Every Friday evening (weather pending)
5:30pm – 7:30pm


FREE EVENT

Over 20 years old and still going strong, Rektango is a weekly event held every Friday in Salamanca Art Centre’s own enchanting Courtyard. Hemmed in by a cliff face stretching up to Battery Point, people from all walks of life gather for live music every Friday evening between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

It’s a FREE EVENT event run by the musicians themselves, with lots of dancing, catching up with old friends or meeting new ones. There’s hot mulled wine and fires in the winter, sangria in the summer, plus beers, ciders and wine and it always goes ahead unless rained out. The music may be anything from gypsy swing, cool funk or latin sambas to daft disco depending on when you drop in, one things we can promise is there will always be plenty of dancing.

To find out who is playing this week – or if tonight’s performance has been cancelled due to bad weather – check Rektango’s facebook page HERE

Joshua Lamb

DATES

Saturdays in 2025 for as long as the weather lasts!


This Summer of 2024, members of the public are invited to enjoy the entertaining spectacle of a skilled portrait artist at work.

Tasmanian-based portrait artist Joshua Lamb is setting up his Parisian-inspired portrait sketching market arrangement in the Salamanca Arts Centre courtyard. Based on his own studies in the portrait markets of Montmartre in Paris, Joshua’s flair for capturing charming and delightful likenesses makes for a uniquely entertaining experience.

“I want to bring  Montmartre to Hobart”.

Portrait sittings are generally around half an hour each. Timed to coincide with the world-famous and thriving Salamanca Markets, the portrait sketching is an enjoyable attraction, enhancing the experience for all enjoying some refuge in the gentle and delightful surrounds of the Salamanca Arts Centre courtyard.

And who knows, for a small fee you may be enticed to sit for your own keepsake heirloom portrait!


More SAC Supported
  • All Ages
  • Comedy
  • Events
  • Performances
  • Theatre

Theatresports™️

Presented by PROTEA Impro

Friday 28 Feb – Friday 28 Nov 2025
Founders Room
View event
  • All Ages
  • Exhibitions
  • Free
  • Kid Friendly
  • Opening Event

Bevan’s Day

Jo Soszynski | Plum Birdy

Friday 7 – Friday 28 Mar 2025
Studio Gallery
View event
  • Events
  • Festivals
  • Free
  • Hobart LitFest
  • Meet the Artist
  • Opening Event
  • Performances
  • Salamanca Arts Curated
  • Talks

Hobart LitFest – Friday Program

Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Thursday 3 – Friday 4 Apr 2025
Long Gallery
View event
  • Events
  • Festivals
  • Free
  • Hobart LitFest
  • Meet the Artist
  • Opening Event
  • Performances
  • Salamanca Arts Curated
  • Talks

Hobart LitFest – Saturday Program

Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Saturday 5 – Saturday 5 Apr 2025
Long Gallery
View event
  • Events
  • Festivals
  • Free
  • Hobart LitFest
  • Meet the Artist
  • Opening Event
  • Performances
  • Salamanca Arts Curated
  • Talks

Hobart LitFest – Sunday Program

Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Sunday 6 – Sunday 6 Apr 2025
Long Gallery
View event
  • Events
  • Festivals
  • Free
  • Hobart LitFest
  • Meet the Artist
  • Opening Event
  • Performances
  • Salamanca Arts Curated
  • Talks

Hobart LitFest – Week Two Program

Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 Apr 2025
Long Gallery
View event
  • All Ages
  • Exhibitions
  • Free
  • Kid Friendly

Second Stride

Kirby Gibson

Wednesday 16 Apr – Sunday 25 May 2025
Lightbox
View event


Friday 28 June 2024 @ 6:45pm

FREE EVENT

The energetic vibe of Rektango meets the quirky chaos of Men in Suits in this opening night Pop-Up Performance.

Men in Suits

Get ready to enjoy a flashmob style performance during the band’s set break. Then stay on and dance away the night to more free music, get along to the Tasmanian Songbook Volume 4, or head up to the Long Gallery for a drink and more entertainment in the Singers’ Lounge


View the full Pop-Up Program


Floods, fires and a pandemic – escape is tantalising to us in the face of these threats.

A lifeboat promises liberty and offers hope, and as art it sets the imagination free and transports us from the limitations of our daily routine.

Inspired by the emergency lifeboat of the recently decommissioned Aurora Australis icebreaker, which was a prominent feature of the Hobart waterfront, Escape Pod  by Colin Langridge provides a historical reference to these past three decades.  The bright orange colour is a visual link to the ship that berthed only 200 metres from this site.


Acknowledgements: The artist would like to thank Stuart Houghton (metalwork), Jason James (lighting), Andrew Jarvis (fibreglass) and Trevor Smith for their assistance with this project.


Image credit: Colin Langridge | Escape Pod (2021) | Fibreglass, stainless steel, acrylic, LED light | 200 x 80 x 80cm


Public Art Events

    Escape Pod

    Artist: Colin Langridge
    Location: Courtyard
    Installation Date: January 2021

    The Courtyard
    View event

      SAC Walls Project

      Curated by Lisa Campbell-Smith & Brendan Walls
      Location: Facade of Salamanca Arts Centre
      Installation Date: February 2020

      Salamanca Arts Centre
      View event

      Proudly presented by Salamanca Arts Centre.

      Saturday 29 October, 2022
      11am – 1pm
      The Courtyard, Salamanca Arts Centre
      ** weather dependant **

      Come and hear some of Hobart’s finest Gypsy Jazz artists play a ‘session’ like you have never heard before!
      Curated and hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy, members of the musical community are encouraged to join in, just like they did back in the day.
      Expect to be wowed by the music of the 1930’s Parisian Belle Epoque’ (Beautiful Era). This is the music that Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh listened to when they were out and about on their adventures.

      Everyone is welcome!

      Want to play along too?

      If you are interested in participating in these sessions, then please register your interest below and Charlie will put your name on the list, and make sure there is a seat available for you.

      Photo: supplied by the artist

      Harry Edwards
      Harry Edwards is a Hobart based guitarist, performer, and composer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania in 2012 and has since developed a regular practice of performing professionally with various ensembles around Tasmania, including Hobart gypsy jazz staple ‘Django’s Tiger.’



      Hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy and featuring local and travelling musicians of the highest calibre, the Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions differ from a regular musical performance in a few key ways.

      This Gypsy Jazz Jam is based on how the genre was originally encountered in the 1930’s Parisian social scene, around a campfire fire/table or in a bar or even backstage during a gig where the musicians were formally booked to play for dances and would jam backstage for fun.

      The Musicians will be seated in a circle facing each other, unrehearsed but with common repertoire and familiar calls/instructions/signals for on-the-spot arrangement decisions. All tunes are played from memory, no charts, just a list of common songs and everyone leads the song they nominate. Musicians can take a break whenever they like but the music is pretty much continuous and other musicians and even members of the audience are encouraged to join in and participate also! BYO instrument!

      The audience is invited to be close to the music, and can move around the musicians, with the option of changing location at any time, go to the bar and enjoy a drink, chat and interact with friends, get in close to the musician you want to observe the most.

      This session will not be amplified so move up close to hear the music as loud as you like.

      The main goal being more fun for all.


      Why these sessions are so special
      The musicians are more relaxed and will be more communicative and adaptable to variation in the moment, they will play uninhibited and take musical risks to the enjoyment of all.

      The audience engages with the musicians directly. Chats between tunes, observing the interactions first hand and even getting involved if you bring your instrument.

      You hear the true sound of the instrument directly from the instrument, no amplification, no feedback, so that when identical instruments are soloing you can clearly see/hear who is doing what. These instruments have been around for hundreds of years and are already the perfect volume for this kind of music.


      The Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre as part of its Live Music Program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund.


      • Supporters

        Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.

      Proudly presented by Salamanca Arts Centre.

      Saturday 15 October, 2022
      11am – 1pm
      The Courtyard, Salamanca Arts Centre
      ** weather dependant **

      Come and hear some of Hobart’s finest Gypsy Jazz artists play a ‘session’ like you have never heard before!
      Curated and hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy, members of the musical community are encouraged to join in, just like they did back in the day.
      Expect to be wowed by the music of the 1930’s Parisian Belle Epoque’ (Beautiful Era). This is the music that Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh listened to when they were out and about on their adventures.

      Everyone is welcome!

      Want to play along too?

      If you are interested in participating in these sessions, then please register your interest below and Charlie will put your name on the list, and make sure there is a seat available for you.



      Hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy and featuring local and travelling musicians of the highest calibre, the Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions differ from a regular musical performance in a few key ways.

      This Gypsy Jazz Jam is based on how the genre was originally encountered in the 1930’s Parisian social scene, around a campfire fire/table or in a bar or even backstage during a gig where the musicians were formally booked to play for dances and would jam backstage for fun.

      The Musicians will be seated in a circle facing each other, unrehearsed but with common repertoire and familiar calls/instructions/signals for on-the-spot arrangement decisions. All tunes are played from memory, no charts, just a list of common songs and everyone leads the song they nominate. Musicians can take a break whenever they like but the music is pretty much continuous and other musicians and even members of the audience are encouraged to join in and participate also! BYO instrument!

      The audience is invited to be close to the music, and can move around the musicians, with the option of changing location at any time, go to the bar and enjoy a drink, chat and interact with friends, get in close to the musician you want to observe the most.

      This session will not be amplified so move up close to hear the music as loud as you like.

      The main goal being more fun for all.


      Why these sessions are so special
      The musicians are more relaxed and will be more communicative and adaptable to variation in the moment, they will play uninhibited and take musical risks to the enjoyment of all.

      The audience engages with the musicians directly. Chats between tunes, observing the interactions first hand and even getting involved if you bring your instrument.

      You hear the true sound of the instrument directly from the instrument, no amplification, no feedback, so that when identical instruments are soloing you can clearly see/hear who is doing what. These instruments have been around for hundreds of years and are already the perfect volume for this kind of music.


      The Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre as part of its Live Music Program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund.


      • Supporters

        Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.

      Proudly presented by Salamanca Arts Centre.

      Saturday 1 October, 2022
      11am – 1pm
      The Courtyard, Salamanca Arts Centre
      ** weather dependant **

      Come and hear some of Hobart’s finest Gypsy Jazz artists play a ‘session’ like you have never heard before!
      Curated and hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy, members of the musical community are encouraged to join in, just like they did back in the day.
      Expect to be wowed by the music of the 1930’s Parisian Belle Epoque’ (Beautiful Era). This is the music that Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh listened to when they were out and about on their adventures.

      Everyone is welcome!

      Want to play along too?

      If you are interested in participating in these sessions, then please register your interest below and Charlie will put your name on the list, and make sure there is a seat available for you.



      Hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy and featuring local and travelling musicians of the highest calibre, the Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions differ from a regular musical performance in a few key ways.

      This Gypsy Jazz Jam is based on how the genre was originally encountered in the 1930’s Parisian social scene, around a campfire fire/table or in a bar or even backstage during a gig where the musicians were formally booked to play for dances and would jam backstage for fun.

      The Musicians will be seated in a circle facing each other, unrehearsed but with common repertoire and familiar calls/instructions/signals for on-the-spot arrangement decisions. All tunes are played from memory, no charts, just a list of common songs and everyone leads the song they nominate. Musicians can take a break whenever they like but the music is pretty much continuous and other musicians and even members of the audience are encouraged to join in and participate also! BYO instrument!

      The audience is invited to be close to the music, and can move around the musicians, with the option of changing location at any time, go to the bar and enjoy a drink, chat and interact with friends, get in close to the musician you want to observe the most.

      This session will not be amplified so move up close to hear the music as loud as you like.

      The main goal being more fun for all.


      Why these sessions are so special
      The musicians are more relaxed and will be more communicative and adaptable to variation in the moment, they will play uninhibited and take musical risks to the enjoyment of all.

      The audience engages with the musicians directly. Chats between tunes, observing the interactions first hand and even getting involved if you bring your instrument.

      You hear the true sound of the instrument directly from the instrument, no amplification, no feedback, so that when identical instruments are soloing you can clearly see/hear who is doing what. These instruments have been around for hundreds of years and are already the perfect volume for this kind of music.


      The Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre as part of its Live Music Program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund.


      • Supporters

        Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.

      Proudly presented by Salamanca Arts Centre.

      Come and hear some of Hobart’s finest Gypsy Jazz artists play a ‘session’ like you have never heard before!
      Curated and hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy, members of the musical community are encouraged to join in, just like they did back in the day.
      Expect to be wowed by the music of the 1930’s Parisian Belle Epoque’ (Beautiful Era). This is the music that Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh listened to when they were out and about on their adventures.

      Everyone is welcome!

      Want to play along too?

      If you are interested in participating in these sessions, then please register your interest below and Charlie will put your name on the list, and make sure there is a seat available for you.



      Hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy and featuring local and travelling musicians of the highest calibre, the Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions differ from a regular musical performance in a few key ways.

      This Gypsy Jazz Jam is based on how the genre was originally encountered in the 1930’s Parisian social scene, around a campfire fire/table or in a bar or even backstage during a gig where the musicians were formally booked to play for dances and would jam backstage for fun.

      The Musicians will be seated in a circle facing each other, unrehearsed but with common repertoire and familiar calls/instructions/signals for on-the-spot arrangement decisions. All tunes are played from memory, no charts, just a list of common songs and everyone leads the song they nominate. Musicians can take a break whenever they like but the music is pretty much continuous and other musicians and even members of the audience are encouraged to join in and participate also! BYO instrument!

      The audience is invited to be close to the music, and can move around the musicians, with the option of changing location at any time, go to the bar and enjoy a drink, chat and interact with friends, get in close to the musician you want to observe the most.

      This session will not be amplified so move up close to hear the music as loud as you like.

      The main goal being more fun for all.


      Why these sessions are so special
      The musicians are more relaxed and will be more communicative and adaptable to variation in the moment, they will play uninhibited and take musical risks to the enjoyment of all.

      The audience engages with the musicians directly. Chats between tunes, observing the interactions first hand and even getting involved if you bring your instrument.

      You hear the true sound of the instrument directly from the instrument, no amplification, no feedback, so that when identical instruments are soloing you can clearly see/hear who is doing what. These instruments have been around for hundreds of years and are already the perfect volume for this kind of music.


      The Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre as part of its Live Music Program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund.


      • Supporters

        Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.

      Proudly presented by Salamanca Arts Centre.

      Come and hear some of Hobart’s finest Gypsy Jazz artists play a ‘session’ like you have never heard before!
      Curated and hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy, members of the musical community are encouraged to join in, just like they did back in the day.
      Expect to be wowed by the music of the 1930’s Parisian Belle Epoque’ (Beautiful Era). This is the music that Monet, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Van Gogh listened to when they were out and about on their adventures.

      Everyone is welcome!

      Want to play along too?

      If you are interested in participating in these sessions, then please register your interest below and Charlie will put your name on the list, and make sure there is a seat available for you.



      Hosted by award winning virtuoso violinist Charlie McCarthy and featuring local and travelling musicians of the highest calibre, the Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions differ from a regular musical performance in a few key ways.

      This Gypsy Jazz Jam is based on how the genre was originally encountered in the 1930’s Parisian social scene, around a campfire fire/table or in a bar or even backstage during a gig where the musicians were formally booked to play for dances and would jam backstage for fun.

      The Musicians will be seated in a circle facing each other, unrehearsed but with common repertoire and familiar calls/instructions/signals for on-the-spot arrangement decisions. All tunes are played from memory, no charts, just a list of common songs and everyone leads the song they nominate. Musicians can take a break whenever they like but the music is pretty much continuous and other musicians and even members of the audience are encouraged to join in and participate also! BYO instrument!

      The audience is invited to be close to the music, and can move around the musicians, with the option of changing location at any time, go to the bar and enjoy a drink, chat and interact with friends, get in close to the musician you want to observe the most.

      This session will not be amplified so move up close to hear the music as loud as you like.

      The main goal being more fun for all.


      Why these sessions are so special
      The musicians are more relaxed and will be more communicative and adaptable to variation in the moment, they will play uninhibited and take musical risks to the enjoyment of all.

      The audience engages with the musicians directly. Chats between tunes, observing the interactions first hand and even getting involved if you bring your instrument.

      You hear the true sound of the instrument directly from the instrument, no amplification, no feedback, so that when identical instruments are soloing you can clearly see/hear who is doing what. These instruments have been around for hundreds of years and are already the perfect volume for this kind of music.


      The Salamanca Gypsy Jazz Sessions are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre as part of its Live Music Program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund.


      • Supporters

        Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.