Arts & Culture

Icehouse frontman Iva Davies' wild transition from a highly trained classical oboe musician to the world of rock and punk has seen him grace the stage with artists they admire, including David Bowie and Cold Chisel.

US Band Everclear were a goliath in the 1990s with hits like Father of Mine, Santa Monica and Wonderful, and this summer they're teaming up with some of Australia's finest rockers on the Summer Concert Series.

Kinross’ wine garden is filled with sweet sound on Sundays throughout summer – and part of autumn. Musicians perform weekly from 3pm at the picturesque winery. It’s a family-friendly environment with a play area and sandpit, as well as a snack menu full of pizzas, platters and small bites.

Te Atamira has curated a fun-filled arts and crafts programme for the kids during the summer school holidays. Kicking off on 19 December with the Christmas programme, it’ll continue in the New Year from 8 January.

Following on the success of First Thursdays in Queenstown (now in its fourth year), Arrowtown Creative Art Society (ACAC) felt that a similar event in Arrowtown would offer art enthusiasts and Christmas shoppers a chance to enjoy the wide diversity of art showcased in the nine galleries now operating in the historic village.

The end of year is fast approaching and ‘tis the season of events. One of which is A Very Beer-y Christmas: Comedy Night at Searchlight Brewery at the end of the month. Santa’s in the mood for some belly laughs and craft beer.

Summer is (mostly) on its way and market season is upon us. We’re lucky to live in a town full of creative and talented people, offering artisan wares.

For almost three years, First Thursdays Quarterly has been connecting our community to creativity across six exhibition spaces in Queenstown’s town centre.

Comedian Pax Assadi will come to Queenstown to perform his latest show, Secrets, this week.

“Weird as f*ck” is one way Pip Adam’s latest book, Audition, has been described. It’s all about a spaceship that is hurtling towards the event horizon that holds three giants.

Kate Evans is a Kiwi whose fascination with the quintessential New Zealand fruit, the feijoa, has grown over the years, especially in her time living overseas.

Preservation of collections for museums is crucial. One way this can be achieved is through digitising the archives.

There’s a new market in town and its focus is on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Queenstown Youth Market runs around once a month and is organised by MyFundAction Youth Development Centre (MYDC).

The Nairobi Trio is revisiting the South Island after several years away from the regional stage, the trio - hailing from the eclectic Auckland neighbourhoods of Grey Lynn, Ponsonby, and Waiheke Island - returns to share their infectious energy and rich musical legacy.

At the World’s Edge Festival kicked off on 5 October and is delivering an extensive programme of chamber music.

Lyrics and Lines launched at Te Atamira on Saturday in a bold fashion.

Celebrate local talent and artistic excellence at ‘Hullabaloo Artists at Arrowtown’.

For its ninth year, Cinema Italiano Festival will come to Queenstown from Monday and is currently screening in Wānaka. Dorothy Browns in Arrowtown and Ruby’s Cinema & Bar in Wanaka are screening a fantastic selection of Italian films.

Today we are chatting with Wānaka local, Justine Cormack - a freelance violinist and festival director for the upcoming At the World’s Edge Festival.