Stories

Canopy Landscape Architects’ Julie Greenslade and Paul Roper-Gee have some great ideas for greening apartment outdoor spaces. ith a fast growing population and strong demand for housing, Christchurch is catching up on the attractions of a central-city apartment lifestyle. It offers convenience, the buzz of city life, minimal commuter travel and the ability to use the fantastic central-city green spaces and laneways as your backyard. Living with less of your own outdoor space doesn’t mean you can’t put your green thumbs to work though. A well-designed balcony or courtyard should seamlessly connect with the interior spaces. Colours and material selections should be an extension of the interior design. It is important to balance practical needs with space for plants. Chairs, tables and sun umbrellas can take up a lot of space so try to pick multi-functional furniture pieces as they will allow for flexibility in use of the space. For example,...

Ballantynes’ fashion stylist Josie Pasane lays out her top style suggestions to steer you through the season. With temperatures steadily dropping from here on out, we’re desperately seeking the coat that will keep us warm all winter long. Gone are the days of the sleek duster or the dainty trench – coats must be at full capacity this winter. Look for extremely oversized outerwear to combat the chill factor and keep you chic. And the best part? Style and comfort collide with these large layers. Want to try the trend in a more subtle way? Let your XXL outerwear do the talking and keep everything else simple. If you love a big coat but aren’t a fan of their shapeless silhouette you can always give them the Meghan Markle treatment by adding a belt for a little more definition. As well as cinching you in, belts are a great way to...

Three Boys brewer Ralph Bungard dives into the history of craft drinkers’ latest darling, dark beers, and what goes into them – in his case, Bluff oysters. Black never goes out of style – especially when it comes to beer! Discussing the evolution of beer styles is a great way to clear a party or get rid of those overstaying dinner guests. To clear that party, start with this: Did you know that stouts are a sub-group of porters? In the distant past these dark-beer gems were referred to as stout porters, simply meaning that they were heavier versions of that old British classic. The porter part of the name got dropped and stouts grew up and left home to create a beautiful life and offspring of their own. Stouts were always considered a bit of a health tonic. They were popular aids to increase the appetite of the elderly and sickly, and...

Dr Libby gives us some top tips for helping with the menopause blues. Let’s be real, the prospect of menopause can be daunting – hot flushes, sleeplessness and weight gain are just some of the things every lass will experience in their lifetime. While it doesn’t sound like the most thrilling time, there are steps you can take to alleviate the transition through the three recognised stages. Renowned for her expertise in nutritional biochemistry, Dr Libby is an authority figure within the health and wellness industry. Her wealth of knowledge is not only educating and inspiring, it has helped enhance the overall health and wellbeing of people globally. Dr Libby says that “to best support your body during this transition of menopause, it’s important to nourish yourself with plenty of whole foods including plenty of vegetables, minimise or avoid alcohol and caffeine, and to do what you can to reduce or...

Hey hey Cityscapers, it’s The Monkees! Ahead of OGs Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz hitting town to perform Monkees songs from more than five decades, we talk music and myths with Michael. You’ve been in the music industry for over 50 years. How would you say it has evolved? It’s become more central to the culture of America since I started listening to it. When I started it was kind of the soundtrack to WWII and it was about staying alive and coming home. Even though those became hit songs in the ’70s, in the ’50s it was about making it home and avoiding those terrors of war. And when The Beatles arrived, it became revolutionary in pure joy and we’re living in that time now. I still feel like a child of The Beatles and find myself humming Lennon and McCartney as much as anything else. What can Christchurch audiences expect...

The flavours of the Asia-Pacific region have a new home in Christchurch at Tower Junction. The Addington retail centre has significantly upped its culinary offerings, so join Cityscape as we take a tour of India, China, Japan and Mexico through the delights of food. Touch – the Taste of India, Hao Eatery, Su Ra Sushi and Donburi, and Zambrero have joined Esquires Café, Anna’s Café and The Speight’s Ale House at the centre. The restaurants are open daily until late, offering lunch and dinner options, including takeaway. So whether you’re looking for a venue with ample parking for a lunchtime meeting or somewhere to meet family and friends for a taste of world cuisine, treat yourself to the flavours of the Asia-Pacific at the conveniently located Tower Junction. Touch – the Taste of India specialises in southern Indian cuisine but also offers delicacies from across the subcontinent. The restaurant is fast becoming...

The inner city is bringing its A-game in luxury accommodation by way of the swanky five-star Sudima Christchurch City, which has opened its doors. With the city’s leading boutiques and culinary haunts only “a martini olive pip’s throw” from the Sudima, experience Christchurch like never before. Their onsite restaurant Vices & Virtues offers an exquisite dining experience with particular focus on sourcing local and sustainable produce and their carefully thought out plant-based menu will offer an amazing range of dishes for vegan and vegetarian preferences. And you can’t go past their luxe Moss Spa. Putting the ‘lax’ in relax, Moss Spa is the go-to for those days when you need to recharge and rejuvenate. Take your pick from their array of treatments – whether it be a facial, a soothing massage, a head-to-toe body pamper or a simple mani/pedi, Moss Spa has you and your body in mind. For the ultimate...

Winter is officially here and just because the temp is taking a deep dive down to single digits doesn’t mean your social calendar has to become non-existent. The city is blessed with an array of hotspots popping up on the regular so if you’re after some tasty eats, the legends at Burger Burger have opened up shop in their rad digs next door to Supreme Supreme; the folks at Cook ‘N’ With Gas have also swung open their doors and are back in biz serving up wicked eats; and Winnie Bagoes have taken up residence next door to Welles Street. If you’re on the hunt for something to do, check out our roundup of activities from comedy to cinema and cuisine to culture to keep those chilly days ticking over. IRT Harness Jewels Shake off those winter chills, dress to the nines and take part in the hottest social event on...

Iconic hard-living Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes is set to take fans on an epic aural spectacle when his Shutting Down Your Town tour Barnestorms the Christchurch Town Hall on September 26. In what is shaping up to be a stellar performance, fans can expect classic hits from his vast back catalogue such as ‘Working Class Man’ and ‘Ain’t No Second Prize’ plus highlights from his acclaimed album My Criminal Record (out on May 31). No stranger to the music industry, Barnes has dominated the charts for more than four decades, breaking onto the music scene as the lead vocalist for Cold Chisel and then pursuing a solo career which has seen him rack up a ton of accolades. Renowned for his authentic and gritty sound, Barnes has been described as “the heart and soul of Australian rock and roll.” If you’re yet to see the rocker live, best snap up tickets...

Did you hear about the optometrist who fell into a lens grinder and made a spectacle of himself? Or the sausage that was sent to jail – it was a term for the wurst. And let’s not forget the advice young Luke Skywalker got about eating spaghetti – “Use the forks, Luke.” Ah yes, a good pun is its own reword (geddit?). And with so many literary types in the city for WORD Christchurch, there should be some seriously good groaners on Friday at the Christchurch Pun Battle Championships. So if you think you have what it takes to roll with the punsters, get along to A Rolling Stone on Friday (May 17). Find it on Facebook. Christchurch Pun Battle Championships, May 17facebook.com

Cinema Italiano 2019 Trailer The brand new trailer for the 2019 Cinema Italiano Festival Christchurch Edition. Posted by Cinema Italiano Festival on Monday, 13 May 2019 Paolo Rotondo, artistic director of the Cinema Italiano Festival, shares his Top 10 choices from the 2019 Festival programme with us. Fellini’s 8 ½ An absolute must-see at a cinema. In terms of execution I cannot remember a more brilliant film. In image, visual ingenuity, subtlety of pace and sardonic humour, it is stunning. Breathtaking to watch. There’s No Place Like Home In this star-studded festival highlight, an unexpected storm strands a family gathered to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of their grandparents on the beautiful island of Ischia, Italy. The entire family is forced to live under the same roof for two days and two nights, leading to them re-hashing unresolved conflicts. Dogman This hotly anticipated and award-winning crime thriller from internationally heralded writer/director...

Mother’s Day is almost upon us (hint: it’s this Sunday, May 12), and if you’ve been dodging those subtle gift idea hints that she’s been throwing your way – “Oh you mean that Swarovski encrusted necklace that’s worth your university tuition? Oh no I couldn’t possibly want that…” – for the past few weeks or are feeling the pressure from your friends because they’ve got something sweet lined up for the leading lass in their life and you don’t, our expertly crafted roundup of things you can do (without having to drop a hefty amount of coin – big ups to you if you can but we live in a world where avocados and triple soy lattes are a thing) is here to save the day. Read on for more inspo… 1. Make her a cuppa or a brew Look, it’s no Kanye circa 2016 when he surprised Kim K with a...

NZ Music Month is in full swing and this year’s theme is DISCOVER LIVE with emphasis on New Zealanders discovering their new fave local live act and supporting local bands. Do your bit by checking out a live gig from our Events Calendar or Gig Guide or tap your feet to our Cityscape Magazine – NZ Music Month 2019 Spotify playlist, specially curated by local DJ Craig Shaw. Boasting over 10 hours of solid Kiwi bangers ranging from those that you’d crank out at a get-together to those that would feature on your roadie playlist and those that hark back to the good ol’ days and serve up some sweet nostalgia, this playlist will easily become one of your go-tos. Peep the playlist here and check out some of our faves from it below. Hit The Road The ultimate roadie beats 'Wandering Eye' Fat Freddy's Drop, Based On A True Story There’s...

WORD Christchurch’s autumn season kicks off today (May 8) and has a rad lineup of eight writers who will take to various venues around the city. Fearless feminist Clementine Ford and bestselling author of Fight Like A Girl and Boys Will Be Boys kickstarts the event tonight and she will take to the Charles Luney Auditorium and sit down with Stuff journalist Cécile Meier to talk raising sons, fighting the good fight, and how to avoid feeding the trolls. Tickets are still up for grabs to this evening’s event; don’t miss your chance to catch Ford give a seminal talk! Clementine Ford: Boys Will Be BoysCharles Luney Auditorium, May 8wordchristchurch.co.nz

OK Cityscapers, time to start practising your Queen sing-alongs – Freddie Mercury doppelganger Marc Martel is bringing his band and stage show to Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on September 1. If you are one of the millions worldwide to have pushed the Oscar-winning Freddie biopic Bohemian Rhapsody to more than $1 billion in box office earnings, Marc’s Ultimate Queen Celebration is the perfect encore. Even Queen guitarist Brian May couldn’t tell whether it was Freddie or Marc singing on some of the film’s songs, and its producer, Graham King, says he doesn’t think the film would have happened “if we didn’t have Marc”. Tickets for Marc Martel’s Ultimate Queen Celebration are on sale already, so don’t wait for the hammer to fall and leave you ga-ga, get in quick and He Will Rock You. Ultimate Queen CelebrationSeptember 1, Isaac Theatre Royalultimatequeendownunder.com

Indie darling Graeme James brings his Long Way Home tour to Blue Smoke on May 18. He has some advice for Cityscape readers nursing their own dreams of musical success, and is promising “a high chance of rowdiness” at his Christchurch gig. Any advice for budding musicians inspired by your story? 1. Do something! Most artistic endeavours remain thoughts that never take on a reality outside of the mind. Take a risk, make a plan and take tangible steps towards creating something. There’s always a first step (or a next step). 2. Don’t invest your whole identity or self-worth in your art. If you only see yourself as an “Artist” there’s a good chance you’ll never create anything for fear that people not only reject your art but your whole being. Busking or streaming – which one helped the most to establish you as an artist? Both have been a huge...

Are those walls looking a bit bare? Got too many blank flat surfaces around your home or office? You need some art! And now is the best time to invest or indulge. In its sixth year, the Christchurch Art Show is back, bigger and brighter than ever, featuring more than 150 artists and thousands of art works for sale. Started as a show to give local artists space to exhibit after the earthquakes, the Christchurch Art Show has become an annual event giving artists from all over New Zealand a place to celebrate each other and show and sell their work. Opening night on June 20 doubles as an exclusive preview of brand new art from the ten top-selling artists from last year – with the chance to snap one up before the show opens to the public and they’re opened to the Lawson’s Dry Hills People’s Choice Award. The top...

Lock in Saturday 22 February 2020 Cityscapers, the city's biggest and hottest music festival is back for another year! Electric Avenue Festival will once again take over Hagley Park for a big day and evening of epic music talent. With past Electric Avenue alum including Rudimental, JessB, Ladi6, Dizzee Rascal plus a wealth of local and international musos, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for deets on when tickets and the lineup will drop! Head to their website or Facebook page to stay in the loop. electricavenuefestival.co.nzfacebook.com