PARTY AT THE ARTS CENTRE

Abellbird calls, the clock bell clangs, and coffee cups clatter. These top notes punctuate the hubbub of conversation throughout Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre. There’s a spring in the step of staff and visitors – the beloved Christchurch institution seems to have come alive again at last.

The painstaking restoration of the stone heritage buildings ravaged by the Canterbury earthquakes is complete for now. Twenty of the site’s 22 Category One heritage buildings have been repaired and refitted. The boutique Observatory Hotel is open, the centre’s shop and office spaces are occupied, and the first tenants have signed up for the Health Technology Centre. Although the last two engineering buildings on Worcester Boulevard are being mothballed until more money is found, the public can now walk east-west through the centre of the site.

“It’s a significant occasion, and we’re putting on a party to celebrate!” says centre Director Philip Aldridge.

That “party” is, in fact, an entire weekend, 3–5 March. Named ‘Off Centre’, the celebrations start on the Friday with a free opening party.

“The opening party is one of the ‘must-do’ events,” says Chris Archer of the festival creative team. “Anyone and everyone is welcome. Come as you are, or wear your flamboyant best. We’re going to have a great time!” artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/off-centre

The publicity blurb mentions “singers appearing at windows…musicians on rooftops… surprises around every corner.” What surprises? “Wait and see,” he says with a grin.

You could say that Off Centre expresses the eclecticism of The Arts Centre of old. Buskers are back, and Lumière Cinemas reprises latenight screenings of The Rocky Horror Show. The full programme includes kid’s activities, street performances, circus, spoken word, theatre, dance, classical music, bands, and workshops – well over 50 events.

Headline acts include multi-award-winning indie-folk musicians Tiny Ruins, a wild night at The Tony Chestnut and Richard Rhythm Comedy-Thon, and an incredible journey through indigenous sound, movement, text and visual arts in A Baby Called Sovereignty The campfire session by Th’Orchard will give you a glimpse into an extraordinary community project based in Hoon Hay – a single will drop soon. You can even catch one headline act for free: Toi Toi Opera will perform site-specific operatic scenes in the North Quad. And while the vibe is mostly family-friendly, there’s a dash of R18 after dark at The Revolver Club late-night cabaret.

The grim days of high fences and few visitors may be behind them, but the staff at The Arts Centre are very conscious of its precarious finances. Their Off Centre sponsors are well worth a mention, especially Leighs Construction, along with Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Casino, and Anderson Lloyd.

Many events are free. Bookings are required for paid events and those with limited seating. Some are already booked out, so be quick. Catering for the crowd, a special festival market will run both days alongside the usual food and beverage outlets.