Hola Dabblers!

Did you toddle along to Ravenscar museum's open weekend? If not, I did it for you (you're welcome). If you're not interested, scroll on down, as this week we've got a few beginner-friendly events (even metalsmithing), as well as some talks to get your brain fired up (bonus if you're into space, ears, bats, or you know, the general state of the world).

Ravenscar - There was about a 30min~ line to get in, as they were at max capacity (thankfully it was sunny). Although it was free all weekend (which sounds like they don't do that often), it's only $25 usually, so I highly recommend visiting if you're into art and architecture.
I'm not a massive art-head, but I did recognise a few artists' names, including one of my fave NZ artists, ✨Rueben Paterson✨ (known for his exploration of Māori and European patterns (among many other things, of course) through his signature use of glitter).

I prefer contemporary art (the glass sculptures and vessels were 🤌), but appreciate some of the heritage pieces and craftspersonship and really went to admire the house itself. As I say, absolutely worth paying to go - what an incredible gift to the city 🥰​
C.x ✨

Wednesday 10th September

🏛 The Past Needs a Future (Ian Moore - Architect)​
Speaking of architecture, this years' Sir Ian Athfield Memorial lecture series welcomes Ian Moore (NZ/AU) to talk about adaptive reuse (recycling existing buildings into residential or renewed commercial use), idea being that we "don't need any new buildings [we've got plenty to utilise]" - keen to know, what's your take on that?​
​Where: Black Box Theatre (Rolleston Ave)
​When: 5pm-7pm (2hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/sir-ian-athfield-memorial-lecture-2025-otautahi-christchurch-tickets-1568333831709​

🎤 Sing A Capella (Open night)​
CHC City Chorus wanna invite you to sing your wee heart out (at a casual, low-key audition) for their Christmas show (in Nov) and/or join their membership and weekly rehearsals.
​Where: 113 Beachville Road, Redcliffs
​When: From 6:30pm
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://ccchorus.co.nz/node/4063​

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Thursday 11th September

🧘‍♂️ Music, Mantra and Meditation​
Learn how sacred sounds (and silence!) affect and deepen your meditative experience (NB: part of a series, but you definitely don't need to do all of them to benefit... but you might want to go to more afterwards 😉)​
​Where: Sri Chinmoy Centre (St. Asaph St)
​When: 7pm-8pm (1hr)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/meditation-class-music-mantra-and-meditation-tickets-1671176557069​

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Friday 12th September

🏺 How to make a living from your pottery (Meet the panel)​
Join three brilliant guest speakers for an evening of real talk on how to get your work out there — from finding your style, to approaching galleries and shops without breaking into a nervous sweat, to making sure your creations end up in loving homes (not the back of your wardrobe).
​Where: Canterbury Potters Assn. (Memorial Ave)
​When: 7pm-9pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $11.14
​Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/meet-the-panel-how-to-make-a-living-out-of-your-pottery​

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Saturday 13th September

🧗 Clip ‘n Climb Exclusive Session​
Less queuing, more climbing — snag a discounted spot at this exclusive climbing session and scramble your way up weird, wonderful walls.
​(Plus, profits are being donated to Multiples Canterbury)​
​Where: Clip 'n Climb (Waltham Rd)
​When: 3:45pm-5pm (1hr 15min)
​Entry: $16.81 (limited to first 40 people)
​Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/clip-n-climb-exclusive-session-save-up-to-27-tickets-1670480053809​

✍️ Creative Writing Class with Dominic Hoey (Beginner)​
Shake off the boring grammar drills — this class is all about finding your voice, breaking rules, and writing stuff people actually want to read (and it's designed to be super beginner-friendly - bonus).
​Where: Te Wā (Hawdon St)
​When: 10am-1pm (3hrs)
​Entry: From $79.88
​Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/creative-writing-class-with-dominic-hoey​

🧩 DASH Puzzlehunt ​
Join in on the multi-city "Different Area Same Hunt" one-day puzzlehunt - kinda like a widespread escape room (except outside) mashed with an Amazing Race?!
​Where: Cathedral Square (you know where that is)​
​When: All day
​Entry: TBA (similar to escape room, apparently), teams of 3-5 people
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2167566346999314​

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Sunday 14th September

🏍 Kickstart Your Motorcycle Journey (Bike and License Expo)​
Think of it as a motorcycle playground for the curious—check out LAMS bikes, get tips from Ride Forever pros, join expert-led mini-seminars, and score cool prizes (plus, the café’s right there when your gear needs recharging).
​Where: Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Harvard Ave, Wigram)
​When: 10:30am–3:30pm (5hrs)
​Entry: FREE
​Info: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/kickstart-your-motorcycle-journey-bike-and-license-expo/christchurch-district​

👂 Natural Texture Earrings and Pendants Taster​
Metalwork meets plant vibes — spend three hours heating, texturing, slicing, and shaping to create your own textured earrings from copper, brass or silver. No experience required, just bring your idea (and maybe your dirt-free fingernails).
​Where: Workspace Studios (Ferry Rd)
​When: 2pm-5pm (3hrs)
​Entry: $128
​Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/natural-texture-earrings-and-pendants-taster4/christchurch​

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Tuesday 16th September

🍷 Raising the Bar (various events)​
RTB (and University of Canterbury) are hosting 20 free talks, across 10 bars, for one night only. Love this idea (although the thought of missing out and rushing across town provides some anxiety).
​Here are the main sites with info (you do need to register):
​https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2025/raising-the-bar-2025--20-free-talks--10-bars--one-night-only​

​https://www.rtbevent.com/rtbchch2025​

And here are our picks:​
🦇 https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/bats-saviours-of-the-planet-or-harbingers-of-death-tickets-1548384041349​

🐧 https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/penguins-from-space-secrets-of-the-frozen-south-tickets-1569256802339​

🪐 https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/chasing-the-universes-explosive-secrets-tickets-1542238570079​

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​Fire through your upcoming events here!

Get the full picture at MetService​

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🍞 Ferment It ​
"Discover the delicious, gut-friendly magic of fermentation in this hands-on, practical workshop with home gardening and preserving expert Marina Steinke".
Learn how to make your own;
Sauerkraut and kimchi – crunchy, tangy, and packed with probiotics
Kombucha – a refreshing, naturally fizzy drink
Sourdough – fresh homemade bread
Apple cider vinegar – made from scratch, no waste
​Where: Ashburton Senior Centre
​When: 2pm-5pm (3hrs)
​Entry: $20.90
​Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/ferment-it​

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

RIELNGAN

WDEKONELD

NTINOIVAON

(Answers for both at the bottom of the newsletter)

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🚴‍♀️ Bicycle Technician Here's your chance to put your wrench where your mouth is and turn your bike obsession into a full-time affair. Evo are looking for someone who loves (fixing) bikes as much as they love making them go vroom—or, you know, roolly, roolly fast. ​ Peep the listing here (not sponsored or affiliated, just thought it was cool)

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🔭 See all the planetary things with this mammoth telescope (hand made by an engineer)

🖨 Did someone have to print a 3D printer to 3D print this Prusa 3D Printer?

🚤 Keen to learn sailing this Summer? This Sunburst Dinghy might be worth a sunny outing

🎹 Or stay indoors and try your hand at learning a chooon on the keyboard?

﹌ Still don't know exactly how a Spectrophotometer works, but it sounds cool... (measures how much light a substance absorbs at different wavelengths)

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🥇 This week in history: NZ's heaviest gold nugget was found by ‘Messrs Scott and Sharpe’ at Ross on the West Coast in 1909, and then subsequently purchased by a Ross storekeeper and his Canterbury associate (for £400). A cast of it was soon on show in Canterbury Museum.
Weighing in at 3.09 kg (99.63 ounces), it was named the ‘Honourable Roddy’ after Minister of Mines Roderick McKenzie.
In 1911 the ‘Hon. Roddy’ was bought by the government and gifted to King George V. However, upon questioning (40 years later), it was found that the nugget had been melted down to make a royal tea service (Hope it made the English Brekkie taste nicer...) 🫖

Apparently worth around $300K today (at $3K p/ounce), though that's nothing on the nuggie found in Australia, clocking in at 71KG! (which someone in the comments mentioned would be worth around $7-11M today).
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💐 Shout out to ✨Sarah and Richard✨ (and their helpers) for popping up at the Woolston Shabby Chic market on Sunday with their delicious treats - their baking has been missed sooo much (as evidenced by me getting the last Melting Moment, and it wasn’t even lunchtime)!

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Although we’re coming into warmer weather, we’ve had people ask about quick things to do at home, so we wanna know too…and thought maaaybe we could turn it into a wee competition. Standby while we hash out the details, and look out for it next week!

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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 find a tree to read a smutty sci-fi novel under 🌳

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

Fun answers:

LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATION

🗽 New York, 2014