Be lazy this summer

Providing the best excuse for putting off those weekend chores, The Breeze Lazy Sundays return from 9 January at the Botanic Gardens.

Christchurch City Council Events Production Manager Mark Hadlow says the mellow afternoons on the Archery Lawn in the Botanic Gardens are always well attended.

“We usually get about 1,500 to 2,000 people turning up with blankets and picnics each weekend, and the atmosphere is always incredibly laid back.

“It can be hard slog getting back into work after the Christmas break – but these lazy summer afternoons in the park help ease us into the new year.”

Local Christchurch roots singer Mark Vanilau will be kicking things off on Sunday 9 January. Mark is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and a founding member of Tribalincs, whose style encompasses jazz, soul, gospel and rock.

He has created a solid reputation and constantly writes and performs with other artists, having connections throughout New Zealand and overseas.

The free live music runs from 4pm to 5:30pm every Sunday from 9 January to 6 March, except for 23 and 30 January due to the World Buskers Festival. For more information on The Breeze Lazy Sundays or other upcoming events visit www.summertimes.co.nz or www.bethere.co.nz.

Key Garden City SummerTimes events for 2011:

Treetech New Year’s Eve – Kicks off the SummerTimes programme on Saturday 31 December in Cathedral Square . A family, alcohol-free event with entertainment from 9:30pm to 12:30am. Around 15,000 people are expected.

The Breeze Lazy Sundays – Sunday 9 January to Sunday 6 March (except for 23 and 30 January) at the Archery Lawn in the Botanic Gardens. Live music featuring a variety of local acts from 4pm to 5:30pm. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people attend each weekend.

Tip Top Kite Day – Saturday 29 January at New Brighton beach from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Buskers entertainers will be there along with plenty of Tip Top ice-cream.

ASB Classical Sparks – Saturday 5 February (Sunday 6 if wet) in North Hagley Park from 8pm to 10.30pm. With around 100,000 people expected, it is one the largest outdoor concerts in the South Island .

The Anthony Harper Lawyers Summer Theatre – Wednesday 9 to Sunday 27 February (but not 14 or 21 February) on the Daffodil Lawn in the Botanic Gardens. The performance, entitled The Complete History of World Rugby Abridged, will be a fun take on the history of rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011. The show runs from Tuesday to Friday at 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday with two performances at 2pm and 7pm.

Sunday Bandstand – Sunday 16 January to Sunday 6 March in Hagley Park, Band Rotunda for the Brass Bands and the Weather Lawn for the Pipe Bands, as well as at Scarborough Park in Sumner. Performances run from midday through to 1:30pm.

Farewell to the Godwits – Sunday 20 February, 6.30pm at Southshore Spit. BYO binoculars and help send off these remarkable birds as they journey for several weeks to their breeding grounds in Alaska .

PSIS Children’s Day – Sunday 6 March at Groynes Regional Park , Johns Road . Create some fantastic memories at this fun family day out from 11am to 4pm. There will be bouncy entertainment, performing arts, boat rides, face painting, sports and the beloved Teddy Bears' Picnic.

Summer in the Suburbs – For the full line up of local community events around Christchurch visit www.summertimes.co.nz .

© Scoop Media