Canterbury on display during Real NZ Festival

Christchurch City Council Marketing Manager Richard Stokes says the event is designed to give locals and visitors the opportunity to taste and experience what is on offer in Canterbury.

“We’ve asked exhibitors from around our region, from Timaru to Kaikoura, to come and present the best from their area.

“It’s a chance for locals to take a second look at the treats on offer just outside their doorstep and for visitors to see there’s still a lot to see, do and taste around Canterbury despite the recent earthquakes.

“We decided to make the stands free of charge for Canterbury businesses – they just need to set themselves up. So it’s also a nice opportunity to support the local retail, arts and tourism industries at a time when things are a bit tough,” he says.

A series of marquees will be grouped around a central stage with a picnic area, where guests can relax and enjoy the products on offer. Entertainment will run throughout, encouraging visitors to make a day of it and it will change daily so locals can return for more.

The two week event will be a key component of the REAL New Zealand Festival; a nationwide celebration of Kiwi arts, food, wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

The Body Festival’s Garden Variety events, which have been held during the weekends in this area next to the Fanzone, will continue during Presenting Canterbury. The dance spectacular features several different dance stages where locals and visitors can be entertained, learn some moves and enjoy the talented performances of leading dance companies from New Zealand and overseas.

The Garden Variety entertainment is two hours long and will be held this Sunday 2 and next Sunday 9 October from 1pm to 3pm and the following Sunday 16 and Sunday 23 October from 3pm to 5pm.

Garden Variety – dancing stations:

The CHART Live Music Stage starts off the festivities with a an exciting mix of up-and-coming talent along with some of the city's well known bands. The stage features live sets from the UCSA Battle Of The Bands winner Von Voin Strum, the RDU RoundUp winners Von Klap, acoustic artist Nadia Reid, one man band Stomping Nick and his Blues Grenade, the chart-topping Dukes and many more.

Try some Speed-Dancing! Participants will be able to flirt with several styles of dance in just 20 minutes - think speed dating with dance. Learn basic steps from the Cha-cha to Cheerleading, from Bollywood to Bachata.

Pandemonium will perform Munted Drums, a collection of their favourite world music compositions but with a Pandemonium twist. Recently 'munted' instruments will be used as well as Pandemonium's collection of 'found' instruments from Christchurch's history. Any aftershocks will be seamlessly incorporated into the performance.

Crazy Crash Pad Rugby – watch these entertainers catch the ball, crash about and demonstrate their frantic antics on trampolines. They will be off the pitch, off the wall but not offbeat with jazz to match their agility and skill as they manoeuvre that elusive ball.

Aquatic themed music will be performed from members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Southern Opera. As if suspended on the pond’s surface, ensembles of strings, woodwind, brass, vocal and piano will perform a selection of fun and familiar music.

The Paul Kelly Motor Company Dancers will get some All Black cheers and dance routines going as they lead the crowds into the Fanzone.

Roving characters/ MCs:
Chant et Danse - fishing gnomes, over the top duck hunters with cork pop guns and 1950's style, high tea characters will be roaming around the food stalls intermingling and having fun with the visitors.

Court Jesters - One-eyed Cantabrians, Flossy and Flo from the green fingered gardening society, the Bingo Betty’s and a mixture of historical Canterbury figures will be there quoting facts about Canterbury to anyone who will listen.

Tablo – The National Theatre Company of New Zealand will be roaming the crowd with mask and puppet characters.