QUT music student Kimberly Hall likes to throw a party - particularly if it means she can promote talented uni students at the same time and make new friends.
The 28-year-old American jazz/blues/R&B singer - and sometime actor and painter - moved to Brisbane at the start of 2009 to study at QUT's Creative Industries Faculty and has formed her own events organisation to put talented young people in the spotlight.
On November 15 she will stage a 10-hour outdoor music festival at QUT's Kelvin Grove campus, which will feature more than 20 bands and singers - the majority involving QUT students.
The SNEACS Beats Festival will run from 12noon to 10pm at the F Block amphitheatre and is open to the public. Entry is free.
Kimberly started her event organisation, SNEACS (Social Networking, Events and Creative Spaces), partly to get to know people after moving to Australia from Miami in January.
One of her first events was to throw herself a 1920s-themed birthday party at a uni bar with several live bands.
"I'm an international student and I came here not knowing anyone," Kimberly said.
"But I really believe in the importance of artistic collaboration and getting out there and promoting local talent."
Kimberly has had classical training and studied musical theatre in the United States and worked in New York and Miami (including appearing as an extra in TV's Sex in the City).
At QUT, she is concentrating on jazz and blues performance, and plans to also study music events and festivals organisation next year.
"This is the first place in my whole life where I've really felt at home, so I hope to stay in Brisbane for a while," she said.
The SNEACS Beats Festival will be held at QUT Kelvin Grove on Sunday, November 15 (the day after uni exams finish), in the F Block amphitheatre off Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove. Entry is free. Visit www.qutsneacs.com for band details and other information.
Media contacts: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2130 or ml.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
** High-resolution photo available for media use. Please contact Mechelle.
