If this is my full code, what should it now be?
<div class="hpbottom">
<h3>Upcoming Gigs</h3>
<?php $recent = new WP_Query("cat=8&showposts=3"); while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post();?>
<h1><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h1>
<p><?php echo the_event_start_date(); ?></p>
<div style="border-bottom:1px dotted #2255AA; margin-bottom:10px; padding:0px 0px 10px 0px; clear:both;"></div>
<?php endwhile; ?>
<!--This is where you can specify the archive link for each section. Replace the # with the appropriate URL-->
<b><a href="https://www.thistlepark.com/?cat=8" rel="bookmark">View all upcoming gigs!</a></b>
</div>
tried implementing your suggestion but it cause a break in the code somehow. thanks for the help