Stories

The local musicians we can’t get enough of. RUSE Having his song ‘Bring the Bomb Squad’ chosen for the RDU Singles Club was another win off the back of a series of highs for local producer Ruse. He’s performed at some of Aotearoa’s biggest music festivals (Bay Dreams, Rhythm & Alps), represented New Zealand on the world stage in renowned turntable competitions and opened for his heroes. More recently, he released his EP Fragments. Ruse says he’s most proud of the way Fragments highlights his “progress and direction as a producer”. Releasing it on one of his favourite labels – Saturate Records – is something he won’t get over any time soon, either. “It still blows my mind,” he says. Gear limitations allowed him to explore his equipment more and in his words, trying to get as much as you can out of a single source “forces experimentation and creativity”. ADAM...

Grammy-nominated singer and blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa is returning to New Zealand and we couldn’t be happier. The guitarist has released 15 solo albums and secured his reputation as one of the best blues players alive. Rock out with Bonamassa at the Christchurch Town Hall on September 25. jbonamassa.com

Just two months after performing alongside local icon Delaney Davidson as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival, Tami Neilson is returning. Neilson is bringing her This Is Tami Neilson! tour down to the 03, where she’ll delight fans with her unique blend of soul, country and rockabilly. See her at The Piano on October 19, 2019. thepiano.nz

Get your spook on at the first annual Fiddler’s Green Halloween Masquerade. The winery, in the picturesque Waipara Valley, will be turned into a trick-or-treaters dream with carnival games during the day for the kids and a hauntingly good band when the sun goes down and the vampires come out. There’s a prize for the most bone-chilling costume and a $10 food and refreshment coupon if you arrive in costume. A shuttle bus will be available on the night, stopping at various locations throughout the city for a safe way there and back to your labyrinth. Lyttelton band The Preservatives will rock you as they re-jig some of your favourite songs along with some improvised jams, funky breakdowns and stand-alone originals. The energetic five-piece band are willing to push the boundaries of their music and have fun while they do it, so brush up on your ‘Thriller’ dance moves and get...

Time to mark your diary and book the milliner – Addington Cup Week, the season’s hottest social event, is coming. Join the city’s crème de la crème at Addington Raceway & Events Centre. The action kicks off on Tuesday November 12 with Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup Day and continues on the Friday with Show Day Races. Cup Day will be a toast to Christchurch Casino’s 25th anniversary. Punters can dress to the nines and participate in a high-octane day of racing and revelry. A full card of 11 races culminates in the 116th running of the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup. In between the trotting excitement, there’s fabulous fashions on the catwalk, with The Crossing Fashion Starts Here Best Dressed Competition. Tickets are on sale now. General admission will get you to the heart of the action, or you can treat yourself to the Lindauer Lawn, where you’ll gain access...

A good night out might be the only thing that stops your staff from quitting. We’re not saying they’ll definitely quit if you don’t book Grandpa Figs, but is it really worth the risk? As the South Island’s biggest promoter of comedy, Grandpa Figs have years of experience making people laugh. They have a huge range of performers and venues, and options include stand-up, quizzes, games nights and custom events. Grandpa Figs is your home of comedy in Christchurch. FB/GrandpaFigs

Country music royalty Kris Kristofferson is bringing his emotive songs and sweet Southern drawl back to Christchurch on October 9. Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through The Night, Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down – you name it, he’ll be singing it. Kristofferson will take to the Town Hall stage with The Strangers. kriskristofferson.com

SCAPE Public Art has delivered its biggest lineup ever. Get ready to be surprised by artworks inspired by the theme Rock : Paper : Scissors – everything from sculpture and photography to audio installations and stunning neon lights. The six-week season starts on October 5, 2019. scapepublicart.org.nz KA MUA KA MURI, 2019 – KAZU NAKAGAWA Tokyo-born sculptor Kazu Nakagawa – who calls Waiheke Island home – will wow when one of his works takes up residence in Market Square at the Arts Centre. Ka Mua Ka Muri links Mother Nature’s architecture to art. Nakagawa’s practice is informed by his philosophical beliefs. THE POOL, 2018-2019 – NATALIE GUY Kiwi Natalie Guy’s diving board installation, which is heading for the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Hereford Street, is sure to stop passers-by in their tracks. Stripped of its core business as a launching pad, Guy says the diving board “becomes a surreal, redundant...

Postmodern Jukebox have won a world of fans with their old-skool approach – human beings singing and playing real instruments. Vocalist Aubrey Logan tells Cityscape why she loves getting to join in, and her delight at getting to visit Christchurch with the band. You’ve performed with so many artists across a wide range of genres yet you seem to have a particular affinity with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – why is that? Postmodern Jukebox is really a family. When you go to a Postmodern Jukebox show, you may or may not see the same people most of the time because the cast is so large and there are different casts in different shows around the world. So for me I really have Scott Bradlee to thank for introducing me to his audience a few years ago when I first met him. And then every time I have been on a tour...

Here are a couple of tasty treats to add to your wine-to-do-list. MAIN DIVIDE ROSÉ 2019 Spring is in the air – time to switch from those big reds to something a little lighter. Enter Main Divide’s 2019 Rosé, an assemblage of varieties including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine pours salmon pink, with fragrant aromas of strawberries, red currants and cranberry. On the palate it is dry and finely textured, with fresh and vibrant minerality. The influence of the Pinot Noir ensures the wine remains fleshy and supple, while the two Cabernets contribute aroma and structure. maindivide.com FIDDLER’S GREEN VINEYARD & BISTRO GEWURZTRAMINER 2019 The aromatic gewurztraminer grape is finding itself in ideal terroir in the Waipara Valley, leading to some wonderful expressions of the wine style. It is also catching on with diners seeking an ideal companion to spicy Asian dishes. This example from Fiddler’s Green...

Three Boys brewer Ralph Bungard looks into a cloudy glass and finds much to like about a good New England IPA. Craft brewers have been at the forefront of exposing consumers to what seems like an ever-expanding range of beer styles. It was not that long ago in New Zealand where, to paraphrase Henry Ford, you could have any beer style you liked – as long as it was brown NZ draft! That was pretty much New Zealand beer in a nutshell up until the late 1990s and early 2000s, before the appearance of new-wave craft brewers. Rather than compete with cheap “factory” brews, these pioneers tapped into the market of those who were looking for something different. Just like here in New Zealand, craft breweries worldwide became the go-to for new and exciting beer styles and it triggered what could be seen as a brewing “arms race” – who could...

The Hempy Bar is a brand new snack from Christchurch-based hemp food company The Brothers Green and it is packed with nature’s most nutrient-rich seed. Hemp seeds are a natural protein containing all 20 amino acids and are a great source of Omega 3, making Hempy Bars a healthy alternative snack for children and adults. The Brothers Green won FoodStuffs’ FoodStarter competition last year with the bar, and that put it into South Island New Worlds. To cap the good vibes, the Hempy Bar comes in a compostable pouch and wrap. thebrothersgreen.co

If you are still to check out the world of variety at the city’s freshest new dining lane, Eats on Oxford, make sure you get along soon and take advantage of the launch promotions. There’s Happy Hour Monday and Tuesday (50% off selected items, 3 – 6pm) and the Early Bird special Wednesday to Friday (25% off selected items, 10am – noon). Dine in or take away, brunch, afternoon tea or dinner – Eats on Oxford has you covered. FB/eatsonoxford

Our good friends at Curiosity Gin have undergone an extreme (branding) makeover. Their sleek new 700ml bottles of locally distilled gin are sporting a bold new logo. We already know their gin stands out from the crowd and now, with the fresh new branding, their bottles will too. The Sydenham-based distillery is well worth a visit if you’ve never been, if only to embark on one of their tours. You’ll get a peek at where the magic happens along with some exclusive insider knowledge. The standard tour includes a lap around the distillery, a full gin tasting and a discount off any purchases made on the day. Curiosity's cellar door is another stop worth making next time the old liquor cabinet needs a re-stock. If gin isn’t the drop for you, they also distil their own Crux Vodka – which is as clean and crisp as the southern night sky –...

When Kiwi entrepreneur Sam Brown realised we didn’t have a national drink, he set about making one – and so The White Sheep Co came to life. How did you come up with such an interesting product? I was living overseas at the time and out having a few drinks with friends. We were all from different countries and decided to have a drink for each of our nationalities. We had some tequila for Mexico, brandy for France, whisky for Scotland and bourbon for USA. When it got to me, I drew a blank – there wasn’t a spirit that was truly unique to New Zealand. It was this night that put the spark in my mind to create something truly different that could represent New Zealand on the global stage. It took around three years of research and development while working full-time but The White Sheep Co finally launched at...

At his restaurant, Story, chef Shafeeq Ismail blends Indian flavours and local ingredients to create dishes that diners love to love. He tells Cityscape where he gets his inspiration, and how cricket helps him relax. How would you describe the cuisine you create? We create progressive international cuisine using local artisan produce and New Zealand ingredients with definite Indian flavours. All our wine and beer are handpicked to match the food and sourced locally and internationally from the best in the industry. How did you get started on your career as a chef? Way back in India I was always amazed by our street food vendors and chefs, who fascinated me with their technique and flavours. I have always been a foodie and felt the happiness in eating tasty food, and so I wanted to give the same happiness to others. What has been your path to where you are now?...

This nutrient-dense powder from Kiki Health will have your body looking and feeling radiant this spring. The 100 percent organic Alkaline Infusion powder uses Vitamin C from lemon-juice powder and acerola cherry powder, inulin from chicory root, calcium, magnesium and potassium to create this powerhouse supplement. Like waving a magic wand, the powder works to reduce fatigue, support your immune system, build collagen, improve your skin and aid digestion. Two teaspoons in water each day is all it takes to soak up the benefits of this natural energy and nutrient boost. kiki-health.co.nz

Koha Fitness is a state of the art club, but it’s the people – He tāngata! He tāngata! He tāngata! – that make it so special. At Koha Fitness, you’re family, which means they care about your wellness journey and help you to stay on track. With the latest equipment on offer, get in touch with the friendly team for a free one-week trial. kohafitness.co.nz/free