Launceston Lunchbox Concerts: Autumn 2025
Presented by Theatre North and Van Diemen's Band
VDB's hugely popular Lunchbox Concert Series are back in Launnie!
Bite-sized concerts for the price of a sandwich.
Curated by VDB’s Artistic Director, Julia Fredersdorff, the Lunchbox Concerts go "beyond the Band" to showcase a rich variety of artists, genres and styles - all for the price of a sandwich.
We invite you to enjoy a tempting menu of diverse short-form concerts held in your lunch break, featuring some of Tassie’s finest musical talent alongside interstate and international guests.
Escape the hustle and bustle and step into an oasis of beautiful music ranging from meditative chamber-folk and brilliant baroque to thundering piano and virtuosic percussion, in a casual and welcoming setting.
Concert #1: Mini Van Diemen's Band (TAS)
Wednesday 02 April, 1:05 PM
PRINCESS THEATRE
Two of our core players - Katie Yap (viola) and Simon Martyn-Ellis (theorbo) - step out from their usual place in the middle of the band to take the spotlight in a sumptuous program of duos and solos by JS Bach, Telemann, Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi and Kanaka Maoli/Hawaiian composer Leilehua Lanzilotti.
Concert #2: Where Water Meets (TAS)
Wednesday 09 April, 1:05 PM
PRINCESS THEATRE
Multi-talented instrumentalist Yyan Ng (guitar, shakuhachi) and experimental violinist and composer Emily Sheppard play original duos in their unique chamber-folk style.
Concert #3: Ensemble Offspring (NSW)
Wednesday 16 April, 1:05 PM
PRINCESS THEATRE
Standing at the forefront of musical innovation, Ensemble Offspring's Claire Edwardes (percussion) and Zubin Kanga (piano) perform a virtuosic program of new music.
Concert #4: Stefan Cassomenos (VIC)
Wednesday 23 April, 1:05 PM
PRINCESS THEATRE
Hailed as ‘a pianist of great passion and power’, Stefan Cassomenos performs a kaleidoscopic program of spectacular piano masterpieces, culminating in Liszt’s monumental transcription of Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 5.
Concert #5: Croissants & Whiskey (VIC)
Wednesday 30 April, 1:05 PM
HOLY TRINITY, LAUNCESTON
Prog-baroque quartet Croissants & Whiskey brings a new energy to old instruments, with an unconventional blend of harpsichord, G violone, baroque viola, and recorders.
"I can't believe I can fit a world-class experience like this into the middle of my day for $10. It's wild. A transporting, beautiful interlude which takes me out of the noise and into the music. Thank you."
Partners
| Concert #1 | Mini Van Diemen's Band Julia Fredersdorff, Artistic Director & Baroque violin Karina Schmitz, viola Simon Martyn-Ellis, theorbo |
| Concert #2 | Where Water Meets Emily Sheppard, violin / eelhu / voice Yyan Ng, guitar / shakuhachi/ voice |
| Concert #3 | Ensemble Offspring Claire Edwardes, percussion Zubin Kanga, piano |
| Concert #4 | Stefan Cassomenos, piano |
| Concert #5 | Croissants & Whiskey Joy Lee, harpsichord Ryan Williams, recorders Katie Yap, baroque viola Miranda Hill, G violone |
Event and ticketing details
Date & Time
| Mini Van Diemen's Band |
Wed 2 Apr 1.05pm-1.50pm |
| Where Water Meets |
Wed 9 Apr 1.05-1.50pm |
| Ensemble Offspring |
Wed 16 Apr 1.05-1.50pm |
| Stefan Cassomenos |
Wed 23 Apr 1.05-1.50pm |
| Croissants & Whiskey |
Wed 30 Apr 1.05-1.50pm |
Tickets
| Pre-booked / Friends of Theatre North | $10.00 |
| Door sales | $15.00 |
| Companion Card Holder | Free |
Location
Accessibility
Event notes
Duration
Each Lunchbox Concert is a 45-minute performance with no interval.