'Big Break' Showcase Seeks Talent

The search is on for local talent as the Gold Coast Acoustic Cafe’s third annual “Big Break” Showcase Series at The Gold Coast Arts Center gets underway.

Right now there is open call for submissions for all musicians age 15 to 25 that do not currently have a recording or publishing contracts 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.

Visit the website at or send one mp3 song, one photo and a short bio to GNACBIGBREAK@GMAIL.COM to submit for free. The deadline is Jan. 10, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

Over the course of three nights – Saturday, Jan. 31; Saturday, March 21; and Saturday April 18 – the public is invited to join 2015 Love Revolution Org and the Gold Coast Arts Center as they once again search for the next big thing to come off Long Island, with a little help from some of their friends in the music industry. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the first act will perform starting at 8 p.m. each night. Price is $5 for students and $10 for adults.

There is a new twist this year: mentors will be assigned to the finalists once they have been chosen after the second semi final. The mentors will work with the artists to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. Mentors are Long Island-based Ryan Star, who had a top 10 single “Stay a While”; John Hampson of Nine Days, who had the top 5 hit “Story of A Girl”), Ido Zmishlany, who cowrote the hit for Shawn Mendes “Life of the Party”; and Steve Thompson, producer for John Lennon, Guns N Roses, Madonna, and a 2014 Long Island Music Hall of Fame inductee.

Prizes are designed to help local talent launch their musical journey and include:

• the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Space at Westbury via contest judge Bruce Michael
• recording time at The Loft Sound Studio with contest judges Donnie Klang and Matthew LaPorte
• feature at Reverbnation.com with contest judge Lou Plaia a contest judge
• Online TV streaming opportunities on IndiMusic TV with contest judge Chris Pati
• musical equipment from All Music Inc and contest judge Guy Brogna
• mentoring at Five Towns College with contest judge Linda Ingrisano
• photo shoot by Image Photographers and Neil Tandy
• a video shoot with Kevin Wood Media
• publicity and promotion campaign with Rick Eberle Public Relations
• radio appearances on WCWP and WUSB

The series also aims to provide opportunity to network with music industry experts.

The Gold Coast Arts Center is located at 113 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck.

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