Cityscape Issue 03 November 2017

YOUR MONTHLY FIX

CHRISTCHURCH CURATED WHEN IN ROAM Chatting with former CHCH lifeguard and now music star on the rise Theia

CUP & SHOW WEEK

NOV 2017

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Everything you need to know for Christchurch’s biggest party

BACK IN BLACK NZ fashion legend Margi Robertson on Plume’s return to the central city

CITYSCAPE MONTHLY November 2017 Issue 03

CONTENTS

November 2017 In this issue

CEO/Director Andrea Rickerby Editor Isaac Wilson Sub Editor Ben Allan Creative Tristan Brehaut Account Manager Derek Thorp Ollie McKenna Accounts Administrator Claire Ross NEED TO GET IN TOUCH? Editorial and Advertising Enquiries: 03 366 3340 info@somocreative.co.nz www.cityscape.co.nz

PUBLISHED BY

SOMO Creative Ltd PO Box 13 717 Christchurch Cityscape is a division of SOMO Creative Ltd. Cityscape is subject to copyright in its entirety. Opinions expressed in Cityscape are not necessarily those of Cityscape. Editorial contributions welcome.

No responsibility taken for unsolicited submissions.

Prizewinners will be notified by phone and email. If Cityscape is unable to contact the winner within 14 days, Cityscape reserves the right to draw another winner. Cityscape reserves the right to use image/ name of competition entrants for publicity purposes.

International Standard Serial Number ISSN 2537-933X print, ISSN 2537-9348 online

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We’ve got everything you need to know to make the most of Cup & Show Week 2017 and an actionpacked city events calendar in November.

ON THE COVER

THEIA The Kiwi music star on the rise is back in her hometown this month with a performance during Cup & Show Week. We chat music, inspiration and her former lifeguarding days with her on page 17. cityscape.christchurch

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04 NEWSFEED Tip-offs, trends, and more.

10 CULTURE CALENDAR November’s highlights.

17 WHEN IN ROAM Rising music star Theia.

20 AND THEY’RE OFF! Your Cup & Show Week guide.

28 STYLE FILES What’s hot this month.

30 BACK IN BLACK NOM*d’s Margi Robertson.

34 THE FIRST LADI Local music legend Ladi Tamati.

36 ENTERTAIN ME Films, music, and books.

38 WANDERSTRUCK The Wanderlust 108 rundown.

40 GOOD HEALTH, NATURALLY The Herb Centre’s Michael Woods.

41 FOOD & DRINK Eating and drinking in the city.

46 THE LAST WORD Human Traces director Nic Gorman.

Newsfeed

TIP-OFFS, TRENDS & MORE

STYLING UP

Image: Austin Young

The local home décor company behind stylish NED Collections’ ceramics, candles, furniture, lighting and more have opened homewares boutique Hello Dear Interiors.

Transforming an old floor cleaning showroom on Durham Street, HDI is now NC’s HQ, and features the modern, eclectic seasonal collections synonymous with the brand. 51 Durham Street, nedcollections.co.nz

EARLY WARNING

Busk in Time

The Good Goat

We know it’s only November, but here’s an important heads-up anyway, Cityscapers; tickets for 2018’s World Buskers Festival (18 – 28 January) – the festival’s 25th anniversary edition – are now on sale! We know what you’re thinking: “Oh, but it’s two months away Cityscape, I’ve got heaps of time!”

Well, snap out of that nonsense! <slap> There is no such thing as buying your WBF tix too early, because those bad boys will sell out fast on the popular shows. So get to the website, get your personal must-see schedule together, and get to booking! World Buskers Festival 2018, 18 – 28 Jan, worldbuskersfestival.com

The city’s newest (and only?) caprinethemed gastropub has thrown open the doors at 31 Victoria Street and is banging out primo eats, top drops, and good times.

The new English-inspired hangout offers a daily happy hour, gaming lounge, and pub food classics stepped up to a new level; think the Emerson Pale Ale Battered West Coast Turbot with crushed peas, tartare sauce, fries and lemon. Go for work drinks, a big night, or dinner and a catch-up – it’s all good! facebook.com/thegoodgoat

GIN TRAP Up your gin appreciation at Hotel Montreal’s Gin Flight, featuring 5 gins matched to a tasting plate, on Nov 22.

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Waipara Hills have got another achievement to magnet onto the front of the fridge after taking out the Supreme Champion Wine award at the New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition with their Waipara Valley Riesling 2016. The top drop bested nearly 300 other wines, and the praise of judges was effusive: “For anyone that ever doubted the power and finesse of Riesling, here is the perfect opportunity to reassess that view.” waiparahillswines.co.nz

Image: Designworks

Grand designs The crew behind the transformation of a

dreary office building to the glam restaurant, bar and accommodation offering that is Crowne Plaza Christchurch have picked up a silver in the highly coveted Hospitality Spatial Design category at the New Zealand Best Design Awards. Design agency Designworks focused on delivering a creative guest experience based around being welcomed into the property to deliver an exciting, unique experience that maximises 360-degree views of the Port Hills, Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean. With the lobby space featuring timber slats wrapping the wall, a large freeform mesh ceiling feature (inspired by the Avon River), a striking doubled-sided central fireplace, and a grand open staircase, there’s no doubt it makes for a stunning entrance.

TOURETTES SYNDROME Accomplished rapper, spoken word poet, and now best-selling author Dominic ‘Tourettes’ Hoey is on the road with singer-songwriter pal Skyscraper Stan to promote his debut novel Iceland. Expect political satire and absurdist observations based on Hoey’s new book, while Stan croons a lyrical travelogue dripping with sarcasm and wit. Dominic ‘Tourettes’ Hoey & Skyscraper Stan, Nov 16 (Hellfire Club) & 17 (Space Academy), undertheradar.co.nz

DROP DEAD DELISH Mexico is celebrating Mexican occasion El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) this month by throwing killer Margarita Masterclasses! They’re tag-teaming in buddies Jose Cuervo; you’ll pick up some serious skills to become a master in the fine art of making (and consuming, natch) margaritas. Round up the amigos, grab tix, head down to Mexico and get ready to shake it till you make it. Tickets include schooling, two fresh creations and the best in Mexican cuisine from the Mexico kitchen, along with Day of the Dead food and drink specials all night. Day of the Dead: Margarita Masterclass, Nov 2, Mexico, mexico.net.nz

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CHRISTMAS POP UP Catering superstars Continental are taking the pop up restaurant concept to new heights by hosting Chrissy-style dinners on Nov 30 and Dec 7 at the Christchurch Gondola. continental.co.nz

THE GONG SHOW

QUICK SILVER

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ON EDGE

Razzle Dazzle

How popular is Chicago, The Court Theatre’s upcoming summer musical? Well, the 1996 revival (still going!) on Broadway is the longest-running US musical in Broadway history, the 2002 movie version won the Oscar for Best Picture, and even the original 1926 play was adapted twice into films. A mix of scandal, celebrity and murder that has its origins in real-life criminals of the 1920s, the musical follows celebrity-hungry Roxie Hart, who dreams of trading the notoriety she has gained by shooting her no-good lover into stardom, with only the pesky criminal justice system and a possible death sentence holding her back. The shameless characters and big numbers have made this show one of musical theatre’s biggest-ever smashes. Chicago, The Court Theatre, Nov 25 – Jan 20, courttheatre.org.nz

The Edge have teamed up with The Colonel to bring us KFC Edgefest, a mini music fest at Horncastle Arena this month. Topping the bill is the pop superstarJason Derulo, who’s racked up 50 million single sales. He’s joined by the English dance pop of Jonas Blue and Norwegian pop princess Astrid S, as well as homegrown musical talent. While all this is going on you can hit make up stations, ‘gram gardens, selfie stations, R18 zones, and even get yourself a tattoo at the most social-media ready event this side of a Kardashian family reunion. KFC Edgefest, Horncastle Arena, Nov 3, theedge.co.nz

Sundaze @ Sister Kong Killer bao/baijiu emporium Sister Kong have opened Sundays. Their buzzy laneway is serving live music, craft beers, champers and cocktails in the sun (Fido’s welcome too!), and they’ve also launched an epic new spring Whitebait Bao – ‘nuff said! sisterkong.co.nz

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catered for with the cold cut and cheese selection or the carnivore’s delight that is the Universo beast board, where pâté on toast joins lamb ribs, grilled steaks, wagyu patties, Yorkshire pudding with lamb, hand-cut chips and a selection of housemade pickles, coleslaw and bread rolls to round out the ultimate feast.

Given the pedigree, there’s no surprise that the wine (local, domestic and international) and cocktail lists up the ante on the city scene, with custom-built martinis and other classics alongside tricked-up new faves and quite possibly the city’s finest espresso martini in the form of their heavenly Caffe Nero, which shines things off with a vanilla stout reduction.

Good news too for ladies, who can lunch with the affordable extravagance of the Veuve Clicquot Ladies’ Lunch every Friday, at which you’ll get a glass of France’s finest along with two courses! universo.co.nz

JUST OPENED

UNIVERSO APPEAL Photography by Nancy Zhon

Opening just in time to make the most of the warmer weather, Universo Brasserie & Bar’s killer location at the Christchurch Art Gallery sees Stealth Hospitality magnate Tony Astle bringing Euro-chic styling, next-level dining and out-of-this-world cocktails into the CBD. Projecting a chill café vibe by day and morphing into a swanky bar and dining scene by night, Universo offers the best of both worlds, with towering windows and a sun-drenched courtyard that offers al fresco dining into the evening and intimate dining indoors, while live music on Friday and Sunday afternoons are sure to make it a sizzling summer hotspot.

Resplendent with designer lighting suspended from its soaring ceiling, mirrored walls above booth seating, a bar pimped out with a honeycombed metal front and lush tropical plants throughout, the bright, open space’s (FYI there’s some seriously

cool function space here for that next soiree!) menu is a slick, European-styled affair with the unmistakable, signature Stealth flair. Gastronomic goodies the likes of plump squid ink bread rolls filled with turbot and rouille are plated alongside fresh oysters (served two ways – with shallot and cab sav vinegar, or with crisp potato, lemon puree and tartare sauce), and goat cheese churros with truffle honey(!) are perfect for el fresco snacking or as a warm-up before hitting the main event.

Larger plates tempt with beef cheek cooked in crayfish stock, bone marrow and pappardelle, along with the seafood bounty that is ocean fresh market fish, prawns, squid, mussels and pearl barley in a sumptuous shellfish velouté. Desserts to die for include the apple tartine for two (trust us, you’ll have trouble sharing this one!), featuring an epic salted caramel with vanilla ice-cream, while platter hounds are well

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THE MONTH IN CULTURE KFC EDGEFEST LIVE MUSIC The Edge brings us

a mini-music festival at Horncastle Arena that features Jason Derulo, Jonas Blue and more in a big day/night of pop.

Horncastle Arena, Fri 3 Nov, kfcedgefest.co.nz

RONI SIZE: NEW FORMS ANNIVERSARY LIVE MUSIC The UK drum n’ bass

pioneer who beat the Spice Girls, The Prodigy, Suede, Radiohead, Primal Scream and The Chemical Brothers for the 1997 Mercury Prize with his seminal album New Forms hits us with an anniversary audio-visual spectacular.

Winnie Bagoes City, Fri 3 Nov, theticketfairy.com

CSO PRESENTS: LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS LIVE MUSIC Prepare to mentally

revert New Zealand back to colony status for a night with the popular annual musical celebration of all things England – spiffing.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 4 Nov, cso.co.nz

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2017

LORDE: MELODRAMA WORLD TOUR

SPORT Christchurch scores a

LIVE MUSIC The globe-

pool play match (NZL vs Scotland) and a quarter final when the 15th Rugby League World Cup is held across Australia and New Zealand.

AMI Stadium, Sat 4/18 Nov, rlwc2017.com

conquering Kiwi songstress makes a triumphant homeland tour off the back of her US #1-charting sophomore album Melodrama.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 8/Thu 9 Nov, lorde.co.nz

GUY FAWKES FIREWORKS DISPLAY

NZ TRIO: SOAR

FAMILY The annual pyrotechnic

described as “New Zealand’s most indispensable ensemble” perform the final show in their recent concert series, joined by guest violinist Manu Berkeljon of Sweden.

The Piano, Wed 8 Nov, nztrio.com

extravaganza lights up the night sky over New Brighton Pier, this year with a Star Wars theme.

Bright colours! Loud noises! You gotta love ‘em.

New Brighton Pier, Sun 5 Nov, ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events

LIVE MUSIC The acclaimed group

CONTRAST CULTURE FIX

FILM A feature length film

programme for all those who love two wheels in their cinematic drama, featuring cycling docos London.

Edinburgh. London and the acclaimed All For One. Charles Luney Auditorium, Fri 10 Nov, bigbikefilmnight.nz

CUP & SHOW WEEK 2017 FESTIVAL The city’s annual

exceptional new dance work from high achievers Footnote New Zealand Dance.

Papa Hou, Thu 9 Nov, footnote.org.nz

spring party returns; expect a big week of racing, excitement, events, frocks, fascinators and general good times.

Various venues, Sat 11 – Sat 18 Nov, nzcupandshow.co.nz

SCULPTURE ON THE PENINSULA 2017

CSO: FOR THE COMMON MAN

EXHIBITION The largest

LIVE MUSIC The CSO is joined by

PERFORMANCE A double-bill of

sculpture exhibition in the South Island is back for another year of showcasing many of the country’s finest sculptors.

Loudon Farm, Teddington, Fri 10 – Sun 12 Nov, sculpturenz.co.nz

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THE BIG BIKE FILM NIGHT

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ November 17

pianist Simon Tedeschi for a selection of works from John Adams, George Gershwin, and Aaron Copland.

Air Force Museum, Sat 11 Nov, cso.co.nz

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HORORATA HIGHLAND GAMES

NAKED GIRLS READING CHCH: THE SCI-FI EDITION!

FAMILY/FESTIVAL The Southern

PERFORMANCE Hosted by the

Hemisphere’s largest Scottish Festival is back for another year of caber tossing, tug o’ war, haggis, piping and more.

Hororata Domain, Sat 11 Nov, hororatahighlandgames.org.nz

inimitable Hugo Grrrl, this literary event with a twist does exactly what it says on the tin.

XCHC, Thu 16 Nov, Find it on Facebook

MARLON WILLIAMS

DOMINIC TOURETTES HOEY & SKYSCRAPER STAN

LIVE MUSIC Marlon Williams

PERFORMANCE Poet, rappper

returns to his hometown with two intimate full band shows.

Blue Smoke, Sun 12/Mon 13 Nov, marlonwilliams.co.nz

and novelist Dominic “Tourettes” Harvey hits the road to promote his bestselling debut novel Iceland, joined by Australian-based muso “Skyscraper” Stanley Woodhouse.

Hell Fire Club, Thu 16 Nov, undertheradar.co.nz

CIRKOPOLIS PERFORMANCE This critically-

acclaimed circus extravaganza

by Cirque Éloize reaches us towards the end of a long, popular world tour.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Tue 14 – Sun 19 Nov, cirque-eloize.com

CANTERBURY A&P SHOW EXPO Get your country on,

CHCH – the tractor demo-ing, candy-floss chomping, Clydesdale-clomping extravaganza is back.

Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wed 15 – Fri 17 Nov, theshow.co.nz OUR PICK

Diaries out: we run the ruler over the must-sees, go-listens, and should-dos around the city this month.

MUST SEE

UB40: THE HITS & MORE LIVE MUSIC The UK’s most

successful reggae band is back in Aotearoa again to trot out their big parade of hits for fans.

Horncastle Arena, Fri 17 Nov, mjrpresents.com

THE CHRISTCHURCH PUN BATTLE CHAMPIONSHIPS COMEDY Get ready to groan as

local wits, smart alecks and Dad-jokers enter the Punderdome to battle.

Dim 7th Jazz and Whisky Bar, Fri 17 Nov, eventfinda.co.nz

GREG JOHNSON & MEL PARSONS LIVE MUSIC Two of the country’s

favourite singer-songwriters team up for this tour that sees them performing together and separately, with a hybrid band along for the ride.

Blue Smoke, Fri 17 Nov, & Naval Point Yacht Club, Lyttelton, Sat 18 Nov, eventfinda.co.nz

GUITAR WOLF LIVE MUSIC Cult Japanese rock

heroes Guitar Wolf are back in New Zealand for one of their mega-energy tours; those have seen them on one of their 4 previous visits will know they’re a pretty magic live experience.

Space Academy, Wed 22 Nov, undertheradar.co.nz

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CHICAGO

STADIUM CHALLENGE

THEATRE Scandal, murder,

FITNESS Not for the faint

celebrity and all that jazz return in the Court’s summer production of one of the most famous and loved musicals ever.

The Court Theatre, Sat 25 Nov – Sat 20 Jan, courttheatre.org.nz

hearted (or jelly-thighed), this annual fitness challenge pushes runners to tackle over 5,000 stairs (not a misprint) at AMI Stadium.

AMI Stadium, Sun 26 Nov, stadiumchallenge.co.nz

LE CABARET DE LA VIE LIVE MUSIC/PERFORMANCE After

seven years, the Christchurch Pop Up Concert Series concludes with Scottish born Isabella Miller Bell (aka Ma Bell) presenting her famous travelling pop up cabaret at the Isaac Theatre Royal’s Gloucester Room.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 25 Nov, millerbellmusic.com

CAR PARK CANNON BALL CYCLE SPORT Arriving in New Zealand

for the first time, this uniquely entertaining sporting spectacle pits cyclists against each other in a series of head-to-head knock outs as they race up a car parking building in a festival atmosphere.

Innovation Car Park, Sun 26 Nov, carparkcannonball.cc

COCA COLA CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

PAUL KELLY

FAMILY More like Christmas in

LIVE MUSIC The acclaimed

November, am I right? Look for the annual talent showcase/ Chrissy sing-along to go high-tech this year with a flash new stage.

North Hagley Park, Sat 25 Nov, coke.co.nz/christmas-in-thepark/christchurch

Australian singer-songwriter (a 10-time ARIA winner) rolls into town, with The Eastern in support.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 29 Nov, ticketek.co.nz

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ November 17

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY CAPE E CITYSCITYSCAPE P A C S SCAPE PE CITY E TYSCAYSCAPE CITY E CITYSCAPSCAPE I C E P P A T Y C A I T S C C I CITY ITYSCAPE APE CITYS YSCAPE C PE C SCA E CIT TYSC APE CI PE CITYSCAP YSCAPE CITYE CITYSCAPE C S Y T I T C I P A CITYSCCITYSCAPE CAPE CITYSCA C E S P Y A CITYSCITYSCAPE CIT C

The juggernaut that is Naked Girls Reading will break through the final frontier this month, taking its inspiration from galaxies far, far away with its Sci-Fi Edition at the Exchange Christchurch. Quick to clear up any misconceptions, MC and drag king extraordinaire Hugo Grrrl says Naked Girls Reading is exactly what it sounds like – “Completely naked women reading literature aloud”. “It’s a sexy book club, a Sapphic slumber party, a sumptuous and scandalous event sure to arouse, educate and entertain all at once,” says Grrrl.

“Come along to experience the ancient and beautiful art of storytelling – and also, you know, boobs.” The evening will see the ethereal storytellers share their favourite bits from iconic science fiction from H.G. Wells through to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, along with the possibility of some extraterrestrial erotica thrown into the intergalactic mix! Enjoy cocktails and conversation post re-entry. Naked Girls Reading: The Sci-Fi Edition, Exchange Christchurch, Nov 16, Find it on Facebook

Image: Nate McQuade

DON’T MISS

THE FINER THINGS After the big success of his 23rd studio album Life Is Fine, one of Australia’s most iconic and loved musicians, Paul Kelly, is bringing his trademark bluegrass/folk-rock blend to the city at the end of the month. Described as the poet laureate of Australian music and with a career spanning four decades, Kelly has rocked the Australian music scene and left a long-lasting impression, with his songs being gritty, edgy and packing a serious punch. His ability to hone in on his creative psyche and produce content that is fresh and relevant has been praised by critics internationally and as a result, Kelly has attained a

plethora of prestigious music awards, with his most recent feat racked up when Life Is Fine became his first #1 album in his homeland. Joining him on tour will be the roaring string music of Lyttelton’s The Eastern, as well as the soulful tunes of Australian duo Busby Marou. Paul Kelly – Life is Fine Tour, Isaac Theatre Royal, Nov 29, paulkelly.com.au

Do Us A Caber

The Hororata Highland Games kicked off in 2011 and has only gone from strength to strength; last year attracted over 300 competitors in disciplines as diverse as Highland dancing, piping and drumming, tug o’ war, shooting, and Scottish heavy athletics, with over 10,000 spectators attending in the festival atmosphere to cheer them on (and have a go at things themselves). The success of the event and unique blend of New Zealand and Scottish culture has led many in the know to describe it as the best Highland Games in the Southern Hemisphere, and this year’s event is looking like no exception! Enjoy world-class professional and amateur heavy athletics action as well as over 100 excellent stalls, live music and cultural performances, and food from the ‘Taste of Scotland’ alley at this awesome community event that’s quietly snuck up into being one of the highlights on Canterbury’s annual event calendar. Hororata Highland Games, Hororata Domain, Nov 11, hororatahighlandgames.org.nz

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MARLON RISING

Tipped by many as New Zealand’s next big international success story, Lyttelton lad Marlon Williams has made a considerable name for himself already. The primarily alt-country singer-songwriter with an angelic voice announced himself at the 2015 New Zealand Music Awards when he picked up Best Breakthrough Artist and Best Male gongs with his self-titled debut solo album, hefting these into his swag bag alongside nominations for each of the Best Blues & Roots Album at Australia’s ARIA Awards, the coveted Taite Music Prize, and the Australian Music Prize.

Since then he’s dropped Marlon Williams internationally and hit the road for sold-out gigs and festivals throughout North America and Europe, popped up on Later … With Jools Holland and Conan with backing band the Yarra Benders, and dipped his toes into the world of acting, with roles in Australian series The Beautiful Lie and the film version of Eleanor Catton’s debut novel The Rehearsal. Is there anything the man can’t do? This month he’s made room in his hectic schedule for intimate gigs in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch; he’ll be down our way this month with two (already sold out!) shows at Blue Smoke.

Lucky concert goers might want to hold on to their ticket stubs afterwards; they could be excellent souvenirs a few years down the track when this home-grown talent has blown up even bigger on the world stage. Marlon Williams, Blue Smoke, Sun 12/Mon 13 Nov, marlonwilliams.co.nz

VICIOUS CYCLE The Cannon Ball cycling concept – in which two racers sprint head-to-head up a car park building – comes to the Innovation Car Park on the 26th. carparkcannonall.cc

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BINGEWATCHING

What we’re hoovering up on Netflix.

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01 — ATYPICAL This dark dramedy follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an 18 year old from Connecticut on the autistic spectrum who decides he wants to start dating, and the unexpected ripple effects that this decision has on his family; his under-appreciated and overprotective mother Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), clueless dad Doug (Michael Rapaport), and star athlete sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine). Switching from laughs to the hefty stuff at the drop of a hat, it all hinges on Gilchrist’s mesmerising – and somewhat polarising – performance.

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02 — DESIGNATED SURVIVOR This political actiondrama sees Kiefer Sutherland’s unassuming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman (the ‘designated survivor’ taken to a remote location to ensure continuity of government in the event of a disaster at government gatherings, a real-life protocol) thrust suddenly into the Presidency after a mysterious attack wipes out most of the government at the State of the Union address. Cue chaos, conspiracy, and drama.

03 — GYPSY Naomi Watts sizzles up the screen in this one (season)-and-done as Jean Holloway, a psychotherapist who infiltrates the private lives of her patients. Get in for soapy plotting, lurid obsessions, and spiralling disaster – open a wine and just go with it!

Images: Netflix

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REGGAE KNIGHTS Iconic British reggae group UB40 are back in Christchurch this month on their Hits & More tour; we caught up with drummer extraordinaire Jimmy Brown to see what we can expect.

At the spearhead of the global reggae revival, British group UB40, famously named after the government form that needed to be filled in order to apply for the unemployment benefit, left the dole queue completely behind in the 80s and 90s, and have notched sales of over 70 million albums worldwide since off the back of monster global hits like ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, ‘Kingston Town’ and ‘Here I Am’. Now the crew are back in New Zealand (after loving their last Australasian tour in 2015), with a Christchurch date lined up for Horncastle Arena this month – and they’re looking forward to it, if our recent chat with drummer Jimmy Brown is any indication. “We have many, many friends in New Zealand,” he told us. “Our gigs will be covering 40 years of our music, dating all the way back to our first album [Signing Off], and [we’ll be] playing some very well-known hits along the way along with some brand new material.” Time for a hit-studded trip down memory lane! UB40 – The Hits & More, Horncastle Arena, Nov 17, premier.ticketek.co.nz

TEN GIGS TO CATCH THIS MONTH KFC Edgefest Horncastle Arena, Fri 3 Roni Size: New Forms Anniversary Winnie Bagoes City, Fri 3 Lorde: Melodrama World Tour Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 8/Thu 9 Marlon Williams Blue Smoke, Sun 12/Mon 13 UB40: The Hits & More Horncastle Arena, Fri 17 Greg Johnson & Mel Parsons Blue Smoke, Fri 17, Naval Point Yacht Club, Lyttelton, Sat 18 Guitar Wolf Space Academy, Wed 22 Flora Knight & Sean Donald Vesuvio, Thu 23 Paul Kelly Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 29 Catherine Traicos Darkroom, Thu 30

We’ve got a double pass to catch UB40 to giveaway. To enter, send an email with ‘UB40’ in the subject line to info@somocreative.co.nz and tell us how red red wine makes you feel. Entries close November 13.

MEL N’ GREG

Two of the hardest-working people in New Zealand music, Greg Johnson and Mel Parsons, have teamed up for a new tour of venues up and down the country, with a Christchurch date at Blue Smoke on the 17th and another gig in Lyttelton at the Naval Point Yacht Club the following night. With a hybrid band in tow they’ll perform both separately and together at the gigs, which will be a tonic for fans of great New Zealand songwriting. Based in the States since 2002, Johnson has done music work for companies such as Sony, Audi, Bendon and Suzuki, as well as television and film. Parsons, meanwhile, is just about constantly on the road, collaborating with the likes of The Bitches Box, Anika Moa and Fly My Pretties in between well-received studio albums. The two Kiwi talents have an extensive back catalogue of songwriting to call on, and you can expect a pretty spectacular evening of New Zealand music from the pair collectively behind such hits as ‘Save Yourself’, ‘I Won’t Let You Down’, ‘Isabelle’, ‘Far Away’, ‘Don’t Wait Another Day’, ‘Get Out Alive’, ‘Now The Sun Is Out’, and many more (and pick up Johnson’s brand new EP Low Frequency Word while you’re there).

Greg Johnson and Mel Parsons, Nov 17 (Blue Smoke) and 18 (Naval Point Yacht Club), plus1.co.nz

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Common Purpose

Put on your best kicks, primp that frock, and sock-hop on down; the Rockabilly Show & Shine on November 11 at Rawhiti Domain aims to turn back the (Rock Around The) clock, with a big 50s and 60s focused familyfriendly day of live entertainment, market stalls, rockabilly fashion, and a special area for the kids, all built around the main event that is an amazing display of hot rods, classic, and muscle cars, with a few motorcycles and ‘special interest vehicles’ thrown in for good measure. There’s a number of events around and on the big day, including a PreRegistration Street Party in New Brighton Mall the night before, a fashion competition on the day that names the Rockabilly Beau and Belle, and after-show party the Rockabilly Hop at Speight’s Ale House Ferrymead in the evening, with Auckland 4-piece Boom Boom Deluxe banging out the hits of the 50s and 60s. Can you dig it, daddy-o? facebook.com/ rockabillyshowandshine

HOT TICKET

Good, Lorde

IT’S THE MOST!

Power to the people: the CSO celebrates your bog-standard human this month with For The Common Man. To do so they’re joined by the distinctly above-average Simon Tedeschi (pictured), one of Australia’s most renowned pianists, who’ll perform George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F major. It had contemporary critics all in a tizzy on its 1926 debut – was this jazz, or classical music? Everybody else though simply got on with enjoying this playful work.

Simple pleasures also inform the opening fanfare Short Ride in a Fast Machine, which composer John Adams described as the musical equivalent of “a thrilling ride in a terrific sports car”, and it’s the great American composer Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 to finish. With the symphony’s composition beginning in 1944 and its debut made in 1946, WWII couldn’t help but inform the composer. “It was the common man, after all, who was doing all the dirty work in the war and the army. He deserved a fanfare,” Copland not-unreasonably concluded, knocking out what is considered the best American symphony yet written.

Celebrate the ordinary with this extraordinary musical line up. CSO: For The Common Man, Air Force Museum, Nov 11, cso.co.nz

It seems like Lorde’s been around for aaaaages as one of international music’s most celebrated talents, but here’s a brain-melting reminder for you: November 7 is her 21st birthday. Just a day later the pop sensation is in action at the Isaac Theatre Royal. She’s back the next night too; just another two gigs on her massive Melodrama world tour. It’s fair to say that the Kiwi singer-songwriter is a hot ticket; tickets for her Christchurch gigs sold out aeons ago, which is unsurprising when you consider she’s touring an album that went to number 1 not only in New Zealand but in the US, Australia, and Canada as well, in

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addition to charting top-10 in the diverse likes of the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, Austria Norway, South Korea … look, the list goes on, but we’ve only got so many pages in this issue. There’s acclaim to match all those sales, too; the album Slant magazine described as either “a party record disguised as a breakup album or a breakup album disguised as a party record” has wowed critics almost without exception wherever it’s landed. Got your tickets? If so, we are jealous. Well jealous.

Lorde: Melodrama World Tour, Isaac Theatre Royal, Nov 8 & 9, lorde.co.nz

TALLY HO As is its recent custom, the CSO borrows a UK musical tradition (we’re sure they won’t mind) this month and heads to the appropriately glorious Isaac Theatre Royal to turn out its own version of that quintessentially British occasion and big ol’ crowd-pleaser, The Last Night of the Proms. In London each year, the famous Last Night concludes an eight-week summer programme of daily orchestral classical music concerts with a light hearted and exuberantly patriotic musical occasion that’s one of the city’s most sought-after tickets. In fact, before the practice was banned, fans were formerly known to sleep outside the Royal Albert Hall for up to three weeks just to secure a good spot to stand! Consistently enduring programme favourites reproduced from the English occasion for our own version include Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, for which the CSO tells us “full voice and streamer throwing, although not compulsory, are certainly highly encouraged”. There’s bound to be plenty of wit and audience fun along the way too as Proms Maestro Brian Law leads the orchestra through their paces. Jolly good, chaps; jolly good indeed. CSO: The Last Night of the Proms, Isaac Theatre Royal, Nov 4, cso.co.nz

Centre Stage

They may not be a household name in quite the same way Cirque du Soleil is, but for those in the know Cirque Éloize is very much in the same echelon – in fact, London theatre publication The Stage has dubbed them “Cirque du Soleil’s hipper, sexier cousin.” The Montreal-based Canadian company has been one of the leading lights in the reinvention of circus arts, and since its

formation in 1993 has racked up over 5,500 performances across 500 cities worldwide, carved up Broadway and the West End, and entertained some 3.8 million spectators along the way, firmly establishing them as one of the world’s leading contemporary circuses. Their ninth touring show, Cirkopolis, reaches us towards the end of a long world tour that has been acclaimed at every stop. Taking the 1927 Fritz Lang classic sci-fi film Metropolis as its inspiration, the show is a blend of circus

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THE BIG BANG Out to prove that science is so-not boring with a series of ‘educational’ explosions, fireballs and other way-cool over-the-top experiments, Nanogirl (AKA Dr Michelle Dickinson) and her trusty lab assistant Boris explain the science behind each of their eye-popping feats as they work their way towards the biggest bang ever! Volunteers from the audience are often called up on stage to help – consider yourself warned.

Nanogirl Live! In Engineering Magic, Isaac Theatre Royal, Nov 11, nanogirllive.co.nz

arts, theatre and dance that sees Cirque Éloize’s multidisciplinary artists rebel against a world of conformity and monotony with feats of spectacular skill, strength and artistry, all against the backdrop of an inventive stage design and video projections. Fans of the daring, the spectacular and that special kind of on-stage magic will wanna catch this one.

Cirque Éloize: Cirkopolis, Isaac Theatre Royal, Nov 14 – 19, cirque-eloize.com

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WHEN IN ROAM We caught up with Theia, the former Christchurch lifeguard who’s now one of the country’s most high-profile rising musicians, to talk inspiration, opening for Sia in December and her Cup Day performance.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR STAGE NAME, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? In Greek mythology ‘Theia’ is the mother of the sun and the moon. I wanted something that encompassed my sonic and visual aesthetic and for me, it represents strength, femininity and etherealism.

‘ROAM’ IS A KILLER TRACK; WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT? Thank you! It was the fruits of an anxious and lonely period for me – my introduction to the music lifestyle and finding my feet.

It’s about being comfortable in your own skin.

WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR MUSICAL CAREER? I have many inspirations; however I would definitely cite Amy Winehouse as the most longstanding.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON CUP DAY (AND WHAT/WHO WILL YOU BE WEARING)?

I will be performing a few times throughout the day, so come along and see me if you are around! What am I wearing?

That’s a good question! When I perform at Cup Day, I’ll just

have returned from a trip to the States, where I hope to do some shopping, so hopefully I’ll have some new pieces to wear.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST HEROIC POOLSIDE MOMENT FROM YOUR LIFEGUARD DAYS? I rescued people who started sinking after jumping from the diving boards and people who had seizures whilst swimming or who collapsed poolside etc.

Not particularly heroic, just part of the job description.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST RE-READ BOOK? Little Girl Lost by

Drew Barrymore and Todd Gold was a book I read a few times growing up. I first read it when I was 11 (being a huge Drew fan) and was moved and inspired by her courage and strength, especially after such tragic formative years.

YOU’VE RELOCATED TO AUCKLAND – WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH? My family and friends for sure.

I’M OPENING FOR SIA IN DECEMBER AND I’M … …so excited to be performing alongside MØ and Charli XCX. The ultimate girl power line-up!

WHAT’S ON THE CARDS FOR 2018? I’ll be making more music, performing and travelling!

TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU HEARD IT ON THE RADIO. I was in the car and flicking through the channels and it began playing, which I was ecstatic about, dancing in my seat. Then I changed the channel and it was on that one too. Very surreal and such a proud and exciting moment!

Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup Day, Addington Raceway, 14 Nov, nzcupandshow.co.nz

I wanted something that encompassed my sonic and visual aesthetic and for me, it represents strength, femininity and etherealism.

YOU’RE KNOWN FOR YOUR EPIC STAGE PRESENCE. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOU REPRESENT? If you feel and believe in the music then you can’t really ask for more as far as performances go.

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TOP 5 TROTS CAREWS PEAK ADVENTURE Nov 4, Start time 9:30am, $15 Duration: 7 hours (includes carpooling to start) This swamp-to-summit route may be harder going than some others in the festival, but gives walkers a golden chance to explore the shiny new DOC reserve on the top of Carews Peak. Your pioneering adventure (with tracks still unformed) is set to be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views.

WALK THIS WAY We have some spectacular scenery right on the city’s doorstep and the weather is warming up; you basically have no excuse not to get stuck into this month’s Banks Peninsula Walking Festival, an awesome and extensive series of guided walks and tramps held over the 4 weekends this month. There’s a whopping 30 walks to choose from over the course of the festival, ranging from serious bush-bashing in little-explored reserves not normally open to the public to walks focusing on natural or cultural heritage and gentle afternoon strolls around quirky backyards. Guides include geologists, artists, DOC and CCC rangers, local legends, land owners, and more, and no walk costs more than $20 per person – it’s just a matter of deciding what sort of challenge you’re up for, picking the area you’d like to visit or subject matter you’re interested in, booking your chosen walk in ahead of the day and then getting into it! Banks Peninsula Walking Festival, Nov 4 – 26, bankspeninsulawalks.co.nz

HINEWAI 30TH ANNIVERSARY WALK Nov 5, Start time 9:30am, $15 Duration: 7.5 hours (includes celebrations and carpooling to start) Hinewai Reserve is celebrating its 30th anniversary on the 25th of this month; in honour of that occasion, this walk is a chance to experience the huge scale of this native forest restoration project. Pack a picnic lunch and listen to reserve manager Hugh Wilson tell the Hinewai success story, returning on a different route via the visitor centre and lodge.

ORTON BRADLEY HISTORICAL WALK Nov 18, Start time: 10am, $10 Duration: 2 hours

SCOPE OUT SCAPE Wondering how best to lay eyes on all the sweet public art on offer during SCAPE Public Art’s 2017 season?

Luckily they’ve made it easy! Their suggested walking route takes in nearly every piece in the 2017 season, and if you’re feeling like a bit of a longer stroll, you can head off on their Legacy route to also see the organisation’s older, permanently installed pieces as well.

Load up the ol’ iPhone (or Android, we’re not snobby) with the SCAPE App beforehand, and you can even turn your walk into an annotated tour, with geo-tagged notes for each artwork and a map to keep you on track. You’ll want to pick a sunny evening or weekend day and get into it soon, though; this year’s season ends on November 18. scapepublicart.org.nz

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Orton Bradley Park Manager Ian Luxford leads this easygoing tour of some of the excellent park’s best features including massive trees, one of the oldest stone cottages in Canterbury, historic farm buildings and original waterworks, with lunch at the park café a perfect option to finish.

PENGUINS OF GODLEY HEAD Nov 25, Start time: 10am, $15 Duration: 4 – 5 hours (return including penguin talk) Take in coastal views and the historic military sites of Godley Head as you head to a little known penguin colony on this newly-upgraded circular walk track. Penguin researcher Dr Chris Challies and colleagues will get you up close for a hello to some of the penguins and their half-to-full-grown chicks.

WALK ON THE WILDSIDE – FISHERMAN’S BAY Nov 26, Start time: 10am, $15 Duration: 3 hours Fisherman’s Bay offers a rare cross section of wildlife in one remote location – keep your eyes peeled for spotted shags, pied cormorants, NZ fur seals and even penguins at this stunning volcanic bay as you learn about the local Wildside project from co-ordinator Marie Haley.

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Pop Sculpture

A biennial celebration of great art, Sculpture on the Peninsula (which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year) is the South Island’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition.

Showcasing both emerging and established sculptors from around the country, this year’s event is set to feature work from over 60 artists displayed around Teddington’s historic Loudon Farm. There’s also a host of entertainment on over the weekend of the festival, with local musos including Lindon Puffin, Carmel Courtney and The Eastern cranking out tunes throughout both days. Those who want to go even bigger can nab themselves some tickets for the grand opening evening on Friday night; as well as giving you the chance to take a look at this year’s selection first, your $75 ticket includes international street food, local craft beers and selected wines, and more live entertainment. In addition author Joe Bennett will be auctioning off 12 150-year-old totara posts turned into works of art by local artists including Bill Hammond, Jason Grieg, Mark Whyte and Dean Venrooy – and with all proceeds from the event donated to the Cholmondeley Children’s Centre in Governors Bay, there’s a chance to get some good karma with your new conversation piece.

Sculpture on the Peninsula, Nov 10 – 12, Loudon Farm, sculpturenz.co.nz

Feather In Your Cap Love artist Lonnie Hutchinson’s stunning feather cloak design adorning the Justice Precinct? Now you can take home your very own framed, building paper version with Hutchinson’s Kahu Toru, 2017 (RRP $6,000) from The Central.

TOY STORY

Iconic Kiwi artist Dick Frizzell is giving Buzzy Bee a run for its money with his new pull-along wooden toy KiWi KiWi. Originally designed and built in his garden shed in 2001 as a one-off toy for his then three-year-old grandson, the toy proved to be such a hit among family and friends that Frizzell joined forces with Sharl Short, Director of Urban Leisure, to put the super cute and sure-to-be-popular toy into production. Pick one up at Farmers, Whitcoulls or Mr Vintage.

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AROUND THE GALLERIES Scape Public Art Season 2017 Central City. To Nov 18, scapepublicart.org.nz Heather Straka The Central, Nov 2 – Dec 3, thecentral.co.nz Paemanu Nohoaka Toi – Ngāi Tahu Artists in Residence Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), to Nov 26, coca.org.nz Nova Paul: Surplus Reality The Physics Room, to Nov 19, physicsroom.org.nz

And

off!

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Celebrate Canterbury's biggest party in style during the week-long mix of glam parties, champagne brekkies, high-end fashion, and rural flavour.

/ NEW ZEALAND CUP & SHOW WEEK

Expect thrills, frills and spills during the New Zealand Cup and Show Week, where fascinators and fillies join trackside action and blue-ribbon cuteness.

W

ith the city’s biggest week on the social calendar hitting this month in the form of New Zealand Cup & Show Week, we give you the run down on the big races, best spots, making it through a full-on day, and collecting some winnings, along with some expert tips on taking out the Style Stakes and Fashion in the Field. Read on for everything you need to know about Christchurch’s biggest party!

ADDINGTON RACEWAY Addington Raceway has a racing history on site that goes back to 1899. Now one of the country’s premier racing facilities (and also a busy standalone events venue), it hosts nearly 40 race meetings per year, with the big one in November that encompasses the New Zealand Trotting Cup dating all the way back to 1904 (for the record, that inaugural event was won by Monte Carlo in a time of 4 minutes, 44 and 3/5ths seconds over the 2-mile distance.)

The event today, this year held on Tuesday 14th, sees the very best harness racers in Australasia race for a purse which last year was worth $765,000, and has become the premier event on the Christchurch social calendar; not only one of Australasia’s top racing events, but also a celebration of fashion, food and fun. Crowd numbers top 20,000 each year. The Show Day Races (Friday 17th) are a big occasion too; with more of a family vibe, it’s perfect for the kids and a picnic. Look out too for the New Zealand Greyhound Cup, raced for at an evening meeting on Thursday 16th; the winner takes home $100K.

Christchurch Casino Stables for Guineas Day, New Zealand Cup Day or Ladies’ Day on the Wednesday – parking you in an elevated area on the Guineas Terrace, this package offers a full day of food and entertainment, with high tea and platters on Ladies’ Day or a two course lunch on both Saturdays, with complimentary snacks and champagne or beer on arrival.

Getting into the action on Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day can be done in plenty of ways; hospitality options abound. If you’ve been lucky enough to secure tickets, the place to be is very much in the Johnny Globe Marquee at Spectators. Located on the outer track and offering spectacular views across the home straight, it offers a prestigious racing and entertainment package that includes premium catering with canapés on arrival, antipasto station, carvery, gourmet buffet lunch, dessert and afternoon tea, continuous espresso coffee, an open bar, live entertainment and private TAB facilities.

If you’re not sashaying your way into one of the many hospitality options around the course on the day though, you might want to head for the Lindauer Lawn, a grassed area close to the track that offers the chance to mix with a who’s who of New Zealand society as you get a great view of the racing action. Even a general entry ticket grants access to the Public Village which offers bars, seating, food stalls, a live band and the Westfield Riccarton Style Stakes and the ZM Body Art heats – everything you need for a great day out.

RICCARTON PARK RACECOURSE With a history even older than that of Addington, Riccarton Park was reserved as a public recreation ground by the Canterbury Provincial Council in 1858. Since then the park’s administrative body, the Canterbury Jockey Club, has been at the forefront of New Zealand’s racing scene.

Riccarton Park hosts 23 race days each season, with highlights besides this month’s Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup & gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas Day

IT’S SHOW TIME! So world-famous-in-Christchurch that we just call it “The Show”, the Canterbury A&P Show is always jam-packed with livestock, entertainment and attractions, indoor and outdoor exhibits, feature marquees and pavilions. Delighting town and country alike since 1863, it’s a spectacular mix of colour, excitement and competition (it’s weirdly easy to forget that over 3,000 animals are on site competing in over 1,700 classes, with north of $100,000 in prize money up for grabs). In addition to the usual mix of gourmet delights in the Food & Wine Village, fairground rides and retail therapy (pick yourself up the killer combo of a new frock and a new combine harvester), this year’s entertainment line-up includes Ladi6, The Jordan Luck Band, New Zealand Army Band, Kaylee Bell, and local music mainstays Assembly Required. Hit the swish new Town & Country Bar (formerly the Baa Baa Bar), check out the cute baby animals, and eat more candy floss that your dentist would probably recommend – it’s all sweet!

New Zealand Cup and Show Week, 11 – 18 Nov, nzcupandshow.co.nz, theshow.co.nz including the Grand National Racing Carnival in August and the four-day Autumn Racing Season.

A number of high-profile races are run at the course over Cup and Show Week; celebrations are kicked off in fine style on Saturday 11th with the big occasion that is Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day. The Coupland's Bakeries Mile on Wednesday 15th (AKA Ladies’ Day) combines the country’s richest handicap over 1,600 metres and spectacular fashion in the field, and the biggie comes on Saturday 18th at the New Zealand Cup, which has been run over 3,200 metres every year since 1865 and is still one of the most popular race events in the country.

To glam up your New Zealand Cup Day good and proper, you’ll want to be in one of the hospitality marquees trackside; sited on the Grand National Lawn, they offer an all-inclusive food and beverage package and a prime spot. You might also like to think about new hospitality option the

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pressure so that they have the capacity to perform when you need them to.

Track Star Cityscape chats to legendary Canterburybased trainer/driver Mark Purdon, who co-trained and drove last year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Lazarus, and cracked more than 2,000 career training wins just ahead of the big November.

MORE THAN 2,000 TRAINING WINS IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS IS? I think ‘dedication’ is the one word I would probably use here.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR CURRENT STAR (AND LAST YEAR’S NZ TROTTING CUP WINNER), LAZARUS. Oh, he’s a champion. He’s been a fantastic 2 year old, 3 year old, 4 year old – you know, there’s not many horses that would win the Cup as a 4-year old, and he just annihilated them.

So he’s been a special horse; the Cup last

year was fantastic, and we’re very much looking forward to this year’s race again.

THE BUILD-UP TO THE CUP MUST BE BIG. Yes, we started in June. It’s a tremendous amount of work getting ready for big race like this – about five and a half months – so you hope that it all pays off.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A POTENTIAL CHAMPION? What I look for and what someone else looks for might be quite different. But I’m looking for a horse with a good head and eye; checking conformation [the physical appearance in the arrangement of muscle, bone and other body tissue] is very important – you want to check knees, fetlocks, and hocks are all looking like they’re supposed to, and hopefully to know that they haven’t been under undue

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YOU’VE RACED LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES; ANY MEMORABLY HAIRY MOMENTS ON THE TRACK? I’ve had a fall or two, although fortunately in my early years! There are situations where a horse goes down in front of you and you just can’t do anything about it; you just go over the top. But every driver with a long career has had similar incidents; you just take it as part and parcel of the job.

THE PURDONS ARE A FAMILY WITH A HORSE RACING LEGACY; IS THERE MUCH RIVALRY THERE? Yes, my father [Roy] and Barry are the only other people in New Zealand with 2,000 training wins. My father trained for many years, he’s 90 and retired up in Auckland now. Barry is still running his own very successful stables in Clevedon.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO CELEBRATE A BIG WIN? On a big day like Cup Day, after the excitement of the race, by the time you’ve done presentations and so on, put the horses to bed and got everything squared away, you’re just about done in! I like to plan an evening celebration a bit later, typically with the staff and the owner.

Field of Dreams

Got your eyes on taking out the Fashion in the Field top prize at Riccarton Park Racecourse on November 18? We caught up with local fashionista, businesswoman and former winner Nettles Lamont for some top tips on pulling off a winning look.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR WINNING LOOK? I have always been into that whole Audrey Hepburn-esque elegance of yesteryear. My look was inspired by the era that Mad Men reflected, and I spent the better part of 9 months looking to bring it all together. I bought some great silk in Auckland, a hat I could spray paint from Ballantynes, and some great Jimmy Choo shoes in Sydney. I’m not a dressmaker, but I have an eye for design and a good friend who is, so I designed the outfit and she made it. We had torrential rain on the day, and I hadn’t thought about a jacket, but luckily I had the perfect jacket at home – looking back that rain was my friend on the day.

HOW IMPORTANT IS WORKING A THEME? It’s essential. Everything has got to flow – you are wearing a story – but it has to represent you. You can’t be a fish out of water, you have to look and feel comfortable. Attention to detail has to flow from your hat to your shoes.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CONTESTANTS? Fashion in the Field is quite a high-fashion, very elegant and poised look. You have to own it; you can’t go walk the catwalk looking down and shuffling along – you have to own the space. Don’t be afraid to take a risk either – we do look for that point of difference.

HOW CAN CONTESTANTS ‘WOW’ YOU? Don’t be afraid to smile and show your personality!

WHAT WILL YOU BE WEARING? I’ve been doing lots of work in Japan, so I’m thinking an Eastern theme. I bought this gorgeous belt in London which I’m thinking of pairing with a Yukata summer kimono with a cinched waist.

Picking A Winner

Time to step your punting game up a level or two from pulling a name out of the office sweepstake bowl? Here’s the quick-n’-dirty Cityscape guide to picking a winner:

1. If you’re on site, the parade ring is the best place to spot a champ before the race. Look for a horse that looks fit and alert, with good muscle tone, and that’s walking in a calm and purposeful manner. (Think: does this horse look like it’s on a mission?) 2. Favourites win about a third of the time, so intuitively enough they’re probably the safest bet (but at low-paying odds). 3. Can you find your horse’s record? Look at how they’ve done in similar track conditions and at similar distances to your upcoming race. Some horses have a past record of winning at long odds – could be worth a crack! 4. Backing a winning jockey throughout a meeting can pay dividends.

5. Remember that no-one wins all the time; that’s part of the fun. (If all else fails, pick the best name!)

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Trackside Fashion 101 We tap the genius of Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Man judges for the Wesfield Riccarton Style Stakes at Addington Raceway on November 14 – leading stylists Jackie O’Fee and Luke Bettesworth – for some insider tips on how best to take out the coveted titles.

winners, but I guess the people that arrive on the day, have a bit to drink and think they’ll just give it a go while being woefully under prepared probably spring to mind. You might not take it seriously, but we judges do. That said, we do enjoy the giggle along with you!

WHAT’S THE GOLDEN RULE OF CUP DAY FASHION? JO Pay attention to detail – and that means ALL the details! Don’t let yourself down with something that is poorly finished or ill-fitting.

Oh, and make sure you look great too – e.g. no streaky fake tan or chipped nail polish.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET THE JUDGE’S ATTENTION? LB Stick to the rules but bend them slightly.

Push your fashion boundaries and know that the unexpected never goes unnoticed.

WHAT WILL YOU BE LOOKING FOR ON THE DAY? LB Individuality, craftsmanship and contemporary proportions. Impeccable styling from head to toe.

WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON FASHION FAUX PAS? JO To be honest, the standard at Addington is always phenomenally high – it’s usually VERY difficult to pick our finalists and

HOW DO YOU NAIL FASCINATOR/HAT SELECTION? LB There needs to be a tie-in to the complete outfit. It might be matching metallics or the fabric’s colourway. The architecture of the fascinator should complement the outfit’s style, but also be striking enough to command attention.

After all, what is racewear without headwear?

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING NOT TO SEE? JO Too much flesh!

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A week of it ...

Big Day Brekkie Looking to start the day right? A number of top hospo spots around the city are offering special Cup Day breakfast packages. Bookings are typically essential, so grab the gang, get organised and start your day right at: BLOODY MARY'S Bloody Mary’s famous Cup Day Champagne Breakfast offers a BBQ station, cocktail smoothies, chocolate fountain, canapés and even a donut wall (!), with every guest getting a free glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, lots of prizes up for grabs, and transfers to and from the course. bloodymarys.co.nz FIDDLESTICKS RESTAURANT & BAR Fiddlesticks have a seriously filling breakfast offering on the day, with options including house-made toasted muesli, smoked salmon blini, crepes, and the mighty Fiddlesticks Breakfast. Go for the Akarua Brut or take it next-level with Pol Roger. fiddlesticksbar.co.nz NO. 4 BAR & RESTAURANT No 4 takes Cup Week well-seriously; they’re promising bubbles will be flowing, and there are breakfast and bus packages to get you to the course, as well as champagne lunches for those who like to celebrate while steering clear of track! no4bar.co.nz ROGUES OF ROTHERHAMS Located just a 5 minute drive or 15 minute stroll down to the races, Rogues is a very handy spot for a champagne breakfast on the big Tuesday, with further promotions and specials on offer the rest of the week too. roguesbar.co.nz THE PEDAL PUSHER Both Rolleston and Addington branches of The Pedal Pusher are offering gorgeous

champagne breakfasts, which come with a glass of Piper Heidsieck (or opt for a beer if you’re so inclined). thepedalpusher.co.nz AIKMANS Aikmans get stuck into Cup Week; your champagne breakfast comes with a flute of Moët and bus to the races, but they’ll also have live music from 9am – 12pm with Nick Lee and later in the afternoon/evening too, with Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa also setting up a 'fix-me-up' stall from 4pm for make-up and nail services. aikmans.nz BARETTA BAR & RESTAURANT Baretta have your Cup Day champagne breakfast needs sorted, with a special breakfast menu with a range of options available complemented by a glass of Moët. baretta.co.nz TREVINOS RESTAURANT & BAR The celebrated Cup Day breakfast at Trevinos includes a hearty full buffet and complimentary bubbles. Peacock your Cup Day outfit and be in to win their in-house best dressed competitions, and get the inside word from their tipster before a free ride to and from Addington. trevinos.co.nz CROWNE PLAZA CHRISTCHURCH Crowne Plaza’s Market Place restaurant has joined forces with Bollinger to create a special Cup Day breakfast. Grab a Bolly on entry before an all-inclusive buffet, with Clinique make-up touch ups on hand, transfers to the course, and spot prizes all morning. christchurch.crowneplaza.com

DUX CENTRAL The Dux is running Cup Week specials all week, with a complete Canterbury craft beer takeover of their taps, and three menu additions showcasing Canterbury lamb, salmon and duck. They’re also offering a delicious elderflower sangria all week – the perfect sipper for the spring sun! duxcentral.co.nz DUX DINE While Dux Dine is booked out for Cup Day breakfast, they still have some sweet deals, including a week-long promotion of an antipasti platter for two along with two glasses of Akarua Brut for $60 from 2pm – 6pm and breakfast and a glass of Pol Remy for $27.50 on Christchurch Casino NZ Cup & gavelhouse.com 1000 Guineas Day (Sat 18). duxdine.co.nz THE HAPPENING BAR & KITCHEN If you prefer a later start on Cup Day, The Happening have got their full brunch menu on offer from 11:30am, with their decadent high teas also an excellent option for some classy Cup Week celebrations with friends any afternoon of the big week. thehappening.co.nz JDV JDV’s ‘A Day Not At The Races’ on Cup Day is another one for those not so keen on the course – enjoy a special lunch as you watch the big races live streamed in their tent, with live music in the Merivale courtyard from 4pm onwards and Veuve Clicquot Champagne specials. jdv.co.nz UNIVERSO BRASSERIE & BAR The newly minted Stealth venue at the Art Gallery hits the ground running with some great specials for the duration of Cup Week – score a delicious and classy platter for two including beetroot gravlax, house pickles, cold cuts and cheeses served with crisp breads for just $45, and bottles of Daniel Le Brun for $55 or $10 per glass.

Cheers! universo.co.nz

Flowing bubbles, luxury coach rides, decadent breakfast spreads, make-up stations, and even a donut wall; Christchurch hospo pulls out all the stops for the city's biggest party.

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SURVIVAL TIPS

WED 15 NOV COUPLAND’S BAKERIES MILE, RICCARTON PARK RACECOURSE More exciting racing action at Riccarton Park, this race day also famously doubles as ‘Ladies Day’, with fabulous fashion off the track alongside live music and entertainment. Gates open at 10:30am, with racing from 12:40pm.

WED 15 – FRI 17 NOV CANTERBURY A&P SHOW, CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL PARK Town meets country in the annual ritual for young and old alike. You’ll definitely want to hit the culinary delights of the Food & Wine Village, take any kids in tow along to meet some baby animals in The Farmyard for maximum cute factor, and catch The Jordan Luck Band in the Town & Country Bar on Show Day, as well as Ladi6 at the Village Green (see our interview with Ladi6’s Ladi Tamati on page 34).

CUP & SHOW WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

FRI 17 NOV SHOW DAY RACES, ADDINGTON RACEWAY This day aims for a family-friendly atmosphere, and is the perfect day for a picnic on the Lindauer Lawn, with entertainment for the kids provided and big stakes races for pacers and trotters. Gates open at 10:30am; first race at 12:15pm.

SAT 11 NOV AL BASTI EQUIWORLD NZ 2000 GUINEAS DAY, RICCARTON PARK RACECOURSE The official start of the week’s celebrations, this action-packed day kicks the celebrations off in bold style. Gates open at 10am with the first race just before 12:30pm.

SAT 18 NOV CHRISTCHURCH CASINO NZ CUP AND GAVELHOUSE.COM 1000 GUINEAS DAY, RICCARTON PARK RACECOURSE The other biggie!

This annual thoroughbred race over 3,200 metres always attracts a big crowd, with the New Zealand Cup one of the most prestigious events on the nation’s racing calendar. This year’s race will be the 154th in the history of the event. Gates open at 9am.

You won’t want to miss Fashion In The Field on the day, either; the hotly-contested competition to close out the week offers a number of fabulous prizes for the best-dressed in attendance.

TUE 14 NOV CHRISTCHURCH CASINO NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP DAY, ADDINGTON RACEWAY The biggie! Canterbury’s biggest party occasion is a huge day of fashion, food, racing, and fun at Addington Raceway. The big annual race itself is run for the 113th time at 5:15pm. Local fashionistas also never fail to pay close attention to the Westfield Riccarton Style Stakes (with over $20,000 worth of prizes up for grabs!) either, with finals at 2:25pm.

Don’t miss the performance from up-and-coming Kiwi music star Theia, too (check out our interview on page 17).

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Don’t spend hours glamming up and leave the house looking absolutely mint only to arrive at the end of the day looking like you’ve been dragged through the proverbial bush backwards! No one wants their Cup Day experience to end as a photo subject in a tut-tutting article in The Press the next day, so remember: — Start the day as your mother always nagged – with a good breakfast!

There are a tonne of great options around the city aimed at helping you do just this – see Big Day Brekkie on page 26.

— Get your transport plan sorted in advance; you don’t want to be dealing with what is a nightmare carparking situation. Taxi or bus should be your go-to (free buses run to Addington on Cup Day).

— Ladies: treat your feet, tuck a pair of ballerina flats in the handbag.

Those towering stilettos might look great, but have a limited number of wearable hours.

— Gentlemen: remember to drink some water in between those beers.

— Don’t forget the sunnies and sunblock!

(RE)FORME Revered day spa group Forme Spa & Wellbeing made its South Island debut this month when it opened in the old Urban Skin and Body space on Durham Street North. Famous for their range of exquisite treatments including their spa parties, anti-aging treatments, signature massages, facials and decadent spa packages, Forme is sure to become a pamper destination of choice in the city. 329 Durham Street North, formespa.co.nz

Style

Style Counsel

Lynn Woods’ elegant Victoria Street boutique is renowned as a go-to fashion store, where style and glamour go hand-inhand with personal service and professional advice. Browse their collection of international labels alongside NZ’s finest designers including Alice McCall, C & M, Citizens of Humanity, Sass & Bide, Frank & Eileen, Bird & Knoll, Jac & Jack, Mild Red, Nyne, Standard Issue, Anna Quan, Kitx and, of course, Trelise Cooper and Cooper. In store you’ll find signature pieces selected by Lynn herself and their own styling service.

149 Victoria Street, lynnwoodsonlinestore.co.nz

Files

IN THE CUT The style mavens at True Grit, helmed by the irrepressible Jacqui Victor, are industry-leading trailblazers in all things hair – and you can take that statement quite literally after they were named the 2016 Kitomba NZARH Salon of the Year, as well as picking up awards in 3 more categories. It’s reward for a team that have fearlessly forged a national brand synonymous with trust, commitment to excellence and cutting-edge expertise. 87 Manchester Street, truegrit.co.nz

FLOW HOT YOGA

REALISE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL

Flow Hot Yoga Studio offers yoga classes for all levels of students. Their goal is to help you to realise your full potential, whether you’re trying yoga for the first time or you’ve been practicing yoga for years.

25 Mandeville Street, 03 348 8889 flowhotyoga.co.nz

SUNKISSED Bondi Sands Suncare Oils and Lotion’s dual-action protects and nourishes the skin. Enriched with coconut oil, the nongreasy, water-resistant range – including Protect & Tan (RRP $24.99), Sunscreen Oils (RRP from $19.99), and Sunscreen Lotions (RRP from $21.99) – are a summer essential.

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1

3

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for the

HOME

MONKEY BUSINESS Go ape with Hannah Kidd’s playful Still Life With Monkeys, 2017 (RRP $14,500) from The Central.

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POTTED COLOUR This Scheurich Volcanic Glazed Vase (RRP $580) from Mr Mod is perfect for making a bold design statement.

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4 1. Kate Sylvester Seersucker Top (RRP $199) and Chambray Belted Up Skirt (RRP $269) 2. 18ct White Gold, Black Diamond Solitaire (RRP $9,250) from Filigree Fine Jewels 3. Juliette Hogan - Frances Dress (RRP $499) from Ballantynes 4. L.K. Bennett Floret Blue Suede Closed Courts (RRP $399.90) from Issimo 5. Miranda Kerr KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil (RRP $95.95) from Ballantynes 6. Saben Tilly Handbag (RRP $295)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Style up your outdoor living space for the coming summer with the Cove Hamilton Modular Corner Seat (POA) and Jati & Kebon Adagio Side Table (POA) from McKenzie & Willis.

THE MANE EVENT Relaunching the holy trinity of haircare, Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Restoring Shampoo, Conditioner and 60 Second Treatment delivers instant results for dry to damaged hair. Its cutting-edge technology restores even severely damaged hair structures from deep inside to reawaken the shine of natural hair, with built-in colour protection.

WIN We have a Goldwell Dualsenses Hair Care Pack to giveaway.

To enter, send us an email to info@somocreative.co.nz with ‘Goldwell’ in the subject line and tell us why your crowning glory needs some lovin’. Entries close November 30.

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TAKE A SEAT Verpan’s suave 123 Lounge Chair, Deluxe by Verner Panton (POA) from KS Lighting adds class to any setting.

BACK IN BLACK

The creative force behind one of New Zealand’s edgiest labels, NOM*d, and the inimitable boutique Plume, Margi Robertson has simultaneously put New Zealand fashion on the world stage while bringing some of the planet’s top brands into the country. Cityscape caught up with the iconic Dunedin fashion powerhouse ahead of Plume’s triumphant return to the CBD this month.

HOW DOES IT FEEL MOVING PLUME BACK TO HIGH STREET? It feels fantastic, because we are a city store and we’ve missed not being part of that busy feeling.

It’s great to be back opposite our old site and I just think it’s really exciting how Christchurch is developing – the time is right to move back into the CBD. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW STORE? We’re actually going really minimal. I want it to be very clean and very easy to see the shop we have, we stock various brands and we like to have each brand identified easily.

HOW DID PLUME COME TO BE, AND HOW DO YOU SELECT WHICH BRANDS YOU’LL STOCK? Our history really started in 1975 when we decided to open a store in Dunedin [Hang-ups] that was a multi-brand store, and we established our own brand, NOM*d, in 1986. We’ve been a multi-brand retailer since the inception of the idea of doing retail. The idea has always been to provide our audience with brands or

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concepts that aren’t mainstream, but are still very wearable. Back in ‘75 we were featuring brands that were very unique in New Zealand and weren’t available in other centres. In the late 80s we started bringing in imported brands from Europe, as the import restrictions were loosened up in New Zealand. One of those first brands was Jean-Paul Gaultier which was very cool, we then started bringing in Martin Margiela who was a Belgian brand out of Paris. We just slowly increased that brand presence of international [labels] so it now represents 50 per cent of what’s in store. Each brand has to have its own signature, like, there’s no mistaking a Rick Owens garment, there’s no mistaking a garment

by Bernhard Willhelm – they are completely different to each other. There’s no mistaking a Vetements garment, who we are buying from now. It’s not just about clothes and what’s in fashion; it’s actually more about the creative element that’s gone into that brand’s culture.

The aesthetic of each of those designers is really important to me.

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Union Dress (RRP $395) and Raw Vest – Coated Denim (RRP $425)

Travelling gives me the confidence to know that what we are doing is up there and is as good as what you see on the world stage.

NOM*D HAS NOTCHED UP 30 YEARS AS A LEADING FASHION LABEL. WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO START YOUR OWN LABEL, AND HOW HAVE YOU ENSURED ITS LONGEVITY AND SIGNATURE EDGE? It’s not a secret that my sister [Liz Findlay] has Zambesi, and in the 80s I was travelling with her when she was sourcing quite a lot of fabric out of Japan, and I went along as her sort of a somebody-to-throw-ideas-off type thing, and I thought: ‘I should be doing this’. Going to Japan and that whole way they retail over there and how that environment works actually changed my whole way of thinking about retail, that minimalism, the type of clothes that you sell and the way things are presented – so it became quite desirable for us to have our own brand. The one thing too that was very prevalent in Japan, at that time, was their concept of one-size-fits-all clothing – when you think about something like a kimono or work pants or that type of thing – we thought maybe we can do a brand that represents that idea, but because Liz was doing Zambesi and doing wovens, we thought that we’d do knitwear. We were based in Dunedin, we had Roslyn Woollen Mill over the hill, there was a knitting plant that could produce the clothes, so we thought we can still do it from Dunedin, we don’t have to be in a big city to be able to do this. So that’s how NOM*d came into play.

By the end of the 90s, we were invited to be part of the New Zealand Four at London Fashion Week, and because we had only done knitwear in all those years, and whenever NOM*d was presented we always teamed it up with Zambesi, I didn’t want that to happen when we were on an international stage, so we thought it actually has to be all NOM*d. The concept for me was that we wanted to make garments that weren’t like Zambesi, were quite utilitarian and very easy to wear.

So it was still that little idea of the one-size-fits-all, easy to look after, nothing too precious and very, sort of, every day I suppose. When I think about it, it was led by

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ November 17

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE FASHION WORLD THAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE INDUSTRY? I’ve just really been a victim all my life, to be honest.

Even from when I was at teenager, I was a Mod back in the 60s. I’ve always really been into reading fashion magazines and my mother – we were very fortunate in that she worked as a seamstress so she was always able to indulge those passions – taught me to sew, so I had an appreciation of the construction of clothing and being able to change things around quite a bit, and being more creative with the ideas.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE HEADING OVER FOR LONDON FASHION WEEK (WITH YOUR SISTER, KAREN WALKER AND WORLD) AS PART OF THE NEW ZEALAND FOUR? Pretty scary. I’d been to international fashion shows before so I sort of knew what it was like. I can’t deny that we were quite naïve in as far as marketing ourselves. The amazing thing that came out of it was that we had several accounts internationally, it made us liaise with other people in the industry and there were lots of collaborations through doing those shows. We employed a PR and sales agency in London who introduced me to Alastair McKimm who was

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styling for i-D magazine; he liked what we did and used it in his work and he even came out to New Zealand Fashion Week. There’s lots of great stuff that’s come out of that, and when I think about it, if we hadn’t had London Fashion Week I don’t know what we’d be or what we’d be doing now.

HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL TASTES AND LIVING IN DUNEDIN INSPIRE YOUR DESIGN? My personal taste is quite narrow. I do quite like things that are out of the ordinary, a little bit. The type of clothes I like aren’t ‘look at me’ clothes, but are clothes that can be admired for their creativity, look, silhouette, and have a uniqueness about them. The wonderful thing about living in Dunedin is that you can go out into the world, you can go to Paris, London and New York and still feel good about what you’re wearing, and that it has been created from Dunedin. A lot of our clients will come and say that somebody in a store at Barneys or in New York has told them they look really great and asked them where they got their clothes from – and often it’s been our brand. Travelling gives me the confidence to know that what we are doing is up there and is as good as what you see on the world stage. But then having that, luxury I suppose, of being able to go back to a city of 130,000 people and be able to carry on a business from there is so something quite special. Not that it was planned, but [coming from Dunedin] does give us a point of difference as well.

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ November 17

If we hadn’t had London Fashion Week I don’t know what we’d be or what we’d be doing now.

Windows Tank Dress (RRP $185)

Soviet Robe (RRP $560)

Kinslip (RRP $410) and Raw Vest – Cotton Drill (RRP $415)

a street culture kind of thing, and if you look at a lot of our early garments they were quite street. We did a lot of hoodies and denim, but life has progressed since then and we now really do a complete range of different garments for NOM*d.

/ BACK IN BLACK

YOU AND YOUR SISTER LIZ GO ON BUYING TRIPS TO EUROPE TOGETHER; WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? Well, back in my partying days, I have had the odd really good party in Paris and hung out with Bono from U2 and that type of thing, but these days we like a really good meal. We’ve got some really good friends of course from going over on a regular basis; there’s a group of friends that we only see when we go to Paris and it’s always really cool to hook up with those people.

And they’re there from all over the world too. I’m not really out partying until the dawn anymore, but I have done, so I can tick it off.

IS THERE ANY SIBLING COMPETITION BETWEEN YOU? Not really; we get on really well and our business relationship is completely separate to our personal relationship. From a business side of things we have no involvement in each other’s business apart from being customers.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE NOM*D PIECE EVER? My tee-shirts, I have to say my stencil tee-shirts. I have a sort of uniform I’ll often wear for 2 or 3 years, not every day, but I’ll probably wear it once a week and generally it involves a tee-shirt. I remember one time I was in Paris with Liz and we got all dressed up to go out, like, here we are in Paris Fashion Week, and I had tee-shirt withdrawal because I didn’t have one on, so I had to go back to the hotel and put one on. Our eldest son does the stencilling and one year I made him (because he hated it) do this series where we joined two prints together – but it took him ages as he had to cover one half of the stencil, do that, spray that, then put the other one on – it took ages, but, actually I love those prints.

One of my favourites right now is of Skinny Bob – it’s not one of the best-selling, but it’s one of my favourites.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE HAUNTS IN CHRISTCHURCH? We’re lucky to be between two: C1 Espresso and Little High. Uncommon is great too, and we like spending time in Akaroa.

WHAT FASHION RULES DO YOU LIVE BY? I always have to be comfortable, and any colour as long as it’s black! I’ve tried to branch out into navy, but the girls have me on about it.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FASHION CRIME BEING COMMITTED AT THE MOMENT? It’s so diverse, I mean, what is fashion anymore? It’s a weird word. I think cheap, poor-quality mass-produced garments being called fashion.

CAN YOU GIVE US A HINT OF WHAT MIGHT BE IN YOUR AUTUMN/WINTER LINE? More black! We have got some beautiful tailored garments, we’re sort of looking more at tailoring but still produced in an offbeat way, there’s some great stuff. The cool thing as far as new brands coming into our store is Dries van Noten – it’s a great brand to have for us.

Plume, corner Tuam Street and Cotters Lane, nomdstore.com

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THE FIRST LADI

Cityscape jams with legendary local soul and hip hop heroine Ladi Tamati from Ladi6 ahead of her A&P Show performance on Show Day.

CONGRATS ON YOUR VODAPHONE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR BEST SOUL/RNB ARTIST AND SINGLE OF THE YEAR FOR ‘ROYAL BLUE’ – HOW DID IT GO DOWN? I was told via email from the VNZMA admin. I was quietly stoked; it’s not something that I purposefully go out of my way to make music for, but I do feel a small sense of achievement, like a little pat on the back for the effort that we put into making the record. I think in this day and age with physical albums almost being worthless financially, and digital streams being relatively new to me in terms of how to generate income, being nominated for an award can be one of the few ways artists like me and my producers get some sort of acknowledgement or recognition in lieu of that – for the work we do in actually spending the hours of focus it takes to physically literally make a record. So we’re pretty chuffed, but in a calm way. We have absolutely no expectation, but I do hope to take the whole crew on the night and just have a fun-as night off!

‘DIAMONDS’ IS SUCH A DOPE TRACK. WHAT WAS IT LIKE HEARING IN THE AWESOME KIWI MOVIE WARU? I actually haven’t seen the film yet, so I am so super excited to go and see it alongside everyone else! I do have to admit it’s a buzz to hear your music outside of the usual places you expect to hear it, and I’m sure on the big screen it’ll be a real thrill for me and my family.

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/ THE FIRST LADI

I do have to admit it’s a buzz to hear your music outside of the usual places you expect to hear it, and I’m sure on the big screen it’ll be a real thrill for me and my family.

WE LOVE ‘GURU’, TOO; WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND IT? ‘Guru’ is a song about courage and bravery. ‘Guru’ was made from the idea of freeing yourself from old limiting ideas and pressures you might put on yourself. Trusting instead in your own simple existence to bring to you everything that you are supposed to do and be naturally and in its own time, worrying less about the future and the past and focusing only on the day you are in. ‘Guru’ is a cathartic reminder for me to be aware of what’s happening around me now, which grounds me in the present, helps me simplify, which then helps to minimise things like depression and anxiety. It’s my call to courage! It helped me through a very difficult couple of years.

THE ALPHA SESSIONS ARE BECOMING A MUSICAL FORCE OF NATURE – HOW DID THEY COME ABOUT? The Alpha Sessions were my idea of trying to escape old routine ways of making music, of trying to help our process along by incorporating ways to bring out the best in each of us musically, while also having an opportunity to literally write songs on the go and for everyone in the band to be able to participate equally

without the need to talk about it – just to literally be about it. Historically, in my mind, I felt that I honed a lot of my musical prowess through simply freestyling ideas with DJs in clubs, and my hip-hop rap background definitely lends itself to that, but I wasn’t presented with those opportunities naturally as much anymore, and I wanted to recreate that environment, because that is where my joy is also. For the boys I think the opportunity to do something like this and for me to be pushing for it was so exciting, with a base of anything goes and an opportunity to let their ability and ideas shine, it was scary but so tempting ... so the Alphas always have such a real sense of excitement around them because it emanates from us first – we are the ones excited and anxious to see what we make and what might come out.

From the Alpha Sessions we’ve made music that we did not hear or see coming. I mean, a decade into making and performing music – how exciting is that?

HOW DID MAKING THE DOCUMENTARY LADI6 RETURN TO AFRICA IMPACT ON YOUR MUSIC? Making the doco itself was such an out-of-body experience for me. I was hardly present for the majority of the filming, it really did take a long while for me to process that trip and what it means to me. The idea of filming – while this may sound strange because I’ve done a lot of it over the years – is a very difficult thing for me. Being followed and filmed daily for two weeks was so out of my comfort zone, that I almost spent the whole trip just agonising over that aspect of it alone! But upon reflection and watching the edited version of our trip numerous times, it just gives me so much nostalgia and joy to look back and see where it all came from, where I come

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from. It cemented a lot of loose ends for me personally and musically. I just feel a lot more whole; reflecting and processing on my younger self and the urge I had even then to reflect and share my experiences, thoughts and stories just brings me a clearer and stronger understanding of who I am. I have always been this way, and I’m just very proud that I’ve continued to do this.

For creating and performing music, really understanding and having confidence in yourself is essential.

YOU’RE PERFORMING AT THE A&P SHOW – WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW MEMORY GROWING UP (AND WILL YOU BE TRYING ANY OF THE RIDES)? I would love to try all the rides, I love rides so much!

I never used to when I was younger, but I am a fiend now! I just remember being hauled through the A&P Show with my primary school; all my memories are of animals. I don’t even remember there being rides, or food or anything else. I just remember all the animals, a donkey and some geese … the smell of horse manure.

It’ll be quite an eye-opener to go back now.

CAN YOU LET US IN ON ANY TRACKS FROM YOUR SET? Oh absolutely, we’ll be playing ‘Guru’, ‘Beffy’, ‘Ikarus’ and our very own remix version of ‘Like Water’ too!

Mostly new jams and old ones remixed to suit our current taste … very dance-able. In fact everyone must prepare for dancing with me!

WHAT’S AT THE TOP OF YOUR TO DO LIST WHEN YOU’RE BACK IN CHRISTCHURCH? Always family chill time first.

HOW IS NEXT YEAR SHAPING UP FOR LADI6? Next year is next year ... who cares!

Show Day, Canterbury Agricultural Park, Nov 17, theshow.co.nz

From the Alpha Sessions we’ve made music that we did not hear or see coming. I mean, a decade into making and performing music – how exciting is that?

/ ENTERTAIN ME

Watching

Our picks of the best flicks, music and stuff to read.

JUNGLE Wolf Creek director Greg McLean swaps the horrors of the Australian outback for the horrors of the Bolivian jungle in this nerve-shredding survival thriller starring a hirsute Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). Based on the best-selling memoir by Israeli adventurer Yossi Ghinsberg, the film tracks Radcliffe and three pals as they follow a shady guide into said jungle in the pre-GPS-tracker 80s in search of a lost tribe of Indians, gold, and a little excitement; naturally disaster strikes, making it every man for himself in this cautionary great outdoors tale.

TEAR JERKER

WONDER HUMAN TRACES Proving three’s a crowd, Christchurch writer/director Nic Gorman’s debut film Human Traces (opening November 16) is a masterclass in suspense. Things go pear-shaped for husband and wife scientist team Glenn (Mark Mitchinson) and Sarah (Sophie Henderson) following the arrival of mysterious new caretaker Pete (Vinnie Bennett) at the remote subantarctic research station island (with the Catlins and Banks Peninsula starring as the location) the pair are trying to rid of pests. Desperation kicks in when they become trapped on the island with no contact with the outside world and a gloomy winter looming.

WIN! We have 2 double passes to Human Traces to giveaway.

To enter, send us an email to info@somocreative.co.nz with ‘Human’ in the subject line and tell us why you need to see this new Kiwi flick. Entries close November 14.

Forget the tissues: just try to contain the ugly crying when Wonder opens on November 30. Expect some expert heartstring playing as Auggie (Room’s Jacob Tremblay), a young boy suffering the facial deformities of Treacher Collins syndrome, enrols at a mainstream school following a life spent in and out of hospitals and hiding inside a space helmet in a bid to feel ‘normal’. It’s based on R.J. Palacio’s New York Times bestseller; Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) directs the mega-star power of Oscar-winner Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as the proud parents of this extraordinary boy out to teach the world we’re all the same at the end of the day.

WIN! We’ve got 3 Wonder packs containing a double pass to the movie, a copy of the novel and a bookmark to giveaway. To enter, send us an email to info@somocreative.co.nz with ‘Wonder’ in the subject line and tell us the last time you had a good blub at the movies. Entries close November 30.

DVD: A DATE FOR MAD MARY Fresh out of the clink and deemed ‘undatable’, Mary (Seána Kerslake) spends her first days as a free woman trying to lock in a date to her best friend’s wedding (despite only having a single invitation) in this beautifully barbed, heartfelt Irish comedy smash about friendship, first love and letting go of the glory days.

WIN! We have 3 copies of A Date For Mad Mary to giveaway. To enter, send us an email with ‘Mary’ in the subject line to info@somocreative.co.nz and tell us your worst date story. Entries close November 30.

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/ ENTERTAIN ME

PLAYLIST

The killer tracks on high-rotation in the Cityscape office.

THE KILLERS ‘Run For Cover’ Wonderful Wonderful

Listening AS YOU WERE, LIAM GALLAGHER The more troubled/gobby half of the legendary Britpop Gallagher bros and 90s chart smashers Oasis, Liam has (finally) followed brother Noel and gone it alone with his first solo outing, As You Were. While there are flourishes of the old sound, particularly on the anthemic ‘For What It’s Worth’ and in the swagger for days of ‘Greedy Soul’, As You Were is, in Gallagher’s own words: “The Lennon ‘Cold Turkey’ vibe, The Stones, the classics. But done my way, now”. While a lot more water will need to pass under the bridge before an Oasis reunion is likely/even on the cards, As You Were provides a welcome return to the cocky sneer of one of the greats of the 90s.

COLORS, BECK

Reading

Despite numerous delays and hiccups, Beck’s long-promised (and super anticipated) 13th studio album Colors dropped last month, with the musical chameleon proving once again that good things come to those who wait. Turning

his back on the country-tinged folk of 2014’s Grammy-winning Morning Phase, Beck is back pushing new boundaries and recreating the pop palette, rocking the upbeat and quirky with this bodacious 11-track collection peppered with instant classics that include the exploration of the inevitable turmoil of being alive that is ‘Dear Life’, the slick guitar-driven riffs of ‘Dreams’, the brilliant funk of ‘Wow’ and the high-rotation charms of office toe-tapper ‘Up All Night’ (and accompanying hallucinatory video) – welcome back!

PACIFIC DAYDREAM, WEEZER The geek chic rockers who took us to the beach with last year’s chillaxed classic self-titled album (their fourth! and also referred to as The White Album) are back in full beach mode with Pacific Daydream. While first single ‘Feels Like Summer’ is the perfect breezy summer classic (check out the hella slick video channelling Guns ‘N Roses ‘Paradise City’), latest release ‘Mexican Fender’ is a cracking rock track.

BECK ‘Up All Night’ Colors

MACKLEMORE FEAT. SKYLAR GREY ‘Glorious’ — Gemini

FOO FIGHTERS ‘The Sky is a Neighbourhood’ Concrete And Gold

LAUV ‘I Like Me Better’ Like Me Better

HARDCORE CARNIVORE: COOK MEAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT, JESS PRYLES

MEET ME AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, MARY JANE BAKER Escape to the Yorkshire

Texan cook (and self-confessed professional hardcore carnivore), author and TV personality Jess Pryles’ protein-packed cookbook will have you cooking meat like a pro, covering everything from smoking and ‘meat science 101’ to grinding your own meat patties.

coast with Mary Jane Baker’s latest laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, which features strong, modern and independent woman Bobbie Hannigan. In a book described as “sidesplittingly funny” Baker puts one of the most lovable and plucky protagonists to page – ever!

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The mathematics of Wanderlust Wondering what 108 stands for?

1 = Unity 0 = Wholeness 8 = Infinite Possibility Three symbols for what we have in common.

Wanderstruck

Images: Wanderlust & Amandala Photography

Find out what to expect at the world’s only ‘mindful triathlon’ when Wanderlust 108 comes to Sumner in December, with Cityscape’s ultimate guide to getting your Om on.

With its roots firmly based in community, the Wanderlust 108 triathlon is not about finishing first and nabbing the trophy (FYI, they don’t even have trophies!), but rather (in Wanderlust speak), “finding your true north” – which is their way of saying becoming your best self. Supporting this mission on a grand scale, Wanderlust 108 rocks (gently) a full day of self-awareness and inner peace through the killer combo of three mindful activities – running, yoga, and meditation. The aim is to foster both individual wellness and positive social change by building a large community around mindfulness. Given that mindfulness practice has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression and bias, promote a positive body image and improve cognition, this is something we can all use a little more of in our lives! Newcomers to meditation and yoga needn’t be put off either, as the event’s all-inclusive, fostering nature ensures you’ll be surrounded by plenty of people willing to give you a few pointers.

Wanderlust 108 Christchurch, St Leonards Park (Sumner), Dec 2, wanderlust.com

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THE TRIPLE THREAT OF MINDFULNESS So here’s how this celebration of the mindful movement will go down: 1 — RUN Don’t sweat it – this is 5K (+/-) your way (as the Wanderlust folk like to say), which means you’re free to walk, prance, skip, stroll, or strut your way to the finish line.

2 — YOGA Time to get your flow on with 75 minutes of DJ-powered yoga led by international yoga rockstar and student of Sri Dharma Mittra Josh Blau and the high-vibing, genre-slaying DJ R.I.A (see our interview opposite for more).

3 — MEDITATION Complete the mindful triathlon trifecta by blissing out in a group meditation to clear your mind, relax your body and prepare for tackling the Mindful Market, which will feature the best from local artisans, organic food vendors, True North Café and Kombucha Garden.

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/ WANDERSTRUCK

Spin cycle CHECK YOUR SCHED

The mindfulness doesn’t end there, either; schedule in your class selections online and choose your own adventures – here’s our pick of the top 5: Essential Oils — Unlock the power of essential oils and continue those yogi feels of peace, love and joy throughout your day and night with this masterclass in breathing in the power of essential oils.

Music Workshop — Discover the secrets of creating the soundtrack to your life with tips from our Wanderlust pros on creating the perfect musical accompaniment to everything from an intimate dinner party to a rocking yoga class.

Aerial Yoga — Take your yoga to the next level (literally!); suspended in a hammock, you’ll increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and maximise your focus in this seriously trending practice that’s superendorsed by P!nk.

AcroYoga — Combining yoga, healing art and – you guessed it – acrobatics, AcroYoga integrates partnership into the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of yoga practice (while reenacting that scene from Titanic).

Hooping — This sounds like just too much fun to miss out on, if you ask us; we’re down to get our groove on with some Hula/Yoga hybrid love.

Cityscape caught up with DJ R.I.A (Rhythms In Action’s Rire Norman), the high-vibing, genre-slaying, yoga-teaching DJ whose lovingly crafted DJ sets will provide the soundtrack to Wanderlust 108 Christchurch.

YOGA DJ SOUNDS PRETTY NICHE; HOW DID YOU GET INTO IT? I have been spinning tunes together since 2001, have played almost every genre, and have varying levels of DJ professionalism in clubs, bars and festivals over the years. As someone who was always a little more on the curious side of life, I had an infatuation with ambient electronica, psy-trance and the more mystical type of sounds when I first started collecting. However, it wasn’t until I did my yoga teacher training that I began to truly understand how music can play an important role in how our bodies respond and our mind connects to music in the yoga space. After teaching solidly for a few years, I began to understand the structure of yoga sequencing and how I could literally score the music to the class like a movie soundtrack. I love that part of it.

Creating suspense, peaks and troughs, and a full journey from start to finish with the playlist.

HOW DOES MUSIC COMPLEMENT YOGA? What’s important to understand is when we consider ‘music as medicine’, we can use it as a powerful tool to enhance moods, expand awareness and experience a closer communion with each other and life itself.

Music has a positive effect on our heartbeat, pulse rate, blood pressure and emotional states. It has the ability to literally stimulate neural pathways and increase our emotional bonding with the moment. It’s about

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creating a beautiful mood from start to finish and keeping the headspace of the class engaged by finding the right vibe and tempo for the varying level of intensity during the class. Yet, if done wrong, it can crash like a lead balloon. And when that happens, everyone can feel it!

WHAT MAKES FOR A GREAT YOGA TRACK? I like to work with tunes that are mostly instrumental. However, if I’m going to weave in vocals, I aim for them to have a positive message, and they must fit in with the feel and flow of a yoga class. I also go for feeling the frequency of the tune as opposed to what producer it came from or whether it’s trendy or not. I listen out for tunes that have strings, tabla, warm synth lines and uplifting melodies. It’s all about the vibe and placing that tune at the right part of the sequence. Being a yoga DJ certainly keeps you on your toes!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SET. I’m really into anything world-fusion at the moment, as these are the sounds that tend to get the bliss molecule stirring. For a Wanderlust 108, I tend to pick up the tempo a little during the flow section to provide some energy to move (and groove) to. Definitely expect a luscious slow build and a grounding journey into Savasana. You might not recognise all the tunes, but you will feel connection and uplifted to the journey!

WHAT’S YOUR PRO TIP ON MAKING THE MOST OUT OF THE DAY? Wanderlust is all about participation and the celebration of mindfulness culture that is only growing stronger in our world! Show up in your fullness, have fun, bring all your friends and don’t forget your stretchy pants! rhythmsinaction.com

HOW DID YOU BECOME A NATUROPATH? I became a Naturopath after experiencing my own health issues, which were helped enormously with the treatment of both herbal and nutritional medicine. My background is in plant physiology and biochemistry, so there was an understanding of how plants can treat illness and disease.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION SURROUNDING NATUROPATHY? Whilst the roots of Naturopathic Medicine go back centuries (Hippocrates for example), in recent decades it has also become very science-based. There are vast numbers of clinical trials that have been undertaken testing its efficacy.

WHAT TYPE OF CONDITIONS CAN YOU TREAT? The type of conditions typically seen by Naturopaths is varied, from auto-immune diseases – e.g; rheumatoid arthritis, bowel disorders, and respiratory issues – to depression and anxiety. Those with acute infections and illnesses can benefit as there are many herbs that have anti-viral and anti-microbial action.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NATURAL MEDICINE? Herbal and nutritional medicines offer a largely safe and effective

way to treat illnesses. The focus is on identifying the cause(s), and prescribing a treatment plan around this, rather than treating only the symptoms. Inherent to this is focusing on wellness, not on a disease model.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOLISTIC APPROACH. Health issues in people can be quite complex, with no single cause responsible. This is why a holistic approach is imperative, where all of the inputs that contribute to the disease are identified; diet, lifestyle, history, stress, genetics etc., to name a few.

WHAT IS CLINICAL NUTRITION? Naturopathic medicine incorporates two main modalities; herbal medicine and clinical nutrition. Clinical nutrition is defined by the relationship between diet and food and a healthy body. More specifically, it is the science of how nutrients are broken down, absorbed, transported, changed and both stored and eliminated by the body.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST HERBAL HEROES? There are many herbs which stand out in the treatment of diseases, far too many to list here! However; Andrographis, Myrrh, Olive Leaf and others are effective anti-viral agents, where antibiotics do not work. Passionflower, Chamomile, Californian Poppy, and Magnolia Root are excellent for calming the nervous system. theherbcentre.co.nz

MUST TRY

GATHERINGS RESTAURANT The acclaimed Gatherings focuses on locallyproduced, seasonal and largely plant-based fine fare, and takes sustainability seriously – even the furniture is created from recycled timbers. Their menu of vegetarian food changes weekly; try the five-course tasting menu or drop in for lunch or a wine and snack at the bar. gatherings.co.nz

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Mindful Spaces Looking to get into the Wanderlust frame of mind? Hit these city businesses that can keep you in great shape in both mind and body.

FLOW HOT YOGA With yoga classes for all levels of students, Flow’s team have a shared passion for yoga, health and wellness, and a goal of helping you realise your potential regardless of whether you’re a yoga beginner or have years of experience. Tackle Hot Flow at 40°C, Power Vinyasa at 36°C, Yin at 30°C or Yin Yang at 30°C; a special introductory offer allows you to jump aboard with unlimited classes for two weeks for just $30. flowhotyoga.co.nz PASCHA Pascha is a space of healing, education, and support that offers courses, counselling and guidance, with a range of onsite therapists and counsellors and courses to support your development. pascha.co.nz THE HERB CENTRE This much loved wholefoods café focuses on healthy eating by creating seasonal vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food. Health-promoting drinks are their specialty – herbal teas, dandechino, ginger tonic, turmeric latte made with nut milk, wonderful Switch coffee. Everything is made in-house. theherbcentre.co.nz KALPA BHADRA BUDDHIST CENTRE Christchurch’s centre for modern Buddhism offers classes, courses and retreats, with everyone welcome. Try a casual drop-in meditation class, a longer course, or even a multi-day retreat. meditateinchristchurch.org

Image: Flow Hot Yoga

Good Health, Naturally Cityscape gets the inside word on naturopathic medicine from one of the city’s leading naturopaths, The Herb Centre’s Michael Woods.

Lemony Snippet

As spring heads for summer, thoughts turn to a sunny Sunday escape; if you’re looking for an excuse for a bit of a jaunt, you could do worse than Pegasus Bay Winery and Restaurant’s lemon soufflé with medjool date and almond salad, mint, and poppy seed ice cream, with an Encore Noble Riesling 2016 to match. Hit the road! Stockgrove Road, Waipara, pegasusbay.com

Check out live jazz, great food and sweet cocktails at new Cathedral Junction joint The Cosmopolitan.

FB/thecosmopolitanchch

/ FOOD & DRINK

Food & Drink

WHISKY IN THE JAR TIN It’s fair to say that Ardbeg is revered among the world’s many whisky fans; this makes gift-buying for the enthusiast in your life easy with their release of the special edition Ardbeg Warehouse Gift Pack (RRP $100).

Offering a 700ml bottle of Ardbeg’s 10 Year Old in a striking collector’s tin modelled on the distillery’s seaside warehouse on Islay, it’s the next best thing to making the trip!

NEW

Plant Food

PICNIC SEASON Celebrate the ultimate in al fresco dining with a glammed-up picnic via Willow Direct’s Antique Wash Lidded 2 Person Hamper (RRP $175) from Ballantynes. Coming complete with plates, wine glasses and cutlery, this is a summer essential. City Mall, ballantynes.co.nz

PALATE PLEASERS Funky new eatery hybrid Curious Palate Café Bistro is rocking some serious culinary magic with their tricked-up take on old favourites, with the menu described as eclectic with an Asian twist. Awly Building, 287 – 293 Durham Street, FB/curiouspalatecafe

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Two revolutions – our wholehearted embrace of meal plan delivery services, and a renewed interest in gourmet plant-based cuisine – have come together in Green Dinner Table. The locally-based company is the baby of chef Tom Riley and health enthusiast and former ambulance officer Cole Stacey. Tom and Cole want to help people to make some positive changes to their health (and chip in for our environment) by eating more vegetarian fare, and their tasty, weekly-changing programme of plant-based meal plans – think the likes of black bean and garlic mushroom tacos with chipotle yoghurt and gado-gado with red quinoa, lemon, peanut sauce and fermented chilli – is designed to maximise the freshness of great local ingredients, be quick to prepare, be healthy, and deliver a huge flavour hit! With their plans also flexible, there’s no excuses left to stop you from making the change! greendinnertable.co.nz

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ November 17

CRAFT BREWS

ÜBER-HUNGRY

We caught up with Andy Teo and the Dux Central tribe on what’s good drinking on the craft beer scene.

What’s good? We’re tippling The Juice by Boneface Brewing Co., a dry-hopped gose, (a traditionally German wheat beer-style brewed with salt; with a sour dominant flavour profile). The Juice has notes of grapefruit on the nose; with a moreish tart lemon/lime flavour profile on the palate. It’s a current ‘it’ thing on the NZ beer scene – we think that the crew over at Boneface have nailed it with their iteration of this style.

So if you’re open to trying new styles of craft beer, this is a straight gose-faced killer of a beer. Perfect for the coming summer days! duxcentral.co.nz

Getting your favourite city food just got a lot easier with the arrival of UberEATS in the city. Taking the “going out” out of “going out for dinner”, their team are on hand from 8am – 10pm all week to enable your Big Night In, with delivery available throughout the CBD and surrounding suburbs. None of this pesky leaving the house – just download the app, make your choice from some of the city’s finest restaurants, pay your reasonable delivery fee easily online, and wait for your chosen deliciousness to come right to your door! It's just smart, isn't it? Enter the promo code ‘CHCHEATS’ for a $10 discount off your first order! ubereats.com/Christchurch

THE GREY ROBIN TAKES FLIGHT New Regent Street newbie The Grey Robin (formerly Shop Eight) brings us a relaxed fine dining offering. Their focus is firmly on showcasing local, seasonal produce that features ethical proteins. 8 New Regent Street, thegreyrobin.co.nz

Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Hotspots

UNCOMMON

HELLO SUNDAY

UNTOUCHED WORLD™

UNDER THE RED VERANDAH

CAFÉ | CENTRAL CITY

CAFÉ | SYDENHAM

CAFÉ | BURNSIDE

CAFÉ | LINWOOD

Uncommon pride themselves on providing an out-of-the-ordinary café experience that showcases the region’s finest produce and in which fine dining techniques, flavours and presentation meet next-level service. 262 Tuam Street, 03 379 3977 uncommoncafe.co.nz

Hello Sunday is a delightful piece of reclaimed Christchurch. One of the city’s best brunch restaurants, they emphasise creative, fresh flavours, great service and excellent coffee.

Enjoy a little bit of Sunday – every day! 6 Elgin Street, 03 260 1566 Find them on Facebook

A favourite with locals, the Untouched World™ Native Garden Café is the perfect destination for a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch. It’s a calm oasis away from the hustle. Enquire about private functions! 155 Roydvale Avenue, 03 357 9499 untouchedworld.com

This little gem of a café is now licensed, and serves up the best breakfasts and lunches you’ll find, all in a unique garden setting. Their in-house bakers start early each day to prepare treats for you to enjoy. 502 Worcester Street, 03 381 1109 utrv.co.nz

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REVIEW

Dux Dine

28 Riccarton Road, 03 348 1436, duxdine.co.nz

Riccarton Road is having the equivalent of open heart surgery. Carving up the sternum of one of the city’s busiest roads is a raucous, intrusive and frustrating affair, but mere metres away, settled in the lush surrounds of Dux Dine’s leafy, courtyard garden oasis (following super easy on-site parking), we’re totally oblivious to the ruckus. The serenity is so complete that the only thing we can hear on a humming, sun-drenched Wednesday afternoon is the murmur of excited lunchtime diners and the gentle buzz of the occasional passing bee as they bounce between the garden’s dazzling floral explosions.

Had it been the weekend, we’d be settling in for a session basking in the sun with pitchers of the tastes-so-good charms of perennial jacked-up ginger beer fave Ginger Tom, but given we’ll be heading back to the office, we’re sipping a crisp, suitably sublime Waipara Hills Sauvignon Blanc and a bright,

candy-floss hued Rua Pinot Rosé instead – its watermelon notes are perfect on days like these. Tucked behind the iconic baby blue and white character villa overlooking the herb garden, we note Christchurch’s maturing palate with interest, with the vegetarian/seafood hybrid outfit’s near 50/50 split between male and female diners.

Having perused and been talked through the menus by Dux legend Thomas Gareth, we find the regular lunch menu filled with classic Dux Dine favourites – let’s be honest, it would near throw the planet out of alignment for the city’s foodie set if there were too many changes – as well as the Menu Additions, which are a weekly showcase of Canterbury’s freshest and finest, giving regulars the opportunity to indulge in a deviation from their longstanding faves.

We’ve decided to mix things up with the entrées, tapping the tried and true Fried Calamari (all crispy golden exterior coating firm yet tender flesh, and simply magic with a squeeze of lemon and dipped in taste-budtingling chilli and ginger sauce) and weekly

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ring-in the Moroccan Grilled Asparagus. Its ras el hanout spice is the perfect accompaniment to the natural astringency of the new season spears and the nutty crunch of toasted almonds and shaved parmesan piled atop toasted ciabatta.

As creatures of habit it’s simply too hard for us to go past the Fish of the Day, so we don’t. Our forks break through the signature golden crusted lime and coriander shell with a satisfying crunch; beneath, the delicate, perfectly-cooked terakihi effortlessly flakes, and the delicate fish combined with the savoury, herby chew of the crust proves yet again why it’s one of (if not the) restaurant’s most popular dishes. The fact that it sings in harmony between sips of the fresh fruity notes of the sassy Sav make this pairing a total winner. On the other side of the table the equally winning doubled stack of Pea & Halloumi Fritters sees the union of salty cheese with the slightly sweet pea richness of the gluten-free fritters, all tricked up with the sharpness of a gazpacho sauce balanced by three artistic swirls of tangy crème fraiche.

While it’s a struggle to extradite ourselves from our sunny setting, we take comfort in the summer inevitably full of long Sunday afternoons at Dux Dine ahead.

REVIEW

Kumo Japanese Cuisine 351 Lincoln Road, 03 339 0886, kumo-cuisine.co.nz

“I’ll bring you the gold flake sake,” says the black-clad efficiency-personified that is manager extraordinaire Vivienne Hsieh. “It’s good for your skin,” she says, motioning at her flawless complexion. Delicious elixir and a beauty treatment; if only there were more multitasking drinks in the world we think, as she artfully places the speckled blue ceramic sake jug down with two matching cups. I pour my dining companion’s cup, then my own (as he’s not down with the finer points of sake etiquette) and watch the glittering flakes as they catch the light swirling in the small cups.

We clink the cups with a “Kanpai” (when in Rome) and sip the cool, dry crisp sake.

There’s the slightest alcohol taste, but the Ginjo Kinpaku is incredibly smooth and refreshing. Having been greeted with a rousing “Irasshaimase” (welcome) when we walked in, it’s easy to imagine we’ve crossed the seas and are holed up in the minimalist cool of a Kobe restaurant with an industrial edge, as we pass the mural-flanked wall and take our booth seating alongside the city’s

premier sushi train. A premium selection of sakes lining the bar’s top shelf, authentic crockery, and the black-clad chefs keeping the sushi train running complete the escape.

Having a highlights reel from the menu thoughtfully prepared for us means there’s no deliberating over what to order, leaving us to be tempted by the delectable morsels gliding by with the gentle whir of the sushi locomotive. It’s not long before the beautifully presented and ocean-fresh assorted sashimi and sushi selections touch down and, to our delight, include the oft-missing tuna and the sensationally smoky addition of two blowtorch-finished Nigiri pieces (salmon and scallop). A stunningly presented plate of Beef Tataki follows. The thinly sliced and seared rare beef fanned out around the plate resembles an exotic bloom, and is scattered with shards of crispy garlic chips, providing a delicious juxtaposition with their textural crunch and nutty garlic hit alongside the delicate, perfectly respected beef. Dipped in the rich soy and red wine sauce, it becomes

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a fast favourite. Not to be outdone, the Asparagus Tempura from the specials board sees four huge, fresh spears coated in a light, crisp batter and firm to the bite, and comes complete with the slight acid tingle of a primo dipping sauce.

For mains we’re treated to beautifully rendered, melt-in-the-mouth braised pork belly (Buta Kakuni), dripping with a sticky delicate miso BBQ-style sauce (though we’ll never know for sure, since it’s the chef’s secret!) and the golden tower of deliciousness that is the Soft Shell Crab, the sweet meat tempered by the decadent, sharp acid profile of the fiesty oyster and chilli sauce.

Delivering another favourite is a creative twist on an Italian classic – the Matcha Tiramisu, substituting a green tea infusion for coffee. Our thrilling finale is less sweet than its rival, but definitely needs to be added to your gastronomic bucket list (you’ll want to get your order in early though, as this limited edition dessert regularly sells out!).

/ FOOD & DRINK

Eating & Drinking In The City

Cityscape checks out some of the city's hottest dining and drinking options this month.

THE HAPPENING BAR & KITCHEN

CROWNE PLAZA CHRISTCHURCH

What better way to start your Cup Day than with a beautiful and delicious champagne breakfast at The Pedal Pusher? Drop in before, during and after the races on the big day. Bookings essential!

Addington, 03 335 0095 Rolleston, 03 260 0866 thepedalpusher.co.nz

YOUR CUP WEEK HOME BASE

CUP DAY BREAKFAST AT MARKET PLACE

This elegant central city bar and restaurant is a perfect touch point during Cup Week. Enjoy one of their decadent high teas or a delicious brunch to kick off your Cup Day. Bookings essential.

03 261 9114 thehappening.co.nz

Crowne Plaza brings you Cup Day Bollinger Breakfast in Market Place Restaurant. Enjoy a complimentary Bollinger and all-inclusive buffet breakfast, with return coach transfers and spot prizes. christchurch.crowneplaza.com

POMEROY’S PUB

CHILLINGWORTH ROAD

KING OF SNAKE

TWENTY SEVEN STEPS

COSY PUB | CENTRAL CITY

INTERNATIONAL | PAPANUI

ASIAN FUSION | CENTRAL CITY

EUROPEAN | CENTRAL CITY

Pomeroy’s is a classic English style pub with the largest number of craft beer taps in town, outstanding pub fare, and regular live music.

Experience a real part of Christchurch culture. 292 Kilmore Street, 03 365 1523 pomspub.co.nz

Chillingworth Road is both a destination and a journey. Take a culinary trip with 5, 7 or 9 course degustation menus, dine casually in the bistro, or pop in for great cabinet fare and coffee during the day. 2/478 Cranford Street, 03 352 7784 chillingworthroad.co.nz

An exciting bar and restaurant that titillates the city’s Victoria Street precinct with Tony Astle’s elevation of Southeast Asia’s tastes, textures and visuals, all delivered in a casual, sexy atmosphere. 145 Victoria Street, 03 365 7363 kingofsnake.co.nz

Twenty Seven Steps is a classic yet contemporary bistro where the focus is very much on the food, service and drinks. Enjoy robust, creative food served by people who love what they do. 16 New Regent Street, 03 366 2727 twentysevensteps.co.nz

LOUIS CHAMPAGNE & OYSTER BAR

FREEMANS

ROCKSTAR PIZZA & DRINKS PARLOUR

FRANCESCA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

SWISHY BAR | CENTRAL CITY

Freemans has served Lyttelton and the wider city for 10 years. Their mission is great food and service every time. Enjoy their hand-made pizza and pasta in the dining room, or with great views from the deck.

47 London Street, 03 328 7517 freemansdiningroom.co.nz

LIVE MUSIC/PIZZA | CENTRAL CITY

ITALIAN | CENTRAL CITY

Christchurch’s dedicated live music bar also turns out awesome pizza, burgers and snacks and a great range of drinks in its atmospheric, laid-back haunt. 104 Victoria Street, 03 423 9023 rockstarpizza.nz

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen has become a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike. Passionate about authentic Italian, they use seasonal produce to create their tempting menu. 149 Gloucester Street, 03 374 9790 fransitalian.co.nz

GATHERINGS

THE PEDAL PUSHER

FINE PLANT-BASED FARE

CUP DAY CELEBRATIONS

A small restaurant almost instantly recognised by the culinary world, winning Best New Metropolitan Restaurant and a hat in the most recent Good Food Guide. Their focus is Canterbury and an expression of now. 2 Papanui Road, 0210 293 5641 gatherings.co.nz

Louis is a hospitality offering that is something completely new for New Zealand. Enjoy a fittingly opulent environment in which to enjoy their 16 champagnes and oysters 12 ways.

123 Victoria Street, 03 377 3614 Find them on Facebook

ITALIAN | LYTTELTON

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/ THE LAST WORD

Trace Elements Cityscape caught up with former local and director and writer of subantarctic thriller Human Traces Nic Gorman ahead of its opening this month.

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR HUMAN TRACES COME FROM? The idea came from the location – both in the sense of place as well as the isolation felt at the bottom of the world. Once I had a picture in mind of these brutal, weather-beaten dots of earth in the Southern Ocean, the characters and the plot flowed from there.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE AUDIENCES TAKE FROM IT? I hope they’re taken to a different world. The film is also a study in empathy, and I hope they get to experience a world seen through three separate people’s points-of-view.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ON-SET STORY? Shooting on conservation land in the deep south, we had to be incredibly mindful and considerate of the wildlife. We had penguin spotters on set who would notify us when penguins were swimming to shore down the beach and we would drop to the ground. One day we had sea-lion wranglers on set. They came in handy when a giant bull sea lion decided to demolish our make-up tent and chase us around the beach!

HOW DID YOU GET HUMAN TRACES OFF THE GROUND, AND DID YOUR AWARD FOR HERE BE MONSTERS HELP? We won the Moa (NZ Film Award) for Best New Zealand short around the same time as the first draft from Human Traces was done.

It definitely helped open doors for us and it

Image: Kirk Pflaum

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM? A better writer than me (Variety magazine) described it thusly: “A chamber piece played out in wide-open and brutally inhospitable spaces, Human Traces evolves into a gripping study in isolation, desperation and paranoia”.

became easier to cold-call people we wanted to work with. Timing and perseverance are huge parts of getting films off the ground.

WHAT LOCATIONS ARE LOCALS LIKELY TO SPOT? Cantabrians might recognise Haylocks Bay, which is a DOC reserve at the Akaroa harbour heads. We also shot on some tussocky slopes near the summit of Banks Peninsula and filmed one sequence in the Godley Head battery.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WANTING TO CRACK THE FILM INDUSTRY? Again, perseverance is important. Also, you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with – work with people who excite you and terrify you. Watch lots of films. Support the local industry. Be nice, be open to all possibilities and love telling stories.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SIGNING WITH ECHO LAKE ENTERTAINMENT. It’s all early days. I’m interested in telling stories on a bigger canvas. I’d love to work in America should the opportunity present itself.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE? It changes all the time! I still dream though about the images in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, so let’s call it that today. In it Naomi Watts gives one of the greatest performances ever put on film. It’s often really funny, but it’s sexy too, and it’s terrifying, and in the end it’s terribly sad.

Great art has the power to make you feel different and complementary emotions at the same time.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? I’m writing the nth draft of a grounded science-fiction film. It’s about aging, death and parenting. All the fun stuff!

Human Traces opens November 16; see page 32 for your chance to win tix.

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