Now in its 40th year, the Gold Coast Marathon will kick off on Saturday, June 30, and run – pun intended – until July 1. With 25,000 participants expected to tackle the flat, fast and scenic course, the world-class international event will comprise eight races, including the ASICS Half Marathon, the Wheelchair Marathon, two Junior dashes and the Gold Coast Marathon itself. Will you be there?
For seven years, Scenic Rim’s Eat Local Week has been the best celebration of all of the fresh produce that the region has to offer, and this year will be no different. With more than 90 events – from farm tours to gourmet dinners – between Tamborine Mountain and Peak Crossing, there will be plenty to sip, nibble and see.
Miami Marketta is that chilled catch-up space for friends. The perfect location for a
revitalising drink after work. A haven for families as well as corporate groups looking for some cultural GC cool. And Marketta will soon also be Mecca for gin and vodka
afficionados.
Miami Marketta already collaborates with local wine makers who create their house pours, but they are expanding their focus with a new Gin and Vodka infusion bar scheduled to open before Easter. Infusions will include a myriad of flavours, such as strawberry and passionfruit vodka or watermelon and mint all mixed with the best Gins and Vodkas.
Miami Marketta creative director Emma Milikins says their speciality will be gin and vodka tasting boards. “You will be able to taste four different varieties on one board by mixing your own,” Emma says. “You can follow our menu instructions or change it up and make your own concoction. We will endeavour to have the largest gin list on the Gold Coast. I think it is now at 75 different varieties.”
The choice to focus on gin and vodka was simple, according to Emma, who says gin is the most beautiful and delicate spirit while vodka can transform into anything within an infusion. But the bar won’t just be about infusions. Visitors can also enjoy simpler, traditional beverages such as Hendricks Gin with cucumber, green apple and elderflower topped with Indian tonic.
The bar will have a beautiful fit out and the space will be able to cater for wedding
receptions, private parties and bespoke events. As Emma explains, Miami Marketta will now have the unique opportunity to give customers their own private upmarket experience including global street food catering from their wide array of vendors.
Autumn is actually filling rapidly with private events, although there’s still space available for you to book yours. Miami Marketta is also taking bookings for the new Gin and Vodka infusion bar now.
It’s hard to describe a Dracula’s show in one word. Brash. Shocking. Fun. Eye-opening.
Energetic. Crude. Random. Sometimes crass. Mostly funny. Delightfully trashy. Unrestrained. Did I say brash?
What Dracula’s definitely is though, is iconic. A Gold Coast landmark. And “Terrorbyte”, the latest show to hit the Dracula’s stage from Newman Entertainment International, is everything you’d expect of a night out at Dracula’s – with a little bit more ‘brash’ sprinkled on top for good measure!
The Dracula’s experience starts from the moment your car’s front tyres enter the Dracula’s driveway. Scantily-clad zombie-like staff direct you to your carpark. Vampires make crude, crass and blush-worthy comments as you find your way to the front door. But it’s as you step inside, that the ‘terror’ really begins. Guests immediately start their night in the pitch-black darkness, staring up out of their own graves as the show’s stars eerily peer down from high above.
I’ll be the first to admit that the special effects had me gripping the arm of my best
friend under the cover of darkness – and giggling at the same time. While it had been more than a decade since most members of our party had been to Dracula’s, we were all pleased to note that the iconic ghost train was still on track. And while we don’t want to giveaway too many Dracula’s secrets to those uninitiated, brace yourself for
that ride. And don’t forget to smile 😉
Terrorbyte offers some great characters. Inia Dewar as “Coco” was a crowd fave, resplendent in his retro purple pantsuit and mega-hoop earrings. Dracula’s veterans Richard Macionis as“Spine” (the show’s acting director) and Rudi Testa as “Vlad” made a formidable on-stage pair. Dracula’s newbie Dannielle Glanville was nothing short of stunning as “Luna”.
“Vampires are at the height of pop consciousness, riding a fine line of wickedness…both seductive and scary,” explains show creator and creative director, Marc Newman. “Our brand-new show taps into this allure, wrapped up in state-of- the art technology.
“It is a sinfully lavish format, presenting non-stop entertainment that is fluidly conceptualised around steampunk, retro-futurism, cyber sci-fi and brash burlesque.”
Throw in some quite random musical and comedy acts (from saucy aerial artistry to drug-lovin’ hippie puppets, to a tribute to the recently deceased legends of Bowie, Prince and George Michael), a three-course meal and wait staff who ensure the essence of the Dracula’s stage experience infiltrates every corner of the venue and you have quite the eye-opener of a night out with friends.
It’s full steam ahead for the milestone 30th annual Sanctuary Cove Boat Show! For four days, stunning Sanctuary Cove will be taken over by boating enthusiasts and exhibitors showing off thousands of boats and marine products from around the world, along with live demonstrations, product launches, interactive workshops and on-water displays.
