Spring

Every year I like to do a little 'spring' post with a picture of lovely blossom and other spring like things and this year is no exception.  I spotted this stunning magnolia at Cathedral Grammar school as we were heading back to our car after attending a really fun music event at the Christchurch Arts Festival.   The stunningly creative and fun Linsey Pollak entertained and thrilled us with his home made wind musical instruments.  Delightful.

Having done that with the lovely Couper family and then running into another friend, I was feeling pretty happy and then I saw this and things just got a little better

Rita and Douglas

Imagine sitting down to a play (of sorts) featuring Michael Houstoun playing Douglas Lilburn and Jennifer Ward-Lealand playing Rita Angus....for $20!!  I would pay $120, but such is the joy of the Christchurch Arts Festival this year.  With no venues left untouched this years shows are only at the weekends and are being hosted in school halls and auditoriums and temporary spaces erected especially for the festival.  There are two distinct advantages to this.  ONE, the tickets are sooo cheap and TWO, those of us who are dying a slow death through cultural deprivation can afford, and have time, to go to fantastic shows and start our hearts beating again.

The intensity and skill in last nights show was palpable and even the giant fuck off earthquake in the middle didn't even register on their faces as we all gasped and grasped. The images projected on the screen included those stunning paintings which we gasped at times as well as photos of the artists and their world.  Delicious.   Both Jennifer and Michael were masterful in their craft and it was a brilliant 80 minutes. At the end it was tears all round and the loudest applause ever.  If you have a chance to see this you must.  I think it would be amazing for anyone not just starving Christchurch people.