MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 1d
- 6 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2025
Previews: Orchestral Qawwali project, Mad For It Friday, K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Review: The Kell Wind Trio at TLC
Experience a modern re-imagining of Qawwali music with the profoundly moving Orchestral Qawwali Project
Preview by Steve Cooke
A wonderful opportunity to experience a modern re-imagining of Qawwali music with the profoundly moving Orchestral Qawwali Project, conceived by Manchester Camerata’s Artistic Partner Rushil Ranjan and led by the mesmerising vocals of Abi Sampa.
Orchestral Qawwali Project breathes new life into centuries-old traditions, reframing the spiritual rapture of Sufi music through Rushil’s rich orchestral scores and blending Western classical with South Asian music and Indian classical dance.
Within just three years of its founding, the ensemble has performed to sold-out audiences at London’s Roundhouse, The Barbican, Symphony Hall Birmingham and Royal Albert Hall. Rushil Ranjan returns to Aviva Studios after the world premiere of Ruhaniyat at MIF25 earlier this year.
Rushil Ranjan is an acclaimed composer, recently announced as the Royal Albert Hall’s latest Associate Artist, whose compositions have graced stages from the Edinburgh International Festival to London’s Southbank Centre as well as major productions for Netflix, ITV and Film4. Abi Sampa is renowned as a genre-shattering Qawwal, veena virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist, whose work has captivated audiences around the globe.
Multi-instrumentalist, Qawwal and Veena virtuoso: Abi Sampa has become a focal point within contemporary sufi and fusion music. Her ability to mix different styles and command over both Western and Indian Classical music has garnered praise from all corners of the music industry. Reflecting the multicultural nature of the city she grew up in, Abi explored and absorbed a myriad of musical styles and genres, which formed the building blocks of her unique vocal and instrumental style. A pioneer across genres, Abi’s incredible vocal prowess and style are emblematic of a truly new and global interpretation of qawwali and Indian Classical Music.
Performed by:
Rushil Ranjan Composer
Abi Sampa Vocals
Orchestral Qawwali
Manchester Camerata
£90, £75, £60, £47, £35, £20
Orchestral Qawwali Project ft. Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa
Friday 5 December, 7.30 pm
The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
MAD FOR IT FRIDAY
Preview by Steve Cooke
For a ‘Baggy’ festivity get along to Norden for a proper Christmas Manc/Rave PARTYYYY.
Whether you were there first time around or missed it and would like to experience what it was all about.
The night will be packed with Classic Manchester anthems, Indie bangers & 90's Dance floorfillers!
The venue is limited capacity with an intimate atmospheric vibe so early purchase is advised.
“There's only one place to be on Mad Friday!”
From £6.00
Visit: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Oldham/St-Pauls-Hall/mad-for-it-Friday/41373714/?preview=223dc28052
Suitable for adults (18+)
6:00pm til 12:00am (Last entry 10:00pm)
19th December 2025
ST Pauls Hall, Blackpits Road, Norden, Lancashire, OL11 5NG
The Kell Wind Trio at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
The Kell Wind Trio has been a welcome visiting ensemble for several years. Named after the pioneering English clarinettist Reginald Kell they present a wide variety of music, carefully adapted for this combination.
Alastair Roberts won a Junior Exhibition to the RNCM and then graduated from the main college after four years of study. He is the principal flute of several orchestras and chamber groups in the North West.
Geoffrey Smith was a member of The National Youth Orchestra for five courses. He was a soloist and Principal Clarinet with Stockport, Wilmslow and Cheshire orchestras. He is now concentrating on playing chamber music.
Alex Kane studied at the Royal Military School of Music and by the age of 20 he had been appointed principal bassoon. A career change saw Alex joining the police service retiring in 2012 for a career in music, both as a freelance bassoonist and teacher. He is the principal bassoon with Cheshire Sinfonia and founding member of the Hope Piano Trio and Quodlibet Winds.
Talented individuals and excellent ensemble players, their performance of Serenade No.2 in C by Mozart was elegant with four contrasted movements. Intermezzo of 1905 by Kodaly was full of charm with a Hungarian accent.
Suite for Wind Trio by Shostakovich showed his lighter side – the first movement was the result of a bet that the composer could orchestrate ‘Tea for Two’ from memory in less than an hour- which he won. A more reflective second movement Romance led to a lively ‘Galop’.
Chabrier’s Danse Villageoise was full of life and energy and Trio by Malcolm Arnold was more experimental and contemporary in style, whilst Pink Minor by Dring was delightfully jazzy.
Popular Song (from Façade) by Walton had all the humour of the original, minus the over-elocuted voice of Edith Sitwell. It epitomised the 1920s.
The Wind and Sea suite by Parry Jones consisted of attractive folk song arrangements including the Skye Boat song and Bobby Shafto, that everyone could recognise; an encore of the theme for the original TV programme, ‘All creatures great and small’ made a charming finish.
The trio’s stamina and virtuosity throughout were impressive. We look forward to what has become an annual event next November.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6 cash. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
K-POP FANS – THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!
Preview by Steve Cooke
A treat for K-POP fans in the new year with a spectacular family-friendly live tribute to the K-POP Demon Hunters heading to Champness Hall, Rochdale!
You can expect a thrilling afternoon of: Live stage performances, Your favourite K-POP movie hits, Meet & greet, Disco fun, Audience participation, Merchandise Stall and Special Effects.
You will step into the world of K-Pop like never before at Champness Hall, “where music, energy and fan culture collide in the ultimate live experience”.
Prepare for a night of heart-stopping live performances from these phenomenal K-Pop stars who promise to “take the stage by storm — delivering the biggest hits, powerful vocals, slick choreography and that unmistakable K-Pop magic”.
The whole room will be able to come together in one huge chorus for a goosebumps-guaranteed sing-along moment, celebrating the songs you know and love from everyone’s favourite K-Pop film.
“Grab your lightstick, warm up your vocals, and get ready to scream, sing, dance and feel part of something unforgettable. This is not just a concert — it’s a K-Pop celebration.”
£14-£16
1pm–3pm (approx)
31 Jan 2026, 13:00 – 15:00
Champness Hall, Rochdale, Champness Hall, Drake St, Rochdale OL16 1NZ, UK
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
Join our poetry and story writing workshops. All abilities welcome.
First Wednesday of every month. Free, friendly creative writing sessions. Poetry and story-writing workshops. All abilities welcome, whether you're new to writing or a seasoned writer.
For adults, families and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just drop in.
Free
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday 3 December 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Telemann Baroque Ensemble - flute & strings
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.
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
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Reading Group - Spotland Library
First Thursday of every month. Read, share and discuss a range of fiction and non-fiction chosen from our extensive list of book titles in a relaxed and friendly group.
For adults.
You can just turn up.
Free
2pm - 3pm
Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
Friday, 5 December 2025
Winter wreath craft - Langley Library
Come and make a winter wreath at Langley Library from a paper plate. What will you decorate yours with?
For children aged 4 and over, and their grown-ups.
Booking required:
Please give your name and contact number, along with the names of children who want to come.
Book by emailing langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk
You can also book by calling into the library and speaking to a member of staff.
Free
3.30pm - 4.30pm
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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