Stories

Beautifying your liquor cabinet since last summer: these four bottles of delicious seasonal gin double as collectable works of art. Juno Gin mixed us up some fabulous cocktails to enjoy with a bottle of the new Spring 2021 Seasonal Release. Boutique distillery Juno Gin releases a new limited edition gin every season, and the Spring 2021 Seasonal Release is a bright, lemony gin with a salty tang, inspired by Mediterranean holidays in the sun. Part of the Artist Series: Escape 2021, the seasonal gins all feature original artwork from a local artist. The spring release is graced with a floral bouquet illustration by Llewellyn Parry, a Christchurch designer, illustrator and animator. Juno Gin hooked us up with some fresh, herbaceous cocktail recipes to make good use of this stunning bottle. High Tea This cocktail is subtle in flavour, very light and green. For a totally photogenic option, make chamomile tea ice...

Christchurch graphic designer and illustrator Llewellyn Parry’s art graces the bottle of Juno Gin’s Spring 2021 Seasonal Gin, one of four stunning collectible bottles released seasonally. He sketches out the details with Cityscape. Can you describe yourself in one sentence? Caffeine and ADHD, I’m pretty out there. Your design on the Juno Gin Spring 2021 edition bottle is stunning. Can you tell us about how you came up with it? It was quite an intuitive process, the illustration took around five hours to create. I had a spare evening to myself, and the brief for spring caught my eye. Keeping that in mind, I had an idea of the season of spring coming out of a glass of gin, the florals and the fantasy elements of the characters and birds, the smell of spring taking you back to being young. I wanted to capture the essence of coming out of winter...

She’s putting out her first new album in five years, Coming in From the Dark, featuring some awesome collaborations and some raw feelings. Singer-songwriter Hollie Smith strums out a few details on career highlights, The Mussell Inn, and not sacrificing small animals. How has your sound evolved since Water or Gold? So much has changed and happened in these five years but also only feels like five minutes ago that Water or Gold was out and that nothing has changed all at once. I guess 2020 will do that! I don’t know how to be objective around the way my ‘sound’ has evolved. I evidently outdid myself on procrastination, however. What aspects of your personality do you think come out in the music? I got taught a lesson very young about feeling a song opposed to simply singing it. I generally have to be very connected to what I perform and...

It’s film festival season, and with the full programme just released, we are already penning our must-watch list for Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival, opening at Lumière Cinemas and Isaac Theatre Royal on Friday 29 October. The French Dispatch In signature charming style, Wes Anderson pays homage to the golden age of journalism in this star-studded film, weaving three storylines together as a fictional Kansas newspaper prepares its final issue. The Lost Daughter A stunning adaption of Elena Ferrante’s book about motherhood gone astray, the directorial debut from Maggie Gyllenhaal is captivating and sensual, featuring a powerhouse performance from Olivia Colman. The Power of the Dog From incomparable New Zealand storyteller and director Dame Jane Campion, this menacing neo-Western is a fable of two brothers and the mother and son who come between them. My Salinger Year A young woman attempts to balance her writing ambitions with her new...

Wine and music are two of life's great pleasures, and Main Divide brings us both with the latest hand-picked compilation of New Zealand music. The team at Main Divide have been gracing our ears with their selection of quality homegrown tunes since 2008, and the latest volume promises more great tracks from established and up-and-coming artists. The compilations are designed to represent the current sound of Aotearoa, so there'll definitely be some sweet new bangers to discover as well as hits from faves like L.A.B. A lot has changed in the world since Main Divide's first compilation was released in 2008, but the positive effect of music on our lives and society as a whole has remained constant. It brings us together, lifts our mood, and can provide a sense of euphoria at its best. Enjoy a glass of wine and treat your ears to the latest Main Divide mix -...

Abandoned by his maker and treated to the worst of humanity’s scorn, Creature becomes intent on finding Frankenstein and making him pay. After being put on hold during the country-wide lockdown, The Court Theatre’s season of Frankenstein has come back to life. With an enforced pause less than halfway through the original four-week season, The Court Theatre has been working behind the scenes ever since to ensure that Frankenstein was ready to go as soon as alert levels allowed. The cast and crew are delighted to be able to revive their show with new performance dates. Extending the season did not come without its challenges, however, as Auckland-based lead actor Wesley Dowdell was unable to return for the renewed season. Victor Frankenstein Understudy and Movement Director Tom Eason will take up the role, and to ensure audiences are still able to experience the special magic brought by alternating two lead roles,...

You've been urged by the government, by scientists and medical professionals, even by Cityscape, and now you're being urged by your favourite Kiwi artists: get the vaccine and let's do summer like we used to! Delta is barking at our doors and our much-loved traditional summer of music, entertainment and festivals is under threat, so some of the biggest names in Aotearoa music have put out a call to encourage fans to get their vaccines and protect the live music sector we all love. With vaccination certificates announced by the government and looking to be rolled out in November, it is likely that being fully vaccinated will be mandatory to attend large-scale events. “Crowded House were truly blessed to play shows in Aotearoa NZ in March. Live concerts bring joy and freedom that lift the spirits of audience and artists alike. This summer NZ will be open again for concerts but you will...

Lick your lips and ready your palate - the South Island Wine & Food Festival is back this February, and the lineup is looking to be as tasty as the food. Along with 40 of the South Island's top wineries and some of the region's biggest names in food, the entertainment for the day will be headed up by old-school Kiwi music legends The Feelers, along with acclaimed and up-and-coming artists such as There's a Tuesday, Dillastrate, Lou'ana and Jack Page. Having gone from street busking to pioneers of the Kiwi music industry, The Feelers will perform gems from their massive catalogue of music, and all the classic hits you know and love. Hip hop funk duo Dillastrate have recently brought rapper LUIS into the fold, and their live gigs are legendary for their infectious energy and danceability. There's a Tuesday are an indie pop group that have been making appearances...

Ravenscar House Museum, the stylish new home for a wonderful collection that celebrates New Zealand art and artists is now open. You'll soon be able to view an incredible art collection curated over years by Christchurch's Wakefield family. Ravenscar House Museum will site opposite Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Drive in the central city. Designed by Patterson Associates, Ravenscar House Museum is the vision of Christchurch philanthropists Susan and the late Jim Wakefield who have gifted this new visitor attraction to the people of Christchurch and Canterbury through their Ravenscar Trust. The House Museum at 52 Rolleston Avenue displays the Wakefield’s art collection (the Ravenscar Trust Collection) of paintings, decorative arts, furniture and antiquities. Works include paintings by Frances Hodgkins, Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere and a wide range of other beloved New Zealand artists. The Wakefields began collecting art in the late 1980s. Their collection was displayed in a lavishly-decorated and furnished...

It's going to be a season of classics in 2022 for the Royal New Zealand Ballet - the programme includes story ballets Cinderella and Swan Lake, as well as two dazzling showcases of shorter works. Some of the country’s – and the world’s – most respected choreographers will touch down in theatres across the country from February, with the mixed-bill Venus Rising kicking off the season in glittering, luminous style. Alighting in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland, Venus Rising features works by Royal New Zealand Ballet alumna Alice Topp, choreographer in residence Sarah Foster-Sproull, and global dance legend Twyla Tharp.  Taking centrestage through May and June is an opulent production of Swan Lake. Influenced by the 1996 production by New Zealand ballet legend Russell Kerr, RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker is revisiting this timeless ballet to uplift the dramatic and technical brilliance of a new generation of RNZB dancers. With Tchaikovsky's romantic...

Ralph Bungard tells us how craft brewers are rediscovering the beauty and simplicity of beer. Historically, it was not unusual for brewers to build their brand and business on a sole style – perfecting the Pilsner, adjusting the Abbey Ale, bettering the Best Bitter – with the style of choice largely determined by the availability ingredients or the local environment. Think of the traditional Scottish ale, bursting with malt complexity and sweetness with minimal hop influence, reflecting the local environment’s suitability for growing grain over hops, or the British Pale Ale driven largely by the sulphate-rich local water. Then there’s the classic European lagers, whose evolution was driven by climate when quality brewing could only occur in the mild seasons of autumn and spring, and beer needed to be stored at cool temperatures (lagered) for consumption in the less brewing-friendly continental summer. These days, largely unconstrained access to ingredients and brewing...

This spicy fish and coconut dish is popular in India and Southeast Asia. Serves: 4 | Prep. time: 3 hours | Cook time: 30-40 minutes | Dish deets: Pescatarian, gluten free, dairy free Ingredients 4 monkfish tails, skin on (you can use any firm fish)2 tsp turmeric powder8-12 dried Malabar tamarinds (from any Indian grocery store)100ml water100ml coconut oil (or neutral oil)1 tsp black mustard seeds2 sprigs curry leaves4 medium shallots8 cloves garlic, crushed70g ginger, crushed1 cup Kara coconut cream (don’t waste your money on any other brand)Salt, to tasteOptional: Clams or mussels2 Tbsp lemon juice4 green chillies, slicedJasmine rice, steamed, for serving Make it happen 1. Buy your fish skin-on fresh from a fishmonger. Score it with a knife, rub with 1 tsp of the turmeric and keep in the fridge. 2. Soak Malabar tamarinds in 100ml warm water for a minimum of 3 hours. 3. Pre-heat the oven to...

She’s got new singles on the airwaves and a new album on the shelves. Ladyhawke is back and she’s talking to Cityscape about writing, recording, jamming and her upcoming Christchurch gig. We’re looking forward to your new album, Time Flies. Can you tell us a bit about the music? It was written between LA and New Zealand, and is an upbeat record with heavy nostalgia vibes. Your singles ‘Guilty Love’ and ‘Mixed Emotions’ paint a different kind of love story. Is that a running theme in the album? Yeah, I like to think the album covers the full spectrum of human relationships and emotions, from being in love, to being infatuated, being mad, and being just straight up confused! You’re very open about your mental health journey – how has that played a part in Time Flies? I’ve always found that whatever I’m going though in my personal life at the...

As Christchurch becomes a denser city, our urban and suburban gardens are becoming smaller and our outdoor private living spaces more precious. Paul Roper-Gee of Canopy Landscape Architects has some tips to make your mini garden feel monumental. It is important we make the most of every square metre available and maximise its potential. Through clever design, a small outdoor living space can be made multifunctional and also have the illusion of a larger garden. 1: Keep it simple Adding too much complexity can make small gardens feel confined and confusing. A limited palette of hard materials and an edited selection of plants will help make the garden cohesive. Rather than squeezing in a small area of paving and small area of lawn together with planting, it is better to forgo the lawn and have a larger terrace or deck that can be immersed in the planting. Don’t be afraid to...

Anna Dick has a sharp eye for classy design. Cityscape picks her brain on how she got her mad skills, and what’s hot in home interiors. I am a whole house interior designer. Kitchen and bathroom design, fixed joinery, and all the beautiful décor that goes on inside a home: flooring, lighting, colours, window furnishings, furniture, art, and accessories. I work across all kinds of projects from new builds to renovations to single space updates, and work closely with architects, architectural designers, property developers, builders, and all the trades to create amazing spaces for people. My background is in accounting and corporate banking, and I decided to leave that field ten years ago. However, it took a few years to study and transition fully into interior design. It’s been a journey, sometimes hard, but I’m so incredibly grateful and satisfied with where it’s taken me.  I have a numbers brain and...

Beautifying your liquor cabinet since last summer: these four bottles of delicious seasonal gin double as collectable works of art. Juno Gin mixed us up some fabulous cocktails to enjoy with a bottle of the new Spring 2021 Seasonal Release. Boutique distillery Juno Gin releases a new limited edition gin every season, and the Spring 2021 Seasonal Release is a bright, lemony gin with a salty tang, inspired by Mediterranean holidays in the sun. Part of the Artist Series: Escape 2021, the seasonal gins all feature original artwork from a local artist. The spring release is graced with a floral bouquet illustration by Llewellyn Parry, a Christchurch designer, illustrator and animator. Juno Gin gave us some fresh, herbaceous cocktail recipes to make good use of this stunning bottle. High Tea This cocktail is subtle in flavour, very light and green. For a totally photogenic option, make chamomile tea ice cubes with...

Hit the local cinemas and get your entertainment fix with our list of the best movies to watch on the big screen this spring. Pig A truffle hunter’s lonely but peaceful existence in the Oregonian wilderness is interrupted when his beloved foraging pig is kidnapped, forcing him to return to his chequered past in Portland. Starring the incomparable Nicolas Cage, this intimate character study covers human foibles from nostalgia to daddy issues and showcases the phenomenal emotional range of an incredibly versatile actor. Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) In the summer of 1969, the same year as the famous Woodstock Festival, over 300,000 people attended the Harlem Cultural Festival. Yet despite drawing crowds on par with Woodstock and legendary performers including Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder and BB King, the festival was virtually ignored by mainstream media. Using historical footage from the festival, this documentary-cum-concert-film ponders...

It's time to celebrate spring in Christchurch, and welcoming it in delicious and beautiful style is this Hagley Cherry Blossom dessert. Sweet Soul Patisserie is embracing the iconic beauty of Christchurch’s cherry blossoms with a very special Hagley Cherry Blossom dessert – velvety white chocolate mousse with a black cherry filling on sour cherry sponge cake and shortcrust pastry. A portion of the sales of this gorgeous spring seasonal dessert goes to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Crafting fine pastries and French-style desserts in Christchurch since 2018, Sweet Soul Patisserie specialises in delicious, handmade sweet treats that are almost too beautiful to eat. Located in a charming corner shop in the laneways of the Guthrie Centre, Sweet Soul is a beautiful place to stop for people watching, great coffee and utterly 'Grammable desserts. sweetsoul.nz