January 2012

1 YEAR IN THE MAKING

Four locals reveal Christchurch’s road map to recovery is creating fresh new tracks

WORDS WENDY DUNLOP

Christchurch may be earthquake-battered but its citizens are finding innovative ways to create new ambience or reinstate old favourites to recapture it. Retail has re-opened in a funky street mall of shipping containers, city businesses have re-invented a run-down high street and festivals are being re-kindled!

A LICENCE TO LAUGH

The wacky and whimsical World Buskers Festival has provided the city with a licence to laugh for 18 years. “It was too good an event to lose and Christchurch needs comic relief more than ever,” says Jodi Wright, the festival’s artistic director and founder.

Post-earthquake, performers were just as keen to be recruited and Wright believes 2012 “is the best line-up ever, involving 55 acts from 12 different countries with unusually diverse and bizarre talents!”

Among them: “giant puppetry and toy box flair” from Japanese/ English duo Funny Bones; classic vaudeville by American Lindsay Benner; “the dazzling dexterity of the gentleman juggler” by Britain’s Matt Ricardo; “energy, absurdity and circus frivolity” from Spain’s Las Cossas Nostra; “operatic burlesque” from Lili la Scala; and the return of both the perennially popular The Boy with Tape on His Face, offering “stand- up with no talking” and Javier Jarquin, the ‘Card Ninja’.

With most of the city’s iconic busking venues in ruins, it’s been executive director Jo Blair’s challenge to find alternative performance “pitches”. “We’ve headed for the park because it’s already an entertainment hub with inflatable domes and marquees. We’ve designed a portable street and a comedy club beside big safe spaces for crowds to join in and let loose,” says Blair.

ALL THAT JAZZ

The 2011 International Jazz Festival was also a casualty of the February earthquake. “Local musicians lost their clubs and pubs, and big venues that attracted international performers have bitten the dust too, so we’ve had to share whatever buildings are left,” says Wright.

Undaunted, she’s determined to uphold Christchurch’s reputation as the jazz city of New Zealand. “We have a dedicated jazz school nurturing phenomenally skilled youngsters and older musicians who have worked here for decades. The Jazz Festival allows them to perform alongside international drawcards. How great is that?” asks Wright.

Audiences have had withdrawal symptoms too, so the free Taste Blues and Taste Jazz mini festival in November whetted their appetite for the main event in April. Australian jazz-man James Morrison, who put together his own orchestra for November, will return in April to mesmerise the city with a special tribute to Duke Ellington.

As well as being knee-deep in festival arrangements, Wright and Blair say it’s important to support businesses that are open and enjoy what’s local.

CENTRE COURT

The Court Theatre, established in 1971, lost its home in the historic Arts Centre following the February earthquake. But after just 10 months of hectic fundraising and construction, the professional theatre company re-opened in December.

Artistic director Ross Gumbley says that the closure of the theatre was felt very keenly by the people of Christchurch. So immediately after, “The Court” began looking for a new theatre site and found one — a large former grain store, close to the CBD in Addington.

The auditorium is similar in layout to the original theatre and the new design includes offices, dressing rooms, a set workshop and public facilities. Most of the NZ$4.6 million needed to construct the new theatre has already been raised, but efforts are now being doubled to raise the remaining million (a link on their website allows you to make a donation).

“We were absolutely focused on re-opening before the end of 2011 and the energy of everyone has been tremendous,” says Gumbley. The theatre is in the heart of a regenerating part of Christchurch and “with new businesses springing up and increased activity all around us, it’s exciting,” says Gumbley.

LIGHTS OF HOPE

The earthquake-abandoned central city became a dark black hole — “as if Christchurch had no heart,” says radio and TV broadcaster Jason Gunn. Inspired by the 9/11 shafts of light in New York, Jason and his wife Janine were the instigators of Christchurch’s symbolic “White Lights of Hope” that beam across the city every night.

“For me, they’re a reminder that it’s not all doom and gloom,” says Gunn, who was a local radio host during Christchurch’s toughest days. Today, Gunn sees extraordinary signs of recovery.

“I love the Re-Start container shopping mall! Even the mundane task of stocking the shelves made people smile, because they were back and so were the customers. Twenty-seven shops and cafes and bright funky colours — we were so ready for it.”

VISIT CHRISTCHURCH

Yes, Christchurch is open for business while just beyond the city you can discover the charmng French ambience of Akaroa, the marine mecca of Kaikoura, the vineyards of Waipara or a rejuvenating spa at lovely Hanmer Springs.

CHILLING OUT

Here are some recommendations from leading local residents on their favourite places to hang out at in Christchurch

JODI WRIGHT “Smokehouse Café for the best coffee, The Brewery for comfort food, and the Harry Ell hilltop walkway for views.”

JO BLAIR “Bodhi Tree for Burmese food, Canterbury Cheesemongers for bread and cheese, and Drink Geo Bar for cocktails.”

JASON GUNN “The countryside for space, and the local Tai Tapu store for the coffee, the company and community spirit.”

ROSS GUMBLEY “The Addington Coffee Co-op for the best brewed coffee in town, the new Dux Live restaurant for great food!”

TAKE ME THERE

ADDINGTON COFFEE CO-OP 297 Lincoln Rd, Addington, tel: + 64 (3) 943 1662
BODHI TREE RESTAURANT 397-399 Ilam Rd, tel: + 64 (3) 377 6808
THE BREWERY 3 Garlands Rd, Woolston, tel: + 64 (3) 389 5359
CANTERBURY CHEESEMONGERS The Arts Centre, Registry Bldg, 301 Montreal St, tel: + 64 (3) 379 0075
THE COURT THEATRE Bernard St, Addington, tel: + 64 (3) 963 0870
DRINK GEO BAR Hagley Park, Christchurch
DUX LIVE Lincoln Rd, Addington, tel: + 64 (3) 366 6919
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 11–15 April www.jazzfestivalnz.com
RE-START CONTAINER MALL Cashel St, Christchurch
REVIVAL BAR 92-96 Victoria St
SMOKEHOUSE CAFÉ DELI AND BAR 650 Ferry Rd, Woolston, tel: + 64 (3) 943 2222
TAI TAPU GENERAL STORE 687 Main Akaroa Hwy, Tai Tapu, tel: + 64 (3) 329 6753
WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 19–29 January www.worldbuskersfestival. com