Address: The Courtyard

Two men one an image in black and white, he looks directly to camera, wears a hat and a large gold chain with a cross on it. He has facial hair. The second man on the right wears a baseball cap backward, wears a black tee shirt and holds a microphone to his mouth.

This event is part of Winter Light 2022 and is presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Witness the power of fusion with two of Hobart’s up and coming rappers blending language, culture and classic hip hop beats to tell stories in a new way.

RC40
RC40 is Tasmania’s first Hindi rapper. Drawing on his personal stories and challenges in life, RC40 collaborates with local artists producers in Hobart and in June 2022 his song “I.M BORN” became the first Hindi rap song releaser by Tasmanian Hip Hop Collective.

Adonay Tsegezeab (marra dona)
Blending his mother tongue, Tigrinya, and English, Adonay makes powerful music that maps his journey to lutruwita (Tasmania) from Eritrea, through Ethiopia and lifts people up with strong messages.

Curated by Sharifah Emalia Al-Gadrie

Friday 19 August 2022
6pm – 7pm

Raj Chopra (RC40)

RC40 – Hindi Rapper based in Hobart is involved in music since 2020. The name RC40 is initials derived from his full name Raj Chopra. His rap is inspired by his own stories and challenges in life. Raj writes his own songs and composes them after finding local producers. Few months back Raj collaborated with another local rapper Zeke to release the first Hindi-English collab song in the history of Tasmania – “Guilty”.

Beautiful paper lanterns are hung in The outside Courtyard. There is a dark blue moody sky behind them.

These events are part of Winter Light 2022 and are presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

August is a special time for Japanese people as they celebrate ‘Obon’, a cultural tradition where ancestors come back from the other world. Lanterns are displayed as guides for them to find their way home to their families.

Obon is a time to remember and honour family members that have passed away, while gathering with the ones that are still with you. Participants in the lantern workshops (held in late July) were welcomed to dedicate their lantern to someone. They were invited to place a picture, writing or artwork on their lanterns in honour of them, if they felt comfortable to.

Workshops participant learnt how to make a paper Obon lantern with Japanese contemporary artist Yumemi Hiraki.

Sadly, the lanterns which were created were destroyed by the weather. A reminder of impermanence. We would like to thank all the people who created a lantern as part of this project. They looked beautiful during the Opening Event for Winter Light.

A japanese woman with long dark hair and glasses looks directly to camera, smiling. She sits in front of a wall with a coloured, swirly mural on it. — Photo: Will Nicolson

Yumemi Hiraki
Yumemi Hiraki is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Nipaluna. Her practice delves into the interactions between memory, nostalgia, history and connection to place, while re-examining the relationship to her Japanese heritage. Viewing herself as a resident of cultural gaps, her works evokes a familiar yet foreign sense of longing, belonging and holding on, while hinting at life’s inevitable continuity and ephemerality.

Yumemi is originally from Hiroshima, Japan. She completed her BFA(Sculpture and Spatial Practice) at the Victorian College of the Arts and has been an active Arts Worker while exhibiting and developing her practice in both Naarm and Nipaluna. Yumemi has a growing interest in community-based arts, mentorship and education, and currently also works as a Youth Arts Officer at the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre.

A black and white photo of a group of four, male musicians playing in the round. A guitarists is seated while the other three men stand. — Photo: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

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

An image of Chris Coleman sits on a yellow background. He is a white male with dark brown hair.

This event is part of the ARCHIVE 2022 program and is presented by Salamanca Arts Centre and Edge Radio
Supported by Live Music Australia – an Australian Government initiative

A stellar lineup featuring some of Tasmania’s most charismatic and talented songwriters and performers come together for the first in the Archive 2022 series: monthly concerts to a live audience that’ll also be broadcast for radio—tune in live on Edge Radio 99.3FM or stream it on edgeradio.org.au.

SOLD OUT | Saturday 29 January, 9pm (+ Ben Salter + Kat Edwards)
SOLD OUT | Sunday 30 January, 4pm (+ Denni + Magnus)

Curated by Glenn Richards
Produced by Lucien Simon, Aeron Clark and Keith Deverell

Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre, Edge Radio in association with Mona Foma

The Curator

Glenn Richards

Glenn Richards is a multi award winning songwriter, composer, engineer and producer who has toured the world and continues to record with his band Augie March and for his own solo material. He has released eight acclaimed albums, including a platinum and two gold, and has scored, engineered and mixed three feature films, an ABC television series, a recent play for the Theatre Royal Hobart, and many shorts and webisodes. He works out of his studio, Dark Satanic Mill Studio, Hobart, Tasmania.

Supported by Live Music Australia – an Australian Government initiative

A performnce in the outdoor Courtyard : an actor is on stage wearing a large pink dress crraeted from various objects, whilst another actor on the stage sits in a chair facing away from the crowd. The crowd are seated, watching the performance. — Photo: Nicole Robson

The Courtyard is located at the heart of Salamanca Arts Centre.
The perfect place to sit and relax during the day.

The back wall of The Courtyard is a natural rock face, creating a unique backdrop for arts activity. The same rock face continues into the adjacent Peacock Theatre.

The Courtyard has been used successfully for theatrical and dance performances, music recitals, Salamanca Arts Centre Resident Markets, film screenings, and cabaret. And for the past 20 Years has been the primary venue for the weekly Friday night live music event, Rektango.

In 2019, with the assistance of Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie MP, Salamanca Arts Centre was awarded a Federal Government Regional Development Grant to make improvements to the Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard. Major renovations were completed in 2020 aims to improve the visibility and accessibility of tenancies around the Courtyard. Automatic doors have been installed, along with more glazing and track lighting. The peacock feather-shaped platforms invite a greater variety of art forms. The state-of-the-art sound system and outdoor theatre lighting will create an unforgettable audience experience. Salamanca Arts Centre commissioned projects in public art and furniture design. Floating against the rock face is Escape Pod, a work by Colin Langridge inspired by a maritime escape pod. Embedded in the paving is a stainless-steel peacock feather by Gerhard Mausz above which are custom Sassafras timber benches and tables designed and made by Paul Allen.

Venue Hire Rates

Pop-Up Performance / Event
$85 per Hire (GST Inclusive)
Daytime | Non-Exclusive Hire

Evening Public Performance / Event
$210 per Hire (GST Inclusive)
Evening | Exclusive Hire

Evening Private Event
$330 per Hire (GST Inclusive)
Evening | Exclusive Hire
Includes all non-Arts Events, Private Functions, Corporate Events

All prices are inclusive of GST and are effective from 1 January 2024.

*Venue Hire Rates will increase as of 1 January 2025.
For details of 2025 Venue Hire Rates, please refer to the Courtyard Venue Hire Pack / Conditions of Hire (PDF)

Availability

Due to the location of The Courtyard and the significant sound bleed between the adjacent venues, the availability of The Courtyard is pending the bookings and scheduled activity in the adjacent venues (Peacock Theatre, Founders Room, Sidespace Gallery, Long Gallery). An event cannot occur in The Courtyard if there is already an event scheduled in an adjacent venue.

There is a live music event (Rektango) in the Courtyard every Friday evening between 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
The Courtyard is not available to hire during Rektango.

Applying for the Courtyard : 2025 Calendar REMAINING DATES

Salamanca Arts Centre (SAC) is currently seeking applications for inclusion in the Courtyard 2025 Calendar (January – December 2025).

Applications are sought for Performances, Concerts, Events, Workshops, Launches, and Private Functions.

Applications are for REMAINING DATES ONLY.
The majority of the 2025 Calendar was filled in the two Annual Assessments Round in 2024. As a result most months in 2025 are heavily booked and only limited dates remain.
Please confirm date availability with the Venues Manager prior to submitting your application.

For more information on the hire of the Courtyard, including Venue Hire Rates for 2025, please refer to the Conditions of Hire (PDF) prior to submitting your application.

Applications can be submitted at any time
Applications will be assessed as received and applicants will be contacted with an outcome within 10 x Working Days.

APPLY

Applying for 2026 and Beyond

Salamanca Arts Centre assesses applications for the Courtyard twice annually, with application rounds occurring in April and September each year, with Special Applications Round (in the event of a cancellation) if required.

If you would like to be notified when applications open for 2026 or dates become available due to a cancellation, please sign up to our alert list.

A man with greying hair plays a guitar on stage. The image is black and white.

This event is part of Winter Light 2022 and is presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Dancing with the Wind is a show that expresses what it means to be a Tasmanian, the songs and visuals reflect the wild landscape of our island and the stoic, proud and adventurous spirit of its people. The collection of original songs written by local singer/ songwriter Greg Wells, draws on the inspiring people that he has met and places he’s visited over many years. Songs will be from the three studio albums he has recorded with The Blackwater Band and from a new album being released later in 2022.

Friday 12 August 2022
6pm-7pm

tickets

Artist

Greg Wells & The Blackwater Band

Greg Wells & The Blackwater Band are a five piece band from Hobart playing their original folk/roots/storytelling style songs. The band comprises Al Campbell (bass guitar), John Britcliffe (drums), Emily Wolfe (violin), Dave Elliston (mandolin) & Greg Wells (guitar & vocals).

This event is part of Winter Light 2022 and is presented by Salamanca Arts Centre

Set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza!

Winning Best Children’s Event award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021, this is an extraordinary adventure you just can’t miss.

Lions and tigers and Dummies, oh my! Set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza that will leave you chuckling like a monkey and roaring for more.

This “inspirational all-female troop” (The Wee Review Edinburgh) of strong women, empower and educate young audiences to question gender stereotypes and societal expectations of gender.

Having delighted audiences in thirteen countries and counting, with five-star reviews across the board, this is a crazy adventure sure to “have the children (and adults) in stitches throughout” (One 4 Review Edinburgh).

Salamanca Arts Centre presents

Eclectica Salamanca ~ a musical excursion to other times, other places

King B-Fine

Afrikaya’s unique & lively Rastafarian front man. King lives by the Rastafarian philosophy & the tradition of honouring that everyone is born royal. Originally from war torn Sierra Leone, King B-Fine now calls Australia home and resides in West Hobart with his Tasmanian wife & young family. King B-Fine’s passion for performing started early, his musical influences include the legends of reggae & afro beat such as Marley, Tosh & Fela Kuti. King’s musical achievements are impressive, as is his list of musical awards. He has toured Europe, shared the stage with international reggae musicians, headlined an Australian music festival in Qld and was an Australia Day Award Finalist in Sydney. What is equally impressive is that King composes and produces his own music under his labels, Fine Records & Royal Movement Records. He has released numerous albums and singles with accompanying music videos.

All guests are reminded of the following entry requirements and to practice COVID Safe Behaviours including:

Full Vaccination required to attend this event
Check-In via the Check In Tas app
Sanitising hands upon entry
Maintain Physical Distancing (1.5m)
If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend (we will see you another time!)
If guests are not enjoying a beverage, guests must wear a face mask at all times.

Eclectica Salamanca is supported by the City of Hobart through its Cultural Grants Program and by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.