Cityscape Issue 11 July 2018

JUL 2018

11

CHRISTCHURCH CURATED | YOUR MONTHLY FIX We get our eco on to celebrate Plastic Free July, chat with the man behind the Moana soundtrack Te Vaka’s Opetaia Foa’i ahead of their CSO collab, rising music stars Nakita and Jed Parsons, Washi tape royalty and artist Veronica Herber, score an exclusive preview of Wellington On a Plate, dine out in style at 50 Bistro and Jaba Grill & Bar and much more besides.

CITYSCAPE Issue 11 | July 18

CONTENTS

July 2018 In this issue

Publisher Andrea Rickerby Group Editor Isaac Wilson Editor Elaine Dong Digital Marketing & Content Manager Penny Newton Editorial Assistant Jessica Wells Creative Tristan Brehaut Account Manager Derek Thorp 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

10 16 19 30 41 Download the Cityscape App and join our digital community for lovers of style, food, music, lifestyle, travel, beauty and culture!

ON THE COVER

RHYTHM & CLASSICS Olivia Foa’i from Billboard chart-topping band Te Vaka performs their hits from Disney’s Moana soundtrack alongside the CSO on July 7 at the Isaac Theatre Royal. Check out our interview with her father, Opetaia on page 18.

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04 NEWSFEED Tip-offs, trends and more.

10 CITY SPOTLIGHT Stranges Lane in focus.

12 CULTURE CALENDAR The month in culture.

18 KNOWING HIS WAY Award-winning Te Vaka’s Opetaia Foa’i.

19 STYLE FILES What’s hot this month.

22 PLATE EXPECTATIONS Exclusive preview of Visa Wellington On a Plate.

27 FEEL THE BEAT The Feelers’ Hamish Gee. 28 PLASTIC, SO NOT FANTASTIC Do your part to save the planet.

30 FLAWLESS VISION Rising star Nakita.

32 STUCK ON YOU Artist Veronica Herber.

34 MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Local lad Jed Parsons.

36 ENTERTAIN ME Film, music, books, games & TV. 39 FOOD & DRINK Eating and drinking in the city.

46 THE LAST WORD Decades’ Emma Cameron.

Newsfeed

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TIP-OFFS, TRENDS & MORE

Rekindle That Love

The love for crafts, that is. Tap into the skills that made our forefathers (and foremothers) so resourceful with Rekindle, who have moved into their new space at the Arts Centre. With the ethos of creating what we need from what we already have, the social enterprise is inviting Cantabrians to join them for workshops that teach skills that are at risk of disappearing – such as basket weaving, rope making and spoon carving. As well as practising mindfulness, you’ll also learn how to practice resourcefulness by transforming undervalued materials into something beautiful and useful. Good for you and good for the planet, sign us up! rekindle.org.nz

Ama-Gettin’ There!

Spinning, juggling, flipping and shredding at supersonic speed on the teppan hot plate is all in a day’s work for the chefs at Amaterrace Teppanyaki – tucked away on the second floor of hospo hotspot The Terrace. Guests can enjoy the theatre of chefs expertly slicing and dicing the finest beef, lamb, vegetables and seafood, or indulge in the drool-worthy menu items such as crispy calamari, prawn tempura, scallops butter yaki, omakase nigiri, karaage fried chicken and lunch specials. The secret is out and the five-star reviews are piling up fast, so you’d best start dropping hints for your next date night or birthday celebration. amaterrace.co.nz

GOLD PLATED Haute cuisine and fine art collided at Pescatore’s Art, Science & Cuisine on a Plate Dinner last month. Local artist Renate Galetzka’s winning piece (pictured) in the Pescatore National Tableware Exhibition was specifically created to showcase Chef de Cuisine Ryan Henley’s (who pulled double duty in the kitchen and on the judging panel alongside the hotel’s Executive Chef Antony Page) stellar entry from his new menu: New Zealand Scampi, in the Pescatore National Tableware Exhibition. A five-course degustation paired with a flight of premium wines from The Bone Line followed the exhibition’s opening. pescatore.co.nz

Google Us Cityscape’s more than just the sweet print mag you’ve got in your hand; read online at cityscape.co.nz and download the Cityscape App at Google Play or the App Store.

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Rise Up

The CSO’s Beca Artist Series continues with über talented Concertmaster and local muso Martin Riseley pulling double duties and taking the helm in leading the orchestra on an exotic musical journey with Rossini’s Overture to an Italian in Algiers and Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. The Juilliard alum who’s rubbed shoulders and played chamber music alongside some of the leading musicians of our time; Pinchas Zukerman, Yo-Yo Ma and Jon Kimura Parker, will also feature as soloist on Mozart’s fascinatingly wild Violin Concerto No.5 in A major K. 219 “Turkish” and Tchaikovsky’s rousing Sérénade Mélancolique for an evening of classical music goodness. Charles Luney Auditorium, Sat 28 Jul, cso.co.nz

Behold!

Kiwi art sensation Dick Frizzell, known for his works that blend quirky Kiwiana icons into his cartoon-like paintings, is bringing his exhibition Something To Behold! to The Central Art Gallery (Jul 26 – Aug 26). Frizzell’s exhibition features a series of paintings which offer a critical response to the divide between the art of the avant-garde and the academy with the artist’s characteristic sense of humour imbued throughout. thecentral.co.nz

Awk-word: Woke … but not in its traditional sense, more like the I-am-politically-aware-ofpressing-matters-such-as-consumerism-gender-fluidity-racial-tensions-and-the-impact-ofsocioeconomic-disparity-on-minorities kind-of-woke.

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UNCOVERED

KING TUBBS

THE FIRING LINE Cityscape chats with Sally Hooper, owner and director of The Hoop Group, and the driving force behind some of the most innovative eateries around town.

WE CALL BULLSHIT ON... ...balloons. They may seem like a harmless, fun party staple and letterbox marker, but when it comes to their environmental impact they’re more terrifying than IT’s Pennywise clutching that solo red balloon. All released balloons return to earth as litter while those sent to landfill can end up in our oceans to be ingested by marine animals.

And those pretty ribbons can be just as sinister entangling birds, sea turtles and dolphins. The good news is there’s plenty of alternatives to fancy up your next shindig – get creative with reusable decorations like tissue pom poms, crepe streamers, bunting or pinwheels.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LIKE FOR YOU? Head into Sister Kong with my husband and Mila to see the team, play with new specials in the kitchen and talk about events coming up. We often meet developers to talk about potential sites for our next food concept (we have just set up a pop-up restaurant BANG BANG Street Hawker in The Colombo and have two restaurants we are opening in The Welder development next year). WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Working with my husband and having our daughter with us while we work. Travel – we are very passionate about the authenticity of our food so we spend a lot of time in the countries that inspire our restaurants. WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO CHILL? Rona’s in Akaroa. It has a garden out the back with butterflies and the food is just incredibly fresh and delicious. WHAT’S THE ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT SISTER KONG? We encourage dining at any time … so if you’re wanting that “I’m in a big city overseas” feeling, then grab a late lunch at 3pm or dinner and cocktails at 10pm or 11pm… hell, even at midnight! YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL/DRINK? Our Pina Colada. Trust me, it’s not your typical Colada and transports you into holiday bliss instantly. sisterkong.co.nz

#SHOEPORN Jazz up your winter wardrobe with these chic tan Elk Terra Boots (RRP $299) from The Flock. These boots are definitely made for walking – in style.

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Oozing class with their boutique jazz-style repertoire, local duo King Tubbs add a touch of sophistication to any night out on the tiles. Comprised of accomplished musician Harry Harrison (who has lent a hand to Kiwi legends Bic Runga and Dave Dobbyn) and Justine S (who has performed at noted Jazz Festivals throughout New Zealand), the pair’s credentials and dynamic make for some next-level performances. Catch them and their dubbed out jazzy twists around the city.

FB/KingTubbs1

Group Therapy

Welcome to the retro-chic world of victory rolls and vintage dresses where sisterhood reigns supreme – meet the Southern Pinup Belles. Starting out as a group of like-minded ladies with a shared love of everything yesteryear, this stylish community has since expanded to a network of groups throughout the South Island with the Selwyn, Canterbury, Timaru and Otago Pinup Belles regularly meeting once a month.

Every year, these big-hearted retro glamours raise funds for local charities – last year, they raised $1,500 for the New Brighton Community Preschool, and on July 8 they are holding a Mid-Winter Christmas High Tea to raise funds for Nurse Maude Hospice Merivale. If you’re keen to get dolled up, slip on your finest swing dress, make some great friends and join the pinup party, you can find them at FB/southernpinupbelles

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MARKET WATCH

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NEW IN TOWN

MULTIBALL!

Music Man

Charlie Jemmett, the CJ in Christchurch’s iconic CJ’s Music Stall at Riccarton Market has been belting out tunes and peddling his musical wares in the city since forever (almost!)

Starting his illustrious musical career at Beggs Music, he moved around a few stores before opening his own, now-famous namesake store in 1973. CJ ran it for 28 years before Musicworks took it over in 2001, then he managed their store for 13 years more! In 2014 he returned to the music industry under his own name at the Riccarton Market where, every Sunday, you find CJ dispensing his expertise along with a range of hand-selected guitars and ukuleles among other musical accessories. Having played the chromatic harmonica with Skipper’s Harmonica Band and bass harmonica as a founding member of quartet Adlerians, now he’s on the 5-row Continental button accordion, plays Scottish Country dances around New Zealand and ceilidhs for weddings and birthdays when he’s not rocking the market. riccartonmarket.co.nz

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Let’s rewind to the year of 1979, Pink Floyd released The Wall, Margaret Thatcher took the helm as the UK’s OG female Prime Minister and arcades were all the rage. Now you can kick your gaming old-skool at Arcadia Retro Arcade & Pinball Emporia on Barbadoes Street. Home to an impressive line-up of pinnies, numerous retro-tastic video cabinets (think perennial faves Donkey Kong, Galaga, Pacman, Space Invaders and more) served up alongside burgers and beers, regular comps and upcoming board games, it’s time to warm up those fingers Cityscapers, intense gaming sessions ensue! arcadia.net.nz

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GIVE IT A WHIRL

POTTERING AROUND

ROCKING OUR WORLD

They’re a looks-great, feels-great, great-for-the-planet triple-threat with celebrity fans such as President Obama, Prince Harry and Joanna Lumley – so if you haven’t heard of Untouched World and their brand of super ethical and sustainable lux wear, then you need to put them on your radar ASAP. The only lifestyle fashion company in the world to be officially recognised by the United Nations for sustainable practices, Untouched World are unwaveringly committed to treading lightly on the earth and put sustainability at the heart of everything they do – whether that’s utilising sustainably-grown fibres, certified-organic dyes and water-based prints through to what to do with staff’s banana skins after lunch! Speaking of lunch, their Roydvale Avenue store is home to one of New Zealand’s leading sustainable cafes that focuses on organically and locally farmed produce, including free range eggs, pork and chicken. Being eco-friendly never tasted – or looked – so good. untouchedworld.com

EARLY WARNING

Channel your inner Demi Moore from the cult-classic Ghost and take up a pottery class at the Stolen Bagel Studio Café. Learn the A to Z’s of pottery 101 and master the craft that has taken budding artisans by storm in a lax, creative environment. Round up your pals for a creative session and explore the art of pottery – who knows you could be the next Betty Woodman!

FB/Stolen-Bagel-Studio-Cafe

Go Green and Clean Kermit once sang ‘It’s Not Easy

Being Green’, but the folks at the Go Green Expo (Air Force Museum, Aug 11 – 12) would beg to differ. If you’re ready to transform your habits in favour of a more sustainable, environmentally friendly way of life, but not sure where to start, this ecological extravaganza is not to be missed. Whether you’re after some clean and green cleaning products, beauty treatments, organic food and beverages, ethical investments, or are just curious about ways you can walk a little lighter on the earth, the expo features a huge range of exhibitors ready to help, as well as guest speakers and workshops to be announced. Go along and support the small businesses that are doing right by our planet! gogreenexpo.co.nz

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EARLY WARNING

GARDEN OF D’LIGHTS If the crowds at the recent Chinese Lantern Festival are anything to go by, Cantabrians love them a large-scale light spectacle! Time then to start planning in next month’s bi-annual celebration of illumination at the House Of Travel Botanic D’Lights (Aug 8 – 12) where more than 47 hyperbolic displays by New Zealand’s leading lighting artists, designers and creative thinkers will be brightening up the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. If that wasn’t enough lighty goodness, this year’s trail will also be expanded into the heart of the historic Arts Centre which will be transformed into a winter wonderland of retina-dazzling illuminated art all designed around the theme Escape Your Reality.

A word to the wise; rug up well, wear sturdy shoes, bring a torch and plan your trip to avoid the busiest days – the 2016 event attracted almost 80,000 people (double what was expected!). artscentre.org.nz

MID-CENTURY MAGIC Calling all mid-century aficionados! mr mod’s Ross Morrison is putting the best of his collection on exhibition in a collab with CoCA next month. Mid-century Design: the Morrison Collection (Aug 25 to Nov 17) will feature a special focus on Italian, American and Scandinavian design from the 1950s – 1980s, and is the result of the family’s passion for design. Expect to see pieces sourced from all over the world from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Gio Ponti, George Nelson, Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen. Ross is the foremost authority on mid-century furniture and design and has been in the business for 24 years while his son, Nico joined the family business early last year. coca.org.nz

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CITY SPOTLIGHT

CHANGING LANES Cityscape follows the welcoming galaxy of hundreds of fairy lights as we head down the unassuming High Street alley to check out the reborn cool of city fave Stranges Lane.

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tranges Lane has long been a go-to guaranteed good time destination channelling some serious Melbourne-esque laneway heat, by way of New York with four fierce venues flanking its famed bohemian bricked courtyard where some seriously industrial outdoor heating makes it a literal winter hot spot and perfect for some al fresco evening action.

The fab quartet within comprises funky watering hole Strange & Co. where killer prohibition-cool cocktails are swilled among resplendent pimped-up industrial chic, the easy-going nonchalance of Lower 9th Diner’s US dive bar cred complete with pre-requisite college party red cups, some seriously Southern and affordable eats alongside the Diner’s upscale big brother Orleans and new(ish) kid on the block and crafted cocktail central Capa.

Covering all bases, Capa’s velvet-curtained swank pairs polished timber and antique furniture with some seriously skilled bar keeps/cocktail alchemists making it the perfect pad to launch, spend and/or wrap your night out. Pull up a pew at the bar where old skool records are perched above a covetous, glittering top-shelf selection, and watch the magic happen while you pick up some pro tips, or settle into one of their

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ALL GOOD, ALL THE TIME No matter what time of the day you rock up, Stranges Lane has you covered. From coffees to crafted cocktails, menus spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner, grazing and late night bites, it’s also a hub of live entertainment six-days-a-week with quiz nights, live bands and international and local DJs as well as screening all the big sports games.

cosy, fireside lounges and while away a long wintery night. Tap the genius of their body cleansing sour Down The Hatch, a primo mix of Havana, Chambord and activated charcoal topped with freeze dried raspberries, the bacon wash(!) starring Corbin’s Espresso Martini, or let the team’s imagination run wild and personally craft a cocktail to your tastes.

For those looking to live out a rockstar moment, head to neighbouring watering hole Strange & Co. where you can pop the cork on a bottle of France’s finebeaded best and celeb fave Louis Roederer Cristal. For a more grounded experience, sip on a craft beer, local wine or imbibe in the fiery potency of a signature moonshine cocktail like the tropical cyclone in a glass that is the pineapple and coconut infused B.B.C. while grazing on super tasty dishes from the bistro pub menu, before hitting the dance floor as DJs drop it like it’s hot into the small hours. Hilarious comedy nights on Wednesdays round out this truly epic offering.

Keep an eye out too for the eye-widening Pop Tate-esque décor of Lower 9th Diner where you can indulge in bodacious brunches from Monday to Friday, while killer shakes join Messed Up burgers (cram whatever you like between two buns and call it a meal, if your creation wows the crew they’ll slap a polaroid of you and Franken-burger on their Wall of Legends) or dispense with buns altogether and opt for the Waffle Burger wrapping Orleans’ famous fried chicken, smoked maple bacon, onion rings, cheese and slaw between two buttermilk waffles(!)

At Orleans, Christchurch’s ragin’ Cajun quarter turns out some serious Bourbon Street swagger. Home to their famous, $12 Waffles & Shake offer on the last Wednesday of every month and the gravity-defying Waffle Stack, the younger sibling to the Auckland institution, Orleans follows its northern sibling’s winning trifecta of hearty Creole soul food, hard liquor, serious live music and infectious feel-good New Orleans funk.

The rustic setting fuses Southern artefacts and trinkets with a distinctly local twist by way of a fit-out comprised almost entirely from earthquake salvaged material, which adds a nod to the past while being completely of the moment. strangeslane.co.nz

THE MONTH IN CULTURE CSO: THE MUSIC OF MOANA PERFORMED

BY TE VAKA

RESENE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN FILM FESTIVAL FILM The annual design and

architecture themed film fest is back for its 7th go, with 18 different films covering everything from architectural legends to clean energy and fashion illustration.

Academy Gold Cinemas, until Wed 11 Jul, rialto.co.nz

THE BIGGEST THEATRE A new comedy from

LIVE MUSIC Performing their

NAKITA

TIFFANY SINGH: A COLLECTIVE VOICE EXHIBITION Auckland-based

award-winning playwright Jamie McCaskill that sees four hard-as-nails friends in small town New Zealand enter a fishing competition.

The Court Theatre, until Sat 14 Jul, courttheatre.org.nz

artist Tiffany Singh’s most recent large-scale installations, OM MANI PADME HUM and The Journey Of A Million Miles Begins With One Step, take up a winter residence at CoCA. Centre of Contemporary Art, until Sun 5 Aug, coca.org.nz

PICKAXES AND SHOVELS

UNTITLED #1050

EXHIBITION This wealth of

colonial Canterbury works showcases the early forms of paintings and drawings from colonial artists in the Christchurch and Lyttelton areas.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 5 Aug, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

CANTERBURY AND WORLD WAR ONE: LIVES LOST, LIVES CHANGED EXHIBITION Explore the lives and

experiences of Cantabrians who served in the Great War in photographic form in this moving exhibition.

Canterbury Museum, until Sun 11 Nov, canterburymuseum.com

CMNZ: HEATH QUARTET LIVE MUSIC One of Britain’s most

EXHIBITION A handful of

New Zealand’s leading abstract artists come together in this collection of some of their best pieces.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 14 Oct, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

exciting chamber ensembles heads our way with music from Haydn, Britten, and a new commission from New Zealand’s own Gareth Farr.

The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, Mon 2 Jul, chambermusic.co.nz

THE FEELERS: 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR LIVE MUSIC One of New

Zealand’s iconic and foremost bands are making their way around New Zealand to mark their 25th anniversary.

The Foundry, Sat 7 Jul, thefeelers.co.nz

THE SQUARE – WINTER ALE FESTIVAL FESTIVAL This showcase of

some of the best local brews (both beer and cider) from Canterbury and further afield is back for another big year.

Cathedral Square, Sat 7 Jul, canterburybeerfestival.co.nz

CSO: MUSIC TRAILS

DAVE DOBBYN

LIVE MUSIC Various CSO

LIVE MUSIC Iconic Kiwi musician,

ensembles take to Christchurch libraries for interactive and fun performances for all ages.

Te Hapūa: Halswell Centre, Wed 4 Jul, cso.co.nz

JEKYLL & HYDE PERFORMANCE A night filled to

the brim with comedy, thrills, chaos and delight! Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel is retold in a less-thanconventional (and highly hilarious) manner.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Thu 5/Fri 6 Jul, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

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own hit music from the award winning Disney blockbuster Moana, Te Vaka joins the CSO for a magical night of music inspired by the songs and stories of the Pasifika region.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 7 Jul, cso.co.nz

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Dave Dobbyn is bringing a little slice of heaven when he touches down at the Blue Smoke for his only Christchurch show.

Blue Smoke, Sat 7 Jul, davedobbyn.co.nz

CANTERBURY RED DEVILS VS BOTANY SWARM SPORT Four-time National Champions, Canterbury Red Devils take on Botany Swarm for a fast-paced tussle on the ice rink.

Alpine Ice Sports Centre, Sat 7 Jul/Sun 8 Jul, reddevils.co.nz

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DECADES: THE TRUTH HURTS TOUR

DYNAMO: SEEING IS BELIEVING

JED PARSONS: MIDNIGHT FEAST ALBUM TOUR

LIVE MUSIC Christchurch rockers

PERFORMANCE The rockstar

LIVE MUSIC Hot off the release of

on the rise, Decades, are bringing their blistering tour The Truth Hurts to Empire for a night of killer tunes.

Empire, Fri Jul 13, wearedecades.com

magician of his generation is on tour and heads into Horncastle Arena for a live demo of his “How did he just do that?” skills that’s sure to entertain.

Horncastle Arena, Fri 20/Sat 21 Jul, dynamomagician.com

his highly anticipated album Midnight Feast, local lad Jed Parsons will be checking into the Blue Smoke for a night of upbeat indie-pop tunes.

Blue Smoke, Fri 27 Jul, undertheradar.co.nz

LIVE MUSIC New Zealand’s

NAKITA

queen of hip-hop and soul Ladi6 is strutting into Christchurch accompanied by SilvaMC, JessB and rising star Bailey Wiley for a night of sass and sweet RnB beats.

Winnie Bagoes, Fri 13 Jul, ladi6.live

LIVE MUSIC Local alt-pop muso

TAMI NEILSON: SASSAFRASS! TOUR

BROADWAY HITMEN

COMEDY A night of side-splitting

LADI6: OUTTA TIME TOUR

LIVE MUSIC A homage

showcasing the hits of two of the greatest in musical theatre, Cole Porter and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this concert will be an unforgettable evening.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Fri 13 Jul – Sun 15 Jul, showbiz.org.nz

THE CHRISTCHURCH PUN BATTLE CHAMPIONSHIPS COMEDY The format that’s been

a hit all over New Zealand returns to Christchurch, with locals battling it out with groaners for big prizes.

A Rolling Stone, Sat 14 Jul, Find it on Facebook

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Nakita is making her way back home and will be gearing up to play fave hits to the crowds.

The Foundry, Sat 21 Jul, eventbrite.co.nz

JAMIE BOWEN, MICHELE A’COURT AND PAX ASSADI laughs is on the cards when three of New Zealand’s top comedians touch down with comedian/illusionist Logan Kitney playing host.

Charles Luney Auditorium, Thu 26 Jul, eventfinda.co.nz

TASH SULTANA LIVE MUSIC Making big waves in

the music scene, Tash Sultana is bringing her one-woman band to rock Horncastle Arena, with smash hits such as ‘Jungle’ and ‘Notion’ likely to be on the cards.

Horncastle Arena, Fri 27 Jul, tashsultana.com

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DIARIES OUT

The low-down on some of the hottest upcoming events and international acts near and far.

LIVE MUSIC The award-winning

Canadian-born, New Zealandbased honky-tonk chanteuse is set to bring music from new album SASSAFRASS! to town.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Fri 27 July, tamineilson.co.nz

CSO: BECA ARTIST SERIES: MARTIN RISELEY LIVE MUSIC CSO Concertmaster

Martin Riseley leads the orchestra on an exotic musical journey, also featuring as a soloist for pieces by Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Charles Luney Auditorium, Sat 28 Jul, cso.co.nz

THE BOOTLEG BEACH BOYS LIVE MUSIC Tribute band to the

legendary California heartthrobs, The Beach Boys, will take on classic hits and cult favourites.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sun 29 Jul, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

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LOCAL Gear up for a night of satire and dismantled jokes when UK comedian Bill Bailey (pictured) returns to New Zealand with his new comedy, Earl of Whimsy (Sep 22). Rocking a new name, the former World Buskers Festival returns as Bread & Circus World Buskers Festival next year (Jan 10 – Feb 3). Elaine Paige waltzes into town (Oct 12) and prepare to get festy with The Great Kiwi Beer Festival (Jan 26), Electric Avenue Music Festival (Feb 23) and Live in Lincoln (Mar 2).

OUT OF TOWN New Zealand is playing host to big industry names this year with the likes of Kendrick Lamar dropping into Dunedin (Jul 17) and Auckland (Jul 19/20), diva Mariah Carey (Oct 7) and Sam Smith (Nov 2/3) will both be belting out some of their tunes when they touch down with their killer sets in Auckland. Get your foodie on and toast to Toast Martinborough (Nov 18).

Culture It’s been a wild ride for Aussie singersongwriter extraordinaire Tash Sultana since her days of busking on the streets of Melbourne, but she ain’t slowing down anytime soon. Hot off her insane Coachella set, the bad-ass woman behind smash hits ‘Notion’ and ‘Jungle’, will be bringing her bag of loopologist tricks to Horncastle Arena (Jul 27) for a night of epic entertainment. Expect a next-level gig full of absolute passion, kick-ass tunes blaring at full volume and the woman herself effortlessly mastering an array of instruments – you have to see it in action to believe it. tashsultana.com

OUTTA TIME

The undisputed queen of New Zealand hip-hop, Ladi6, will be bringing all the soul and sass when she unleashes tunes from her 2017 VNZMA award-winning RnB record Royal Blue 3000, sliding into Winnie Bagoes on July 13 for her Outta Time Tour. Joining her is a line-up of cray talented female performers; roots and reggae goddess SilvaMC, new kid on the rap block and pro netballer-turnedrapper JessB and star on the rise Bailey Wiley rounding out the epic night.

Despite having to cancel the initial tour due to vocal-chord surgeries, the songstress is more than ready to make up for the absence and bless the crowds with her diverse catalogue of hits. ladi6.live

ICE TIMES Join Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse and all your fave Image: © Disney 2018

Disney friends; Donald Duck, Goofy, Elsa, Moana, the Toy Story crew and more in the ice-tastic too cool for school Disney On Ice. Celebrating 100 Years of Magic, don’t miss this ice-skating spectacular of hit songs – including Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’, Toy Story’s ‘You’ve Got A Friend in Me’ and hit-classic ‘Hakuna Matata’ from The Lion King – and beloved stories and characters when they slide into Horncastle Arena (Aug 10 – 12). disneyonice.co.nz

WIN! We have 10 sets of 4 A Reserve tickets to giveaway! To enter, send us an email at info@somocreative.co.nz with “Disney On Ice” in the subject line and tell us your fave Disney character. Entries close July 31. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

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Image: Garth Badger

Sweet Sultana

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CHECK IT OUT

Pleiades Ascending

The Arts Centre is taking star gazing to new levels this month as it celebrates its first Matariki Night Markets on July 6 and 7. Paying respect to the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, which heralds the start of a new year in the Māori calendar, the two night market is a celebration of traditional kai (pavlova and fish and chips) served alongside stalls selling crafts and jewellery with a Kiwiana twist and all set to the sounds of local singer songwriters and traditional Kapa Haka performances. artscentre.org.nz

Good Vibrations Fans of The

Beach Boys rejoice, the Bootleg Beach Boys – arguably one of the best tribute bands to the iconic So-Cal boys of cool – will be catching some waves and washing up at the Isaac Theatre Royal July 29.

Fresh from their huge world tour, no expense is spared to ensure one of the most authentic performances is undertaken in true Beach Boys style with a fully costumed show providing an immersive experience. Cult-faves such as ‘California Girls’, ‘Good Vibrations’ and surf-themed anthem ‘Surfin’ Safari’ are a mere handful of tunes the Bootleg Beach Boys will be belting out among other classics. Gear up for a memorable night to celebrate some of the greatest hits churned out. isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

WIN! We’ve got 2 double passes to giveaway. To enter, email info@somocreative.co.nz with “Beach Boys” in the subject line and tell us your fave Beach Boys tune! Entries close July 20.

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

SLICE OF HEAVEN

The man, the myth, the living legend – ol’ mate Dave Dobbyn is hitting the road again, enlisting the talents of Ross Burge and Jo Barus for a bit of three-piece magic. The quintessential Kiwi musician will be touching down at Blue Smoke on July 7 for a night of feel-good classics; floor-fillers such as ‘Slice of Heaven’, ‘Welcome Home’ and ‘Loyal’ are highly likely on the cards – we won’t judge you for belting them out at the top of your lungs.

What is sure to be a night filled to the brim with quality music, best nab some tickets asap! davedobbyn.co.nz

DYNA-MITE The undisputed king of modern magic, Dynamo is bringing his repertoire of tricks and illusions to Horncastle Arena on July 20 & 21. Known for feats such as walking on the River Thames, levitating on the side of a moving London bus and taking a casual stroll down the side of the L.A. Times Building, Dynamo’s work has stunned audiences the world over. Grab your chance to catch this man of mystery live for a literally magical night. dynamomagician.com

Gimme Sass

Award-winning, honky-tonk chanteuse and sassy lass Tami Neilson will be bringing the heat and turning out the Isaac Theatre Royal with the fiery baptism of new album SASSAFRASS! on July 27. Neilson has earned great acclaim for her powerhouse tunes, don’t give a f*ck attitude and gravity-defying beehive. Speaking on her most recent cracking album, the songstress sums it up as “The mouthy love-child of a series of events that led to its conception… I guess it’s all about coming into my confidence”. Head along to see this force of nature live when she takes to the stage – then leaves it for dead. tamineilson.com DON’T MISS

RESENE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN FILM FESTIVAL New Zealand’s annual design and architecture themed film festival is in full swing at the time of writing (until July 11).

The festival sees an impressive line up of 18 films divided into four categories: Warriors for the New, Integral Place, Super Design and The Happening. An intriguing and thoughtprovoking programme, best get some tickets to the remaining films. resene.co.nz/filmfestival

WIN! We have 1 double pass to Tami Neilson’s show (Isaac Theatre Royal, Jul 27) to giveaway. To enter, email us at info@somocreative.co.nz with SASSAFRASS! in the subject line and tell us why you gotta hear Tammy live. Entries close July 15.

HOT TICKET

Image: Mrs Jones

/ CULTURE

MO, MO, MOANA Performing their own hit music from the awardwinning Disney blockbuster Moana, multi-award-winning and Grammynominated music and dance ensemble Te Vaka, joins the CSO for a magical night of music inspired by the songs and stories of the Pasifika region (Isaac Theatre Royal, Jul 7). The ensemble will perform their signature repertoire of uplifting and energetic musical offerings that will have concert-goers and fans alike bouncing in their seats. Producing and performing original contemporary music, the rockstars of the Pacific sound have established themselves as front-runners in the realm of music, with their contribution to Moana scoring a No.1 spot on the Billboard Soundtrack Album charts, which they dominated for months. cso.co.nz

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/ CULTURE

Image: Simon Way

LOCAL TALENT

LAURA LEE LOVELY

The local music scene is thriving up in Christchurch with musos drawing inspiration from our ever-changing social scene and landscapes. One super talent on the rise who is taking advantage of this is songbird and music producer Laura Lee Lovely, whose music blends a heady mix of alternative pop with dreamy multi-layered vocals. The Christchurch native has been a regular on the music scene – you may be familiar with her work, having been the lead and one-third of (now disbanded) group O’Lovely – but has since taken the path down the solo route releasing her latest EP Eden with good friend and musician Simon Brouwer.

The four tracks on her EP are dynamic, driven by upbeat house and synth-pop sounds, with her impressive vocal range topping the tunes off. Collaborating with fellow Cantabrians, French Concession, (who directed the music video for her song ‘Faster’) and Siobhan Sainte (a song is in the works), keep your eyes – and ears – open for future releases from this songstress. FB/lauraleelovelymusic

GIGS TO CATCH

LADI6: OUTTA TIME TOUR – Winnie Bagoes, Fri 13 Jul DECADES: THE TRUTH HURTS TOUR – Empire, Fri 13 Jul WURLD SERIES: STATELY AND BEFROTHED EP RELEASE TOUR – Lyttelton Records, Sat 21 Jul JED PARSONS: MIDNIGHT FEAST ALBUM TOUR – Blue Smoke, Fri 27 Jul TAMI NEILSON – Isaac Theatre Royal, Fri 27 Jul TASH SULTANA – Horncastle Arena, Fri 27 Jul

Heath Quartet

Performing at The Piano (Jul 2), the Heath Quartet are a dynamic four-piece who have racked up a fair number of prestigious accolades during the span of their career.

Recipients of the Gramophone Chamber Music Award in 2016 – one of the most significant honours bestowed on recordings in the classical record industry – the Quartet are fast earning their electric reputation.

Charming audiences the world over with their impeccable talent, crisp technique and charismatic performances, they are tipped to perform programmes by Bach, Haydn and Britten, and also a piece from the esteemed New Zealand composer, Gareth Farr, specially commissioned by Chamber Music New Zealand. chambermusic.co.nz

HYDING OUT Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde gets a 21st Century comedic revamp from Wellington-based performance company A Slightly Isolated Dog. Their 2018 rendition, Jekyll & Hyde (Isaac Theatre Royal, Jul 5/6) sees a slightly unconventional (but still hilarious) twist on the classic and is jampacked with evil doings and scandalous delights bound to defy many theatre conventions. isaactheatreroyal.co.nz Image: Andi Crown Photography

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KNOWING HIS WAY Cityscape speaks to Opetaia Foa’i, band leader and founder of Te Vaka, about bagging the Top Soundtrack for Moana at the Billboard Music Awards, loving Gramma Tala and working with Disney.

CONGRATS ON TAKING OUT THE TOP SOUNDTRACK FOR MOANA AT THE BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS. HOW DOES THAT NIGHT RATE IN THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE? Thank you, it’s awesome considering that we were up against The Greatest Showman and Black Panther.

IT HAS BEEN SAID YOU’RE ON A MISSION TO TELL THE STORIES OF YOUR SEAFARING POLYNESIAN ANCESTORS, AND THAT COMES THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE MOANA STORY AND MUSIC. HOW DO YOU STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR ROOTS? I’ve spent 20 years of my life on this mission, so it’s become very much a part of me. It’s very easy for me to be connected.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU WATCHED MOANA, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SCENE? Two or three times, with my family here in Sydney and the various premieres including the one in Auckland. My favourite scene is the voyaging song.

WHICH CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH? Gramma Tala.

WHEN YOU GOT THE CALL FROM DISNEY, WHERE WERE YOU, WHAT WERE YOU DOING AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST THOUGHT? I was in the Gold Coast at the time, and when the call came, it was overwhelming. I thought, “Wow... is this for real?”

WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING WITH DISNEY? (IS IT THE BEST JOB EVER?) Working with seasoned professionals in a highly creative environment – yes, it’s a highlight and one that I won’t forget.

YOUR SOUND IS SO UNIQUE. HOW DID YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’D FOUND IT? Thank you, it’s probably more that it found me.

HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING YOUR COLLABORATION WITH THE CSO? It’s an amazing opportunity for us to work with

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the awesome CSO and I think the audience are in for a treat. We’re excited to be on stage with them.

WHAT DOES AN ORCHESTRAL ACCOMPANIMENT BRING TO THE SOUND? With the orchestra, the full power of the Moana songs, all the nuances that are in the soundtrack will be felt. It’s going to be amazing.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-PERFORMANCE RITUALS? A prayer followed by a reminder of the reason why we’re performing.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR MUSIC? The ancient Polynesian sailors and navigators.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A MUSICIAN? The many amazing people we get to meet.

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: ON SUNDAY MORNINGS, YOU’LL FIND ME… In bed.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON THE NIGHT? Fireworks! You will witness Te Vaka at our best, playing our percussion grooves accompanied by dancers, and of course you’ll recognise the voices when we play Moana songs because it’s our voices that are in the movie.

The Music of Moana Performed by Te Vaka, Isaac Theatre Royal, Jul 7, cso.co.nz

UNBRIDLED STYLE When Zimmermann dropped its RTW Fall 2018 collection Unbridled, it referenced the romance of equestrian style, the Victorian era and adventure with a splash and dash of 80s funk. Time to add these elaborate beauties to your wardrobe!

Style Files

Head on in!

Cityscape checks out the city's leading salons rocking an eco edge. At GM Hair Design (gmhair.nz) they're doing their bit to reduce single use plastic by encouraging customers to bring in their own bottle for refills at the designated Mike Hair Care Refuelling Station. The products are not only carcinogenic free, but made right here in Christchurch, so sport a minimal carbon footprint to boot! Earth Organic Hairdressing (earthorganichairdressing. co.nz) have sourced the best available hair products with organic ingredients, and only use plant based colour and lightening powders. All their products are 100% cruelty free.

Headmistress Hair Designers (headmistress.co.nz) are doing their part in ensuring not only that your locks are treated to some of the best certified organic hair colour and product ranges, but that no chemical nasties pollute your tresses or the environment. Win.

FOLLOW US

TWICE AS GOOD If there is one thing you need to add to your beauty repertoire, it’s the Bioelements Collagen Rehab Mask (RRP $119) from Forme Spa & Wellbeing. A superhero trio of collagen-supporting amino acids, softening mango and moisture-builders ensure firmer, younger skin and instant dewiness. Amp that up with the Bioelements Age Activist Clinical Youth Serum (RRP $179) which brightens, hydrates and firms.

Bring it on! formespa.co.nz

ENCOMPASS

ULTRA POWER Restore Prehabilitation & Recovery teams up with renowned Japanese beauty brand Adashiko to bring in Collagen Ultra, a super potent collagen powder that repairs and strengthens from the inside out. The secret? 100% Pure Peptide Collagen Powder, CoQ10 and superior antioxidants! restoreprehab.co.nz

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

EnCompass specialises in premium denim, and is renowned for the exceptional fitting expertise of owner Benji.

There’s a huge range of NZ and international brands; browse the extensive denim wall, exclusive tailored shirts, waistcoats and t-shirts. New styles arriving all the time! The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road 03 381 4065 Find them on Facebook

RUBY Phantom Dress (RRP $199)

Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Angove Soap 100g (RRP $45) from Ballantynes

LITTLE GREEN BAG Katy Grace Czech crystal earrings (RRP $56.90) from Cosi Fan Tutte

POP IT LIKE IT'S HOT!

Witchery First Edition Adrienne Print Dress (RRP $299.90)

L.K.Bennett Nuriya Jacquard Pump (POA) from Issimo

Winter is in full force and so are you.

Add a pop of colour to your winter style.

Karen Walker Vermeer Pearl Ring in Rose Gold (RRP $469)

juliette hogan Osprey Jumpsuit (RRP $699)

Prada Candy Sugar Pop 80ml (RRP $162) Witchery First Edition Arlie Boot in Magenta (RRP $299.90)

L.K.Bennett Iona Loafers (POA) from Issimo

ROSE, ROSE I LOVE YOU

Yu Mei Braidy Bag (RRP $459) from Ballantynes

Karen Walker Mary Sunglasses (RRP $349)

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

M.A.C Girls Eyeshaddow Palette Classic Cutie (RRP $92) from Ballantynes

/ STYLE FILES

PURPLE RAIN

Witchery Kaia Print Coin Purse (RRP $44.90)

Filigree Reign Amethyst & Citrine Multichain Tassel Earrings (RRP $4,920)

Elk Boulder Dress Astra+Ink (RRP $239) from The Flock

kowtow Gather Hem Dress (RRP $159) from The Flock

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil 200ml (RRP $56) from Ballantynes

Tom Ford Lip Color Violet Fatale (RRP $88) from Ballantynes

BLUE DANUBE

Collaboration Top Tidal Blue Front (POA) from Taylor

Karen Walker Run Hoodie (RRP $315) Untouched World Blimp Snood (RRP $99)

Karen Walker The Bird Sunglasses (RRP $329)

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Untouched World Felted Fiord Jacket (RRP $749)

PLATE EXPECTATIONS Cityscape checks out the creative culinary capital and its key players in an exclusive preview of New Zealand's iconic foodie Mecca Visa Wellington On a Plate ahead of its 10-year anniversary in August.

“T

he gold foil adds some bling,” says Maxine Scheckter, the 22-year-old pâtissier who has transformed Kilbirnie into one of Wellington's hottest foodie destinations after opening her social media-melting patisserie Sugar Flour in the sleepy suburb four months ago. The current cuisine It girl who ditched school at 17 and followed her passion for pastries studying and working in Wellington and Paris before a stint in Heston Blumenthal's famed London restaurant The Fat Duck is referring to the gilded delicacy and jaw-slackening pièce de résistance in her tasty tetralogy – An Exploration of Citrus – the Lemon Passionfruit Sphere. Part art, all culinary revelation the glistening lemonhued orb, dotted with the winking gold foil and delicate baby basil leaves looks almost too good to eat. Reluctantly cracking through the white chocolate shell reveals a golden, bittersweet grapefruit marmalade core, the silken tang of lemon crémeux, and the sharpness of an impossibly light passionfruit mousse which combine in a harmonious marriage of textures and flavours, the acid profiles of its citric stars beautifully tempered by the mouthcoatingly rich white chocolate and fresh burst of the basil. Playfully provocative, it brilliantly represents the locally-sourced seasonal inspirations that sell out in the early afternoons during Sugar Flour's three-day trading (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and is the perfect embodiment of Visa Wellington On a Plate's culinary creativity.

/ PLATE EXPECTATIONS

Plating Up

Image: Oikos Hellenic Cuisine

Long the country's culture capital, Wellington sits somewhere between Melbourne's dynamic foodie scene/laneway cool and New York's urban savvy, the oft-quoted 'coolest little capital in the world' and 'world's most liveable city' wears its well-earned monikers with pride. There's a deafening buzz about the city, and it's got nothing to do with the Beehive. Crammed with more than 55 galleries and museums, including the heavy-hitting national treasures that are Te Papa (be sure to catch stunning new Kiwi exhibition Toi Art and the larger than life Gallipoli: The scale of our war) and The Weta Cave, it's a gastronomic wonderland where cunning craft beers, astounding coffees, killer cocktails, gourmet purveyors and an inimitable dining scene spanning everything from food trucks and pop ups through to quirky cafes, casual and fine dining are nestled alongside designer boutiques, cutting-edge theatre and a seven-night-a-week live music scene all wrapped in a stunning, waterfront setting where everything is within walking distance.

Another culinary star on the rise rocking the suburbs, this time in Miramar, is Theo Papouis, the disarmingly charming and wildly talented chef behind Oikos Hellenic Cuisine (pronounced 'EE-kos'). Just one year in and Papouis is killing it with his tweaked take on traditional Greek fare where his seasonal, shared menu is as tricked up as the surrounds. Forget white and blue clichés, Oikos is a classy haunt with an edge, where green walls meet industrial lighting, timber floors and bodacious interpretations of classic mezze-style plates, including the instant institution that is his Sesame Crusted Feta, accompanied by slinky jazz tunes and ouzo by the glass. For an insight into his Long Greek Lunch (Aug 12, 19 & 26), we graze our

way through a table laden with plates of exotic and intriguing flavours and textures spanning the aforementioned feta (salty-sweet nutty perfection), a salad spiked with hard sheep and goats cheese, candied walnuts and tangy grape molasses through to meaty hits of fiery pork meatballs, meltingly tender lamb shoulder, the delicate nuances of seared fish atop braised lentils and the silken seduction of the Set Yoghurt and crispy, light doughnuts.

The menu, and it's glossary for some of the trickier words, delivers both a banquet and an education. As we head back to our hotel, we're grateful Papouis, the former chef to the US Ambassador of Cyprus, ignored his restaurateur dad's advice on not following in his footsteps.

With its prime positioning perched above the city on The Terrace, the refurbished swank of the Grand Mercure Wellington provides the perfect base camp where edgy lux styling meets breath-catching views across the Cuba Quarter. Showcasing a bed so wide I could sleep across its luxuriously downy width, the King Suite effortlessly impresses with its marbled stone bathroom and range of locally-produced bathroom amenities. An onsite gym, heated pool and sauna also prove beneficial primers for pre- and post-dining activity, while Forage Kitchen + Bar's killer views out over the city lights make it a nightcap/debrief essential.

Grand Mercure – Forage Kitchen + Bar

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Having grown from just 43 menus and 30 events at its inception, Visa Wellington On a Plate (the brainchild of festival director and co-founder Sarah Meikle) is now, without question the highlight on the nation's foodie calendar and rocking its biggest offering yet this year with 213 restaurants, 100 menus, 63 cocktails, 148 events and 180 burgers all celebrating the 'Party' theme. Growth, on the gastronome scorecard, however, is not without consequence. With more choice comes sacrifice; Exhibit A: once achievable, the Burger Wellington bucket list this year means die hard burger fiends will now have to chow down on 10.5 burgers each day(!) during the 17-day festival to knock them all off – something of a delicious, meat-sweat inducing test of endurance.

Image: Jeff McEwan

/ PLATE EXPECTATIONS

Also brewing to the beat of his own kettle is Kerry Gray, the international gongcollecting brewer behind Choice Bros' range of experimental and audacious beers.

Housed in HUSK (a former boxing gym), we find the righteous multi-tasking eatery, bar, brewery and Karamu Coffee roastery up a fairy light strewn-laneway and past stacks of old wine barrels aging Choice Bros brews, off happening Ghuznee Street. Starting out with a home brew kit 6 years ago obtained with a WINZ food voucher, the everresourceful Gray's alchemic approach to brewing has seen him become one to watch on the nation's beer scene. Mostly named after David Bowie lyrics and songs (you can drink your way through a Hazy Cosmic Jive, sip on a Sun Machine, get Strung Out On Lasers and Shake It!) Gray's quirkly-named beers contain some equally quirky ingredients like wormwood – the key botanical used in absinthe – in Sun Machine (a herbaceous and incredibly quaffable Absenté Saison). His award-winning Red IPA Reet Petite pairs a fresh ginger hit with a satisfyingly bitter finish while Strung Out On Lasers, a lusciously tart Raspberry and Lime Gose is palate cleansing perfection.

Not content with conquering the world of beer, Gray is now expanding his repertoire to include wine and if his first entry The Line Begins To Blur (note the Nine Inch Nails reference), a killer Pinot Noir Rosè Pet-Nat, is anything to go by, he's about to shake up the wine establishment too.

Image: HUSK – Jeff McEwan, Capture Studios

There's also a handy VIP lift which cuts out some seriously steep uphill exertion following a hard day gourmet-hopping, and it's also dangerously close to the spiritual home of Wellington's epic craft beer scene – Garage Project.

Attention-grabbing cans and bottles line the walls amid covetable merch and the industrial gleam of the stainless steel brew plant at Garage Project's Cellar Door and HQ as a young guy packs two old-skool glass flagons (Half Gs), like my grandfather used to drink out of on Sundays, filled with GP's finest into their vintage carry case in the former petrol station. Embracing the casually cool nonchalance of their provocatively named beers and artistdesigned labels the Cellar Door is that kind of place, and beer geek heaven. Famously bursting onto/creating the Wellington scene back in 2011 with their ambitious 24/24 series (brewing and releasing 24 different beers in 24 weeks) GP's trio of hop heads Jos Ruffell and brothers Pete and Ian Gillespie made a huge splash and changed the face and flavour of Kiwi beer in the process. Savouring a tasting flight with Assistant Manager Sara Graham we marvel at the subtleties of the ingenious beer/wine marriage in the Rosé de la Vallée (a 9% Pinot Noir Pilsner), and the lush, easy peachy drinking of low-alcohol salted sour stunner White Mischief before indulging in the cakey, chocolatey cherry richness of the deliciously puzzling black dessert lager Verbotene Früchte (think Black Forest gâteau in a glass) up and across the road at the Garage Projects Taproom.

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Image: Field & Green

213 restaurants, 100 menus, 63 cocktails, 148 events and 180 burgers all celebrating the 'Party' theme

Up the street at Whistling Sisters Beer Co. Brewery & Fermentery, it's all about creating a balanced beer. We're getting a tour of the spanking new Fermentery side as Bede Roe explains Head Brewer Dale Gould's pursuit of hoppy perfection in creating subtle flavours where the yeast balances out lightly hopped flavour profiles as we sip on the chilled charms of their Gose-style Rooty Toot Toot's harmonious union of salty, sour ginger and citrus notes.

Another multi-tasking site, the brewery, restaurant and bar melds industrial cool with a seriously beer friendly menu from Head Chef John Allred, designer lighting and funky mezzanine complete with its own bar. We're here to road test their Festival Dish, the cunningly clever savoury 'birthday cake' that is Gâteau Ghuznee. Riffing on the 'Party' theme of this year's festival, Whistling Sisters packs a meaty punch with layers of pork braised in their Oatmeal Chocolate Stout, blood sausage and spinach 'iced' with a buttery agria crema and studded with 'candles' of baby carrots. It's followed by a sublime beetroot-poached rhubarb and Whittaker's white chocolate mousse with the crunchy nutty hit of hazelnuts and the lingering, earthy beetroot flavours perfect between sips of the fruity XPA. At Field & Green, gastronomic genius Laura Greenfield has her work cut out for her this year. Greenfield's simply titled Festival Dish Stuffed Confit Duck Leg has actually been hand-shredded, blended with

Image: Mr. Go's — Jeff McEwan

Image: PIVOT Photography

Casual Eats

Essential eateries for your radar.

MR GO'S This neon-lit hotspot and shout

Image: Whistling Sisters

out to hardworking local market gardener Mr Go was home to last year's Burger Wellington winner Kiwi China, China Kiwi.

Serving Pan-Asian Kiwi-influenced street food, grab a Gua Bao (their alternating $6 weekly special offers incredible value) and share some sides like Mince + Cheese Dumplings, Spinach Chaat and Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. Wash it down with a local wine, beer or fiesty Asian-spiced cocktail and make sure you leave room for their famous soft serves: Peanut Butter Chocolate (using Fix & Fogg, natch) and the Momofuku Milk Bar-inspired Cornflake Milk. mrgos.co.nz

pancetta, green pepper corns and more, and reconstructed, complete with reinserted bone and intact skin, in a labour of love she'll be repeating 1,000 times over the 17 days of the festival. Our anticipation levels kick into overdrive after we spot Kiwi restaurateur royalty Steve Logan and co (of Logan Brown fame) at a neighbouring table checking out the new additions to Greenfield's weekly changing menu. Billed as 'European soul-food', Greenfield's next level comfort food has been wowing Wellingtonian taste buds with her masterful twists on the classics showcasing fresh, local ingredients since she and partner Raechal Ferguson (responsible for the stylish, minimalist bistro-chic asethetic) swung open their swanky doors on Wakefield Street. In addition to the duck (a flawless combo of succulent, smoky gaminess humming with green pepper and offset by the piquant tartness of a damson jus) Greenfield (former Head Chef at Sotheby's in London who created menus to complement their art auctions) is getting biblical with her Seven Sacred Species event (Aug 22) inspired by the Middle East.

Our teaser of her Smoked Goat Cheese Fritters, Chicken and Fig Pastilla, Warm Potato Salad (with green harissa oil and olives) and Jewish Honey Cake with Fig and Honey Ice Cream (one of their 17 handchurned 'adult ice creams') is a religious experience in itself cramming off the chart flavour levels into each addictive bite.

Also winding back the clock are the team at Le Samouraï with their retro flashback Fondue & You party (Aug 15) hosted by legendary sommelier Ryan McKenna. The intimate, French-style Tory Street bar, based on the cult(ish) flick of the same name, rocks a repurposed basketball court for its tables among an eclectic fitout and is the brainchild of the team behind sibling hotspots sharing the same building the wildly popular Asian eatery Chow, slick cocktail lounge and live music venue The Library, and newly-minted cocktail concept Forresters Lane. Morphing from early morning cafe through to wine bar during the evening, there's plenty to see by either watching the staff working their magic or the city pass by the glass frontage. The 70s-themed fun kitsch-fest puts an old spin on shared dining as we laugh and wrangle with fondue forks, dipping a selection of breads, charcuterie and vegetables into pots of molten gooey Wairarapa cheesey goodness and sip Martinborough's finest as funky soul music fills the space. In addition, Executive Chef Kristan Mulcahy has created the Frenchest of burgers with his Le Coq Au Vin Burger Wellington entry putting a red wine-braised chicken thigh, bacon and pickled mushroom chutney between a toasted potato bun for a brilliant update on the classic.

Afterwards, we follow cocktail architect Pete Lowry around the corner to Forresters Lane where chief concoctionist Laura

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THE FLIGHT COFFEE HANGAR

Housed in an old car park and former site of their specialty roastery, Hangar offers a true bean to cup experience where fine cafe fare sits alongside some of the city's best coffee, craft beers, wines and cocktails including their eye-widening Cold Drip Martini. Timber and exposed brick walls set the scene that packs them in, including regular and Kiwi NBA legend Steven Adams who was enjoying an incognito brunch under a hoodie during our visit. Back up the explosive flavours of their GF and vegan offering Kumara & Potato with a tasting trio of flat whites and start the day right. flightcoffee.co.nz

PREFAB An instant institution on

opening, Bridget Dunn and Jeff Kennedy's (the creators of Caffe L’affare) perpetually heaving cafe, roastery, bakery and ACME & CO test kitchen is a masterstroke of ingenuity. Located in a huge, super light warehouse-style space it epitomises industrial cool. Enjoy the aromas of freshly roasted coffee and baked bread while sipping a breakfast cocktail or recover with a signature detox juice to the soundtrack of jazzy tunes as you wrack your brains trying to pick the best dish from a menu of winners (FYI, you can't go wrong with the Grilled Halloumi). The well-stocked cabinet fare only adds to the confusion but gives you yet another reason to come back.

Whatever you do, don't leave without trying a doughnut. pre-fab.co.nz

Walk this way

Walker and the team give cocktails the same love contemporary chefs do their food with a seasonal menu changing weekly. It's a casually cool intimate space where unused summer fruits sit in preserving jars awaiting a winter reincarnation. Bitter Celebrity Breakups is the menu inspiration on our visit, but we're here to try their Visa Wellington On a Plate cocktail, or a variation on it, Born, Buried and Dug-Up. A piratey elixir of Smoke & Oakum Gunpowder Rum, Reid + Reid Vermouth, yellow chartreuse and housemade aromatic bitters has been buried in a cask in Ōtaki and will be dug up after six months in time for the Festival.

Mixed with fresh lemon and starring a hangi roast tamarillo crumble, it’s an astoundingly good libation, fresh and brilliantly balanced with a thrilling edge.

“Do you want me to just feed you?” says Wellington culinary maestro, namesake and resident silver fox at Shepherd, Shepherd Elliott. It's an offer too good to refuse as we nod eagerly in agreement, and a fitting finale to our gastronomic odyssey in the capital. Tucked down Hannahs Laneway the former canteen for Hannah's factory workers is a collab between hospo

heavyweights Elliott (Leeds Street Bakery) and Sean Golding of neighbouring Golding's Free Dive. Espousing sustainability, and ethical fresh local fare where nothing is wasted, Shepherd exudes a sexy 70s vibe where pops of red join jars of preserves and breeze block walls under designer lighting and knowledgeable friendly staff are happy to offer a peerless drinks match or have a chat. Seated at the open kitchen makes for a dinner-and-showtype experience as we watch our oysters being shucked in front of us. Supremely fresh they're served natural, with Chardonnay vinegar and shallot cream, and crunchy Korean fried with kimchi aioli with precision control of the flavours allowing the heroes to shine. An eye-rollingly good creamy savoury steamed custard with bacon vinaigrette and toast is followed by the delicate gaminess of Venison Tataki, the hearty flavours of Umami beef short rib and butcher's paper special Pigface Pasta, where smoked pork tongue meets egg pasta, pork broth, lemon puree and a dusting of black garlic powder is a highlight.

The daily Rye Wholemeal Doughnut is Negroni, which we duly pair with the classic cocktail for a stratospheric climax.

Image: Fix & Fogg

Image: Shepherd — Jeff McEwan, Capture Studios

More than just a gourmet walking tour, Zest Food Tours' knowledgeable foodie and tour guide Fiona Arbuckle sprinkles our tour with history, architecture and arts along with the city's culinary movers and shakers from Mojo Coffee, the roastery and cafe chain with world domination on its mind to Gelissimo Gelato's former IT guru, now gelato godfather Graham Joe, who creates award-winning confections for his waterfront gelataria as well as special event and signature gelatos like gorgonzola for Ombra. Sample a platter of the region's finest at Wellington stalwart Moore Wilson's deli and fresh food store (they have three cheese rooms, just saying), and discover the gastronomic delights of Hannahs Laneway visiting Fix & Fogg's quirky peanut butter window offering tastings and selling hot toast smeared with their wares, Leeds Street Bakery hitting up those famous salted caramel cookies and Wellington Chocolate Factory's bean to bar ethical and organic crafted chocolates. zestfoodtours.co.nz

Need to Know EAT & DRINK

Sugar Flour FB/sugarflourpastry Oikos Hellenic Cuisine oikos.co.nz Garage Project garageproject.co.nz HUSK huskbar.co.nz Whistling Sisters whistlingsisters.co.nz Field & Green fieldandgreen.co.nz Forresters Lane forresterslane.co.nz Le Samourai FB/LeSamouraiwgtn Shepherd shepherdrestaurant.co.nz

Image: Fix & Fogg

DO

Visa Wellington On a Plate, Wellington, Aug 10–26, visawoap.com 26

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Zest Walking Food Tours zestfoodtours.co.nz Te Papa tepapa.govt.nz

STAY Grand Mercure Wellington grandmercure.com

MORE INFO WellingtonNZ.com

Cityscape catches up with Hamish Gee from The Feelers, who have gone from street buskers to NZ music icons, about what fuels their performances (not alcohol) and gearing up for their upcoming tour.

charts, but success can come and then go as easily as it came, so we were thrilled when that album managed to stay in the top 50 for over a year.

FEEL THE BEAT!

WHAT’S THE ONE MOMENT YOU’D LOVE TO RELIVE? If you ask me the same question in a couple of months I’m sure I’ll say this tour. It’ shaping up to be the best yet.

CONGRATS ON 25 YEARS! WHEN YOU STARTED OUT, DID YOU IMAGINE YOU’D BE CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE? The short answer is yes. We’ve never thought about retiring from music. It’s something we love so much I can honestly look forward to the day we celebrate our 50th anniversary.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO YOUR LONGEVITY? The bond that we have is unbreakable and we are like family to one another. And again, we simply love what we do.

WHAT’S HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE BAND AND YOUR MUSIC? Record companies and radio stations alike became aware early on in our tenure that there is so much musical talent here in New Zealand.

Regardless of whether an enforced quota was placed on how much local content was played, there was clearly enough international quality New Zealand music to stand up against anything from overseas. Because of this attitude in the industry, that really took hold in the mid 90’s and still exists today. We’ve enjoyed a huge amount of radio play and other support.

WHAT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN IN THE NZ MUSIC INDUSTRY? Technological breakthroughs with regard to recording software have made it simple for any musician to record their ideas at home with minimal expense and have their material heard. And social media has made it simple for artists to promote their music without having to run expensive advertising campaigns via television, radio or poster runs.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE FEELERS STARTING OUT? My advice to those younger, slightly out of control Feelers would be that alcohol and performances don’t always mix! We’ve recently realised that and now our shows are fuelled by adrenaline.

WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A BAND? Our first album received the New Zealand Music Award for Best Album and reached number one on the official

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ANY YOU’D RATHER FORGET? Getting naked in front of 8,000 people at Mystery Creek, immediately after a swim in Mystery Creek (shrinkage).

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO BURGEONING KIWI ROCKERS LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY? Know everything!

ANY OTHER MUSIC GOALS YOU’D LIKE TO TICK OFF? I suppose the next milestone would be the New Zealand Music Industry Hall Of Fame. I feel like we’re old enough for that now.

JAMES AND YOURSELF ARE CHRISTCHURCH NATIVES, WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT WHEN YOU VISIT? Mum’s, so long as I’m cooking. I imagine James would answer the same. No disrespect to our mothers’ cooking.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO BAR AND WHAT DRINK DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU’RE HERE? We always look forward to a Ginger Tom or two from Dux Central, or a Ngahere Gold from Harrington’s Breweries, after the show of course.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT PERFORMING IN CHRISTCHURCH? The Cantabrian audiences have always been among the most enthusiastic. Hopefully that’s not just because of the amount of friends and family in the audience.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING MUSIC, WHAT CAREER PATH DO YOU THINK YOU’D HAVE TAKEN? I can’t imagine doing anything other than music. When we’re not writing, recording or performing, I teach music, James and Andy produce other artists and Clint is probably NZ’s most sought after session bass player.

We will always eat, breathe and sleep music I think.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE YOU’LL BE IN ANOTHER 25 YEARS? Twenty five years from now I expect we’ll be preparing for another tour to celebrate our 50-year anniversary.

The Feelers 25th Anniversary Tour, The Foundry, Jul 7, thefeelers.co.nz

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.” – Pete Seeger, environmentalist

PLASTIC, SO NOT FANTASTIC

LUCY LAWLESS Most Kiwis will remember back in 2012 when Lawless and six other activists were arrested for boarding an oil drill at Port Taranaki. Since then, she’s continued her fearless work with Greenpeace, protesting Norwegian oil giant Statoil (now Equinor) as it drilled for oil in the Arctic last year.

To celebrate Plastic Free July, Cityscape gets its Gwyneth Paltrow on to help turn the tide on the tsunami of plastic trashing the planet.

Nobody wants to be responsible for the death of a baby turtle choking on one of your old shopping bags, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Lots of New Zealanders are passionate about adopting a completely plastic free lifestyle (just check out the Facebook Group Zero Waste In NZ! if you don’t believe us) but if banishing all single use plastic seems like a lofty goal, then rest assured, even small steps can make the big difference.

This month marks Plastic Free July, an initiative that challenges consumers to reduce or completely eliminate disposable plastic. From its humble beginnings by a few volunteers in Perth, Plastic Free July has snowballed into a global movement that inspires everyday folk to ditch single use plastic – and draw attention to the devastating impact it has on our environment. So with that in mind, here are some simple ways you can get your eco-warrior on and help do your bit!

CELEBRITIES FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

MAKE THE SWAP

Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one such as those from Go Bamboo – a New Zealand company that sells natural toothbrushes using bamboo as an environmentally friendly raw material. gobamboo.co.nz Aim for beauty products that use as little packaging as possible. We are loving Ethique, a Christchurch-based beauty company that produces solid beauty bars with all biodegradable ingredients and wrappers. ethiquebeauty.co.nz Use bees wax wrap or foil instead of plastic wrap such as Honeywrap, sold at Ballantynes. ballantynes.co.nz Use your own reusable produce bags for your fruit and vegetables. myvitabag.co.nz

LEONARDO DICAPRIO Famous for his environmental campaigning as his movie roles, DiCaprio has donated millions to ocean and environmental charities through The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. He is also on the boards of Global Green USA, Natural Resources Defence Council and World Wildlife Fund.

BIG UPS!

Ditch plastic straws for paper ones or reusable metal straws and ask for them at bars when you’re out for a drink.

PLATE UP Having a picnic or BBQ? Use reusable plates and cutlery or choose a biodegradable variety such as Palm Leaf Plates, which produce a range of natural sustainable plates made from the fallen leaves of the Areca palm tree. palmleafplates.co.nz

WIN! WE HAVE 3 SETS OF PALM LEAF PRODUCTS TO GIVEAWAY. CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS.

Save the environment one bottle at a time.

Check out GM Hair Design’s Mike Hair Care Refuelling Station, where you can give your bottles a second life and fill them with locally made products that are 100% nasty-free. gmhair.nz

JACK JOHNSON The UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador encourages fans to connect with non-profit groups and take action via his social action network All At Once. He supports plastic free initiatives and promotes solutions to plastic ocean pollution by throwing his celebrity weight behind the #CleanSeas pledge.

THAT’S A FACT!

10 million tonnes of plastic goes into the ocean every year

100,000

tonnes of waste were sent to landfills

by Kiwis in 2011

5 trillion

plastic bags will be consumed worldwide this year – that’s a lot of zeros (and bags)

Recycled?

Even when recycled, plastics are mostly made into low grade products that only get one more use before they’re binned

Forever

Every single piece of plastic ever created still exists because plastic breaks up, not down, becoming permanent pollution

Canopy Landscape Architects’ Paul Roper-Gee talks to us about sustainability and the health of our urban waterways.

The pollution of our rural rivers and streams in New Zealand gets a lot of media attention, however some of our urban waterways aren’t in good shape either. Often highly modified by urban development, contaminants and sediment through storm water run-off regularly seep in, making them an unsuitable habitat for native animals and plants. Thankfully Christchurch City Council (CCC) has been a pioneer in restoring our city’s urban waterways by focussing on ecological and aesthetic values together with drainage function. Over the last 25 years, native planting, converting linear box drains into naturalised streams and reducing containment loading has made a big difference.

APPYNESS

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

– Robert Swan, activist

SUSTAINING OUR CITIES’ WATERWAYS

LITTERATI Take photos of

THE GOOD ON YOU APP

rubbish and upload it with the GPS coordinates to help build a map that puts pressure on companies and their packaging that are polluting each area, providing info needed to solve the problem.

Users can check a brand for its impact by rating on three key areas: how they treat people, the environment and animal welfare. It also helps you find similar brands that match your style and your values.

#ECO-GRAM

2.5 million

Image: David Hollander

marine animals are killed annually due to plastic debris

But there is still a lot more to do. At Canopy, we have recently been working together with CCC and the local residents of Shirley helping to enhance Shirley Stream – a small waterway that feeds into the Avon/Ōtākaro River. The community’s ‘Stream Care’ group has for the last few years been busy with regular rubbish removal and monitoring of water clarity. The Stream Care group is a great way for local families to meet and help their children develop knowledge and understanding of their natural environment.

This year the Stream Care group completed its first planting project – adding 800 new native plants along the stream banks.

There are multiple other ecological restoration projects like this underway across our Garden City with regular community planting events to get involved in throughout the winter months.

Consultation is currently underway on a restored Avon/Ōtākaro River corridor through the Red Zone. This is a massive opportunity to redefine our city and place nature at the heart of our urban community.

We are looking forward to plenty more planting in the coming years.

Exciting times ahead! canopy.co.nz

LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE These eco warriors are helping Kiwis to reduce how much food they waste in order to save money and the environment. @love_food_hate_waste_nz

FOREST AND BIRD Follow the legends that are helping to defend New Zealand’s wildlife and wild places – on land and in our oceans. @forestandbird

FLAWLESS VISION Cityscape sits down with Christchurch’s brightest rising star, Nakita.

/ FLAWLESS VISION

WHAT HAS THE LAST YEAR BEEN LIKE FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST? It has been a really busy year for me actually! I dropped my EP VISION in late January and then followed that release with a music video that I shot late last year with director Sam Kristofski, for my single ‘SUCKA’. A lot of performance opportunities have come out of my new music dropping, so that has been the biggest highlight for me. Jumping up on stage and bringing to life a song that I’ve written is literally the best thing. With any spare time I’ve had between shows, I’ve also just been developing my songwriting and working towards releasing new music.

A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE WE SPOKE LAST. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW LOOK AND SOUND. A lot has changed for me since my first album Foolish Ones came out. For one, I grew up a whole lot... I’m not 16 anymore, so with that I just consciously pushed to show that through my new look and sound. My music is always a direct reflection of the tunes I am into at that time, so with a couple of years between the two EP’s, my taste developed too. Styling wise, I’ve never felt more myself in the way I look. It’s a bit more bold yet slouchy and I feel that reflects a heightened version of who I am as a person completely.

WE’RE LOVING VISION, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH LEROY CLAMPITT AGAIN? Leroy is the best. I’ve never clicked with anyone musically like I do with him. It was an absolute pleasure to work with him again on this EP. He actually flew across from LA for this project, so we ended up staying at his family home in Pirongia. It’s the perfect place to hide away creatively and just get everything out of your head and back into your music. When Leroy and I wrote the track, we knew and planned for it to be the opening track on the EP, which was themed all about making your vision (for me, my music) something that is a reality and a bit of a ‘fire on a hill’ for everyone to see. That’s a pretty strong theme and summarised the whole EP, so it was incredibly easy to make that the title for the whole project.

‘SUCKA’ IS SUCH A POWERFUL ANTI-LOVE SONG. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT? It was written from my frustration about a friend’s unhealthy relationship. I know how a taste of blinding love and infatuation can be, and I know it’s a viscous pull towards someone who you know isn’t good for you. But I still didn’t fully understand my friend so I forced myself to step into her world, to understand the reality of an unhealthy relationship and why it was so hard to not just get out! The line, ‘Imma sucka for you’ wraps up the entirety of what the song is about. It’s about the aching push and pull addiction of returning to someone who is toxic and controlling. I wouldn’t describe ‘SUCKA’ as an anti-love song, it’s more just a reflection of the mind of an individual who is in an unhealthy relationship.

AND YOU GUYS DROPPED IT ON VALENTINE’S DAY! We thought it would be fun to release it on that day just because of how the theme of the song was so twisted about love. What better day to drop it on – the day where everyone in the world is so conscious of love and then when they hear ‘SUCKA’, they actually realise the reality of what ‘love’ is like for some couples.

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THE STYLING FOR THE ‘SUCKA’ VIDEO IS SO RETRO-COOL. HOW MUCH FUN WAS THAT SHOOT? That was incredibly fun to create and the guy starring is actually my drummer, Reuben Jacobs. It was an absolute honour to have Sam Kristofski directing the video. I literally couldn’t be more stoked with the outcome and how the retro influence and vibe are portrayed so well over the song. It was such a chill video to shoot because it was all shot on film. Each role of film only captures a couple of minutes of footage so we really got to take our time and plan out each shot super carefully as we only had one chance at getting it right.

We shot the video over five days and it was definitely the most fun I’ve had in such a long time!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DO WHEN YOU’RE BACK IN CHRISTCHURCH? Seeing my family of course! I miss home cooked meals and the fresh water. Sounds so silly, but the little things become the major parts you miss the most when you are away from your hometown. I’ll definitely be heading to the beach when I’m back though, rain or shine. Every day when I lived in Christchurch, I would have a walk on the beach and mentally that was the best thing for me.

WHAT’S IT LIKE PERFORMING IN FRONT OF A HOME CROWD? I’m sure it’ll be the best and most responsive crowd I’ll have! I’ll have all my mates in the crowd and there will be more of a chance for people to know my songs. I’m holding out for this to be the best show yet.

HOW HAVE YOU ACHIEVED SO MUCH AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE? I think it all comes down to the way I was raised and the way that my parents nurtured and encouraged my gifts when I was young! They never put me down for my dreams, yet always did everything they could to help me achieve them. Along with that, hard work and an amazing support crew. Every achievement comes down to the team around you – and that goes for everyone!

YOU’D HAVE MET SO MANY HEAVYWEIGHTS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. WHO WERE YOU MOST STARSTRUCK BY AND WHY? Hmmm... probably Benny Tipene, which sounds so silly to me now but I was super young at the time and he was a huge influence to me. I loved his music and he was just such a ‘cool chill’ guy that I freaked out a little when going into the co-write with him. Those feelings settle down quick when you realise that literally everyone is just the same and we’re all here just trying to do our thing.

A GENIE GRANTS YOU 3 WISHES, WHAT ARE THEY? Genius inspiration and excellent execution. Protection over my family and I. Genuine fulfilment in everything I do going forward.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SHOWER JAM? ‘Bathwater’ by WESLEE. WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE KIWI MUSICIANS? LOVING these guys at the moment – Matthew Young, L.A Women, The Venus Project, Balu Brigada, LEISURE. Winterlude: Once Upon A Time, The Foundry, Jul 21, FB/Thisisnakitamusic

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

Stuck on you Cityscape catches up with Veronica Herber about her exhibition at The Central Art Gallery and getting all tangled up in tape!

YOUR WORK IS SO INSPIRING. TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING INSTALLATION AND EXHIBITION AT THE CENTRAL ART GALLERY. I was born and bred in Christchurch and moved to Auckland over 10 years ago. Since then I have been in many shows in Auckland and overseas, but really felt it was time to come back to my hometown and show my work here.

Jonathan Smart always showed fantastic edgy contemporary work when I lived here in the 90’s so it is quite the honour to be back home exhibiting in his gallery. I have both an indoor and outdoor practice, I make large outdoor work with beautiful Japanese Washi tape and it seemed a perfect fit to make both an outdoor piece to link the Arts Centre, Matariki Festival and the art

show. The installation will literally lead people from one end of the Arts Centre to the other.

YOU USE MASKING TAPE AND WASHI TAPE. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO USE TAPE AS A MEDIUM? I started out as a painter but at AUT University they really push you to go beyond your comfortable aesthetic. Luckily I had a lecturer who could see that I was prepared to take chances so I kept experimenting till I left paint altogether and became pretty obsessed with tape. It is a wonderful medium, the tape itself is made from mulberry and rice paper and has a rich Japanese heritage. It is also incredibly versatile, it covers any surface and is surprisingly strong.

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YOUR LARGE SCALE INSTALLATIONS ARE AMAZING. WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF THE PROCESS AND HOW DO YOU PROTECT THEM FROM THE ELEMENTS? The hardest part is actually dealing with the elements, the big works for the Waiheke Sculpture Park on the Gulf all got blasted with (supposedly) freak storms that seemed to come out of nowhere, so while houses were being washed off cliffs, I am trying to hold together this delicate work made essentially from paper. By the third time I was in the show I thought I had chosen a peaceful sheltered site but no, a particularly vicious storm came through and stripped all the leaves off the trees protecting my work and destroyed two of my 9-metre bamboo tape screens.

YOUR INSTALLATIONS ARE TEMPORARY. WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE GET FROM THEM WHEN THEY SEE THEM? I am interested in making people take a pause and fully experience my work. When the work is temporary I find people stay with it for longer because they know that it will be gone in a few weeks, it is their only chance of seeing it. I find it brings people into the moment which can be a very grounding peaceful experience.

/ STUCK ON YOU

sponsored by the wonderful people at Tapespec in Auckland who import the tape from Japan. Terry Smith, the owner, has been a huge supporter from the start of this journey and I simply would not have been able to make work of this scale without his support.

WHAT BECOMES OF THE TAPE AT THE END OF IT? It is wood based so can be used to light my fire. It is very low impact environmentally, even a huge installation will pack down to a small pile of paper.

WITH ALL YOUR TAPE EXPERIENCE, ARE YOU A WHIZ AT WRAPPING PRESENTS? WHAT’S THE STRANGEST THING YOU’VE USED TAPE FOR? Probably the strangest thing was being wrapped in yellow tape myself for a photo shoot for The Herald, I was very sceptical when the photographer suggested it but it turned out well.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE INSTALLATION/PIECE(S). As much as I love the drama of the huge works (one was 65 metres wide), it is the quieter indoor works that have my heart. I don’t need to fight with raging storms or blazing sun and can quietly, meditatively make them in my studio at my own pace.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO WHEN YOU’RE BACK IN CHRISTCHURCH? My mum’s! And our world class Christchurch Art Gallery. It blows my mind every time I visit, Christchurch is very lucky to have it.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Relax, you have plenty of time, each stage of your life has different gifts and experiences so enjoy the stage you are in, don’t try and rush into the next one.

HOW MUCH TAPE WOULD YOU USE IN A TYPICAL INSTALLATION? AND HOW MUCH DO YOU EXPECT TO USE AT THE CENTRAL ART GALLERY? They vary depending on the site. The Arts Centre installation is a relatively small one but will still use around 200 metres. The largest one I have done used over 2 kilometres of tape.

IS IT AN EXPENSIVE MEDIUM TO WORK IN? HOW DO YOU FUND IT? Yes it is an expensive medium and I can use up to 30 rolls in a large piece. Thankfully I am

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WHAT ARE YOU BINGE-WATCHING AT THE MOMENT? The Handmaid’s Tale, dark but incredibly relevant to our time. (Though I watch it through my half-closed fingers half of the time).

WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT TAPE? The backing can either be acrylic or rubber. The rubber substrate goes sticky and grungy after a month where as my Washi tape is completely stable, pulls off clean even after a year. And yes, you can buy it at your local hardware store if you know which one to look for.

Time+Grid+Now, Veronica Herber, until July 22, thecentral.co.nz

Midnight Special MEET THE LOCALS

Cityscape Cityscapecaught caughtup upwith with Jed Parsons about his Jed Parsons about hishighly highly anticipated anticipateddebut debutfull-length full-length album Midnight Feast, album Midnight Feast, upcoming upcomingalbum albumtour, tour, and not being too and not being too bothered botheredabout aboutwhat what people think. people think.

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YOU LEARNED THE GUITAR AND DRUMS FROM YOUR BROTHERS. WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK BROTHERS ARE GOOD FOR, OTHER THAN TEACHING YOU EPIC MUSIC SKILLS? Brothers are good for toughening you up when you’re young – my brothers once stuffed me in a cardboard box and balanced me on top of the mailbox, ready for pick-up. When you’re older they become your best friends with comfy couches to crash on whilst touring.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SONG YOU EVER WROTE? WAS IT ANY GOOD? I think it was ‘Lose My Mind’, or ‘Banana’. Performed by The Muffin Men or Choco Pie. Neither of them were good but people still remember the hooks, which is what I try to be all about.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO DROP YOUR FIRST SINGLE ‘GET LOST’ AND HAVE PEOPLE LOVE IT? WHAT IF PEOPLE HAD HATED IT? The love I’ve received has been so overwhelming. As much as I’m doing music for myself, I’m aware that my job as a songwriter is to make other people feel something, so it’s incredibly satisfying to feel that I have done my job properly. When you’re an artist, you take the love or the hate for your art very personally because it really is a part of you. I’m sure there are a few people who hate what I’m releasing, which is scary – but when I start to feel self-conscious, I just remind myself that some people don’t like mint sauce, either.

Even those people aren’t going to go and punch the mint plant in the face, so the mint plant, like me, needn’t be too bothered.

WHAT’S YOUR SONGWRITING PROCESS? I generally start with a small random idea, which could be a title, line or just a thought.

That part of the process can happen when I’m just humming a melody, or when I’m just thinking or writing. I then analyse the little bit I’ve got and decipher whatever meaning I can from it, and then I’m away. Otherwise it starts with a chord progression, but chords and melodies come as a bit of a package in my brain. ‘Get Lost’ started with the title, closely followed by the drum groove which is unusual for me.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? The first big step was making the top 20 of Mike Chunn’s ‘Play It Strange’ songwriting competition at high school. Part of the prize was studio time, and I ended up getting along really well with the guys who played as session musicians on the track – they were jamming at the studio just by chance. I was two days into Jazz School when the big earthquake happened, so with the same group of guys, we formed a band called House Of Mountain, which I played drums in, and got straight on the road. We played over 50 dates in under a year, mostly around the South Island before playing bigger locally here and abroad. I ended up playing in all sorts of projects from folk to hip-hop, which all led to the development of my own solo project.

DO YOU GET STAGE FRIGHT? Not really. I would have played over 300 shows now, so I feel pretty comfy on stage. A band I played drums in opened for Imagine Dragons in front of many thousands, and my limbs all kind of seized up, which came as a real surprise to me. I am getting a bit nervous about my album release tour in July, but once I’m on stage, I’m usually right at home.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BEST/WORST EXPERIENCE ON TOUR/AT A CONCERT … I toured Iceland after playing at Iceland Airwaves Festival with a singer songwriter called Hera. One of the shows was in a little stone church in the middle of nowhere, and after the show the entire crowd came outside with us where we all buzzed out at the Northern Lights together. That was pretty amazing. The worst (and some great) experiences were moments on tour with a band

whose lead-singer would insist on trashing hotel rooms... I also played at a festival on a small island in Sydney Harbour where the accommodation for eight of us turned out to be a single tent, and they didn’t have a drum kit for me on our stage.

WEIRDEST FAN REQUEST/INCIDENT? There used to be a squad of girls called Tegan and the Troubles who would turn up to every single Christchurch gig and do parlour tricks around the dance floor. They used gymnastics ribbons and glittery make-up, and would get kicked out of most gigs. They were pretty quirky.

WHAT ALBUM/SONG DO YOU HAVE ON HIGH-ROTATION AT THE MOMENT? Sex & Food by Unknown Mortal Orchestra is up there, as well as Smiley Smile by The Beach Boys.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVENT/GIG. My first proper gig was in Wanaka for a Christchurch rebuild fundraiser concert. Straight after the February 2011 earthquake, Snow Park had offered their accommodation for free to Cantabrians as a bit of an escape, so my crew of creatives headed down there and set up a studio in the lodge for a week where we wrote songs and recorded. We played at the concert as “repayment” for their hospitality. It was super fun, and Cairo Knife Fight played.

PERSON YOU’D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH. A healthy Neil Diamond would be pretty hilarious.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE. It’s a tie between the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, and 10’s. There’s no second place, though.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR CHRISTCHURCH GIG? Expect a rollercoaster of a night. I’ll be playing all the songs from my album, a few of which are a bit more heartfelt than what I’d usually play at my rowdy live shows. But be absolutely prepared for some stage-diving antics and terrible jokes. We have a pretty funny 80’s synth-wave style band called Sunset Synth opening for us, which will be fun too.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING WHAT YOU ARE NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE? Sometimes I wish I was a builder – I love the idea of being able to create something tangible, with clear start and finish points. I hate mornings too much though.

FAVE HAUNT YOU’VE EVER PERFORMED AT? There was a place in Harlem, New York called Silvana – it was super jazzy and pretty entertaining. There was even an ex-US marine that got up on stage and proposed to his fiance in typical American style, which really got me going.

ONE DAY I’LL … Pull big crowds in Japan.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY THREE PEOPLE LIVING OR DEAD TO A DINNER PARTY, WHO WOULD THEY BE? Tim Shadbolt – what is it about that guy? Have you seen the video of him riding a child’s scooter past someone’s house? Jimi Hendrix – he’s probably the coolest person ever, plus he was OK at music. Donald Trump – he’d make the dynamics at my dinner party hilarious, plus I’d love to figure out what’s going on up in there.

WHAT’S ON THE CARDS FOR THIS YEAR? My debut album release! Midnight Feast comes out on July 13, with a tour of all the main centres to follow – I’ll be in Christchurch on July 27. I’m not aware of life beyond then, at this point.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HAUNT IN CHRISTCHURCH? Blue Smoke – it’s a great vibe. Lyttelton Records’ gigs sound amazing too, and darkroom is always friendly and fun.

/ ENTERTAIN ME

Watching

Our picks of the best flicks, music, books, games, and TV to get into this month.

ADRIFT (JUN 28)

HOT PICK

The true story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft and her fiancé Richard Sharp serves as inspiration for Baltasar Kormákur’s (Everest) big-screen adaptation Adrift. Shailene Woodley (Divergent) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You) take the leads in this harrowing tale of survival and challenging one’s own mentality against physical challenges and adversity. You’ll want to bring the tissues along for this one, as a direct hit in the feels will most likely be on the cards.

It’s okay – let those tears roll.

WIN! WE HAVE 5 DOUBLE PASSES TO ADRIFT TO GIVEAWAY. CHECK OUT FB/CITYSCAPE.CHRISTCHURCH TO ENTER.

THE ESCAPE (JUL 5)

THE EQUALIZER 2 (JUL 19) The follow up to 2014’s American vigilante action thriller hit The Equalizer (duh) sees ex-CIA man-of-mystery Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) coming out of retirement, uh, again for another round of stealthily taking down of a new line-up of villains (led by Game of Thrones’ Pedro Pascal), vigilante-style. The guy has a certain set of skills, OK? Under the direction of Antoine Fuqua (Olympus Has Fallen and Southpaw) and with the first film a sneaky box office hit, the sequel is set for the same hard-hitting action and top-notch acting (bless you, Washington) evident in the first film.

Unsatisfied with the lacklustre life that she lives and growing tiresome of the mounting weight of pressure from marriage and parenthood, Tara (Gemma Arterton, The Girl With All The Gifts) seeks to find a way to combat the monotony that has been plaguing her, in this raw drama from BAFTA-award-winning director Dominic Savage. Co-starring alongside Arterton as her husband is Dominic Cooper (Preacher), who remains ignorant of her downward spiral into depression. A front-runner at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, the film has garnered praise from critics for its thoughtful and dramatic showcase of marital life.

DVD: THE ENDLESS In this eerie supernatural-thriller, two brothers happen upon a cryptic video message with the contents luring them in to seek out the UFO death cult they narrowly escaped from over a decade ago. Filled to the brim with mind-bending twists and brought to you by two creative masterminds behind the V/H/S film series, you know it’s going to be a goodie.

WIN! WE HAVE A COPY OF THE ENDLESS TO GIVEAWAY. TO ENTER, SEND AN EMAIL TO INFO@SOMOCREATIVE.CO.NZ WITH “THE ENDLESS” IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND TELL US YOUR FAVE THRILLER MOVIE. ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 31.

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/ ENTERTAIN ME

PLAYLIST

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

NAKITA ‘SUCKA’ Vision

Listening HAJA, THE ADULTS

Most notable as the frontman of iconic Kiwi rock band Shihad, Jon Toogood’s latest musical venture sees his other band The Adults – a collab between veterans of the NZ music scene and a line-up of upcoming Kiwi musos; JessB and Raiza Biza – releasing their sophomore album HAJA this month (Jul 20). Taking inspo from his wedding in Khartoum, Sudan and the traditional music, Aghani Al-Banat (which translates to ‘girls music’) performed as part of the ceremony, he teamed up with Shapeshifter alum Devin Abrams to aid in structuring what would become HAJA. Expect feel-good tunes and fresh beats layered with epic vocals for one of NZ’s most highly-anticipated album releases.

LOVE MONSTER, AMY SHARK

Reading

Indie-pop songstress Amy Shark has had a few hectic months as of late playing the Australian festival gamut including Laneway Festival and gearing up for her Lollapalooza gig kicking off early August, but that hasn’t stopped her from

prepping her debut album Love Monster set to drop July 13, which features brooding crooner ‘Adore You’, and lead single ‘I Said Hi’. The Aussie singer/songwriter has had positive reception around the aforementioned big hits – gaining traction on music giants Apple Music and Spotify – and has found favour in the likes of Lena Dunham, who claimed it “saved her life.”

ARCTIC MONKEYS ‘Four Out Of Five’ Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

DECADES ‘The Truth’ The Truth And Other People

HIVE MIND, THE INTERNET Following up from their 2015 funk-soul album Ego Death, California soul collective The Internet are set to drop pure fire with their latest album Hive Mind (Jul 20). When asked what the meaning behind the album’s title was, founding member Matt Martians described it as a “collective ego” which shares similarities with their previous album. If their irresistible hit ‘Roll (Burbank Funk)’, which also got a tricked up remix by long-time collaborator Kaytranada, is anything to go by, fans can expect some of the same smooth and funky tunes The Internet are renowned for.

THE QUAKER, LIAM MCILVANNEY This chilling new crime novel combines suspense with intrigue as the city of Glasgow is ravaged by an elusive serial-killer known by his moniker the Quaker. A game of cat and mouse ensues between killer and pursuer of Justice DI McCormack with the latter becoming entangled in a web of secrets that will alter his life.

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

CARDI B ‘I Like It’ Invasion of Privacy

DRAKE ‘God’s Plan’ Scary Hours

WARLIGHT, MICHAEL ONDAATJE Michael Ondaatje’s first novel in seven years is a vivid, thrilling read melding themes of violence and love, intrigue and desire. Set in the years post-WWII, siblings Nathaniel and Rachel experience strange occurrences with an eccentric group of men and women – all of whom seem determined to protect and educate the siblings. As time goes on layers of secrets and harsh realities come to light.

/ ENTERTAIN ME

PLAYING THE PERSISTENCE CLOSED NIGHTMARE

ARCADIA RETRO ARCADE & PINBALL EMPORIA Head for the retro-cool of Arcadia Retro Arcade & Pinball Emporia and jam out on one of their many pinball and arcade machines or kick back and tuck into their epic selection of burgers, fries, shakes and more!

204 Barbadoes St, 020 4128 0157 arcadia.net.nz

The Japanese sure knows how to deliver a good scare. And that is just what you’ll get when newcomer Closed Nightmare hits consoles July 19. Players take on the role of Maria Kamishiro, who wakes to find herself in a strange location without any recollection of why she is there. To make matters worse, her left arm is paralysed and a mysterious figure by the name of Chizuru is hot on her heels and forces her to engage in a strange experiment in order to escape.

Presented as a “live action horror movie” each subsequent action you undertake will result in either your success or demise. nippon1.jp/consumer/nightmare

Prepare to brave the scary-good times of Playstation’s latest horror game The Persistence, dropping this month (Jul 24). As the sole survivor of the freak dark matter accident that has befallen the titular deep-space vessel, the player is tasked with navigating and sneaking their way through hordes of mutated crew members and other terrifying enemies in a desperate attempt to repair their ship. Stealth is the M.O of this game, with developers Firesprite advising you to tread slowly and cautiously if you want to progress, because each time you lose a life you won’t be re-spawned to the spot you were previously in; instead the environment will change, and your progress will be altered. Serving as a horror warm-up before big genre hits like The Last of Us 2 and the console release of DayZ show up, The Persistence seems set to spook avid horror gamers in the interim. playstation.com

BINGEWATCHING

What we’re hoovering up on the small screen.

Image: Netflix

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Image: Netflix

Image: Netflix

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01 — THE RAIN Danish series The Rain is set six years after the onset of a virus, brought on via rainfall, ravages a good majority of Scandinavia, where two siblings navigate their way through the post-apocalyptic world on a perilous search for safety, encountering various physical and mental obstacles along the way.

02 — THE STAIRCASE Netflix’s most recent crime documentary, The Staircase chronicles the suspicious death of Kathleen Peterson – second wife to American novelist Michael Peterson. The series hones in on the events leading up to the incident and puts the author under the microscope as suspicions heighten due to previous and eerily similar circumstances of the pair’s late friend.

03 — LOST IN SPACE The space family Robinson from the original 60s sci-fi hit has been brought into the 21st-Century with this reboot. When the survival of humanity is threatened by a celestial object, ‘The Christmas Star/Meteor’, the Robinson family are chosen to colonise a new world. Their plans are foiled by an alien robot that breaches their ship, causing them to crash land in an unknown but habitable world and starting a battle for survival against environmental and personal demons as they endeavour to escape the planet.

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Food & Drink THE QUEEN APPROVES… Head to Penny Black Victorian Tearooms where you will be transported back to the year of 1897, the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee with all its etiquette and fine style.

High teas, decadent cakes and delicious refreshments are available in elegant surrounds that will have you minding your Ps and Qs. penny-black.co.nz

All Aboard

The team at Cookai Japanese Cuisine are bringing a sushi train to the heart of the city following the opening of their new restaurant at The Crossing.

This legendary local fave has had a reboot and is raring to go with their signature classics of soft shell crab, tempura sushi, ramen, curry rice and then some along with more than 60 types of sushi to sate your appetite off the train all whipped up in a kitchen helmed by experienced Japanese chefs. With seating for 120 diners, this slick new space is open for lunch or dinner seven days a week. For those after something stronger than green tea, the premises are fully licensed, with a great selection of sake, local and imported beers as well as wines and cocktails. cookai.co.nz

PRE-TRENDING

Gone are the days of chucking your used plastic utensils out with your food, Bakey’s Edible Cutlery has devised a clever way where you can use your cutlery and eat it too.

Based in India, their specially made spoons are created from a mixture of sorghum, rice and wheat flours and sculpted into delicious dough which is then baked in moulds.

Take your pick from their range of sweet, savoury or plain! bakeys.com

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SASSY SIPS

The story that inspired this seriously saucy Central Otago Pinot Noir (RRP $24.99) pays homage to Central Otago’s Madam Sass, whose namesake is an enticing Pinot Noir that features rich blackberry and sweet dark cherry aromas, with chalky tannins and complex oak spice, delivered with an opulent, rounded palate. madamsass.co.nz

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

UNDERGROUND COFFEE ROASTERS DELIVERED FRESH

Get Underground Coffee Roasters’ hot air roasted coffee delivered straight to your home or office. Weighed, ground, packed to order and delivered fresh. Free delivery NZ wide on orders over 500g. undergroundcoffee.co.nz

#INSTA-EATS ‘Grammable dining experiences for your foodie bucket list.

Recipe

Nasi goreng with scrambled tofu, tamarind, sweet soy and crispy shallots.

This Indonesian staple is traditionally served with egg, but Green Dinner Table chef and co-owner Tom Riley mixes it up with scrambled tofu seasoned with black salt in his tricked up vegan version. Serves 2.

MAKING IT HAPPEN Wash the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Strain, then add enough water to cover the rice by about 1 cm and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer. As soon as it’s simmering, stir, cover, and reduce the heat to very low.

Cook covered for 13 minutes before turning off the heat and letting it sit for another 5 minutes. Remove most of the green from the leek and cut in half lengthwise. Wash, then thinly slice. Peel the carrots and dice into 1 cm cubes.

Heat a large pan and cook the leeks on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked down and starting to caramelise. While the leeks are cooking, mince the garlic, separate about a quarter off for the tofu scramble. Add the carrots to the leeks and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring regularly. Add three quarters of the garlic and cook for another minute. Slice the tomatoes and cucumber into thin rounds. Thinly slice the spring onions. If the rice isn’t ready yet, take the vegetables off the heat. Once the rice is cooked, if there is any water (there shouldn’t be), strain it off. Roughly chop the tofu. Heat a large fry pan to medium high, and fry the tofu in a bit of oil. Using a metal spatula, break the tofu off until it begins to resemble scrambled eggs.

Add the remaining garlic, salt and a little more oil. Continue to break it apart, then add the tofu spices and mix well. Combine all the sauce ingredients and add with the peas and rice to the vegetables, and mix well. Serve the vegetables topped with rice and scrambled tofu.

Sprinkle with spring onions and crispy shallots.

SHOPPING LIST

1 piece tofu 1 cup Basmati rice 1 leek 6 cloves garlic 1 carrot 1 cup frozen peas ½ cucumber 2 tomatoes ½ spring onion 3 heaped tb crispy shallots

TOFU SPICE ½ tsp nutritional yeast ½ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp smoked paprika A pinch of black salt TAMARIND SWEET SOY SAUCE 60ml tamarind sauce (Either pre done, or soaked and strained) 30ml sweet soy sauce 10ml Sriracha sauce 20ml sweet chilli sauce

#chillingworthroad

#bangbangstreeteats

#stgermain

Double Trouble

Reaching new heights in top shelfery, Belvedere’s Single Estate Rye Series (RRP $90 each) Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek are inspired by the terroir of the estate from which their namesake hails. An innovation from the world’s OG lux vodka company, both Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek are crafted entirely from Dankowskie Diamond Rye – a notion inextricably linked to wine – but each possesses unique flavours; Smogóry Forest hints at notes of salted caramel, honey and white pepper while Lake Bartężek provides a full and mellow feel, thanks to its combination of black pepper, toasted nuts and cream. belvederevodka.com

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#hellosundaycafe

/ FOOD & DRINK

REVIEW

50 Bistro

50 Park Terrace, The George, 03 371 0250, 50bistro.co.nz

We’re basking in the golden glow of 50 Bistro’s backlit marbled stone feature wall and the warming embrace of amber-hued cocktail du jour, the aptly-titled Hot Pash, as front of house charmer Monte Stirling expertly guides us through their new menu, a showcase of the region’s seasonal best. A firecracker in a brandy balloon, the Cancuninspired elixir is a potent, nectarous chilli-spiked concoction of Agavero Liqueur and vanilla vodka, and a sun-kissed escape from the dreary, drizzly winter’s evening.

Taking its cues from the lavishly-styled surrounds of The George hotel, 50 Bistro elegantly pairs high-backed creamy leather chairs with wooden tables and moody lighting to create an intimate haven where any cares from the outside world soon dissipate in the flickering candlelight.

Adding an element of excitement and dinner theatre bravado, the open kitchen offers an insight into the neo-bistro’s culinary nerve centre where Executive Chef Antony Page and his team are working their award-winning gastronomic magic under a slew of gold plate accolades from Beef + Lamb New Zealand among others.

Having been convinced by Monte to opt for a half order of the daily baked breads, we’re grateful we took his advice when the leavened bounty of buttery Brioche, caramelised onion-topped Focaccia, chewy Ciabatta and fluffy white rolls touches down accompanied by an airy whipped butter and olive oil and balsamic vinegar providing a medley of aromas,

textures and flavours. The precision plating of our entrees sees the gamey tang of Duck Liver Parfait join the delicate creaminess of Seared Scallops with a potentially problematic wine match. However, the deft selection of the multi-tasking flinty minerality of a Mt Beautiful Chardonnay happily harmonises alongside the perfectly cooked scallops, themselves the classic foil against buttery tea-braised pork, shiitake mushrooms, mandarin and pork floss, and the embodiment of umami that is the Parfait complete with mulled wine jam and smoked egg yolk. The carefully balanced restraint and creativity of each dish highlighting the skills of a chef at the top of his game.

Having scoped out the endless awards stretching out over the open kitchen, mains are a no brainer and we opt for the Leelands Roast Lamb and Wakanui Eye Fillet. With its peppery exterior and blushingly pink inside, the lamb is melt-in-the-mouth tender and sits atop the earthy sweetness of a beetroot hummus while the crunchy saltiness of a feta croquette and scattering of

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beetroot crisps add to the elaborate profile. Similarly succulent, the beef fillet delivers a moist, meaty hit with its smoky caramelisation. It’s joined by a golden Jenga tower of hand-cut chips, buttery Bearnaise, rich jus and the tannic charms of a full-bodied Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet.

Before dessert we’re treated to a palate-cleansing Feijoa and Lemon Sorbet and perfect primer to the Roast Pineapple “Cigar” and Baked Chocolate & Cherry Cheesecake. Encased in layers of fine flaky pastry the

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‘cigar’ puts a herbaceous spin on the Pina Colada, pairing its tropical compote with a refreshing basil yoghurt sorbet and soothing coconut marshmallow. A Kir Royale jelly shines off the delicious deconstruction of the cheesecake as we sip on a syrupy Crater Rim Dr Kohls Late Harvest Riesling and a ravishingly dry Peregrine Riesling, the latter fished out of fine dining sibling Pescatore’s nation-leading wine cellar, before braving the elements outside.

SHARED DINING

food & drink hotspots

Twenty Seven Steps A multi-award winner, Twenty Seven Steps has a firm focus on robust, creative food, complemented by local wines. 16 New Regent Street 03 366 2727 twentysevensteps.co.nz

MRS HUCKS

King of Snake

NEW IN TOWN

Looking to spice up your eats and expand your foodie repertoire? Well rally the troops, set King of Snake as your destination, and prepare your taste buds for some of the finest Southeast Asian cuisine Christchurch has on offer. Pass around some of their signature dishes like the Stir Fried Chilli Prawns or Kung Pao Chicken doused in Sichuan peppercorns, Facing Heaven chillies and peanuts, add some of their highly revered oysters into the mix, and wash it all down with one (or more – we’re not judging!) of their special cocktails. Then dabble in a few of their Happy Ending desserts, such as the Marou Ba Ria chocolate fondant with passionfruit gel and roasted rhubarb. Can we get an amen?! kingofsnake.co.nz

Valley Inn Tavern Relax in the sunny courtyard, catch up with friends or tuck into great pub fare at this welcoming suburban gastro-pub. 2 Flavell Street 03 384 1124 valleyinntavern.co.nz

A homey little café that offers a full brunch menu and a selection of cabinet goodies, which can be enjoyed either in the comfy living room area or out by the fountains. You’ll find homecooked dishes, friendly staff, amazing coffee and a very comfy couch!

12 Show Place 03 982 5472 hucks.co.nz

taste@twenty Stocking a tempting array of fresh produce, taste@twenty also offer a range of ‘real’ food and some say the best coffee in the city. 20 Colombo Street 03 982 1399 tasteattwenty.co.nz

KUMO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Vin Bio

This winter, go organic with Richmond Plains’ award-winning Chardonnay (RRP $17.99). With peach and vanilla aromas this golden hued vegan friendly drop pairs a delightful nutty oakiness with a refreshing citrus finish with hints of flint and light on the buttery elements. globalshelf.nz

SUSTAINA-BEER

New Sydenham microbrewery, tap room and cafe The Fermentist rocks an across-the-board sustainability business model from its brews to its food and even toilet paper! Offering its own signature beers and cider brewed onsite (check out the Kiwi Pale Ale), The Fermentist also pulls focus on wellbeing when it comes to their nosh – with plant-based, locally-sourced fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi complemented by herbs and vegetables harvested directly from the edible garden on site. Green never tasted so good! thefermentist.co.nz

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Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar Authentic dumplings handmade each day using fresh, high-quality ingredients. 144 Lichfield Street 03 420 0376, The Colombo 03 379 8377 potsticker.co.nz

Explore the sushi train by the counter, or enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine and something from the wide drinks range in the dining area. You’ll find artistic dishes, sophisticated interior design and a warm welcome, as well as some of the city’s finest Japanese fare.

351 Lincoln Road 03 339 0886 FB/kumochch

More delicious food inspo on Instagram @cityscapemagazine_chch

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ July 18

REVIEW

Jaba Grill & Bar

2/150 Lichfield Street, 03 925 9856, jabagrillandbar.co.nz

After the first bite of the plate-filling 500-gram Tender Hung Aged Angus T-Bone, all thoughts of having over committed with the mega meaty morsel are dashed. It’s not that it’s good, it’s that it’s so good I suspect I’ll be disappointing my dog with the well picked-over, clean bone I’ll be bringing home.

“It’s cooked ‘caveman style’,” explains Jaba Grill & Bar’s owner and all-round steak guru Jay Balasundaradas as I look over the Cheviot-sourced T-Bone’s expansive charred surface glistening with juices.

Hiding below is a streak of kumara mousse while a tangle of kumara crisps and a halved charred onion sit atop.

“We put it straight on the charcoal embers (primed with bourbon-soaked woodchips, no less!) first, then finish it off in the Kopa charcoal grill,” he enthuses.

Given the cut’s quality and the caveman treatment, I’m not surprised by the ease at which my knife slices through the steak’s buttery softness revealing medium-rare perfection in the relaxed grain. The flavours on the other hand, blow me away. The charring adds a brilliant, smoky ashen

depth to the lightly seasoned, plump beefy hit and for the first time, criminally over-used steak descriptor ‘juicy’ seems not just appropriate, but mandatory. The accompanying Chimichurri sauce’s delicate marriage of parsley and garlic is a genius addition, adding a freshness without detracting from the beef, as is Manager Nav Bedi’s pairing with the smooth tannic charms of an oaky Old Mac Barossa Merlot.

The steak is joined by an equally impressive Black Angus Beef Rib, slow cooked over 8 hours in a lightly sweet smoky secret sticky sauce, it’s a hands-on affair and mercifully comes with a fingerbowl and a serving of addictive, crunchy hand cut chips. The meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, though some delightfully chewy caramelisation of the secret sauce is keeping things deliciously intact as its soul satisfying BBQ notes are celebrated between sips of the spiced bramble finish of Central Otago’s Brassknocker Pinot Noir.

The latest addition to funky new city laneway Lichfield Courtyard, Balasundaradas’ slickly-styled steakhouse is

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a casually cool space where polished concrete floors join a living wall, designer lighting hangs from an impossibly high ceiling and, behind a Cedar-fronted kitchen, a game-changing Kopa charcoal grill turns out those primo steaks and more. We tap the cocktail menu to start, drinking in the luminous, triple-tiered perfection of signature cocktail the Jaba Special (a heady mix of vodka, Midori and lime) and the refreshing sharpness of Tom Collinsinspired Berry Collins as we order in entrées of Prosciutto (the light salty sweetness of the cured ham tempered by spiced melon and the freshness of buffalo mozarella) and succulent squid sautéed with garlic and scattered with coriander leaves and chillies adding a fresh and fiesty hit, while a thoughtfully charred lemon cheek adds an intensified acid profile when squeezed over.

Despite our ample mains, the dessert menu proves too enticing and we round off the evening with the heavy-hitting decadence of the Vanilla Buttermilk Panna Cotta and Rich Dark Chocolate Coffee Mousse. The creamy panna cotta comes with just the right amount of wobble, its demure palate piqued by a sharp raspberry and aniseed coulis dotted around the plate, the intense berry burst of freeze-dried raspberries and the nuttiness of sesame seed. Served with homemade biscotti and topped with chocolate soil and roasted hazelnuts, the silken seduction of the coffee-spiked bittersweet chocolate mousse is effortless, but it’s the T-Bone I’m still thinking about when I get home to an unimpressed dog.

Lifestyle PACK YOUR BAGS

Emporium of Wonder

HIGH TIME IN NYC

Cityscape speaks to Cosi Fan Tutte’s Debbie Grenfell about the secret to finding the perfect gift.

Image: EJK Photography

Take the high road, literally, on New York’s High Line, the elevated park that runs the length of Hudson Yards to the northern edge of Chelsea. A former New York Central Railroad, it has been redesigned as a “living system”, featuring wildflowers, greenery and outdoor installations. Lauded as an icon of contemporary architecture and sustainable design, it is one of the most unique urban green lungs in the Big Apple, other than the behemoth that is Central Park. As an added bonus, the urban playground is surrounded by bars, restaurants, shopping, culture and killer views in New York – giddy up! thehighline.org

On The Marque

The much-anticipated AMG Performance Centre has just opened at Armstrong Prestige in Christchurch. One of only two such facilities in New Zealand, the exclusive showroom is dedicated to showcasing the high-performance vehicles, complete with motorsportthemed display areas and specialist trained staff. For the uninitiated, we’re talking some seriously high performance machines with roots in motorsports, and some of the most sought after vehicles in the world. In short, it’s as close as you can get to being in a racecar without getting on the track. mbchristchurch.co.nz

WHAT INSPIRES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SOURCING PRODUCT? We love natural, rustic, whimsical, beautiful, muted and rich tones and handmade. We love to be able to bring international products to Christchurch but equally we are big supporters of buy local and stock a number of products made by some of our very talented customers.

WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVOURITE BRANDS IN THE SHOP? I am a big fan of Annie Sloan chalk paint, the Surmanti range of beauty, wellness and healing products – made in New Zealand, natural and organic, and our wonderful range of Magnolia Pearl clothing – natural fibres, unique styles, exquisite detailing. WHAT IS THE SECRET TO FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT? Buy something that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves, for example a luxury item – luxury doesn’t mean expensive, it could be something as small as a beautiful soap or hand cream. Shop where you know you will get assistance and sound advice. Once you’ve found the perfect gift ensure it’s wrapped beautifully. At Cosi, we pride ourselves on our gift wrapping! cosifantutte.co.nz

Blending In Designer Antonio Citterio, in designing the Caratos range, wanted to “offer a ‘moulded’ piece, a chair with a fusion structure”, and have it be a part of the Maxalto Collection from B&B Italia. The result is modern, yet reminiscent of classic 20th Century design. matisse.co.nz 44

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TECH IT OUT

KNOW YOUR TEACHER Vincent Bolletta has been teaching and practicing yoga since 1990, and he is the founder of hañsa yoga, a unique style that integrates Eastern and Western thought and methodologies to the practice of yoga.

Cloud Control

Up your lamp game and take it to a whole new level (literally) with the Floating Cloud, a magnetically levitating ambient lamp. The brainchild of a collab between Richard Clarkson Studio and Crealev, this bad boy not only looks hella cool – we mean, how many of your peers have a levitating cloud floating around their abode? – but it can also rotate, put on a stellar light show at the control of a button and sync itself with your sound system and voice. Combining genius with design, the lamp is held in place by rare earth magnets, electromagnets and a location sensor ensuring that the Floating Cloud, well, stays afloat. Right, we’re adding that to our cart. richardclarkson.com

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FLOW

Cityscape catches up with yogi Vincent Bolletta about what you need to know before signing up for Flow Hot Yoga’s Hañsa Yoga Therapy Teacher Training.

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DO PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE PRACTISED YOGA FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE TAKING THIS ON? There is level of experience that is useful but overall what is really needed is a curious and playful mind. This training is about deconstructing our understanding of what we think yoga is, so having a beginner’s mind is probably an advantage!

WHAT IF PEOPLE WANTED TO EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO DEEPEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, RATHER THAN TO TEACH? WHAT WILL THEY GET OUT OF IT? This is for both individuals wanting to learn to teach yoga, and a course that is also geared for self-development and personal growth. You will learn techniques that heighten self-awareness, and practical exercises that assist with common bio-mechanical problems. You will also learn fundamental touch or therapeutic massage techniques that restore connection to dysfunctional areas.

The theme of the training is geared towards using yoga more directly as a therapeutic practice.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP FOR PEOPLE AFTER THEY’VE GOT THEIR ACCREDITATION? After finishing the 200 hours, students will be able to teach if they choose. They will be RYT 200 hours accredited teacher. Available to all students to the course is a 6-month mentoring process, so if students do decide to teach or not there will be a supported system available for further enquiry into the practice. To become a fully accredited level 1 hañsa yoga therapist there will be another 300 hours of training needed. There will also be an additional 60 hours for the final assignment.

FABRIQUE MAGIQUE! If you’re looking to introduce some pizzazz and quirk to your home this winter, check out the Fabric House where their vast array of hand selected, high-quality designer fabrics can transform your abode into a contemporary chic, retro/vintage or classic haven. Feelin’ the chill?

Check out their range of recycled wool throws and their slick threads for your canine friend so you can pamper your pooch and deck them out with their range of tweed dog coats, collars and leads. You’ll find the team and their fabrics at their new digs at The Tannery. fabrichouse.co.nz

Hañsa Yoga Therapy Teacher Training with Vincent Bolletta, July 27.

For those who missed the early bird special, sign up now and receive a 10-class card. Flow Hot Yoga believe in inspiring, challenging and nurturing their students, with great teachers and a selection of beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. Try out their popular Shakti Mat sessions, or get moving with Power Vinyasa and Move And Groove. flowhotyoga.co.nz

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THE LAST WORD

The Truth Is Out There Cityscape chats with Decades’ frontwoman Emma Cameron about their upcoming tour The Truth Hurts, rocking a skintight bodysuit and giving no f*cks.

YOUR BAND WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS ASHEI. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE CHANGE? We had been Ashei for around 10 years. When we went in to the studio to record our album and realised the songs we had written and the production qualities we were leaning towards were totally different from the Ashei sound – we decided it was the right time to look at rebranding and relaunching ourselves to start fresh!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN YOU HEARD ‘TERRIFIED’ ON THE RADIO? Sitting in bed waiting for it to play on The Rock at midnight – we’d been told that’s when our first song was going to be premiered! Haha!

WE LOVE THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE TRUTH’.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO ROCKING A SKINTIGHT BODYSUIT? Thank you! A ‘gives no f*cks’ attitude – something I’ve learnt to develop in myself over the last few years.

‘GET ME HOME’ IS SUCH A BADASS TRACK. WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT? Being sick of your social life and the crowd you surround yourself with, if you’ve gotten in the space where you have fake friends. Growing up and realising you want something more real.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? I’m not sure – I just did music until I found myself here!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORST DAY JOB. Checkout chick at The Warehouse when I was a teenager. Soul destroying.

WHAT ALBUM/SONG DO YOU HAVE ON HIGH-ROTATION AT THE MOMENT? I’ve been listening to Julia Deans’ new record, We Light Fire, a lot. What a voice!

What a songwriter!

YOU GUYS ARE A HIGH OCTANE PERFORMANCE. WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO ROCKING A LIVE SHOW? A ‘gives no f*cks’ attitude – haha! No, lots of rehearsals and openness to ideas of how to take it next level from just performing the music perfectly with a blank stare.

PERSON YOU’D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH? Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR CHRISTCHURCH GIG? Volume, sweat, laughing and high-fives.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING WHAT YOU ARE NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE? If I wasn’t doing this, I’d want to be doing this.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY THREE PEOPLE LIVING OR DEAD TO A DINNER PARTY, WHO WOULD THEY BE? Michael Jackson, Prince and Patti Smith.

HOW HAS LIVING IN CHRISTCHURCH SHAPED YOUR MUSIC? I suppose it has had some effect in some way, but it’s impossible to measure! A lot of great New Zealand bands have originated in Christchurch, so there must be something going on here? Maybe it was our pure water… we’re screwed now, then!

WHO’S YOUR COOLEST BANDMATE AND WHY? Ha! I would say Curtis because he does everything in the way that Curtis does things – screw everyone else. He’s a fairy-wizard man.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HAUNT IN CHRISTCHURCH? The Astro Lounge – I’m there every Sunday afternoon listening to live music and annoying the staff.

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: ONE DAY I’LL …

Learn to cook something that is edible.

Decades, Empire, Jul 13, wearedecades.com 46

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#strawberryfare

#rubynz

#greendinnertable

#flowhotyoga