What's on
We are blessed with riches as we share the bounty of three glorious festivals offering culture, fashion and spectacular nature. The monks of the Dunedin Dhargyey Buddist Centre share their gifts with us. And we open up the vaults for the huge annual library booksale in the basement. Plus author talks, poetry, workshops, heritage lectures, and Lunchtime Bites are back on the menu!
Special Events:
Around the World in 80 Tales: Storytelling Festival
Take a journey around the world, through the stories from some of Dunedin’s diverse cultures.More than a dozen different languages and performers, plus dance, puppets, and music come together to create a beautifully colourful gala day. Be part of this annual Dunedin festival for World Storytelling Day: a chance to celebrate diversity, hear other languages and experience the universality of story.
All welcome: suitable 0-100 years
Saturday 30th March, 11am – 3.30pm, Dunedin City Library
Wisdom and Compassion in Vivid Colour
Sunday 24th March – Sunday 14th April, Ground Floor, City Library
Come and watch the creation of a sacred Tibetan sand mandala, grain by grain. Over three weeks, monks from the Dunedin Dhargyey Buddhist Centre will painstakingly construct a perfect representation of the cosmos using vividly-coloured crushed marble sand.
TRADITIONAL OPENING CEREMONY AND CONSECRATION OF THE MANDALA BASE
Sunday 24th March, 11.30am, Ground Floor, City Library
MANDALA DAILY VIEWINGS
Join us to watch the monks constructing the sand mandala.
Sunday 24th March-Sunday 14th April
[All are welcome to join the monks 15 minutes before each session for mantra chanting]
Weekdays: 10am-12noon; 2pm-4.30pm
Weekends: 11.30am-12.30pm; 2pm-4pm
CLOSING DISSOLUTION CEREMONY
Sunday 14th April, 11.30am, Ground Floor City Library
More Sand Mandala Events...
How To Be Happy
Geshe Nyima will give a general talk about how to cultivate the qualities of wisdom and compassion in order to increase one’s own wellbeing, reduce internal emotional conflict and be of greater benefit to others.
All welcome - No booking required.
Sunday 31st March, 2pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
Architecture of Enlightenment
Geshe Lobsang Dhonyoe will present an overview of the art of the sand mandala presented from the world view of a Tibetan Buddhist monk.
All welcome - No booking required.
Sunday 7th April, 2pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
Sand Mandala Workshops for Children
Learn how to create sand pictures of flowers and mandalas, a traditional Buddhist art form, under the guidance of monks of the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre. Suitable for children of any age.
Saturday 6th April, 2pm-4pm, Living Hub, Ground Floor, City Library
Workshops:
Twisty Plots Young Writers Drop-In Workshops
Inspiration from award-winning novelist, playwright and script writer Ella West.
One-on-one help and advice for primary and secondary school pupils, or just sit and write in the company of a published children’s author - Ella will be busy working on her next novel!
Second Tuesday of every month, 3.30pm-4.30pm,Teen Space, 2nd Floor, City Library
Character Building: Al’s Drawing Class
Learn to draw dragons, supervillains and aliens!
In this series of relaxed art classes for kids, Al Easson gives tips on how to create weird and wonderful characters, and bring them to life on the page. No artistic skills required. Just come and have fun. Al is a comic illustrator and writer, with a zany sense of humour. Let him help you express your wild ideas on paper.
Very limited spaces – BOOKING ESSENTIAL - class will be repeated over three dates. All materials supplied. Suitable ages 9-15
8th March
15th March
22nd March
Teen Space, Floor 2, Dunedin City Library – 3.30pm-4.30pm
Dunedin Fringe Festival: Developing New Plays
In this workshop, Broadway composer and playwright Scott Elmegreen (www.scottelmegreen.com) invites you to explore the creation of new works through lively discussion and a series of collaborative writing, acting and directing exercises. For all artists, students and theatre appreciators looking for a better understanding of how new works advance from the kernel of an idea to a fully-realised theatrical production.
Tickets available from Dunedin Fringe Festival
Booking Essential – limited numbers
Sunday 24h March, 1pm-4pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
A Dunedin Fringe Festival event, with the support of Creative Communities NZ
MMF Present: Mental Health & Wellbeing Seminar for Musicians & Songwriters
The key aims of the session is to improve the mental health and wellbeing literacy of music managers and self-managed artists, to empower our community to better monitor themselves and to reach out and give practical support to those around them, and to impart a greater understanding of the framework of assistance and support that exists for people experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues. Experienced MusicHelps counsellor and registered psychologist Grant Gunning will run the seminars. Thanks to a Recorded Music NZ Music Grant, the Health Promotion Agency, the NZ Music Managers Forum and MusicHelps, these seminars are FREE and open to all. RSVP is essential to secure your seat.
RSVP to lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz
And please specify which city you will be attending
Wednesday 27th March, 6pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library, Moray Place
Poetry
J&K Rolling
Dunedin poets Jenny Powell and Kay McKenzie Cooke form the poetry reading duo, J&K Rolling. ‘Breaking city limits for fine shore lines’ is their byline and Port Chalmers is in their sights. After their readings, there will be an Open Mic followed by an invite for any questions or discussion. If you have a poem or two to share; or even if you just want to listen; take this opportunity to roll along with J&K and partake of some fine lines.
Thursday 14th March, 6.30pm, Port Chalmers Library
Public Talks
Pop-up Library at the Botanic Garden
Join us on the 1st Friday of every month for the ever-popular series of HortTalks supported by a selection of books on the day’s theme. Presented in partnership with Dunedin Botanic Garden, the first HortTalk of 2019 is Friday 5th April:
Volco Bush and its botany: a Pakihaukai story – Bill Dacker and Hendrick Kick, Trustees of the Volco Trust present an overview of a conservation area near Mount Cargill that has been conserved by private individuals for nearly 50 years. The area even includes a rimu tree that may be 2000 years old.
Living the present moment, the freedom of Zen
An introduction to Zen and Zen meditation presented by The Dunedin Zen Group in partnership with Dunedin Public Library.
Speaker: Glenn Wallis Roshi, a Zen teacher in the Diamond Sangha tradition.
Booking essential
Thursday 14th March, 6.30pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
FREE
Exhibitions:
Reed Gallery: The Good Gray Poet
For its latest exhibition, the Reed Gallery are honouring American poet, Walt Whitman. The 31st May 2019 marks the 200th birthday of one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century.
Opens Friday 22nd March, 3rd Floor, City Library
City Festivals:
iD Fashion Week:
Library Fashion Tour
View the changing face of fashion at the Dunedin City Library, with an exclusive viewing of treasures from the library’s fashion vaults.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - LIMITED NUMBERS
Thursday 14th March, 12pm-1pm Dunedin City Library
(Meet at the ground floor help desk)
iD Conversation
Fashion talk, presented by Lucy Hammonds. Lucy is the Contemporary Curator at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. She co-authored the book - ‘The Dress Circle - New Zealand Fashion Design Since 1940’. Come and listen Lucy's version of Kiwi fashion history.
BOOKING RECOMMENDED for this popular event!
Friday 15th March, 5.30pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
2019 Dunedin Pride Week: Drag Storytime
Storytime that’s fabulously dressed, with gorgeous hair!
Bring your child along for a special Pride Week storytime, with stories for children about being proud of who you are and celebrating all kinds of loving families. Presented by the Drag Kings and Queens of Dunedin.
Monday 8th April, 10.30am, Children's Storypit
Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature:
Halo Project: Bring Back Our Birds
Head along to Port Chalmers Library to learn about how the Halo project provides support and guidance to local predator trapping groups to protect our native animals and plants beyond the fence of Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
Tuesday 23rd April, 6pm, Port Chalmers Library
Wild Books @ Lunchtime:
Bring your lunch and enjoy these fascinating talks, with an opportunity to buy the books, courtesy of University Book Shop Otago*.
Tea and coffee provided. FREE and no need to book
Treasures of Tane
Author Rob Tipa highlights the many uses Ngāi Tahu have for native plants.
Tuesday 23rd April, 12.15pm-12.45pm, Dunningham Suite, City Library
The Invading Sea
Author Neville Peat highlights the impact of climate change on our coast.
Wednesday 24th April, 12.15pm-12.45pm, Living Hub, Ground Floor, City Library
NZ Guide to Freshwater Fish
Author Stella McQueen is a native fish and pond bug enthusiast.
*Book sales direct from author, $25 cash only please
Friday 26th April, 1.15pm-1.45pm, Dunningham Suite, City Library
The Flying Penguin Kite Workshop
Pick up a penguin and make him fly. Join us on Friday for our special Wild Dunedin kite workshop and make your very own kite. Then head up to Larnach Castle’s Camp Estate on Saturday to fly your masterpiece!
Workshop: Friday 26th April, 10.00am-12noon, 4th Floor, Dunedin City Library
Kite Flying: Saturday 27th April, 11am – 1pm Camp Estate, Larnach Castle
(access to camp estate exclusive to workshop participants and their families)
BOOKING ESSENTIAL – limited numbers
FREE & all materials provided
In partnership with Larnach Castle: Part of the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature 2019
Exploring the Realm of the Sea Lion
A fun kids' workshop presented by the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust.
Suitable for 8+ years.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - limited numbers
Saturday 27th April, 2pm-4pm, 4th Floor, City Library
AUTHOR TALKS:
Murder in the Library
Join us for a glimpse into the darkly-exciting world of the murder mystery writer. The panel of Ngaio Marsh Award longlisters includes Brian Stoddart (past
longlistee & 2019 entrant), Ella West (award-winning YA author and 2019
entrant) and Vanda Symon (3x finalist, current judge), plus another guest to be announced - watch this space!
Thursday 4th April, 6pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
Parallel Lives
In 2014 Jennifer Andrewes and her family packed up and moved to Quillan, a French village in Aude, the south-west region of France, nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The Aude region is on the 42nd parallel north. Wellington, Jennifer's home in NZ, is on the 42nd parallel south, and is the nearest thing the Aude has to an antipodal sister city.
Join us for an engaging evening as Jennifer chats with Chair, Jocelyn Harris, professor emerita at the University of Otago, about la vie en France and her ode to the people, places and food that made the experience so incredible.
Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of University Book Shop Otago (price $34.99)
Wednesday 17th April, 5.30pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
Other events:
Law for Tea
Presented by Community Law Otago, a series of talks on everyday aspects of the law and how they affect you. Pop in for free information and a chance to ask questions. Find out how you can access free legal advice from the Community Law team.
Tuesday 26th March, 5.30pm – Employment Rights: Issues in the workplace and our rights as an employee
Tuesday 30th April, 5.30pm – Consumer Law: What are your rights when you shop?
Cube Space, Living Hub, Ground Floor, City Library
FREE and all welcome.
Adult Summer Reading Challenge
Challenge yourself this summer. Read 10 books and record your progress to earn a free DVD rentals voucher. Stretch your horizons by reading five books outside your comfort zone and you’ll go into the draw for a chance to win a $50 book voucher. Pick up a reading record at your local library and start your journey!
Runs until Saturday 31st March 2019, All Dunedin Public Libraries
Gold Rush Book Sale
Celebrate Otago’s heritage by heading underground and digging for literary gold. Join the rush! Roll up your sleeves and fill your bags with treasure at the Libraries’ annual basement book sale.
Remember to bring your own bags!
Friday 22nd March – Sunday 24th March (during library opening times)
Basement Carpark, City Library
Continued Sense of Wonder: Travelling in Time
Adventures in history and portals to the past. Bring along an old favourite or a new discovery to share.
Wednesday 13th March, 7pm, Dunningham Suite, 4th Floor, City Library
Booking essential: 03 474 3690 or library@dcc.govt.nz
For more information, contact: Jackie.mcmillan@dcc.govt.nz