Rugby World Cup matches in Christchurch became another victim of the Canterbury earthquakes, but our celebratory spirit will not be dampened as seven key matches are welcomed by Garden Variety; an artistic, visual and theatre spectacular.

Rugby World Cup matches in Christchurch became another victim of the Canterbury earthquakes, but our celebratory spirit will not be dampened as seven key matches are welcomed by Garden Variety; an artistic, visual and theatre spectacular.

Body Festival Director, Adam Hayward says the events are an adaption of what was planned for Rugby Road, leading fans from the city centre to the stadium. “The determination of all involved to recognise and celebrate the Cup matches is evident from the spectacular planned in Hagley Park. Earthquakes will not take this from us."

Garden Variety is part of the Body Festival and kicks off this Saturday. It’s a one-off extravaganza, of which Christchurch has never seen the like before. The special family oriented arts and entertainment, adjacent to the Rugby World Cup Fanzone in Hagley Park, provides a two-hour smorgasbord of stunning entertainment.

 “It also showcases the collaboration of a variety of arts forms coming together to showcase the individuality of their talents to create a collective masterpiece. It’s great to be able to use sport to leverage and present culture, dance and arts. This event really brings its very own Canterbury flavour to the cup matches and is a not-to–be missed event for the whole family.”

More people dance in New Zealand on a weekly basis, than play Rugby and Netball combined. This was highlighted in 2006 when the TV audience for the Super 12 final between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders was around 400,000. The TV audience that same night for the final of Dancing With the Stars was 1,200,000.

Garden Variety is also part of the Real New Zealand Festival and is expected to be a highlight of both the local world cup celebrations and the Body Festival as a whole.