It’s no secret we’ve been pining for the buzz of a live crowd, the irrepressible cheer as performers take to the stage and the high you feel after witnessing an exceptional performance. Prepare yourselves Gold Coast, as we’re set to experience those thrills once again now that UPSPRING has burst into HOTA. Catch intimate live gigs, stage plays, thought-provoking films and cabaret performances. A program highlight will see Queensland Ballet present an exclusive season of Giselle on the Outdoor Stage in November – made extra special by the fact that the ballet company had to postpone its entire 2020 season as a result of COVID-19 regulations.

UPSPRING launched over the weekend with the first edition of Supper Club, a weekly live-music series featuring performances from Sarah McLeod, Katie Noonan, Washington and Sahara Beck in HOTA’s intimate Lakeside Room. Good tunes will also be enjoyed on the Outdoor Stage, as The Good Band recreates Neil Diamond’s iconic album Hot August Night on October 25 and the Roots Music Festival brings Tijuana Cartel, Fat Picnic and more to HOTA on November 29. Throughout December, the popular Fridays on the Lawn series will also celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with free live music throughout the parklands. Cinephiles will be spoilt with Flickerfest 2020 and the Queer Film Festival, while the little tackers will love an entertaining stage adaptation of the classic Australian children’s book Magic Beach. A band of talented wordsmiths will share an evening of local stories on November 27, while HOTA and VAULT will join forces for a day of panel discussions about feminism in the art world on December 5.

For more information on HOTA’s UPSPRING program and to reserve your tickets, head here – and stay tuned as more events are announced over the coming weeks.

Image credits
Image one: David Kelly
Image two: James D Morgan