Culture: Go guide
Popular play returns
After two years of development,
He Kura E Huna Ana has returned to The Forge at The Court Theatre. Directed by Nancy Brunning and starring Christchurch’s own Kim Garrett, the play follows the modern day story of Hine, a young doctor-intraining who’s return to her papa kainga leads her to confront the tragic loss of her family on the anniversary of their death. Written by emerging playwright Hohepa Waitoa, the debut season of He Kura E Huna Ana quickly sold out The Forge in 2015. The current season runs until Saturday. For more information, see courttheatre.org.nz
Single fin mingle
More than 30 of the world’s best male and female longboard surfers will gather in Sumner for the third Single Fin Mingle this weekend. Billed as more of a festival than a surfing competition, visitors will be able to browse market stalls while watching the action at the Scarborough Beach site. Events kick off with an opening ceremony and powhiri at the Sumner Surf LifeSaving Club tonight, followed by a film evening at the Sumner’s Hollywood Cinema ($10). On Saturday night, local band The Butlers will be the feature act at a party in the Sumner Community Hall ($20). And, after the finals are completed on Sunday, a prizegiving will be held at the Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club, followed by a performance from New Zealand jazz singer Malcolm McNeill. For more information, see facebook.com/singlefinmingle
Sydneysiders in town
The Sydney Male Choir will perform two concerts in the city this weekend as part of their 2017 New Zealand tour. With a programme that includes solos, duets and full-choir harmonies of show tunes, pop songs and spirituals, the choir will be on show at the Charles Luney Auditorium at 7.30pm tonight and at the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral at 5.30pm tomorrow. Admission is by donation at the door.
Houstoun joins the CSO
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will joined by renowned New Zealand pianist Michael Houstoun for a concert celebrating Mozart at St Margaret’s College’s Charles Luney Auditorium on Saturday night. Tickets for the 7.30pm show are available from eventfinda.co.nz
Fashion fundraiser
The Foundry will host a fashion fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House on Saturday night. The M Factor Fashion Show will not only showcase the latest designer fashion, the evening will also include an auction, canapes and drinks. Tickets are $75 VIP, General admission $55 and students $30 (available from ticketmaster.co.nz), with doors opening at 6pm for a 7pm start.
A Muddy Good Run
The Canterbury Agricultural Park will host the annual Muddy Good Run on Sunday. Featuring events for everyone from 7 yearolds to adult teams, the run involves contestants having to run, walk, crawl, climb and slide around the park as they face a variety of obstacle including water, mud, haybales, scaffolding and cargo nets. The first race is at 9am. For more information, see muddygoodrun.co.nz
Concert for Waiau
The Topp Twins headline a concert for the North Canterbury township of Waiau at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa on Sunday afternoon. They will be joined by local band Test of Time, Katy Pakinga, Eddie Simon, Hanmer Sings and Hanmer Spark for the show, which will be held in the complex’s family garden area. Scheduled to run from 11.30am to 5pm, half of the pools’ entry takings for the day will be donated to the Waiau township to help rebuild its swimming pool.
The Language of Music
The Language of Music is the title of The Cecilian Singers’ first concert for 2017. Showcasing songs where lyrics ‘‘paint pictures’’ by Schubert, Faure, Busto, Debussy, Rheinberger and others, the singers will be joined by the Tresoli Piano Trio for the 3pm concert at the Heaton Performing Arts Centre on Sunday. Tickets are $15.
A tribute to The Last Waltz
An iconic moment in music history will be recreated at the Irish Society Hall on Sunday night. Christchurch band Nothing to Lose will be joined by a series of guest artists for a tribute to The
Last Waltz, a concert by CanadianAmerican rock group The Band on November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Advertised as The Band’s ‘‘farewell concert appearance’’, it featured highprofile guests and was filmed by director Martin Scorsese. Doors for the tribute concert open at 7pm, with the performance starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 non-members, with door sales cash only. Discussing the Deans Christchurch author Joanna Orwin will discuss her book Riccarton and the Deans Family:
History and Heritage at the Canterbury Museum on Tuesday morning at 10.15am. The story of the Deans’ family, Riccarton House and the Riccarton Bush Reserve, it was shortlisted for the New Zealand Heritage Book and Writing Awards in 2016. To reserve a seat, see canterburymuseum.com, or call 366-9429.
Frost visits Horncastle
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Mozart, Beethoven and John Adams at their concert at Horncastle Arena on Tuesday night. Acclaimed Swedish clarinettist Martin Frost will join the orchestra for the 7pm concert. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Blind Boy in concert
Modern day songster, minstrel and bluesman Blind Boy Paxton will perform at The Tannery’s Blue Smoke next Wednesday. Able to play the banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion and the bones, Paxton is billed as having the ‘‘eerie ability to transform traditional jazz, blues, folk, and country into the here and now, and make it real’’. Doors open for the 8.30pm concert at 8pm. Tickets available in advance from undertheradar.co.nz
Easter-appropriate music
Schola Cantorum will present Tomas Luis de Victoria’s
Tenebrae Responsories at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral next Thursday at 7.30pm. Written to be sung as part of liturgies during Easter week, the 18 motets will be interspersed with appropriate readings. Programmes will be available at the door by donation $15, or $10 for seniors, unwaged, or students. For more information, see scholacantorum.org.nz
Old-girl returns
Former Rangi Ruru Girls’ School student Bryony Gibson-Cornish will perform a one-off concert at her old stomping ground next Thursday at 7.30pm.
Currently performing and studying at London’s Royal College of Music, the viola player has a Masters in Music from New York’s Juilliard School. For more information, see rangiruru.school.nz
Quartet minus one
Three members of the well-known Aroha Quartet, will perform rarely heard masterworks for a string trio under the name Aroha Ensemble at the Rangiora Library’s Chamber Gallery next Thursday at 7.30pm. For tickets, phone (03) 311-8901.