JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/STUFF
Circus performer Olivia Watts loves the hula hoop, and will be bringing her expertise to Christchurch s Bread & Circus – Backyard Buskers Festival this weekend.
Circus stars, opera singers and a brass band will occupy New Regent St in a musical extravaganza to officially launch the Bread & Circus – Backyard Buskers Festival in Christchurch this weekend. Buskers will take to the streets on Friday morning at three sites across the city centre, while indoor shows for the opening weekend include a festival gala at the Isaac Theatre Royal hosted by the Topp Twins, the Parlour Piano Bar at the OGB, and a show by comedy magician Jarred Fell.
It didn’t take me long to find my first indication of the season. A few doors down from our offices on Gloucester St, I found a Christmas tree in the window of the new library. It was a great start, but across the road my cheer was dented by the ragged black fences around the Crowne Plaza quarantine hotel. Ho ho Covid. My journey continued into Victoria Square, where we found banners on the lampposts featuring cheerful baubles, and then down Oxford Terrace, where rain-sodden bunting guided us to Cashel Mall.
ALDEN WILLIAMS/Stuff
Stuff reporter Charlie Gates went in search of festive cheer in Christchurch city centre. He was underwhelmed.
VICKI ANDERSON offers a few highlights of events in Ōtautahi Christchurch this weekend and beyond. There are lots of events happening in the city right now, so make the most if it. Now the Krypton Factor of juggling that is the school summer holiday looms for parents, aside from Santa s Mega Grotto to keep people entertained there are lots of free events and art exhibitions, from the pop-up penguins and Ceramics Expo to the annual exhibition of the Silversmith Guild of Canterbury and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. CHRIST! WHAT A NIGHT Perhaps the perfect ending to a strange year, Little Andromeda s Christmas show, Christ! What A Night is shaping up to be a real gift, with multiple performances until December 19. This festive treat stars Chris Parker and Tom Sainsbury, as well as Ōtautahi talent Bianca Seinafo and Tom Eason.