THE GALA

The Elephant Whisperers (Netflix) follows Bomman and Bellie, a couple from Southern India who are part of an elephant fostering programme. Throughout the journey of successfully raising two Indian Elephants, we get a deep and emotional insight into their familial bond with the massive mammals. netflix.com

Ultherapy remains the gold standard for non-invasive face lifting. It is a gentle way to lift and tighten the ageing areas of the face. Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared noninvasive ultrasound skin lifting treatment that helps to replace collagen and give sagging skin a lift. Ultherapy harnesses the body’s own regenerative response to gradually lift and firm skin around the eyes, under the chin, along the jawline and neck. It delivers micro-focused ultrasound energy directly into the specific layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production. It is the market leader for nonsurgical treatments for lifting and tightening. Only available at the Skin Rejuvenation Clinic. skinrejuvenationclinic.co.nz

Join forager and fungus enthusiast Liv Sisson on a journey through Aotearoa’s diverse fungi with her practical and up-to-date guide. Learn to identify and cook the best edible varieties, explore the organisms’ impact on our world, and their role in modern research. It feature over 130 species descriptions and stunning photographs. scorpiobooks.co.nz

Bellbird, with its bakery at The Tannery in Woolston and a shop at Riverside Market, is an artisan bakery that specialises in sourdough bread and French pastries. With traditional techniques in mind, they produce authentic French viennoiserie, sourdoughs, ciabattas, and baguettes. Their bread is made with organic or spray-free flour, all sourced within Canterbury. The pastry cabinet is full of brioche, scrolls, tarts, friands, and one of the best almond croissants in the city! A favourite here at Avenues HQ are their palmier – a pastry with a delicate, flaky texture and a sweet buttery taste. Simply delicious! bellbirdbakedgoods.co.nz

Over 20 with short sightedness, long sightedness, astigmatism, or difficulty with fine print in your 40s?

With over 25 years’ experience, trust the care and expertise of Dr Kent and his team at Fendalton Eye Clinic, offering visual freedom with the safety and accuracy of our laser eye surgery.

Book online for your face to face or virtual free laser assessment with a member of our experienced team.

Post Cadmium Aesthetics

Artist Dcypher

Date March 2023

Location Press Lane, Central Christchurch watchthisspace.org.nz/artwork/1070

Produced as part of the Mini Flare festival in March 2023, Dcypher’s striking Post Cadmium Aesthetics revels in nature’s use of colour to both lure and repel. In part created through AI image generation prompts, the image combines natural elements with three-dimensional graffiti and illusionistic architectural forms, an instantly alluring and somewhat surreal vision rendered in exquisite detail. From fluttering monarchs, a buzzing bee, and a floating goldfish to the fantastical bird’s stunning plumage, sticky dripping honey, and the spatial dynamic created by the industrial-like setting, viewers are invited to feast on the rich details. The golden warmth of the yellow palette is at once optimistic and joyous while also suggesting an ominous sense of danger and possible betrayal, an unsettling combination. Embracing new technology as part of his process, Dcypher’s mural synthesises limitless digital possibility with undeniably impressive technique, creating a vibrant, if unnerving, new world.

Explore more of Ōtautahi’s urban art on a Watch This Space guided street art tour! Email tours@watchthisspace.org.nz for booking information.

The 12th annual Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival is set to return this June, presenting design lovers, architects, and festivalgoers alike with the best in architecture and design documentaries on the big screen. This year’s line-up includes a diverse mix of films curated into four categories: Architect Heroes, Site Specific, Female Focused, and Future & Memory. Highlights include Brown Vs. Brown – looking at the history of mid-century modernist architecture in New Zealand during the 1950s and 60s, and Nan Goldin: All The Beauty And The Bloodshed – an emotional epic about internationally renowned photographer Nan Goldin.

8–25 June, Deluxe Cinemas, deluxecinemas.co.nz

25 17 2 3 16

Don’t miss the new comedy show in town, The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Made Up! Rhiannon McCall, known for her wit in 7 Days, Viva La Dirt League, and Scared Scriptless, delivers non-stop laughter with her hilarious one-woman improvised take on the classic Western. Directed by Brendon Bennetts and featuring Criss Grueber on piano, this show is not to be missed.

2–3 June, Little Andromeda littleandromeda.co.nz

Experience the unique blend of gliding sports and circus arts in Crystal, Cirque du Soleil’s ice show that pushes boundaries. With breathtaking visual projections and a fusion of popular music and the signature Cirque du Soleil sound, follow Crystal’s journey of self-discovery. Witness gymnasts and skaters perform stunning acrobatics on ice and in the air, creating an unforgettable production.

16 June, Christchurch Arena venuesotautahi.co.nz

Explore the enchanting world of French orchestration with Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye. This childlike masterpiece takes you on a magical journey to faraway lands. Saxophonist Adam Page joins CSO to perform John Psathas’ Call of the Wild – an immersive work that tells the story of Psathas’ Greek family. RimskyKorsakov’s Scheherazade brings Arabian Nights to life.

17 June, Douglas Lilburn Auditorium cso.co.nz

Using natural materials to create warm, inviting spaces and promote sustainable design

Enriching the way people live, work and play through architecture and interior design