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Hayden, Ray, Van Hoff Advance in Gold Coast Arts Center’s ‘Your Big Break’ Talent Competition Finals, April 1

March 12, 2017

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

A trio of singer-songwriters, Julia Hayden, Paris Ray and Lydia Van Hof, were winners of the second-round of Gold Coast Arts Center’s ‘Your Big Break’ Talent Competition, and will go on to the finals, April 1.

With the first-round winners, singer-songwriters Julia Lambert, Jaclyn Manfredi, and Alex Mendes, this seals the line up for the finals, on April 1, taking place at the Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, Long Island.

Julia Hayden brought presence and style to her performance of “Moana” (“I’m a huge Disney person.”); Paris Ray, whose original song, “Astronomy” had marvelous lyrics (“I became an astronaut to give you space”); Lydia Van Hof, who has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera, brought her rich vocal talent to an excellent rendition of Adele’s “When We Were Young” and Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.”

The other five performers also impressed the judges and audience with their original music as well as covers and live musical accompaniment: Tessa Field (whose original song, dedicated to her mother who passed away, featured this line, “don’t know what to do when I see my smile in pictures of you,”), Taylor Hogan (her original song was “Sane Wonderland”, and two bands, City Alley and Times Like These.

The “Big Break” is not just a clever title. The young performers are competing for prizes that could well launch their career.

Lydia Van Hof brought a sassy, sultry style to her winning performance at the Gold Coast Arts Center’s ‘Your Big Break’ Talent Competition and moves on to the finals April 1 © 2017 Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Winners are up for prizes including the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Paramount, recording time at DCITY Studios and Online TV streaming opportunities, a feature on Reverbnation.com, musical equipment from All Music Inc. and ZOOM North America, a PR and social media campaign including management, booking and label services consultation with Rick Eberle Agency. In addition, Rick Eberle has also invited all the contestants to appear on his radio and TV shows.

Mentors assigned to the finalists also work to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. 2017 mentors are still to be announced but last year’s included singer/songwriter Ryan Star, John Hampson of Nine Days, and songwriter/producer Ido Zmishlany.

Judges are major players in the music industry including: ReverbNation.com’s Lou Plaia, All Music Inc.’s Guy Brogna, Label Executives Stephen Marcuccio, Jerry Lembo, Mark Ambrosino.

The evening was capped with a headlining performance by singer-songwriter Matt Grabowski who was last year’s winner.

Your Big Break is hosted by the Gold Coast Arts Center’s Acoustic Café and LoveRevolution.org.

The contestants for Your Big Break were selected from 1000 submissions in response to an open call for musicians age 15 to 25 who do not currently have a recording or publishing contract. The artists have to perform with a band or solo with an acoustic guitar or band or sing to a backing music track. There is no fee to submit.

The Arts Center is transformed into the Gold Coast Acoustic Café once a month, a music venue that showcases 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, the Gold Coast Acoustic Café is one of the few small music venues around which makes for a special and intimate atmosphere for artists and audience alike, especially during Your Big Break.

Doors open at 7:30 pm for general seating and the first act will perform starting at 8:00pm each night. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Snacks are available for purchase.

Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck NY. Call 516-829-2570 or go to www.goldcoastarts.org.

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Tags:Gold Coast Arts Center, Long Island culture and arts, Long Island entertainment, Long Island music, music competition, talent competition, Your Big Break talent competition
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Open Call for Submissions to 4th Annual ‘Your Big Break’ at Gold Coast Arts Center

December 17, 2015

Gold Coast Arts Center/Acoustic Cafe 3rd Annual 'Your Big Break'

Think you are the next Beatles? The next Adele? The next Justin Bieber? The next Big Thing? The 2016 fourth annual “Your Big Break” Showcase gets underway in January 30 and three subsequent Saturday nights, Feb 6, March 12, and Saturday April 2 2016, when young artists compete for major prizes from the music industry designed to give them a big leg up.

There is an open call for submissions for 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 backing music track. There is no fee to submit.

Prizes and judges include: the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Emporium and their manager Neil Rubenstein will be a judge, recording time at IndiMusic Studios and Online TV streaming opportunities on IndiMusic TV w/ Chris Pati (judge), a feature at Reverbnation.com from Lou Plaia (judge), a PR and social media campaign including management, booking and label services consultation with Rick Eberle Agency, musical equipment from All Music Inc and Guy Brogna (Judge) and ZOOM North America, and more TBA. All the things a young performer needs to get started on a musical odyssey.

For the second year in a row, there will also be mentors assigned to the finalists. The mentors will work with the artists to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. This year’s mentors are yet to be announced. Last year’s mentors were New York based hit makers Ryan Star, John Hampson, Ido Zmishlany and Mark Ambrosino.

Come down to the show and network with some of the best and brightest people in the music business because–along with the judges–the audience have a vote in determining this year’s winner as well.

Performances on four Saturday nights, January 30, Feb 6, March 12, and Saturday April 2 2016, is when the audience can join the Gold Coast Arts Center and Love Revolution Org, as they present the Gold Coast Acoustic Cafe’s Fourth Annual “Your Big Break” Showcase Series taking place at The Gold Coast Arts Center, located at 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck NY.

Doors open at 7:30 pm and the first act will perform starting at 8:00pm each night. Price is $10 for students and $15 for adults. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Past winners Youth Be Told, Katie Zimmer and Annika and finalists SEE and Zofolk have gone on to work with major producers managers and agents. Past artists who have performed in headline slots at Your Big Break have included Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers, Sir Cadian Rhythm – all local musicians who have had some success in the business to hopefully further inspire the next generation of stars presented at Your Big Break and Acoustic Cafe.

For more information or to submit your act to the showcase, send one MP3 song, one photo, and a short bio to GNACBIGBREAK@GMAIL.COM or visit: http://goldcoastarts.org/yourbigbreak/

Gold Coast Arts Center is located at 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 829-2570