previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2024
TEENAGE MARKET RETURNS TO MIDDLETON!
Preview by Steve Cooke
Teenage markets give our young creatives, aged between 13 – 25 years old, the opportunity of turning their hobbies into cash. Or if already selling their creations turn it into a business. Or maybe perform for an audience.
The opportunity is open to young people from across the Rochdale Borough and Greater Manchester to take part free of charge.
Each market includes plenty of stalls for them to sell their work, food & drink stalls and a stage for young people to perform their skills solo or as a group [music, dance, circus skills etc].
On the lead up to the market young people have been offered plenty of support so they feel prepared including events with established sellers offering advice on subjects like how to effectively price products and how to display work beautifully to drive sales.
So, if you are looking for unique, beautiful or useful presents, for example such as art, stationery, prints, plants, seasonal decorations, ceramics or homeware. Maybe be things to wear such as clothing, shoes, hair accessories or jewellery – maybe even second-hand or vintage clothing.
Turn up and see what is on offer this time – support our young creatives!
The next Teenage Market is taking place outdoors in the busy Middleton Gardens in the centre of Middleton, on Sunday 1st December 2024, 11am – 3pm.
TOM HINGLEY NEW ALBUM ON TOUR
Preview by Steve Cooke
Tom Hingley , who originally made his name as lead singer in the Inspiral Carpets, has continued with very successful solo career.
He has just released his latest new material, Grand Mal, another beautifully heartfelt collection of songs and his first ever solo vinyl album (other formats are available too!).
He contacted me to say, ‘I have my first new solo album out in 7 years , The Grand Mal was written during the 2020 Lockdown. An uplifting collection of songs embedded with Soul, Electro , acoustic and Rock influences. It contains Performances by Kelly Wood on Piano, Andrew Stewardson on Synthesisers, Pete Marshall on drums , Gary Hadfield on bass, Schrodinger’s Strings on Harps. Recorded at Blue Print Studios produced by Gary Hadfield, cover photograph by Kelly Wood graphics by Anthony Mulryan. I have never been prouder of an album.’
The Grand Mal has been recorded sporadically over the past three years, with Tom road testing the songs on his never ending acoustic tour. Many of the songs will be familiar to the faithful who follow Tom’s career. As The Grand Mal has gone through different recording phases, we get a mixture of solo acoustic numbers and some collaborative pieces too with Tom joined by a host of other musicians.
The Revealing Actors gets the album underway, featuring only Tom’s vocal and trusty acoustic guitar. Tom always wears his heart on his sleeve and these cathartic, autobiographical songs are a feature of his solo work.
Up next the full band pieces, Easy and Take It Like A Woman emphasise the real versatility to Tom’s work.
The acoustic Another Bird On The Wire inspired by Leonard Cohen showcases Tom’s incredible vocal range and also features some subtle piano from Kelly Wood.
How Could I Be So Wrong? is a complete departure from anything Tom has ever done before, an epic piece with Tom’s powerful vocals and Andrew Stewardson’s synths.
My Madness changes the mood and tempo again.
Three more fine acoustic tracks White Feathers, Open Up and Turnstyle and the full band piece This Is My First Rodeo bring this stunning album to a close.
The Grand Mal is an excellent collection of songs. - music of the highest quality.
Visit: https://thegraystonunity.co.uk/event/tom-hingley-band/ where you also can hear tracks from the album.
The Kell Wind Trio at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
The Kell Wind Trio belongs to an uncommon genre which is tricky to arrange music for. The players have to be expert with their instruments to cover all the musical ground that larger groups do. Also, in orchestras they might have a few bars rest each, whereas everything has to be covered by just three. Arranger Alastair Roberts (flute) along with his interesting introductions, Ian Harvey (bassoon) and Geoffrey Smith (clarinet) are all distinguished soloists and orchestral players in the North West and have all the skills and stamina to bring a wide variety of music to life.
Their programme consisted of diversions aplenty. From eighteenth century suites to sequences of descriptive pieces, most composers have written amusing musical ways of passing the time, variously referred to as diversions. Not that this music is throwaway or background; indeed, many musical gems emerged and have become well known.
From the elegant Divertimento in G by Haydn, humorous Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod (Hitchcock’s theme tune), cheeky Divertissement by Schulhoff, sophisticated Partita in Eb by Hummel, characteristic Vallfickand Dans by Alfvén, to an attractive set of folks songs arranged by Grainger, entitled A Lincolnshire Posy - all proved enjoyable diversions.
The perennial Elizabethan Serenade by Binge brought us to a finale with the striking Thunder and Lightning Polka by Strauss.
The icing on the cake was a well-deserved encore: the theme from The Archers.
This was concert number 1,113 since taking over from the council in 2001. The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday 12:30 – 13:30 at the Grade 1 Listed St Mary in the Baum Church, Rochdale OL16 1DZ, admission £6.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - An Eastern European Odyssey - The River Danube from its Delta to Budapest – Andrew Hardwick
We meet every Wednesday.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus. https://www.rochdaleps.org.uk/syllabus
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Nina Savicevic piano (RNCM).
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Art Group
Interested in art?
Why not come along and meet like-minded individuals, meeting each week to paint, draw, watch demos, etc.
Bring along your own artwork and join us. We are a very friendly group .
We are beginners up to very experienced artists who enjoy the sociability of meeting up and helping each other.
All abilities welcome.
Weekly programme of topics and events.
£1.00 weekly subs
Phone: Veronica Swinden 01706 640567
Visit: http://rochdaleartists.com
10.45am to 12.45pm
Castleton Library and Community Centre, 604 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF
Thursday 28 November 2024
Syke Community Choir
This is a new weekly Choir session held every Thursday - a fun social group, all you need is a mouth, no previous singing experience required , we all learn together.
£5
7pm - 8.30pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Thursday 28 November 2024
Syke Arts & Crafts morning
All are welcome to our Arts and Crafts weekly sessions.
We have lots of Crafty materials for you to be creative with.
£3.50
10am - 12pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Thursday 28 November 2024
Women In Touch Community Dance Group
7pm - 9pm
We are a group of like-minded women who love to dance.
We welcome anyone who is interested in self-expression through creative movement in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Our free session are held most Thursday.
Please ring or text to check that each sessions is running as sometimes we might not have access to the hall.
Free
Phone: Jen Lowe 07739 836848 / 07593276278
St George’s Church Hall, Bury Road, Rochdale, OL11 4EB
Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 November 2024
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Fireground is open to visitors on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am - 4pm.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Friday 29 November 2024
Castleton Literary and Scientific Society
St. Nicholas pays a visit
A talk by Peter Duczak, storyteller and member of the Rochdale Ukrainian community will recount some of the Ukrainian traditions, particularly those associated with the festive season.
Annual Membership £25; Visitors welcome £3 per meeting
Phone: Barry Hobson 07724 135099
7pm.
St. Martin's Church, Vicarage Road North, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 2TE
Please note new venue due to reconstruction work at the Community Centre.
Saturday 30 November 2024
Marvellous Christmas Markets
Join us at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre located in Central Square (near Iceland and Poundland store)
Visit our indoor market, bag yourself a unique treat, meet the marvellous makers, see their amazing creations, come and grab yourself a bargain.
We look forward to welcoming you.
If you would like to trade at one of our markets, please get in touch.
9am - 5pm
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Yorkshire Street, Rochdale OL16 1BA
Saturday 30 November 2024
Friends of Littleborough Stations (FOLS) Christmas Event
This event is held before the Littleborough Christmas Lights Switch-On.
Refreshments.
Goody bags.
Warm fire.
Warm welcome.
1pm - 3.30pm
History Centre, Platform 2, Littleborough Railway Station, Railway Street, Littleborough OL15 8AF
Saturday 30 November 2024
PossAbilities Decade of light
Christmas Lightopia at Cherwell Centre.
Step into a magical Lightopia Wonderland and get into the festive spirit with a day full of Christmas cheer.
Visit Father Christmas.
Stalls (Hosting is free—just donate an item for the tombola!).
Face Painting.
Christmas Inflatables.
Delicious Christmas Food & Mulled Wine.
Spectacular Illuminated Decorations throughout the garden.
Reasonably Priced Bar.
Music & Entertainment …and so much more.
Interested in hosting your own stall? Contact Jane.Holland@PossAbilities.org.uk to reserve your spot.
Come along and make this Christmas magical.
Free
Phone: Jane Holland 07786 966062
Visit: http://Possabilities.org.uk
11am - 7pm
Cherwell Centre, Cherwell Avenue, Peel Street, Heywood OL10 4SY
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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