and drive that is all Mickey and really makes me smile every time I hear it,” Guy said.

Mickey is currently unleashing ‘Seethe’ into the live realm. If you missed him at his recent shows at Night Quarter and the New Globe Theatre in late September, be sure to get along to see him at the Bloodhound Bar in Brisbane on 6 October.

Or look him up at mickeytheband.com.

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FESTIVAL OF SMALL HALLS RETURNS TO GOLD COAST This year’s Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour will bring US folk virtuoso Vance Gilbert and acclaimed Aussie songwriter and musician Liz Stringer to Austinville in November.

Festival of Small Halls is a series of tours that takes the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists performing at the country’s largest festivals, and sends them on the road to tiny halls in communities all over Australia. It is produced by Woodfordia Inc in partnership with many other wonderful Australian festivals, regional partners and great lovers and supporters of folk and contemporary acoustic music.

This year the good folks at Festival of Small Halls have again teamed up with Mullum Music Festival and Woodford Folk Festival to tour Vance and Liz to twenty small halls across regional Queensland and northern New South Wales over two months.

From farmlands to the flood lands, the rainforests to the outback, Festival of Small Halls audiences can expect a beautiful night of original music, as well as a chance to catch up with their families and friends during a supper break, where cake and tea are served.

It’s an all ages event and all are welcome.

Natalie O’Driscoll

Catch Festival of Small Halls when it hits Mt Nimmel Hall in Austinville on 22 November. Tickets available via festivalofsmallhalls.com.

SARAH MCLEOD’S WILD HEART It’s not hard to think of Sarah McLeod as the quintessential rock chick. As the frontwoman and guitarist for nineties alt-rock stalwarts The Superjesus, she wooed Australian crowds with her rich, husky vocals and energised stage presence. She’s also really hot, let’s be honest. Breaking a twelve year drought between solo records, her recently released album ‘Rocky’s Diner’ is quickly gaining raves from the industry.

“The response has been really good, I’m really happy!” she enthuses during our phone chat.

“I don’t think one person has told me they don’t like it, and obviously as a songwriter it’s what you strive for. It’s warming the cockles of my heart on a regular basis. It’s an inferno in there!”

She laughs.

I make the mistake of wondering out loud if anyone has ever said they don’t like something she has done, to her face. She hesitates for a second.

“Err… now that you’ve brought that up, no actually. Oh no!

There’s all these people out there thinking ‘I better not say anything negative, she’s obviously a sensitive lady.’”

I attempt to dial back the question, but she’s caught it and run with it.

“There’s a lot of people I haven’t spoken to as well, so I can guess I can just assume 90% of people hate it.”

New York, where Sarah has lived before, was a carefully chosen location.

“It’s a place of inspiration,” she says.

“It’s got this electricity; this magic to it where you feel like anything’s possible. I didn’t want to go there and go out and experience anything — I hardly left the house actually — the idea of being there opened my mind and made me write differently, it made braver with the songwriting and my lyrics. There’s something about having a giant obstacle to overcome. The universe rewards the brave.”

As well as being able to buy and stream through all the usual channels, several songs from ‘Rocky’s Diner’ were turned into live studio session YouTube clips. These clips give fans not only a different experience of the songs but will also prepare them for the live tour, which is just going to be comprised of Sarah and her drummer, Mick Skelton. I wonder how that is going to work.

“I’m playing the bass and guitar at the same time,” Sarah answers.

“I designed a guitar and had it built then I had to re-write the parts so I could play all the parts and then Mick and I re-arranged the songs so we could play live again.”

Great. And why, exactly?

Thankfully she laughs, and I can breathe again. Her sense of humour is clearly ever-present, and we chuckle for a minute.

“We just don’t have the budget,” she states. “Oh,” I say, unsure how to respond further. She bursts out laughing. “I’m KIDDING,” she roars. There’s that sense of humour again. I think I love this woman.

‘Rocky’s Diner’ is a bit of a creative gear shift for the singer / songwriter, with clear fifties rock influences and some motownstyle grooves. We discuss the difference between her solo stuff and band stuff.

“Look, when I was in New York, I only had one guitar with me ‘cause I couldn’t take too much. When I was recording my demos I put the guitar down and when it was time to put the bass down I used the guitar and put it through a bass amp simulator.

“The Superjesus songs are generally slower, half time, more dirge-y riffs, and everything is detuned” Sarah explains.

“I was thinking ‘I’m gonna need a keyboard player and fucking percussionist and all this stuff.’ Then I thought ‘well I’ve been playing as an acoustic duo with Mick for 10 to 12 years. When it’s just he and I, we have a really tight synergy, so I wonder if there’s a way we can do it together. It’s so much better… it works, he and I.”

“For solo work I’m always in standard tunings. I’m obsessed with all the great songs from the fifties and sixties. I just sit around listening to Otis Redding and The Platters… that’s my jam, my happy place. The stuff I love the best.”

Twelve years is a long wait between albums, and Sarah explains why it took her so long.

“I do a lot of dilly dallying with my career and I mooch around a lot, work on a lot of knick knack projects that I don’t follow through to the end. I also start albums that I never finish.”

This time, she challenged herself with a different approach to songwriting by taking three months out and moving to New York in order to create ‘Rocky’s Diner’.

“I just thought ‘now is the time’ and I focused and made a commitment that I would write a record in three months. I told everyone so that it would make me execute it ‘cause if I didn’t tell anyone it would be easy for me to try and fail, but once you put it out in the universe people are expecting it! It was the overall commitment and the challenge and having a deadline — which I love — that made me rise to the occasion.”

Nothing seems impossible in the world of Sarah McLeod. At the beginning of her career, The Superjesus manager took her mother aside to give her some advice.

“He said ‘They’ve got a good five years in them tops, so she should have a backup plan and do something with the rest of her life.’ I didn’t have a backup plan. I failed to plan but I didn’t plan to fail. I just do whatever excites me, and who knows what that could be next? I just throw myself into it with reckless abandon and do it like my life depends on it.”

Natalie O’Driscoll

Catch Sarah on Saturday 7 October at Miami Shark Bar. Tickets through Oztix. You can watch the nostalgic clip for her single ‘Wild Hearts’ on YouTube.

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OCTOBER 2017 LIVE GIGS AT FISHERMAN’S WHARF TAVERN Fish bo w l l o un ge bar | e v e nts | di ni ng | functions

ROCK Salt DAVE WHITE (Glenn Shorrock Band)

BJ

(Glenn Shorrock Band)

ROSS MERCER VIC PASCOE (Dukes Of Earl)

(James Blundell Band)

The Experience of Rock

October 1st from 2pm Radio Star trio FROM 2 pm

October 8th from 1pm Fire N Ice FROM 1PM

October 15th from 1pm Rock Salt Band FROM 1.30pm

November 5th from 2pm Lisa Hunt FROM 1.30pm

November 12th from 1pm Galapagos Duck FROM 1.30pm

Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 7th November BOOK NOW SWEEPSTAKES DJ FROM 2PM RAFFLES & FASHIONISTA PHOTO BOTH DELICIOUS A LAR CARTE MENU & SPECIALS FULL TAB FACILITIES FREE COURTESY BUS

FISHO’S PROSECCO PARTY F I S H E R M A N ’ S W H A R F TA V E R N |

A G R E AT D AY O U T O N T H E FA B U L O U S WAT E R F R O N T

M A R I N E R S C O V E M A I N B E A C H | P H O N E 0 7 5 5 7 1 0 5 6 6 | W W W. f i s h e r m a n s w h a r f ta v e r n . c o m . a u

KIM CHURCHILL’S WEIGHTY TRIUMPH Songsmith Kim Churchill is hitting the road this month with album ‘Weight_Falls’ just released.

He spent 18 months working on the follow-up release to breakout LP ‘Silence/Win’, but the resulting record felt too polished and he threw it out and started again. The result sees a new sense of adventure and unpredictability to Churchill’s music with chopped-up drum samples, unusual harmonies and disarming lyrical honesty. Samantha Morris caught up with the wandering troubadour about his upcoming tour and exactly what motivated him to throw all those songs out and start again.

It’s pretty obvious you love to travel (seriously though, who doesn’t?). How does this wanderlust fuel your songwriting?

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Well, calling it ‘fuel’ is a pretty good start. It’s always worked in a beautiful, cyclical way for me. Playing music has allowed me to travel a lot, and then the places I go, the cultures I live in and the experiences I have really inspire and colour in the sketches of my songs. I think if you can be honest enough to accurately describe how it’s all making you feel, then it’s a great wellspring for interesting songs.

THE TEA PARTY: YEAR TRANSMISSION Canadian three piece The Tea Party are one of those acts that require very little introduction to Australian rock music audiences. The band, as well as their charismatic front man Jeff Martin, have incessantly toured the length of breadth of the country over many years, culminating last year with two spellbinding performances in Sydney and Melbourne accompanied by a full orchestra.

We all know now about the new album ‘Weight_Falls’ and the difficult process you went through of throwing out the first effort entirely and starting all over again. How did that happen? What exactly was going on for you that you felt you had to do that?

During the mid 90s The Tea Party released a sequence of well received albums that firmly established them as both Triple J staples and as a colossal live music force. And at the centre of it all was Martin, channelling his inner rock gods Robert Plant and Jim Morrison.

I think throughout the first attempt I was feeling a little uneasy. Just a gentle sense of pressure to do a better job than I had done on the earlier album. Basically, I just made it a bit too ‘grand and full on’. It’s like it was trying ever so slightly too hard. It made me uneasy and I continued to work harder and try harder on the material in the hope that that uneasy feeling would go away. Eventually I realised I needed to put it down. It was oddly liberating and I was charged by the decision. I wrote the next album in a week and it felt perfectly imperfect. I didn’t get in the way of the integrity of the music.

You say that “growing up” helped you evolve your sound.

How exactly do you think you’ve grown up and how exactly has your sound evolved?

‘Weight_Falls’ has been called a “triumph” by some media outlets. Do you feel you have to constantly out-perform each prior release?

Well, I’ve been living out of different camper vans across a bunch of different continents for about eight years and that’s definitely lead me into a lot of interesting and challenging situations. I have made a lot of mistakes and had some pretty hairy moments. I think all of that has helped me a lot with songwriting and really put me in my place sometimes. In general, I think just writing a few hundred songs has helped too. Loads of rubbish ones in there that taught me a lot.

Yeah, for now anyway. I want to be excelling at my craft and consistently pushing myself to learn more. But as I said earlier, I’ve found I need to let things be and let the music breathe. Trying too hard to outdo myself doesn’t really work.

I just gotta keep learning and then trust in the songs I’m writing.

You’ve just done a bunch of in-store performances and busking sets. It seems like it’s important to you to stay connected with fans at a grassroots level. Is it hard to juggle big festival sets between these intimate shows?

Nah I love that bit. Its all fun for different reasons and the busking and in-stores were really cool; kinda rad to do small shows and play on the street. Quite humbling and the lack of pressure makes for some really different and inspiring versions of tracks that happened spontaneously. On the other hand, the festivals are amazing because the whole crew is there and the lights are epic and the crowed is pumped and the sound is huge. That’s a totally different rush. I love having both.

You’re about to tour Australia with the new album, how do you think people will react to your new songs?

I felt pretty good about the tracks translating well live when I was writing them. They just had a lot more life than the other album. They were a lot freer and a lot less serious. I’m hoping they go down well. We shall see. I’ve got the double drummer thing happening along with my normal one-man band thing and that’s pretty exciting.

And on the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of the Tea Party's highly revered fourth studio record, 'Transmission', Thursday 9 November sees the band perform the album in its entirety within the elegant confines of The Tivoli, in Fortitude Valley. The album reached number three on the Australian music charts, achieving double platinum status off the back of epic fan favourites 'Temptation', 'Release', 'Psychopomp', 'Emerald' and the records title track.

At the time of Transmission's initial release in 1997, the band were very much at the peak of both their creative powers and commercial popularity. While still maintaining The Tea Party’s penchant for seamlessly amalgamating the more grandiose elements of rock, blues and world music, 'Transmission' saw them stretch their wings to also incorporate elements of electronica and a harder edged, industrial vibe. Edgy and dark in subject matter, Martin described the lyrical themes as such: "we went into the deepest, darkest depths to bring back the light."

The Tea Party will be taking these shows all around the country as part of their #TX20 Tour, having already wowed Canadian and American audiences with their pomp and spectacle earlier in the year. And as an added bonus, the band will perform a greatest hits set at the conclusion of the Transmission album performance, making this a show that any self-respecting rock music fan won't want to miss.

Anthony Gebhardt

Kim Churchill is at Soundlounge on the Gold Coast, Friday 27 October and ‘Weight_Falls’ is out now.

The Tea Party hit The Tivoli on Thursday 9 November.

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MULLUM CELEBRATES TEN YEAR MILESTONE 2017 sees Mullum Music Festival celebrate its tenth anniversary and the man at the helm has worked hard to ensure the event’s sustainability over that time. Because Mullum Music Festival isn’t like other festivals.

It doesn’t take place in a big arena or one central space. It literally takes over the streets and small venues of Mullumbimby, drawing people into spaces and places and focusing on sustainability rather than rampant growth. We like that a lot. And so do the thousands of punters who flock to the event year on year.

Glenn Wright is the Festival’s director and Samantha Morris asked him about what surprises he has in store for this milestone event.

Congratulations on the tenth anniversary milestone, what’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the festival’s history?

You must have seen some particularly joyful sights over the past decade at MMF. Can you share one or two?

That living with three females you need to fight to have a go in the bathroom! Also if you survive the first three years your event will probably last ten years and more.

The Sunday Street Parade always puts a smile on my face. We take over the main street for about an hour and the music is amazing. It’s loose but sounds good, and the feeling of marching and dancing and taking over the street is fun, and fun regardless of your age, be you three years old or 83. I also enjoy the Piano Bar, which is a cool room that holds about 50 people and has invited performers.

Harry Angus from The Cat Empire set this up a few years back when he curated some venues. He talked Ollie McGill, also of Cat Empire, to play whatever he wanted for as long or short as he wanted. Ollie is back this year so that will be fun. The Youth Mentorship is also a program I feel proud of, and all musicians 21 or under should check out the applications online. The prizes are amazing.

Will there be any surprises to this year’s programming that people might not know about?

Too Many Zooz, who after a video of their busking days in the New York Subway went viral on reddit in 2014. They make their first tour to Australia, having now become a respected international festival act. Also Gabriel Garzón-Montano will be one to look out for. There is a very cool cafe in Mullum and the owner is a music tragic. He is the coolest of the cool. Always knows the next act before anybody else. He came and gave me a hug for booking Gabriel GarzónMontano just after we announced. Marlon Williams (NZ), Lindi Ortega (CAN) and Frazey Ford (CAN) are also acts that will be very special for those in the 'know', and for me I can’t go past Jon Cleary and the Monster Gentlemen as I've been a big fan for a long time now. Cleary is the King in my book.

You’ve really focused your efforts on making the event sustainable – both economically as well as sustainably rather than growing it to be bigger in terms of numbers alone. Can you explain that rationale?

I knew when I started the event would grow and I had enough of an ego to have confidence it would be successful. My favourite year was the first, so each year I try and recreate a first year festival. I add fun things, like the piano bar, or the street parade, or a free show at the Mullum Markets. The reason I knew the festival would be successful is it has a point of difference to other festivals. It’s intimate and a music-lovers festival. So when we started selling out days I decided to not grow any more, but rather keep costs and our footprint small. We decided doing two smaller festivals would maybe work better for us, so we started the Bello Winter weekend, and the two events work well together, at different times in the year. So sometimes it’s best to grow horizontally.

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Can you tell me about this year’s lineup and some of your personal favourites?

Tinpan Orange will perform their usual set as well as a with friends set on the sunday, featuring artists from the festival, Harry Angus will launch his new gospel act at the festival, there is a special tribute to the music of Jesse Younan, Mama Kin joins forces with Spender and a local choir to perform new material, and Husky return, as do many other Mullum Favourites from the first ten years of the festival.

If you could fast-forward to 2027 – your 20th anniversary event – what would Mullum Music Festival look like?

Exactly the same, maybe some different names and maybe some of the same returning. But really the same, as it will still be all about the music!

Mullum Music Festival runs 16 – 19 November and features Marlon Williams and the Yarra Benders, Harry James Angus, Mama Kin, The Teskey Brothers, The East Pointers, Tinpan Orange, OKA, All our Exes Live in Texas, Caiti Baker, Irish Mythen, Stella Donnelly, Hussy Hicks and Lady Slug, amongst others. Tickets at mullummusicfestival.com.

Stella Donnelly

STATUS QUO ROCK ALL THE WAY OVER TO AUSTRALIA British boogie-rock institutions Status Quo have been an omnipresent musical presence for over five decades now, playing over 6000 shows and selling in excess of 100 million albums in the process. Having had to contend with the death of much loved guitarist Rick Parfitt late last year, in true Quo style the band have decided to keep rockin' (all over the world) and are hitting our shores this month. Billed as 'The Last Night of the Electrics' tour, this will be the last time around the block for the band in full on classic rock mode. And local fans have reason to rejoice, with the band scheduling in a Gold Coast show. To coincide with the tour announcement, Anthony Gebhardt sent off a few questions to guitarist, vocalist and founding member Francis Rossi.

TO RELEASE OR NOT TO RELEASE: THAT IS THE QUESTION. Got the perfect summer anthem? THE soundtrack of summer? The weather may be heating up, but is now really the right time to release your new music or are you better to put it on the back-burner?

To set the scene for you, the media world scales right back from mid December to mid January. Most radio stations move to syndication, replaying segments from the year with limited live-to-air broadcasts; publications have skeleton crew, leaving less coverage opportunities; and mainstream television and newspapers focus on hard and holiday related news.

In my experience, the succcess of releasing new independent music this side of summer boils down to why you are releasing it.

The sad passing of long time Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt was a massive loss for the rock and roll world. How have you coped in the months following?

I haven’t been coping very well. Him not being in the band was one thing, but not be here at all is an entirely different ballgame.

The band have had a long association with Australia. Do you remember how many times you've played out here all up? And do you have a particular highlight or memory that you recall most fondly from your times spent touring here?

I’m not quite sure exactly - many times! There have been a lot of highlights, but one of the most recent that comes to mind was playing the Byron Bay Blues Festival, which was a non-partisan audience.

Good Reasons to Release F Engaging your existing fanbase.

F Having new news to support summer tour dates.

F The music is the ‘soft’ component of a bigger release strategy so it doesn’t necessarily need significant coverage and exposure.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played in front of, and what was the occasion?

F You have major industry support systems in place (management, distribution) who can ensure yours is one of the few releases that receives the limited media coverage available at this time of year.

The latter. Rick had already insisted that the band go on and fulfil its commitments to the fans.

350,000 in Berlin with The Beach Boys and Charles Aznavour.

F This music needs to ‘break through’.

What’s the background story on your new guitarist Richie Malone? And was it easy to find the right person to take Rick's place in the line-up when he retired from touring just prior to his passing?

You've been 'rocking all over the world' for 5 decades now.

While this will be the band’s last ‘electric’ tour, do you ever see a final finish line for Status Quo when it comes to performing, or is it a case of rock until you drop?

Richie had already been considered one time before, when Rick was ill. He’d been to see us many times with his father and models his guitar playing on Rick's and Quo’s style.

I’ve seen a final line coming for maybe 20 years or so. We have still yet to see…

Was if a difficult decision to keep the band together and continue to tour under the Status Quo banner in the immediate aftermath? Or would Rick have insisted that 'the show must go on?'

Status Quo are appearing at The Star Gold Coast, Friday 13 October.

Good Reasons NOT to Release F The release aims to raise your industry profile.

F You’re afraid of losing momentum.

F You think it’s expected or you said you would be releasing it.

F You don’t yet have the support systems in place to prioritise this release in the media/ industry.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and in music these ‘rules’ are not hard and fast, however it is worth questioning whether summer is the right time to release for you. pic: LAMP Photography

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Kylie Cobb

LIVE IN THE PADDOCK

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1800 264 448

town centre drive, helensvale

“If you could busk anywhere in the world, where would you choose?”

Salt & Steel Malia Stirling If I could busk anywhere in the world I would busk at the Buskers by the Creek Festival. It's held at one of the most beautiful, picturesque places and it allows me to interact with so many amazing, like-minded musicians. I am excited to be able to busk there this year and share my music with an incredible crowd.

To share our music anywhere is a blessing, yet we do hear the streets of Berlin calling. Amongst the beauty and grit of Berlin, busking is appreciated, abundant and a true part of the culture.

Being able to share our Salt & Steel vibes there would be magical!

Dan Horne

Aine Tyrrell

My number one would have to be Covent Garden in London. Growing up as a kid I went there on day trips and the quality of street performance was incredible. It’s always stuck in my mind and has influenced what I do today.

One day I’ll get back there.

Shiloh Kayondo Growing up in London, Mum would take us to Covent Garden to watch all the buskers and performers on school holidays, it was a real treat. I always imagined how fantastic it would be to perform there with artists from around the world. After performing at Buskers By The Creek though, it now feels like the ultimate place to busk.

I was recently home in Ireland, walking down some of the streets I used to busk on from the age of eight. So for memories sake, I would chose Shop Street in Galway City to busk as the lively busking community on that street is just incredible! I was blown away by the talent I saw on the streets... it is a must visit for buskers and music listeners!

Jax Haze

Sarah Koppen If I could busk anywhere in the world, I would have to choose busking along the beaches of Barcelona, Spain. I’ve always wanted to experience the scenery and mingle with the music scene over there. I’m very fond of Spanish guitar techniques – so it would be a dream to learn few things from the local guitarists.

Everything about Amsterdam just oozes fun and freedom of expression. Besides, I'm quite partial to the vision of space cakes flying into my open guitar case as payment.

Louise Moriarty I have busked in Pearl St Mall in Boulder, Colorado, which had a similar vibrancy of anything goes to setting up my little desk in Byron Bay. I have written poems from people to their dead guys while busking at the Frozen Dead Guy Festival in Nederland. But for quality of performers, community spirit and family fun for everyone, Buskers by the Creek on this magical Yugambeh country always makes my heart sing.

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Keegan Sparke If I could busk anywhere in the world I’d like to busk in Byron Bay. I remember seeing a guy playing originals on the side of the street, on a Wednesday night, and within a matter of minutes he’d captured an international crowd that spilled onto the road and was blocking traffic.

Byron has a special place in my heart when it comes to live music.

Karrie Hayward If I could busk anywhere in the world, hands down Buskers by the Creek for sure. I would also love to go anywhere in Europe or even Canada to busk; simply to share my music with people on the other side of the world in beautiful places.

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WAX LYRICAL WITH AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION Gold Coast has a new open mic night.

Wax Lyrical, coordinated by the Australian Songwriters Association is a monthly gathering of songwriters at Dust Temple kicking off Thursday 12 October. Gary Bagnell, the Association’s regional coordinator and a Gold Coast singer / songwriter / performer gave Samantha Morris the low down.

Wax Lyrical is the name of open mic songwriters session in every region of Australia.

Eliza and the Delusionals by NJA Photography

AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK ANNOUNCES 100 ARTISTS FOR 2017 SHOWCASE EVENT There's something special about Australian Music Week.

It's partly the laid-back vibe that makes it so unique.

The beachside location at Cronulla helps a lot too. But the clincher is the programming. And while we wait for news about the conference and guest speakers, this week organisers announced one hundred artists who fill out the live lineup with aplomb.

The event which this year takes over The Shire on 2 and 3 November has become a much talked about conference in the Australian music scene. 100 artists will use the event to show off their talents to music industry figures from all over the world.

And as well as the live performances, there's a conference, networking, live interviews, keynotes, songwriting collabs and a massive res, outdoor festival (HiFi Days) that takes place on Sunday 5 November. For the first time, there'll also be an Australian Music Week Film Festival with world and Australian premieres and special anniversary screenings.

But yeah, we were talking about the live lineup, right? And you'll be pleased to know there's a heap of Gold Coast bands in the mix, including Eliza and the Delusionals, Hanlon Brothers and Karl S Williams.

Samantha Morris

For the full list of 100 acts visit australianmusicweek.com.

Australian Music Week 2017, 2 - 3 November, Cronulla.

Get tickets for Australian Music Week through Oztix.

“The format is like any open mic event where songwriter / performers put their name onto a board and perform in order,” Gary told Blank Gold Coast. “Usually solo songwriters perform but there may be more than one performer for a song.”

A small PA and mics are available and songwriters perform three original songs of any genre and style to a supportive audience of friends, peers and professionals.

“There is an opportunity for peers to constructively reflect on a song through feedback forms given to the performer.

This allows for discussion and networking,” Gary said.

Gary is hoping if the sessions prove popular that music industry representative from national and peak organisations might get involved to give advice on song writing mechanics and copyright.

“An aim would be to run a once or twice yearly showcase event, potentially professional songwriters / performers may hold workshops,” he added.

Songwriters and performers around the world credit open mic sessions with helping them find their feet in the music industry, to hone their stage craft and to practice new songs with a constructive audience.

“It is important to have a nurturing, supportive space where emerging (not necessarily young) songwriters can have a performance area to present their compositions to others,” Gary said.

“Experienced songwriters are writing all the time. It’s just as important for professional songwriters to present their work in a supportive environment. They have the opportunity to provide guidance to peers and emerging songwriters and to promote the art of songwriting,” he added.

Wax Lyrical is at Dust Temple, second Thursday of every month from 7.00pm, commencing 12 October. Australian Songwriters Association is a national, membershipbased organisation supporting songwriters and their art.

More at asai.org.au.

THE BELLIGERENTS: SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMONDS Brisbane psych-pop groovers The Belligerents have plenty of reasons to fly high and reach for the sun right now. The band have just celebrated the release of their debut album, ‘Science Fiction’, an effort six years in the making. It was recorded over an intensive two week period in a farmhouse on North Stradbroke Island. It’s an effort that the guys, vocalist Lewis Stephenson, guitarist Jim Griffin, bassist Constantin Kersting, drummer Stag Sargent, and keyboardist Andy Balzat, can be justifiably proud.

It includes their 2016 single ‘Caroline’, as well as their brand spanking new number, the dance inducing ‘Flash’. The retrofuture tinged film clip for it, directed by Greta Nash, features the band channeling their love of 80’s sci-fi, together with an outer space travelling pooch. Tip to avoid being upstaged in your own film clip: never work with animals or children! It’s a great clip and a cracking track, so be sure to check it out.

And if that wasn’t enough reason to let the sun shine in, the band will also be headlining the Gold Coast’s freshest new festival, Hello Sunshine. It’s taking place at the Burleigh Brewing Company on Saturday, 14 October, with the venue set to undergo a metamorphosis from its usual beery décor to that of a bohemian mecca complete with surf film projections, trippy light shows and a nostalgia themed staged.

Following this festival headlining appearance, the band will then head off on an extensive national tour, including stops in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. Closer to home, they’ll also be playing at the Sol Bar in Coolum on 28 October and a triumphant homecoming show at The Zoo in Fortitude Valley on 11 November.

Anthony Gebhardt

Hey Sunshine, featuring The Belligerents is at Burleigh Brewing Co, Saturday 14 October. www.blankgc.com.au

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BRITISH INDIA: THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT Wide-screen Melbourne rockers British India found themselves very much at the proverbial crossroads in the lead up to their brand new album ‘Forgetting The Future’. The much-loved band had achieved almost everything they had set out to do when charting their triumphant course across the Australian musical landscape over the past twelve years. From packed out tours and a multitude of rapturous festival appearances through to ARIA chart topping albums and Triple J Hottest 100 appearances, the million dollar question was: where to now?

The band decided to approach things somewhat differently when it came to the genesis of record number six. Holing themselves up in the front room of Sing Sing Recording Studios in Melbourne, they allowed their creative muse to leisurely unfurl across eight months, organically capturing the ideas, riffs and demos that would form the basis of the 10 songs that would constitute ‘Forgetting The Future.’

The album was produced by Oscar Dawson, of Holy Holy fame.

Chatting with bass player Will Drummond, I asked him if Dawson was an integral component in capturing the sound that the band wanted to achieve when it came time to actually record the album.

“Yes, absolutely. He heard things in a lot of the demos that aligned with what we wanted to do and was able to amplify them or shape them in the way that we envisaged. We have very similar tastes in music and we grew up playing gigs together all around Melbourne, so he’d come at things from a very similar angle to us. We shared a lot of great jokes, a lot of great nights out and a lot of great times in the studio.”

The band are currently out on the road showcasing the new record, and they’ll be in our neck of the woods in late November. I put it to Will to choose his current favourite track from the new record, and asked him how the new songs have transposed to the live realm.

“I like all of them at the moment haha! I really like some of the slower tracks, like ‘Absolutely Disgusting.’ It’s a seven minute song and you can listen to it in two different ways. You can listen to the instrumentation behind it and get lost in all the swirling music. And you can also focus on Declan’s lyrics, which are very poignant and heart wrenching.”

“As far as getting the new songs ready to play live goes, they actually came together quite quickly in the rehearsal room. We thought they’d be a bit difficult because sonically the album sounds so different to the last few albums we’ve done. But everything has worked out really well live. We have another guy on stage with us, Mitch, who does a lot of the background keyboards and a few extra backing vocals, which we need. He’s been with us for the past few years. It’s all exciting!”

Will is also looking forward to returning once again to the Gold Coast to play the Currumbin Sound Lounge in late November, the scene of some previously memorable shows for the band. “We’ve played a few great gigs there. A lot of people stick around afterwards, and we generally like to come out and say hello. Sometimes you talk to fans and they’ll say things like; “this in my 16th time seeing you guys” and you’re like “wow, that’s incredible..I’ve never seen a band 16 times!”

Anthony Gebhardt

Whether it’s your 16th time, or your first, be sure to catch British India when they bring their ambitious new record ‘Forgetting The Future’ to local stages soon. They’ll be at the Currumbin Sound Lounge on Friday, 24 November, as well as The Triffid in Brisbane on Saturday 25 November.

DIRTY HEARTS General Bitterness and Inner-City Moonshine

If you’re into legitimate rock’n’roll then Dirty Hearts is for you!

The local three piece very clearly show their Aussie 90s and British 70s rock influences and have a kick arse sound that has earned them support gigs with Australian favourites DZ Deathrays, You Am I and Velociraptor.

Their debut, ‘General Bitterness and Inner-City Moonshine’ is an album that insists on being listened to at volume. It really is the only way to do justice to the smoking guitars, wailing vocals and punchy drums.

The 70s style smooth guitar and tamborine of first track, ‘Sand-Lea’ are a fairly gentle introduction evolving into an accurate promise of the power to come throughout the album.

‘Dead Eyed Girls’ gives soaring vocals that are reminiscent of Danzig, while track ‘Mary’ presents a little Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds vibe. ‘Louis XIV’ displays the band’s tight sound and you can almost hear the fun they are having as it leads into the guitar solo.

‘Be Right There’ is a stand out for me, the dirty rhythm giving the vocals more menace. The mood picks back up again to finish the album on a high with ‘Hold Your Hand’. Dirty Hearts had me at ‘Sand-Lea’ and refused to let me go until the very end.

In short, Dirty Hearts, dirty rock’n’roll. ‘General Bitterness and Inner-city Moonshine’ is an album of glorious noise, reminding you that rock is most definitely not dead. The official release date for the album is 30 October but head to Currumbin Creek Tavern on 20 October for the launch.

Erin Bourne

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BLUESFEST

JUST KEEPS GETTING BIGGER WITH EPIC LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

BEERS FROM OUR BACKYARD UNIQUE BEERS CELEBRATING THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND LANDMARKS OF OUR NORTHERN RIVERS REGION

Bluesfest’s first artist announcement for 2018 is their biggest ever. Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters return to thrill audiences with their much loved music. 2018 is the 50 year celebration of Led Zeppelin's first ever performance.

This milestone event will be celebrated at Bluesfest when they perform a number of Led Zeppelin classics. International superstar Lionel Richie will bring his full arena spectacular to Byron Bay this Easter. Local legends The John Butler Trio and Tash Sultana head up the Australian contingent, and CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers and The New Power Generation will bring the funk during their electric, high-energy sets.

The way it should be

Music lovers from across Australia will visit the beautiful Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just outside Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (Thursday 29 March to Monday 2 April 2018) for the 29th Annual Bluesfest. During the Festival they will enjoy 12 hours of music each day on multiple stages, incredible food and market stalls and on site camping in a range of accommodation options.

Prince’s band ‘The New Power Generation’ will be in full attendance in their original lineup, Nile Rodgers and his band CHIC will be bringing ‘Le Freak’ to the stage. José González will make his debut, while the Söderberg sisters will mesmerise audiences with their beautiful folk-inspired harmonies. Morcheeba, Gov’t Mule, Joe Louis Walker, Lukas Melson & Promise of the Real, The California Honeydrops, Eric Gales, Dumpstaphunk, Bobby Rush, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats among more will bring their unique sounds to lucky crowds: from old school blues to chilled out dance, this epic lineup has every kind of music lover covered.

Don’t be a schmo – grab your camping tix while you still can and appreciate the fullness and spirit of one of Australia’s best festivals, among Australia’s best crowd.

The 2017 artist daily playing schedule is available at bluesfest. com.au.

Natalie O’Driscoll www.blankgc.com.au

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OCTOBER THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks Ben Perrin | Griffith University Free The Genie | Cambus Wallace

FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER JJ and Radio Souls + Sarah Frank | NightQuarter Felicity Lawless (5.00pm) | Miami Marketta Julia Rose + My Nightingale + CC The Cat | Soundlounge Free The Genie | Cabana Bar

Radio Star Trio (1.00pm) | Fishos

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

Frank Sultana | The Scottish Prince

Herbie Walker | The Cambus Wallace

Sarah McLeod | Miami Tavern

The Cuban Duo (Latin) | Southport Sharks

Dan Hannaford (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

Hoon + Die For Mushies + Cosmic Dad + The High Kats | Currumbin Pub

Hayley Grace (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Push | Hotel Brunswick

Acoustic Soup Duo | Southport Sharks The White Tree (3.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

MONDAY 2 OCTOBER Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER

Phil & Tilly | Burleigh Brewing Co.

GOLD COAST GIG GUIDE

Graham Hobson | The Walrus – Watermark Hotel

Gavin Doniger & His Mescalito Blues | The Cambus Wallace

Larsen + Being Jane Lane + Ra Ra Ruby + Syrup Go On | Currumbin Pub

Matt Armitage | The Scottish Prince

James Fox Higgins Duo (Covers) | Currumbin Surf Club

O.L.B (Latin) | Southport Sharks

Matrix Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport The Andrew Baxter Band | The Paradise Showroom, Arts Centre Gold Coast

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Herbie Walker | The Scottish Prince

The Fergies + Scott Dalton | Miami Marketta

Herbie Walker | The Scottish Prince

Archer | The Scottish Prince

Katchafire + Hanlon Brothers + The Sea Gypsies | Parkwood Tavern

G | The Cambus Wallace Dubarry | Hotel Brunswick FrothFest: Benny D Williams (12.00pm) + More | Miami Marketta Rockin for West Papua: Monster Fodder + Odius + Charlie Rebel | Coolangatta Hotel Eleea Navarro (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Abbigayle Anderson (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Michael Eotvos (5.00pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks The Mouldy Lovers + Riley Pearce | NightQuarter The Red Men | RSL Club Southport Inexcess (Tribute) | Southport Sharks Tommy Castles (4.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

14 + 15 OCTOBER Buskers By The Creek, Currumbin

The High Rollers | Hotel Brunswick

Nick Cunningham (3.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER

The Wayward Suns + Scott Dalton | Miami Marketta

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER

Tommy Castles (2.00pm) + Sky Eater (7.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

Paris Lane (5.00pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Oktoberfest: The Melodians | NightQuarter Champagne Jam | RSL Club Southport Captain Wow (Covers) | Southport Sharks Jay Hoad (4.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

Lilleexx | Palm Beach Surf Club

Tommy Castles | The Cambus Wallace

Live at Bond: Ella Fence + Will Anderson | Bond University

FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER

Miss T & The Anchormen (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Mental As Anything + The Radiators | Parkwood Tavern

Archer | The Cambus Wallace

Felicity Lawless + DJ Elliott Ramsay | Mermaid Beach Bowls Club

Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Wally & The Gators (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER

Fire N Ice Band (1.00pm) | Fishos

Zookeepers | Southport Sharks

Kenny Slide | Kingscliff Farmer’s Markets

Oktoberfest: The Munich Honkers | NightQuarter

Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks

WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER

Drapht | Surfers Paradise Beergarden

Atmosphere (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Kenny Slide | North Burleigh Surf Club

Meg Mac | Miami Marketta (Ticketed event)

Battle of the Buskers | Currumbin Pub

Katchafire + The 4’20 Sound + Kimmy & Crew | Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Living In the 70’s (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Sunny Coast Rude Boys + Ondre Davis | Miami Marketta

THURSDAY 12 OCTOBER

Steve Lovelight| Palm Beach Surf Club

Killing Heidi + Rackett | NightQuarter (Ticketed)

Meju (2.00pm) + Ino Pio & Baptiste (7.00pm) | Sheaok Shack

Tokyo Beef + Sh*t Box + Twin City Riot | Burleigh Town Tavern

Herbie Walker | The Scottish Prince

Mark Ridout & The Rhythm | Hotel Brusnwick

THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER

Michael Hickey | The Walrus – Watermark Hotel

Benny D Williams (2.00pm) | Broadwater Parklands

James St Preachers | The Cambus Wallace

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER

Vaneese Cox | RSL Club Southport

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER The Lyrical + Jackson James Smith (4.00pm) | Miami Marketta

Lost Thylancines Duo (2.00pm) + Dubarray (7.00pm) | Sheoak Shack

WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER

Mark Watson | Southport Bowls Club Michael Whitmore (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport Lloyd Saniel (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Hey Sunshine: The Belligerents + Bootleg Rascal + Galaxy Girls + More | Burleigh Brewing Co Benny D Williams | Steampunk Surfers ITES + Sean Fitzgerald | Miami Marketta

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

Wally & The Gators (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Matt Armitage | The Cambus Wallace

Demon Days + The Old Married Couple | NightQuarter

KICKSTART YOUR MUSIC CAREER

TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

Gavin Doniger & His Mescalito Blues | The Cambus Wallace

Brett Gannon | Palm Beach Surf Club

Matt Armitage | The Scottish Prince

Salmonella Dub Sound System (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

The Cuban Duo (Latin) | Southport Sharks

Maddy Thompson (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

Stoneage Romeos (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER

Retronomes (Covers) | Southport Sharks

James St Preachers | The Cambus Wallace

Greg Bankx (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Sean Fitzgerald (4.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

Herbie Walker | The Scottish Prince

Slique Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

Garry Bagnell + Fun Le Grande | Nerang Allsports Club

Kings of Country Rock | RSL Club Southport

Caiti Baker + Jackson James Smith | Miami Marketta

SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER Boo Seeka | Miami Marketta (ticketed event) Jake Fox | Palm Beach Surf Club Ben Ely (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick Benny D Williams (1.00pm) | The Boatshed, Currumbin Amanda King (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks Rock Salt Band (1.00pm) | Fishos Michael Asma (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport Tom Sands (3.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

MONDAY 16 OCTOBER Cole Jones | Southport Bowls Club

Eleea Navarro (5.00pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks CC The Cat + Chris Flaskas | NightQuarter

SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER Kingswood | NightQuarter SEYKA + Twelve Past Midnight + LIVVIA +Liam O’Hara + Kimbal Imaz + WLVS | Max Watts Gavin Doniger (2.00pm) + Mark Ridout (7.00pm) | Sheoak Shack Ooz | Hotel Brunswick

Marco (Covers) | Southport Sharks

Gold Coast Biggest Tree Planting Day: Catherine Gunther + Benny D Williams + Kate Leopold & Julie Hayes (9.00am – 2.00pm | Robina City Parklands

TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER

Kingfisha + Scott Dalton | Miami Marketta

Abbigayle Anderson (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

Tennyson King | The Cambus Wallace Sean Martin | The Scottish Prince The Cuban Duo (Lating) | Southport Sharks

WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER Sean Martin | The Cambus Wallace Herbie Walker | The Scottish Prince

Zoophonic Blonde (Covers) | Southport Sharks Devils Kiosk (Covers) | RSL Club Southport

SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER Lilleexx | Palm Beach Surf Club Lisa Hunt (1.00pm) | Fishos Kingfisha (4.00pm) | Hotel Brunswick

THURSDAY 19 OCTOBER

These New South Whales + VOIID + Stone Witches | Miami Shark Bar

Bernard Fanning & The Black Fins + Tia Gostelow | The Triffid

Benny D Williams (9.00am) | Iron and Resin Garage

The Black Sorrows | RSL CLub Southport

Lastlings Block Party | Miami Marketta (Ticketed)

Zookeepers | Southport Sharks

Kate Derepas (12.30pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks

FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER

Gemini Duo (1.00pm) | RSL Club Southport

Custard | Soundlounge British India | Hotel Brunswick

Josh Lee Hamilton (3.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

Peep Temple + Batpiss + Liquid Face | Miami Shark Bar

MONDAY 23 OCTOBER

Dirty Hearts + Just Monday + Dawn of Dusk + Treachery Cove | Currumbin Pub

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER Zookeepers (Covers) | Southport Sharks

MONDAY 30 OCTOBER Ingrid James | Southport Bowls Club Soubleshot Duo (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport

FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER

TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER

Kim Churchill | Soundlounge

Matt Armitage | The Cambus Wallace

Shane Nicholson | Lonestar Tavern Tennyson King + Alexander Williams + Frogs + Jade Soul | Currumbin Pub Micka Scene Duo | Hotel Brunswick KALLIDAD + BlackBoi | Miami Marketta Chris Hutchinson (5.00pm) | Cabana Bar & Lounge, Southport Sharks The Matrix Duo (Covers) | RSL Club Southport Absolute 80’s 1 Louder Tour | RSL Club Southport Chisel Revived | Southport Sharks Spav Doniger (4.00pm) | Burleigh Brewing Co

SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER Annual Monster Mash Halloween Show + guests | Miami Shark Bar SPRUNG Festival: Illy + Allday + A.B. Original + Tkay Maidza + Spit Syndicate + More | Parkwood Precinct

THURSDAY 2 NOVEMBER Saskwatch | Miami Marketta

FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER Jones The Cat + Coastal Lights + Pure Milk + The Goldblooms | Currumbin Pub Springtime Sessions in the Village | Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER Bernard Fanning & The Black Fins + Sarah Tindley | The Northern, Byron

BACHELOR OF

POPULAR MUSIC PERFORMANCE MUSIC, SOUND AND VISION MUSIC INDUSTRY

Salt & Steel | Nimbin Hotel

SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER Lilleexx | Palm Beach Surf Club

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Mesa Cosa | Miami Shark Bar Lisa Hunt (1.30pm) | Fishos The Growlers | Miami Marketta

Broadfoot | Hotel Brunswick KALLIDAD + Ondre Davis | Miami Marketta Atmosphere (Covers) | RSL Club Southport Lady Gaga Monsters Show Tribute | Southport Sharks

* Catch these SEED artists playing at a venue near you

The Yorks (11.00am) | RSL Club Southport Marco (Covers) | Southport Sharks

GRIFFITH.EDU.AU/POPULAR-MUSIC

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WHY WAIT TO MAKE GREAT? STUDY MUSIC, DESIGN, SCREEN & MEDIA, GAMING & IT

THE GODDESS REVOLUTION MEL WELLS Mel Wells is an ex-soap actor and suffered with eating disorders for most of her life. She has taken her path out of self-destruction and turned it into a dieter’s anti-diet book: ‘The Goddess Revolution’.

Practical learning at our state-of-the-art Coomera campus with short courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees.

At its heart, ‘The Goddess Revolution’ is simple. It tells people (mostly women, let’s be honest) to stop battling themselves and their bodies, and swap those feelings of angst and hatred for love and listening: to do what is healthy because it feels good, and because it’s what your body wants.

As a message, it works. How we would all love to throw away the scales and measuring tapes, forget about the latest fads, stop endlessly critiquing and comparing ourselves and just live our lives and feel healthy! Shed the pounds without struggling and feeling like constant failures! In many ways, loving yourself and treating yourself well should just be, well… common sense. The reason more people don’t already practice it however, is because from day dot we’ve been assailed with endless media and social conditioning which tells us that we’re never thin enough, smooth enough, young enough, and that all of our lumps and jiggly bits — even if not really overweight — are things to be ashamed of and keep hidden, or diet away. And one book, however wellmeaning, is not capable of undoing those years of overt and implied messages.

This is where ‘The Goddess Revolutio’n (and in my opinion, all self-help books) tend to fall down. Most of the authors have been on a years-long personal journey to achieve the wisdom they are trying to impart, something that is difficult to condense into a handful of pages. Taken at face value, ‘The Goddess Revolution’ is a relatable, interesting story and a positive, common-sense approach which may serve as a good jumping-off point for those wishing to change their thought processes around their bodies and food. Just don’t expect it to be a miracle cure.

Natalie O'Driscoll 28

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COOMERA OPEN DAY SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER | 9.30AM - 2.30PM

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CRONULLA BEACH OCT 31-NOV 5

2017 AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK

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Listen & learn from music industry leaders.

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Australian & international artists playing multiple venues over 2 nights, buy a ticket and venue hop to see as many great shows as possible.

FILMFESTIVAL | OCT 31-NOV 3

Screenings and special events featuring music films from Australia and around the world. Details & applications at australianmusicweek.com

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3/1 Sunshine Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters “Being a chef is not a glamorous occupation,” Chef Dennis Duncanson tells us, and he’s right. Chefs work hard long hours in steaming hot kitchens, often when the rest of us are out playing.

Long before the public sees them, most young chefs are sweating it out in other people’s kitchens. Perhaps they get caught up in the corporate hospitality treadmill, the requisite trip to Europe to explore cultural experiences, or to chill out in Bali to rub away the difficult edginess of the kitchen…

At 30 we sometimes get them back, willing to branch out and experiment, to stave off boredom. Some are eager to open places of their own, to change to daylight lifestyles or to settle down in their home area.

It’s rare to come across very young talent in their own restaurant. Astounding, really.

But there it is: Nero, in Broadbeach Waters, a venue run jointly by Chef Jayden Barker and his father Andrew.

After a 10-day refit, the restaurant opened in July 2016.

From the outset, the pair had clear goals in mind: “We enjoyed dining out, both corporately and as a family, the feeling of being known and treated well,” Andrew tells us. “That’s what we wanted to achieve here. A casual restaurant with upmarket food manned by a stable staff who were committed to success. We have that,” he says, praising the staff he considers as family.

With Andrew covering front of house, Jayden is putting his seven years’ kitchen experience to good use. It’s a great combination – modern classics with a twist backed up by attentive knowledgeable service; no doubt the reason why, in January 2017, they won their first chef hat with the AGFG, Jayden being the youngest chef on the Gold Coast to reach that honour.

Greeted at the door by Andrew, who explains the menu dish by dish, there’s no rush to dine, no turnover of tables

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or multiple settings. There’s a relaxed masculine vibe to the place, fitting for its nomenclature. (After all, ‘nero’ means ‘black’ in Italian.) Tables are clad in black cloths. Edison lights hang over a timber floor with interesting grey walls lit by one maroon feature section.

Starting with home-baked bread served with burnt butter and a platter of Sopressa Milano, Jamon Serrano and local Wagyu Bresaola sliced to order, we take our time and amble our way through a meal of generously-sized share plates.

There are also three set menus, a great choice if you have trouble making decisions from the a la carte menu. Not just seasonally-based, the menu uses many unusual ingredients and changes often. We dine on a week night, but the boutique wine list, containing many hard-to-source wines demands a revisit, a wine-paired meal an obvious answer to a night of celebration.

Woodfired corn with spicy aioli and pecorino follows, then fresh melt-in-your-mouth Gnocchi with rich burnt butter, balanced by crispy fried kale and shaved cured egg yolk.

It’s an indulgently moreish dish to be savoured; one of our favourites of the night.

Sous vide-cooked Pork belly is served with smoked mayo, perfectly charred bug and a crinkly pork puff; a simple but bold dish, the meat full of flavour. The tempura-clad broccolini is a local favourite, served with black aioli with a hint of manuka honey sweetness to round out the palate.

We finish with dessert: a Chocolate parfait using Ecuador cocoa, accompanied by hazelnut mousse, chocolate soil and a few sprigs of micro mint, and an assemblage of Wheycooked blueberries, peanut and brown butter crumb thrown Jackson Pollock-like over a base of panna cotta.

“Our food speaks for itself,” says Andrew, showing obvious pride in the precocious talent of his son. Trite but true, it does! Using a dash of bush food, unusual combinations and nuances of flavour, one year in, Nero boasts 96% return

clientele, proving that they’re giving locals the dining experience that they enjoy. It’s success many would envy.

Jayden says that he has learned lessons from every aspect of his career so far. A dishhand at 14 at Jacob’s Well Tavern, he did a stint waiting tables at The Garlic Clove before landing a job as an apprentice chef at Harrigan’s, Jacob Well.

It was at Harrigan’s, working with Chef Michael Harris, that he discovered his love for the energy of service. As a 15-year-old, he was helping to plate up meals for 300 – 400 at a sitting, so ‘mis en place’ (preparation), timing, and getting meals onto the plates was a priority.

Following that, at Cavalier (now part of Justin Lane Establishment), he learned from Chef Bryce Hayes to make bread, gnocchi and tortellini by hand, to slow down and taste. Chef Pepe at Pablo Pablo showed him the path less travelled, he tells us – how to take a traditional dish and twist it to meet the market.

His experience has led Jayden to include Spanish and Italian influences in Nero’s menu, yet it would be incorrect to categorise the food as either one. Jayden’s chef experience correlates to what we may say about our children: they are a bit of each of us, but entirely themselves.

“So, how old are you, Jayden?” we ask.

“21,” he replies. So young!

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

Note: Blank GC dined as guests of Nero.

TEN GOLD COAST POKE BOWLS YOU NEED TO TRY IMMEDIATELY A perfect fit for the Gold Coast lifestyle, it was inevitable that poke bowls would sweep the coast away with their vibrancy. Adapting the fresh clean flavours of poke, California style, to our own fine local produce, the dish quickly spread, offering us one of the healthiest, most convenient meals in town.

SOUTHEAST Boundary St, ESPRESSO 229 Coolangatta Pictured left to right: Poke bowls at Caffine Kings, SoPo, Sandbar

Aloha Bar & Dining – Aloha does their own adaption

of poke using salmon or tuna, eggplant or tofu with a squirt of aioli, served with chopped lettuce, sections of avocado chunks, wakame, edamame and carrot over sticky coconut rice.

Baskk at Kirra Point – Baskk takes a different tack on the poke bowl, giving diners a choice at each point in the making of base (Japanese sesame rice or green salad), filling (different veg, roasted nori and seeds), dressing (sesame kewpie or soy) and topping (salmon salsa lime and chilli, teriyaki chicken or organic chili lime tofu).

Beachside Pavilion – Under direction of Japanese

sushi chef Yus-uke, three poke bowls have become their modern classics: sashimi-style ocean trout with quinoa and edamame; tuna with brown rice, and pickled vegetables; and kingfish togarashi with ginger and kimchi, all available for breakfast!

Caffeine Kings – Said to be the first to introduce poke

bowls to the coast, Jess, the owner, believes in traditional sectioned bowls, the Japanese way, the key elements being fresh fish, wakame, edamame, avocado and either a citrus ponzu or shoyu dressing. Caffeine Kings’ menu holds both a breakfast poke, and ‘The Classic’ with raw local salmon.

The Collective - The Collective’s Hawaiian tuna poke

is a generous serving of tuna sashimi tossed in chunky avocado, soya, shallots, peppered with sesame, served with garlic pastry dippers.

Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium – Harajuku’s

salmon sashimi poke bowl contains some prime ingredients, including saffron threads, roe, slaw, pickled ginger, beansprouts, broccoli and carrot on rice. It’s a great size for a meal on the run.

Poké Poké – What defines a great poke bowl? ‘Morgan

Walsh’, her staff say, and we must agree. In the first dedicated poke restaurant on the Gold Coast, Morgan takes the idea of poke and reinvents it for the coast’s existing ingredient loves.

‘Breakfast pokes’ turn poke on its head, while the ‘All day poke’ menu contains more traditional versions along with vegetarian, chicken and karaage. The ‘Tuna me on’ is one of our favourites, mixed to order.

Sandbar - On the beach at Surfers, Sandbar has undergone an amazing makeover. Seafood is king. Lunch features three types of Hawaiian poke bowls: traditional Kauai tuna, Oahu snapper, or Maui kingfish sashimi marinated in passionfruit, green chilli and lime. They’re completely addictive as a beach brunch.

SoPo - Poke rules? There are none, according to co-owner Jules, whose tuna sashimi poke marinated in lime tamari or chilli sesame dressing is a taste sensation. Served with fried wontons, it’s one of our favourites.

Stones Throw – Poke or Hoke, take your pick at Stones Throw, where salmon is mixed with rice wine-pickled vegetables and probiotic kimchi over brown rice. Partly mixed, it’s a healthy, tasty version that is favoured for its combination of ingredients and flavours. Poke on!

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

Heading down to the southern end of the Gold Coast always feels like a mini vacation, with glorious beaches and laid-back vibes that seem to radiate from the border. It is in the magical place where Coolangatta ends and Rainbow Bay begins that you can find SouthEast Espresso, a locally oriented café that is worth the visit on your southerly adventure.

As your eyes are charmed by the wave-inspired mural by artist Belinda Gillies that adorns the length of the café, you are drawn to the counter where coffee and food is itching to be ordered and consumed. This locally-loved spot becomes decidedly busier on the days when the surf up the street is pumping. The best seat in the house is easily the low bar across the window, which allows for good lighting and even better people watching as you enjoy a coffee or two.

Owners Stacey Megee and Jim Granieri took over SouthEast Espresso almost five months ago and decided to make a few changes for the better. As Stacey informs me, “We want to go as organic and locally sourced as possible with our food and coffee, with each dish having at least one ingredient from a local farmer.” It was this philosophy which brought about their move towards serving High Trees Estate coffee as their house blend and Parallel Coffee Roasters as the providers of their rotating single origins.

The High Trees Estate 100% certified organic Rainforest Byron Blend was smoky scented as we dived into an espresso, with a sweet, smooth flavour of tobacco and a stone fruit tang at the back of the mouth. The long black maintained the savoury elements, but the mellowness of the longer pull allowed for more muted orange and currants flavour to come to the surface. Adding milk in the form of a piccolo gave off a caramel popcorn aroma, with flavours of milk chocolate, caramel and an almost bubble-gum note that flared on each sip.

The single origin on offer was Parallel Roasters Konga Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, which we gleefully sampled as an espresso that had savoury scent with hints of sweetness, a big satisfying hit of acidity and tangerine juiciness pops across the tongue. The citrus flavours were enhanced in the long black, with bright tangerine explosions that expand out to a toffee like finish.

SouthEast Espresso are open every day from 6:00am to 3:00pm. Get in early for your pre-beach caffeine hit and enjoy the café’s endeavour, and motto of ‘keeping it local’.

Catherine Coburn www.blankgc.com.au

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WHALE THERAPY AND WHERE TO GET IT

We recently decided to go with Gold Coast Whale Watching Adventures operating out of Mariner Cove Marina at Main Beach. They operate morning and afternoon half day tours on a purpose built Catamaran with five viewing platforms allowing good observation for passengers and supply morning or afternoon tea during the tours.

Once out into the open ocean the first whale sighting was of two animals who teased us by "logging," that is, effectively sleeping below the surface and unlikely to surface for some time. What followed over the rest of our time on the ocean was one sighting after another. Our resident expert gave comprehensive explanations of the various behaviours exhibited by the whales using the often self explanatory terms used to describe these actions, such as the following: Peck Slap: raising one or both pectoral fins above the water and slapping the water surface.

Chin Slap: similar to the Peck but raising the head clear of the water.

Tail Slap: as above, but raising the tail clear of the water and slapping the surface, often on multiple occasions.

Breaching: the most spectacular and well known behaviour, the whale launches all or most of its body from the water before crashing back to the surface.

Peduncle Throw: my personal favourite, the whale pivots on its head and swings its tail and Peduncle (the rear part of its torso) clear of the water before forcefully slamming the surface of the water.

The commentary on the whales’ behaviours and other facts about whale migration were comprehensive and extremely interesting. After a couple of hours of hectic whale watching our vessel headed back to the Marina with some very satisfied clients on board. The cruise was operated in a highly professional manner but with an emphasis on enjoying the spectacle of the whale migration and, most importantly, operated in an ethical manner, approaching and observing the whales from a safe distance, only getting close when the whales chose to.

Greg Smith

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Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer in Australian women. In Queensland there are 446 new cases of breast cancer every year with Queensland women having a 1 in 9 chance of being diagnosed with the disease by the age of 80.

“Participation in clinical trials gives patients access to new treatment options that may benefit them but would not be available otherwise. Patients who participate in clinical trials are also assigned a research nurse so in that respect they actually have an additional layer to their care and treatment plan.”

Breast Cancer Trials (previously Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group and Breast Cancer Institute of Australia) is the largest, independent oncology research group in Australia and New Zealand. Over the past 40 years they have conducted trials for the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer and they have played no small part in increasing survival rates which currently sit at 90%. The program involves 800 researches in 90 institutions across the two nations forming a powerhouse of knowledge, leading to faster progress and tangible results. As well as improved longevity in patients, the group has also contributed to increased quality of life by conducting vital research into treatments that can save women’s fertility as they undergo treatment as well as reducing the number of mastectomies that they require.

I spoke with one of Dr. McCarthy’s patients who is currently participating in the Penelope B trial. Lynn was first diagnosed almost two years ago and, as her world came to a standstill, she weighed up whether to participate in a trial.

She ultimately decided that she had to do everything that she could do to fight off the disease. Lynn speaks very highly of her participation in her clinical trial.

As the world turns pink to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month I caught up with Dr. Nicole McCarthy, a Medical Oncologist researching for the Penelope B Breast Cancer Trial to discuss how clinical trials are contributing to the longer lives of survivors and how they are shaping the way we treat breast cancer in Australia and around the world.

“Participation in clinical trials is much more commonplace now than it used to be,” Dr. McCarthy says.

“There are different clinical trials for different stages and different subtypes of breast cancer. The trials that individuals will participate in will depend on their specific cancer. What subtype is it? Is it positive for oestrogen receptors? Does the patient carry the HER2 gene? There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ breast cancer and all of these factors will be considered when deciding what clinical trial, if any, a patient may be assigned to.”

“I have met such wonderful people since my diagnosis through chemo, radiation and surgery. The clinical trial itself has caused very few issues for me - just some breathlessness and fatigue.

“I did consider not participating but in the end I realised that the breast cancer treatments available to me were as a result of the women who had gone before me. I decided to do my bit.”

This sentiment is echoed by Dr. McCarthy.

“All drug treatment advances are due to clinical trials.

Early phase of studies establish whether the drug is safe.

The second phase establishes whether the drug works in the subset it is aimed at treating. Phase three tests the drug in patients with early stage breast cancer. The final phase is to compare the new drug with the old treatments and reestablish standards of care based on these results.

“Current treatment protocols only exist due to previous clinical trials.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us to focus on those in our families and greater communities that are affected by breast cancer. Thanks to the work of Breast Cancer Trials and similar organisations, breast cancer continues to be one of the most survivable forms of cancer in Australia.

Sarah Molloy

BEACH CLEAN UP AND BEERS WITH STONE & WOOD

STOP ADANI SPELLS IT OUT FOR POLITICIANS MORAL PANIC 101 BENJAMIN LAW Benjamin Law’s essay ‘Moral Panic 101: Equality, Acceptance and the Safe Schools Scandal’ begins with a bone-chilling question: What makes a thirteen-year-old kill himself?

It’s bone-chilling because it happened. When fresh-faced Tyrone Unsworth—a sweet, loving boy who was gay and bullied to the point they’d broken his jaw—took his own life in 2016, his mother screamed, “They finally got him,” and it quaked a nation.

Stone & Wood Brewing are inviting all avid greenies to join them as they clean up Gold Coast beaches and raise funds for local Surf Life Saving Clubs in October.

Over three epic Sundays, a crew from Stone & Wood will be combing the coastline collecting trash from local beaches and helping to raise awareness about marine pollution.

Everyone young and old is invited to journey with them and get involved, spending a Sunday arvo giving back to a worthy cause.

Beach Clean Ups will run from 12.00- 2.00pm from Miami and Northcliffe to Palm Beach. And as if you needed more incentive than pristine beaches, the gang will be throwing family-friendly After Parties at each beach’s relevant Surf Life Saving Club, from 2.00pm.

Cold brews will be a perfect way to reward thirsty beach lovers, whilst local musos play live tunes and delicious tucker is served. Plus, they’ve sorted kid’s entertainment, with face painting and balloon making sessions locked in.

Where do I sign?

Stone & Wood will also be supporting local Surf Life Saving Clubs involved, by running awesome raffle prizes and putting on few Karma Kegs. So, come and join Stone & Wood as they clean up your beach and support your local. An opportunity to have fun and dedicate a Sunday to incredible causes.

Natalie O’Driscoll

To take part in the Beach Clean Up or After Party, please check out the local clubs they’re supporting, and save the date: Sunday 8 October - MIAMI SURF CLUB Sunday 15 October – NORTHCLIFFE SURF CLUB Sunday 29 October – PALM BEACH SURF CLUB

In 2016 an accident at an Adani power station saw seven workers killed when a hot water pipeline burst. Meanwhile at least 19 Australian mine workers have been diagnosed with the deadly ‘Black Lung’ disease. If you think people have it in for coal, you’re right.

Locally, there’s a growing movement of Gold Coasters who are joining the campaign to stop fossil fuel giant Adani from building the largest coal mine in the southern hemisphere right on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Stop Adani Gold Coast is a grassroots action group organising locally to bring attention to the Carmichael coal mine and the impact it will have on the reef, and on climate change.

And they’re calling on people to join a day of action to spell out very clearly how Gold Coast communities feel about that coal mine.

On Saturday 7 October, thousands of Australians will join the biggest day of action to #stopadani yet. Communities will mobilise to literally spell it out for politicians and call on them to rule out giving $1 billion in public money to Adani for this dangerous mega coal mine.

Help build a giant human sign to Stop Adani from 9.30am – 11.00am on Saturday 7 October at north Burleigh beach (just north of North Burleigh SLSC). Wear bright colours and bring the family. Organisers are planning a peaceful event to encourage the maximum number of people to attend.

Samantha Morris More at: fb.com/stopadanigoldcoast

It was against this shocking backdrop that the federally funded (but now mostly defunct) Safe Schools program was introduced. The initiative was born of a desperate need to protect LGBTIQ+ kids who face sky-high rates of suicide and self-harm, explains Law. You’ve surely heard of the program—perhaps you’ve heard too much about it and are exhausted by its mere mention.

But how much do you really know about it? What does it actually contain? And if you already have some answers to these questions, how much is fact and how much is fiction?

For example, did you know it was launched by the Coalition Government and signed off by Tony Abbott? There were lots of surprises in Law’s essay. In the muddy waters of media hype and now the same-sex marriage survey, it’s a clarifying read.

Law steps with care through the program, interviewing key people, trawling through an exhaustive library of news articles, and providing details of the program: from tentative beginnings, through the provocative middle, to deathroll end. While the essay is an enjoyable, engaging read, I realised some of the Safe Schools development is downright boring: adherence to national curriculum, bureaucratic ticks and checks... Even its most controversial component failed to alarm: a video no one expected any schools to get around to using, of actual LGBTIQ+ kids just... telling their stories.

Law—a gay, outspoken writer—does not pretend to sit on the fence, but when he provides the personal, he does so with delicacy and admits his own moments of misinformation. In the end, it’s a gentle, measured analysis; one that never strays from the human side of the debate.

Do read it, if only to get the story ‘straight’—or LGBTIQ+, for once.

Nae Kurth

NEGOTIATING THE CROSS CURRENTS WITH GLENN BARRY It’s been a strange road to his craft for Gold Coast Indigenous artist Glenn Barry — one that coincided with an extremely personal journey.

In 1997, Glenn was a chef who was looking for career change, and had no idea about his Indigenous heritage. His search for new training led him to Coolangatta TAFE. “I met Aunty Joyce Summers there,” Glenn recalls.

“They had a literacy and numeracy program, and part of it was doing art. I didn’t do art in high school: I didn’t think I was an artist on any level.

“It was extraordinary. [Joyce] picked my Aboriginal heritage that even my family said nothing about. It was very cathartic. Three months later my grandfather passed away and we found out the truth, and I’ve been in Aboriginal education and Aboriginal art ever since. It’s like I walked through that door and came home.”

Glenn’s catharsis put many pieces into place for him. One was his habit, since childhood, of scribbling diamond patterns on everything. ‘Scar trees’ are trees which have had bark removed by Aboriginal Australians for the purposes of creating bark canoes, shields or shelter, frequently in diamond patterns. Indigenous artistic carvings in trees (also often in diamond patterns) are referred to as dendroglyphs, although the two terms can be used synonymously.

“It’s like finding out you’re an Egyptian and have been building pyramids all your life,” laughs Glenn.

Diamond patterns and dendroglyphs have featured heavily in Glenn’s work since, including for SWELL Sculpture Festival, in his piece ‘I Can See All Of Me and Some Of You’.

The wooden panels are carved in diamond patterns and placed on rotating steel poles. The panels then reveal hidden meanings when the patterns line up in specific ways. The idea came to Glenn in a dream.

“I woke up and drew it and I put the proposal in to SWELL and we met afterwards… they said it looked like a painting the way I drew it, and said if I did it in three sides it’d have more sculptural appeal, and that’s what I ended up doing. So that’s why it’s got three sides.”

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Glenn’s most recent piece is currently showing at Cross Currents: from island to mainland, an exhibition which showcases and celebrates work by emerging Indigenous artists who have participated in the Stradbroke Island Indigenous Art Camp.

This was Glenn’s third year attending the Straddie camp.

He discusses his experience.

“I’ve found it’s a place to generate and consider the new possibilities of my art and sort of stop the rest of the world so I can go ‘this is what I’m doing this whole week.’

“The chance to invest into first nations art with high level practitioners like Brian Robinson and Judy Watson has been exceptional. I think the first year I went I became self-conscious that I was not like everybody else and was thinking ‘what is my signature, what is my style’ and the word permission came to mind. I gave myself permission to do what I want to do. A lot of the time I do things that are like automatic writing, automatic art, I don’t have a plan they just happen.”

Glenn’s Cross Currents piece: ‘2 Ways of Initiation - From the Scarred to the Sacred, 2017’, unsurprisingly comes back to dendroglyphs. “[There are] lots of ghost gums, fallen trees at South Stradbroke,” he explains.

“So I started collecting sticks… coming back to my diamondshaped patterns. [The piece] is about three metres wide and about three metres high — one side is white and one side is black. We talk about spirit in the binary: black or white; Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal; day or night. It’s all versions of how I see my environment, and it all comes back to identity.

You know Glenn in Irish means ‘the valley’ so I can see both sides all the time, I’m not stuck on one or the other.”

Two ways of initiation Glenn may not have come into the practice later in life, but after twenty years of discovery he’s certainly developed a style and philosophy of his own.

“It’s the concept that I’m sharing as well as the aesthetic. I don’t just wanna do art for the sake of ‘oh it looks beautiful but what does it mean’. I like to propose opportunities for people to ask the question, not to necessarily have the answer.”

Natalie O’Driscoll Cross Currents: from island to mainland is a free exhibition and runs at the Gold Coast City Gallery until 5 November.

Netfest Gold Coast 12-15 October Firth Park, Mudgeeraba w: netfest.com.au/netfest-2017 NaturallyGC Austinville Guided Bird Walk Saturday 21 October (9am-11am) Join a City of Gold Coast natural areas officer and learn about the native birds w: tinyurl.com/GCbirdwalk Bonogin Valley Community & Cricket Day 22 October Davenport Park, Bonogin f: Bonogin Valley Community Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum Family Fun Day 29 October (10am – 3pm) 8 Worongary Road, Mudgeeraba Commemorating 100th Anniversary of Light Horse Charge at Beersheba f. Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum Springtime Sessions in the Village Friday 3 November – 15 December (5.30pm-7.30pm) Cuddihy Park, Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba f: SummertimeSessions Festival of Small Halls Wednesday 22 November Mt Nimmel Hall, Austinville w: festivalofsmallhalls.com Explore Springbrook Come and explore...scenic national park walks w: explorespringbrook.com Gold Coast Techspace - Members Hack every Wednesday (6pm – 8pm) The Old Post Office, 57A Railway Street, Mudgeeraba Join or come along as invited guest – bring your laptop and projects w: gctechspace.org

TOO DRUNK TO F*CK

THE BUZZ ON BLANC DE BLANC Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Blanc de Blanc returning to the Gold Coast by popular demand.

Speaking of buzz, we caught up with the champagne-drenched, bubblepopping performer known as Laura New: if you saw the show the first time around you may remember her as the one who was too drunk to fuck.

Can you tell us a little bit about your story?

Why did you run away to join the circus and how did it all happen?

I had been working and performing in Los Angeles, when the choreographer of Blanc de Blanc, Kevin Maher, called me and asked if I was interested in coming home to perform in a brand new show at the iconic Sydney opera house. Kevin explained the concepts to me and said it would be a very collaborative process. This sounded fun, I was instantly in, performing back home at the Sydney opera house and working with Kevin and a team from all around the world sounded thrilling. Little did I know this new adventure would lead me to running away with the circus.

We loved the balloon-popping act during the last Blanc de Blanc visit to the Gold Coast, so much fun. Will you be doing it again this time?

Image: Matthew Mason

Yes I will!

Did you conceptualise the act yourself, or how did it come about?

The idea was a collaboration with the director, choreographer and myself. I wanted to play on the fact that sometimes a little too much champagne can be a very playful, messy, naughty endeavour.

To someone who has never seen Blanc de Blanc, how would you describe it in a way that sets it apart from other types of entertainment?

It's a show that leaves you wanting more.

There's something in it for everyone, you're bound to laugh, giggle and feel a little cheeky by the end. There's a lot of glamour, skin and pure talent. It's one of those shows that really found a way to blend circus, dance and comedy in a cabaret setting. Oh! And if you sit too close you're bound to get wet.

32/19 Warehouse Rd, Southport QLD 4215 07 5532 0788 leftbankgallery.com.au

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Who's the responsible older sibling of the Blanc de Blanc family, who's the biggest introvert, and who's the naughtiest?

Our host Monsieur Romeo is our older sibling figure. Hampus our straps master is the introvert. Naughtiest on stage - Spencer.

Backstage - Milena

So you must know that just about every show sold out last time, and the reason you're coming back here is because the GC audiences demanded more more more! How did that make you feel, and what do you think it is about the show that makes it so appealing?

It's incredible that we were received so well on the GC and we are all very excited to be coming back for another season. The show starts off tasteful, and sophisticated and then everything unravels into a wild party. I think it's an appealing show as it’s a blend of international circus, Los Angeles choreography and hilarious comedy.

The audience is taken on a ride of pure entertainment.

If you were sitting watching Blanc de Blanc from the audience, which would be your favourite act and why?

My favourite act would be Masha Terentieva’s hotel cart act, it’s absolutely beautiful to watch.

I spoke with Milena and Spencer last time, and both spoke of feeling like they came "home" when they discovered their first performing arts gig, and of not really fitting in before. Is that how it worked for you too?

100% "home" is a beautiful way to describe finding myself within the arts as a performer and creator. I didn't always fit in and I knew performing was what I felt most confident in, it was the one thing I felt I could share.

I was always told performing as a career was never a "normal" or "realistic" thing to pursue. The emphasis was on a more "financially secure path". I challenged that every day, it wasn't easy but it took hard work and constant conversations of confidence with myself that I was doing what truly made me happy.

Natalie O’Driscoll

Blanc de Blanc runs in the Aurora Spiegeltent in the Boardwater Parklands from 5 October to 5 November, and tickets are selling fast. Visit blancshow.com.au.

ENTERTAINMENT ON THE EDGE…

FOOD EMPORIUM

WELCOME TO SIDESHOW

3/45 James St, Burleigh Heads 07 5520 0704 Open 7 days

Experience unexpected delights, audacious endeavours and unapologetic acts every Friday and Saturday night in The Basement, with the Arts Centre’s brand new initiative, Sideshow.

Sideshow invites attendees to strap in and enjoy a night of edgy music-theatre performances about everything from botox and 80s vampires to Amy Winehouse. We chatted with event curator Emma-June Curik to get the lowdown.

“On a basic level, Sideshow is a cool, edgy cabaret series,” says Emma.

“But really it's about more than just the shows we're offering – we're trying to create an experience. A place where you can see a show, grab a great cocktail and hopefully meet some cool people.

“It will be the best parts of a cabaret club and a laidback piano bar in one. All the shows are between 60-70 mins, and once the show is done, the venue opens up to the public, with totally free entry.”

Guests will be able to grab a wine, whisky, or cocktail and enjoy tapas-style eats during the evenings, making it a whole night wrapped into one: drinks, dinner and entertainment.

“There's nothing quite like it on the Gold Coast,” Emma continues.

“With Sideshow, you can come back each weekend and see a new show but have a consistent quality of your overall experience.

And of course, we have some amazing bars and restaurants but there are few places where you get to have an awesome drink while enjoying entertainment that's a bit different or makes you think.”

The shows themselves have a bit more of an edge than the usual Arts Centre programming. ‘The 27 Club’ uses the music of Cobain, Joplin, Winehouse et al to explore the well-known phenomenon. ‘Presents’ which screens cult films in a laidback, social environment, followed by a Q+A podcast at the end. A diverse range of performers and stories from Carlotta to Michael Tuahine will also be celebrated.

Like your entertainment served on the edge?

Welcome to Sideshow.

Natalie O’Driscoll The Sideshow events will run every Friday and Saturday night from 6 Oct - 9 Dec in The Basement, The Arts Centre Gold Coast. Visit theartscentregc.com.au for tickets. www.blankgc.com.au

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UNTIL 5 NOV

CROSS-CURRENTS: FROM ISLAND TO MAINLAND GOLD COAST, INDIGENOUS ARTIST CAMP, SOUTH STRADBROKE ISLAND 2017

ART

UNTIL 22 OCT

JUWS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD EXHIBITION

ART

WED 4 OCT

SELTIC SIRENS

MUSIC

THU 5 OCT

CELLO TANGO

MUSIC

THU 5 OCT

YOUNG ARTIST DEVELOPMENT SALON

EVENT + YOUTH

FRI 6 & SAT 7 OCT

MOTHER’S RUIN: A CABARET ABOUT GIN

MUSIC + COMEDY

SAT 7 OCT

JUDITH LUCY & DENISE SCOTT: DISAPPOINTMENTS

COMEDY

WED 11 OCT

LITTLE ARTLAB | NATURE PLAY

ART + KIDS

THU 12 - SAT 14 OCT

THE ARRIVAL

FAMILY

FRI 13 & SAT 14 OCT

FIRST WORLD WHITE GIRLS: BOTOX PARTY

MUSIC + COMEDY

SAT 14 OCT

ARTLAB | NATURE ART

ART + WORKSHOP

SAT 14 OCT

SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE

COMEDY

SUN 15 OCT

THE MUSICALE

MUSIC + DANCE

THU 19 OCT

GALLERY NIGHTS | PASSION AND POP

ART + EVENT

FRI 20 OCT

PRESENTS ART HOUSE

FILM

SAT 21 OCT

THE GREENROOM PROJECT: THREE IN ONE

MUSIC

SAT 21 OCT

GOLD COAST JAZZ & BLUES CLUB

MUSIC

SAT 21 OCT

KITTY FLANAGAN

COMEDY

WED 25 OCT

MOVIE REVIEW CLUB

FILM + EVENT

FRI 27 & SAT 28 OCT

SONG LINES

MUSIC + THEATRE

FRI 27 OCT

ENERGIES 2017 EXHIBITION | OPENING NIGHT

ART + EVENT

FRI 27 OCT ENERGIES 2017 EXHIBITION – SUN 12 NOV

ART

SAT 28 OCT

ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES VALUATION DAY

ART + EVENT

SAT 28 OCT

THE DOLLOP LIVE: DOWN UNDER 4

COMEDY

SAT 28 OCT

ALL ABILITIES ACTING WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

A PARTY, A PENTHOUSE AND A PRIESTESS A Surfers Paradise penthouse party for a 118 year old franken-man might not be your usual Saturday night out, but we guarantee it will be one to remember. ‘Hotelling’ is the brainchild of celebrated Australian interactive artist David Pledger and Bleached Arts’ genre-pushing Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, and — as you would expect from these two at the helm — is a cultural event like no other.

Summoned to Peppers’ breathtaking Penthouse apartment, with uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean, audience members will be invited into the intoxicating world of Richard Hightower (Todd MacDonald); one of the world’s richest businessmen.

Described as “the mother of all Last Suppers”, ‘Hightower Hotelling’ injects audience members into the heart of the story, where they feast not only on Hightowers’ intriguing tale, but also on sumptuous bites and sommelier-curated wines from Peppers’ hatted restaurant, Seaduction. Oh, there’s a high priestess involved. Natalie O'Driscoll got all the whys and wherefores from Louise Bezzina herself.

We were so excited after the pilot of ‘Hotelling’. What was the feedback from it like, and what did you learn from it?

The pilot outing had some fairly dark themes within it.

Can we expect more of the same, and if not what are some of the main themes of this year?

Yes there certainly was a lot of excitement after the first ‘Hotelling’ and the feedback was so positive that we just had to do it again. We learnt a lot from the first production. You always learn something from every show you do but with a logistically heavy project like this you certainly learn about audience flow and timings of lifts and other fun stuff like that.

It is very different to last year. Different cast and totally different narrative. The Hotel is obviously different.

It is immersive, decadent, exclusive, intimate and entertaining. There is also a food component in this year's event that really sets off the whole experience.

It's such a fascinating concept. Was it inspired by anything in particular, or if not how did the idea come about?

This project was a pilot project of the City of Gold Coast to activate the Hotel space and look at a new cultural tourism offer in the market. It was really their concept and Bleached Arts worked with David Pledger to bring the creative and the vision to life. This year's ‘Hotelling’ and last year’s are very much inspired by the nuances of the Hotel, the design, the cliental and the architecture. It is such a rich platform for curating a new work.

Why do you think the Gold Coast is a good place to host these kind of quirky, contemporary arts events?

The Gold Coast is the perfect place for quirky events, particularly in Hotels. Hotels are part of the fabric of the city and what a fantastic way to showcase these assets that through a specifically curated arts experience. The Gold Coast is known for incredible experiences in varying forms and this is truly an incredible experience.

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Can you give us a sneak peek into one room that you're excited about?

Definitely the Penthouse, I mean how can you not be excited by a penthouse. And the view... oh my goodness it is to die for!! Very special.

What are some words of wisdom or preparation you'd impart to someone attending ‘Hotelling’ for the first time?

Come with an open mind and be ready for a mind blowing experience. It really will be like nothing you have ever seen or experienced before.

Anything else you'd like people to know?

Book now as tickets are selling fast!

You heard the lady. Hotelling runs for a very limited season from 1 to 5 November in the Peppers Soul penthouse, Surfers Paradise, and some shows are already sold out. Tickets through Eventbrite.

PARTY VENUE THIS YEAR, HAVE A CHRISTMAS PARTY THEY’LL NEVER FORGET AT MCLAREN’S LANDING. YOUR TROPICAL ISLAND PARADISE ON THE GOLD COAST Welcome by Fire Tribes Party with a difference Day or Night Live Entertainment Absolute beachfront dining

GOLD CO ULTIMAAST’S TE DAY & TIME C NIGHT HRISTM AS PARTIE S

Island beach Bar Luxury Fast Cat transfers Succulent Island Feast Day activities & water sports

TROPICAL ISLAND PARADISE BEACH BAR BEACH BAR COCKTAILS PERFECT PARTY GETAWAY Book the Gold Coast’s ONLY absolute beachfront Christmas Party at McLaren’s Landing home to Australia’s First Beach Bar!

07 55 322 444

ISLAND EVENTS

WWW.MCLARENSLANDING.COM.AU

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Opera Queensland to train for Ruddigore

Sydney Comedy Festival returns to the Gold Coast The funniest comedians from this year’s Sydney Comedy Festival are hitting the road and bringing its all-star comedy showcases for its 5th year on the Gold Coast; with an epic comedy line up expertly curated from this year’s festival, the showcase is sure to leave audiences sore from belly laughs! MC for the night is the endearing everyman Sean Woodland. Sean has built up an arsenal of comedic observations and experiences that he is ready to unleash in a barrage of jokes that will keep the audiences laughing all night. Highlights for this year’s Showcase include Luke Heggie, Greg Sullivan, Cameron James and Becky Lucas. Saturday 14 October, 8.00pm at The Arts Centre Gold Coast.

Walk together Gold Coast Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Ltd. in partnership with The Gold Coast Multicultural Network will once again hold the annual ‘Walk Together’ event this month. This event is part of Welcome to Australia’s national Walk Together events held in cities all over Australia. The walk is being held in the name of freedom.

To belong; to be yourself; to hope. Walk Together 2017 will be a huge celebration of diversity and a loud declaration that thousands of Australians believe we can become a welcoming nation known for our compassion and generosity. Saturday 21 October 10.00am – 1.00pm. Broadwater Parklands, Southport.

Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum Family Fun Day 31 October 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Light horse charge to Beersheba. Join the Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum in commemorating the world’s last great cavalry charge by attending the free family fun day on Sunday 29 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Free interactive museum displays and kid's activities including jumping castle, face painter, military vehicles, war dogs and light horses.

Military displays including periscopes, Morse code, firing party and tent pegging. All day entertainment includes museum tours, poetry, choirs, singers, digital displays and lots more. Food and drink vans on site.

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Aussie photographers get snapping for The Nature Conservancy Australia is once again encouraging Aussies to get out and start snapping in a nationwide photography competition. Now in its fourth year, TNC Australia’s photo competition is open to photographers of all levels who enjoy capturing Australia’s natural beauty – whether it be the ocean, forests, deserts or rivers. There’s more than $8,000 in prizes to be and even the rare opportunity to have a one-on-one workshop with one of the competition judges. To learn more or enter a photo, visit natureaustralia.org.au/photo.

The Nature Conservancy Australia Photo Competition runs until 27 October 2017.

Surprising results for 2017 Les Peterkin Prize

BSA Art Club: Byron School of Art announces classes for young people.

Following numerous requests from parents of aspiring young artists, Byron School of Art is very pleased to announce they will be offering weekly after-school classes commencing next term for young people who love art. Afternoon Art Club invites school-aged artists to the BSA studios in Mullumbimby for creative afternoons, exploring art materials and techniques under the guidance of artist and qualified art teacher, Jacqueline Smith. Bookings are essential: byronschoolofart.com, email admin@byronschoolofart.com or phone 0487 362 141.

The Gold Coast will be singing with the stars in 2018 when Opera Queensland trains 20 local singers to perform in a critically-acclaimed, star-studded production of Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Ruddigore, or the Witch's Curse!'. Anyone interested in performing in the Gold Coast chorus of Ruddigore, or the Witch's Curse! can register on operaq.com.au. Auditions will be held in early 2018 and those who are successful will receive intensive training in singing, dancing and stagecraft, before joining the professional cast on stage on 3 and 4 August.

Student Films Hit the Big Screen The works of students from Coomera Anglican College will feature on the silver screen at their annual Film Festival on Wednesday 18 October from 6:00 – 9:00pm. The evening will feature approximately 25 works from students in years 9 – 12, to showcase student talent and the success of project based learning. Members of the public are invited to attend Coomera Anglican College’s Film Festival at Reading Cinemas Harbour Town Shopping Centre on Wednesday 18 October from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $10 per person at trybooking.com/book/event?eid=314800.

Productions are rated G, PG and M.

Bar(re)ista Hop! Aleenta BARRE, lululemon and Active and Healthy Gold Coast have come together to host a unique six week series called Bar(re) ista Hop. What is it? Basically, it’s when you spend time in the morning doing a barre class near a coffee shop and each week you move on to another location. The event is also fund raising for BraveHearts. The classes cost $5 each, start at 6.00am and are a great way to meet like-minded locals. The first event is on 4 Oct at Neilsen Family Park, Broadbeach. Check out the Facebook page for all dates and locations.

The enormous talent of Tweed and Byron primary school students will again be celebrated by the annual Les Peterkin Portrait Prize, on show at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre until 4 December 2017. The Prize, one of the Gallery's most popular exhibitions, has again attracted an enormous number of entries and participating schools this year. Working on the theme Surprise!, primary school students sketched, collaged, photographed and painted images that capture their unique character and depict an unexpected moment in their lives. Students explored an experience that frightened, excited or even shocked them.

Best-selling author Richard Flanagan in conversation with Kerry O'Brien In his first visit to Byron Bay since winning the Man Booker Prize for ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’, Richard Flanagan will chat with Kerry O'Brien about his haunting new novel ‘First Person’ at Elements of Byron on Tuesday 10 October. First Person tells the story of Kif Kehlmann, a young penniless writer, who is rung in the middle of the night by the notorious con man and corporate criminal, Siegfried Heidl. About to go to trial for defrauding the banks of $700 million, Heidl offers Kehlmann the job of ghostwriting his memoir. He has six weeks to write the book, for which he'll be paid $10,000. Elements of Byron, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay.Tickets: $20 Members / $25 General. Bookings: byronwritersfestival.com or call (02) 6685 5115.

Deng Adut: Songs of a War Boy Defence lawyer, refugee advocate and 2017 NSW Australian of the Year, Deng Thiak Adut has gone from child soldier in South Sudan to owning a law firm with multiple offices across Sydney. In ‘Songs of a War Boy’ written with Ben Mckelvey, Deng tells how his family were farmers in South Sudan when a brutal civil war altered his life forever. At six years old, his mother was told she had to give him up to fight, and Deng was conscripted into the Sudan People's Liberation Army. He began a harsh, relentless military training that saw this young boy trained to use an AK-47 and sent into battle.’ Songs of a War Boy’ is an inspiring story of a man who has overcome deadly adversity to become a lawyer and committed worker for the disenfranchised.

Lismore City Hall, 12 October at 7.30pm. This is a free event.

Whiteley journeys bring fresh view of the world 'Brett Whiteley: other places (somewhere else)', a new exhibition at Tweed Regional Gallery from 29 September, is a visual travelogue by one of Australia's most celebrated artists. Brett Whiteley travelled extensively throughout his life, setting down his experiences in charcoal, photographs and paint, creating a visual diary of Paris, New York, Tokyo and other destinations. The exhibition reveals the artist's intense desire to document his unique vision and experiences, showcasing these paintings, drawings, photographs and sketchbooks.

Brett Whiteley: other places (somewhere else) will be on display at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre from Friday 29 September to Sunday 3 December 2017.

What’s new at GC Open House The third Gold Coast Open House will be bigger than ever before with 40 buildings, places and spaces set to unlock doors and open areas usually closed to the public on Saturday 4 November 2017.

The event introduces 15 new venues, a film night and two new walks. Commonwealth Games ready sports venues, inspiring private homes, two new heritage projects at Bischof Pioneer Park, Buchan Group Offices, and Soho + Soho on Lake, The Woodroffe Hotel, Tugun Desalination Plant and the Southport Seaway’s Sand By-Pass System are all on this year’s list. Visit goldcoastopenhouse.com.au for the full program.

GOLD COAST

goldcoastopenhouse.com.au

Issue #49 OCTOBER 2017

A PARTY A PENTHOUSE AND A PRIESTESS