Open Call for Young Musicians to Enter Gold Coast Art Center’s 8th Annual Your Big Break Talent Contest

Last May, Your Big Break crowned the seventh winner, Arizona Lindsey. Since her YBB win, Arizona has been featured on radio stations across the East Coast such as Last-FM, Blast-FM, WUSB Homegrown Long Island, Granite Coast Entertainment Inc. and WHPC Rising Stars. The 8th Annual Your Big Break talent contest, presented by the Gold Coast Arts Center, is now underway © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Long Island, NY — A young musician’s dream of getting the attention of an important music executive who can pave the way to a career has for the last seven years come true for contestants in Your Big Break talent contest presented by the Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org., and the Rick Eberle Agency. An open call is now underway for submissions from all musicians ages 15 to 25 living on Long Island and New York City who do not currently have a recording or publishing contract. Interested artists MUST be prepared to perform two original songs (with a band, or solo with an acoustic guitar/other instrument). Submissions are open now through February 23rd, 2020. There is no fee to submit.

The semifinals will be held on March 14 and April 25, with the finals taking place on June 6, 2020.

Those interested can email to yourbigbreakny@gmail.com: one MP3 song, one photo, and a short bio, or enter at Reverbnation here: https://www.reverbnation.com/submission/details?campaign_id=38532

Young artists are judged in categories including stage presence, overall musicianship, and fan reaction.

The annual Your Big Break showcase is held at the Gold Coast Arts Center’s Weinstein Playhouse. Accomplished veteran music business professionals donate their time and resources to help identify and assist the new wave of aspiring stars to take the next step in their musical journey.

Last May, YBB crowned the seventh winner, Arizona Lindsey. With her sweet-sounding voice, passionate vocal performance and heartfelt lyrics, Arizona has been captivating audiences attention worldwide. Since her YBB win, she has appeared in multiple live interviews and performances. Arizona has been featured on radio stations across the East Coast such as

Last-FM, Blast-FM, WUSB Homegrown Long Island, Granite Coast Entertainment Inc., and WHPC Rising Stars.

Past winners – All Types of Kinds, Paris Ray, Youth Be Told, Katie Zimmer, Annika and Matt Grabowski and finalists SEE and Zofolk – have gone on to work with major producers, managers and agents. Past artists who have performed in the headline slots have included: Brooke Moriber, Lem Payne Jr. Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers, Sir Cadian Rhythm- all of whom are local musicians who have since enjoyed success in the business.

The Judges: Hosted at the Gold Coast Arts Center by founders Rick Eberle, Brian Viner and Eugenia Viner; judges take on a major role in the competition. Included have been some of the music industry’s elite such as: ReverbNation.com’s Lou Plaia, All Music Inc and Scatterbrain’s Guy Brogna, artist manager Randy Nichols, radio host and former pro wrestler Brimstone, songwriter and bassist Tara Drouin, producers David Caggiano and Donnie Klang, Good Times Magazine’s Rich Branciforte, musician Richy Petrello, club owner Pauline Damiani and label executives Stephen Marcuccio, Jill Morrison, Jerry Lembo, Linda Ingrisano, and Mark Ambrosino. Judges for 2020 will soon be announced.

The Mentors: Mentors will be assigned to the finalists. These mentors will work to help them hone their craft before performing in the finals. 2020 mentors are still TBD – while past years have included American Idol’s Robbie Rosen, Dream Recording Studio’s Jason Melker, Sojourn Records’ Mark Ambrosino, producer/songwriter and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records Jimmy Bralower, singer/songwriters John Hampson of Nine Days, Ryan Star, Cass Dillon, and songwriter/producer Donnie Klang of MTV’s “Making the Band”, songwriter/producer Ido Zmishlany, among others.

Prizes include: Show at Revolution Bar & Music Hall (Pauline Damiani, Judge), Recording time at The Sound Cellar (Dave Alini, Judge), PR campaign with the Rick Eberle Agency (Host) including an interview and airplay on WHPC “Rising Stars” on 90.3 FM, Gift Certificate from All Music Inc (Guy Brogna, Judge), Equipment from ZOOM North America (Stephen Marcuccio, Judge), ReverbNation.com Discount (Lou Plaia, Judge), Article in Good Times Magazine (Rick Branciforte, Judge)

For more information on how to submit, contest rules, prizes and more, visit www.goldcoastarts.org,  goldcoastarts.org/your-big-break/ or call 516-829-2570.

The Gold Coast Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the arts through education, exhibition, performance, and outreach. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, it has brought the arts to tens of thousands of people throughout the region for nearly 25 years. Among the Center’s offerings are its School for the Arts, which holds year-round classes in visual and performing arts for students of all ages and abilities; a free public art gallery; a concert and lecture series; film screenings and discussions; the annual Gold Coast International Film Festival; and initiatives that focus on senior citizens and underserved communities. These initiatives include artist residencies, after-school programs, school assemblies, teacher-training workshops, and parent-child workshops. The Gold Coast Arts Center is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. More information can be found at www.goldcoastarts.org.

 

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5 Vie to Win 2018 ‘Your Big Break’ Talent Competition, April 21 at Gold Coast Arts Center, Long Island

Winners of Round 2 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center with judges. The finals take place on April 21 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org, and the Rick Eberle Agency are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting final round of this year’s “Your Big Break Competition” on Saturday, April  21, at the Center’s Acoustic Café, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, Long Island.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first act taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $20 at the door). To purchase tickets in advance visit: goldcoastarts.org/your-big-break-final/.

The top five remaining finalists, who survived the first two knockout rounds held earlier this years, will perform for judges in the music business that includes producers, radio and television personalities and music business executives. The winner will be chosen by the judges and audience members, as the performers vie to win prizes and recognition that can help boost their music careers. Among the prizes include the chance to open for national acts at major local venues like The Paramount; recording time at DCITY Studios; a feature on Reverbnation.com; musical equipment from All Music Inc. and ZOOM North America; and public relations and social media campaign, booking and label services consultation with the Rick Eberle Agency.

This years “Your Big Break Competition” finalists are singer/songwriters Kaylee Shahira and Lydia von Hof; and bands 37 Stripes, All Types of Kinds, and Psychopompus.

Kaylee Shahira performing in Knockout Round 2 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Kaylee Shahira is a young, passionate indie-pop artist with a killer sound who hails from northwest Indiana. Shahira loves writing about the questions nobody can answer — living with mental illness, personal life philosophies, and the intricacies of being a social animal. Shahira exudes promise as an emerging artist.

37 Stripes performing in Knockout Round 2 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The band 37 Stripes formed in the fall of 2016. The members were introduced at the iSchool of Music and Art on Long Island and quickly connected with one another and settled on musical upheaval as an alternative expression. 37 Stripes have been writing their music and playing at festivals and venues around New York City. Band members are Manhasset residents Andrew Hahn, who plays Fender bass, sax, and keyboard; Oscar Cellura on Fender guitars, and keyboard; and percussionist Zach Levine, a resident of Syosset, who plays the drums. The band has played at the renowned “Bitter End” in Greenwich Village and Mulcahy’s in Wantagh, NY. 37 Stripes were also finalists in the Town of Oyster Bay’s Battle of the Bands and the Morgan Park (Glen Cove) Summer Music Festival.

Psychopompous, which boasts alumni of Great Neck South High School, performing in Knockout Round 2 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

First formed at Great Neck South High/Middle School in 2010, Psychopompous is the most recent nominal iteration of the musical project formed by singer and guitarist Justin Kelly, percussionist Beni Hahitti, and bassist Maximillian Nero. The three created  Psychopompous through a mutual interest primarily in progressive rock, and then expanded into an unending plethora of musical interests that continues to grow at an alarming, and often frustrating rate. Their music has taken notes from progressive rock, heavy metal, alternative, blues, funk, psychedelia, Gregorian chant, Tibetan throat singing, and occasionally whale songs. They have been known in the past for their sincere love of technical music, experimentation, improvisation, and their unbridled willingness to play music nobody wants to hear.

All types of Kinds performing in Knockout Round 2 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

All Types of Kinds is a New York City-based Alternative band consisting of guitarists Billy Conahan, Ray Rubio, and Rocco Stoker, along with percussionist Berk O. As a group, they have performed from folk to rap and other genres in between. Their music and shows reflect the band’s diverse background in helping them achieve success in the New York metropolitan area. Band members are all singer/songwriters with an extensive repertoire of songs. Having grown up performing in musical theater, stand-up comedy, and as actors, the group is skilled at crowd engagement, making their shows unique and upbeat. Their personal and group experiences give them the ability to read and play to any crowd, creating a show that is always changing and entertaining to diverse audiences. 

Lydia von Hof is a 16-year-old singer, piano player, and songwriter from Commack, New York. She performed as a soloist at Madison Square Garden at a New York Knicks halftime show and is the 2016 winner of Long Island’s Got Talent. Aside from singing pop, jazz, R&B, Broadway, and opera, Lydia is a classically trained pianist and has performed classical piano solos at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.  She has been a returning musical guest on PATV’s “The Brick Wall.”

Lydia von Hof and Annamaria from Round 1 of “Your Big Break” Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center, Great Neck, Long Island. The finals take place on April 21 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Gold Coast Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the arts through education, exhibition, performance and outreach. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, it has brought the arts to tens of thousands of people throughout the region for over 20 years. Among the Center’s offerings are its School for the Arts, which holds year-round classes in visual and performing arts for students of all ages and abilities; a free public art gallery; a concert and lecture series; film screenings and discussions; the annual Gold Coast International Film Festival; and initiatives that focus on senior citizens and underserved communities. These initiatives include artist residencies, after-school programs, school assemblies, teacher-training workshops and parent-child workshops. The Gold Coast Arts Center is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. More information can be found at www.goldcoastarts.org.

 

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Open Call for Submissions to Enter ‘Your Big Break’ Talent Competition at Gold Coast Arts Center

Finals of the fifth annual Gold Coast Acoustic Café Your Big Break talent competition participants, organizers and judges at the Gold Coast Arts Center, Great Neck, Long Island © 2017 Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Great Neck, NY — Now in its sixth year, the Gold Coast Arts Center and Love Revolution have issued an open call for submissions for musicians 15-25 living on Long Island and in all five boroughs to enter the “Your Big Break” talent competition for 2018. The deadline is January 7; there is no fee to enter.

The competition takes place February 3, March 10 (semi-finals) and April 21 (finals) to determine what musical artist or group is the “next big thing.”

The open call is for all musicians age 15 to 25 living on Long Island and in all 5 boroughs that 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. Though artists will be judged in areas from stage presence to overall musicianship, YBB is largely a singing competition.

To enter: email one MP3 song; one photo; a short bio to gnacbigbreak@gmail.com, or enter at Reverbnation, http://bit.ly/2BTyvjR

During the competition, mentors are assigned to the finalists for YBB to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. 2018 mentors are still to be announced, but this past year’s included American Idol’s Robbie Rosen, Dream Recording Studio’s Jason Melker, Sojourn Record’s Mark Ambosino, producer/songwriter and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records Jimmy Bralower, singer/songwriter John Hampson of Nine Days, and songwriter/producer Donnie Klang of MTV’s “Making the Band”.

Judges are major players in the music industry as well; past judges have included ReverbNation.com’s Lou Plaia, All Music Inc.’s Guy Brogna, songwriter Tara Eberle Drouin and label executives Stephen Marcuccio, Jerry Lembo, Linda Ingrisano, Mark Ambrosino.

Prizes Include:

The chance to open for national acts at major venues like Stereo Garden and the Paramount in New York

PR and social media campaign including management, booking, and label services consultation with Rick Eberle

Musical equipment from All Music Inc (Owner, Guy Brogna, will judge)

Homepage feature on ReverbNation.com (Co-Founder, Lou Plaia, will judge)

Each evening is capped with a special headlining performance. Past artists who have performed in the headline slots have included: Lem Payne, Jr., Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers, and Sir Cadian Rhythm – all of whom are local musicians who have had major success in the industry, with hopes to further inspire the next generation of New York stars presented each year. 

For more information on upcoming classes, exhibits, and activities at the Gold Coast Arts Center, visit www.GoldCoastArts.org or call (516)-829-2570.

The Gold Coast Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to producing and supporting the arts through education, exhibition, performance and outreach. For over 20 years they have brought the arts and arts in education experiences to tens of thousands of people throughout our region through its School for the Arts, which offers year-round classes in all visual and performing arts to students of all ages and abilities; free public art gallery; concert and lecture series; outreach programs, which each year bring artist residencies, after-school programs, school assemblies, teacher training workshops and parent-child workshops to students, senior citizens, teachers and others in underserved communities throughout our region; year round film screening and discussion series and Gold Coast International Film Festival. The Arts Center is an affiliate of the John F Kennedy Center for the for the Performing Arts: Partners in Education Program and National Gallery of Art, both located in Washington DC.

 

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Open Call for Submissions to 4th Annual ‘Your Big Break’ at Gold Coast Arts Center

Katie Zimmer headlining with the Como Brothers at the 2015 Your Big Break Finals at the Gold Coast arts Center © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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

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