Calendar Celebrations Sorted
entertainment
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31 Aug 2025
COSENTINO TRICKED An Evening Of Wonder
COSENTINO TRICKED An Evening Of WonderStep into the mysterious world of Australia’s greatest illusionist, Cosentino.Witness the impossible as the ‘International Magician of the Year’ takes you on an unforgettable journey with his brand-new production, 'TRICKED – an Evening of Wonder’.‘TRICKED - an Evening of Wonder’ isn’t just a magic show, it’s an immersive theatre experience where the line between reality and fantasy are blurred.Be captivated by breathtaking grand stage illusions, mind-boggling close-up wonders and heart stopping escapes that will leave you mesmerised to the very last jaw-dropping moment.You won’t believe your eyes! This production is perfect for all ages, thrill seekers and anyone who truly loves a one-of-a-kind magical experience.Prepare to be amazed, prepare to be ‘TRICKED’. www.cosentino.com.au
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31 Aug 2025
Damien Power - Gold Coast
Damien Power - Gold CoastA three-time nominee for Most Outstanding Show of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and well as a one-time Pinder’s Prize Winner, Damien Power is widely regarded as the most talented comedians on the Australian circuit. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of Australia’s best comedians live in a city near you. Recommended Age 16+
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04 Sep 2025
IMAGINE LIVE
IMAGINE LIVEMagical and meaningful, IMAGINE LIVE is a celebration of creativity, friendship and our precious natural world. With the help of the audience, performers play and sing their way through the pages of Alison Lester’s iconic best-selling book, and quickly discover there is WAY more to these pages than they first thought. Spot a leopard, dive with a dolphin or dig up a dinosaur as this iconic book springs into life before your eyes. IMAGINE LIVE combines live action and animation with digital puppetry in a large-scale, multi-screen performance. Underscored by original music, characters and objects travel between real and animated worlds, responding in real time to audience input. Beautiful and meaningful, IMAGINE LIVE is a celebration of the transformative power of creativity. Created by the multi-award-winning team from Robot Song, IMAGINE LIVE is a 55 min interactive musical performance for families...Nana’s are especially welcome!
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05 Sep 2025 - 21 Nov 2025
Fridays on the Lawn – Student Edition
Fridays on the Lawn – Student EditionWe’re thrilled to relaunch the reimagined Fridays on the Lawn – Student Edition! This exciting event highlights the talents of local student solo acts, bands, and DJs, offering a dynamic platform for young musicians to shine.Set in a lively and supportive environment, the event nurtures creativity, collaboration, and community connection. It’s an incredible opportunity for budding artists to gain real-world performance experience, guided by HOTA’s professional staff, while showcasing their skills in a premier arts industry space.Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of young talent, bringing the community together and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
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06 Sep 2025
Nazeem Hussain - You Paid For This
Nazeem Hussain - You Paid For ThisThis is the official bio for my brand-new show You Paid for This. Not to be confused with any of the fakes ones out there. I had to write this bio myself, which really threw my morning plans. I thought coming up with the title was the hard part, but writing a 150 word biography about a comedy show I haven’t performed yet is really hard. It’s called You Paid for This, and yes, I’m aware you likely haven’t actually paid yet. It’s what we call in the biz “presumptive selling”. A bold, but risky move. The show does what the title suggests, presuming you buy a ticket. I can’t promise much beyond an hour of jokes, sponsored by you. You haven’t paid yet, but we both know it’s only a matter of time. See you there!
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10 Sep 2025 - 13 Sep 2025
Wonderbox
WonderboxSensorium Theatre, Australia’s leading theatre company creating work specifically for young audiences with disability and their friends, invites children to roll the dice and embark on an exciting journey into the unknown. Inside a giant puzzle-box of illusions, quirky carnival friends with magic in their pockets guide audiences through an immersive, multi-sensory wonderland. Here, they’ll encounter fantastic large-scale projections, intriguing tiny delights, and lively, infectious music. Every child’s curiosity is celebrated and rewarded with delightful surprises. The adventure unfolds as boxes reveal more boxes, giving each child a chance to discover a magical version of themselves. In Wonderbox, tiny moments of whole worlds in a matchbox lead to vast universes where everyone, reflected in the stars of the Milky Way, is shown to be wonderful. After more than 13 years of engaging and captivating thousands of young audiences with disability nationally and internationally through their magical, multi-sensory immersive shows, Perth-based Sensorium Theatre continues to break down barriers to truly inclusive arts experiences with their most ambitious show yet. Wonderbox is designed to be accessible to all children, inviting every child (and the child within us all) to look inside and find their rightful place.
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12 Sep 2025 - 21 Sep 2025
SWELL Sculpture Festival
10 days of sculpture on the beach! SWELL Sculpture Festival is for everyone! Come and see for yourself! Over 60 large-scale sculptures along beautiful Currumbin Beach which is transformed into an outdoor sculpture park. Connecting people, art and place, SWELL transforms public spaces into family-friendly outdoor sculpture galleries! The annual SWELL Sculpture Festival is celebrating its 22nd year as a free and all-inclusive 10-day outdoor sculpture exhibition by the people for the people. A celebration of narratives and stories spoken through the artworks produced by local, national and international artists. You are invited to immerse at your own level and pace with the sculptures set amongst the natural landscape. Delve deeper into the unique artistic elements programmed each year by attending artist talks, twilight walks, sculptural workshops and masterclasses. SWELL connects with younger artists through the SWELL Kids Elements program. SWELL Fringe Festival includes morning beach meditations, to live music, DJs, workshops, artist panels and more - there’s always something happening. Visit Pop-Up Exhibitions that complete the SWELL compass. There is something for everyone at SWELL!
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12 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025
In The Heights
In The HeightsFrom the musical mastermind, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) comes the Tony Award®-winning musical sensation In The Heights – a vibrant and exhilarating production set in New York’s Washington Heights. In The Heights tells the story of a tight-knit community on the cusp of significant change. Full of hopes and aspirations, some are about to embark on an incredible journey of love and ambition while others are faced with some of the biggest challenges of their lives, including what it means to be “home”. Lin-Manuel Miranda's debut musical seamlessly weaves storytelling with contemporary beats, hip hop, salsa, and Latin rhythms. Following its acclaimed runs on Broadway, at the Hayes Theatre, and the Sydney Opera House, In The Heights is poised to ignite the HOTA stage, with its high-energy dance numbers, soulful storytelling, and unforgettable music, In The Heights is a must-see theatrical event. Starring a stellar cast including Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Usnavi, Olivia Vásquez (West Side Story) as Vanessa, Richard Valdez as Piragua Guy and Mariah Gonzalez as Nina Rosario. Under the direction of Luke Joslin, with dynamic choreography by Amy Campbell, both of whom have received Helpmann nominations for this production, the show promises a deeply immersive and unforgettable experience in the heart of Washington Heights. Don’t miss this colourful and joyous musical that will sweep you up in its celebration of community, culture and the pursuit of dreams. "Broadway behemoth’s scrappiest show is full of heart" - The Guardian “a salsa-infused, joyful musical ride" - Time Out “In the Heights is impossible to resist" - The Australian Recommended for ages 12+
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13 Sep 2025
Comedy Underground | Luke Heggie
Comedy Underground | Luke HeggieLuke Heggie has been dabbling with new trends, such as monetising a contrived identity, and debating actual facts on the internet. But he also has to be able to sleep at night. If you consider “you love yourself” to be more of a compliment than a preamble to a fight, you use a passport as identification in your own country, you make your kids come and watch you play sport, you develop a lisp when you say a Spanish word, you've ever said that you have a great sense of humour, or you fill up with premium unleaded, then do not come to this show. The majority used to be a bit more silent, making them bearable. Internet users have described Luke Heggie as a flog, brilliant, a lefty wanker, a fascist, a comedian at the peak of his power, disgraceful, and the best in the land. Come and make your own mind up. Or not. Nobody really cares what you do. No lowbreeds please.
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13 Sep 2025
Crafted Beer Festival
Goldy, Australia's biggest beachside beer bash is back! Crafted Festival is rollin' into Kurrawa Park for its ninth froth-filled year, and it's gonna be a ripper. Expect epic brews, top-notch tunes, and good times on tap as we serve up the best crafted bevvies from across our beautiful country. Exclusive festival brews? You betcha. Live music? Crankin' all day. Tasty eats? Sorted. Activities? Get ready for some froth-filled fun. This is a festival for those who like their weekends full-bodied and their drinks ice cold. Whether you're a craft beer connoisseur or just here for a good time, we've got something to sip, savour, and sink your teeth into. Rally the crew and get ready for one helluva sunshine sesh.
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20 Sep 2025
Comedy Underground | Neel Kolhatkar
Black Belt ComedyNeel Kolhatkar loves two things — comedy and martial arts. What he admires most about martial arts is the belt system: a clear marker of skill earned through skill and experience. Neel believes comedy should be no different. With social media flooded by stand-ups of every stripe, there’s no way to gauge a comedian’s experience and skill level — so why not introduce comedy belts? From ‘white belts’ telling dad jokes to ‘black belts’ tackling dark, taboo topics with nuance and precision. Black Belt Comedy is Neel’s personal challenge — to earn the right to say the hardest things in the funniest way. Neel Kolhatkar is known for his sharp observational, cultural, and political comedy — always walking the fine line between edgy and highbrow. He describes his style much like himself: “dark and intelligent.” This year’s show dives into cultural quirks, relationships and modern social dynamics, all delivered with Neel’s signature impressions and accents. He’s also branching into fresh ground, with exciting new material and top-tier support acts rounding out the night. Don’t miss Neel Kolhatkar’s brand new show – Black Belt Comedy. Book now!
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24 Sep 2025 - 02 Oct 2025
Kids Take Over | Intergalatic Pizzeria
Kids Take Over | Intergalatic PizzeriaBlast off to Planet Jupiter for the ultimate pizza-making adventure. Join our space-chef captain as we transform everyday ingredients into out-of-this-world creations. Will your pizza be inspired by friendly aliens, Martians, and gooey space slugs... or will you create a gastronomic delight fit for an astronaut! Design your own delicious flying saucer, bake it in our cosmic kitchen, and best of all — eat your galactic masterpiece! Important mission info: Budding explorers must wear enclosed shoes for lift off. Don’t worry — space aprons will be provided! Recommended for Ages 8+.Parents must remain with their kids.
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27 Sep 2025
Kids Take Over | Into Space
Kids Take Over | Into SpaceInto Space is a classic hero’s journey. We follow Val, an astronaut and his crew on a high-stakes mission into deep space. Along the way, they face an asteroid field, separation from their team, encounters with alien life, and the terrifying possibility of never making it home. As the mission unfolds, Val and his mission squad must navigate not only the unknown universe but their own inner world. What truths will they uncover about connection, courage, and our place in the cosmos? Into Space is a high-energy, emotionally resonant experience, blending awe-inspiring physical performance with universal themes of adventure, resilience, and discovery. Fusing world-class acrobatics, aerials, juggling, and striking design, Into Space is where Interstellar, Star Wars, and Cirque du Soleil collide.Recommended ages 7+.
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From now until 28 Sep 2025 (Annual)
Kids Take Over | Mini Marketeers
Kids Take Over | Mini MarketeersHOTA’s Mini Marketeers is back!! Mini Marketeers provides a fantastic platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and business skills. Running your own market stall can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore your passions and talents while learning valuable lessons about entrepreneurship. Register by 10 August. Limited spots available. Market date: Sun 28 Sept, 9am-12pm
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02 Oct 2025
Waltzing the Wilarra
Waltzing the Wilarra“...a highly evocative musical tale of love, jealousy, friendship and family. It is a beautiful, heartfelt production about love and loss.” Australian StageWritten and composed by David Milroy and directed by Brittanie Shipway.Produced by the producers of national tours of ‘The Sapphires’ and ‘The Sunshine Club’ comes a very special and entertaining night in the theatre.Performed by a stellar cast including Lorinda May Merrypor (Juliet in ‘& Juliet’), Shaka Cook (‘Hamilton’) and Lisa Maza (‘Stingers’) and backed by a live band.Against a backdrop of curfews, and the fear of arrest, white and black manage to form their own club where they can forget their worries and experience rare happy times, and with a little luck... romance. Forty years on, as the club faces demolition, our characters meet once again to stage a musical reunion and protest in an attempt to save their old stomping ground. Dark secrets and ghosts that have lingered for more than half a century are revealed, and we discover that reconciliation is more than saying sorry.
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04 Oct 2025
Kids Take Over | Ballun Gawrehma
Kids Take Over | Ballun GawrehmaJoin local Kombumerri man Lann Levinge as he guides you 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. On this exploration, stories will be shared about family stories, local history, 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. 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."
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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.