What’s on this weekend and beyond
Brazilian Midwinter Fundraiser Carnival
❚ When: Tomorrow, 11am to 5pm
❚ Where: Harvard Community Lounge, 31 Corsair Drive, Wigram, Christchurch Gather for a day of community spirit and cultural celebration, in support of a great cause – raising money for the victims of the floods in Brazil. The event will feature live music with DJ Secostyle, traditional Brazilian food, a traditional dance called quadrilha, family games, and activities for all ages.
Entry is by gold coin donation. Details of ongoing fundraiser events to raise money for Brazil’s flood victims can be found by following @rsbrfloodrelief on Instagram.
The Garden City Mākete: Midwinter Christmas
❚ When: Tomorrow, 1pm to 9pm
❚ Where: Wolfbrook Area, 55 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch
The Garden City Mākete’s biggest market yet will feature more than 200 artisans, food trucks and live performances. Your favourite princesses and superheroes will be on site to do face painting for kids (or kids at heart), and there’ll be plenty of handcrafted pottery, jewellery, art and fashion for shoppers.
Free tickets are available from Eventbrite.
Plant trees at Halswell Quarry
❚ When: Tomorrow, 10am to noon
❚ Where: Halswell Quarry Park, Kennedys Bush Rd, Christchurch
The public are invited to help establish native plants in Halswell Quarry Park, a 60.4ha park with a combination of recreational walks, historic sites and botanical collections. Halswell Quarry played a major role in the development of Christchurch, and ceased production in 1990 after 140 years of quarrying.
Tomorrow’s planting event is part of an ongoing partnership between the community, Trees for Canterbury and the Christchurch City Council, and will be followed by a barbecue.
Helpers should assemble in the car park off Kennedys Bush Rd and look for the signs by the stone cottage on the main driveway giving directions to the planting site. There is also limited parking in the Cashmere Rd car park.
Dogs Day Out
❚ When: Tomorrow, 10am to 1pm
❚ Where: Brighton Mall (down the laneway in Carnaby Mall), New Brighton, Christchurch
New Brighton is going to the dogs with the return of the Dogs Day Out. There’ll be a best dressed dog parade down the laneway in Carnaby Mall, pet-inspired market stalls selling everything from leads to dog-friendly ice cream, and spot prizes.
The parade starts at 11am. Enter your dog on the day for free.
Christchurch Multicultural Festival
❚ When: Tomorrow, 5pm to 9pm
❚ Where: La Vida Centre, Hansons Ln, Christchurch
Now in its fourth year, this spectacular celebration showcases the rich diversity of traditions through an evening of performances and displays. After last year’s success, highlighting 32 different communities, the 2024 edition aims to be even more spectacular.
This family-friendly and non-alcohol event, hosted by the IndianNZ Association, offers an opportunity to experience cultural song, dance, cuisine and more under one roof.
Entry is free.
Christ’s College Chapel Choir
❚ When and where: Sunday, 2pm at St Michaels Church, Oxford Tce; and Monday, 7pm, at Knox Church, Bealey Ave, Christchurch.
The acclaimed Christ’s College Chapel Choir from Cambridge, England is returning to New Zealand this month, following the success of their 2019 tour.
The choir has about 24 singers and is supported by two organ scholars, music director Professor David Rowland says. Its performances in New Zealand will include music from the 16th century to the present day, including established church music repertoire and music by contemporary composers. “Coming to New Zealand is always a treat for the choir,” Rowland said. Entry for each show is by $25 programme donation at the door; cash only.
A night of Ravel and Strauss
❚ When: Saturday, July 27, 7.30pm
❚ Where: Christchurch Town Hall, Kilmore St
Two French music stars will make their New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) debut in Christchurch, delivering an evening of works by French composers Maurice Ravel and Lili Boulanger, as well as Germany’s Richard Strauss.
Under the baton of French conductor Stéphane Denève, and featuring French mezzo-soprano Virginie Verrez, the NZSO’s A Hero’s Life in July promises a captivating musical journey. Works include Ravel’s Shéhérazade, Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life); and Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps, highlighting her pioneering work before her untimely death at 24.
Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Celeste Barber: Backup Dancer
❚ When: Friday, August 2, 7.30pm
❚ Where: Christchurch Town Hall, Kilmore St
Australia’s comedy queen Celeste Barber promises to tackle big political topics in her latest standup show, from freeing nipples and inappropriately texting therapists to imagining life as Taylor Swift’s backup dancer.
“I'm excited to tell some jokes, relive some awkward memories, and high kick my way across the stage with my new show,” Barber said.
The comedian’s rise to fame began with Australia’s largest open mic competition, RAW Comedy, in 2015. Her Netflix special Fine, Thanks, filmed at the Sydney Opera House, and her memoir Challenge Accepted!, have been widely celebrated. In 2020, she raised $52 million for the NSW Rural Fire Service during Australia’s devastating bushfire season, and last year she starred in the hit Netflix series Wellmania.
Tickets to Barber’s Christchurch show are available from Ticketek.
Come Together - The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
❚ When: Friday August 30, 8pm to 10pm
❚ Where: Isaac Theatre Royal, Gloucester St, Christchurch
Revisit the magic of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, as some of New Zealand’s biggest artists come together to recreate this pop-psychedelic masterpiece track by track. This seminal work will be performed in its entirety, accompanied by a bonus set of deep cuts and classic hits.
The star-studded Come Together band features Jol Mulholland, Brett Adams, Matthias Jordan, Alistair Deverick, Mike Hall, Finn Scholes, Nick Atkinson, and a raft of acclaimed Kiwi artists.
Tickets are available from Ticketek.