THE GRINNING DOG will be running an 'Alternative Night' every Thursday, which will feature a different band every week.   The venue will play alternative music all night, giveaway great prizes in music trivia competitions and allow people to get up on the open mic if they have an acoustic guitar, bass, conga's or any instrument that doesn't need to be amplified.   A massive jam session will be held at the end of the night for all musicians who are keen to get up.   'Alternative Night' is all about original and alternative music and is just what the Sunshine Coast has been craving.

King's Beach Tavern is set to host BEYOND PINK on Friday, May 25.   Head along to Kings Beach Tavern for two hours of Pink Floyd classics with spectacular lighting, sound and visuals.   Pre-sold tickets are available from the venue for $20 and on the door.   Doors open at 8.30 pm.

A fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Herston and the Royal Women's Brisbane Hospital's Intensive and Special Care Nursery will be held at Kawana Community Hall this month.   Rachael Butler's daughter was born 13 weeks premature and was diagnosed with Chronic Lung Disease.   Crystal spent 108 days in the Royal Women's Brisbane Hospital, mostly in intensive care.   Rachael wishes to give something back to these organisations so she's putting on a fundraising gig.   HI-WAY 1, SCARLETT and THE ROCKN RHYTHM CATS will all be performing at this fundraising event to be held on Saturday, May 12.   Tickets are only $12, supper included.   For more details phone Rachael Butler on (07) 5447 0458.

FESTIVAL NEWS

It is with extreme regret that the organisers of MAYNIA have announced the festival has been cancelled.   The organisers of the event, which was to be held at Dreamworld on Saturday, May 5, have decided to cancel as they were unhappy with the proposed noise modeling plans which would satisfy the Gold Coast City Council's administration of the Environmental Protection Act.   Along with the artists, agents and managers, Empire events sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this has caused any of the patrons.   For a full refund, simply head back to the point of purchase.

Envisioned, managed and promoted by parents, THE GATHERING FESTIVAL aims to provide a tremendously satisfying experience for adults and families with teenagers.   The growth and reputation of THE GATHERING FESTIVAL is marked by the line-up of high calibre artists and performers, making the experience a cultural event to satisfy a wide range of tastes.   THE GATHERING FESTIVAL gives the public a fantastic opportunity to re-connect with the best of the music world, and street performers and stallholders will add flavour and spontaneous fun to the whole event.   THE GATHERING FESTIVAL opens at midday on Saturday, June 2, so head along to the Yandina Community Centre on the Sunshine Coast to enjoy music from ROB LONGSTAFF, VIEW FROM MADELEINE'S COUCH, STEVIE WRIGHT, THE HANDS, MY NINJA LOVER, PTY LTD and LABJACD.   For more information visit http://www.thegatheringfestival.com.au or contact Jason Castle at jason@thegatheringfestival.com.au.

If you thought the Queensland music festival season was over until next summer, think again.   PAUHAUS: a festival of contemporary music encompasses all performance areas and features some of Australia's best indie, rock, guitar, acoustic and electronic artists and bands.   THE GRATES, THE PANICS, ED KUEPPER, EXPATRIATE, RED RIDERS, DAPPLED CITIES FLY, MACROMANTICS, PURPLE SNEAKERS feat. PhDJ, BIT BY BATS, WHITLEY, WONS PHREELY, OPERATOR PLEASE, VIOLENT SOHO and YVES KLEIN BLUE will take over the Powerhouse in Brisbane on Saturday, June 9. PAUHAUS is an all ages event in a licensed venue so punters must bring ID if they wish to drink.   Tickets are available on (07) 3358 8600, through www.brisbanepowerhouse.org or in person at the Brisbane Powerhouse Powertix Box Office.  

n The cream of Australia's country music talent is set to converge at Dreamworld for STAMPEDE on Saturday, June 23.   STAMPEDE will gather the likes of LEE KERNAGHAN, TROY CASSAR-DALEY, SARA STORER, TANIA KERNAGHAN, THE WOLVERINES, FELICITY URQUHART and THE MCCLYMONTS for an event like no other.   You may also like to take advantage of the Stampede VIP area where you can have your own private retreat. Complete with full bar service and special food, this is a great place to chill. For just $25 extra, you can also catch a ride on the Stampede Express which will pick you up from the pre-parties in Brisbane on The Gold Coast and deliver you to and from Dreamworld.   All tickets include entertainment, drinks and Dreamworld's manic rides and are available through ticketmaster.com.au, oztix.com.au and stampedefestival.com.au.  

THE SHORE FESTIVAL

This huge all ages drug and alcohol free festival takes place on the Queens birthday long weekend, Saturday June 9 at Lake Kawana Community Centre.   Hosted by Caloundra Youth Linx, Lifeline and The Foundation for Young Australians, The Shore Festival hosts a massive 22 acts for $12.   The event will feature 2 stages, the Natural Grooves Stage which will be located overlooking the shore of Lake Kawana, featuring music that will entertain the wider listener with acoustic, hip hop, soft rock and folk music playing for a solid nine hours.   Or if you like it heavy, the 'Heavy Hard Rock Stage' will be pumping out tunes inside the venue and rocking it out with acts from local and interstate. The line up is SHOWPONY, FROM THE HEARTS OF HERO'S, THE BLACKWATER FEVER, MANY MACHINES ON NINE, THE GOLDEN VIRTUES, INATION, DRAWCARD, SLEIGHT OF HAND, LUMP, IN2NATION, GUNSMITH JOHNNY, DEMENTIA 13, P-JAY, SOULJAH, DR OCTOPUS, THE FIFTH MAN, CHIN, THE WILLIAM MOONBOOK SOCIETY, KEMISTRY,   SILENCE IS DEAFENING, THE INVAIN and FROM BROKEN MEMORIES. The event will also have street performers and markets as well as rides.   The Shore Festival is planned and managed by a team of volunteers which are made up of young people, local business, industry promoters and is facilitated by Caloundra Youth and Lifeline. If you would like more information on the event email homegrownfestivals@hotmail.com.

ABDUCTED: AN EXTREME MUSIC HORROR is not simply another metal/rock show; it is an extreme music, horror art event that will showcase twenty of Australia's finest heavy music artists across two large indoor stages and three levels.   Head along to The Arena in Brisbane on Saturday, July 21 to experience the art winter festival that is ABDUCTED.   For more information visit www.myspace.com/abducted_07.