Dami Im lends X Factor to GC2018 Gala

Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Dami Im will headline theGC2018 Charity Gala and Medal Revealthis Saturday 4 November at The Star on the Gold Coast.

The Masters of Music Studies graduate shot to stardom after winning The X Factor in 2013 and was Australia’s entrant in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.

Dami will carry the Queen’s Baton next April, but her Commonwealth Games journey will kick off this weekend as she lends her remarkable voice in support of the Gold Coast Community Fund (GCCF).

“I’m bringing my band, they’re flying in from Sydney, and I just want to have a really good time with everybody,” Dami said.

The multi-instrumentalist, who is also known for her showstopping outfits, is keeping tight-lipped on her wardrobe for Saturday night’s performance.

“I’ll keep it a secret for the people that are coming on the night but it will be something special and it will be fun.”

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said Dami’s appearance is a huge boost to an already huge event.

“Dami is undoubtedly one of this country’s most exciting singer songwriters who certainly knows how to inhabit a song,” Mr Beattie said.

“Her style is like nothing we’ve seen before and her remarkable voice is matched by amazing performance costumes and an incredible stage presence.

“Her style and the personality she brings to the stage makes her the perfect artist to headline what I know will be a magic night.”

The event is shaping as one of the Gold Coast’s biggest charity nights with guests rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in Australian business and sport while raising money for a good cause.

The GC2018 Charity Gala silent auction items are ‘live’ on galabid.com/gc2018 with the community encouraged to log in and put in a bid on their favourite items.

Griffith has donated a double pass to the Queensland Conservatorium 2018 Performance Season. Also included in the auction line-upwill be the chance to kick off the men’s gold medal match of the Rugby Sevens with three Category A seats and a signed match ball and courtesy of The Star Gold Coast, an eight person ‘flavours of Tokyo’ experience at the Chefs hatted restaurant, Kiyomi.

Chairman of the GCCF, Rutland Smith said they were overwhelmed by the support of GOLDOC, Games partners, athletes and the community.

“Now with Dami in attendance and an auction program filled with a number of items never auctioned before in Australia, we have a recipe for success to raise much needed funds for people who are in urgent need of assistance,” Mr Smith said.

Charity Gala attendees will also enjoy an exclusive reveal of the GC2018 gold, silver and bronze medals, produced by the Royal Australian Mint.

Athletes in attendance will include GC2018 Ambassadors Sally Pearson OAM, Anna Meares OAM and Cameron McEvoy and swimming legends Sam Riley and Tracey Wickham OAM.

Joining them will be Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Michael Shelley and Domonic Bedggood, 1982 champion Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM, Sam Riley, Tatiana Grigorieva, Kookaburra’s captain, Mark Knowles and Paralympic stars, Brenden Hall OAM and Nick Beveridge.

The evening will feature a number of Games ‘money can’t buy’ experiences that only hosting a Commonwealth Games can deliver, such as the opportunity to be at the Commonwealth Games Village when the Australian team arrives and a behind the scenes look at the GC2018 Opening Ceremony.

A limited number of tickets for the GC2018 Charity Gala and Medal Reveal are available at gc2018.com/official-charity.