From lamington cocktails to sunset acoustic sessions – five (fun) events to hit at Southport Sharks this summer
If you’re dragging your feet because you’re back at work and the holidays are fast becoming a distant memory, then don’t fret – summer is here and it’s events galore across the Gold Coast. Southport Sharks is embracing the summer vibes with a series of killer events to keep your eyes, ears and stomachs most content. Here’s a bunch for the calendar.
Friday Night Acoustic Sessions
If you’ve got an appreciation for live acoustic tunes by talented locals, you can have front-row seats every week at Cabana Bar & Lounge. These casual acoustic sessions shine the spotlight on emerging Gold Coast musicians, which we can all enjoy (for free!) every single Friday night … with a cold beer or cocktail in hand, of course. The soulful Benny Hanna will head Cabana Bar’s acoustic sessions on Friday January 19, followed by Paris Lane on February 2, Michael Eotvos on Friday February 9, Lily Budiasa on February 16 and Eleea Navarro on February 22.
Australia Day
Friends, guess what? Lamington and pavlova cocktail exist! Cabana Bar & Lounge is going to be whipping up these delicious concoctions exclusively for its Australia Day celebrations on January 26, along with acoustic tunes by Eleea Navarro, a free (yes, free!) sausage sizzle, plus … wait for it … toad races! There will be lots of family fun happening around the Sharks club that day, from a bush tucker feast at Frenzy’s buffet to a live reptile show. It will all come to a head in the evening when Chisel Revived (a Cold Chisel tribute) hits the main stage from 8:30 pm to bust out your favourite anthems. Keen? Then jump here for a run-down of the Australia Day events at Southport Sharks.
Live Concerts
If you’ve got a thirst for live music, then get a load of this line up – you can rock out in alternative fashion with ever-popular local blues and rock trio Mason Rack Band on Friday January 19, or (at the other end of spectrum) you can enjoy the colour, costumes and choreography with all the glitter, magnificence, and essence of the real pop princess herself at the Katy Perry Tribute Show on Saturday January 20. The last weekend of January will be all about 80s and 90s rock and pop (what a great era) with Mirrorball Express hitting the Sharks main stage on January 27, before The Great American Classic Rock Show ramps things up on February 4. The Deejays make an appearance on February 17 before Countown Reloaded wrap up a summer of live-music greatness on February 24.
Tropical Tiki Tastes
In case you hadn’t noticed, we live for the weekend – and we always like to cap it off in style with a killer Sunday session. Held at Cabana Bar & Lounge every Sunday, Tropical Tiki Tastes is here to make the most of the balmy summer afternoons with snacks like Huli Huli sliders and delicious salmon poke bowls, as well as tropical-inspired cocktails. Each week a new acoustic artist will be providing the sounds – there’s Ned Walker on January 21, Lily Budiasa on January 28, Hayley Grace on February 4, Benny Hanna and Eleea Navarro on February 11, Dan Irwin on February 18 and Michael Eotvos on February 24.
Waitangi Day
The Waitangi Day celebrations will be rolling throughout Southport Sharks on the weekend of February 9–10. There will be funked-up soul-train vibes from New Zealand groups The Funksters and Kapa Haka Group on the main stage on Friday February 9, but if reggae is more your jam then groove to the beat of 42Band (a 3-piece band from the Hanlon Brothers) on the Saturday night (February 10). Treat your taste buds as well as your ears with Kiwi-inspired dishes at Frenzy’s all weekend – we’re talking roast lamb, silverside, fish salads, fresh mussels and a traditional pavlova! Yum city.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
