Arts and Entertainment

New Zealand's country music artist Craig Adams packed out the Glen Country Music Club yesterday — and it was not the first time. Club secretary Mary Hardy noted it was another full house, pointing out the sign had to go up in May last year and again at this

The Eastern Southland Gallery has lost one of its most devoted friends. Sir Sam Neill, who died on July 13 aged 78, spent more than 25 years quietly shaping the Gore gallery's collection and championing the idea that provincial New Zealand deserves serious contemporary art. Gallery curator Jim

SuperSkills Jubilee is hosting its very first exhibition at the Whare Taupua Arts Murihiku during July. Showcasing an inspiring collection of work created by participants attending its free life skills classes, the Creative Connections exhibition features everything from knitting, crochet, quilting, patchwork, sewing and slow stitching to art, crafts, diamond

Invercargill's most-visited gallery exhibition is back — and this time it's asking you to show up in your pyjamas. Play, now in its fifth year, opens at the transitional public art gallery on Friday July 3 with a free family night running from 5pm to 7pm. Balloon

This weekend is stacked. Friday night, Flames on Esk lights up the city centre from 6pm with fire, flow, juggling, and magic — free for the whole family — before King Leo & Son bring their Gather You In Tour to RIFF for an incredible night of blues and soul, and Jetset

Another big weekend across Invercargill. Friday night, Night Cru hit the stage at the Southland Sports Bar from 6:30pm, Marea brings her acoustic sounds to Level One at the Kelvin Hotel from 6pm, and the FIFA World Cup kicks off on the big screens across town. Saturday, Celtic Rock

Southland's arts scene is bigger than anyone expected. More than 90 nominations flooded in for this year's regional arts awards — a number that surprised even the organisers. Arts Murihiku now faces the pleasant problem of choosing between four to six finalists in each of nine categories.

Simon Thompson has won the top prize at the country music awards that matter. The Senior MLT NZ Gold Guitar Award went to Thompson over King's Birthday Weekend, along with $5,000 cash, a fully produced single, and a trip to the 2027 Tamworth Country Music Festival in