Enriching the arts: The Piano
Your go-to destination for music, arts and events from New Zealand icons, international artists, emerging talent, and community heroes is right here.
Atrue centre for the arts, The Piano plays host to a vibrant array of music, performing arts, festivals and film screenings, community and business events, and year-round education activities.
One of the first new builds in post-quake Christchurch, The Piano opened in 2016 to provide an inspiring destination for community groups, rangatahi, emerging and seasoned artists to share the same stage, performing to audiences from all walks of life.
Director Marcus Norman is a champion of the space. “Our world-class 325-seat Philip Carter Family Concert Hall provides a superior experience with rich acoustics, comfortable seating and perfect sight lines.” A suite of smaller workshop spaces – The Chamber and The Box – support year-round education and business events.
Fifteen professional Artists in Residence call The Piano home, with high quality studio spaces for learning, connection, and arts development activity for some of Canterbury’s most respected artists and arts organisations.
As a charitable trust, The Piano’s Next Generation Initiative sets young artists alight, guiding their first flight into the world of performing arts.
Highlights at The Piano
3-4 MAY: GREG JOHNSON
Greg Johnson returns from Los Angeles to perform two nights at The Piano with his full band, celebrating his iconic album Vine Street Stories from 1995. Saturday’s show is sold out – limited tickets remain for Sunday 4 May. Look forward to hearing his most enduring hits like Don’t Wait Another Day, You Stay Out Of Your Life, and If I Swagger.
18 MAY: JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN
Critically acclaimed New York multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Joan as Police Woman (aka Joan Wasser) returns for an intimate solo show, including material from her new album Lemons, Limes & Orchids. Join Joan for a mesmerising soundsape that blends jazz, ambient, and electronic elements.
16 JUNE: MAI TE UIRA
Mai Te Uira is a powerful meeting of sound, animation and storytelling. Tiki Taane and Kereama Taepa channel atua and ancestry to explore creativity, connection and transformation through live music, digital art and karakia. Presented by CMNZ and The Dowse.
MAY ONWARDS…
15 MAY: NZSQ WITH GUEST ARTISTS
Christopher’s Classics Chamber Music celebrates 30 years in 2025, with a world-class line-up of acclaimed NZ artists.
The NZSQ present a rich programme of music by Salina Fisher, Shostakovich and Grieg.
25 MAY: NZ ARMY BAND
The Piano is proud to present the NZ Army Band in this highly anticipated concert, featuring a dynamic mix of jazz standards and contemporary favourites. Net proceeds go towards The Piano’s Next Generation Fund.
1 JUNE: STEPHEN DE PLEDGE
The Piano presents Stephen De Pledge, one of Aotearoa’s most exciting pianists as part of Sundays at Four, NZ’s premiere piano recital series. Stephen shares music by Listz, Beach, Beethoven, and a world premiere by Samuel Holloway.
13 JUNE: FEMINIST CLOWN POSSE. Get ready for chaos, cackles, and clown-fueled carnage. Feminist Clown Posse unleashes a wild whirlwind of slapstick anarchy, smashing the patriarchy with pies, pratfalls, and pure joy. It’s bold, bawdy, and brilliantly bonkers—don’t miss the fun.
27-31 AUG: WORD FESTIVAL WORD brings people together through the power of stories, with unmissable events that connect you to writers, thinkers and performers. Watch out for the festival programme from 9 July, and book for their current May events at wordchristchurch.co.nz
These events are just the beginning, for the full schedule visit www.thepiano.co.nz
