Stories

The little brother to Broad-ly Speaking, the event that has taken the country by storm, Hard-ly Speaking is an opportunity for every kind of man to gather together, share their own personal experiences and flip the traditional ideas of masculinity. Details for this event are still under wraps, but keep an eye on the website broadlyspeaking.nz for future announcements.

This International Women’s Day (Mar 8), head along to Broad-ly Speaking and feel inspired as six women share their stories. Since launching on International Women’s Day in 2015, more than 3,000 women have come together to listen to a diverse group of women share their stories at this awesome event. This year’s lineup of speakers includes; Dr Samantha Bailey – doctor and founder of SwiftMed; Sinead Morgan – owner of Morrison Horgan; Fiona Farrell – award-winning New Zealand author; and Ava Wilson – owner of Little Poms and Beer Baroness; plus two more ladies yet-to-be announced. After a successful launch in Auckland last year, Broad-ly goes nationwide this year with events planned in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown.  Tickets for this inspiring event are flying out the door with less than 100 left. Get in to feel empowered and enjoy an energising shot of sisterhood.  iticket.co.nz

Get amongst the enchanting acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies of Ireland natives The Young Folk, described as “one of the most promising young bands to come out of Ireland in several decades” when they touch down at the Blue Smoke on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14). After their successful 2018 New Zealand tour, The Young Folk have earned themselves a stellar rep around music circles and have even been compared with top indie artists Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver and Crosby Stills & Nash. Joining them on the Christchurch leg of their tour are Your Indigo a local trio whose fresh and captivating alt-folk tunes are making waves around the stages of Aotearoa. The cool cats at Blue Smoke will be offering up fine hospitality and even finer music with casual seated tables and bar leaners available so you can get amongst the captivating tunes of these two bands. Tickets are up for...

Multi award-winning comedian Urzila Carlson will bring her acerbic wit, hilarious antics and comedy gold to various venues around the country as part of her newest comedic venture, Token African. Performing in Auckland (May 3, 4 and 25) and Wellington (May 7 – 11) as part of the annual New Zealand International Comedy Festival, Carlson will continue to wreak havoc through the month of July when she stops by in Hamilton (Jul 6); Whangarei (Jul 13); Napier (Jul 18); Palmerston North (Jul 19); New Plymouth (Jul 20) and Christchurch (Jul 26). Recipient of several prominent accolades including Best Female Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards – six times may we add – and taking out TV3 People’s Choice Award, you’d be foolish for not getting yourself to see this cheeky comedian in her prime. Hit up livenation.co.nz to score yourself some tickets.

They’ve been on the music scene for 10 years and to celebrate a decade of churning out top-notch indie tunes, New Zealand natives Clap Clap Riot are hitting the road and will be calling into Dunedin (Mar 15), Auckland (Mar 23), Wellington (Mar 22) and the place where it all kicked off – hometown Christchurch (Mar 16). Cementing themselves on the Kiwi music scene, the dynamic five-piece have churned out one EP, three full-length albums, collated a string of NZ music award nominations and toured extensively with local and international musos. As part of the tour, fans will be taken on a musical journey through their vast repertoire of songs over the years, plus get the chance to hear new material from their forthcoming release which is currently in the works.Snap up tickets quick to this gig, you don’t want a serious case of FOMO. undertheradar.co.nz

On the hunt for some tasty eats to curb your lunchtime cravings? Tap our top 5 picks of eateries that offer up delicious lunch specials. Coriander’s Ethnic Indian Restaurant (pictured above) You can’t beat a curry – especially from Coriander’s Ethnic Indian Restaurant. Head on down to any of their four locations (St Asaph Street, Bush Inn, Rolleston or Hanmer Springs), and tuck into an authentic Indian dish – Butter Chicken anyone? St Asaph Street, 03 365 5557Rolleston, 03 347 2315Hanmer, 03 315 7616Bush Inn, 03 420 0019corianders.co.nz Tomi Japanese Restaurant In the mood for Japanese cuisine? Tomi Japanese Restaurant in St Albans has an array of dishes ranging from $12 - $26. Dabble in their Teriyaki Chicken Don, tuck in to their special ‘Set’ which comes with miso soup, a small side and rice or go all out with their Bento Lunch Box. 76 Edgeware Road, 03 377 8028 tomi.co.nz KUMO...

Needing no introduction given he’s been named Billboard’s most successful performing male solo artist of all time, Sir Elton John will bring the noise when he touches down in New Zealand – 48 years after he was first in Aotearoa – for three performances as part of his epic Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in 2020. Described as “the most elaborate, high-tech show Elton has ever attempted” expect only the best when he takes to the stage with hits from his famed songbook sure to be on the cards. Catch him in 2020 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (Feb 4); Mission Estate, Napier (Feb 6 and 8) and at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland (Feb 9). Mission Concert Club members can nab pre-sale tickets Tuesday 12 February – get in quick, this is going to be an unforgettable performance!missionconcert.co.nz Image: Ben Gibson

Kick your social activities into overdrive with our hit list of the hottest events and gigs taking over the city this week. Object Show EXHIBITION Peruse the vast collection of objects created by some of the country’s leading artists including John Jeet, Ann Robinson, Emma Camden and Reuben Paterson. The Central Art Gallery, Thu 31 Jan – Sun 3 Mar, thecentral.co.nz The Revolver Club CABARETIt's a night club, it's a show, and it's the hottest place to grab a cocktail. Hosted by homegrown legend Shay Horay as Richard Rhythm, with a stand out aerial perfomance by Imogen Stone of the busking group Biggest Little Circus, the The Revolver Club at the Backstage Social Club at the Arts Centre is one hot night out. With a rotating stage, and action coming at ya from all angles, tickets to this one are flying out the door. Until 3 Feb, Bread and Circus Kevin Quantum PERFORMANCEHaving spent...

Who’d have thought that the origins of the famed margarita were shrouded in such mystery – did it receive its namesake after actress Rita Hayworth or was it simply the brainchild of Texas socialite Margaret (Margarita) Sames? We’re betting on the version David Wondrich concocted – who so happens to rock the moniker “cocktail historian” – who says that the lip smackin’ beverage evolved from a cocktail known as the “daisy”. However it came about, we’re just very happy it did. And if, like us, you love to indulge in a margarita (or two – no judgment), you’ll be rapt to know that the cool cats at all of the Mexico restaurants nationwide are embracing International Margarita Day – yep, it’s a thing – and will be firing out the delish beverage in an array of flavours, think melon and mint and salted caramel. If that sounds like a bitta you,...

What are you having for dinner tonight, Cityscapers? We were saddened to read of the demise of Bamboozle on the front of today’s newspaper. There are some seriously good nosh spots in town and around, but they need more than your online love (although that’s nice) to survive. If we’re going to have nice things, we actually have to support them. We can’t rave about how lucky we are to have a funky city, and not frequent that funkiness. So revisit that place that you forgot existed, go for a wander and find a new favourite, delve into the delights on offer gastronomically and grow your experience – and our city. Explore what’s on offer, spend a little more than time in town, and we’ll be able to hang on to the rockin’ restaurants, bars, cafes and cool stuff that we have. We challenge you, Cityscapers: try something new this weekend...

Watching Escape Room Adam Robitel’s (Insidious: The Last Key) latest filmic venture Escape Room sees six strangers gifted with a puzzle box invitation to attend the Minos Escape Room Facility where there’s a chance for the winner to pocket a cool $10k. In traditional “too good to be true” style, the seemingly nonchalant game takes a nasty turn and the puzzles become more sinister as they progress. Sitting pretty somewhere between the Saw franchise and 2016’s The Belko Experiment, this psychological thriller will entertain while pushing you to the edge of your seat. Catch this flick when it hits cinemas February 21. The Front Runner Based on the scandalous events which inevitably led to the downfall of U.S Senator Gary Hart’s political career, The Front Runner (Feb 6) examines the rise of the potential 1988 presidential candidate and the backlash he received when media outlets exposed Hart’s dishonest actions. Jason Reitman...

Keep the good times rollin’ at the official Nostalgia Festival After Party (February 16) where Dunedin natives Soaked Oats will be banging out their sludge-pop melodies. Described as “a southern stew of Kurt Vile and Mac DeMarco with a good shake of Kevin Morby” the lads will be taking over Blue Smoke – the ultra-hip Cassels & Sons live music and events venue housed in the beautifully renovated Tannery precinct. For those who have snagged a ticket to the day’s festivities, entry is free to the after party. If you weren’t quick off the mark, a limited amount of ‘after party only’ tickets will be up for grabs. And for the students out there, bargain prices are available as well as a free bus back to Uni when the gig wraps up. Get amongst! undertheradar.co.nz

Local lass Hannah Davison has snapped up an incredible $10,000 National Scholarship from AMP to assist her with achieving her dream of publishing her book “My Big Moments”. Designed to aid and empower parents supporting their children through the early stages of their childhood, the personalised picture book will feature illustrations which in turn will give parents the chance to navigate the challenges and bumps in the road. With more than 2,700 Scholarship applications from around the country, Davison was one of 10 successful recipients. facebook.com

Good news for fans of Nelson-bred, LA-based duo BROODS – they’re set to bless the city with hits from their third album Don’t Feed the Pop Monster when they take over the Christchurch Town Hall (May 14). After years of navigating the pop landscape, siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott returned in 2018 with a fresh approach to their music and a new focus for the direction of their style with frontwoman Georgia mentioning that they wanted to “make songs that were true to us, without hiding behind any kind of façade”. Their singles, ‘Everything Goes (Wow)’ and ‘Peach’ – the latter racking up a cool 15 million streams – have been met with critical acclaim and the duo followed it up with third single ‘Hospitalized’, described as a “bright and shimmering track about longing for a break from emotional accountability.” Collaborating with longtime producer on the music scene, Joel Little, who...

The perfect combo of style and substance, Cityscape has been bringing trends to the trendsetters, inspiring action and championing everything new, hot or happening in Christchurch for more than a decade – and we’re going harder, stronger and faster than ever before in 2019! Pick up a copy of Cityscape around the city, read it online or download our app to stay ahead of the curve and be the first to find the best in fashion, home, lifestyle, food and entertainment in Christchurch.

The Isaac Theatre Royal has welcomed new Chief Executive, Bob Mangan, who will take the reins from next month. With an impressive résumé and extensive experience managing venues of all shapes and sizes, Mangan has a particular passion for smaller performance venues and their relationship with their communities. David Stock, Chair of the Theatre Royal Charitable Foundation Board said Mangan promises a “young and energetic approach to the management of the Isaac Theatre Royal”. Welcome aboard!

The newest kid on the block of the city’s fave nosh zone, the Terrace, sits comfortably in a cache of seriously cool contenders. Chiwahwah opened this week and it’s a wonder of funky furnishings (check out the drums on the ceiling), cracker cocktails and fab food made with the love and attention to detail that Tony Astle and his team are famous for. Start with the hand hacked guac, savour the Taco Moderno (the salmon is superlative) or share a Plato with your bestie. Wash it down with a Tropicano cocktail that is destined to be the taste of summer and make the most of the golden weather. See you there! chiwahwah.co.nz

Piff is the kind of busker that Christchurch audiences love to hate – he calls us out on our apathy, makes us squirm in our ignorance – and calls us up on stage. Yep, this is the guy that’s going to pull you (or your poor mate) out of the audience to have some fun with you. He’ll also astonish, surprise and amaze you, while the rest of us laugh at your misfortune – but in a loving way. He’s adorably acerbic in his green dragon suit, but don’t be fooled, Piff is a very skilled magician. He’s mates with Penn and Teller, has a full-time gig in Vegas, opened for Mumford and Sons and was the stand-out hit on America’s Got Talent. There’s a good reason he’s one of the most popular acts of Bread and Circus, and it isn’t all to do with the dog or the Vegas showgirl....