Submissions Open For Your Big Break At GCAC

The Gold Coast Arts Center (GCAC) is gearing up for the fifth annual Your Big Break showcase being held on Feb. 11, March 11 and April 1—and submissions are being accepted as the Gold Coast Acoustic Café and Love Revolution, along with their music industry friends, search for the next big thing to come out of New York.

Earlier this year, Your Big Break crowned 20-year-old singer-songwriter Matt Grabowski the winner. Semifinalist headliners Youth Be Told and Katie Zimmer, round-two headliner Annika and finalists SEE and Zofolk had amazing opportunities to network with some of the best and brightest people in the music business, including judges like Lou Plaia, Jerry Lembo, Stephen Marcuccio, Guy Brogna, Chris Pati, Linda Ingrisano, Tara Eberle Drouin, Mark Ambrosino and Tito Batista, while the audience had a vote in determining the winner.

The arts center is transformed into the Acoustic Café to showcase local up-and-coming talent, as well as established music acts. With its black box theater performance space and a lounge in the art gallery, it’s one of the few small venues that offers an intimate atmosphere. Previous headliners include local musicians who’ve had success in the industry and hope to inspire the next generation of stars, like Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers and Sir Cadian Rhythm.

All musicians, ages 15 to 25 who do not currently have a recording or publishing contract, can submit for the showcase. Artists must perform with a band, an acoustic guitar or sing to a music track. Prizes include the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Emporium, recording time at IndiMusic Studios and online TV streaming opportunities on IndiMusic TV, a feature at Reverbnation.com, a PR and social media campaign with management, booking and label services consultation with Rick Eberle Agency, musical equipment from All Music Inc. and more. Mentors assigned to the finalists also help them hone their craft before performing in the finals.

There is no fee to submit your act to the showcase. Send one MP3 song, a photo and a short bio to gnacbigbreak@gmail.com by midnight on Jan. 15, or visit www.goldcoastarts.org/yourbigbreak.