Culture Galore among events leading to Race Relations Day
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Dance to the beat of a different drum on Saturday 19 March (midday-4pm); head out to Ray Blank Park for this year's Culture Galore festival.
This free event showcases the music, dance, ethnic food, arts and crafts of more than 50 cultures, from Asia to Zimbabwe.
Ken Howat, Christchurch City Council Recreation Advisor and the event organiser, says, "The hands-down crowd favourite last year was a Northern Zimbabwe family group called the Triple Tees. We're really stoked that they will be here again this year." The cousins who make up the Tees have been in New Zealand for four years and all are at local high schools. They will perform a traditional Chimurenga dance from the Shona culture.
Families can have a go at flax weaving, wood carving, and other ethnic artworks.
Food stalls add to the experience. Along with delicious Chinese and Indian fare, for the first time festival goers can get a taste of traditional Nepalese dishes. Kiwi kai is also on the menu this year - whitebait, kumara and paua patties, and mini pavs.
Culture Galore, part of the SummerTimes programme, is brought to you by the City Council and its Fendalton-Waimairi and Riccarton-Wigram community boards.
Across the city in the lead up to New Zealand Race Relations Day on 21 March, many aspects of Christchurch's multicultural makeup will be on show. This year's theme is "together we grow: te ranga tahi", and as well as Culture Galore, Christchurch City Council is supporting a number of free events and festivals which celebrate the diversity of our city, including:
Inner-city East Multicultural Festival
Sat 5 March, 11am to 3pm, Linwood Community Arts Centre.
More info, call 981 2881. A SummerTimes event
Chinese Lantern Festival
Sat 5-Sun 6 March, 5-10.30pm, Victoria Square
More info, at www.asianz.org.nz
Japanese Story Time
Mon 14 March, 10.30-11am, Central Library
More info, Chch City Libraries on 941 7923
Shine 2005: Shirley Neighbourhood Event
Sun 20 March, 11am- 3pm, MacFarlane Park
More info, call 941 5409
Movie in the Park: Bend it like Beckham
Sun 20 March, 7.30pm, Crosbie Park
Wed 23 March, 7.30pm, Linwood Park
For more information, call 941 6840 or visit www.summertimes.co.nz.
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