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The creative community throughout New Zealand are supporting and raising funds for Christchurch, including the Court Jesters who came together at Theatre Royal Nelson for a ‘Comedy for Christchurch’ show.

One of the Court Jesters Jeff Clark was working in The Court Theatre when the quake struck, and as he told The Big Idea, the event “is a way to feel normal, being able to laugh and forget about it, even if it’s just for a few hours.”

“In times of stress the arts play an important role to bring us together to share a positive experience, rather than a horrible one.”

Here are some fundraising events and requests for assistance below.

Update: We are no longer adding to this page but  you can find more from the creative community on The Big Idea here.

Share yours by listing your events, and adding opportunities for others to help. Please include the keyword Christchurch Earthquake 2011.

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• Festivals

Auckland Arts Festival and Ihimaera: Proceeds from the Friday 4 March Ihimaera concert went to the NZ Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal. Festival audiences can also donate at the Festival Garden in Aotea Square. 

International artists are contributing, including visiting artist Sarah Lucas who will donate proceeds from the sale of the first NUDS sculpture, valued at GBP75,000. U Theatre of Taiwan are donating a significant part of their fee.

NZ Fringe Festival: A special fundraising event 'El Jaguar and Friends heart Shakeytown’ at the Fringe Bar in Wellington on Feb 25 raised $2516. In addition, various Fringe performers donated proceeds from some of their shows.

• Comedy

Comedy for Christchurch: The Court Jesters' fundraiser staged on March 9 at the Theatre Royal Nelson, raised more than $7000 for the Salvation Army's earthquake relief efforts. The Jesters were delighted to perform together again (many of them reunited for the first time since February 22).

Stand Up for Christchurch: Hosted by The Improv Bandits, all the comedians and the venue staff are donating their time to raise funds for  Christchurch. At The Civic, Auckland, Tuesday March 29 at 7.30pm.

• Theatre

Circa Theatre: A group of Wellington performers came together for a Benefit for Christchurch on Monday 7th March.

Howick Little Theatre: Are donating proceeds from The Birthday Boy performance on Tuesday 22 March, and running a fundraising raffle during the season.

Aftershocks: A verbatim theatre piece about a community experiencing an earthquake, organised by Carving in Ice theatre group, in Hamilton on March 12 and 14.

Auckland Theatre Company: ATC will donate the proceeds from a series of performances and other events in the coming months. The first dedicated fundraising performance, for The Court Theatre, was Well Hung at the Maidment Theatre on Feb 27.

• Writing/Publishing

NZSA: The New Zealand Society of Authors need 55 writers to read from their work at a library within the Auckland Super City and all funds raised at the event will be donated to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.

Booksellers: A fund for the relief of Booksellers in Christchurch has been established by Booksellers NZ.

Poetry Live: Christchurch Benefit Gig. The live music and performance poetry at the Thirsty Dog in Auckland on March 1 raised $641.

• Music

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra: The NZSO will be collecting at its ‘Symphonic Odyssey’ Auckland Festival concert on 12 March and throughout the ‘Apotheosis’ tour, starting 25 March. The orchestra will partner with Elizabeth Marvelly and other guest artists in a special benefit concert at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland’s North Shore on 2 April.

NZSO is planning on replacing the concert on 7 April in the Christchurch Town Hall with a free early-evening concert in Christchurch that day.

The Tudor Consort and Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir performed a benefit concert in Wellington on Monday 7 March, 5.30pm.

Memorial Organ Recital: Memorial concert to celebrate three staff members of the South Island Organ Co. St Peter's on Willis in Wellington. Fri 4 Mar, 5.30pm.

This concert is a way to celebrate their lives and raise money for the Red Cross's work in Christchurch

Songs for Christchurch: A minimum donation of $5 in exchange for great New Zealand music very kindly donated by the artists via MusicHype.

Tunes for Christchurch: Amplifiers good friends lent their tracks for a week, on the proviso that you help out by donating what you can to one of the deserving charities.

Fly My Pretties: All sales of Fly My Pretties beach towels purchased from Loopshop in the next month will be donated to the Red Cross Appeal.

EMI Music NZ: Through Trade Me they are auctioning off various music items including a ticket and meet and greet package with the Chemical Brothers, an electric guitar signed by Good Charlotte, copies of signed CD’s from various artists including Coldplay, Massive Attack and Kenny Rogers.

Kotahitangata (One People) Quake Relief Gig: 100 percent of all proceeds will go to Red Cross New Zealand. 28 Feb, Sale St, Auckland.

• Visual Arts and Design

Lost Art Website: Many artists studios, galleries and private homes with art collections have been damaged or isolated. A website called LostArtChch.org.nz has been set up by arts writer Hamish Keith to allow artists and owners to make a record of what is at risk and where it is.

Christchurch Creative: A new website which provides a database of Christchurch based freelancers so that companies from other cities can supply the much needed projects to keep them going.

Inked for Christchurch: Tattooists from all over the country held a fundraising day on March 6 to raise money for their comrade tattooists in Christchurch

Red + Black Art Sale: On sale will be a range of work from students currently studying at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in Auckland. Herne Bay, Auckland on March 6.

Designers Institute NZ: As a gesture to help cope during the coming months DINZ will waive for Christchurch Members, Professional Members and Fellow Members 6 months of membership fees for 2011. The April Designers Speak - Mixing it Up, will now be an event to unite the community.  DINZ is also offering help for members who need assistance with work spaces.

• Organisations

Museums Aotearoa and National Services Te Paerangi: Are compiling a register of volunteers/ ideas to help the Christchurch cultural sector's recovery. Please contact Sophie de Lautour Kelly (E: sophieatmuseumsaotearoa.org.nz, 04 499 1313)

Creative New Zealand: CNZ will respond to requests for assistance as they establish how their clients are affected and their needs. Find out more about funding round extensions and contacts for artists and arts organisations.

• Toi Maori

Kapa Haka Festival Fundraiser: Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa Trust is sponsoring a Kapa Haka festival in Rotorua to raise funds for victims of the Waitaha Earthquake. Rotorua Events Centre on Saturday 19 March.

• International Support

St Mary’s in Glasgow: A benefit concert was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow on February 28, and raised $10,000.

Christchurch Cathedral is the ‘twin’ of St Mary’s, built by the same architect at almost exactly the same time. The concert included performances from eight choirs and featured tenor Stephen Chambers and trumpeter Bede Williams, New Zealanders based at the RSAMD in Glasgow.

Christchurch Earthquake Vigil Service to be held Wednesday March 2 at Westminster Cathedral 7pm, London.

From NYC to Christchurch: Kia Kaha! On Saturday February 26 a team of Kiwi and US filmmakers came together in New York City to film a message of strength to send to Christchurch. 

See more international fundraising events for Christchurch on Kea's website.

• Please share your events here, and add opportunities for others to help here. Please include the keyword Christchurch Earthquake 2011. Use the comment box to add any other links or comments.