Good Times: Highlights of this week’s events in Christchurch
Wrap your laughing gear around this Belinkers - global podcast sensation arrives in Christchurch.
MY DAD WROTE A PORNO
Imagine if your dad wrote a porno? It happened to Jamie Morton, who discovered more about his father (pen name Rocky Flintstone) than he ever bargained for.
With the help of his best mates, James Cooper and Alice Levine, Morton has become a global sensation by reading a chapter a week of his dad’s hilarious porn novel.
When life gives you lemons . . . Morton turned his dad’s dodgy erotica into a critically-acclaimed HBO comedy special, an awardwinning No1 hit podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno with 180 million downloads and this year the three friends are on a world tour, arriving at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Wednesday, January 22.
The novels tell the stories of the sexual exploits of Belinda Blumenthal, who works in the sales and marketing department of fictional company Steeles Pots and
Pans. Rocky’s writing is hilariously bad. One moment Belinda is handcuffed to a trellis in a ‘‘medium-sized maze’’, the next she’s at a charity fundraising event for the Asses & Donkeys Trust. Fans are known as ‘‘Belinkers’’ and celebrity Belinkers include Emma Thompson, Elijah Wood and Michael Sheen.
Morton says he never imagined people would warm so quickly to his dad’s erotica.
‘‘We never really had any expectations for the show at all, we just thought it was funny and wanted to make it. We would have made it if no-one would listen to it because we had such a good time doing it. I was having fun with my friends and the fact that people listen is an absolute bonus.’’
Reflecting this show’s popularity, only limited tickets are still available.
CHRISTCHURCH TATTOO EXPO
The third annual Christchurch International Tattoo Expo is on this weekend at the Airforce Museum, 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram and features tattoo artists from around New Zealand and the world. Open today,
12pm-10pm, and tomorrow, 12pm6pm. See Christchurch International Tattoo Expo.
SUMMER BELLY DANCE
Summer Belly Dance Classes will be held on the Dance-O-Mat, 129 Gloucester St (beside Isaac Theatre Royal) on Wednesday, January 22 from 6.30-7.30pm. All welcome, no experience necessary. Entry by donation.
FINKE: THERE AND BACK
See Finke: There and Back ,a movie about the Finke Desert race, at Hollywood3 Cinema, Sumner, on Thursday, January 23, from 6.30pm. For the riders, the spectators and the town of Alice Springs, the Finke Desert Race is more than a race.
Finke: There and Back delves below the surface to uncover what makes these drivers tick from Scruff Hamill, who lives in a ‘‘shed full of bikes’’ in Sydney, to paraplegic Isaac Elliott who is also fighting to be the King of the Desert.
In this series of live stage events, the film-makers and riders hit the stage together to describe why this event appeals to them and why this film is a must-watch for motorsports fans.
JOSHUA HENRY – ONE NIGHT ONLY
Broadway visits Christchurch for a one-off performance tonight from 7.30pm. See Joshua Henry (Hamilton, Carousel, The Scottsboro Boys), Andrea Burns (In the Heights, On Your Feet) and Kiwi Hayden Tee accompanied by Geoffrey Castles at Charles Luney Auditorium, St Margaret’s College, 12 Winchester St. Admission $69.12 per person.
TUESDAY SHENANIGANS
Tuesday can be a bit of an awkward day to find Good Times. Make next Tuesday, January 21, different and check out the Dr Who pinball at Arcadia Retro Arcade and Pinball Emporia, 206 Barbadoes St, from 5pm. Grab some mates, $6, do the Glitter move that’s all over Tik Tok, whistle The Who’s Pinball Wizard and check out the machine, which is apparently visually impressive.
Meanwhile, over at the Wunderbar, Lyttelton, there’s an open mic showcase every Tuesday from 7.30-10.30pm that could delight, horrify or inspire you – roll the dice, take a chance.
If you require a good laugh on Tuesday, Kensington Fun House offers a stand-up comedy night and it’s free entry so what do you have to lose except your bad vibes?
JUMP AROUND
Whether you’re a horsey type or not there’s lots to like about this event, which is like entering another world. Among the sea of fawn-coloured jodhpurs and dogs with lolling tongues you can see some of New Zealand’s top equestrian stars in action.
Watch as magnificent creatures jump over things elegantly at The National Equestrian Centre this weekend as part of the National Show Jumping Show at McLeans Island Rd. There is no gate charge and food stands are available.
BREAD AND CIRCUS
Diary this: Bread & Circus starts on Thursday, January 23 and features loads of your festival favourites alongside local heroes Shay Horay and Mulletman.
LIVE MUSIC – THE REVOLT AGAINST TIRED NOISES
Desert rockers Yawning Man are finally playing New Zealand shows this month. All you need to know about these psychedelic American heavy-hitters is that without them, and their Generator Parties back in the 80s, Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss and many others would simply not exist. Join The Revolt Against Tired Noises and The Macedonian Lines! See Gary Arce, Mario Lalli and Bill Stinson at The Club Tavern on Saturday, January 18. Tickets $35 plus booking fee.
Local music highlights this week include the return of The Palace of Wisdom, the highly recommended Racing who are visiting as part of a nationwide tour, and Christchurch’s Kool Aid who share the bill with visitors Loulou.
Alanna Eileen is an Australian singer/songwriter currently residing in Lyttelton fresh from a tour of the Pacific Northwest and an artist residency in Iceland.
She has a beautiful voice and artfully crafts poignant songs. Artifice, her latest release, was produced by Alan Weatherhead (Sparklehorse) and recorded at Montrose Recording in the United States. See her at Darkroom on Thursday.
Yawning Man (US) at The Club; Racing summer tour at Wunderbar; The Palace of Wisdom, Coal and guests at Darkroom; Eyes Down Sound – Headland, Akcept, Kang at Hide; Tom Cosm at Dux Central.
Tonight:
Alanna Eileen, at the Darkroom. — Vicki Anderson
Thursday, January 23: