Cityscape Issue 16 December 2018 - January 2019

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DEC 18 /JAN 19

CHRISTCHURCH CURATED | YOUR MONTHLY FIX Summer is coming in hot and so is Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival, so tap our lineup of must-see talent!

We get our foodie on and tuck into epic flavours at Universo Brasserie & Bar and Cookai Japanese Restaurant, do the rounds on all things beauty, fashion and homewares plus drop all that’s hot and happening in our city.

JOIN OUR

IMAGE: PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON, BREAD & CIRCUS – WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL

DIGITAL COMMUNITY DOWNLOAD THE FREE CITYSCAPE APP AND VISIT CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ

CHRISTCHURCH CURATED FOR LOVERS OF STYLE, FOOD, MUSIC, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL, BEAUTY AND CULTURE

CITYSCAPE Issue 16

CONTENTS

December 2018 / January 2019 In this issue

Publisher Andrea Rickerby Editor Mark Wilson Deputy Editor Majka Kaiser Digital Marketing & Content Manager Penny Newton Editorial Assistants Jessica Wells & Clementine Page Creative Tristan Brehaut Account Manager Derek Thorp Accounts Administrator Claire Ross 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.

12 16 22 24 29 Download the Cityscape app and join our digital community for lovers of style, food, music, lifestyle, travel, beauty and culture!

06 THE DROP Tip-offs, trends and more.

09 THE LUST LIST Summer’s most coveted pieces.

10 CULTURE CALENDAR Two months of culture.

16 SMOKE & MIRRORS The Buskers are back in town.

20 DEM BONES Cityscape talks to the man behind Skeleton of Color.

22 ROCK CHIC(K) Cathy Richardson of Jefferson Starship.

24 THE BEST OF SUMMER Concoct a sizzling summer to remember, Christchurch style.

29 STYLE FILES This season’s hottest fashion.

30 ENTERTAIN ME Film, music, books, games & TV. 33 FOOD & DRINK Eating and drinking in the city.

35 REVIEW: UNIVERSO BRASSERIE & BAR Cityscape checks out the tropi-cool vibes.

38 THE LAST WORD Cityscape braves the Hot Brown Honey flames.

ON THE COVER

Butch Locsin, aka Skeleton of Color, will be dropping his Instaworthy smoke bombs all over the city when he’s here for Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival. Peep our Q&A of him on page 20.

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

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The Drop

Pattern and Chance – Net, 2018

TIP-OFFS, TRENDS & MORE

MARKET WATCH

Riccarton Market’s annual Christmas Market is on Sunday December 9. There will be a great selection of Christmas goodies.

The entertainment lineup includes the Canterbury Caledonian School Pipe Band, Takumi Japanese Drumming Group and Te Kotahitanga Kapahaka Group. riccartonmarket.co.nz

ELIZABETH THOMSON

ART IMITATING NATURE It’s a return to The Central Art Gallery for New Zealand artist Elizabeth Thomson. Her exhibition Relativity and The Structure of Things (until Dec 9) continues to explore the theme of the natural world. In this exhibition she uses many different materials to create beaded, contoured forms, as well as painted bronze elements arranged in linear perspective to recreate rolling landscape views. This ambitious exhibition gives us both detail and the big picture, and will definitely reward repeat viewings. thecentral.co.nz

LUCKY NEW YEAR’S EVE Kiwi rock royalty in the dapper shape of Jordan Luck will usher in 2019 alongside his band (aptly named the Jordan Luck Band) when they take over Hagley Park on New Year’s Eve. Luck, the first inductee to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and forever famous for vocal duties on Exponents’ classics such as ‘Why Does Love Do This to Me’ and ‘Who Loves Who The Most’, will have you dancing before a midnight fireworks display rounds out the epic lineup of entertainment. Before that, entertainment for the whole family including perennial crowd favourite MulletMan, free activities, fairies and a special countdown for the little ones at 8pm is on the cards and the music programme also features DJs and live bands Deep Water Creek and Dillastrate.

FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

Orangetheory Fitness have recently taken up residence on Moorhouse Ave, rockin’ the calorie-burning craze that caters to all fitness levels.

Burn calories and increase your energy levels like never before with the ‘Orange Effect’, a phenomenon that has been praised globally for its amazing results. moorhouseave. orangetheory fitness.com

jordanluckband.com

FOLLOW US

THE TANNERY

CHRISTMAS MARKET Make a beeline for The Tannery Christmas Market on December 20, where from 10am to 9pm a smorgasbord of accessories, fashion, jewellery, homewares and tasty food offerings will be up for grabs. Peruse the vast collection of boutiques and stalls in the Atrium and Blue Smoke, including bespoke jewellers Merlesque, or spruce up your interior décor with prints from Magma Gallery. With Christmas just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to grab a bargain! thetannery.co.nz

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/ THE DROP

DESIGNER DIGS

FASHION

CLASSIC HITS

THE ROAD TO ELEGANCE

NEW KID ON THE RETAIL BLOCK

NEW MEETS OLD

Station Road have opened a showroom at 148 Victoria Street. Everyone from those looking for rustic wares to the elegant hostess searching for luxe Hollywood glam can finally find those classic and contemporary statement pieces they’re looking for. Station Road also offer an interior design service and furniture placement advice. Make a booking to enjoy their showroom in private.

After some slick threads that’ll keep you one step ahead of the game? Check out Indigo & Provisions, a fashion concept store inspired by specialist boutiques from Europe and Japan. Helmed by Dominic Ellett, Indigo & Provisions sources premium denim, workwear-inspired clothing, funky kicks, accessories and lifestyle products for the lads and lasses. Peep their range on the first floor of the Boys’ High Building in the Arts Centre.

Pushing concepts of chamber music to new heights, Chamber Music New Zealand’s vibrant and diverse 2019 season will showcase some of the finest musicians the world has to offer, including Piers Adams, James Baillieu, Viktoria Mullova, Matthew Barley and Stephen De Pledge. These and others will perform works from the likes of Bach, Schubert and Ravel. Subscribe and be delighted by virtuosic talent all year round!

stationroad.co.nz

indigoandprovisions.com

chambermusic.co.nz

Awk-word: Nek lev is the love child of ‘next’ and ‘level’. Made somewhat acceptable by Stan Walker when he proclaimed the phrase on The Project, ‘nek lev’ has found favour in conversations pertaining to out-of-this-world experiences or just doing anything above average.

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/ THE DROP

IT ALL STARTED WITH THE BALLANTYNES BAG.

When Danielle Casey and her Visual Merchandising team at Ballantynes began the process of designing this year’s Christmas window displays, they found inspiration in the custom-designed Christmas shopping bags that the department store has used in recent years.

The bag is covered in drawings that include a dolls’ house, rocking horses, musical instruments, tricycles and other classics derived from the store’s archive of vintage toys. The idea was to use the Ballantynes history of Dunstable House, a name that traces back to 1854 and the first building on the central Christchurch site, and bring it to life in a fun and festive way.

By using the dolls’ house as a depiction of Dunstable House, it created a reference to the bag and the Ballantynes heritage.

As the project developed, the bag inspired not only nine different store window displays – each one an iteration of a room from the house, complete with oak panelling and heritage wallpaper – but also The Merry Mice of Dunstable House, a beautifully illustrated and wittily written children’s story that brings the whole concept to life.

With art imitating art, the book tells the story of the mice running riot through the same rooms and scenes as are captured in the windows, and the windows provide hiding places for the animated mice caught in the acts of mischief depicted in the book. To cap it all off, when Santa and Ballantynes’ staff

unveiled the windows to the public on November 23, the big reveal was preceded by Santa reading the book to the crowd of children that had gathered. The book is available to buy, and Ballantynes has also donated a copy to each primary school library in Christchurch and Timaru.

You can buy the mice as well – well, their smaller Danish cousins anyway.

The mice in the windows are modelled on the ever-so-cute Maileg mice from Denmark that Ballantynes stocks. In another example of just how dedicated Casey and her team are to getting it right, dozens of larger mice were handmade and handdressed because the originals were too small to be easily visible in the window displays.

Just as it started, so it all ends with the Ballantynes Christmas shopping bag. Casey was inspired by the Where’s Wally books and so the team has put together a Treasure Hunt activity sheet for the children (of all ages) who will visit the store to see the windows. As viewers move from one to another, they are encouraged to “spot the vintage toy” in each window. And the toys they are looking for are versions of the vintage ones on the bag. Lots of fun, and a lot to keep them busy as well! ballantynes.co.nz

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Lust list

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Summer’s most coveted pieces for the home and wardrobe.

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1 Age Eyewear Voltage Glasses (RRP $269) from Infinite Definite 2 Maggie Marilyn I Can Count On You Wrap Top (RRP $620) from Ballantynes 3 Cosimo de Medici Collar (RRP $16,900) from Filigree Fine Jewels 4 Olga Berg Paris Clutch (RRP $189) from Ballantynes 5 Disce Mori By Julia deVille Bone Bracelet (RRP $520) from Plume 6 Foscarini Behive Table Lamp (POA) from ECC 7 WilliamsWarn BrewMaster Bench (RRP $7,965) 8 Curionoir Pocket Parfum Purotu Rose (RRP $50) from Infinite Definite 9 Miss Wilson Claudia Heel (RRP $299) from Ballantynes

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What’s on CULTURE CALENDAR

PETER PAN GOES WRONG COMEDY Following the success

Image: Sebastien Gracco de Lay

of the West End’s The Play That Goes Wrong comes another triumphant disaster.

Isaac Theatre Royal, until Sun 2 Dec, peterpangoeswrong.co.nz

ELIZABETH THOMSON: RELATIVITY AND THE STRUCTURE OF THINGS EXHIBITION Elizabeth Thomson, one

of New Zealand’s leading artists, will have selected works on display.

The Central Art Gallery, until Sun 9 Dec, thecentral.co.nz

ITALIAN MID-CENTURY MODERN EXHIBITION Explore the recent spoils

of Ross “mr mod” Morrison’s buying trip in this exhibition which will feature pieces for sale from designers including Osvaldo Borsani. mr mod showroom, until Sat 22 Dec, mrmod.co.nz

LIMBO, BREAD & CIRCUS – WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL

STEVE CARR: CHASING THE LIGHT

LEIGHS CONSTRUCTION OUTDOOR CINEMA

EXHIBITION Local artist Steve Carr’s

FILM/FAMILY Rally the troops and

exhibition uses six large-scale video projections to explore the poetics of an explosive display.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 10 Feb, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

grab the popcorn, the Arts Centre is ringing in the summer months with its series of outdoor cinema flicks.

The Arts Centre, Thu 6/Fri 7 Dec, Fri 25/Sat 26 Jan & Fri 8/Sat 9 Feb, artscentre.org.nz

WE DO THIS EXHIBITION The Christchurch Art

LUIGI ROSSINI: LE ANTICHITÀ ROMANE EXHIBITION Luigi Rossini’s dramatic

and large-scale engravings from his first major portfolio.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 20 Jan, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

JULIET PETER: WHERE THE LINE LEADS EXHIBITION Explore the wondrous

ALI HARPER

works of New Zealand painter, printmaker and potter Juliet Peter in this exhibition.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 20 Jan, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Gallery has revamped its contemporary collection spaces with a series of artworks to mark 125 years of women’s suffrage.

Christchurch Art Gallery, until Sun 26 May, christchurchartgallery.org.nz

SOUTH ISLAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL FESTIVAL The South Island’s

favourite wine and food event returns to Hagley Park for another year of food and beverages from the finest wineries and food vendors in the South Island.

Hagley Park, Sat 1 Dec, winefestival.co.nz

MULTI MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS SANTA PARADE FAMILY The South Island’s largest

Santa Parade returns to the CBD after eight years in suburbia. Expect a plethora of floats, fun and of course the man of the hour, Santa.

Madras Street, Sun 2 Dec, christchurchsantaparade.co.nz

THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW: LIVE COMEDY Critically acclaimed

and award-winning comedian Catherine Tate will be gracing the city.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Mon 3 – Wed 5 Dec, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

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ADDINGTON CHRISTMAS AT THE RACES PARTY It’s party season so why not

indulge in fab cuisine and entertainment with a side of harness racing down at Addington Raceway.

Addington Raceway, Thur 6 Dec, Sat 8 Dec, Fri 14 Dec, Fri 21 Dec, theraces.co.nz

RICCARTON PARK CHRISTMAS AT THE RACES

THE ABBA SHOW PERFORMANCE Far from being ‘just another cover band’, The ABBA Show is a full-scale theatrical production featuring over two hours of tunes from everyone’s fave old-skool pop group.

Horncastle Arena, Sun 9 Dec, theabbashow.com.au

WU-TANG CLAN: 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 36 CHAMBERS LIVE MUSIC Celebrating 25 years

since their ground-breaking debut album Enter the Wu-Tang, the hip-hop masters are heading to Aotearoa for the first time.

Horncastle Arena, Thu 13 Dec, eventfinda.co.nz

BRICKMAN ‘WONDERS OF THE WORLD’

PARTY Kick start the silly season

EXHIBITION Ryan ‘The Brickman’

with a trip to Riccarton Park, where a festive atmosphere, delicious food and racing action awaits.

Riccarton Park Events Centre, Fri 7 Dec, theraces.co.nz

McNaught brings his world of LEGO masterpieces to the South Island, including models of the Empire State Building and Big Ben. Air Force Museum of NZ, Sat 15 Dec – Sun 20 Jan, thebrickman.com

SEVEN DEADLY STUNTS PERFORMANCE David Ladderman

and Lizzie Tollemache are bringing their zany, nail-biting stunts, such as chainsaw juggling and walking on broken glass, to the city.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 8 Dec, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

MEL PARSONS LIVE MUSIC Indie-folk singer-

songwriter Mel Parsons is heading home to celebrate her fourth album release, Glass Heart.

Lyttelton Arts Factory, Sat 8 Dec, melparsons.com

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CHRISTMAS JOY WITH ALI HARPER LIVE MUSIC Join Ali Harper and

special guests Jennine Bailey and The Voices Co. Youth Ensemble with Julian Hay for a night of festive cheer.

The Piano, Sun 16 Dec, thepiano.nz

CSO PRESENTS: A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS LIVE MUSIC The CSO is returning for

another year of seasonal orchestral favourites and carols.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Wed 19 Dec, cso.co.nz

/ CULTURE

THE TANNERY CHRISTMAS MARKET

BREAD & CIRCUS – WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL

CHRISTCHURCH 10KM WALK/RUN

SARAH MILLICAN: CONTROL ENTHUSIAST

MARKET Fuel up on some delish eats,

FESTIVAL Christchurch’s iconic

FITNESS This series of fun fitness

COMEDY Award-winning comedian

peruse a fine selection of craft stalls and groove to some stellar beats at this top-notch Christmas market.

The Tannery, Thu 20 Dec, thetannery.co.nz

summer time event has had a revamp and is rocking a new name.

Various venues, Thu 10 Jan – Sun Feb 3, breadandcircus.co.nz

events is back for another year.

Tackle the 10km tracks traversing trail, sand, park and road.

Various locations, Sun 20 Jan, Sun 3 Feb, Sun 17 Feb, Sun 10 Mar, chch10km.co.nz

Sarah Millican is bringing her comedic antics (topics include farting in hospital pants and what can happen at a bra fitting) to the city.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Sat 26 Jan/ Sun 27 Jan, sarahmillican.co.uk

BLACK CAPS VS SRI LANKA: 2ND TEST SPORT The Black Caps are set to

take on rivals Sri Lanka in one of summer’s most hotly anticipated sporting events.

Hagley Oval, Wed 26 Dec – Sun 30 Dec, nzc.nz

THE FUNATORIUM: MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY FAMILY Roll up! The circus with a

twist is back in town and is set to bring chaos, thrills and tricks.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Thu 27 Dec – Sat 29 Dec, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Family entertainment

kicks off the evening, followed by tunes from DJ’s and live bands – don’t miss the headline act the Jordan Luck Band who will rock you into 2019 with a midnight fireworks display.

Hagley Park, Mon 31 Dec, ccc.govt.nz

FOLLOW US

FAT FREDDY’S DROP LIVE MUSIC Freddy’s annual summer

roadie gets a New Zealand music royalty treatment this year with the addition of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Black Seeds, Ladi6, Salmonella Dub featuring Tiki Taane and more!

Hagley Park, Sat 12 Jan, fatfreddysdrop.com

ELAINE PAIGE IN CONCERT

TOTO, DRAGON & JEFFERSON STARSHIP: A SUMMER’S DAY LIVE

AN EVENING WITH NIGELLA LAWSON

VINE RUN

TALK Nigella Lawson is heading our

LIVE MUSIC Legends behind hit tunes

way and will be divulging on her colourful culinary career.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Fri 25 Jan, nigellaliveonstage.com

the picturesque vineyards, hills and valleys of Pegasus Bay Winery at this annual fun run/walk.

Pegasus Bay Winery, Sun 27 Jan, vinerun.co.nz

‘Africa’ and ‘Rosanna’ are heading our way, along with reborn 1960s hippie icons Jefferson Starship, and Kiwi faves Dragon.

Hagley Park, Sun 13 Jan, neptuneentertainment.co.nz

THE FRANK BURKITT BAND LIVE MUSIC Great blues and folk

await when The Frank Burkitt Band call into Blue Smoke.

Blue Smoke, Sun 13 Jan, frankburkitt.co.nz

LIVE MUSIC Musical theatre icon

Elaine Paige is Christchurch-bound as part of her Australasian tour, performing hits such as ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ and ‘Memory’.

Isaac Theatre Royal, Mon 21 Jan, isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

FESTIVAL Get your glam on and

make for the polo, one of the hottest events of the summer.

Hagley Park, Sun 27 Jan, hagleyparkpolo.com

FITNESS Navigate your way through

THE GREAT KIWI BEER FESTIVAL

FATBOY SLIM NZ TOUR

FESTIVAL The annual celebration of

to dance floors across the country, UK big beat pioneer Fatboy Slim returns to New Zealand for five live shows.

The Gloucester Green, Wed Jan 30, fatboyslim.net

sun and suds returns to Hagley Park for another summer with dozens of craft brews, great food, and a big live music lineup.

Hagley Park, Sat 26 Jan, greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz

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HAGLEY PARK POLO CLASSIC

LIVE MUSIC Guaranteed to set fire

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Culture LITTLE TOWN, BIG SHOW

CULINARY GENIUS

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN Britain’s one and only kitchen queen, Nigella Lawson is making her way to the city on January 25 as part of her delicious new tour An Evening with Nigella Lawson which sees her taking to the stage at the Isaac Theatre Royal and showcasing her culinary insights, philosophies, tales and skills. The ultimate foodie experience, this interactive, intimate and engaging event is one not to be missed.

Enter a world of food inspo and get a taste of what’s up on Lawson’s agenda!

Make for the quaint village of Little River, peruse a collection of stalls and check out the best of what the Little River A&P Show has to offer when it rolls around on January 19. littlerivershow .org.nz

nigellaliveonstage.com NOT BOVVERED

Award-winning comedian Catherine Tate will be bringing her hilarious antics to the city for a string of live shows (Dec 3 – 5). isaactheatreroyal. co.nz

HOPHEADS’ DELIGHT The Great Kiwi Beer Festival is once again coming our way with over 40 craft brewers and 35 street food vendors ready to tempt your taste-buds. Now in its eighth instalment, this mid-summer fest is sure to delight even the most discerning beer drinker, with more craft beer than you can shake a hipster at. So come January 26, gather your tribe at Hagley Park and navigate through the wide variety of beer on tap, indulge in some top nosh and chill out to sweet tunes in the sun. greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz

FESTIVE CHEER

TINSEL AND TRA-LA-LA Everyone loves a jolly Christmas sing-along, and what better way to do it than with special guest soloists backed by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra? Just the thing to put you in the spirit, the annual yuletide musical festivity will be presented

by CSO chief conductor Benjamin Northey, who will lead the orchestra on a night of musical delight (Dec 19). Waltz on down to the Isaac Theatre Royal and get in the mood to celebrate the holiday season with this glittering Christmas concert! cso.co.nz

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IT’S SANTA TIME

Jump into the Christmas spirit with the Multi Media Communications Santa Parade (Dec 2), which will feature over 130 floats, costumes galore and of course the Big Guy himself, Father Christmas. christchurchsanta parade.co.nz

/ CULTURE STATEN ISLAND ROYALTY

36 AND COUNTING Conquering Horncastle Arena’s stage this December 13 is the one and only Wu-Tang Clan, who are returning to the city for a one-off performance that sees the remaining originals – Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, RZA, Raekwon, Masta Killa and Cappadonna – perform a nostalgic lineup of songs from their rockin’ debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) to celebrate 25 years of groundbreaking hip hop madness.

WHAT THE ROCK?

Prepare yourself for a night of dynamic showmanship when Kiwi rockers Blindspott bring their blistering set to The Foundry (Dec 14) as part of their Reunion Tour. A riotous evening of epic rock awaits!

fuzen.co.nz

theticketfairy.com

LUIGI ROSSINI

GET YOUR GROOVE ON

ARTISTIC INSPO

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Twenty-eight pieces by famed Italian printmaker Luigi Rossini take up residence at the Christchurch Art Gallery until January 20 in the exhibition Le Antichita Romane.

Influenced by early 19th Century Romanticism, Rossini’s famous creations have inspired architects, artists and writers alike.

Time to glam up and get down to the timeless sound of ABBA when internationally acclaimed tribute band ABBAsolutely fABBAulous bring classics like ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Waterloo’ and ‘Fernando’ to Horncastle Arena on December 9.

christchurchartgallery.org.nz

theabbashow.com.au

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TOTO, HIPPIES AND DRAGONS

Get your nostalgia on and make for A Summer’s Day Live, a new summer concert series that will take over Hagley Park (Jan 13). TOTO, San Fran hippie high-flyers Jefferson Starship and Kiwi faves Dragon are locked in for this stellar show that you won’t want to miss. neptuneentertainment.co.nz

/ CULTURE WANDER IN

PHAT DROPS OF SUMMER A stellar day of summer tunes is on the cards when Fat Freddy’s Drop unleash some of those feel-good hits we love at Hagley Park this summer. Joining them is a powerhouse of some of New Zealand’s best live acts alongside other top international musicians – the lineup includes Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Black Seeds, Ladi6 and DJ Norman Jay, with more epic talent yet to be announced. Be sure to catch Freddy’s super-charged summer roadie when these heavy-hitters pull up on January 12. fatfreddysdrop.com CONCERT

TERRIFIC TRIO

PAIGE PAYS TRIBUTE

UNCOVERED

D’SENDANTZ Looking to add some chillax vibes to your next shindig? Hit up local trio D’sendantz, who have found favour in popular hospo haunts the Carlton and Aikmans for their incredible live performances and unique spin on classic tunes from a multitude of genres. Consisting of Marcel Bramao, Dru Sione and Iona Ulaula, the trio came to fruition way back in 2011 and all have musical backgrounds (particularly in singing). Cruise on down and catch these fellas when they next hit the stage!

She’s earned the title as the First Lady of British Musical Theatre and now Elaine Paige is hitting the city’s Isaac Theatre Royal as part of her Australasian tour (Jan 21).

Expect a performance that pays tribute to famed songwriters like Lennon & McCartney, Tim Rice and Harry Nilsson and also promises to feature many classics from her vast repertoire such as ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ and ‘Memory’. You won’t want to miss her remarkable show that is sure to have you rising to your feet in applause!

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elainepaige.com

FESTIVE DELIGHTS

DECK THE HALLS WITH ALI AND FRIENDS! Songbird Ali Harper is once again celebrating another year filled with music and joy. The much-loved Canterbury entertainer will sparkle on stage with the Voices Co. Youth Ensemble, their musical director, winner of TVNZ’s Naked Choir Julian Hay on piano and local jazz singer Jennine Bailey. Grab your loved ones and treat yourself to a sublime concert of beautifully festive music at The Piano on December 16 at 3pm and 7pm. thepiano.nz

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Image: Lisa MacIntosh Photography

/ CULTURE

MAD AS A HATTER

SARAH MILLICAN

MEL PARSONS

IT’S ALWAYS TEA TIME

CONTROLLING THE LAUGHS

HEART OF GLASS

You’re invited to the maddest party of the year when the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party comes to the Isaac Theatre Royal from December 27 – 29. Whether you take one lump or six, the “stupidest tea party ever” – as Alice herself called it – is sure to have something to delight every member of the family. With tricks, acrobats, dancing, sing-a-longs, and the outrageous characters and hyperbolic scenes from Lewis Carroll’s much-loved book, tickets are sure to disappear faster than the Cheshire Cat!

After a laugh? Award-winning comedian Sarah Millican is bringing her most recent comedic venture, Control Enthusiast, to the Isaac Theatre Royal (Jan 26/27). Marking ten years of providing rib-tickling humour, Millican is guaranteed to throw some seriously uproarious topics of discussion at crowds. The cheeky comedy icon will cover the unglamorous but nevertheless hilarious curiosities of womanhood, among other saucy sketches that highlight many of life’s hilarities.

Celebrating the launch of her fourth studio album Glass Heart, Kiwi songbird Mel Parsons will be gracing the Lyttelton Arts Factory with her indie-folk melodies this December 8. Seeking the creative genius of renowned American producer Mitchell Froom (whose CV includes working with musical talent such as Crowded House and Suzanne Vega) alongside a star-studded cast of session musicians, Parsons’ new album oozes the trademark poignant storytelling style that she is known for.

isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

sarahmillican.co.uk

melparsons.com

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Smoke & Mirrors

It’s a new twist on an old tradition – when Scott Maidment took up the reins as creative director of this summer’s Buskers Festival, he had in mind the sideshow theme of smoke and mirrors, of illusion versus reality and the demi-monde of cabaret and circus.

That vision will burst onto Christchurch streets and into various venues on January 10, when Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival 2019 brings its magic to the city.

Skeleton of Color will bring the smoke – a whole arsenal of it in a kaleidoscope of hues. Piff the Magic Dragon will bring the, umm, magic. And the splendour of the Victoria Spiegeltent will bring the mirrors.

Maidment is creative director of Australia’s Strut & Fret Production House, which for 20 years has delivered “catch your breath” moments to theatre and festival-goers the world over. Events to their name include the Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne festivals.

His first Buskers Festival runs for 3½ weeks – previous years it has been 10 days.

He wants the longer run to create a bigger festival buzz in the city, with people talking about the shows they have seen and trying

things they haven’t tried before. “It’s a gateway festival for people to try the arts – if they think they are not interested, they can take a step. And there’s free, busking and ticketed events, so there is a broad range of experiences,” he says.

Maidment sees Christchurch as a perfect festival city – up there with Edinburgh, Adelaide and France’s Avignon – because its compact size and grid layout mean you can walk from one venue to another to another. And strong community links mean everybody knows about the festival.

Maidment and his team have done their bit, now it’s time to do yours. Check out our Top 10 choices, read our artist Q&As, explore the festival website and most importantly, move fast to get tickets or you will be left out in the cold.

Jan 10 – Feb 3, breadandcircus.co.nz

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/ SMOKE & MIRRORS

10 ACTS TO CATCH Roll up, roll up, the buskers are

in town – or will be come January 10. Need a little guidance? Cityscape has done the hard – oh so hard – yards to bring you our Top 10 picks for acts not to miss.

01

SKELETON OF COLOR

Straight up – the Insta-worthy smoke bomb performances by artist Butch Locsin, aka Skeleton of Color, are a dazzling, hyperbolic assault on the senses that you won’t want to miss. Using smoke grenades to produce psychedelic clouds of smoke, Skeleton of Color revels in bringing colour to the darkness by incorporating Hispanic folklore into his performances, most notably his many Dia De Los Muertos skeleton masks, in a prismatic nod to the cultural celebration. Just follow the kaleidoscopic plumes of colour when he explodes onto Worcester Boulevard.

Jan 10 – Feb 3 | Worcester Boulevard

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HOT BROWN HONEY

When a show comes with a long string of warnings of adult themes, haze machines, nudity, coarse language and strobe effects (just to name a few), you know it’s going to be good. Turning up the heat with plenty of colour, culture and controversy, Hot Brown Honey promises to make you ‘laugh until you cry, clap until your hands bleed, dance in the aisles and shake every part of what your mama gave you’ in this genre-defying show that’s packed with sass. Unapologetically fierce and turning tradition on its head, these soul sisters aren’t afraid to pack a punch with a generous dose of empowerment!

Jan 11 – Jan 20 | Assembly Hall – Christ’s College

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PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

Free to enter, good chats guaranteed and d-floor participation encouraged – punters are invited to hit pause on the performances and break bread at the Backstage Social Club. Fan boy/girl with the international and local artists, established and emerging producers, facilitators and enthusiasts while revelling in the buzz of what is unquestionably the best buskers festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

There aren’t many people that can say they make a living out of doing magic tricks wearing a dragon suit, but Piff the Magic Dragon is one of them, and by all accounts he’s the best in the biz. Clocking up over 100 million views online, sold-out shows in the US and Canada, a much-lauded appearance on America’s Got Talent and a supporting slot for country crooners Mumford & Sons on their latest tour, this entertainment phenomenon is guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor. He will be accompanied by Mr Piffles, The World’s Only Magic Performing Chihuahua. Prepare yourself for some serious belly laughs and mind-bending madness.

Jan 15 | The Backstage Social Club, Arts Centre

Jan 11 – Jan 20 | Assembly Hall – Christ’s College

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BREAKING BREAD

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/ SMOKE & MIRRORS

KAPUT

Cityscape talks to the king of creative chaos, Tom Flanagan, aka Kaput, about the importance of cold beer and the upside of keeping his mouth shut.

Sounds like you must have a clowning background? I think I was born a clown.

Luckily for me, years in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, a children’s circus school in Australia, and working with clowns I admire have honed my skills so that I might now get paid for my idiocy.

So how are you when it comes to real DIY? Everything in our house that is broken will get the Tom treatment before I even think about calling an expert (with the exception of electrical and plumbing – some things you don’t want to take chances on). I’ve fixed overheating engines on the beach with a pair of scissors and a fork, built houses from timber I’ve milled, and revolutionised my father’s bush dunny (outdoor toilet). And definitely don’t ask me to plaster a wall. I try to make sure my real DIY efforts end more successfully and are less hilarious than in the show, but one can never guarantee this to be the case.

I’m picking you’ve taken some inspiration from the likes of Eric Sykes in The Plank and Jacques Tati? Oh I definitely admit Sykes and Tati, but a lot of the plank inspiration came from Norman Wisdom and Bruce Forsyth. More than anything I’m constantly inspired by my peers, the ones I get to see in the flesh – Captain Frodo, Gareth Bjaaland, Derek Ives and Mooky Cornish to name a few.

Your show looks very physical – what do you do to prepare for a performance? And to warm down afterwards? After years of working on really demanding acrobatic shows, Kaput is a bit more kind on my body. I still need to make sure I stretch and warm up. I get into trouble a bit forgetting to warm down after. The clean-up after the show can

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KAPUT

If ever there was a man to take ‘elegant buffoon’ as a compliment, it’s largerthan-life slapstick comedian Tom Flanagan. His award-winning family show is guaranteed to give you the giggles and feels in equal measure, as we see the clumsy Tom, aka ‘Mr Fixit’, take one step forward and two steps back in his lonely, dustcovered world. In what’s been described as utterly enchanting, hilariously funny and a beautifully poignant bit of madness, this silent slapstick acrobatic comedy show has wowed audiences the world over and is one not to miss!

Jan 11 – Jan 20 | The Backstage Social Club – Arts Centre

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be pretty involved (wait till you see the mess I make), and if there is a local beer waiting in my dressing room after the show, the only cooldown I’ll remember to do is the beer coming out of the fridge and into my mouth.

Have you ever injured yourself in performance? And if so, did the audience notice? There are going to be injuries in physical shows – it’s part of the job description. I do everything I can to make sure I’m safe from my own chaos but sometimes accidents happen. Recently I managed to get my thumb caught in some sticky tape and ended up having to wear a splint for months. I know: sticky tape seems harmless after doing backsaults from the tops of ladders, doesn’t it? I don’t think the audience noticed, I’d like to think that I covered it pretty charmingly until after the performance when I really felt the pain changing my son’s nappy while he wrestled me to the death.

Fringe festivals have been good to you – what’s been your oddest audience moment? Oh, I have many odd moments.

My whole show is odd moments, especially where the audience is involved. I cannot even begin to pull one out. I can guarantee that if you come to a show you will witness one for yourself.

The good thing about silent performance is that there is no language barrier, so that must have opened many doors for you?

One of my favourite things about silent clowning is the different communities you can reach, and just how much communication really is free of words.

Recently I did a gig for an audience with a good bunch of deaf people. They picked up on tiny gags everyone else misses, and I loved that. I try as much as possible to reach out to non-English speaking communities, deaf communities and hard of hearing communities. Theatre can be a really closed-off medium for these people and I want to make sure my show is as accessible to everyone as possible regardless of physical abilities, language, culture and age.

How much do you know about New Zealand and Christchurch? Been here before? Oh I love New Zealand. We were holidaying in Christchurch earlier this year and stayed in Lyttelton for a good chunk of it. And I especially love your Prime Minister. Our mob could learn a fair bit from your mob.

What does the rest of 2019 have in store for you? Tours around New Zealand, Japan, Australia (especially rural Australia, which is my favourite), writing a new show and, oh yes – almost forgot – having a baby!

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MULLETMAN

In what can be described as a glorious tribute to a glorious haircut, MulletMan has squeezed back into his stonewash jeans, splashed some diesel in his hair and returned (for the 13th time) to entertain crowds on the streets of Christchurch. As well as having a talent for juggling fire, knives and spanners on a ridiculously tall unicycle, the festival favourite and proud Cantabrian will serve up plenty of audience participation, genuine LOLs and circus stunts when he busks up a storm at the festival.

Jan 11 – Jan 20 | Cathedral Square Pitch; North Quad Pitch; Christchurch Art Gallery Pitch

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BETTY GRUMBLE

Are you Betty to Grumble?

Introducing the intoxicating cabaret performer who is part surreal showgirl, part obscene beauty queen, part wild woman. Audiences can expect killer dance moves, poetry, selfdefence disco, drag, love and a fair bit of nudity, but don’t even try to dissect this eco sexually charged flesh riot – this sex clown is an experiment and testament who chooses to encapsulate the world of ridiculous. Buckle up, expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride with your eyes wide open.

Jan 11 – Jan 19 | The Old Boys’ Theatre – Christ’s College

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LIMBO

What do you get when you blend an intoxicating mix of cabaret, gutchurning contortion, breath-taking acrobatics and jaw-dropping stunts? Answer – a show so mind-blowing that Madonna went to see it twice. Already seducing audiences worldwide, prepare to be blown away by gravity-defying stunts and serenaded by the electrifying beats of New York’s Sxip Shirey. Sign us up!

Jan 10 – Feb 3 | The Spiegeltent

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MODERN MĀORI QUARTET

They’re suave, they’re seductive and they’re smooth as silk – ladies and gents, prepare to be spellbound by the Modern Māori Quartet! Channelling the revival of ‘rat pack’ showband entertainment of bygone eras with a proud heritage of Māori traditions, this charismatic four-piece share their aroha (love) through waiata (song) paired with their signature comedy and soul-soothing harmonies. Expect Māori showband hits, Kiwi classics, original music, seriously impressive suits and a whole lotta irresistible old-skool charm.

If you sing only in the shower for fear of being judged, then Pub Choir is here to help you hit the right note – in the company of hundreds of perfect strangers. A phenomenon that started in Brisbane a year ago and has since experienced a huge upswing in popularity, this interactive experience will have participants learn a three-part harmony in 90 minutes, and by the end of it, Pub Choir promise you’ll surprise yourself silly with how good you sound. In what looks to be the most fun you can have sans a karaoke machine, Pub Choir asks us to open your sound hole (your mouth), get out of your comfort zone, channel your inner rock star and get into the rowdy, wholesome fun.

Jan 22 – Jan 23 | The Spiegeltent

Jan 11 | Sixty6 on Peterborough; Jan 12/Jan 13 | The Spiegeltent

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PUB CHOIR

DEM BONES

Behind the rainbow clouds of smoke and oversized skull masks is a man who really just wants to win the lottery. Cityscape talks to performance artist Butch Locsin about his remarkable Skeleton of Color.

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hen did you first perform as the Skeleton of Color and how did it go? I began performing as the Skeleton of Color in 2015. It went really well!

The reaction from the group of photographers I performed in front of was really reassuring.

Then when I saw the photos that were taken from the performance, I really knew that I had something good going for me.

What was your inspiration for the character? That’s hard for me to say. I’m the same person with or without the mask on. It's an extension of myself. My character is me. When the mask is off I'm creating art through a

drawing or painting. With the mask on, I'm creating art through my performances.

How did you come to be a performance artist? For me, it's when I gave myself permission to call myself that. It took me about three months to accept that I had become a performance artist. I started for a simple reason, to get photos of myself to incorporate into my drawings.

When I was taking my art classes and began creating my first illustrations, I wanted to create my own source of inspiration. I was using a lot of references from other artists. I didn't want to do that any more. It made more sense to me to become a

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performance artist. I can visually see what I'm doing through photos and the process became much better. I was getting what I needed and much more than I could ever have expected.

Any idea what artistic directions you will take next?

Every level of success that I consider to be an achievement has given me an insight to what direction I need to take.

Preparing for those scenarios has been the key to success.

2018 was a very successful year for me and has definitely put a lot of options on the table. I don’t really want to answer that question because I have a superstition that once you

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/ SMOKE & MIRRORS

announce your plans to the world, especially without setting them in motion or preparing them appropriately, you’re dooming yourself from the beginning.

What would be your dream collaboration? To work with Marvel Studios. I thought about moving towards creating a comic-book series for myself but I'm focused on the direction that I'm going in and don't want to spend time trying to create a fantasy world. So if Marvel wants to help me create it, that’d be great!

Do you have a pre and/or postperformance ritual? Even after doing this for three years I still get nervous, especially for the public performances because there are so many things that can go wrong. I can be stopped by the police and get arrested, or the wind direction can change and the smoke goes into the crowd. To help me ease the tension, I drink a beer. One important thing I do before a performance is check the wind direction, because I don't want the smoke to go into the crowd and yet I need that constant wind to perform. It helps me stay visible and keeps the smoke out of my face. I bought incense because it's slowburning smoke. It helps me figure out wind direction. Before I start a performance I always check the wind by using the incense, and somebody at my last public performance thought I was doing a blessing. I thought that was funny.

If you weren’t doing what you are now, what would you want to be? I would love to be a lottery winner! Actually, I think a lot about what I would be if I wasn't doing what I do because I know I would be in the same position as some of my classmates who I went through my art classes with. It's crazy to me seeing some of my classmates, who are in my opinion better artists in terms of rendering a still life or painting on canvas, working at Starbucks or at some department store.

Recalling my memories of going

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through those classes, I completely realise how flawed that system can be. When you subject yourself to taking art classes, you are obligated to accomplish the assignments, you subjugate yourself to the teacher’s opinion and criticism.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing but I realised that school wasn't going to teach me how to build value within myself. School wasn't teaching me how to be a different artist from my classmates. I wanted to know what was going to set me apart as an artist. I just remember asking myself that question and I knew I had to figure it out for myself.

What’s coming up for you in 2019? I definitely want to improve a lot of aspects of what my art involves. I definitely want to become better as a performance artist. Each year since I started it's gotten bigger and better for me. Some of it I was able to foreshadow and some of it I wasn't. I really don't know for certain what 2019 will bring for me but I know enough that I should prepare for it.

What’s the best/worst thing about what you do? The best thing is that it allows me to accomplish goals and it creates the foundations for me to be successful. My performance art has opened doors for me. It has given me the materials I need to create more art. The best thing that has ever happened to me is my art. The worst thing about what I do is that it keeps me extremely busy and I haven't been able to go to the gym regularly. I'm getting fat.

Tell us about your best performance experience?

That would be getting recognised by a police officer.

He was a really cool cop from LA. I was in downtown doing a performance and didn't notice that he had stopped and was watching me. After I was done with the performance he asked me if I was Butch Locsin – he had this huge smile on his face and I felt safe. So I told him I was and he told me that he follows me on Instagram. I was

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laughing so hard! He told me I was cool but had to leave the area.

What has been the most surreal moment in your career to date? I have had a few surreal moments. In 2016 I collaborated with Mr. Carmack (Californian DJ Aaron Carmack) on the visuals for his Coachella performance. Seeing myself on the huge screens and being at Coachella itself is still surreal to me. In 2017 I worked with Fall Out Boy on their video for the song ‘Hold Me Tight or Don't’.

And in 2018 I worked with Corona on a campaign to inspire Mexicans to live a life without boundaries. That’s probably the most surreal one because they recruited a guy like me, a performance artist, and allowed me to be a "smoke consultant" on the filming of their commercial and also be a director for a project that involved 40 Mexican ‘influencers’. Once all those projects were done, I sat back to soak it all in. Till this day I ask myself, "Did that really happen?"

I went from being some guy in a skull mask popping smoke grenades to working with a major company. It's crazy – life has led me through my journey because I have followed my passion and believed in myself.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Take better care of your teeth and don't be a jerk to so many girls. Seriously though, I wouldn't tell my younger self anything. I'm really happy with who I am today and I know it's because of all the experiences that I've had. I’ve definitely made some mistakes but I don't live in sorrow because of them. I love all the experiences I've had in life and they are worth more to me than a golden ticket to the ‘easy life’.

My experiences are what connects me to so many people because I can understand or identify with what they are going through. If I was face-to-face with my younger self, I would just smile.

Jan 10 – Feb 3, Worcester Boulevard, breadandcircus.co.nz

Rock Chic(k) American rock chick Cathy Richardson gives Cityscape the skinny on the pressures of playing rock legend Janis Joplin and holding her own in iconic US band Jefferson Starship ahead of their concert in January.

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n accomplished (and awardwinning) musician in your own right, what’s it like to be part of the Jefferson legacy, working with original co-founding member David Freiberg and stepping into the shoes of the inimitable Grace Slick? Oh my God, I was such a huge fan! The weirdest part of this story is what a fan I was growing up and as a teenager. I always loved Jefferson Airplane and Grace Slick. She is one of the female icons of rock 'n' roll, such a legend and a force. I mean I used to listen to them over and over when I was kid. So it’s really a trip. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was gonna be in the band! I mean it never even crossed my mind. It was one of those weird things that life just takes you right there.

Yes, I was totally star-struck to meet all of them. They’re such down to earth, real people that you get over that right away.

David is the most humble, peaceful human being I’ve ever met in my life. He’s just so sweet and kind. There’s nothing you can feel but comfortable. And Grace is the same way. I love talking to her. It’s really strange cos when I first met her – before Jefferson Starship was even on my radar – and I walked away from that conversation I had the weirdest feeling that I was somehow talking to a future version of myself, cos we are kinda cut from the same cloth. We have such a similar life experience being women in rock 'n' roll, obviously she invented it and she did a lot more shit than I ever did, y’know? So to talk to her it’s weirdly familiar.

This whole thing feels like I’ve been reunited with my family.

How did it feel to get Grace’s seal of approval to take her place in the band?

It was surreal. I mean I had already been in the band and seen us on TV, but when I got the call to sing in her place when they received their Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy’s it felt like I’d won a Lifetime Achievement Award.

You played rock goddess Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway hit Love, Janis back in 2001; what were the highs and lows of such an experience? Someone as unique as Janis Joplin, who was such a legend, she really can’t be duplicated. It’s the same thing with being in this band (Jefferson Starship) and having that Grace Slick shadow. These people are legends, they invented this music. They were the queens of rock 'n' roll. It is formidable to stand in those shoes and be scrutinised and compared. When portraying Janis I wanted to be as realistic as possible. I think that the longer I did the show, the more I just buried myself in the music and Janis, the better I got at it. But y’know, it’s a tough job. I sang my butt off every night, so hard that I couldn’t talk when I got home. I would just write notes and message people on my computer because I had to rest my voice.

The best part about it was being in New York City starring in a hot show. I had the most amazing experiences there. David Bowie and Iman came. Just being in that sort of spotlight was just amazing. It was tough too. It was 9/11 when we were open and man, I went through a whole lifetime when I did that show.

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How would you describe the differences between the music you write and perform with your own band (Cathy Richardson Band) and Jefferson Starship? When we first started out we were definitely doing a singer/songwriter thing, a little bit more folky influenced and acoustic guitars. When I did the Janis Joplin show I started singing more blues and experimenting with the soulful part of my voice - that sort of sound and vibe. So I think that my singer/ songwriter thing really evolved just a little more mature musically, with more depth.

And then I teamed up with Zack Smith to do The Macrodots and that was just more of a harder edge, modern rock, with a classic rock influence, y’know. So that works really well within the Jefferson Starship world also; the belting power singing that Grace Slick did. That’s kinda right in my wheelhouse.

What other projects do you have on the go besides belting out some killer tunes with Jefferson Starship? Well, y’know Jefferson Starship has really kinda taken over everything in my career. I still have a couple of local projects I do here at home. I have a storytelling night that I do at a local club I’ve been doing for five years. Storytellers come up and tell stories and then I do musical improv based on their story. It’s really really fun. And so when I’m home and I’m not on tour and I have a few free dates, I do some local shows with my band or solo, just me and the guitar. I have another band called Nelson Street Revival that’s just a fun party band with a bunch of blues players from Chicago who tour internationally, but

/ ROCK CHIC(K)

we barely get to play any more cos my schedule’s so crazy. Other than that we’re just writing another album for Jefferson Starship. I mean, I’ve been in the band ten years but we’ve not put out any original music in that time. I’ve put out a couple of albums in that time, but not for Jefferson Starship, so that’s exciting. And Grace Slick and I are writing a song together too.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was gonna be in the band!”

Touring is an exhausting feat, how do you unwind and recharge? Well y’know, I think when you’re in it the adrenaline sort of just gets you going and then you go home and crash, and sleep as much as possible. It’s hard because I’m travelling with all these old guys now and they like to get to the airport like seven hours early, y’know, just to be safe, so I’m like, “You guys, we really don’t need that much time. We need to sleep!”

With half your lifetime spent making music, have you yet nailed the illusive work/life balance? I have! This past year has been the perfect amount of working and being at home. It’s kinda like, I’m on the road a lot, but I’m also at home a lot. So I’ll like go out on Thursday and home Sunday night. We’ve just been doing these little tours and fly tours. Y’know, fly off and doing four shows here, like we’re doing in New Zealand. It’s really great cos I can keep working and keep making a living, and also be home with my family. I have two small children and a wife, y’know. I hate missing anything. Y’know, you always have that FOMO when you go on the road and you hear about everything you’ve missed.

Y’know you don’t wanna miss the ballet recital or whatever. And so it’s been great this year. It really has been a perfect balance.

I hope we keep this going. It’s working well!

What can Christchurch audiences expect to hear when you guys appear with TOTO in January? We’ll be playing our new single, ‘What Are We Waiting For’. And I’m not sure what we are waiting for! I’m not sure when it’s going to be released, but we’re hoping to get a few other songs ‘in the can’ as they say, so when we release the song we’ll have something to follow it up with.

Tell us more about this new album. I have a working title, but the band hasn’t really said anything yet. My idea was Mother of the Sun because Paul Kantner died a couple of years ago and his daughter China had a reading with a psychic, and he was telling her stuff about Cassiopeia, the constellation and also the mythical figure. So one of her titles is Mother of the Sun and the Moon, but it’s still a work in progress and we need to vote on that.

A Summer's Day Live, Hagley Park North, January 13, jeffersonstarship.com

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Image: Universo Brasserie & Bar

The Best of Summer

KILLER COCKTAILS Head over to Botanic on The Terrace to experience their brand spanking Gin & Tonic Lab, where you can choose from their signature cocktail list or build your own. Our top picks for summer are the Basil 4 Pillars Shiraz Gin, served with cucumber and fresh basil, or the Wild Diamond with thymespeared raspberry.

Striking the balance between elegant sophistication and casual cool, Universo Brasserie & Bar offers next-level dining and out-of-this-world cocktails that can be enjoyed al fresco over summer. Our recommended faves are the Worcester Street High Tea (Sacred Heart rhubarb, gewürztraminer, Earl Grey tea syrup and prosecco) and the Blueberry Lavender Fizz (Scapegrace Gin, lemon, lavender balm, blueberry and egg white). Right on the doorstep of the Christchurch Art Gallery and with live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, Universo allows you to satisfy all your senses in one hit!

And for a novel twist on the conventional cocktail, Diner 66 offers a tantalising array of ‘spiked’ shakes. Simply add a shot of liqueur or spirits to one of their heavenly shakes, from S’mores to Caramel Popcorn, Bubblegum to Peanut Butter and Jelly – nom nom!

With killer walks, beaches, camping hotspots, live music and a buzzing nightlife, Christchurch has all the ingredients you need to concoct a sizzling summer to remember.

WALK IT OUT With the Port Hills quite literally in our backyard, we have a smorgasbord of fantastic walks and hikes to choose from.

Get amongst Mother Nature, drink in the stunning scenery and get your heart pumping with a few of our top picks. The granddaddy of Christchurch walks is an oldie but a goodie. The Bridle Path between Christchurch and Lyttelton is a great alternative to driving through the tunnel, and there’s always the promise of brunch to get you over the other side of the hill.

Another track that’s popular with fitness fanatics but a little less strenuous than the Bridle Path is Rapaki Track. You’ll be rewarded with expansive views over to Quail Island on your way up, and the city and coastline on your descent. While you’re there an additional ten-minute walk up to the Mount Vernon summit is well worth the extra effort.

If you’re a hardcore adventure junkie then the Crater Rim Walkway promises jaw-dropping vistas of the entire length of

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Image: ChristchurchNZ.com

/ THE BEST OF SUMMER

CHEAP EATS On a budget this summer or just fancy keeping it real? The quintessential Kiwi summer grub, fish ‘n’ chips on the beach, is always a winner, especially if you find a sheltered spot in the dunes to watch the sun set. Another cheap ‘n’ cheerful al fresco option is making use of the communal barbeque areas at the Margaret Mahy Family Playground, the Botanic Gardens or Spencer Park, or pack a picnic basket and head for the hills. Victoria Park has killer views across the city, as does the Sign of the Kiwi, or for rolling manicured lawns and majestic oak trees, Mona Vale offers a backdrop that’s a little more refined.

Blood Orange & Black Pepper, Tarragon & Rhubarb Jam and Sea Salt Caramel & Popcorn (yes, with real popcorn!), and with the option of waffles and a number of delish toppings, we are die-hard fans!

HORSES FOR COURSES Whip out your dapper threads and dress to the nines for two spectacular polo events this summer. Adding a spritz of glitz and glam, Hagley Park Polo ups the ante on fancy with a champagne and oyster bar where you can gather your closest pals and relax under the pitch-side picnic marquee, or go all out and opt for the hottest ticket in town: the VIP Armstrong Prestige Club

Image: Heineken Urban Polo

the peninsula, while Godley Head is another stunning walk that’s more of a leisurely stroll. Setting off from the Urumau Reserve Track junction, the 2½-hour walk will take you past the historic gun emplacement buildings at the heads and along the ridgeline of the 120-metre cliff face, through the Buckleys Bay Scenic Reserve.

For something a little further afield there’s Mount Herbert, the highest peak on the Banks Peninsula. Either take the ferry over from Lyttelton or take a leisurely drive around the bays to Diamond Harbour, where the track begins. This is an easy walk, traversing farmland that winds its way gently up to Packhorse Hut, where you can stay overnight to break up the 4½-hour journey or continue on to the summit, where you’ll be greeted with magnificent 360-degree views of the peninsula.

For a day tripper outta town, Mount Grey, just 15 kilometres west of Amberley, is another laid-back full-day walk across 1,700 hectares of native forest and tussock grasslands within the Ashley Forest. Take one of two tracks, either Mount Grey through black beech forest or the Red Beech track that follows the ridgeline, both ending with panoramic views across Pegasus Bay. So slap on some sunscreen, pack some water and snacks, throw a change of clothes in your bag for unpredictable weather changes and head for the hills!

SUMMER LICKS Summer just ain’t summer without kickarse ice cream. Kick things up a notch and knock your taste-buds for a six with killer gelato and sorbet. Creamy gelato made with organic milk courtesy of happy, free-roaming cows in Rangiora, Rollickin’ Gelato (pictured) serves up sensational flavours like Black Forest, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Pop’s Lemon Pie, alongside innovative dairy-free sorbet flavours like Lemon Lime & Bitters and their Crouching Tiger, made with organic espresso whipped into a lickable creamy brew.

A trip to Sumner is always on the cards in the summertime and while you’re there a visit to Utopia Ice is a must – the queues snaking through their gorgeous leafy courtyard are testament to their popularity.

With ingenious vegan gelato and sorbet flavours like Beetroot & White Chocolate,

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House Luncheon, where caterers and hostesses will spoil you with a champagne reception followed by a delectable lunch with wines. Framed by Hagley Park’s picturesque tree line, this momentous finale will showcase the finest players and ponies from around the world as they compete for the Hagley Park Polo Cup. Meanwhile the Heineken Urban Polo Classic returns for its second round when it saunters into Hagley Park on March 2. With a wealth of expertly crafted culinary creations, sweet tunes and entertainment in tow, you’ll want to get your tickets pronto as last year’s event was a sellout and this year is expected to follow suit.

TEE TIME Head out onto the green for a peaceful few hours of meditative golfing at the Christchurch Golf Club. Hone your skills at the driving range or play a round of 9 or 18 holes whilst you commune with nature in the sprawling emerald parklands.

Image: Tūranga

RAINY-DAY STOPGAPS When summer’s sizzle cools with the odd rainy day, there’s still plenty to amuse in and around the city. It’s a joy to spend the morning or afternoon at the slick new central library Tūranga. Escape into a good book or interact with the touch-sensitive Discovery Wall, a digital representation of Ōtautahi, where you can swipe your way through a virtual world of photos, videos and fascinating facts about our city.

The cinema is a fab place to retreat to when the skies open up. Check out Deluxe Cinemas at The Tannery for a boutique cinematic experience or go all out with a premier movie package at Hoyts Lux, above EntX in the central city.

Rainy days are perfect for gallery hopping, broken up with a spot of lunch and an afternoon coffee and sweet treat. All within strolling distance, check out the latest in modern art at CoCA and The Central Art Gallery in the Arts Centre or see what’s on offer at the Christchurch Art Gallery, where you can pick up a styley designer gift and end your day with a swanky dinner at Universo Brasserie & Bar. Relive your youth and channel your inner pinball wizard at Arcadia Retro Arcade and Pinball Emporia, where you can also kick back with a game of pool or hone your board game skills. For Lego creations of gargantuan proportions visit the Air Force Museum of New Zealand for the Brickman Wonders of the World exhibition (Dec 15 – Jan 20), where you’ll find more than 50 retina-dazzling large-scale models of the Great Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Arc de Triomphe and many more.

picnic basket and rock on up to the Archery Lawn for some live local muso talent on January 20 and 27, and February 3, 10 and 17. Bop along this summer to the likes of Finn Johansson, Apex and the Ranchsliders, plus don’t miss January 27, when a special showcase from the Lyttelton Record Company will have us tapping our toes to some of the country’s hottest talent with Deep Water Creek, Emily Fairlight Band and Tom Maxwell.

For more good vibes in the city centre, head along to City Sounds, where you’ll find local musos tearing up the stage noon - 1:30pm most Fridays down on The Terrace throughout the summer months.

For a firm fave with Christchurch folk, be sure to mark February 16 in your diary for the annual Sparks event in Hagley Park where sparks fly, in the skies and on the stage courtesy of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

AL FRESCO ENTERTAINMENT The streets will come alive with Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival (Jan 10 – Feb 3) at various venues. For a fun, free family day out, Deep South Lazy Sundays in the Botanic Gardens is a fab way to spend an afternoon. Grab a rug, pack a

Image: SummerTimes

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

Leighs Construction Outdoor Cinema in the North Quad at the Arts Centre kicks off on December 6 and ends on February 9.

With entry by donation, there are two screening sessions each evening throughout the season; one for the family at 5:30pm and another general entry at 8pm.

Thespians will love the epic tale of King Arthur as told by the talented theatre troupe Rollicking Entertainment as part of the Anthony Harper Summer Theatre from February 27 – March 17, held on the Murray Aynsley Lawn (next to the Daffodil Woodlands) in the Botanic Gardens.

Get the wind in your tresses with a trip to New Brighton when Deep South Kite Day lifts off on January 26. Marvel at the sky as it explodes with an array of gigantic colourful kites.

WHEELING IT Another great way to explore the city is to get out on a bicycle. Christchurch has over 30 kilometres of dedicated cycleways for you to explore. So don your helmet and check out such options as the 4.7km Quarryman’s Trail, beginning near the Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre and ending in the city centre, the 3.5km Coastal Pathway, from Ferrymead Bridge to Moncks Bay, or for the more adventurous, the new 11km Te Ara Otakaro Avon River Trail, from the central city to New Brighton.

URBAN EXCURSION Explore what’s new on the retail and hospo scene as you duck and dive around the city’s laneways on a Lime scooter. Whizz around Cathedral Square and stop off for a game of jumbo-sized chess; have a go at the world’s first giant, outdoor arcade game system, Super Street Arcade, opposite the Vodafone building; then pop on over to the Margaret Mahy Family Playground to let

/ THE BEST OF SUMMER

your inner child run wild; or take the family out for a round of mini golf at the nearby City Putt and Cruise.

For your live music fix the city has several hotspots where you can kick back and relax on a lazy summer arvo or rock it out on the dance floor when the sun goes down.

Local bands will be blasting from 11am till noon on The Terrace on December 14 and 21, the last three Fridays in January and the first three Fridays in February. The Dux Central has plenty of dynamic venues under one roof to suit your mood. The Upper Dux is where the toe-tapping entertainment happens on Friday and Saturday nights and local live bands take the action al fresco in the downstairs courtyard, where you can enjoy a summer cocktail from The Emerald Room or craft beer from the Brew Bar. And there’s plenty to feast on from their sumptuous brunch menu to their gourmet burgers, tacos, pizza, tempting platters and salads.

Blue Smoke at The Tannery is another hotspot for live music gigs. Check out their website for their calendar of regular local and visiting talent, as well as their Sunday Sessions, which are a great cheap afternoon’s entertainment (entry by donation).

Image: Pegasus Bay Vine Run

PARTY DOWN

DRINK & DASH

A couple of our other top Cityscape faves are Pomeroy’s for a laid back ye olde English-style pub vibe, The Darkroom for left-of-field bands in an über-cool grunge bar ambience, Lyttelton Records (in Woolston) for the hottest in indie-folk-rock acts on the scene, Lyttelton institution Wunderbar where you can challenge the locals to a game of pool between sets and drink in the glittering lights dancing off the harbour below with a beer in hand, and the South Island’s largest recording studio, Orange Studio in Ferrymead, where you can catch live acoustic gigs.

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

The Christchurch 10km Walk/Run Series is a summer-long series of four 10km runs based around four different terrains. The first of the series, ‘Sand’, kicks off on January 20 from New Brighton Beach, followed by ‘Park’ from Hagley Park on February 3, then ‘Trail’ from Halswell Quarry on February 17, and finally ‘Road’, which winds its way around the central city on March 10.

The brainchild of Pegasus Bay Vineyards and Winery’s Ivan Donaldson, the Pegasus Bay Vine Run raises funds for the New Zealand Brain Research Institute. Do good for others and for yourself by registering for this fun six and 10km run or walk. Once you’ve reached the finish line you’ll be rewarded with a free bottle of Pegasus

/ THE BEST OF SUMMER

Bay’s finest to take home and live music to chill out to, with a glass or two of wine or beer on the winery’s lawn.

Make for Lone Goat Vineyard, where their entertaining Wine Run comes with a cheeky wine tasting at every kilometre.

Opt for one lap (5km) or two laps (the recommendation is two – then you’ll get to taste that fave wine a second time around!).

Water and electrolyte drinks will also be available for the designated sober drivers or for those who prefer their exercise sans alcohol. For those who aren’t fussy about combining the two – get running and tasting! For your complimentary souvenir wine glass, yummy nom noms and live entertainment in the lush vineyard, lock Saturday January 19 into your diary.

READY, SET, EXPLORE COOL Whether you want to channel your inner

bookworm at Tūranga, lax out at EntX Entertainment Central, score some new threads at the boutiques, get a dose of culture, enjoy some banging beats and entertainment at one of the many festivals, or sample Christchurch’s unique flavours at the many bars, cafés and restaurants, it’s all on our doorstep. Starting your city adventure couldn’t be easier with all the transport options available! So how will you get in to town?

Start your adventure here.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO TODAY? FESTIVAL FEVER

WILL EVERY MAN & HIS DOG BE THERE?

WANDERLUST Get off the grid and get back to nature with a spot of camping in and around Christchurch this summer. You don’t have to travel far to find an isolated camping spot near the beach to feel like you’re on holiday.

Perched high above Lyttelton Harbour, Godley Head campsite offers staggering views from where you can enjoy some quiet time delving into a gripping summer read or pop down to Taylors Mistake for a swim.

For a 45-minute jaunt out of town, Little River Campground is within the idyllic Manaia Native Habitat and offers campers the option of powered tent sites or cabins.

From Little River, a day trip to Akaroa and the surrounding bays for some beach action is on the cards, and there’s also the famous Little River Rail Trail to explore by bike. If you’re looking for a unique accommodation alternative to the campground, a stay in a yurt, tipi or house truck in Otuki Garden offers a rustic eco-friendly glamping experience, or try the SiloStay eco cabins next to Little River Gallery.

Another peaceful spot to pitch your tent a little further afield (2½ hours from Christchurch) is the Lake Taylor Campsite in Lake Sumner National Park. An ideal fishing spot where you can catch your dinner fresh from the water, take a dip, glide across the sparkling lake in a kayak or explore the surrounding scenic areas either on foot or mountain bike.

STAYCATION Live it up large in the city with an afternoon of pampering at Forme Spa & Wellbeing before hitting the town. Treat yourself to an evening of entertainment followed by a visit to a hip wine bar or three (we love Not Without You), then swan into one of the luxury hotels (Hotel Montreal and The George) for a night of hedonism.

NO

YES

RETAIL THERAPY

EATS & TREATS

SHOPPING UP A STORM?

GASTRONOMIC GLUTTONY?

YES

NO

FLYING SOLO?

YES

YES

DURING PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC?

YES

NO

WINE, BEER & COCKTAILS?

NO

YES WILL THERE BE DRINKIES?

YES

CITY EXPLORATION

NO

IS THE SUN OUT?

NO

YES

HAD YOUR HAIR DID?

YES

NO

NO

NO

ARE YOU WEARING STILETTOS?

NO

BUS Save money and

get into the city with a hassle-free bus journey.

No matter what the weather or where you’re coming from, there will be a bus to the Interchange in the heart of the city. Then it’s just a short walk to wherever you need to go. Grab a Metrocard and you’ll save 25% on your bus fare. ccc.govt.nz/transport/ bus

28

BIKE Don your helmet,

get pedalling and fast track into the city. With over 30 kilometres of dedicated cycleways winding their way from the fringes of Christchurch to the central-city hub – including four new ones around the city – summer is a great time to rediscover the CBD from the saddle. ccc.govt.nz/transport/ cycling

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

YES

WALK Get your

CAR Four wheels for

ccc.govt.nz/centralcity

ccc.govt.nz/transport/ parking

comfiest walking shoes on and pound the pavement, boulevards, laneways and shared spaces into the city. Take the scenic route, take time to smell the roses, take advantage of the many shortcuts, get fit and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

you! Check out the good parking deals available at the six central-city parking buildings, and the first hour's free at Lichfield Street and the Art Gallery parking buildings, thanks to the city council. Just look for the ‘P’ signs on the one-way streets.

Style Files

BEACH CHIC Glam seaside fashion

Fiore Rosa Corallo Earrings (RRP $4,700) from Filigree Fine Jewels

Mini Boho Grind Shoulder Bag (RRP $649) from Workshop

COMFY KICKS

LOAFING AROUND The brainchild of an English architect (and crafted in Italy), these breathable, durable and super comfy loafers are designed with coastal living in mind. Ideal for the yacht or just lounging around the bach, Le DD footwear is 100% recyclable and can be thrown in the washing machine, making them super practical, eco-friendly and effortlessly chic. corsomerivale.nz

TAKING THE MICKEY Kiwi fashion royalty Karen Walker has joined the likes of Gucci and Marc Jacobs to celebrate Disney’s most beloved character by designing a special collection to mark Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday. Adding her own unique twist, KW honours the fun-loving spirit of Mickey and his pals with bold smatterings of polka dots and fabulous block pastels. The eclectic collection – which includes super cute T-shirts, sweaters, backpacks, totes, purses, key rings, china plates and coffee mugs, badges, sunglasses and necklaces – has brilliantly channelled the magic, adventure and whimsy synonymous with the global powerhouse that is Disney.

Boracay Bikini Top & Bottom (RRP $89.90 & RRP $79.90) from Witchery

FASHION SAVVY

OUT OF THIS WORLD Once Was Drawcord Blouse (RRP $249) from Ballantynes

karenwalker.com | ballantynes.co.nz

@CHRISTCHURCHSTYLEMAKER

Fashion community for lovers of timeless style and the hottest trends.

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Castaner Carina Espadrilles (RRP $249) from RUBY

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

Leading the way in sustainable fashion, Untouched World delivers dependable and classic attire that lasts season after season. Their luxe Kapua Knitwear collection keeps the evening chill at bay, while their Project U collection offers ethically made products such as T-shirts and bags to support our sisters in Kolkata. untouchedworld.com

/ ENTERTAIN ME

Watching

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

THE FAVOURITE Finding favour among film critics, Yorgos Lanthimos’ historical biopic The Favourite is set in the 1700s and tells the tale of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), her sidekick Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) and Sarah’s cousin Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) as the two latter ladies vie for the attention of the Queen, resulting in a bitter rivalry.

While still possessing the absurdist and black comedy film conventions prominent in Lanthimos’ 2015 flick The Lobster, the upcoming film (out December 26) is savagely witty and stylish, with exceptional acting talents from the three leading ladies cementing it as a must-see.

HOT PICK

GHOST STORIES

GLASS He’s the mastermind behind blockbuster hits Unbreakable and Split, and now M. Night Shyamalan is bringing the two worlds together in his upcoming superhero horror-thriller flick Glass, which picks up from that hell of a plot twist in Split that, let’s be real, got us good… real good. Pitting James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb, aka The Beast aka the grotesque cannibalistic sociopath, against ol’ mate Bruce Willis’ David Dunn in a Clash of the Titans-esque showdown (sans the whole Greek god thing), audiences can expect a highoctane thrill of a cinematic ride when it hits movie theatres (January 17).

If you’re after a flick that is steeped in suspense, induces a sense of eeriness through its carefully crafted cinematic conventions and is topped off by a killer cast (hello Martin Freeman) who bring their characters to life with effortless finesse, then Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s chilling horror Ghost Stories (out December 6) is the one for you. Nyman (Death at a Funeral) pulls double duties as director and actor, featuring as Professor Phillip Goodman, a TV presenter devoted to debunking fraudulent psychics and paranormal activities. When his idol Charles Cameron – on whom he modelled his own debunking methods – reaches out to him to rethink his views on the topic he has successfully built a career on, Goodman is presented with three haunting cases that vary in nature and will put his scepticism to the test.

DVD: Ladies in Black In this feel-good flick, gawky schoolgirl Lisa (rising star Angourie Rice) takes up a summer job at the prestigious department store Goode’s and is taken under the wings of the glamorous ‘ladies in black’ who guide her on a journey to confidence and style.

WIN! WE HAVE 5 X COPIES OF LADIES IN BLACK TO GIVE AWAY! TO ENTER, EMAIL INFO@SOMOCREATIVE.CO.NZ WITH ‘LADIES’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND TELL US YOUR FAVE DEPARTMENT STORE. ENTRIES CLOSE JANUARY 31.

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

/ ENTERTAIN ME

PLAYLIST

The killer tracks on high rotation in the Cityscape office.

MARILYN MANSON ‘Third Day of a Seven Day Binge’ The Pale Emperor

Listening WEIRD – JULIANA HATFIELD

Juliana Hatfield is back and better than ever with her new solo album release Weird set to bless ears the world over on January 18. The former alum of indie-rock band Blake Babies has roped in another Blake Babies alum, Freda Love Smith, and also Todd Philips of The Juliana Hatfield Three, who unleashed his musical prowess on the drums. Hatfield teased fans with her hit single ‘It’s So Weird’. When asked what the inspiration for that song was, she said: “I feel weird, I wanted to make an album about the contentment of being inside an apartment and living inside a very small radius.” Power to you, Juliana!

METH LAB SEASON 2: THE LITHIUM – METHOD MAN

Reading

It’s been three years since Method Man (one of the MCs behind rap collective Wu-Tang Clan) released his highly praised The Meth Lab and now his much-anticipated sequel Meth Lab

Season 2: The Lithium will be dropping on December 11 – how convenient given that he’ll be stopping in at Auckland and Christchurch a few days after…expert marketing? With track ‘Grand Prix’ serving up some of his iconic freestyling, we’re betting the rest of the tracks on the album will be just as epic.

WHY HASN’T EVERYTHING ALREADY DISAPPEARED? – DEERHUNTER American punk rockers Deerhunter are doing us a summer solid and are set to release an array of new tunes in their upcoming album Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?

(Jan 18). Tapping into the ambient sound for which the band is renowned, the opening track ‘Death in Midsummer’ has the nod of approval from many critics and has even been seen as a much-needed reprieve from the current political climate. Lead singer Bradford Cox hits the mark again with his signature croon to deliver the heavyweighted lyrics.

THE MANSION – EZEKIEL BOONE Ezekiel Boone’s new lit-hit The Mansion follows Shawn and Billy, two programmers whose tech inventions propel them into a series of problems. When latest venture Nellie, a next-gen computer program, begins to adapt and get a mind of its own, things quickly deteriorate. Throw in a whole lot of suspense and creepy twins and you’ve got yourself a spooky read.

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

JOY DIVISION ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ Single

FAT FREDDY’S DROP ‘Trickle Down’ Single

JIMI HENDRIX ‘Foxy Lady’ Are You Experienced

EDWYN COLLINS ‘A Girl Like You’ Gorgeous George

THE LAST LIE – ALEX LAKE

From bestselling author of After Anna, Killing Kate and Copycat, Alex Lake’s newest novel The Last Lie centres on the seemingly perfect marriage of Alfie and Claire. However the internal conflict and secrets that dwell inside Alfie are on the brink of coming to light, which poses a serious threat to Alfie’s plans for Claire.

/ ENTERTAIN ME

Image: Square Enix

Playing

CAUSE AND EFFECT

JUST CAUSE 4

ENTERTAINMENT

POOL HALL

ARCADIA RETRO ARCADE & PINBALL EMPORIA

THE COMMON ROOM

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!

The Common Room is a slick new pool hall boasting a function room, a great selection of food and a well-stocked bar.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or rookie you’ll have a ball of a time!

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

119 Riccarton Road, 020 4128 0157 FB/thecommonroomchch

Avalanche Studios’ fourth instalment of their hit Just Cause series takes place in the fictional country of Solis, inspired by the sprawling landscape of South America.

Following a similar premise to its three predecessors, in that players aim to overthrow other factions who seek to disturb the peace, the fourth game (out on all major consoles December 4) has players controlling the character of Rico Rodriguez as he takes on Black Hand, a paramilitary group helmed by a ruthless woman named Gabriela. Boasting new game upgrades that include enhancements to the graphics and tweaking the AI’s response to player interaction – which will add a sense of difficulty to the gameplay – this one’s sure to keep you occupied in the silly season downtime. justcause.square-enix-games.com

BINGEWATCHING

What we’re hoovering up on the small screen.

02

01 – MAKING A MURDERER: SEASON 2 Rocking all crime fanatics – both amateurs and veterans – into a state of utter perplexity due to the complexity of Steven Avery’s trial, season 2 of Making A Murderer ramps things up and goes into depth on the “post-conviction process as well as the emotional toll the process takes on all involved”. Yup, there goes any plans we had of venturing outside to get amongst the summer days.

01

02 – THE LAWYER Making waves for its suspenseful plot and acting prowess, this Nordic series follows the life of promising defence lawyer Frank Nordling, who becomes privy to the fact that his parents’ death was an ordered hit by Thomas Waldman, an infamous leader in the Copenhagen criminal underworld. Seeking revenge, he infiltrates the crime syndicate and becomes personal lawyer (read: a close confidant) of Waldman but struggles to uphold his role and values.

03 – ALIBI Described as a “groundbreaking triumph for New Zealand television”, Kiwi murder/mystery series Alibi has caused quite a stir with its ambiguous plot and non-linear narrative structure. Set in the small rural town of Awatahi, the series focuses on the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Hunter and chronicles the events leading up to the teen’s death. This is a must watch!

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

Food &Drink JUDGES’ NOD

WELL HATTED Pescatore’s reputation as one of the city’s top places to dine has been amply reinforced by the Cuisine Good Food Awards judges, who have given the fine-dining restaurant at The George two hats. Committed to delivering an exceptional dining experience with gastronomic creations that deliver big flavours and a subtle balance of wow, Pescatore is a truly unforgettable dining experience. pescatore.co.nz

DATE NIGHT

THE ROYAL TREATMENT It’s the gilded pride of Christchurch and host to the premier shows in New Zealand, and now the Isaac Theatre Royal is offering the option for theatre-goers to experience some extra razzle dazzle! Introducing the Royal Supper Club, where guests can experience some royal treatment pre-show. Simply book your table when you buy your tickets online, arrive an hour before the show, and you’ll be greeted by your own personal Royal Supper Club host, who will ensure you can forget the clock while relaxing in the luxe surrounds of the Grand Circle Foyer. Indulge in a delicious antipasto platter overflowing with mouthwatering gourmand selections, and enjoy drinks at your leisure before the show and at intermission.

Perfect for date nights, special occasions, a night out with friends, or just for when your night deserves to be extra special. isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/supperclub

@CHRISTCHURCHGOURMAND

The ultimate foodie community for lovers of great restaurants, bars and cafés.

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FESTIVAL

BEST WINE, EATS AND BEATS

COMING UP ROSÉ

With its light raspberry and strawberry notes, the Waipara Hills Pinot Noir Rosé (RRP $20.90) is the essence of summer in a glass. Add one to the picnic basket and enjoy it young. waiparahills.co.nz

CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

Taste your way through the South Island’s most exceptional top drops at the annual South Island Wine and Food Festival, where a curated collection of beautiful wines from more than 45 of the best-loved wineries will be on offer alongside delectable fare from 35 gourmet producers and six top local restaurants. Head down to the day-long fest at Hagley Park (Dec 1), fill your complimentary wine glass and relax to the classic tunes of Dave Dobbyn, Julia Deans and Estere while soaking up the feel-good vibes. winefestival.co.nz

/ FOOD & DRINK

ESTÁS LOCO Dubbed “Christchurch’s craziest Mexican joint”, Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar is opening this summer at slick hospo hotspot The Terrace! Dine on delish Mexican fare with a twist and sip on tasty cocktails in a funky venue where modern and steel-cool interiors combine to create a rich street vibe.

Find them on Facebook

OM NOM NOM Nom Nom Kitchen’s brand new Lyttelton eatery has opened up in swanky surrounds and their mouth-watering cuisine is coming in hot! Tempt your taste-buds with their delectable entrée menu, then hit up their must-try Pad Thai or step out of your comfort zone and give one of their tasty new dishes a go – you won’t regret it!

Find them on Facebook

PERMISSION GRANTED Sporting a colonial style fit-out that complements the recently restored exterior of the 1920 Isaac House building, Indian eatery the Permit Room is the perfect place to devour piquant and wholesome cuisine from South India and relax with an infused wheat beer or Canterbury-made kombucha in hand. permitroom.co.nz

RECIPE

Market fish, warm salad of potatoes and prawns, Negroni purée and roasted grapes From The George’s executive chef, Antony Page, comes this light and summery combo. The Negroni purée, a tribute to the Italian cocktail, adds a bitterness and tang that elevates the fish to perfection. You will need to make the Negroni purée ahead of time as it needs to chill for a few hours or overnight. The lemon oil you will need to get from Mediterranean Food Company or Solotti Food Company (it makes all the difference). Serves 4.

METHOD 1. Make the Negroni purée first. Add all ingredients to a mediumsized pot. Heat and whisk until it boils for a minute or so to activate the agar.

2. Pour into a jug or tall container and chill for a few hours or overnight.

3. When set firm, use an immersion blender or hand blender to mix to a smooth paste. Add a small amount of cold water if necessary.

4. Put the chunked potatoes in a pot with cold salted water and bring to a simmer. Cook until just done – not hard and not mushy but somewhere in between.

5. Drain in a colander and let steam-dry for 5 minutes, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.

6. Add the capers, dill or fennel, the aioli or mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon oil. Mix – not mash – until combined.

Taste (it should be a lemony creamy potato salad by now) and add salt if needed.

7. Add a touch of canola oil to a large pan and heat. When it starts to smoke, cook your fish the way you like it. Add sea salt and a squeeze of lemon at the end. Remove and set aside.

8. Using the same frypan, cook the broken prawn meat for a minute or so until it is just cooked through. Add to the potato salad.

9. Heat oven to 185°C. Pick the grapes off the stalks, toss them in a little olive oil and roast in the oven for 10 minutes (they should burst a little and bubble a lot).

TO SERVE: Put a small mound of the prawn potato salad to one side of each plate and place the cooked fish on top. Spoon a little of the Negroni puree on the other side of the plate and add the roasted grapes. Serve immediately.

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INGREDIENTS 4 large Agria potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks sea salt 4 Tbsp capers fresh dill or fennel, chopped 4 Tbsp aioli or mayonnaise 2 Tbsp lemon oil canola oil 4 pieces of fish (turbot, brill, gurnard, groper or any fresh fish), about 180g each piece 1 lemon prawn meat (you can buy broken prawn meat from a supermarket or wholesale fish shop), 4–5 pieces per person small bunch of red and green grapes olive oil

NEGRONI PURÉE 200ml ruby grapefruit juice 50ml Campari 400ml sparkling blood orange juice 5g agar (you can buy this from Asian grocery stores)

/ FOOD & DRINK

REVIEW

Universo Brasserie & Bar

I

t’s the dreamiest of combos – Blood Orange and Gin-cured Akaroa Salmon.

The party-starting cocktail bedfellows imbibe the glistening, plump slabs of succulent local salmon with a crisp, bitter-sweet freshness, making it one of the city’s essential go-to summer dishes. Taking his cues from the neighbouring Christchurch Art Gallery, head chef Mark Wilson has created his own stunning work of art with the perfectly placed acidic sweetness of bright pickled heirloom beets, fresh pops of cucumber balls and the jet black, shiny lattice of squid ink coral and delicate micro herbage. It’s a thrilling introduction to hospo heavy hitters Madlen and Wayne Shaw’s (of gastropub The Pedal Pusher and inner-city cafe Therapy fame) takeover of the perfectly positioned city hotspot Universo Brasserie & Bar. Housed in the contemporary cool of the Christchurch Art Gallery, Universo Brasserie & Bar is equal parts edgy Euro chic and sunny tropical escape (courtesy of towering windows and huge potted lush palms).

Buttery booth seating joins designer lighting suspended from the soaring ceiling, while a pimped-out bar featuring honeycombed metal fronting rocks bodacious cocktail and wine lists covering all tastes. Our super-friendly host, Tayzrym Beaumont-Brown, talks us through the finer points of the menu as we delve into the

seriously swanky cocktail list adapted by Universo’s bar tsar, Ben van Wijk.

It’s a balmy late spring evening and refreshing with a kick is the order of the day, which we find in the fittingly Britannic Manchester (a game-changing whirlwind of UK faves Tanqueray and Pimms tricked up with blackberry and cucumber) from the Christchurch-streets-named house cocktails, as well as the primo refresher and super quaffable Rhubarb and Strawberry Spritz, in which lemon and cucumber provide the perfect foil to the sweet tartness of the rhubarb and strawberry notes of Kiwi gin on the rise Sacred Spring.

The salmon is joined by the equally artistic leanings of brilliant green pistachio crumbs scattered over creamy white goat’s cheese atop a chicory salad studded with orange segments. The salted nuttiness of the crunchy pistachio delightfully counters the gamey tang of the smooth cheese mounded high on golden-toasted baguette, while the citric sweetness and spiced, light bitterness of the salad ensures a palatepleasing mouthful firing on all cylinders.

For mains, we’ve selected the Venison and the Seafood Veloute from the Larger Plates section. Living up to its name, the latter provides some delicious dinner theatre

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019

drama when, at the table, Tayzrym pours the velvety white sauce over an exceptional bowl of poached mussels, pan-fried salmon, clams and prawns. Rich and light, the precision-balanced buttery sauce ensures each of the seafood superstars shines alongside the brilliantly matched spiced pear seduction of The Ned Pinot Gris.

Treated with the utmost respect, lightly seared and sliced thick, the blushingly tender peppery venison is one of the best executions of the game dish we’ve tried in the city. Splendidly marrying with the tiers of pickled red cabbage, creamy parsnip puree below, earthy beets and the wicked sharp sweetness of a blueberry sauce, it’s a culinary masterpiece that’s highlighted between sips of the tight tannins and dark cherry charms of Black Estate’s Damsteep Pinot Noir.

We finish off the evening with the literal cherry bomb that is the Black Forest Chocolate Nemesis. An unbridled celebration and decadent distillation of the classic, it’s a sinfully silken choc cherry triumph brought home with lurid purple black doris ice-cream and a fitting artistic impression from a startling exhibition menu.

Cnr Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street, 03 379 5214, universo.co.nz

/ FOOD & DRINK BAKED GOODS

THE BISCUIT ARTIST Beautiful, couture biscuits designed and handmade by The Biscuit Artist can brighten any birthday, wedding, or business do! If you have a special event coming up, whether it’s a celebration, promotion, or just some well wishes, consider including artistically designed biscuits and couture cookies.

They make great gifts too!

022 108 3590 FB/thebiscuitartist

COCKTAIL RECIPE

Strawberry and Mint Gin and Tonic

Our good friends at Botanic have whisked up a real treat with their Strawberry and Mint Gin and Tonic.

This clean, crisp take on the G&T is just one of the restaurant’s iterations of the classic drink that for many is the essence of summer.

INGREDIENTS

2 strawberries mint leaves 45ml Thomas Dakin Small Batch Gin Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water

LOCALLY SOURCED

BESPOKE RESTAURANT

ONE MOMENT PLEASE

SOPHISTICATED AMBIENCE

On a health buzz? Hit up Moment Café whose heavenly menu is a must-try, with unique and palatable plates like their Homemade Granola with mango saffron panna cotta and their Magic Mushrooms with three herb potato cake and truffle oil on offer (yum!). This wicked café aims to be as environmentally sustainable as possible, and their sensational dishes use fresh, free-range and locally sourced ingredients that can be switched up for any dietary requirement.

A constantly evolving delectable menu, an eclectic range of boutique wines and a friendly crew of hard workers await at 5th Street, an elegant bespoke lounge-style restaurant brought to you by the team behind Christchurch café Hello Sunday.

Choose a pint or cocktail from their diverse selection and peruse the exquisite menu as you immerse yourself in the warm and sophisticated ambience courtesy of the moody lighting and beautiful array of plants.

momentcafe.co.nz

5thstreet.co.nz

METHOD

MIRO MAGIC

TAP SOME TAPAS

1. Cut one of the strawberries in half, put in the bottom of a tall glass and muddle.

2. Add three mint leaves.

3. Fill with ice.

4. Pour in 45ml Thomas Dakin Small Batch Gin. 5. Half fill with Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic and stir.

6. Fill to top with Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic.

7. To serve, garnish with the other strawberry and some mint tips.

Miro are twisting things up tapas-style with the introduction of some seriously exquisite dishes – Small and Large Plates that are guaranteed to satiate even the fussiest of palates. Taste a rich abundance of flavours with combinations like prawns, garlic, parsley, butter and sourdough; Little River Camembert, filo pastry, honey, walnut, poached pears and sourdough; and poached Kaikoura octopus, potato, smoked paprika, parsley, lemon and garlic – and don’t overlook their fried chicken! miro.nz

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/ FOOD & DRINK

drowned in) a mayonnaise-style dressing that adds just the right acidic touch. The tuna also is just as it should be – fresh, expertly prepared and melt-in-your-mouth.

The same goes for the seared bonito – another celebration of Japanese minimalism, cooked just enough to enhance the fish’s delicate flavours. The tempura dishes make a light, crunchy addition to our midday banquet as well, rounding out the flavour palate. Room for one more dish?

Sure. We turn to a perfectly balanced sweet-and-salty ramen. Umai!

For the full-immersion experience it would be wrong not to sample the sake offerings, and what better way than with a cold tasting set of three types from the award-winning Shirakabegura (Shirakabe Brewery). The Kimoto Junmai’s aromas of melon and banana open up to flavours of rice and earth as the glass’s contents warm to room temperature; the Kimoto Ginjo’s gentle sweetness gives way to subtle acidity and umami. We save the best till last – the Junmai Daiginjo delicately balances sweetness and acidity, with aromas of pear, banana and peach. We cleanse our palate between quaffs with a mouthful of Cookai’s crisp and fresh signature lager.

Level 1, The Crossing, 166 Cashel Street, 03 343 2860, cookai.co.nz

REVIEW

Cookai Japanese Restaurant

T

hey say we eat with our eyes, which is why we are gorging as we survey the delights on display as Cookai’s sushi train chugs its way from one dining booth to another. There goes some crayfish gunkan, luscious pink tuna nigiri, seared bonito, and a host of tempura treats both vegetarian and not.

For those who remember the treat that was the Blue Fish sushi train, the good news is that it is back. The Blue Fish Line is now the Cookai Line, as the people behind both pre-quake central-city venues staged a July return to the downtown after joining the flight to the suburbs eight years ago. The train is new, the venue is now The Crossing, but the head chef, Gen, is the same and so is the unrivalled range of sushi, nigiri, gunkan and sashimi. And for fans of Cookai’s famous Soft Shell Crab, that’s there too.

The promise of the sushi train alone – it’s a seven-minute trip around the restaurant’s booths – is enough to draw us into Cookai one mid-week lunchtime. What we find though is that there is much more going on

in the new premises than those earlier, smaller venues were able to offer. Having climbed the stairs to The Crossing’s second level and walked through the doors, we are in a sumptuous bar area that strikes a balance between Asian traditional and New York modern. On one side, a wall of dark wooden boxes soars to the high ceiling, creating a dramatic backdrop at the same time as housing a wide range of sake and Japanese whisky. On the other wall, a traditional mural adds splashes of colour as it leads the eye to the restaurant itself. This is light and bright, with full-length windows and a mixed décor palette of stone, wood, glass and steel.

We take our seats in one of the booths and let our eyes continue to feast while we make some difficult choices. Before long our table top is disappearing beneath an array of plated perfections, each plate colour-coded for price. The crayfish gunkan is exactly what it says on the box – a nori “boat” generously filled with sweet crayfish meat and topped with (rather than

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THE LAST WORD

Hot Brown Honey

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the way of Hot Brown Honey.

Cityscape braves the flames to find the best way to decolonise and moisturise.

W

ho is Hot Brown Honey?

There’s Lisa Fa’alafi, aka The Game Changer. Lisa is a powerhouse performer as well as the co-writer, director, choreographer and designer of the show.

Hope One is our internationally renowned beatboxer and a connoisseur of the dance move “The Pony”. Ofa Fotu is The Myth Slayer. She is a multidisciplinary artist with a killer voice. Crystal Stacey, aka The Peace Maker, is our outstanding aerial hoops artist.

Elena Wangurra, aka The Soul Soother, is our off-the-hook dancer, with styles from hip hop to indigenous contemporary. And then me, Busty Beatz. I’m the musical director and composer as well as being the Queen Bee. Then there is The Hive Who Comes Alive. We call her The Mother.

You fuse socially and politically charged themes with high-octane performances – is it difficult to find ways to express your ideas without losing the message and meaning? We like to call Hot Brown Honey a genre-defying, theatrical explosion. Some have referred to the work as hard to describe, some say it’s energised theatre, others say it’s the best pumping political party in town and will have you dancing out of the building! We haven’t found ideas difficult to express because everything in the show is a part of our lived experience as Black and Brown Women, as women from global First Nations heritages, as Women of Colour intersecting on the stolen land known as Australia. We have made deliberate choices in how we use particular forms, and play on preconceptions of genres such as hip hop, burlesque and

FOLLOW US

cabaret to lure in with humour and satire.

We then wow with skill and execution and finally slap with the hard stick soaked with reality – our reality.

As a collective, do you have a method for how you collate your ideas for the show?

When Lisa and I decided to write this work, we were really clear about the fierce artists we wanted to be involved and their multi-layered, genre-defying skills, from beatboxing to dance to circus to singing.

We also knew they were artists with connections to activism and having something to say about the world we live in.

Working with these phenomenal women we have developed some really specific frameworks for collating ideas, the main method being laughing and eating together.

What is one thing you hope audiences take away from your performances? We hope people come away from the show feeling empowered to do something. While we use this platform to tell our stories, we are also inviting audiences in, teasing them into interrogating their own views. We ask them to stand and shout, to make noise, and we hope to inspire change no matter how big or small by confronting our similarities and celebrating our differences.

What inspired Hot Brown Honey to form, to push boundaries and to challenge societal norms? Just by existing as fierce Black and Brown Women, we push boundaries and challenge norms! We exist on the edges, fringes and margins so the mainstream gates remain closed to us on many levels. However it’s on the edges that

cityscape.christchurch 38

we create vital art. It’s on the fringes that we critique the status quo, dismantling and redefining our identities through brilliant creativity. As artists we have decided that the stage is our battlefield, it is our playground and it is where we can reimagine and create our world, tell our stories, use our voices and reclaim our bodies. Hot Brown Honey is our attempt to break through those gates and have a party while doing it!

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

We recite the words “Decolonise and Moisturise” to a phat beat on repeat. It’s our pre-show meditation.

Do pop culture and social media play a role in what direction the show will take?

Pop culture plays a massive role in the show.

We create our world within the space – loud, vivid and unapologetic, with a booming soundtrack drawing from hip hop, funk and soul, and dance that stems from our own cultural backgrounds. By placing ourselves centre-stage we then use this platform and the moment to shine a light on micro-aggressions, privilege, complicit behaviour, social justice, equality, our truths and our lives. In a time when movements like #blacklivesmatter, #metoo #TimesUp and #SovereigntyNeverCeded hit our social media feeds asking everyone to examine their own position, we are adding to this conversation from the point of view of Women of Colour coming out of Australia.

Jan 11 – Jan 20, Assembly Hall, Christ’s College. breadandcircus.co.nz

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CITYSCAPE.CO.NZ December 2018/January 2019