What’s on in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Sarah Millican show
British award-winning comedian and writer Sarah Millican has announced she is bringing her new show, Bobby Dazzler, to New Zealand next year, performing at the Christchurch Town Hall on January 28, St James Theatre, Wellington, on January 31 and Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on February 2. Millican said she has spent the past year ‘‘writing jokes and growing her backside’’. Tickets go on sale today from 9am. Book at www.bohmpresents.com
Peace Train Interfaith Bike Ride
The Peace Train Bike Ride is on Sunday from 1.30-4.30pm. It was launched after the March 15, 2019 mosque tragedy by terror attack survivor Dr Mazharuddin Syed Ahmed and aims to offer a message of unity and peace to all ethnicities, faiths, religions, languages in races. The bike ride starts at Masjid An-Nur on Deans Ave and stops at places of worship around the city.
Nature Challenge
Take part in the four-day global City Nature Challenge by finding and photographing as many different species as you can find in your garden, at the beach, in the hills, or local park. Upload the pictures to the free iNaturalist app or iNaturalist NZ website.
Greater Christchurch (including Banks Peninsula, Rangiora, West Melton, Burnham, Rolleston, Lincoln) is one of seven New Zealand cities and amongst hundreds competing worldwide to record the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people.
The competition runs from midnight Thursday until midnight on Monday with results announced on May 9. More details at citynaturechallenge.org
Open Christchurch
Discover your city through architecture as part of Open Christchurch tomorrow and Sunday, 9am-5pm, with more than 40 buildings and 20 activities available. Open Christchurch is a one-weekend-only festival of architecture where building owners/ kaitiaki open their doors for a behind-thescenes peak at interesting places from the Timeball Station to Wood’s Mill, Harewood Crematorium, the former Addington Gaol and more. See openchch.nz for more information.
Comedy
■ Formula Pun, the Grand Prix of Comedy is at Good Times Comedy Club tonight from 7.30pm.
■ Hello Laughs, open mic comedy, is at Darkroom tonight from 7pm. Door sales $15.
■ Frigid, by Billy T Award winner Brynley Stent, is her latest absurd sketch comedy show. See it at Little Andromeda from Tuesday to Saturday, May 7. Tickets $25/$20.
■ Musical comedy duo Two Hearts – Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore, make their debut at Little Andromeda from Tuesday to Saturday, May 7. Tickets $30.
Concerts for Ukraine
This weekend there are two 12-hour fundraising events for the people of Ukraine.
Joining Hearts for Ukraine is 12 hours of music, dance and art at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, Lyttelton, Sunday from 10am-10pm. 100% of income received from these concerts will go to New Zealand Red Cross’s Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. The programme includes Prelude Dance, The Leap Project, members from the CSO Strings and CSO Brass, Fiona Pears and Band, Jennine Bailey and Band, Carmel Courtney and Friends, Coyote – Holly Arrowsmith and Amiria Grenell, The Eastern, Ali Harper and Tom Rainey, art auction with MC Joe Bennett, H Kaa (Dillistrate), She’s Adored, and Mundi. Tickets to each performance are $20 from Lyttelton Arts Factory.
United for Ukraine is at A Rolling Stone on Sunday from 11am-11pm. A musical fundraiser for the NZ Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal it features performances by The Eastern, The Black Velvet Band, Odyssey, Bayley, Now & Zen, Penny Blues Band, Lowdown, Penny Black & The Broken Men, Boogie House, The Fabulous Blue Beats, Willie McArthur, QueenB, John Sanchez-Lloyd, The Blairs, Davey Backyard, and The All Girl Big Band. Raffles and auctions all day. All-day pass $85 plus booking fee. $10 single act door sales, subject to availability.
Kahukura Dinner
A Pride fundraiser evening, Kahukura Dinner, will be held on June 18 at a secret inner city location revealed only to ticket holders. Tickets available from www. christchurchfoundation.org.nz
Theatre
■ Girl on the Train, based on the best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins and Dreamworks Film, has been adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. Directed by Holly Chappell it launches at the Court Theatre from May 21. Book at www.courttheatre.org. nz
■ Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo, presented by Riccarton Players Inc at the drama theatre at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School tonight and tomorrow. General admission tickets are $25, and concession tickets cost $22.