Victorian psychedelic heavyweights O.R.B play Tasmania for the first time. Support from Spooky Eyes (TAS)
Victorian psychedelic rock band O.R.B visit Tasmania for the first time to play at the Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre. With a recent return to power trio, this show will see the band playing a set that spans their full discography as well as new music and improvised jams.
Joining them on the night are local Tasmanian group Spooky Eyes.
Season : Wednesday 30 April – Saturday 10 May 2025
Performances : Wednesday 30 April 2025 @ 7:30pm Thursday 1 May 2025 @ 7:30pm Friday 2 May 2025 @ 8:00pm Saturday 3 May 2025 @ 7:30pm Sunday 4 May 2025 @ 2:00pm : MATINEE + Q&A Wednesday 7 May 2025 @ 11:00am : MATINEE + Q&A Thursday 8 May 2025 @ 11:00am : MATINEE + Q&A Friday 9 May 2025 @ 8:00pm Saturday 10 May 2025 @ 7:30pm
Duration : 2 Hours (includes Interval) Doors + Tickets open 60 minutes prior to Performances
Tickets : $25 for Full Time Students $32 Concession Holders $40 General Admission $45 Big-Hearted Admission $150 Group Bookings (5+pax)
This multi-award winning play won great critical acclaim earning a Lortel Award as the longest-running, Off-Broadway version of Romeo and Juliet in New York history. Calarco’s R&J is the story of five senior boys living in a rigid, religious boarding school in the 1950s. One night, they discover a copy of the “banned play” Romeo and Juliet: saucy, raw, decadent, and dangerous. At first, the boys laugh at the sexual innuendos but things begin to change as they act out the characters in the play. For some, the roles become very real, but for all the boys, the story becomes an awakening, a chance to learn about themselves, each other, and their emotions.
Calarco has said this adaptation was about uncovering the passion, defiance, and violence in Shakespeare’s text but it is also about young men, how they interact when confronted with sex and sexuality.
Shakespeare’s R&J is about being young, in love, in lust, and understanding what it means to be gay. Given the events in our world right now, its message is as vital as it has ever been.
Breaking the rules can be dangerous, forbidden love can be even more dangerous
Performance : Saturday 29 March 2025 Doors Open @ 7:00m | Performance @ 8:00pm– 10:00pm (NO INTERVAL)
Join South African comedian Kevin Fraser for his #Imagination2025 comedy tour, a galactic journey blending classic humour with futuristic satire and local flavour.
In a star-lit world of wild imagination, Kevin hilariously tackles life’s everyday quirks, from African roots to global absurdities. With impersonations, sharp wit, and a sanctuary of laughter, this tour promises a wildly creative escape, where the future and the familiar collide!
Fri 11 April, 2025 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre 65b Woobys Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
Friday 11th April 2025 Doors & bar open at 7pm Music from 7:30pm
The Founders Room on Woobys Lane Salamanca Arts Centre
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Son del Sur, Tasmania’s own 10-piece salsa band has built a strong reputation, performing at Tasmania’s most popular venues and major music festivals and events, showcasing their vibrant sound across the state. Son del Sur draws inspiration from the giants of salsa; think Celia Cruz, the rhythmic genius of Tito Puente, and the brilliance of Ruben Blades, while also adding the legendary beats of Buena Vista Social Club. This influence has become the path the band has decided to follow.
With Son del Sur, you’ll dive into the energetic salsa spirit of the barrio from the ’70s and ’80s. The band brings a blend of salsa from the vibrant streets of New York, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, adding their own arrangements and original beats to give their salsa and Latin jazz a unique ‘Tassie’ flavour. Son del Sur is made up of local musicians.
Its members are:
Franco Solis: The band leader, percussionist, and main vocalist from Chile, is well-known for his long music career and collaborations with the local Tassie music scene.
Elias Solis: Local Latin percussionist from Chile, Elias grew up in a musical family and studied in Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Cuba, performing Latin music, jazz, and contemporary styles.
Lea Palacios: The band’s newest lead singer from Colombia, she’s worked with diverse music groups, from Jazz to Rock and Latin fusion, blending styles with her deep, expressive voice.
Konrad Park: The band’s dynamite timbal player, is known for his long career as a percussionist in Tasmania. A brilliant drummer and teacher, he has inspired many with his skill and dedication.
Kelly Ottaway: Adds flavour to the band’s groove with his piano, montunos, and arrangements. Kelly is a brilliant arranger and music writer, he spices up every performance with his creative touch.
Simon Reid: Son del Sur’s bass man, Simon, is a Tasmanian multi-instrumentalist and teacher. He’s backed hundreds of bands locally and nationally, producing original music and salsa grooves that keep you dancing all night.
Scott David Cashion: Baritone and Tenor Saxophone player, and occasional hand percussionist, he’s enjoyed a 35-year music career across diverse Tasmanian settings and performance situations, enriching each with his talent.
Yoram Levy: Trumpeter and former Principal Trumpet of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, is now a sought-after nationwide performer, educator, and ensemble leader since retiring from the TSO.
Les Johnston: a passionate trombonist, combines over a decade of performance and educational experience with technical skill and captivating stage presence, making him a top choice for jazz, classical, and contemporary ensembles.
Frances White: Is a powerful trombone player who makes the band stand out. She plays great solos, works with many different bands, and always adds something special to the music.
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Please note that the Courtyard Lift IS OPERATING!
Doors & Bar open at 7pm
Music begins at 7.30pm The Founders Room on Woobys Lane Salamanca Arts Centre.
This concert at Salamanca Arts Centre is supported by Arts Tasmania’s 2025 Arts Projects Fund. Salamanca Arts Centre is grateful for this support via Arts Tasmania and the Minister for the Arts.
Sat 26 April, 2025 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre 65b Woobys Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
$28 +bf each $52 +bf for 2 x tickets $91 +bf for 4 x tickets
Welcome to the Salamanca Jazz2025 series, live in the Founders Room on Woobys Lane.
Nadira & Friends’ Tribute to the Great Ladies of Jazz.
Saturday 26th April 2025 Doors & bar open at 7pm Music from 7:30pm
The Founders Room on Woobys Lane Salamanca Arts Centre
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If you haven’t seen or heard Nadira before, here’s what others say about her; Australianjazz.net – Nadira is this unstoppable person! Full of energy and enthusiasm. Nadira sings with the kind of pure joy that is totally contagious. Anyone who has been to her shows knows that this petite, yet commanding, performer has a punk-ish attitude and on-stage banter that could be a comedy act on its own!
Liz Carnovale (Paris Cat Jazz Club – Artistic and Programming Director) – Nadira is a dynamic, enthusiastic and forever playful Vocalist that brings joy into a room! Petit in size but robust with her punchy, articulate Jazz vocals and her quick wit…Nadira immediately gains your attention…make no mistake Nadira is the real Jazz deal!
Bob Sedergreen (Australian legendary jazz pianist, Australian Jazz Hall of Fame 2018) – Nadira is a very capable and experienced vocalist with a comprehensive repertoire. She is a professional artist who communicates immediately with her audience and is a pleasure to work with.
Nadira will be joined on stage by: Aaron Entresz – guitar; Konrad Park – drums; Lestyn Parry – piano; Seb Folvig – double bass; Jesse Bowden – sax; and Stevie McEntee – trombone.
See for yourselves what the hype is all about! Nadira and Friends will be performing as a Septet showcasing a tribute to the Great Ladies of Jazz, with fresh renditions of jazz standards tunes and well-loved songs from The Great American Songbook.
Please note that the Courtyard Lift IS OPERATING!
Doors & Bar open at 7pm
Music begins at 7.30pm The Founders Room on Woobys Lane Salamanca Arts Centre.
Tickets are only $28 ea +BF, or buy two tix for $52+BF, or buy four tix for only $91+BF.
This concert at Salamanca Arts Centre is supported by Arts Tasmania’s 2025 Arts Projects Fund. Salamanca Arts Centre is grateful for this support via Arts Tasmania and the Minister for the Arts.
Presented by Tassie Indie Authors as a part of Hobart LitFest
Sat 12 April, 2025 10am – 3pm Long Gallery Salamanca Arts Centre
Come along and check out Tassie’s best independent authors. Something for everyone with a range of genres on offer. Meet the authors. Buy the books. Book signings and giveaways!
A showcase of Tasmanian Indie Authors from across the state. Books available to buy direct from the authors. Come along, meet the authors, and find your next favourite read!. There is something for everyone – a range of genre from children’s books to thrillers, fantasy to romance and a range of memoir and non-fiction. Meet the author, get your book signed. Lots of giveaways and prizes!
Sat 29 March, 2025 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre 65b Woobys Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
$28 +bf each $52 +bf for 2 x tickets $91 +bf for 4 x tickets
This concert at Salamanca Arts Centre is supported by Arts Tasmania’s 2025 Arts Projects Fund. Salamanca Arts Centre is grateful for this support via Arts Tasmania and the Minister for the Arts.
Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!
Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.
Monday 7th & Wednesday 9th April 2025 – 10AM Via Booking Only
Young Writers High School Program Presented by Tasmanian Indie Author Group & Salamanca Arts Centre Salamanca Arts Centre are partnering with the Tasmanian Independent Author Group to present the Young Writers High School Program as a part of Hobart LitFest. This program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in three one-hour sessions led by independent authors from the Tasmanian Independent Author Group. During each session, students will participate in tailored writing workshops designed to inspire creativity, sharpen their writing skills, and explore new styles of expression. This interactive experience fosters a deeper connection to the writing process while encouraging self-expression and personal growth in a supportive, hands-on environment. To find out more, please visit the school booking system below.
‘Pony Tales’ Book Launch and Children’s Picture Book Panel Discussion Presented by Forty South Tasmania Join us for the launch of “Pony Tales: For the Love of Shetland Ponies” by Jacqui Sinclair Dickson, a collection of spirited stories and vivid charcoal drawings from a life-long horse-lover, writer and vision-impaired artist. The book will be launched by award-winning author/illustrator Fiona Levings (co-regional co-ordinator of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), followed by a discussion with other Tasmanian author/illustrators on their creative process.
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Tuesday 8th & Thursday 10th April 2025 – 10:30AM Via Booking Only
Collage and storytelling collide in this highly engaging and accessible creative workshop, brought to you by The Story Island Project. In Mix, Match, Make!, students will experiment with text and images cut out from magazines, books and newspapers to create their very own stories or poems in collage form. This dynamic workshop includes a mix of individual and group activities and, as students can engage with the materials at a variety of levels, it caters for a diverse range of abilities. Each group will be led by one of Story Island’s expert Story Leaders, with additional student support from our trained team of volunteers. To find out more, please visit theschool booking system below.
About Story Island The Story Island Project is a Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices. With the support of our enthusiastic volunteer tutors, Story Island runs free, dynamic storytelling workshops where young people are empowered to create their own stories. Our vision is for young people to harness the power of their imaginations so they can grow to be resilient and creative shapers of their own lives.
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Wednesday 9th April 2025 – 6:30PM Free Event
Tassie Indies Read Enjoy a showcase of Tasmanian Indie Authors reading their work. Ranging a number of genre styles of writing, come along and find your new favourite author!
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Saturday 12th April – 10AM til 3PM Free Event
2025 Tassie Indie Author Book Fair Come along and check out Tassie’s best independent authors. Something for everyone with a range of genres on offer. Meet the authors! Buy the books! Book signings and giveaways! Find out more here.
Story Island Project – A Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices.
The Hobart Bookshop– A proud independent and locally owned bookshop in Salamanca Square, Hobart, Tasmania.
Island Magazine– A not-for-profit premium Australian literary magazine of fiction, poetry, nonfiction and arts features.
Celebrate Hobart’s designationas a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!
Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.
Sunday 6th April 2025 – 10:00AM Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
Festival Hub Open Welcome to the Hobart LitFest Hub – a cozy retreat for ticket holders! Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee as you unwind in a comfortable space designed for writer and readers alike. Whether you’re here to sit back with a good book, jot down your thoughts, or simply connect with fellow festivalgoers, our hub offers a perfect escape. Come in, recharge, and take a moment to enjoy the slightly quieter side of the festival.
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Sunday 6th April 2025 – 12:30PM Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
Creating Book Merch: Art and the Crowdfunding Author Festival goers will be guided through how to create your own unique book merch using DIY craft, local resources, and creative partnerships to create extra value for your crowdfunding campaigns. The presenter, Tansy Rayner Roberts, will discuss her own experiences and take you through ways to boost book sales using art & craft in the digital age.
Sunday 6th April 2025 – 1:45PM Sunday Ticket / Festival Ticket
Tassie Fireside Chat – From Page To Screen with Belinda Bradley & Franz Docherty
Join us forFrom Page to Screen with screenwriters Belinda Bradley & Franz Docherty as they share the process of crafting a screenplay and bringing it to life on film. Get an insider’s look at what it truly takes to transform a written script into a dynamic film, with Belinda and Franz exploring the journey from the page to the screen. Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, filmmaker, or film enthusiast, this event will offer valuable lessons and insider knowledge on the magic of storytelling for the screen.
Tasmania is producing some of the finest writing in the country, supported by a diverse and growing publishing industry. Join Island’s Jane Rawson and Forty South’s Rayne Allinson and Lucinda Sharp for a deep dive into what these publishing outlets are looking for, and how to kick-start your publishing career here in Tasmania.
Sunday 6th April 2025 – 4:00PM Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
Hobart as a UNESCO City of Literature: What It Means for Tasmania Join us for an exciting panel event on Hobart as a UNESCO City of Literature: What It Means for Tasmania’s Future. This forward-looking discussion will explore the transformative potential of Hobart’s UNESCO recognition, focusing on how it will shape the state’s literary and cultural landscape in the years ahead. Local authors and experts will discuss the opportunities for growth in the local literary scene, fostering collaborations, and nurturing a new generation of writers and creatives. Don’t miss this chance to hear how Hobart’s designation is paving the way for a brighter, more dynamic cultural future for Tasmania.
Sunday 6th April 2025 – 5:00PM Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
LitFest Networking Event Join us at the Hobart LitFest Festival Hub for an exclusive networking event! Connect with fellow book lovers, authors, and industry professionals in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. Enjoy a complimentary drink upon entry as you mingle and share your passion for literature. This is the perfect opportunity to make new connections, exchange ideas, and be part of a vibrant literary community. Don’t miss out on this exciting event – where creativity and conversation flow!
Story Island Project – A Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices.
The Hobart Bookshop– A proud independent and locally owned bookshop in Salamanca Square, Hobart, Tasmania.
Island Magazine– A not-for-profit premium Australian literary magazine of fiction, poetry, nonfiction and arts features.
Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!
Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.
Saturday 5th April 2025 – 12:00PM Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
Opening Lines and Unresolved Issues: How to begin and how to end a really good story Katherine Johnson, Kathryn Lomer and Robbie Arnott are all Award-winning Tasmanian authors, who will be sharing some insights as to how they set their opening scenes, what to say at the end, and what might be best left unsaid.
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Saturday 5th April 2025 – 1:15PM Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
People are so Gullible: Do Facts in History even matter anymore? Our world is full of heavy words and grand proclamations hurled with such passion and force because someone wants us to believe them. But saying something does not make it so. Esteemed Tasmanian historiansHamish Maxwell-Stewart, Robert Cox and Alison Alexander remind us of the value of Fact and Evidence in Writing History.
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Saturday 5th April 2025 – 2:30PM Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
Short stories and Long shots: Weaving the improbable with the credible (in under 5,000 words) The short story has been a valued and favoured form for writers and readers for hundreds of years. What art is there in fashioning an engaging tale without the freedom of unlimited length. Cameron Hindrum, Leigh Swinbourne and Mallika Naguran have each published collections of short stories, and will share their thoughts on how to tame big ideas in order to reveal all that the reader needs to know, sometimes in only a few pages.
Burning Bridges, Burning Books & Burning Issues We have always lauded a writer’s courage to say what needs to be said. With subtlety and satire, history’s sacred cows have been subjected to scrutiny. Award-winning Tasmanian authors, includingAdam Ouston, Gina Mercer, and Ben Walter ponder the rights and obligations of the contemporary writer to say what they wish to say in an increasingly complex world.
A Distillation of the Language: Why Poetry is the highest form of writing. In this provocation, Pete Hay, Anne Kellas, and Sarah Day; three of Tasmania’s most highly regarded poets, will share why Poetry is their chosen form, and how Poetry, alone, allows human concerns, both personal and universal, to co-exist, and to be articulated within the most economic use of the English language.
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Saturday 5th April 2025 – 7:30PM Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket
The Great Literary Debate – Plotting vs Pantsing “It’s better to fly by the seat of your pants than plan and plot your book in detail.”
Come and watch local Tasmanian authors battle out this contentious topic while their tongues remain firmly planted in their cheeks.
Story Island Project – A Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices.
The Hobart Bookshop– A proud independent and locally owned bookshop in Salamanca Square, Hobart, Tasmania.
Island Magazine– A not-for-profit premium Australian literary magazine of fiction, poetry, nonfiction and arts features.
