Tim Minchin launches HOTA’s Outdoor Program in spectacular style

Where? HOTA’s brand new outdoor stage (135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise)

When? March 17, 2018

In February, the Gold Coast Arts Centre unveiled their new stage and new name and became HOTA, Home of the Arts. On Saturday night, HOTA’s Outdoor Program kicked off at their spectacular new venue, christening the stage with a free performance by inimitable Australian showman Tim Minchin.

Against the backdrop of Surfer’s Paradise, the venue itself is similar in style to Brisbane’s Riverstage – a grassy amphitheatre sloping towards the stage, with flat space up the top for food and drinks. The stage is also flanked by two massive screens, ensuring that you can see the best angles of the performance from every seat in the house.

Also unveiled in February was the spectacular new mural on HOTA’s tower walls by New York-based street artist MOMO, best known for his huge works of complexity, abstractness, and colour. The next stage of construction at HOTA, starting mid-2018, will see a new green bridge spanning across to Chevron Island, followed by a new Art Gallery later in the year.

Tim Minchin’s performance was free to attend but numbers were capped and registrations were full within an hour, if that! Minchin’s performance, his first in Australia in two years, exceeded already-high expectations – he played a combination of fan favourites, new works, and some pieces from the musicals he has written and developed over the past few years; he kept the audience engaged with onstage banter and poking some cheeky fun at Gold Coast mayor “Old Mate” Tom Tate, and the night finished with a spectacular fireworks display over the river, above the stage. A truly awesome moment.

HOTA’s Outdoor Program, available on their website, features a variety of world-class acts and homegrown talent. Upcoming highlights include Neil Finn, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and soon-to-be-artist-in-residence Laurie Anderson. Other than live performances, HOTA events in the parklands will range from yoga and dance to markets and community events.

You can find more information and purchase tickets to the rest of HOTA’s program here.