Stories

The buzzy, inner-city neighbourhood of South Town, centred on Welles Street, has even more claim to being Christchurch’s creative hub with the opening of Yoobee Colleges, just across on Colombo Street. The funky new building will be home to 700 animation, film, emerging technologies, game development and graphic design students. The campus has been purpose-built, with labs and interactive class spaces, as well as exhibition and event areas. As well as NZQA-accredited courses, Yoobee will also offer secondary school holiday programmes and training for working professionals. The location appealed to Yoobee as South Town is becoming home to an increasing number of artistic and creative businesses, making it an ideal space to inspire their students. Developer Box 112, who are behind many of the new projects transforming South Town, partnered with Yoobee Colleges to deliver the new building. Box 112 spokesman James Stringer said such projects were “filling the streets” with...

Film festival fever is everywhere, Cityscapers – the full programme for the Christchurch edition of the New Zealand International Film Festival 2019 was released in mid-July, and boasts an impressive 84 films from all seven continents. Whittling down the extensive programme can be a time consuming process. To ease the burden, we’ve done the legwork and put together our top picks for the upcoming festival, which runs from 8 – 25 August at the Isaac Theatre Royal and Lumière Cinemas in the Arts Centre. As well as titles direct from the Cannes and Sundance festivals, there are some exceptional new New Zealand films showing, including Tearepa Kahi’s Herbs: Songs of Freedom and Tony Sutorius’ Helen Kelly – Together, a moving documentary of the last year of the unionist’s life. Both Kahi and Sutorius will meet and take questions from audiences at screenings of their films. For those keen to support local,...

Time to break out the bold colours and the big hair, Cityscapers – 1980s pop icons a-ha are coming to Christchurch in March 2020 to celebrate 35 years since their debut release, Hunting High and Low, by performing the album in full, including smash hit ‘Take On Me’. The concert will feature other favourites from across their career. In their first visit to New Zealand, a-ha – singer Morten Harket, keyboardist Mags Furuholmen and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy – will take the stage at Horncastle Arena on March 5. Joining them is Rick ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ Astley, also making his New Zealand debut. a-ha have sold more than 55 million albums and remain one of the UK and Europe's most loved pop bands, regularly playing stadiums and festivals. Their songs and those of Rick Astley have been a big part of the pop soundtrack to countless lives, and this tour...

Fresh from headlining sold-out shows in New York and London, Kiwi pop sensations Drax Project are performing in Christchurch on August 2, 2019. Cityscape talks to drummer Matt Beachen about overnight success and sharing the love. In just a few years, you’ve gone from busking on the streets of Wellington to selling out your own headline tours and opening for the likes of Ed Sheeran and Lorde – how surreal has that been? It’s definitely been a crazy few years! I don’t think any of us thought it would go as far as it has when we were busking. We’ve always just had fun with it and we’re super grateful that we get to do what we do! Your song ‘Woke Up Late’ – when did you realise you had such a massive hit on your hands? It’s hard to say really – I think when we opened for Ed Sheeran...

Expect to laugh, cringe and maybe cry as you watch the crew from the outrageous My Dad Wrote A Porno podcast bring their brand new live show to Christchurch in 2020. New Zealand is one of the earliest stops on a new world tour, so you’ll be able to see the show first. Team Porno – aka Jamie Morton, Alice Levine and James Cooper – will hit the stage of the Isaac Theatre Royal on January 22, presenting more of the best/worst erotica ever written. Join Jamie as he delves deeper into the mind of the legendary Rocky Flintstone and dissects his father’s Belinda Blinked erotic saga, alongside best mates James and Alice, who bring to life this comedy event full of surprises and interaction. It’s been two years since Kiwis have had a chance to see the trio behind the podcast perform live. If you want to catch up with...

Don’t sacrifice style for warmth this season. Untouched World’s Wool Shirt (pictured top) is sure to help you combat the cold. Great for layering, it will quickly become a wardrobe staple. We've rounded up a few more dapper items to help get you through the crisper months. Read on for the definitive list of what's haute in boys fashion this winter. Superdry New Merchant Pea Coat from BallantynesHunters Race Neptune watch from HeadspaceNorse Projects Beanie from Infinite DefiniteHugh Long Sleeve T-Shirt from Cutler & Co.Garret Leight Boccaccio Sunglasses from Infinite DefiniteRoyal Republiq Cast Crepe Midcut Shoe from Infinite DefiniteDanyon Trouser from Cutler & Co.Louis Cuba Libre Satchel from Indigo & Provisions

One of New Zealand’s favourite live acts, Sons of Zion, are pulling in to town on August 3 to bring their ‘Coming Home’ tour to The Good Home Ferrymead. Singer Samuel Eriwata tells Cityscape what punters can expect, and talks about their first gig together. Congratulations on your new hit single, ‘Come Home’ – is it a pointer to what is to come with the next album?Absolutely. This is the first song in a series we are doing to be released together. Each song will have its own vibe, no two songs will be similar. What can punters expect from your new live show?We always strive to bring something new to the live scene. Expect a super-polished set and something that's tailored to a crowd who loves to party and have a good time. Audiences know you for the way you all seamlessly switch vocal duties and instruments on stage –...

Hip-hop sensation Kings is bringing his full show to Christchurch for the first time on August 16. He tells Cityscape he’s keen to show off his new material, and also just have some fun. This is your first time headlining your own show in Christchurch – what took you so long? Haha, great question! I’m not sure to be honest. I always hated when someone said you “have to” do something. And I would more often than not do the complete opposite. My agent and management at the time didn’t rush to put a tour on either so I never thought much of it. But as an artist, I’m well prepared and experienced now to put on a dope show. Are you looking forward to taking your music to some new audiences on this tour? I’ve taken control of each aspect of the show and can’t wait to show the time and effort...

Kiwi soul singer Bailey Wiley and her band are heading our way for a concert on July 13. Cityscape put some questions to her about her new self-titled EP, and what she is looking forward to about being back in Christchurch. How did your musical career get started? I've always been singing – since I could open my mouth. I started writing and recording music when I was a teenager. But performance has always been a big part of my life. You got to work with some great talent on your new EP – how much fun was that? So much FUN! Because these great talents are all good friends of mine. It's important to me to share and enjoy the creative process with people I know and love. It's also important to me to find the chemistry that can be shared between musicians. That’s really what creating this project was about –...

One of New Zealand’s most well-loved music artists Stan Walker is hitting the road and will be calling into various venues across the country as part of his new and upcoming tour Springboard. The tour will see Walker taking to the stage and performing songs from his impressive back catalogue as well as his brand new smash single ‘Give’ which was co-written by Six60 frontman and all round legend Matiu Walters. He’ll also be accompanied by three of New Zealand’s most exciting up-and-coming artists, Lepani, Niko Walters and Jordan Gavet plus his longstanding backing band The Levits. No stranger to the entertainment industry, the ‘Black Box’ and ‘Take It Easy’ hitmaker has been a prominent figure in the music realm since his 2009 win of the seventh and last season of Australian Idol and he’s gone on to release five studio albums, appear in five motion pictures and also take up...

Wow! What a mind-blowing performance! This is definitely one not to miss. Rapturous waves of applause at curtain fall said it all – the opening night audience loved it! Black Swan, White Swan takes big risks with its retelling of the classic Swan Lake story but the risks pay off. Stunning choreography by Mário Radačovský (loved the swan silhouettes from the corps de ballet) brings the tragic love story right into the 21st Century. Some things haven’t changed – the ballet and all its “females” still revolve around the male, Siegfried. And at key points, the traditional rendering of Tchaikovsky’s music and the modern choreography still align. In other parts, the expected pas de deux is absent and instead we get fight scenes. And between who? It is possible to read all of Siegfried’s struggles as internal, with his nemesis, Rothbart, being some force coming from within rather than without. Very...

Our picks of the best flicks, music, books, games and TV to get into this season. Watching The Lion King While the 1994 Lion King flick will hold a special place in our hearts, there’s no denying that we at the Cityscape office are low-key ecstatic for the 2019 version, which will hit the big screens on July 17. Helmed by The Jungle Book’s director John Favreau, the CG-animated re-imagining will have some big names stepping up to voice the main characters, with Donald Glover as Simba and Beyonce as Nala. James Earl Jones also makes a comeback and is tapped to reprise his role as the villainous Mufasa, and Seth Rogen will provide the comedic goods as the beloved Pumbaa. Relive the nostalgia and sing along to the hits that defined a generation – both Hans Zimmer and Elton John are back on muso duty and are set to re-work...

Good news Cityscapers – Ballantynes has partnered exclusively with upscale US home-furnishing brand Pottery Barn and its siblings Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm, and you’ll be able to see what’s on offer when all three join the line-up in the new Homewares department when Bally’s Lichfield Street building re-opens in October. Pottery Barn specialises in casual, comfortable and stylish home furnishings. Rocking a timeless design aesthetic, Pottery Barn provides inspo for every room, including living, dining, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and office. Pottery Barn Kids’ designs create kid-friendly, stylish and innovative spaces for the nursery, bedroom and playroom. West Elm creates unique, affordable designs for modern living, with a strong commitment to Fair Trade-certified, handcrafted products. Pottery Barn is such an iconic US brand it even gets its own references in Friends and several other sitcoms, so make sure you check out what the fuss is about come October. ballantynes.co.nz

Christchurch is set to be blessed by a wonderful concoction of light, sound, movement and food when the Christchurch Arts Festival takes over from July 26 – August 4. Kick-starting the festival is a free opening spectacle called A Winter’s Tale, which will be led by Free Theatre who will provide an immersive experience along the new City Promenade. The festival is also tapped to feature multi-award-winning performances, workshops, shows, a Ngāi Tūāhuriri/Ngāi Tahu Market and hāngī for a 1000 people. Festival director George Parker says, “It’ll be a mid-winter carnival that will bring our community together and, along with the rest of the programme, bring a sense of warmth, reflection and renewal to Christchurch as we make our way towards spring.” Other performances locked in include The Clearing – a contemporary dance performance by renowned choreographer Ross McCormack; songstresses Julia Deans, Bella Kalolo and Flip Grater who will perform alongside...

Otto Delicatessen is the best thing since sliced bread, taking the hole in the wall sandwich bar to the next level. Featuring a rotational selection of European-style sandwiches, fresh seasonal salads and other worker-inspired lunch items; this inner city lunch bar is located at The Yard Eatery, making it ideal for those looking for something healthy and tasty on the go. theyardchch.nz

Paying respect to the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, which heralds the start of a new year in the Māori calendar, the Arts Centre will take star gazing to new levels as it celebrates Matariki with a wealth of events. From June 25 to July 7, you can expect traditional kai served alongside stalls selling crafts and jewellery with a Kiwiana twist, local singer songwriters taking to the mic (including Bic Runga) and traditional performances. They are also set to host a variety of activities such as workshops as well as a market. Gather the whanau and celebrate new beginnings, reflect on the year that has been and what is to come and have an overall great time to mark this momentous occasion. artscentre.org.nz

For theatre of the different kind, you don’t want to miss the hilarious and talented performances of the Pop-up Globe Theatre Company, who will bring their theatrical shenanigans to the Isaac Theatre Royal on July 12. The multi-award-winning Auckland-based company will take on Shakespearean classic Hamlet and wild comedy Measure for Measure, with audiences being immersed and incorporated into the performance. Speaking on what audiences can expect, founder and artistic director Dr Miles Gregory says “for the first time, we’ve created a touring set and shows that bring all the magic the of pop-up globe performances – the blood, the incredible audience connection, the dances and the song, and above all the remarkable art of Shakespeare done well.” For an entertaining night of theatre be sure to check this out! popupglobe.co.nz

It’s been four decades since Neil Young released his seminal 1979 album Live Rust and to celebrate one of the greatest repertoires known to rock, a sensational lineup of Kiwi musos will band together and play hits from the iconic album. Those tapped to perform include Liam Finn alongside Samuel Flynn Scott and Chris O’Connor of The Phoenix Foundation, award-winning musicians Reb Fountain and Delaney Davidson, as well as the prodigious SJD and The Bads’ Dianne Swann and Brett Adams. Expect smash hits like ‘The Needle and the Damage Done’, ‘Cortez the Killer’ and ‘After the Gold Rush’, plus an opening set of classics spanning Buffalo Springfield to Crazy Horse. Catch this epic night out when it takes over the James Hay Theatre on August 8. premier.ticketek.co.nz