Howdy Dabblers!

She's been a full-on, slow-going couple of weeks (including getting sick the day before getting the new house keys (and holy moly, it's been lingering)), which has meant minimal energy for dabbling, unfortunately.
I do however, now have two GIGANTIC lemon trees 🍋, so;
a) if you want to come and get any, hit me up, and/or
b) if you have recipes (vegan or easily adaptable) or innovative ways to re-purpose said lemons, that'd be grand! …Anyone tried one of those dried citrus garlands?

A shorter, need-to-know read this week and back to regular programming next week, but fill me in (hit reply), what have you been up to!?

This week sees plenty of opportunities around town for fresh starts and upskilling - learn what it takes to direct plays and shows, or take your music career pro-level. Or (the slightly more traditional route) maybe studying something new is on the cards for you?

C.x ✨

Wednesday 3rd September

🎤 CHC Poetry Slam 2025 (Prelim heat)​
Know anyone with hidden poem-writing powers? This sounds really fun. Winner + runner up of the grand slam get a spot at the NZ Poetry Slam in Nov (AKL) - tell them to shoot their shot?! We'll come along to spur them on!
​Where: Space Academy
​When: From 7pm
​Entry: $15 (door sales and sign ups on the night)
​Tickets: https://catalystnz.blogspot.com/2025/08/otautahi-christchurch-poetry-slam-2025.html​

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Thursday 4th September

📸 The Art of Noticing - Finding Beauty in Everyday Moments​
What if the extraordinary is hiding in plain sight? Photographer Scott Howes invites you into his world of adventure and street photography, where stories live in both wild landscapes and everyday details.
​Where: 161 Victoria St
​When: 4:45pm-6:15pm (1.5hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/622508734002999​

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Friday 5th September

📖 Rā Tōmene - UC Open Day 2025​
If you've been thinking of packing it all in and re-training, you might be in luck - UC are hosting their open day. Post-grad peeps will be on hand to answer q's, if that's where you're at.
​Where: University of Canterbury
​When: All day (9am-5pm)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/regular-events/open-day​

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Saturday 6th September

💥 Comic Book Storytelling Workshop​
Bring your half-baked daydreams, awkward stick figures, and speech bubble doodles - Ryan Green will show you how to wrestle them into panels that actually make sense (and even look cool).
​Where: CHC Art Gallery
​When: 2pm-4pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $6.03
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/comic-book-storytelling-with-ryan-green-tickets-1637148428019​

🚲 Evo Cycles Carpark Clearance​
The ultimate bike-garage sale... bikerage sale? Bicerage sale? Whatever, if you're into cycling, and you need some gear for it, they've got plenty!
​Where: Evo Cycles (Tower Junction)
​When: Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/788799366918366​

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Sunday 7th September

🎨 Paint Pouring for Beginners​
Forget paintbrushes — this is all about tilt, swirl, and flow. In this hands-on class, you’ll whip up your own pouring medium, see a few techniques in action, then create a canvas that’s pure fluid magic.
​Where: Arts Centre
​When: 10am-12:30pm (2.5hrs)
​Entry: $90.42
​Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/paint-pouring-for-beginners-christchurch3/christchurch​

🖼 Ravenscar House Museum Open Weekend​
If visiting this stunning neo-Gothic art gallery-museum-home has been on your to-visit list too, this might be your nudge. It's free for a nosey all weekend (for the first time since it opened in 2021)!​
​Where: 53 Rolleston Ave
​When: Sat and Sun 10am-5pm
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.ravenscarhouse.com/​

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Monday 8th September

🎬 The King's Speech Director's Circle Talk​
This is your chance to grill The King's Speech director (Benjamin Kilby-Henson) about the upcoming show and what it takes to bring shows to the stage. Pilfer ideas for your own future productions, perhaps?
​Where: Ravenscar Lounge, Court Theatre
​When: From 5:30pm
​Entry: $25 +BF
​Tickets: https://my.courttheatre.org.nz/overview/8840​

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Tuesday 9th September

🔪 Learn to Lino Print​
Carve your design into lino, smoosh ink into it, and press your new masterpiece into existence. Instant printmaker, just add enthusiasm.
​Where: The White Room (Avonside Dr)
​When: 6pm-8pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $16.81
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/learn-to-lino-print-with-sarah-lund-tickets-1637138117179​

🏰 Medieval Knights at Cascade​
Dress up, drink mead, play traditional games (win traditional prizes?). Sounds like a good knight out (sorry, had to).​
​Where: Cascade (Strangers Lane)
​When: 6:30pm-8:30pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $10
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/medieval-knights-at-cascade-tickets-1408112054059​

🎸 Artist Development Session - From Amateur to Artist​
Dreaming of turning your side-hustle songs into a full-blown career? Platinum award-winning artist Sacha Vee is here to spill the truth on what really separates hobbyists from pros. No fluff, no ego — just the real talk on how to cut through the noise and actually make music your living.
​Where: Darkroom (St Asaph St)
​When: 7pm-9pm (2hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/free-artist-development-session-from-amateur-to-artist/christchurch​

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OTHER STUFF COMING UP SOON THAT YOU MIGHT WANNA BOOK ASAP:

🕺 Riverlution Boogie – Morning Garden Dance Party​
Dance like nobody's weeding? Come for the beets, stay for the (barefoot) beats at Riverlution's inaugural "disco in the dirt" (missed opportunity to call it that...)
​Where: Richmond Community Garden (Vogel St)
​When: Sat 4th Oct, 10am-11:30am (1.5hrs)
​Entry: $11.43
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/riverlution-boogie-morning-garden-dance-party-tickets-1537606304849​

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​Fire through your upcoming events here!

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Get the full picture at MetService​

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🍅 Farm Open Day & Heritage Tomato Sale​
Because we all know how satisfying homegrown toms are, compared to supermarket ones...and also it's a fun opportunity to poke around a working flower farm (there will be fruit trees, dahlia tubers and other flower seedlings for sale, too!).​
​Where: 1141B Greendale Road, Darfield
​When: Sat 20th Sep (next next Sat, but we're keen beans, err, toms, around here! Chuck it in your calendar), 9am-12pm (3hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/farm-open-day-heritage-tomato-sale-tickets-1626783506259​

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Word Jumble: (hint: related to the trivia below)

IGREEHTA OTAMOSTE
​(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

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🚙 Toy car collector? Score 16 collectible model Batmobiles (and friends) in cases

📚 Book collector? This happy little stack of TINTIN books are perfect for your adventure comic library

🎮 Game console collector? How about a Nintendo Wii bundle (incl iconic Sonic, and a set of nunchucks)?

🖼 Art collector? Add this Dick Frizzell 'Charlie to Charlie' framed artist proof to your gallery wall

☕️ Fine China collector? This 'Old English' Royal Albert ​tea set is simply rosy
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New season, new hobby? But not sure what to pick?​
​Hit reply and let us help (we'd be honoured)! We'll ask a few q's to get the gist of your vibe, then give you 3 potential dabblings!

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​Here are your quick links:​
Got a community event/fun thing to share? That's this one [free]​
Classifieds, paid events or newsletter sponsorship? Intro offers active [paid]​
​​Got a vacancy to share or need a volunteer? Chuck it here, too [free]​
Keen to share your deepest hobby-love? Brag away here [free]​
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Now go and water your house plants (but not too much). Hydrate yourself while you're at it 💙

C.x​
​Publisher, The Dabbling​
​Ōtautahi’s Unofficial Hobby-Hypewoman

Fun answers:

🍅 Heritage Tomatoes