Cindy Jensen

She’s the creative genius behind one of the Coast’s most-loved music events, Buskers on the Creek and this year, Cindy Jensen has gone above and beyond for the people of the Gold Coast.

Happening this weekend, Buskers on the Creek will boast Queensland’s first floating bar and 16 music stages for our listening pleasure.

We sat down for a chat with Cindy about the incredible free entertainment and how four blind men sparked the idea for our favourite creekside festival.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
Falling in love with a property in Lower Beechmont saw me move from Brisbane to the Gold Coast nearly fifteen years ago, with a new café venture in Nerang shortly after helping grow my network locally. The mountain was a haven, but with my daughter heading into high school, we decided to make the move closer to services.   I’ve called Currumbin home ever since.

What do you love most about living here?
Currumbin is a community in every sense of the word and our beaches are some of the best I’ve experienced around the world! The Gold Coast as a city is ever-evolving, whether it be by way of new dining options and creative spaces or infrastructure and events, there always seems to be development on the horizon. I must admit I love the thrill of a roller coaster ride and living here provides that in more ways than one!

Tell us how Buskers on the Creek came about…
A trip to Thailand walking through a maze of colour and flavour in an outdoor bazaar inspired my new creative venture. Four blind guys sitting back to back busking on their ukuleles was the magic moment – talent like I’d never witnessed, incredible and inspiring! The plane trip home saw me pencil a plan on the back of a cereal box and the rest is history.

Why do you think events like this are important for the Coast…
Outdoor events refresh the spirit like nothing else can and they’re a way to connect with our family and community in a unique environment. I have been asked countless times if I can hold the festival once a month, or weekly, and if only it didn’t take me near twelve months to prepare I would love to! The joy it brings others is what keeps me driven to ensure the event becomes sustainable and cemented in the annual calendar.

What can we expect from this years’ event?
This year will see a carnivale celebration creekside, with two days of glitz and glam, vivacious energy and an extravagant party with over 300 performers set to entertain! From samba struts to Afro-Brazilian drum rhythms, from award winning musicians and talented teens, from swing to acrobatics, 2019 will see even more incredible entertainment, jaw dropping tricks and waterborne magic. I keep the festival free entry for all, but ask everyone to dig deep and tip the incredible entertainers throughout the amazing, two-day extravaganza with acts being paid solely through the loose change and generosity of the crowds.

Can we talk about Queensland’s first ever floating bar…
We are so excited to bring festival-goers yet another first for Queensland and Bar Copacabana will be Brazilian-inspired in-line with the festival’s theme and host Brazilian acts including DJ CVIO, DJ Maxx R, Brazo Duo, Flavio Correa, Rodrigo Ferraz and Zambabem Trio. Everyone needs to start learning the lyrics to “Copacabana” and prepare to set their vocal chords alight! The creation of the floating attraction will be no small feat with a team of local companies coming on board to make Bar Copacabana happen. Maclift Cranes have been enlisted with the job of loading Gold Coast Barges specifically constructed panels and gangways onto a semi-trailer with a 20-tonne franna, for Morrow Equipment to transport to the Currumbin location.

What did you do before you created Buskers on the Creek?
I’ve got a diverse employment background from graphic design and small business ownership, to marketing, communications and event management. After producing a talent show, “Desal’s Got Talent” whilst employed on the Victorian Desalination Project back in 2013, I became witness to incredible talent who were hiding behind hard hats and steel cap boots. From the roofer turned musician, to the welder turned panpipe player, it made me passionate about finding a way to continue to shine the light on the undiscovered. On completion of the project and moving home to Currumbin, I realised our spectacular waterway was the perfect backdrop and Winders Park, the perfect stage for my next creative venture.

Do you have anything else exciting in the pipeline over the next few months?
We’ve always got side street events in the pipeline, but are most excited about an upcoming collaboration with world travelling musician and festival favourite, Tristan O’Meara. Tristan has been playing and making didgeridoos for over 10 years and what started as a hobby has turned into the manufacture and sale of instrument quality didgeridoos. We receive countless requests from our festival fans for an O’Meara encore and we thought an intimate exhibition and music evening would be the best way to showcase all his talents. It’s penned for early 2019, stay tuned through our social pages.

Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Beach: My home, Currumbin
Cafe: Iron and Resin … hands down!
Restaurant: Hidden Wine Bar… everyone loves a surprise and that place is a gem!
How does your weekend usually look: It’s always very colourful and creative!