Howdy Dabblers!

Lots to keep your spirit, body, and mind happy this week- with barndancing (like proper, not crossing the fancy intersections), lampworking, and the opportunity to be part of something huge (dare we say, potentially life-altering).
​Tell us what you've got planned (or you might find something below that bakes your cake 🍰) and we’ll share the inspo over on IG!

C.x ✨

Wednesday 24th September

🤸 Neuromotive Reset 40 Min Intro Class​
Apparently you can realign your spine in 2 minutes flat with 14 weird little moves — no chiropractor bill, no lying on a table listening to whale noises. Tempted to try it just so I can say “sorry, can’t come out, I’m busy rebooting my vertebrae.”​
​Where: The Bridge South Brighton
​When: 8pm-8:40pm (40min)
​Entry: $22.20
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/neuromotive-reset-40-min-intro-class-south-brighton-christchurch-tickets-1717179111949​

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Thursday 25th September

👩‍🎨 Paint & Wine Night in CHC - The Bach​
Finally, a class where sloshing your drink and your paintbrush is encouraged. You’ll walk out with a canvas that definitely says “I had fun” (and maybe “two glasses in”)​
​Where: Two Thumb Brewing Co (St Asaph St)
​When: 6pm-8pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $52
​Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/paint-and-wine-night-in-christchurch-the-bach/christchurch​

🌱 Spring Sustainable & Edible Gardening Workshop​
Grow food, not regrets. This workshop teaches you how to get smug about kale, impress bees, and maybe even eat something you grew yourself.
​Where: 48 Watsons Road
​When: 6:30pm-8:30pm (2hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/free-spring-sustainable-edible-gardening-workshop-christchurch-tickets-1560204245899​

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Friday 26th September

👯‍♂️ Friday Night Barndance​
Swing strangers, stomp floors, and pretend you knew all the moves the whole time. All dances taught, zero excuses.
​Where: Irish Society Hall (Domain Tce)
​When: 7pm-9pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $10 (for adults, kids $5, families max $30)
​Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/1991294631659667​

🤘 (Honourable mention) The Rock 2000 Final Countdown
​Technically not a CHC hobby, but we'd consider music muy importante! It's unifying (or divisive), plus there's a party with other (in this case) headbang-y peeps on offer 🖤​
Where: The Carlton Bar & Steakhouse (1 Papanui Rd)
​When: From 3pm (live streaming The Rock FM with song #1 playing at 7pm)​
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://carltonbar.co.nz/events/rock-2000-listening-party-2/​

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Saturday 27th September

🔥 Glass Bead Making Taster​
Turn molten chaos into wearable art - from simple shapes to fancy fiddly designs, you’ll torch your way to a handful of unique beads (and possibly a new obsession)​
​Where: Workspace Studios (Ferry Rd)
​When: 2pm-5pm (3hrs)
​Entry: $128
​Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/glass-bead-making-taster-september/christchurch​

🕴 World Annual Teleportation Attempt​
If you've got nowhere else to be...why not contribute your powerful mind to the collective conscience and nip over to the other side of the river?
​Where: Bridge of Rememberance
​When: 1pm
​Entry: FREE (prior teleportation experience is welcome but not necessary)​
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1347814366773506​

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Sunday 28th September

👖 The Collective Closet - Preloved Clothing Market​
Sip a drink, dig through someone else’s closet, and walk away with outfits that have already lived a life (and are ready for round two). From goth to office chic, it’s all up for grabs.
​Where: Darkroom (St Asaph St)
​When: 11am-2pm (3hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/the-collective-closet-preloved-clothing-market/christchurch​

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Monday 29th September

🚵‍♀️ Level UP - Core Skills (6 week group coaching course)​
Sharpen your riding with a step-by-step skills bootcamp — from flat-ground basics to trail-ready confidence. Two hours a week, six weeks, and suddenly you’re that friend who actually looks like they know what they’re doing.
​Where: Crocodile XC Mountain Bike Park
​When: 29Sep-03Nov, 6pm-8pm (2hrs each session)
​Entry: $390 (or book individual sessions)
​Tickets: https://be-spoke.co.nz/mountain-bike-group-coaching/mountain-bike-group-coaching-level-up-core-skills​

🕺 Speed Dancing​
Like speed dating, but instead of awkward small talk you’re flinging yourself through six dance styles in one night — jazz, hip-hop, tango, capoeira, even juggling (yes, that counts). Rhythm > romance.
​Where: The Sport Hall at UC Rec. Centre
​When: 6pm-8pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $10
​Tickets: https://move.org.nz/speed-dancing/​

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Tuesday 30th September

🦕 Fossil Fun at South Colombo​
Dinosaurs, fossils, and even a chunk of ancient poo — Canterbury Museum’s rolling into South Colombo Library with the coolest free drop-in dino day you could dream up. Bonus: you can make yourself a badge so everyone knows you’re basically a Paleontologist now. 🦖
​Where: Canterbury Museum @ South Colombo Library
​When: Drop in between 11am-1pm
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/781636751422421​

🥋 Aikido Introductory Course (6 weeks)​
Swap Netflix nights for ninja moves — this 6-week intro course kicks off Sept 30, promising sharper balance, calmer conflict skills, and the chance to unleash your inner martial arts movie montage star.
​Where: Takemusu Aikido - Room W224 (upstairs) Ara Rec. Centre
​When: 6pm-7pm (1hr each session)
​Entry: $40 (for all 6 lessons)
​Tickets: https://www.takemusu.org.nz/beginner-course​

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Get the full picture at MetService​

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🎍 Botanical Expo 2025​
A floral fever dream under one roof: daffodils, orchids, bonsai, kokedama, and a plant fair so cutthroat you’ll wish you’d brought elbow pads. Prizes, raffles and leafy temptations await you.
​Where: Lincoln Event Centre
​When: Sat 27th, 1pm-4pm (3hrs)
​Entry: $5
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/botanical-expo-2025-tickets-1362623416319​

🧙‍♂️ Learning Retreat​
Think of it as Hogwarts for grown-ups — a $200 weekend retreat with runes, river walks, incense-making, deity myths, and crystal wisdom (plus actual food and a bed). Only 20 spots, so grab one before the moon phases out. 🌙✨
​Where: Journey's End Campground, Loburn
​When: Starts Fri 6pm for the weekend
​Entry: $200
​Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/620308124225498​

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Word Jumble: (hint: related to the events above)

RTEANOITEOPLT

DIAKOI

NACADRBEN

(Answers at the bottom of the newsletter)

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👋 Name: Kenneth

💖 What’s your hobby/current obsession? Rubik's Cubes

🧃 Fuel of choice while dabbling: LaCroix LimonCello

🏆 "My holy grail tool/material/gear I can’t live without, is ___"? Earbuds for listening to audio books

📍 Fave local spot to get your fix: The little covered area with ferns between the Team Hutchinson Ford premises

🙅🏻‍♂️ What’s something people assume about your hobby — and are absolutely wrong about? Rubik's cubes are not hard, they are just patterns to learn and then it's mostly muscle memory and recognising where you are in the pattern

💡 Your top tip or one piece of advice for someone wanting to dabble? Start with the white cross and repeat until you have it sorted, then the white corners. Complete those two and you have one side completed. 16.67% of the way complete cubation!

🎟 What do you want to be a terrible beginner at next? Calligraphy, it's good to have a connection to pen and paper

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(↑ Not Kenneth...) (...Kenneth ↑)

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🖼 BIG Art Auction (Fundraiser) If you're looking for a fun way to donate AND come home with some fabulous art (and chat to fabulous people), ✨Big Brothers Big Sisters✨ (youth mentoring programme in Nth Cant.) are holding their fundraising auction this Friday night (exhibition on over the weekend)! ​ Peep the info and grab tix here (not sponsored or affiliated, just thought it was cool)

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🎸 Get your fingies on this fretboard - Limited edish Jackson X Series Skull Kaos electric guitar​

💽 Bulk CD nostalgia so hard you'll break the sound barrier (ironic... aaand couldn't have planned this better... Alanis's 'Jagged Little Pill' is in the pile)

🗃 4000+ MTG Final Fantasy cards (I'm more impressed by the storage filing system they've got going!)

✂️ If you've got room, this (massive) CNC Laser cutter and Router seem like a good bulk(y) deal

Our mates over at ✨CWEA✨ (Canterbury Workers Educational Association) have just released their Term 4 schedule, and WOWEE there's a LOT happening (about to happen). Honestly, if you can't see something here you'd be interested in, colour us surprised (no really, there's watercolours, painting, printing and even Zentangle doodling). Here are the broad categories, with multiple options (covering a range of dates and budgets) in each:
​Fine Art & Photography
Crafts
Current Issues
Environment and Science
History
Language Literature and Film
Lifestyle
Lifestyle: Food
Movement and Music
Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Evening & Weekend

We'll feature some in the coming weeks, but they often sell out super fast, so if you see something you like the look of, go book it now!

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Well, I’m off to find my Rubik’s cube to test out the cross method… Catch you next week or out ‘n about (come and say hi if you see me at the Vegan night mākete on Sat)!

We’re still plotting competition deets…what kind of prizes would you LOVE to see?! If it would help you hobby, big or small, we want your suggestions!
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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 make ✨the sparkliest✨ costume for your pet (or someone else’s).

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

Fun answers:

TELEPORTATION

AIKIDO

BARNDANCE