Your Big Break

Coming up at the start of the new year are three special nights: Saturday, Jan. 31, Saturday, March 21, and Saturday, April 18. That is when the Gold Coast Arts Center (formerly the Great Neck Arts Center) and Love Revolution Org once again search for “the next big thing to come off Long Island.” Together with a little help from some of their friends in the music industry, the Gold Coast Acoustic Cafe presents the Third Annual “Big Break” Showcase Series at The Gold Coast Arts Center, at 113 Middle Neck Rd. in the heart of downtown Great Neck Plaza. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the first act will perform starting at 8 p.m. each night. Price for admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Starting Dec. 15, there was an open call for submissions for all musicians age 15 to 25 (who do not currently have a recording or publishing contract) to submit for the showcase events. Interested artists must perform with a band or solo with an acoustic guitar or sing to a back-up music track. Visit the website at www.goldcoastarts.org or send one mp3 song, one photo and a short biography to gnacbigbreak@gmail.com to submit for free. The deadline is Jan. 10, at 11:59 p.m.
There is a new twist this year as there will also be mentors assigned to the finalists once they have been chosen after the second semifinal. The mentors will work with the artists to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. Mentors are Long Island based hit makers Ryan Star (Top 10 Single “Stay a While;” TV on Rockstar Supernova), John Hampson (Nine Days top 5 hit “Story of A Girl”); Ido Zmishlany (current hit for Shawn Mendes “Life of the Party”) and Steve Thompson (producer for John Lennon, Guns N Roses, Madonna, 2014 LIMHOF inductee).
Prizes and judges include: the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Space at Westbury/Bruce Michael (judge); recording time at The Loft Sound Studio w/Donnie Klang (judge); and Matthew LaPorte (judge), feature at Reverbnation.com/Lou Plaia (judge); Online TV streaming opportunities on IndiMusic TV w/ Chris Pati (judge); musical equipment from All Music Inc and Guy Brogna (Judge); menigtoring at Five Towns College with Linda Ingrisano (Judge); plus a photo shoot by Image Photographers and Neil Tandy; a video shoot with Kevin Wood Media; a publicity and promotion campaign with Rick Eberle Public Relations and radio appearances on WCWP and WUSB.
All the things you need to get started on your musical journey are ready. Come down to the show and network with some of the best and brightest people in the music business.
For more information or to submit your act to the showcase, please visit www.goldcoastarts.org or send one mp3 song, one photo and a short bio to gnacbigbreak@gmail.com.
The Gold Coast Arts Center is
located at 113 Middle Neck Rd. in Great Neck; 516-829-2570.