Our curator, Audrey Baldwin, had a chance to talk about how First Thursdays hopes to regenerate the liveliness of our city via creativity and collaboration.

Thanks to Eng Choon Alex Lim for putting together this short text and video, which highlights and contrasts the bustling energy of First Thursdays versus our recovering central city.

Abracadabra! Wizards and ordinary folks joined the professionals as they stepped in rhythm to the music, occasionally clacking their wooden sticks with their dancing partners. Meanwhile, a larger crowd of families and friends surrounded the performers and swayed their bodies to the groove near the stage in the shopping mall. Display stalls, free performances and live music brought signs of life back to Sydenham as locals and tourists reappeared in the winter cold.

On the Thursday evening, Sydenham was touched by a brief moment of magic - a magic of creative arts that brought the community out and connected strangers together. But by 9pm, the stalls closed and the music stopped. The crowd disappeared and all was quiet again.

This was not an unfamiliar sight after the earthquakes. In Christchurch’s city centre, except some roads lined with bars and clubs, only a few pedestrians dotted the streets at 7pm on a Saturday night. Perhaps, the same magic wand that brought creative arts and life in Sydenham could be waved again to get the community out to the city centre, and to make Christchurch the city it used to be. Abracadabra!

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AuthorAudrey Baldwin
CategoriesTeam

We have a series of songstresses playing for an hour each as the night unfolds at The Colombo. Expect dulcet tones, folk favourites and original scores by some of Christchurch's wonderfully talented solo acts. Join us from 5pm for an aural treat!

Emilie Cherie, photo credit: CatsEYE Photography

Emilie Cherie, photo credit: CatsEYE Photography

Emilie Cherie is an acoustic singer/songwriter based in Christchurch. Drawing influence from jazz, blues and folk, she digs into the groove of her guitar and layers it up with smooth vocals.

Bryony Matthews

Bryony Matthews

Bryony Matthews a Christchurch based singer/songwriter who has developed her signature lyrical folk-pop sound which is known to transport the listener.

Sarena Hurley

Sarena Hurley

Sarena Hurley is a multi-talented musician filled with passion and drive. She is also the front woman of Christchurch groove pop band Polo Sweater. For First Thursdays, this versatile artist will be pairing keyboard with her captivating voice.

 

Catch a rare glimpse into the belly of the beast! Offering a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes and visit the inner sanctum of artists, the Battersea Studios will be open to the public at part of ABRACADABRA.

Featuring work and works in progress by: Janie Bruce, The Filing Kabinett, Julia Sharp, Martin Sagadin, Olivia Chamberlain, Patrick Barry, Sam Clague, Malcolm Terry, Thomas Hancock, Tim Middleton and more.

This event offers a chance for you to meet the artists and discuss their practice in an intimate setting. The artists work in various media including painting, drawing, sculpture and jewellery.

The free bus will drop you at the corner of Battersea St and Dewsberry Lane. The studios will be open from 5.30pm.

Don't miss this special opportunity!

Thomas Hancock, QU 2015

Thomas Hancock, QU 2015

Tim Middleton, Badmouth 2014

Tim Middleton, Badmouth 2014

Olivia Chamberlain, Maiden Hair Fern 2015

Olivia Chamberlain, Maiden Hair Fern 2015

Janie Bruce Untitled 2014

Janie Bruce Untitled 2014

The Filing Kabinett Bone Pendant

The Filing Kabinett Bone Pendant

Patrick Barry, I Dreamed You Dreamed About Me 2015

Patrick Barry, I Dreamed You Dreamed About Me 2015