Stories

Christchurch screenings of Whānau Mārama - The New Zealand International Film Festival begins tonight, showcasing critically-acclaimed home-grown and international films at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Lumière and online for film-buffs to stream at home Lumière’s programme will open with the Australian film, True History of the Kelly Gang screening concurrently with the online premiere tonight. The film, directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, NZIFF11) and based on the Booker Prize winning novel by Peter Carey, is a surreal adaptation of the outlaw legend featuring high-profile New Zealand actors including Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie (Leave No Trace, NZIFF18 and Jojo Rabbit), musician Marlon Williams and Russell Crowe. The Isaac Theatre Royal’s programme begins with The Truth; the first film acclaimed Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu (Shoplifters) has made outside of his home country, featuring French film icons Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche. One to watch out for online, having its world premiere at Whānau Mārama,...

After 102 years in Colombo Street, Smiths City is set to move its flagship Christchurch store to the vibrant, characterful New Zealand-owned establishment The Colombo. It’s a new era for Smiths City, which has had new ownership since May this year and has a new CEO, Tony Allison, at the helm. “We got an insight that the space was available, we loved the owners, the whole vibe of the place, and we looked at the space and it just felt right,” says Allison. It’ll take its place among the boutique stores, arts cinema and euro-style bars of The Colombo over next few months, due to open in October 2020. Tony Allison has been on the Smiths City board of directors since 2016, so he knows the business well. “As soon as I got here, it felt like a family-run company,” he says. Starting out as an accountant, he’s spent the past...

Set your tummies rumbling. Bottle and Stone is the new pizza joint in town, and this one promises to be a little unorthodox. The people behind Welles Street and Earl bring us Bottle and Stone, serving up a simple menu of anything-but-simple pizzas, as well as a rotating selection of wines and crafties, all handpicked by the staff. It will be the latest addition to the eccentric reinvented workshop space that’s now health and wellbeing complex The Welder on Welles Street. Bottle and Stone have developed their unique space with a back street grunge vibe – think wine served in tumblers and pizza on foldable paper plates – totally fitting for the space’s history as an old panel beater’s storage facility. But most importantly, the pizza. It’s taglio style, which means it’s cooked in big rectangular dishes, and usually has some toppings cooked on, and others, like salad greens, soft cheese...

The group behind smooth Kiwi singalong anthems ‘Fish in the Sea’ and ‘Wandering Eye’ have just announced free limited-time streams of a live recorded session. Jam along to Fat Freddy’s Drop for free this weekend with live streams of a one-off concert captured in the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. With no audience present, it’s a personal and meaningful studio-like experience. The band were forced to pull the pin on their 2020 tour of Europe and the UK, and say the live streams are a way to show those fans some love. Having hurriedly returned home from Germany in March as the Covid pandemic broke out, the band then had to wait almost three months for their tour gear and instruments to get back to New Zealand. That moment inspired the idea of putting on a show with no audience at the Michael Fowler Centre. The live concert of eight songs...

Flox, AKA Hayley King is one of New Zealand’s coolest contemporary artists and we’re seeing her distinctive spraycan handywork all over the place, from street art to super-trendy stationery. She’s just teamed up with BLUNT umbrellas for their third collaboration on an umbrella that’s practical and looks amazeballs. Do you have a favourite New Zealand bird? You know what? I’m all about the Kākāriki parrots right now. Tell us about the birds and plants on your new BLUNT umbrella design. The New Zealand kākāriki and native botanicals feature alongside native Australian flora and the crimson rosella and ringneck parrot. I wanted to incorporate the brightest birds and foliage for the highest impact on a grey winter’s day, but also pay homage to our-long standing trans-Tasman relationship. You don’t seem like someone who collaborates willy-nilly. What drew you to BLUNT? Not only do BLUNT have super high standards with their products, but...

With all the craziness of 2020, NZIFF decided to stream its films to watch when and where you want. You can also catch selected viewings at Lumière and Isaac Theatre Royal. Bravo! Organisers have rejected cancellation and are bringing this year’s film festival to theatres and homes near you. Here in Christchurch select films will be showing at Lumière Cinemas and the Isaac Theatre Royal as well as streaming online. Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2020 (NZIFF)’s Christchurch shows will kick off with viewings of French language feature The Truth, starring Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawke at Isaac Theatre Royal, and True History of the Kelly Gang at Lumière on July 24. Over the festival Lumière will show My Extraordinary Summer With Tess, Rurangi, The Girl on the Bridge, Exile, Martin Eden, The County, The Perfect Candidate, Heroic Losers, The Truth and the festival’s best short films....

Matariki, the Māori New Year, coincides with the rise of the Matariki star cluster, which this year begins on July 13, with educational events beginning in late June. Cityscape has the low-down on what’s happening in Christchurch. It’s almost time for Aotearoa’s own midwinter New Year celebrations. Matariki rises at a different time each year, and as a result the Māori New Year shifts around. This year is a particularly late one (the cluster usually rises in June). Get involved with kid-friendly and community events anyone can take part in. Plant trees, gain some cultural knowledge and get involved with music and fun at Matariki in the Zone. The best part is you don’t need to book or buy tickets for any of these events – just turn up and have fun! Christchurch City Libraries events The libraries usually hold a series of Matariki events, and this year they have been...

The Court Theatre is reopening its doors with the Winter Warmer series of four shows through July and August.We’ve been waiting in the wings for more theatre to hit the stages this winter and things are starting to heat up with more shows announced all the time. We’re particularly stoked to see The Court Theatre reopening its doors with these funny and original productions and can’t wait to get out and enjoy some live theatre.There’s something for the kids, the adults and everyone in between. Here’s what to expect at the Winter Warmers: The Quarantine Diaries The theatre’s official reopening performance comes from the talented young creatives in The Court Youth Company. Take this opportunity to get behind the scenes in an immersive production that goes to parts of the theatre usually closed to the public.The Court Youth Company came up with this show in lockdown, and it’s an exploration of...

Christchurch is about to get lit, with big lighting installations throughout the city in July. More than 20 installations created by Christchurch companies and artists will light up Victoria Square, Friendship Corner, Park of Remembrance, Cathedral Square, City Mall, New Brighton Pier and more. The lighting festival, CHCH IS LIT, will run between 6pm and 11pm from July 1 to July 29. The temporary lighting will highlight and enhance the permanent lighting that has been installed around the city over the last two years. Installations range from lit-up trees in the central city to large-scale, fully interactive projections on buildings. All of them are free to view and can be easily accessed by people of all ages. Christchurch City Council organised the event as a way to connect people with the central city and New Brighton. So take your family out for a walk or meet some friends for dinner and...

Christchurch (and its surrounding area) is blessed with numerous tracks and walks perfect for grabbing some fresh air, checking out some cool sights, or scoring a back-to-nature soul fix. Cityscape hits some of the routes you should try out – whether it’s to rediscover the city, check some killer views or just breathe in our great outdoors, you need to get yourself up and walking! Urban excursions The city centre is a great place to start, with little dedicated walks that will deliver you to some of Christchurch’s gems. These walks will direct you to take in Hagley Park, Riverside Market, The Earthquake Memorial, The Bus Interchange, Victoria Square, The Margaret Mahy Family Playground, Rauora Park and the East Frame, and many other new places including interesting private developments. There are plenty of places to stop to look and grab a drink or bite to eat along the way. If you’re...

Throughout lockdown Burgerfuel has been hinting at a new mystery burger on its way. The details are here and it’s looking like a must-try for foodies and the burger-munching masses. The Mustang Deli burger is the result of a collaboration between Burgerfuel and renowned Kiwi brand Al Brown & Co. It promises to deliver New York deli flavour, inspired by the classic Reuben sandwich complete with two beef cuts and habanero mustard, and will be available in restaurants from June 2. Burgerfuel has a history of presenting classic cuisine with a twist in its limited-time burger offers, with some absolute winners coming out over the years (and frankly some we’d like to see on the permanent menu). This is the first time Burgerfuel has collaborated with another restaurant brand, and with award-winning chef Al Brown at the helm this seems like the perfect partner to deliver something that really makes the...

We’ve pulled together our fave Spotify playlists to get you through the lockdown with a spring in your step. For a playlist to suit any mood and get you pumped up (or chilled out), check out our top 10. 1 / Cityscape Sounds by Cityscape Magazine Yes, we have our own playlist of bangin’ tunes that we have on high rotation at Cityscape HQ. These chill jams are perfect to simmer in the background if you’re working from home and want some relaxing noise, or to have a wee chillaxed moment. 2 / Isolation Jams by Craig Shaw DJ Shawsy has put together the ultimate isolation jams across eight separate playlists to suit whatever mood you may be in. There’s a downbeat one for when you just want to zone out, a house music one to have you pumped up and cutting shapes, and an eclectic playlist for those out-there bangers....

We round up three great reads, shows to bingewatch, new albums to treat your ears to and a couple of decent podcasts to enlighten. Bingewatching Fear the Walking Dead This spinoff from the oh-so-popular programme The Walking Dead follows the story of two families who must band together to survive the undead apocalypse. It’s kind of a prequel that shows the beginning events of the zombie apocalypse pre-Rick. Season five has just dropped on Neon, so if you haven’t seen it before, there’s plenty to catch up on and keep you entertained. After Life Starring (and created by) super-funny man Ricky Gervais, this British black comedy-drama will have you hooked from the first episode. It follows Tony, whose life is turned upside-down after his wife dies. It's a funny but at times sad look at his life after these events. Season two dropped on Netflix on April 24, so buckle up...

Whether you’re a bookworm or just looking to pick up a good read to escape the perils of trash TV, Cityscape has pulled together our top 20 reads.  1 / The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson  Not your typical self-help guide, you’ll be giggling and make some realisations along the way. Chapters include ‘Don’t Try’, ‘Happiness is a Problem’ and ‘You are Wrong About Everything (But So Am I)’. This is a reaction to the self-help industry and what Mark Manson sees as a culture of mindless positivity that isn't helpful to most.  2 / Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth  If you like Bridget Jones’s Diary then you’ll love this one. Shining a light on the misadventure of maturity, Adults is totally relatable and will have you chuckling. The story follows Jenny McLaine, a 35-year-old columnist who appears to be living the perfect life – that’s just on the surface though. There’s a common theme...

Hi Christchurch, it’s us here at Cityscape. You’ve done so well through Level 4 lockdown, staying home and social distancing so we can keep everyone safe and get the city back up and running sooner. But lately, something has slipped. We’ve seen the pictures of crowds on Sumner beach. Groups of people congregating on corners, at the end of driveways and in parks. Yarning. Smoking. Spreading those bubbles out wide. Even the supermarkets suddenly feel different. You’re losing your respect of personal space, and it’s all getting a bit ‘lax out there. Christchurch, it’s time to sort your shit out. Things haven’t gone great for our city since Covid-19 arrived. We’ve had a spate of tragic deaths, and we need to do everything we can to stop any more from happening. Now isn’t the time to let the guard slip. Now is the time to double down and wipe this disease...

Looking to be inspired and keep learning? You can get your culture fix from some of the best art galleries and museums in the world through their virtual tours, giving a detailed view of the treasures inside. If you’ve missed out on travel plans, always wanted to check out these iconic museums and galleries or are just in search of something beautiful to look at, we’ve got you covered. Take your bubble on tours of the world’s best galleries and museums from the comfort of your couch. Start at Christchurch Art Gallery – they’re also regularly updating their Facebook page with live talks and music videos. On their Instagram page (@chchartgallery) you’ll discover some beautiful inspo and a super-engaged community of like-minded people – a great way to stay connected! You can build your own exhibitions through their website, too – great fun for stuck-at-home kids (and adults). christchurchartgallery.org.nz Hop over...

Pour a glass of your favourite pinot (Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir is our pick), put your feet up, pop on a facemask and your favourite tunes and relax, because you deserve it! Here’s our picks of the best ways to pamper yourself at home while the salons are closed. If your hair needs a revival, the team at True Grit has you covered – these guys are still shipping and have a range of fab products to have your hair silky smooth and stronger than ever, ready for your next salon visit. Their range includes hair masks and serums, perfect to leave in while you smash out some housework. truegrit.co.nz, truegritstore.com Hands feeling a little dry with all this hand washing, or is your face suffering with the change in season? Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa has what you need. You can pick up plenty of goodies for your skin...

It’s OK, honestly, we’re all guilty of it. You’ve been bingewatching shows online and lounging around. Maybe you’ve done some housework and baked a sourdough. Just make sure you don’t waste this wonderful opportunity to learn something. From a new language to a hobby or upskilling, there are lots of ways you can keep your brain active and impress those around you (and yourself!).   Language Buenos Dias! Bonjour! Konnichiwa! Tēnā koe! Maybe you’re planning for a holiday when all this blows over and want to learn the local lingo, or you just want to find more ways to crank up your brain and connect with those around you. Check out these ways to get you on your way:  1 / Babbel is the crème de la crème of language learning sites. They have an app and you can learn online, with 14 languages to choose from. Each course starts at...