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Let There Be Rock! at HOTA Let There Be Rock! at HOTA Let There Be Rock! at HOTA Let There Be Rock! at HOTA
Exhibitions Music

Let There Be Rock! at HOTA


Date & Time

December 08 2018 ‐ February 17 2019
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Location

HOTA Home of the Arts
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

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Let there be rock! is a celebration of all things rock ‘n’ roll this summer, kicking off with a bang on December 8 at HOTA, Home of the Arts.

With a beer garden to set the tone, the exhibition Let there be rock! opens with an evening of free rock anthems, a Q&A with those who lived through the Coast’s heyday and an exhibition of memorabilia, pictures, posters, and portraits  in a vibrant gallery exhibition.

Inspired by AC/DC’s anthem of the same name, Let there be rock! captures the spirit of three decades of rock legacy. Alongside the exhibition, HOTA will host a mutli-faceted, three month-long program of events that has something for the whole family.

Let There Be Rock! Opening Night
December 8, 4:00—7:00pm
Free (registrations required)

Grab a spot in the pop-up Beer Garden located at HOTA’s Terrace and settle in for a night of classic rock anthems. Be the first to view and reminisce over this coveted collection of Gold Coast live music memorabilia from the Playroom, Fishos, Jet Club and The Patch! Light refreshments, heartier meals and cash bar available. There will also be an Q&A session as Samantha Morris, Editor-in-Chief of Blank Gold Coast, chats with Archie Cox of The Playroom fame, and Dog Williams from the ol’ Doghouse.

Let There Be Rock! Exhibition
December 8 2018 to February 17 2019
Free

From the 70s to the 90s, the Gold Coast was a hot-spot of Australia’s live music touring circuit. From The Ramones and Cold Chisel at The Playroom, to INXS and The Go-Betweens at Bombay Rock; and Nirvana and The Violent Femmes at ‘Fisho’s’; this exhibition celebrates the heyday of hard-core rock and entertainment through stories, memorabilia, photos and footage.

Live and Local: Gold Coast Musical Photography 
December 8 2018 to February 17 2019
Free

Live and Local is a showcase of artistic talent on the Gold Coast, where music and photography fuse seamlessly and the audience, look on and listen in awe.

Nadia Achilles, Leigh Kelly, Dan Maynard, Danny Santangelo, Leisen Standen and Pete Wheeler share a passion for photographing the Gold Coast live music scene that is rivalled only by the musicians they document. Each photographer has turned their lens to the stage to capture in concert a roll call of some of our hottest musicians.

Live and Local forms part of the Let there be rock! Exhibition and will be displayed on the Gallery foyer space.

Kid’s ArtLabWorkshops – Holy Shirt
December 8, 10:00 am (5-10 years) and 1:00 pm (11-16 years)
Ticketed

Design and modify a t-shirt by without a sewing machine or fancy dyes. All shirts provided.

Kid’s ArtLabWorkshops – Rock Wigs
December 12, 10:00 am (under 5 years)
Ticketed

Make a wild rock n roll wig from paper and ribbon. When you’re finished you’ll be all ready to strut your stuff on stage.

Gallery Up Late
December 14, January 18 and February 15, 5:30—8:30pm
Free (registrations required)

Three special evenings where you can see, hear and talk all things rock. Live music at HOTA’s lawn bar, talks (Talking Rock) and Let there be rock! exhibition open til late. Grab a drink and hear from local rock legends with performances from some of the best up-and-coming homegrown acts.

Talking Rock sessions, curated by Australian music industry vetran Leanne de Souza, features up close and personal talks with musicians, writers and industry insiders who will share stories and perspectives of music on the Gold Coast in the past; today and where it’s heading next.

Talking Rock – Past
December 14, 6:30 pm
Free (registrations required)

Panellists:  Dave Graney, Nikki McWatters & Stuart Coupe

Oz Rock exploded in the 80s. Across Australia, bands could work seven nights a week in the pubs and clubs. Gold Coat venues and punters were notorious, and the Gold Coast was a favourite stop on the tour for many 80s bands. Hear from those that were there and survived to tell their stories. Plus live music with Peach Fur.

Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be – The Story of Bon Scott
January 5, 7:30 pm
Ticketed

Starring Nick Barker. From hippie epiphanies to bubblegum pop, to the iconic early years of AC/DC the show celebrates the music, the heartbreak and the life of Bon Scott – a quintessential rock and roll story that ended far too soon.

Kids Rock Out – Air Guitar Workshop
January 9-12, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free

Learn some slick rock moves over three workshops, get some punk rock stylin’ then show off on stage at the Regurgitator concert. Ages 8-12, limited numbers. Apply now to take part.

Pub Choir
January 10, 7:00 pm
Ticketed

Join a group of strangers to learn a song in a three-part harmony in 90 minutes, then perform it twice. No audition, no solos, no commitments, no sheet music, NO WORRIES. Just grab a drink, relax, and sing. It’s rowdy, wholesome, and so much damn fun.

Regurgitator Kids Show
January 12, 11:00 am
Ticketed

A cool kids concert by Brisbane’s quirky crew, Regurgitator. Bringing their witty, silly attitude and musical mash up of funk, pop and rock, this unique collection of kids tunes is about as naughty as punk rock can get and still offer a G rating. Have a little fun and come dressed up for this rockin’ performance made especially for young people and their adults.

Kid’s ArtLab Workshop – Glam your Guitar
January 12
Free

Drop in before or after the Regurgitator show to glam up a cardboard guitar – the perfect accessory to rock out with.  Be sure to arrive early though, we’ve only a limited supply of cardboard guitars and it’s first in, first to rock!

Talking Rock – Present 
January 18, 6:30 pm
Free (registrations required)

Panellists: Dan Condon, Julie Solomon & Eliza Klatt

The Gold Coast today is buzzing with fresh artists, festivals and music industry folks taking their music and skills to the world without leaving the beach. Beach culture, music and lifestyle working together – hear from those making, curating and writing about music and culture today. Plus live music with Eliza and the Delusionals.

Talking Rock – Future 
February 15, 6:30 pm
Free

Panellists: San Mei, Samantha  Morris (Blank  GC), Alethea  Beetson (Digi  Youth  Arts), Lincoln  Savage (Jungle  Love/Brisbane  Street  Art  Festival), Jake,  Chris  &  Brett (GD  FRNDS)

Where is the Gold Coast music scene going next? Come and be part of the conversation – who will be the next wave of artists, events, venues and characters that you’ll be listening to and working with in the next few years. Plus live music with San Mei and Phoebe Sinclair.

Her Sound, Her Story (M)
February 15, 7:45 pm
Ticketed

Essential viewing for anyone who’s into Australian music. An intimate conversation unveiling the personal experiences, histories and significant social impacts of women in the Australian music industry. Featuring Tina Arena, Julia Stone and more than 45 artists spanning six decades, the unique narrative brims with rage, strength, beauty and triumph.

Image credits:
Image one – Nadia Achilles, Bec Sandridge at Cooly Beachfest, Coolangatta 2017, digital print, courtesy of Nadia Achilles.
Image two – Rennie Ellis, Kym Hosking, Sheba, The Playroom, Gold Coast 1983, digital print, State Library of Victoria collection.
Image three  – Gerry Noon, [Rose Tattoo at The Playroom] c. 1980s, digital reproduction, image courtesy of Gerry Noon.
Image four – Nadia Achilles, Electrik Lemonade at the Gold Coast Music Awards 2018, digital print, courtesy of Nadia Achilles.




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