HOTA invites audiences to gather by the ‘Fireside’ in July
Home of the Arts (HOTA) has announced their new ‘Fireside’ program, featuring locally flavoured live performances which will take place over four weekends in July.
From 10 July, ‘Fireside’ will bring together the best homegrown talent, food, and conversation in the cosy setting of the Lakeside Room on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. HOTA CEO, Criena Gehrke, said she was looking forward to welcoming back artists and audiences alike.
“It’s a real privilege and an honour to be welcoming back artists to perform at HOTA. The programming team have done an incredible job in bringing ‘Fireside’ together at short notice,” Gehrke said.
“It’s a celebration of the great artistic talent that we’re so fortunate to have on the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland. Audiences are in for a real treat.”
With the glitter strip twinkling across the lake as a backdrop, HOTA is inviting Gold Coasters to gather their friends together, with ‘Fireside’ the perfect antidote to the COVID-blues. Every Saturday night, HOTA will switch off the ghost light and turn on the spotlight for the likes of Circa, Camerata, music legends Tex Perkins, Matt Walker, and Eurovision
darling Dami Im. Afterward, the post-show supper club will serve up tapas dishes for audiences to extend their night.
Friday nights will feature ‘Fireside: Fringe’, with raw and edgy energy all about quirky cabaret, great comedy, and outrageous fun. Starting the evening with paella straight off the pan, audiences will be entertained by local musicians, including Cold Ghost (aka Fletcher Babb) in Stories in the Key of GC, the Cheap Fakes and Volcanic Lovers. There’s also a second chance to see the outrageous The UnReal-Real Housewives of the Gold Coast and a hilarious comedy show from Jenny Wynter and Mario Queen of the Circus.
Saturday afternoons feature ‘Fireside: Unfiltered’, where audiences will be treated to a behind-the-scenes insight into the creation of new works from some incredible artists. Guests will hear from the team behind the development of a new Australian opera, A Night at the Pink Poodle, get up close and personal with artists, Michael Zavros and Justene Williams, and meet the artists behind the Brothers Book Club, in partnership with La Boite Theatre Company.
On a Sunday afternoon, expect a laid-back vibe with ‘Fireside: Live Lounge’ to round out the weekend. Working with BlankGC and Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMA), there will be music from Felicity Lawless and Black Rabbit George, as well as Eddie Ray and The Oogars. Enjoy powerful words and rhymes from hip hop artists, Gratis Minds and Saint Lane, and spoken word performances from Ethan Enoch, Aurora Liddle-Christie, Loki Liddle and Anisa Nandaula. All washed down with a delicious brisket burger or sticky ribs, fresh from the grill.
The ‘Fireside’ series, all neatly packaged up with delicious food, will remind audiences why they love HOTA so much. Starting at tables of 4, the cost of entry for most events includes food to enjoy, ensuring a great night out where everything is taken care of. As HOTA navigates the new landscape of live performance and events, safety is very much at the forefront of their plans.
“It is incredibly important to us that everybody is safe when they come to HOTA. We’ve got a comprehensive COVID-Safe Plan in place and other hygiene measures to maintain the deep clean we undertook before reopening,” Gehrke said.
“Whilst there might be some small operational changes at HOTA, we will continue to provide audiences with special memories, even in peculiar times. We can’t wait to welcome Gold Coasters back to HOTA.”
For more information about HOTA or ‘Fireside’, visit their website.
Media Release supplied by HOTA.
