Sharing spaces
Following Auckland’s lead, Wellington has opened Lower Cuba Street as a shared space. There wasn’t much celebration or fanfare beyond an article in the Dominion Post about letting cars back in. Technically, I’m not sure if the “shared space” has been officially opened, and I’m not really in the mood for celebrating. The idea of […]
Old Groove, new Peel
When Real Groovy closed its doors in May, many music-loving Wellingtonians were rather sad. But a curious thing has happened – we’ve got a Real Groovy back, sort of. Real Groovy Christchurch suffered damage to both its building and stock in the September 2010 earthquake, but owner Paul Huggins was determined to continue, reopening a month […]
The glorious struggles of the people’s working-class rugby art sculpture
A year and a half ago we were offered a tantalising glimpse of the model of the Weta Workshop-designed Wellington rugby sculpture, noting its resemblance to a provincial junior rugby trophy, a knick-knack gift for a rugby-loving uncle, and a vagina. And then finally the full-size sculpture appeared, tucked away in Jack Ilott Green, that […]
Going slowly for maximum pleasure
It was a beautiful Sunday in Wellington today. The air was crisp and cool but the sun was bright and the first signs of spring were visible. For example, as I wheeled along the waterfront promenade this afternoon, a few brave young men and women were in sleeveless tops or short shorts, anticipating temperatures that […]
Theatre: New Zealand plays in the next fortnight
#RWC11 is prompting an abundance of New Zealand theatre. The plays cover NZ history, politics, and travel. On at Downstage is On the Upside-Down of the World by Arthur Meek. It’s based on ‘Our Maoris’ by Ann Martin. She came to New Zealand from England with the first Chief Justice. The play follows her as […]
Exquisite Corpse
Perched upon the top of Cuba St, Thistle Hall is known for providing Wellingtonians with short bursts of visual arts. Exhibits pack in and out again at a frenetic pace, and if planning and serendipity conspire, treasures can be easily missed. Take some time this week and get up to the current exhibit. Exquisite Corpse draws its name from […]
Review: CAV&PAG
Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni, and Pagliacci, by Leoncavallo, are apparently opera’s most famous double bill. Both operas cover betrayed love and jealousy. Both end with a death. They are satisfyingly epic in this production by New Zealand Opera, supported by the Vector Wellington Orchestra. The curtain rises on an enormous rocky outcrop. It’s a barren […]
WOW 2011
It’s WOW time again, and this year’s show is the most amazing and extravagant yet. But was it too extravagant this year? I’ll get to that later. Please note that this post will contain spoilers about the show, so if you’re going, don’t read it until afterwards okay? The Wellingtonista has a little pre-WOW game. […]
A Travelogue
Mark Shea is an Australian filmmaker and traveler who combines his two loves to create short travelogues of the places he visits. Earlier this year he was in Wellington, and was inspired to get a little more in depth than his usual style, taking to the streets to ask the locals what it is they […]
WOW comes early
The Wellingtonista has been going along to the World of WearableArt show for the past three years, and we’ve come to have a bit of affection for the grand celebration of the extravagant mash-up of fashion, design and costumery that is wearable art. The WOW show and awards are coming a month early this year […]