Friday, February 13, 2009

Rectango!

Playing Friday nights in Salamanca Square, just up behind the Peacock Theatre, Rectango is free salsa music that seems to have become a Hobart institution.
We went along tonight, and it was packed. Crammed with Hobart's bright young things, and some not-so-bright-or-young (me, for example, although I had one of the most popular accessories there - a hip-slung toddler. And there were kids of all sizes there. A very family-friendly atmosphere.), the small courtyard backed by a raw rock wall was like an instant party. Beers were being drunk everywhere, though I didn't see any sort of bar per se in the immediate vicinity. Which isn't to say there wasn't one behind a thicket of people that a short-stuff like me couldn't see. We made do with excellent homemade ice cream from Cargo Bar and Pizza Lounge ($3.50 for a huge single scoop - I recommend the caramelised fig!), just down the street in Salamanca Place.

If you can't find a comfortable pozzie in the square to listen to the music - there is, after all, a lot of loud mingling to compete with - we found the acoustics to be excellent at the top of Kelly Steps!

Where: Salamanca Square, down the arcade off Salamanca Place
When: Friday nights, I think through February only, but don't quote me.
How much: FREE!!!!

3 comments:

Life in a Glass House said...

It's actually on all year 'round, as long as it isn't raining too heavily. And there is a.. "bar".. though it's more a table with a couple of ice-filled eskies under it.
The mulled wine in winter is to die for.

Tania Bosak said...

nice to hear about the courtyard on line...we are about to celebrate 10 years! This December with the return of the band that started it all REKTANGO - gypsy swing.
yes there is a bar too - 10th December hope to see you there..
cheers
Tania Bosak
founder of the the Courtyard and the band rektango

Will said...

Fantastic nothing like Rectango. I have directed many a lost tourist on a friday. They love it and cant believe it is all free. Great mix of people little kids to grey heads. Sometimes they do crank up the beats too much but just about everbody comes to Rectango to catch up and chat so easy on the amps please last Friday was getting painful. Thanks CHRIS