We are super excited to report that Fun Palaces are in Christchurch this year! Free, pop-up 'Fun Palaces' will be hosting exciting arts, science and culture activities for people of all ages and abilities. In the weekend of Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October (2nd weekend of the school holidays), we will be the first place in the world to get our Fun Palace on!
Stella Duffy, Co-Director Fun Palaces
We are thrilled to have such a strong Fun Palaces' presence in Aotearoa/New Zealand, thanks to Christchurch community's engagement, involvement and passion. As a New Zealander in London, I have watched in awe at the astonishing regeneration that has taken place in Christchurch, the guts and enthusiasm as people have overcome such tragedy to remake your city, and to take it forwards into a brighter future. This is exactly the spirit of Fun Palaces - resilience, dogged determination to create value no matter what, to enjoy ourselves no matter what, and to support each other as we do so, making a difference in community - together.
We have 135 Fun Palaces on the map, stretching from New Zealand to North America and back to Great Britain, and we love that the sun will rise on Christchurch and the first Fun Palaces this year - kicking off an international weekend of impact for everyday artists, citizen scientists and creative communities. Thank you for saying yes.
You can win too - snap a selfie at any of the Fun Palaces and upload to your social media accounts with the hashtag #funpalaceschch and you are in the draw to WIN a bicycle worth up to $2,000!
Read our post on the other local Fun Palaces. Our Central Library Peterborough will play host to 12 events over the weekend:
Fun Palaces at Central Library Peterborough
Saturday 3 October
Augmented reality 10am to 12pm
Colour in images in the "old school" way and watch them come to life using Quiver Augmented Reality technology with an iPad that will transform your pages into a magical and engaging 3D experience that is sure to have you entranced. Presented by Christchurch City Libraries.
Spider phobia demonstration 10am to 4pm
Don't miss out on this experience to have virtual spiders creep and crawl all over a desk and up your arms! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
Augmented reality kiosk 10 am to 4pm
Come check out the latest in Augmented Reality! Bringing virtual images into the real world. See comic books and colouring books come to life right before your eyes! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
Nao robots 10am to 12pm
Robots robots robots! Swing by play with real humanoid robots and learn how to program them too! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
3D printing demo 11am to 2pm
Come in and see one of the Library 3D printers in action during a live demonstration. Learn a little about how they work, what material the Libraries use and some interesting facts about this exciting technology. Presented by Christchurch City Libraries.
Minecraft 12pm to 3pm
Create your own Fun Palace. Come and build your own "Fun Palace" in Minecraft. Build something exciting on your own or in collaboration with friends during a 3hr session aimed at creating the most fun environment you can think of within the minecraft realm. Redstone disco light floors, minecart roller coasters or massive waterslides the more fun it is the better. Unleash your creativity! There will be 20 computers available and will be on a first in first served basis. Presented by Christchurch City Libraries.
Oculus Rift 1pm to 3pm
This is Minecraft on a whole new level. Experience Minecraft as if you were really there using the Oculus Rift. Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
Sunday 4 October
Augmented reality kiosk 10am to 4pm
Come check out the latest in Augmented Reality! Bringing virtual images into the real world. See comic books and colouring books come to life right before your eyes! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
Spider phobia demonstration 10am to 4pm
Don't miss out on this experience to have virtual spiders creep and crawl all over a desk and up your arms! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
Nao robots 10am to 12pm
Robots robots robots! Swing by play with real humanoid robots and learn how to program them too! Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
3D printing demo 11am to 2pm
Come in and see one of the Library 3D printers in action during a live demonstration. Learn a little about how they work, what material the Libraries use and some interesting facts about this exciting technology. Presented by Christchurch City Libraries
Oculus Rift 1pm to 3pm
This is Minecraft on a whole new level. Experience Minecraft as if you were really there using the Oculus Rift. Presented by HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch City Libraries.
And if you visit Be There, you will see heaps more Fun Palaces to explore. Grab bookmarks and flyers from your local library. See you there!
- You can go online and make your own Fun Palaces comic.
- Posters and bookmarks.
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