Tears but show will go on
NightQuarter bows out with sentimental night
THOUSANDS flocked to NightQuarter last night to catch shows being performed at the Helensvale location for the final time.
The popular entertainment precinct announced last month that it was because its landlords had doubled the rent.
Owner Michelle Christoe said it was “an emotional night” as they had reached out to many longtime NightQuarter performers to appear one last time.
“The performers have been with us since we first started NightQuarter and they’re all locals, it was important to have musicians we felt close to,” she said. “There are so many of them, we would have loved to have had all of them. It’s been quite emotional.
“Last weekend was fairly sad, we had patrons giving us hugs, they were crying.
“It’s very sad … everything we do will be the last of NightQuarter in Helensvale.”
Joining them were the popular fire twirling acts which have kept crowds entertained for several years, along with a sold-out concert by English reggae and pop band UB40.
New sites across the Gold Coast are still being discussed with Ms Christoe previously explaining to The Bulletin there’s a strict list of criteria, including accessibility and cost efficiency.
Both she and fellow NightQuarter director Ian Van der Woude are still in talks with potential venues.
Ms Christoe said that despite the lack of a venue, they were still being blown away by support from the community ahead of the closure.
“I’m sure we’ll find something and we’ll be back open by the end of the year … we’ve had many venues already contact us to organise their events,” she said.
“The whole community has been so supportive. We’ve received some beautiful emails, some of the girls have received flowers with thanks from local patients.