The best gigs, shows, exhibitions and markets on the Gold Coast
Wondering what to do on the Gold Coast this weekend? We have the best markets, shows, gigs, exhibitions and activities covered right here
Rock to Rock Ocean Paddle, Currumbin Beach: Surfing Queensland and Currumbin Alley Boardriders Club host an ocean awareness paddle for those who can paddle from Elephant Rock to Currumbin Alley Rock. Otherwise, you walk. Tomorrow, 8am.
Three On Three Basketball Event, Runaway Bay Indoor Sports Stadium: Three on three men’s comp plus family and food for spectators. Today, 5.30pm, free for spectators.
Canungra Hotel Rodeo, Canungra Showgrounds: Bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. Today from 2pm.
Cycling Australia U19 Road National Championships, Nerang, Currumbin Valley: Promising young riders from all over Australia compete in the threepart event. Criterium event, Nerang Cycling Centre, today, 9am; road course, tomorrow, from 8am. Race start Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters.
On the road cycle workshop, Nerang: Group road riding for ages 18plus run by Olympic world champion Sara Carrigan. Tomorrow, noon, free.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN
Great Coastal Bike Challenge, Tugun: Kids, get on a bike for a coastal treasure hunt of puzzles and trivia. Register today, 9am at Point Danger or Tugun Surf Lifesaving Club. Ends Palm Beach Parklands.
Miniature Trains and Hobby Show, Carrara Sports Basketball Stadium: The Miniature Train Club Gold Coast’s big model train and hobby show. More than 20 model layouts on display. Today, tomorrow, 10am-4pm, $3.
Become a better cyclist, Robina: Road safe for intermediate cyclists aged 15-plus. Today, 9.30am, free.
Basic cycle skills for females, Nerang: For cyclists aged 15-plus. Tomorrow, 9.30am, free.
familyLAB, Helensvale Library: Space for families to work on editing photo, videos, coding or app-building. Media lab staff will assist. Today, 1pm, free.
Cancer Council Model Search, Southport Park: Aspiring models compete to raise funds for charity. Today, registration 11am, $10.
Indigenous Dreamtime, Southport Library: Interactive, cultural, song and dance. Today, 10am, free.
Paperback and comic book swap, Helensvale Library: Having trouble finding the next book in the series? Bring some of your own books to swap with others. Today, 10am.
Literary Metamorphosis, Helensvale Library: Author Dimity Powell helps teens stretch their imagination in a hands-on writing workshop. For ages 12-17. Today, 10am, free.
Monster Truck Rides, Broadwater Parklands, Southport: Today, tomorrow, Southern Lawn, 9am-4pm, $10.
Bumper Balls, Broadwater Parklands: Slip on a bubble suit to roll, flip, tumble and bounce your way through a game of human soccer. Tomorrow, Great Lawn, 10am-2pm.
VIVA SURFERS PARADISE (TODAY)
Relive the era of Elvis Presley and contemporaries at this 10-day festival of tribute acts. It launched yesterday and ends Sunday week.
Surfers foreshore: Classic cars, retro stalls, from 10am.
Surfers RSL: Dean Vegas (Elvis, 7.30pm).
Viva Marquee: Renewal of vows ceremony, 11am; Dean Vegas (Elvis, 1pm) Lucky Legs Las Vegas Revue, 5pm; Vegas Runway Show, 7.15pm; Bill
Cherry (Elvis, US), 9pm.
Cavill Mall Stage: Today: John Collins (Elvis, noon, 3pm); Kingsley Rock (Elvis, 2pm, 4pm),
VIVA SURFERS PARADISE (TOMORROW)
Surfers foreshore: Classic cars, retro stalls from 10am.
Viva Marquee: Rock’n’roll church service with Brisbane Gospel Choir and Bill Cherry (Elvis, US), 11am; Athol Matcham (Roy Orbison, 1pm), rock ’n’ roll dance lessons, 4pm, social rock ’n’ roll, partner and line dancing, 4.30pm, The Beatlegs (Beatles, 7.30pm).
VIVA SURFERS PARADISE (MONDAY-FRIDAY)
Viva Marquee: Forever Everly (Everly Brothers, Monday, 7.30pm), Dale Hooper (Johnny Cash, Tuesday, 7.30pm), Kris Knight (Buddy Holly, 7.30pm); Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, wildcards, Thursday, 5pm; heats next weekend; Bye Bye Birdie (movie, Thursday, 7.30pm), Chris Connor (Elvis, UK, Friday, 7.30pm).
SHOWS
Hotel Sorrento, Javeenbah Theatre, Nerang: Three sisters who went down different paths reunite in a Victorian beach town where they grew up. Tonight, 8pm, tomorrow, 2pm, $25.
Dreamland, Spotlight Theatre,
Bundall: Captured by the badtempered Nightmares, the Sweet Dreams call on Sandman and Scoop. Directed by Terri Woodfine. Today, 10.30am, 2pm, from $14.
Last Cab to Darwin, Arts Centre Gold Coast cinema: New film about a loner told he doesn’t have long to live who embarks on an epic drive from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. Includes Q& A with star Michael Caton. Tomorrow, 1pm, from $8.50.
Love is Strange, Arts Centre Gold Coast: Gay couple wed after 40 years together but must live apart when one loses his job and they must sell their apartment. John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. Today, 4.30pm, from $8.50.
Illusions, Village Theatre, Sanctuary Cove: Matt Hollywood’s world-class magic. Today, 7pm, $59.
Bloodbath, Dracula’s, Broadbeach: Famed cabaret restaurant’s new vampire vaudeville dinner show for those 15-plus. Tomorrow, 6.30pm.
High Country Legends Australian Outback Spectacular, Oxenford: Dinner and show, cast of larger-thanlife characters, animal stars, stunts, special effects. Today, 6.15pm, $79.99.
Symphony and Song, Tweed Heads Civic Centre: Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra’s classics by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Richard Strauss. Features soloist Lecia Robertson. Tomorrow, 2.30pm, $40.
GALLERIES
Gold Coast Quilters Guild Exhibition, The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Gallery 2: Modern quilts made by local quilters including challenge quilts themed for the Anzac centenary. Today, tomorrow, 11am-5pm. Daily until August 2. Continuing: Modern Australia, Gold and Greenstone.
48 Duxford Street: Recreating Margaret Olley’s Home Studio, Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah: New exhibition explores processes and motivations behind the ambitious rebuilding of the late great Australian artist’s home studio at the gallery. Today, tomorrow, 10am-5pm, free; Continuing exhibitions by artist-in-residence Monica Rohan, David Preston’s linocuts, Scott McDougall’s Land Marks, Chris Halford’s Glimpse and Director’s Choice.
Industrial Life, Dust Temple, Currumbin Creek: Jen Robson’s exhibition in perspex and metal. Today, tomorrow, 6am-1pm.
Bruce Small Exhibition, Gold Coast Hinterland and Historical Society: Private collection of pieces from the late Gold Coast mayor. Tomorrow, 10am-3pm, $5.
Pastel class, Royal Queensland Art Society, Broadbeach: Louise Corke class today, from 9am-noon, demo 1-3pm.
Jodie Wells, Beyond the Backdoor, Anthea Polson Art Gallery, Main Beach: Last chance to see this exhibition. Today, 6-8pm, free.
Red, Sofitel, Broadbeach: 19 Karen’s new Expressionism show. Daily, free.
MARKETS
Saturday Style Markets, Vintage Velvet, Surfers Paradise: Stalls by local designers, fashion labels, art and craftsmen, live music and enjoy great food and coffee. Today, 8am-2.30pm.
Carrara Markets: Gold Coast’s biggest permanent weekend market. Produce, fashion, homewares, pots, plants and more. Today, tomorrow, 7am-4pm.
Coolangatta Markets, Queen Elizabeth Park: Arts, crafts and more. Tomorrow, 8am-2.30pm.
Marketta Street Food, Rabbit + Cocoon, Miami: Outdoor laneway dining with 25 vendors offering cuisine from Japan, Hungary, Mexico, Italy, Turkey and more. Today from 4-10pm.
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets: Learn to play a didgeridoo and buy arts, crafts and souvenirs. Tomorrow, 5-9pm.
Burleigh Markets, Burleigh Heads State School: Today, 7am-noon.
The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market, Miami State High School: Tomorrow, 6-11am.
Marina Mirage Farmers Markets, Marina Mirage: Today, 7-11am.
Mudgeeraba Country Markets, Mudgeeraba Showgrounds: Today, 7am-noon. Nerang Fresh Produce & Craft Markets, Lavelle Street: Tomorrow, 6.30am-noon.
Farmers Markets, Palm Beach Currumbin State High: Today, 611.30am.
Bundall Farmers Market, Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall: Fresh produce, tomorrow 6-11.30am.
Helensvale Farmers Markets, Helensvale High: Fresh produce rain, hail or shine. Tomorrow, 6-11.30am.
Tamborine Mountain Local Producers Market, Showgrounds: Tomorrow, 7am-noon.
Tamborine Mountain Country Market, Bearded Dragon Hotel: Tomorrow, 6am-2pm.
GIGS
Ry, Broadwater Parklands, Southport: Canadian Ry McAlister plays a Fretfest gig. Support by Al Buchan, Frank Swaby. Today beside the Jewfish BBQ area, 11am, free.
The Frazer Goodman Trio, Paradise Point Parklands: Free Music in the Park gig, support by Mitch King and Tarscha. Tomorrow, 11am-3pm, free.
Captain Wow, Southport Sharks: Four-piece cover band plays 1960s flower power pop, ‘70s disco, ‘80s pop and more. Today, 8.30pm, free.
8 Foot Felix, Advancetown Hotel: Eight-piece band plays gypsy, ska and funk roots set. Tomorrow, 1pm, free.
Harts, Broadbeach Tavern: Fresh from jamming with Prince, Melbourne’s one-man music-making machine performs. Tomorrow, 7pm.
Indigo Parade, Currumbin Creek Tavern: Joined by live bands Anonymous Club, Ivey and The Meerdogs. Tonight, 7.30pm, $10.
The Twine, Rabbit + Cocoon: Twine and Alexander Williams live, Marketta Street Food. Today, 4pm, free.
Saturday Night Show, Elsewhere: James Francis and Giv. Tonight, late.
Dan Irwin, The Loft, Chevron Island: Singer-songwriter plus Taso, Liv Dennis, Whale Bait. Today, 8pm, free.
Remedy, The Stage, Twin Towns: Party band plays all the hits. Today, 9.30pm; tomorrow, 7.30pm, free.
Soda Pop, Currumbin RSL: Covers duo plays all the hits. Today, 7pm, free.
Hayley Grace, Cabana Lounge, Southport Sharks: Singer songwriter, laid-back set. Tomorrow, 1pm, free.
Barefoot Friday, Currumbin RSL: Trio influenced by the Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson launch new EP