8 Sep 2017

Take part in the biggest box construction the city has ever seen, or get in the mood for NZ Cup and Show Week - this weekend is one packed full of activities for the kids.

NZ Cup and Show Week

Get in the mood for NZ Cup and Show week with free pony rides this Saturday and a chance to win one of 30 free family passes to the Canterbury A&P Show. The pony rides will be set up on the corner of Armagh and Madras Streets, opposite the entrance to Margaret Mahy Playground from 11am to 2pm. Tickets are on sale now for New Zealand’s premier celebration of fashion, fun, farming and racing. The action gets under way on Saturday, 11 November at Riccarton Park with the Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day while country also comes to town with the Canterbury A&P Show from 15 to 17 November at ASB Agricultural Park. 

Ephemeral City

Come down to the Arts Centre on Saturday from 10am to be part of the biggest box construction project the city has seen. Ephemeral City, part of the Christchurch Arts Festival, sees groups of school children and members of the public building cardboard boxes at the Arts Centre all week, before the artist, his team and any willing volunteers create the mega box structure in just seven hours on Saturday. Kicking off at 10am, the project will result in a cardboard box tower standing high above the Arts Centre by Saturday evening. The structure will remain in place overnight before being ceremoniously destroyed on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The public are invited to take part in the construction from 10am on Saturday, and demolition from 3pm on Sunday.

Christchurch Arts Festival

 There's still just over a week of the Christchurch Arts Festival left to go, with artists from 14 countries joining local talent. If you feel like a night of glamour, disco and acrobatics Velvet is at The Piano until September 17, featuring an international ensemble of music, dance and circus artists with legendary diva Marcia Hines. 

Sister Act

The Showbiz Christchurch production of Sister Act opens at the Isaac Theatre Royal tonight, directed and choreographed by 2015 NZ Arts Laureate winner, Sara Brodie. Sister Act is the feel-good Broadway musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, and features gospel music, dancing and a whole lot of nuns. Evening performances are at 7.30pm with Sunday matinees this weekend and September 17. Bookings are through Ticketek. 

Big Band Dance

The Mainland Big Band - a 16-piece Christchurch dance band, will be performing at the Cashmere Club, Colombo St on Saturday from 7.30pm. With music ranging from 1940's swing, '50s rock'n'roll, to 70's rock, and disco from the 1980's there's something to get everyone on their feet dancing.