OUR CULTURE CLUB

HOTA chair Robyn Archer has promised that the Gold Coast’s new $37.5 million arts and cultural precinct will be as creative as people want.

The first concert on the Home of the Arts outdoor stage lived up to that promise. As the Bulletin reported yesterday of the opening night, in which comedian, composer, songwriter and pianist Tim Minchin lit up the stage and the city’s new enthusiasm for live acts with a clever and typically irreverent treatment of a range of subjects including tall poppies and “old mate Tommy Tate’’, the cultural spark has been lit. For the opening night of the city’s newest and brightest asset, it was a huge success. Of course there were teething problems. Audience members complained to the Bulletin about long queues for food and drink, and limited menu choices when the city has a developing reputation for quality street food. But the show was great and there was plenty of parking.

HOTA can and will improve. An exciting program lies ahead. The Neil Finn concert on June 30 will be a major test to determine if the bumps have been ironed out.