Address: Founders Room

Sat 26 June, 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

Salamanca Jazz is Live in the Founders Room on Woobys Lane, with 
The Louise Denson Quintet (Phil Bywater, Stevie McEntee, Tom Robb and Jed Adams).
This will be a unique and special meeting of some of Hobart’s finest musical minds!

Saturday 26th July 2025
Doors & bar open at 7pm
Music from 7:30pm 

The Founders Room on Woobys Lane
Salamanca Arts Centre 

~~~~~

Pianist/composer Louise Denson will enjoy the great privilege of presenting her rarely performed compositions for quintet with the powerful and expressive frontline of saxophonist Phil Bywater and trombonist Stevie McEntee. The exciting program will include On the Level (very funky), Who Knew Blues (now you know!), Lost My Heart (recorded by multi-Downbeat-poll-winning trombonist Bill Watrous), and many other melodious and groovy tunes.

Drummer Tom Robb and bassist Jed Adams complete the line-up.

You won’t want to miss it!

Louise is well known on the Hobart jazz scene leading her own groups and working with saxophonists Spike Mason, Ken Schroder and Jesse Bowden, and samba drummer Carlos Ferreira among others.  She has completed a number of extended composition projects, the most recent being Love Asunder with award-winning vocalist Elly Hoyt. Louise’s compositions have been widely performed and recorded, and she has played in festivals across Canada and Australia, and in the UK.

Phil has recently returned to Tasmania after many successful years in Melbourne as a player and educator. He led the bands Phil Bywater’s Buried Treasure Fallingwater Trio and Big Fela Afrobeat Orchestra and was a key member of many others. Phil’s performance experience is vast and diverse, encompassing reggae, funk, jazz, afrobeat, world music, free improv, punk, rock, musical theatre and contemporary classical music.

Stevie is a mover and shaker in the Hobart scene both as a player/composer/band leader and an arts administrator. Before settling in Hobart, Stevie toured internationally as a freelance musician. By day Stevie works as the co-founder and artistic director of the Lutruwita Art Orchestra and as co-artistic director of the Clarence Jazz Festival, by night they lead Hobart’s 12-piece all original Afrobeat dance band Baba Bruja and play trombone in the hugely popular reggae-fusion band Boil Up.

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 support 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.

An informal and inclusive social singing workshop

Workshop :
Saturday 5 July 2025, 10:30am – 12:30pm

Duration : 2 Hours

Tickets :
General Admission $52

Join us for a fun, informal and inclusive session with amazing Tasmanian choir director Jane Christie-Johnston.   

Within minutes, you will become part of an a cappella choir in four-part harmony as you sing a mix of gospel, folk and more. 

This session is for people wanting to ‘have a crack’ at a cappella singing in a choir for the first time, or try a new style of singing … or you might just want a fantastic and relaxing social singing experience with no strings attached.  Everything is taught by ear (no music reading or choir singing experience needed) and beginners are welcome. 

If you have attended Jane’s workshops at the festival in previous years, you will know that this is a fulfilling and relaxing way to join like-minded folk and enjoy singing just for the pure joy of it!   

“Jane Christie-Johnston’s workshops are addictive. I keep coming back for more. Each workshop is different but the thing they all have in common is that they are uplifting and fun! Recommended to those seeking a positive mood altering experience! “
– Julie Dennis, previous workshop participant 

Holistic Vocal Health Workshop

Workshop :
Tuesday 1 July 2025, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Duration : 1 Hour

Tickets :
General Admission $20

As singers, we are always caring for and nurturing our voices to keep them healthy and in prime condition to share our passion and talents with the world. This session will dive into the world of vocal health with voice expert Joshua Clifford and offer practical tips and resources for voices of all types and ages – perfect for singers & conductors!  

From steaming and straw singing, to caring for our voices as they age, these insights and tools are informed by research and are invaluable for conductors and singers alike! 

“It’s a passion of mine to increase awareness of vocal health, dispel myths, and provide a holistic approach to the voice – I’m so looking forward to presenting and sharing this session!” 
– Joshua Clifford, January 2025 

Gain insight into the composition process

Event :
Sunday 29 June 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Duration : 1.5 Hours

Tickets :
General Admission $20

Join accomplished Tasmanian composer Maria Grenfell as she chats with prominent Australian composers of choral music Annie Kwok (SA), John Rotar (QLD) and Don Kay (TAS) with librettist John Honey (TAS) in an informal and informative setting. 

Our featured composers will share the inspirations behind their commissions, thoughts around composing for specific ensembles and the importance of connecting with lyricists and other composers. 

Following the panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity for Q&A and networking with our featured composers. 

Experience the magic of Songwriting with one of Australia’s leading choral composers, Paul Jarman

Workshop :
2 x Days : Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June 2025

Cost : $225

**SOLD OUT! All places in this workshop have now been filled. Please email info@festivalofvoices.com with your phone number if you wish to be added to the waitlist in case more places become available. You may also be interested in FoV’s other workshops**

Delve into the wonderful world of songwriting with your mentor, nationally respected composer and musical storyteller Paul Jarman. In this intimate and creative workshop, you will be encouraged to create and share stories and songs with new friends.   

This workshop will include an open dialogue about how we write songs. Those who have not attended this workshop in previous years are encouraged to join Paul for an optional introductory session, where he will begin to look at the elements in the songwriters’ toolbox, including the nuts and bolts of composing, melodic nuances, finding inspiration and mindset, and integrity in storytelling.  

In a collaborative and supportive environment, Paul and participants will work individually and together to craft music, drawing from personal experiences and stories. Whether or not you read music or have much experience, if you’re interested in learning more about writing your own songs, you’re encouraged to attend. Previous attendees have described the experience as uniquely special for what they’ve taken away from the two days and friends they made along the way. Participants are also welcome to bring along instruments to this workshop.   

The workshop schedule also includes a preliminary meet-and-greet session in the Singers’ Lounge with Paul and your fellow songwriters. 

Workshop numbers are strictly capped at 20 participants, so be sure to register early to avoid disappointment! 

Sat 21 June, 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

Salamanca Jazz is Live in the Founders Room on Woobys Lane, with 
Elly Hoyt, Damien Kingston and Julius Schwing.

Saturday 21st June 2025
Doors & bar open at 7pm
Music from 7:30pm 

The Founders Room on Woobys Lane
Salamanca Arts Centre 

~~~~~

Hoyt-Kingston-Schwing feature the stunning voice of Elly Hoyt alongside two sublime guitarists, exploring the delicate balance between density and space, harmony and unison. Their music—rooted in spontaneity and playful interaction—unfolds like a rich tapestry of sound. The performance will include brand-new original works, distinctive interpretations of jazz standards and contemporary jazz repertoire.

Elly Hoyt is a Tasmanian-born composer and vocalist recognised for her innovative contributions to jazz and indie-folk music. She has released three acclaimed jazz albums and her composition “New Orleans” has garnered over one million streams on Spotify. Elly has performed in Australia, Europe, USA, and China. Hoyt’s accolades include a Bell Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album, the Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship, being a finalist in the Freedman Jazz Fellowship, and a Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship to study a Master of Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, USA.

Damien Kingston is a Hobart-based guitarist and jazz composer who has released six albums of original music as a bandleader with the Damien Kingston Quartet. His work has been published by both independent and established labels, including Scratch Match Records and ABC Jazz. Damien has presented his music throughout Australia and toured internationally across Europe.

Julius Schwing is an improvising guitarist and composer from Bruny Island. He has performed in Australia, Europe, India, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. Julius has been nominated three times for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship and placed third in the 2022 National Jazz Awards. Recently, he was awarded a State Luminary APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award and has released nine albums.

~~~~~

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 support 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.

Fri 13 June, 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

$19 + bf

Welcome to the Global Sounds Salamanca series, live in the Founders Room on Woobys Lane.

XIXA (pronounced ‘Chi-cha’) is an infectious nine-piece Cumbia sensation, bringing tropical sounds made for dancing!
Viva la Cumbia!
Viva Xixa!

Friday 13th June 2025
Doors & bar open at 7pm
Music from 7:30pm 

The Founders Room on Woobys Lane
Salamanca Arts Centre 

~~~~~

XIXA was born out of the ashes of a pandemic.
Cumbia is their rhythmic pulse, made for dancing, but they’ll throw in a power ballad for a quick breather.
Xixa’s horn section will get you moving, guitar and bass will set your soul ablaze, keys will transport you to the tropics, and rhythmic percussion will sync your heartbeat with one another’s.
Grab your dancing orthotics, bring your friends, bring your auntie and let’s make some memories!
Viva la Cumbia, Viva Xixa!

XIXA is pronounced ‘Chi-cha’ after the amazonian style of Cumbia that is known to hail from Peru – chicha. This somewhat psychedelic style of Cumbia was a way for traditional Andean music to remain current with younger audiences.
This style is loose, fun and very seriously full of quirky sounds.
XIXA is a bunch of amigos who used to play cumbia together in Chupacabra, after a few years of dedicating time to other projects we decided to get back together to play cumbia and have some fun. 

Xixa formed in the lul that was the 2020 pandemic and have performed in festivals and events around southern Tasmania.
Cumbia is designed for dancing and having a good time, we throw in a power ballad or two to give you a quick breather. Horns, guitar, keys and rhythmic percussion join forces to give Tasmania Xixa!

XIXA is: Elias Solis – CONGAS, LEAD VOCALS  | Aaron Entresz – GUITAR  | Oliver Plapp – BASS | Thomas Webster – KEYBOARD, ACCORDION, VOCALS | Eduardo Venegas – DRUM KIT, TIMBALES, VOCALS | Jaime Anabalon – GUIRO, VOCALS | James Verral – TRUMPET | David Cavallo – TRUMPET | Adam Davenport-Hortle – TROMBONE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 $19 ea +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.

Event :
Friday 23 May 2025 (straight after Rektango)
Doors Open @ 7:20pm 
Music from 7:30pm – 10:30pm

Tickets : $10
Tickets available at the Door (cash or EFT)

*This is an 18+ Event*

Always danceable, always fun. Always dark eighties.
The Cure, Simple Minds, Stranglers, Devo, B52s – that sort of thing.

Help us get ready for the winter with special guests Foucault a’ GoGo.

Carefully timed straight after Rektango but before Dark Mofo!
Good practice?

WORKSHOP :
Saturday 24 May 2025, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Doors Open 20 minutes prior

Duration : 3 x Hours

Cost : $50 (+BF)

Whether your improv journey has recently begun, or you are a seasoned improviser, this workshop will power up your impro to the next level.

What do the words dynamite and dynamics have in common? The root DYNA – which means power.

Often, when people refer to POWER IMPRO they mean fast, hard, loud, and unrelentingly funny. This is definitely a powerful way to play…sometimes. But sometimes the most powerful way to play is slow, soft, silent, or poignant. Master improvisers know how to play a full range of energies and when to apply them to their characters, scenes, and the stories they tell.

In this workshop, you will learn how to build and harness your own impro superpowers to play within a dynamic range – physically, verbally, and emotionally. Whether your improv journey has recently begun, or you are a seasoned improviser, this workshop will power up your impro to the next level.

Performance :
Saturday 24 May 2025
Doors Open 7:00pm | Performance from 7:30pm – 9:00pm (includes Interval)

Tickets :
Full Price $30 (+BF)
Concession $25 (+BF)

Ruby Rocket is an intoxicating, intoxicated private eye who always gets her man…

Except, of course, when she doesn’t. In this hilarious improvised show, Stacey Hallal plays Ruby, weaving vivid noir storytelling, physical comedy, Jon Timm’s innovative multimedia imagery. Featuring a guest cast of Hobart’s top improvisers. Not to be missed!

Stacey Hallal and Jon Timm have toured Ruby Rocket across North America and Europe to packed houses and amazed audiences.

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“Hallal’s strong improv skills and comedic timing take audiences on a ride where there’s no guessing what’s in store.” -­ Vue Weekly

“Hallal is a stage dynamo. Fast and fearless.” -­ Winnipeg Free Press

“She’s a genuine talent.” -­The Oregonian

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PROTEA Impro’s 2025 season is supported by Salamanca Arts Centre