Winter is officially here and just because the temp is taking a deep dive down to single digits doesn’t mean your social calendar has to become non-existent. The city is blessed with an array of hotspots popping up on the regular so if you’re after some tasty eats, the legends at Burger Burger have opened up shop in their rad digs next door to Supreme Supreme; the folks at Cook ‘N’ With Gas have also swung open their doors and are back in biz serving up wicked eats; and Winnie Bagoes have taken up residence next door to Welles Street. If you’re on the hunt for something to do, check out our roundup of activities from comedy to cinema and cuisine to culture to keep those chilly days ticking over.
IRT Harness Jewels
Shake off those winter chills, dress to the nines and take part in the hottest social event on Christchurch’s winter calendar. The IRT Harness Jewels is taking over Addington Raceway & Events Centre on June 1 and is promising to be a day of frills, thrills and seriously good times.
Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival
The city’s own Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz and Blues Festival has sashayed back into town and until June 3 a wealth of muso talent will be taking over various venues around the city. As usual there’s a jam-packed schedule of national and international acts, with appearances from locals Oval Office and Adam McGrath on the cards plus performances from L.A. alum William Edward Childs.
The Monkees
Over two hours of Monkees magic is on the cards when Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz of the 60s heartthrob band The Monkees take to the Isaac Theatre Royal stage on June 8. Expect back-to-back hits from their repertoire that spans half a century including ‘I’m A Believer’, ‘Last Train to Clarksville’, ‘Daydream Believer’, ‘Mary, Mary’ with many more on the set list. Having last set foot in New Zealand way back in the late 70s, Nesmith promises to bring the noise with a selection of his compositions – some that have never been performed live, so if you want a unique concert experience and the chance to catch these icons in the flesh, secure your tickets asap. Be sure to also check out our Q&A with Michael Nesmith here.
Cinema Italiano Festival
Italian cinephiles rejoice, Cinema Italiano Festival is back for its fourth year and will showcase an array of Italian films from June 11 – June 20 at Christchurch’s Academy Gold Cinema. Immerse yourself in the energy and diversity of Italian culture through the evocative images offered by this year’s selection of films.
Michael McIntyre: Big World Tour
A barrel of laughs is on the cards when BAFTA award-winning comedian Michael McIntyre brings his new comedic venture to town. Catch him when he takes to the stage at Horncastle Arena for two nights (June 17 and June 18).
Christchurch Art Show
In its sixth year, the Christchurch Art Show is back, bigger and brighter than ever, featuring more than 150 artists and thousands of art works for sale. Started as a show to give local artists space to exhibit after the earthquakes, the Christchurch Art Show has become an annual event giving artists from all over New Zealand a place to celebrate each other and show and sell their work. From June 21 – June 23 (with a late night on Saturday), get along and scope out the artistic talent.
CSO: Organic
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 2019 season continues to impress, with their upcoming performance Organic poised to take over the Christchurch Town Hall on June 22. In what will be his New Zealand debut, renowned pianist Moye Chen will take to the piano under the guidance of conductor Hamish McKeich. As well as performances by Chen, Christchurch-born composer Salina Fisher will perform her “marvellously atmospheric” piece Rainphase, which earned her the SOUNZ Contemporary Award – the youngest winner in the competition’s history. Other pieces on the cards include Saint Saëns’ hugely popular final symphony, which “revels in the endless possibilities of sound that a large orchestra, augmented by piano and organ, is capable of creating”.
Matariki at the Arts Centre
Paying respect to the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, which heralds the start of a new year in the Māori calendar, the Arts Centre will take star gazing to new levels as it celebrates Matariki with a wealth of events. From June 25 to July 7, you can expect traditional kai served alongside stalls selling crafts and jewellery with a Kiwiana twist, local singer songwriters taking to the mic and traditional performances. They are also set to host a variety of activities such as workshops as well as a market. Gather the whanau and celebrate new beginnings, reflect on the year that has been and what is to come and have an overall great time to mark this momentous occasion.
RNZB: Black Swan, White Swan
The inimitable Royal New Zealand Ballet will take to the Isaac Theatre Royal stage and showcase Mário Radačovský’s compelling choreographic work Black Swan, White Swan. A daring and seductive retelling of Swan Lake, Radačovský’s work is a deeply personal take on the classic love story and follows Siegfried, who is caught between two women – the black swan and the white swan – and his overpowering struggles with temptation, love, pure evil and himself. Captivating, beguiling and draped in style, be sure to snap up tickets to this performance (June 27 – June 29).