Stories

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

SCAPE Public Art has a massive spring and summer planned, with five big events concluding with the annual SCAPE Public Art Season kicking off in December. Here's the schedule for art lovers looking for some fresh works or interactive fun. Art, Learning & Wellbeing This education programme takes place at Tūranga. Schools and community groups can select from a range of offerings including the school holiday programme, working alongside SCAPE artist Olivia Webb. Activities include creating artworks, art activities and guided tours of the artworks. Monday 11 October – Sunday 7 DecemberTūranga Re:ACTIVATE Artworks from young, talented aspiring artists will be installed in Hagley Park in late October then available to view throughout the SCAPE Public Art Season 2021 (see below). Artworks are by 8-year-old junior design winner Te Ao Rangimarie Davis, and 16-year-old senior design winners Sienna Oshannessey and Agatha Weston. Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 OctoberHagley Park TENT The team...

Don't forget to order something now so it arrives before Sunday! If you leave it too late, you can always get Dad some much-needed food delivery or takeaways for Father's Day dinner. Here's Cityscape's gift picks for supporting local this Father's Day. Gift guide Christchurch Adventure Park voucher Has Dad been lamenting his lockdown life? Has he been tuning up the mountain bike he hasn't ridden in years? Does he just need a good adventure? Get him all lined up for when we return to normal with a voucher for mountain biking, ziplining, or lessons. christchurchadventurepark.com Three Boys Brewery beer Restock the fridge with some genuine Ōtautahi original beer. Our pick for dad is the Gift Pack, Thirst Quencher four-pack, or the Brewer's Reserve Mix. threeboysbrewery.co.nz Curiosity Gin There's two scenarios here. 1: Dad's a gin lover and needs to be hooked up with some quality Curiosity Gin. 2: Dad needs...

We’ve got your list for up-to-date information on the latest event cancellations and postponements, including any new dates that have been announced. Watch this space for further announcements and rescheduled dates as they come in. All You Need Is LoveWhere: Christchurch Town HallPreviously scheduled for: 9 DecemberStatus: Rescheduled to 23 June Armageddon ExpoWhere: Te Pae Christchurch Convention CentrePreviously scheduled for: 26-27 MarchStatus: Rescheduled to 10-11 December Better Together Wedding FairWhere: Ilam HomesteadPreviously scheduled for: 27 March Status: Rescheduled to 11 September Blindspott - R.I.P TourWhere: The Good HomePreviously scheduled for: 15 AprilStatus: Postponed, new dates TBC. Bread & Circus: World Buskers FestivalWhere: Christchurch CityPreviously scheduled for: 22 April - 1 MayStatus: Cancelled Canterbury Home ShowWhere: Christchurch ArenaPreviously scheduled for: 25-27 March Status: Rescheduled to 14-16 October Christchurch Art ShowWhere: Te Pae Christchurch Convention CentrePreviously scheduled for: 17-20 MarchStatus: Rescheduled to 24-27 June Christchurch Food ShowWhere: Christchurch ArenaPreviously scheduled for: 18-20 MarchStatus:...

The Christchurch season of The Firebird with Paquita has been cancelled, but there’s still a way to catch the action from the comfort of your home. It’s no secret Cityscape is pumped about Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of The Firebird with Paquita – just check out our wicked interview with The Firebird choreographer Loughlan Prior for an idea of how cool it is. So we were gutted to realise that the Christchurch performances had to be cancelled in the wake of the latest Covid-19 outbreak. Never fear, our dystopian ballet fans. Keep busy practicing your Ugg Boot pirouettes until Friday August 27 when The Firebird Live in Your Living Room goes live on the RNZB website. It will be available for a few weeks, finishing on September 16. The Firebird Live in Your Living RoomFriday 27 August – Thursday 16 Septemberrnzb.org.nz

Ōtautahi ‘neosoul pop’ duo Dillastrate have been taking over stages across the city and around the country. Cityscape talks touring, new tracks and tea with keyboardist and vocalist Tim Driver. Congratulations on your new EP, Narrative! What was this one like to record? Thanks heaps! It’s incredible to finally have it out there in the world. Narrative EP was an awesome recording experience for us. The audio production work was done with our friend Thom O’Connor, who has converted a house into a recording studio. There’s something inherently comfortable about literally recording drums in a converted lounge room. The actual recording process itself was so smooth and easy too. The songs seemed to just flow out when we were tracking them. How has the sound evolved from Dillastrate in 2019? The sound of Narrative EP is quite different from the self-titled album from 2019 – it’s got a much earthier tone...

SCAPE Public Art's 2021 season is kicking off in November, and the art curation organisation has just dropped the names of the artists who will be gracing the streets of Christchurch with their works this year. Eight locally and internationally recognised artists will be debuting artworks around central Ōtautahi, showcasing their interpretations of this season's theme: 'Shadows Cast'. Managing Curator Jamie Hanton’s selections for the festival fall into his overall 2020 to 2022 vision of 'Fictions'. “Fictions aims to introduce elements of mystery and moments of revelation to the Ōtautahi cityscape,” Jamie says. “Shadows Cast takes the shadow as its point of focus, exploring the possibilities of shifting identities and new roles for our city. The shadow is a space of potential, and that’s what our artists will be exploring this season.” The lineup includes newly commissioned work from Kiwi artists Aroha Novak, Janet Lilo, Kate Newby, Louise Palmer, Sione Monu,...

A hand-picked selection of Cityscape's favourite items for your home, your pet, and yourself. 1 Bow Blouse (RRP $470) from Mahsa 2 Cloudy Day Somewhere by Don Service (POA) from Rightside Gallery 3 Balloon Vase (RRP $139) from BoConcept 4 Eichholtz Topanga Mirror (POA) from Trenzseater 5 Blue Lace Agate Geode ($39) from Earthly Treasures 6 Chloe Darryl Small Saddle Bag (RRP $1798) from Workshop 7 Eva Solo / Nordic Kitchen Serving Tray (RRP $260) from Corso Merivale 8 Delicate Cleansing Milk 100ml (RRP $50) and Sensitive Simplicity 100ml (RRP $50) from Wildflower Botanicals 9 R.M. Williams Lady Yearling Boot (RRP $645) from Ballantynes 10 Balmain Hair Perfume (RRP $258) from Mod's Hair 11 Hunter Livingston Dog Sofa (RRP from $240) from Charli & Coco

It's official: Ōtautahi Christchurch is one of the greatest places in the world. And that claim comes with some real cred from TIME Magazine. The magazine’s annual travel guide includes 100 destinations “offering visitors an extraordinary experience that’s unlike any other”. It is the third year the New York-based magazine and news website have published the list. The list described the city as “fully in recovery mode, welcoming hotel, restaurant and public-space openings almost every month”. It specifically metioned the Ōtākaro Avon River promenade, Riverside Market, Tūranga and Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Mention was also made of Gap Filler’s creative use of space. Laura Dawson, ChristchurchNZ Acting CEO, says she is excited to see the city on the list. “Global recognition of our home is always special, especially in a publication with a reputation for truth and legitimacy," she says. “Ōtautahi Christchurch champions ingenuity and creativity, resilience and revitalisation –...

Everyone's favourite festival of circus, laughs, creativity and belief-defying acts is returning to grace the streets of Christchurch this summer. After an enormously successful event earlier in 2021, next year's festival promises to be even bigger and bolder, running across three weekends from Friday 14 to Sunday 30 January. All your favourite attractions will be back, from the world-famous busking pitches and free outdoor performances to must-see ticketed events. Festival Director Scott Maidment says, "We are some of the luckiest people in the world right now that we can get together and celebrate. The arts can create that bit of magic energy through shared experience. This is what makes experiences like Bread & Circus so special." Expressions of interest are now open, and performers of all talents with all kinds of ideas are encouraged to apply. There have been hints that festival favourites of the past will return, and some world...

It wouldn't be summer without an L.A.B tour, and this one is no different. The legends are coming back to Christchurch, and they're bringing friends. L.A.B have announced their biggest ever run of shows for summer 2022. The band have had a massive few years, hitting number one multiple times and selling out shows across Aotearoa & Australia. They'll be playing three headline New Zealand gigs in January, including a Hagley Park show on January 22. This massive show  will see L.A.B combine with Shapeshifter for a huge double bill for both actss only South Island headline shows this summer. They'll also be supported by Ladi6, Katchafire, JessB and RIIKI. Read Cityscape's interview with L.A.B frontman Joel Shadbolt This outdoor experiences will see L.A.B bringing the full lighting & visual experience the band is known for, alongside their unmatched live show. With an ever expanding catalogue, these shows will see the...

Cityscape reviews a few of Ōtautahi’s most unique and personality-heavy communities: Sumner, Woolston, Victoria Street and New Brighton. Sumner After a drive around the reopened and frankly stunning Sumner-Lyttelton Corridor we arrive in the sunny seaside suburb, where the hardcore winter surf bums rub up against the café culture of the flash hillside suburbs. Cyclists in coloured spandex whizz along Main Road from the city; skateboards, scooters and feet grace the broad beachside boulevard; and paddleboards and kayaks launch from the clock tower to explore the coast or catch waves with the surfers. The skate park on the corner of Nayland Street is a great gathering hub for the young, and just a skip away from some killer eateries. The north end of the beach is the spot for dog walkers from all over the city. Open to canines year-round, the sandy expanse next to Shag Pile is always populated with...

Charitable organisation and caped crusader Orana Park is swooping in to save the world… the rhinos of the world, that is. The open-range zoo is beginning construction on a new White Rhino Conservation Centre that will be able to hold 20 rhinos at a time. Construction on the new $1.4M facility begins Wednesday July 14 and will aim to increase genetic diversity of the existing population and help protect the species. Chief Executive Lynn Anderson explains that without swift action, rhinos could very well be extinct in our lifetime. “In Africa, one rhino is illegally killed on average every six hours for its horn. Rhino poaching is out of control and there are more rhinos killed than there are born. Unless we act now, rhinos may tragically be extinct within 10 years.” As New Zealand’s only open range zoo, Orana Park has partnered with two Australian open range zoos and The...