New music hub for the Gold Coast

Members of the community and aspiring musicians are being invited to get involved in a new project aimed at developing the live music industry in the Gold Coast and Tweed region.

The Southern Gold Coast Music Hub, which is an initiative of Connecting Southern Gold Coast in partnership with the Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work at Southern Cross University, will be launched this Wednesday, November 3 at the Komune Resort in Coolangatta, featuring a live performance from Paula Fuga, an acclaimed Hawaiian musician who recently toured with Jack Johnson.

Members of the public are invited to attend the launch and add their name to a register of interested parties for the project, which aims to support the development of a creative local culture and increase opportunities for emerging musicians while boosting business generated by the entertainment industry and attracting more creative enterprises to the area.

Following the launch, the project will kick off with a half-day creative workshop open to all young local Gold Coast and Tweed musicians led by Paula Fuga this Friday, November 5 at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus.

Professor Kerry Brown, director of Southern Cross University’s Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work said the Southern Gold Coast Music Hub would form networks which in turn would provide more creative opportunities for local young people.

“The Southern Gold Coast Music Hub project aims to bring local music performers and DJs, venues, restaurants and festivals as well as industry, tourism and community groups all together to work on developing the live music industry in this area,” said Professor Brown.

“Particularly, the workshop aims to inspire at-risk youth, young females and young people from diverse backgrounds through story sharing and music, and we are encouraging all young people in the area with an interest in music to come along.
“We are privileged to have the involvement of Paula Fuga, who has overcome adversity and hardship to become an outstanding international performer and will share her music, experience and technical knowledge with our upcoming musicians.”

Jim Wilson, general manager of Connecting Southern Gold Coast, said his board and management team welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the University on the Southern Gold Coast Music Hub.

“The economic development strategy for the Gold Coast City encourages growth of education and creative industries as a way to diversify the industry base of our city,” said Mr Wilson.

“We are pleased that Southern Cross University shares this objective by committing to this project, which builds on an already-vibrant live music scene in the Southern Gold Coast.

“We plan to work with the University on this project to produce growth in employment opportunities, investment in the music industry and improved social outcomes.”

The Southern Gold Coast Music Hub launch will take place at the Komune Resort, Coolangatta on Wednesday, November 3 at 6pm, Queensland time.

‘Pacific nOcean’: Youth Aspiration and Creative Industries Workshop featuring Paula Fuga will take place on Friday, November 5 from 10am-1pm Queensland time at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga.

For further information on both events please call 0407 731939.

Photo: Hawaiian musician Paula Fuga (high resolution image available on request)