Celebration of cinema:
Four film festivals come to town

For your watching pleasure, four international film festivals are coming to Canterbury. 28 May to 21 June, French Film Festival One of New Zealand’s most celebrated international film festivals, the French Film Festival offers a curated programme of feature films spanning drama, comedy, romance, thriller, and historical genres. Aiming to introduce New Zealand […]

Fun favourite: Serve Social

What does it take to build one of Christchurch’s most successful entertainment venues? Serve Social’s Logan McMillan knows a thing or two. He sits down with Metropol to talk about his latest escape room, game inspiration, and why he trusts his creative instincts. Q. Tell us about your new escape room, Conspiracy? A. […]

Here’s looking at you, Christchurch

At a time when government funding for the creative sector is plunging, Ōtautahi multi-disciplinary artist Jessie Rawcliffe’s murals confront such challenges eyes on. Her series, Gazer, brings life to overlooked spaces across ‘eye-conic’ spots in Christchurch’s CBD. Each piece informed by the surrounding area, colour palettes are inspired by the urban environment, from […]

Steve’s scene

Your Christchurch arts and culture round-up from global music consultant and Dolly Parton’s local publicist, Steve Guest. One of the best nights out ever at the Christchurch Town Hall was enjoyed by those in attendance at The Pogues’ recent show. It was full of nostalgia and featured a group of some of the […]

Welcome to the Queendom

Christchurch is full of women who rock, sharing their creative talent and taking on the world. We caught up with country pop singer Steffany Beck, who just notched up a career highlight opening for Scottish rockers Deacon Blue on their New Zealand tour. Steffany, describe your style of music? Easy! Modern country sound […]

One year on: A celebration of past, present and future – Isaac Theatre Royal

The heart of Ōtautahi keeps beating. One year ago, on 17 November 2024, the Isaac Theatre Royal opened its doors for a once-in-a-lifetime night. “Glittering under the chandeliers, we gathered to celebrate a decade since the Grand Old Lady’s post-earthquake reopening – ten years of healing, artistry, and the unwavering aroha of Ōtautahi,” […]

Steve’s scene: Is Christchurch the coolest city?

Internationally renowned music publicist and consultant, and Dolly Parton’s publicist across New Zealand and Australia, Metropol columnist Steve Guest shares the latest in our creative industry. Christchurch has been labelled the coolest city in New Zealand, and I think we can all agree. Lewis Capaldi just wowed fans at the sold out Wolfbrook […]

A social summer: Serve Social

Friendly competition – or maybe not so much – it’s what the Kiwi summer is made of. Think ping pong, darts, escape rooms, Serve Social is the home of eat, drink, and play this summer. Their interactive darts is perfect for groups of two to 32 players, complete with software to run a […]

Coming soon: 27 CLUB

Introducing a rock ‘n’ roll resurrection. Next March, the Isaac Theatre Royal invites you to step into rock and roll heaven with 27 Club: a powerful, spine-tingling celebration of the music legends who left us far too soon… yet who left behind songs we’ll never forget. Billed as “electrifying and magnetic”, you don’t […]

Art for all eyes

The city’s public art offering has a new show-stopping addition, an incredible bookshelf mural in Upper Riccarton. Fast becoming the national capital of street art, the identity of Christchurch is increasingly shaped and reflected by its numerous colourful and bold murals on buildings across the city. The latest addition to the ever-growing collection […]