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Work is Play
You're growing when you're learning. You're growing even more when there's fun to be had. Join a local class or workshop, meet new friends, enjoy a laugh or two and learn something new.
classes & workshops
- Free Event
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01 Aug 2025
Bri Lee In Conversation with Alison Kubler
Bri Lee In Conversation with Alison KublerJoin us for an intimate and thought-provoking conversation between acclaimed author Bri Lee and art curator and Vault magazine editor Alison Kubler, as they explore the intersection of art, storytelling, and societal change. Bri and Alison will discuss how contemporary art, literature, and culture influence our understanding of power, justice, and identity. Drawing from their own experiences and work, they’ll delve into how storytelling can be a powerful tool for social transformation. From Bri’s bestselling works like Eggshell Skull to Alison’s innovative art curation, this conversation will offer a unique look at how art and storytelling can challenge perceptions, provoke thought, and spark meaningful change. Don’t miss this inspiring dialogue between two leading voices at the forefront of contemporary culture. Expect rich discussion, candid insights, and the chance to engage in a conversation that celebrates the transformative power of art and storytelling. Come prepared for a thought-provoking evening with two of Australia’s most insightful voices in literature and the arts. If Writers Revealed exhibition ticket is bought in conjunction with talk ticket, the exhibition ticket is valid for the day of the talk. Visitors are advised to see the exhibition before the talk to allow adequate time for viewing. Gallery hours are 10am-4pm.
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01 Aug 2025
Little ArtLab | Awesome Portraits!
Little ArtLab | Awesome Portraits!Enter the wonderful, wacky world conjured by famous Australian pop rock band, Mental as Anything! Looking at their iconic, colourful band posters from the 1980s, currently showing as part of National Gallery of Australia: Enjoy this Trip - The Art of Music Posters at HOTA Gallery, we'll become honorary band members as we create our own colourful self-portrait posters. Recommended 3-5 years
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02 Aug 2025
Wild Earth Border Bolt Running Festival
Bouncing out of the blocks on debut in 2022, the Border Bolt is back and takes you on back onto the bumpy but beautiful border trails in Currumbin Valley. With no less than 4 race distances to choose from; ranging from 6km & 13km, through to the 22km and 31km events form Round 2 in our Triple Crown Trail Series. A great stand-alone run or ideal prep for Coastal High; just 4 weeks later. The Border Bolt showcases the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland, yet starts and finishes by our world-famous beaches!
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From now until 10 Dec 2025
Distracted
ADHD Expert Panel Discussions and Q&A'sJoin us on the 1st Wednesday of each month at HOTA to mingle with our ADHD community. Listen to ADHD topics presented by industry experts along with time for Q&A's. Bring your coach, teacher, friend, boss, relative, partner or just yourselves. We are always implementing ways to make our events neurodiversity and sensory-friendly.
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From now until 07 Aug 2025
Drawing for Life
Drawing for LifeJoin us for Drawing for Life – a relaxed space to unwind and explore your creativity. Each Drawing for Life session sees leading artists and performers curate poses, subjects and performances for you to draw. In July and August, we’re taking inspiration from the exhibition Enjoy this Trip - The Art of Music Posters, a National Gallery of Australia Touring Exhibition, open Sat 7 Jun - Sun 17 Aug at HOTA Gallery. Using projected patterns on a live model, we’ll explore the effect of shape, pattern and colour on the model’s poses and the mood of the scene. Our Artist Educators will guide you in short drawing warm-ups, followed by long and sustained poses to investigate details and various drawing materials. All abilities are welcome to enjoy this unique and artful experience. Ticket includes one complimentary beverage from a selected drinks menu, with food and drinks available to purchase throughout the session. All drawing materials are provided. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm event start.
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07 Aug 2025
Cacao & Drumming - Aug 2025
About Take some much-needed time out for yourself with our monthly Cacao & Drumming evening - a night of self-care with a heart-opening cacao ceremony, soothing meditation, followed by a grounding medicine drum & gong sound healing. BYO water bottle and pillow/blanket for extra coziness (yoga mats now provided).Thanks to the support of the Gold Coast City Council’s Active & Healthy program, tickets are just $10 (+ booking fee).- Bookings essential- 24 hours notice required for cancellation refund- 16+ age minNote: The Ceremonial Cacao drink is prepared with almond milk & raw honey and may not be suitable for everyone -please consult your healthcare provider if pregnant, breastfeeding, allergic, or managing medical conditions. Sound healing is a complementary practice and not a substitute for professional medical or psychological care. The practitioner makes no claims to heal, cure, or treat any specific condition. Participate mindfully and at your own risk. Date Thursday 7 August 2025 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM (UTC+10) Upper Coomera Community Centre90 Reserve Road, Upper Coomera Qld 4209 Cost: $10.00
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08 Aug 2025
🌊 SPEC SESSIONS – Surf & Sound Fridays
🌊 SPEC SESSIONS – Surf & Sound Fridays📍 SPEC Bar & Tapas – Miami, Gold Coast📅 Friday, August 8th🕡 From 6:30 PMJoin us for the launch of SPEC SESSIONS, a brand-new music series bringing the best of live music, surf vibes, and Mexican cuisine to your Friday and Saturday nights!For this first edition, we welcome the Ocean Trip Band, a group deeply inspired by Surf Music and the laid-back Gold Coast lifestyle. Their sound is the perfect match for a chill evening filled with great tunes, refreshing drinks, and the most flavourful Mexican food in town.Whether you're a local or just passing through, SPEC Bar & Tapas is your new weekend spot.🎸 Live Music🌮 Mexican Street Food🍹 Great Drinks🌅 Coastal VibesDon’t miss out – vibe with us this August 8th.Let the weekend start right at SPEC SESSIONS.
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09 Aug 2025
SPECtacular Samba with Pejota & Band
SPECtacular Samba with Pejota & Banda📍 SPEC Bar & Tapas – Miami, Gold Coast📅 Saturday, August 9th🕖 From 6:30 PMGet ready for an unforgettable night of live samba, vibrant energy, and Brazilian flair right here at SPEC!Pejota is back on stage, bringing his charisma, powerful stage presence, and all the best of Brazilian samba to heat up your Saturday night. Joined by his full band, the groove will be nonstop, from classics to high-energy hits that will get everyone moving.Expect:🎶 Live Samba with Pejota & Banda🌮 Delicious Mexican food🍸 Refreshing cocktails and great vibesIf you’ve been craving an authentic samba night, this is where you need to be.It’s Saturday, it’s samba, it’s SPECtacular!
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14 Aug 2025
GC South Business Connect
About Join us for an evening of networking and connection at GC South Business Connect, where local business and community representatives come together to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other's growth. We're all about supporting local businesses, helping them thrive, and boosting our local economy through meaningful connections. Our co-hosts, SWELL Sculpture Festival will preview their exciting program for the upcoming festival from 12 to 21 September 2025. There will also be a display of amazing sculptures and artwork by local and national artists for you to admire. For our event, you will enjoy grazing platters, hot delights and a complimentary drink on arrival. And don’t forget to bring your business card—you could be in the running to win some fabulous prizes! About the venue - The Warehouses is an award-winning urban hub with industrial opportunities and tenant spaces unlike anything else. Come connect, collaborate, and celebrate our vibrant business community. Date Thursday 14 August 2025 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (UTC+10) Balter Brewing Company14 Traders Way, Currumbin Queensland 4223 Cost: $20.00
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From now until 17 Aug 2025
Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast
Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast: Bigger, Faster, Louder and on sale now! Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is back 15–17 August 2025 and they're ready to go bigger, faster and louder than ever before, with three days of unbelievable aerial and on-sand entertainment. For the best views, electrifying live commentary, performer autograph sessions and an atmosphere you'll find hard to beat, the only place to be is on the inside. You'll be right in the hub of the action as world-class aviators tear through the skies during over four hours of heart-pounding action. In addition to the world-class airshow, you can access Performer Signing Sessions to meet your heroes, get engaged in the new NXTGN STEM LAB, grab some delicious food and drink options from the awesome vendors, and let the kids loose in the PA Kids Zone.
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15 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2026
2026 Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast
Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast: Bigger, Faster, Louder and on sale now! Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is back and they're ready to go bigger, faster and louder than ever before, with three days of unbelievable aerial and on-sand entertainment. For the best views, electrifying live commentary, performer autograph sessions and an atmosphere you'll find hard to beat, the only place to be is on the inside. You'll be right in the hub of the action as world-class aviators tear through the skies during over four hours of heart-pounding action. In addition to the world-class airshow, you can access Performer Signing Sessions to meet your heroes, get engaged in the new STEM area, grab some delicious food and drink options from the awesome vendors, and let the kids loose in the PA Kids Zone.
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16 Aug 2025
Late to the Party – Enjoy This Trip Closing Event
Late to the Party – Enjoy This Trip Closing EventTo celebrate the final weekend of Enjoy this trip - the art of music posters at HOTA Gallery, join us for screen-printing workshops, live music and a pop up record store!Journey back to the Summer of Love and be transported to a time when the music was funky, the art was kaleidoscopic and psychedelia was in full swing. Enjoy this trip presents a nostalgic exploration of the times through art, graphic design, music, colour and typography.Drawn from the National Gallery’s expansive collection of Australian and international music posters spanning the 1960s to 1980s, Enjoy this trip: The art of music posters captures the spirit of the times as an era of experimentation.This is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by the Australian Government through the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program.
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Sunday (Weekly)
Improv: Fun and Games | Coolangatta
Think on your feet! Learn how to face your fears of being in front of an audience! Enhance your skills to think outside the box and learn how to be funnier! In this seven-week improvisation course by Blah Blah Blah Improv, you’ll have fun learning how to make up short comedy sketches on the spot. You’ll also get to play some of the hilarious theatresports games made famous by the hit improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Over seven weeks, you’ll learn ways to: Embrace failure Be in the moment Be a better listener “Yes, and?” (work with other ideas) Run with your first instinct Create whole comedy scenes from a small suggestion Be a supportive team player Connect with others It doesn’t matter if you've previously performed, because we create a supportive and inclusive community in our classroom that feels safe and is loads of fun! Some people learn improv to become better at auditions or stand up comedy, while others learn improv to apply the techniques socially or at work. Whatever your reason for learning improv, you’ll learn techniques that will increase your awareness and skills that could enhance other areas of your life. There’s no preplanning or scripts—so get out of your head, be in the moment, and have some fun with us! Two Gold Coast locations and Byron Bay.
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21 Aug 2025 (Monthly)
Ballun Gawrehma: River Stories
Ballun Gawrehma: River StoriesJoin local Kombumerri man Lann Levinge—a multi-talented artist who is a singer, songwriter, producer, director, and creative designer—for a unique journey into the heart of Kombumerri culture. Lann will guide students through culturally significant sites, sharing local history passed down by elders. Begin your exploration at Wulabora, a dedicated space for sharing and gathering that celebrates Kombumerri heritage. Lann will weave together family stories, local history, the legacy of Jenny Graham and the Keeper of the Light, as well as Dreamtime tales and environmental wisdom. This sensory-rich experience includes hands-on interaction with authentic indigenous artefacts—such as clothing, weapons, and tools—alongside immersive soundscapes composed by Lann himself. As Lann expresses, "I’m passionate about discovering new ways to nurture and inspire a new generation of language and cultural warriors. My goal is to raise awareness and foster connections with indigenous culture, particularly the Kombumerri ways and the Yugambeh Language, through visual art, music, and dance." Don’t miss this opportunity for your students to engage deeply with local indigenous culture. Contact education@hota.com.au to arrange your education perspectives experience. This tour is open to school groups only.
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24 Aug 2025
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival
Come celebrate Krishna's birthday! The auspicious advent of Sri Krishna is a worldwide time of joyous celebrations. They invite you to join them for an immersive experience of inspiring Vedic stories, uplifiting kirtan and peaceful meditations, along with a hands on bathing ceremony (abishekam), and of course, a delicious Indian feast. Enjoy a devotional festival like no other as we celebrate the universally renowned jewel of yoga wisdom and the embodiment of spiritual love – The Supreme Soul, Sri Krishna. Bring your friends and family, and we can't wait to see you there! Please book via Humanitix so we can make sure there's plenty of food.
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30 Aug 2025 (Monthly)
Art Write Now: Creative Writing Workshops
Art Write Now: Creative Writing WorkshopsBe inspired by HOTA Gallery’s dynamic art displays and get your pen moving! Facilitated by award-winning writer Christine Betts, this series of creative writing workshops involve fun, interactive exercises and thought-provoking discussion to fuel your creative writing dreams and get your words onto the page! Recommended for ages 16+ Sat 30 Aug – Go Outside and Write – Exploring the public art collection around HOTA Gallery and parklands, we’ll capture the visual and broader details such as sounds, textures, and atmosphere. Sat 20 Sept – The Next Generation of Artists – Using the three-act structure, write Flash Fiction inspired by the ENERGIES 25 exhibition, showcasing the exceptional work of senior secondary visual art students on the Gold Coast.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.