What’s on in Ōtautahi Christchurch this weekend and beyond
Friday, 15 September 2023
The Press offers a few highlights of events in Ōtautahi Christchurch this weekend and beyond.
Do you have an event to share? Email reporters@press.co.nz
Kaiapoi Spring Festival Party in the Park
Welcome back Spring with a ride on a paddle boat or a go on a giant inflatable slide at Kaiapoi’s Spring Festival on Sunday.
Held at Trousselot Park from 11.30am to 2.30pm, the festival will bring together food and market stalls, live bands, water walkers, a farmyard, bouncy castes and pony rides.
It’s free to attend, however those wanting unlimited access to the different activities must purchase a $5 wristband at the event.
Living sustainably
This year’s Sustainable Living Series began last week and continues through the rest of the month and into October with events about everything from waste minimisation demonstrations and repair workshops to talks about seed saving and making our neighbourhoods Predator Free.
Council head of information and libraries Carolyn Robertson said a highlight would be the much loved Great Library Seed and Plant Swap.
“Christchurch City Libraries host this event every year in September, and we always see an incredible turn out. It’s a fantastic event across our entire Libraries network, so make sure to head over to your local library and bring any seeds you’d like to swap, or come along to gain some useful growing and gardening information.”
Further events include learning how to improve the quality of water in our rivers and streams, a teen clothes swap, a Q&A session and more.
View the full schedule of Sustainable Living events on the Christchurch libraries website.
Confluence – music transcending political agenda
On Sunday, Resonance Ensemble presents a programme, conducted by Tony Ryan, comprising music written by Russian and American composers between 1915 and 1954 – spanning a turbulent time in world history, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II, and the first years of the Cold War.
But all the works in the concert demonstrate that great music transcends conflict and aggression and leads to a Confluence, or coming together, despite the hostility of misguided political motives.
Soloist Helen Charlton (soprano) will also sing Rachmaninov’s famous Vocalise and Samuel Barber’s movingly lyrical Sure on this Shining Night.
The Piano, 156 Armagh St, Christchurch, Sunday, 3pm.
Tickets are available from Humanitix.
All aboard the Peace Train
Christchurch’s Peace Train has returned for another season, now chugging along the tracks with an increased timetable.
The miniature train was donated by the Yusaf Islam Foundation in early 2021, in recognition of the extraordinary response of support and compassion that followed the terror attacks on March 15, 2019.
The free to ride train operates along a track in Christchurch Botanic Gardens, following the loop pathway around the playground following the Ōtākaro-Avon River. This season, due to popular demand, the train will be operating every Sunday rather than fortnightly.
Hop on the Peace Train between 10am and 2pm each Sunday, with each ride taking about eight minutes. The train leaves from behind the kiosk in Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The season will run until April 2024.
72 hours of non-stop running towards better mental health
Stereotypes suggest students stay up all night partying, but next week a group of Canterbury students will be staying up late to raise money for free counselling.
Lads Without Labels is student focused mental health and well-being charity, with a particular focus on men’s mental health.
The charity runs the annual ‘Run72’ event, in representation of the 72% (2020) ratio of male suicides in New Zealand. It sees participants run a lap around the University of Canterbury campus for 72 hours in a non-stop relay.
Last year runners completed a total of 9028 laps (15,889km) and raised $11,310 for free counselling for those in need.
The event kicks off on Tuesday, September 19 at 4pm. Visit ladswithoutlabels.org.nz to find out more.
International Microorganism Day
There really is a day for everything, and this Sunday is International Microorganism Day, the first time it’s being celebrated in New Zealand.
A special free event is taking place at Tūranga Library, which will include short talks about the microbial world from microbial zombies, and nature's ninjas, to the microbes that like it hot.
There will be hands-on activities to help participants explore the microbes in the human body and in the environment and there will be free FoldScopes, the first origami microscope, for keen microbiologists to take home.
Step Ahead Trust Art Exhibition
Step Ahead is holding its annual art exhibition next week, from September 18 to 28, showcasing the creative exploits of those the charity helps.
The Canterbury-based not for profit provides social, physical, creative and education activities for adults with a mental health condition.
The exhibition coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week and provides a goal for people to work towards and an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their skill and achievement. This year 33 artists are exhibiting.
The exhibition is being held at The Phillipstown Hub, 39 Nursery Rd. Room 10A.
Email info@stepahead.org.nz for more information about when the exhibition is available for viewing.