The Spinoff’s top picks of events from around the motu.
I was very excited to stumble across The Old Parakao Store’s event up north this Sunday. From the sounds of it, an excellent mud hole has sprung up on their mud drag circuit (a rough, muddy track to zoom 4x4s around on). The challenge is to be able to get your truck out. Their invitation is geared towards 4×4 drivers to come have fun in the mud. They’ve seemingly overlooked the fact that wusses who can’t drive well and have long, low station wagons with little engines would love to watch the spectacle – just like many of us love a comedy show, but only from the stalls. I’m not sure if watching is participating exactly, but it can be important (no comedian thrives in silence) and it’s thrilling!
Lyttelton Arts Factory, 1 Sumner Road, Lyttelton 7:30pm Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13 $20-$30
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The Lyttelton Arts Festival ends on Sunday, and even if you have already seen a show, you should go kiss it goodbye (for the year). It’s got all the good things on show – music, dance, theatre, comedy and local talent. We know that Lyttelton is a little cauldron of talent and if you’re nearby or able to travel this is an excellent chance to get a sip of it.
The Feast looks especially lavish, because while it’s listed in the dance category it also promises live music from members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, a narrative played by actors and a lush set with food, candles, flowers and other alluring items of mise-en-scène. The immersive performance is staged as a dreamlike dinner party where a mother-daughter relationship evolves in unexpected ways. It’s got a few heavyweight names behind it, including Fleur de Thier and Renee Ryan.
The Old Parakao Store Cafe/Bar, 2712 Mangakahia Road, Parakao 12pm Sunday, July 13 Free entry, grab food and drink at the store
Can you drive out of the mud hole? Only 4x4s with knobbly tires and somewhere to attach a tow rope will be allowed to try. The rest of us can watch the carnage.
