Dunedin has a special relationship with Scottish poet Robert Burns, so it's not surprising the city celebrates his birthday with an annual poetry competition. Charmian Smith talks to one of the judges, 2011 Otago University Burns Fellow Fiona Farrell.
A new work celebrating the centenary of Captain Scott's ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic will be a highlight of the Southern Sinfonia's 2012 subscription series, which is released today.
A wealth of information on topics ranging from Benjamin Franklin's latest experiments with electricity to the battle of Culloden, poetry and quack medicine was to be found in The Gentleman's Magazine. Charmian Smith reports on the world's first magazine, copies of which are on display in the Special Collections gallery in the University of Otago Central Library.
A residency with the Caselberg Trust in Dunedin provided a respite from academia to work on creative writing for Christchurch writer Anna Smith.
George Chittenden, the new director of music at St Paul's Cathedral in the Octagon, Dunedin, wants the cathedral to become known as a centre for musical excellence.
The cast of Blithe Spirit, an escapist comedy complete with psychics and ghosts, hope they don't disturb the ghosts said to be resident in the historic Globe Theatre. Charmian Smith reports.
Olivers in Clyde, Fleurs Place in Moeraki and the Loan and Merc in Oamaru - Fleur Sullivan's love for heritage and history, her decorative flair, her hospitality and her honest, simple, local food, have led to her restaurants becoming destinations in their own right.
This batch included three low-alcohol sauvignon blancs, about 8% or 10% instead of 13% or 14%, designed for lunch-time drinking by the glass.
Wine buffs will have noticed a few bottles of Gruner Veltiner and Arneis appearing on winelists and wine shop shelves as New Zealand wine growers experiment with these whitevarieties.
Christmas cakes seem as traditional a food as you can get, but not so, according to Prof Helen Leach, one of the authors of The Twelve Cakes of Christmas. Charmian Smith learns about the evolution of this rich fruitcake that, these days, is essential to Christmas.
The girl with the voice that charmed millions is growing up. Charmian Smith talks to former teenage star Hayley Westenra about taking her singing in new directions.
A Roger Hall world premiere at the Fortune Theatre is a rare event since he left Dunedin for Auckland in 1995. Charmian Smith talks to the playwright about A Short Cut to Happiness.
Now the Regent Theatre is operational again, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is returning to Dunedin with a storybook ballet, The Sleeping Beauty.
Rosés are made for summer enjoyment over a lazy lunch or a long warm evening, not for deep thinking or analysis. All you ask of a rosé is that it's fresh and delicious and goes well with simple summer food.
Shiny machines promising the perfect body of one's lost youth, the pain hoping for gain of an unachievable aspiration - "Gymnauseum" at Dunedin Public Art Gallery explores the other side of the fitness industry. Charmian Smith talks to creator Jane Venis.
Pinot noirs from Marlborough and Wairarapa can offer good value and different characters from the dark cherry and spice typical of Central Otago.
Few of us get to see the grandeur of Fiordland beyond the Milford road or Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, but Roger Wandless and John Hall-Jones' photographic book, Fiordland: Landscape and life: Exploring New Zealand's last great wilderness (www.rogerwandless.co.nz) takes you right into the wilderness.
This week, Artsenta is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a shared studio space. Charmian Smith reports on the creative space full of possibilities and its community.
To celebrate the reopening of the newly expanded Auckland Art Gallery, it has published Art Toi: New Zealand art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, edited by Ron Brownson, and I Spy NZ Art.
Eccentric characters, constant deadlines, lust, envy, loyalty and betrayal, all in the sealed environment of a newspaper newsroom. Charmian Smith talks to Simon Cunliffe about his new play, The Truth Game which opens at the Fortune Theatre next week.
