MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 30 JULY 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Jul 30
- 8 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 30 July 2025
The Herds – A Great Community Event
Review by Matthew Haigh
The climate crisis. An extremely prevalent problem within the modern world. With a masterclass in craftsmanship, The Herds appeared in Heywood on the 4th of July while embodying the will to fight and prevent this global climate crisis. From Africa to Europe, they have travelled over 20,000km which is truly something to be marvelled.
The first thing to note here is the number of people that packed the streets of Heywood and paths of Queens Park in order to see these large-scale puppets in action. Despite the less than desirable weather conditions presented to us that day, this did not deter this large crowd from seeing the show. It is possible for one to have expected this due to The Herds’ high reputation across Europe, but it is still great to see such a large community come together to appreciate such a great and ambitious project. Another factor that really brought the experience together is the music provided by Global Grooves. With aid from drums, they seemed to transform the quiet area of Queens Park into a jungle-like space which was befitting of the giraffes, leopards, monkeys and many other mammals that traversed the area. To add to the experience, local volunteers brought life to the animals through movement while using the space to add character to these cardboard-manufactured beasts of the jungle.
After The Herds had reached the large lake within Queens Park and the performance had come to an end, the evening was topped off with a performance from 9-piece band Riot Jazz. Along with some great music, a great performance was also provided from them as they seemed to be enjoying themselves a great deal. From this, their infectious energy seemed to have reached the audience as the atmosphere was something to behold while people spent their Friday night taking in the brass vibes whilst I tucked myself away under a nearby tree to protect myself from the ongoing British-typical weather.
Overall, the Herds was a great community event in which the people of Rochdale got to gather in large numbers like the old times. While Queens Park will most likely never see such a gathering in the foreseeable future again, it was nice to see that perhaps the world is not as doom and gloom as a lot of people make it out to be.
Oldham’s popular Festival of Happiness returns.
Preview by Steve Cooke
Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Women’s CHAI Project have unveiled the full programme for the 2025 Khushi Festival which will take place on the 2nd and 3rd August as part of South Asian Heritage Month.
The Khushi Festival, meaning ‘happiness’, is a female-led collaboration between Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Women’s CHAI Project, supported by Oldham Council. Now in its fourth year, the festival brings together artists and community groups across Oldham to showcase the finest regional, national and international South Asian talent.
From show-stopping outdoor performances to family friendly workshops, the festival, which is largely free, is taking place at Oldham Library on Saturday 2nd August and Northern Roots on Sunday 3rd August. Highlights across both days include:
• One of the UK’s leading contemporary South Asian dance and music companies, Sonia Sabri Company, will be performing Roshni - a beautifully intimate crafting of dance and live music, and Mughal Miniatures: Animal Paradise - a vibrant outdoor performance for all the family.
• Chand Ali Khan Qawwal & Party, the UK's leading qawwali group who trained under the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, will be performing a popular set of sacred music and crowd-pleasing classics.
• Award-winning network Without Walls presents Choogh Choogh by Beeja, an engaging exploration of just how much we can see and imagine, inspired by the joy of travelling through India on a train.
• Families can enjoy storytelling from actor and comedian Zoe Iqbal and live, high octane drumming demonstrations by the North West’s finest bhangra beatmakers, Dhol Drillerz.
• Maryam Hussain will be creating a bespoke exhibition and Format are bringing exclusive South Asian gaming to Oldham.
• All this is alongside activities such as henna, face painting, arts and crafts, and jewellery making.
A standout feature of this year’s festival is an inspiring series of co-commissions that unite talented artists with local community groups in meaningful creative
collaboration.
Khushi is working in partnership with WestOldham CHAI Project, Yuvanis Foundation, Saheli Women’s Group, and Broadfield CHAI Project, who have each teamed up with exceptional artists — Crooked Arts, Sarah Yaseen, Fajar Kayani, and Punam Ramchurn.
Together, they’ve developed powerful new works that will premiere exclusively at Khushi Festival, showcasing the vibrancy, talent, and voices of our local communities.
Najma Khalid MBE, Founder and Director of Women’s CHAI Project said “Khushi Festival is bringing happiness to Oldham once again! We’re looking forward to meeting people from all walks of life, to enjoy all kinds of amazing activities and performances. Khushi festival is an amazing collaboration, which brings together and unites people from Oldham and further afield. The local Oldham community groups have been working hard to put together brilliant performances, and we can’t wait for Oldham to see them.”
Martina Murphy, CEO of Oldham Coliseum Theatre said, “We are delighted to be bringing the Khushi Festival back for its fourth year in Oldham. This festival aims to bring joy, positivity and happiness to all, and this year we've been thrilled to work with our partners Women's CHAI Project, Northern Roots and Oldham Council to ensure we create a fantastic weekend for everyone. We're also excited to be working with all the artists and community groups who make up the programme and can't wait for the festival to begin!”
For more details about Khushi Festival, and to book tickets, visit coliseum.org.uk
Perspectives : Exhibition Launch
Preview by Steve Cooke
Perspectives, an exhibition of photography by Rochdale Photographers Co-op, is opening at Gallery Frank, Ebor Studio on Saturday 9 August.
The Photo Co-op is a loose collective of photographers from a broad range of practices, ages, and backgrounds. The group has exhibited before for the Culture Co-op (Rochdale's Create People and Places initiative), in association with Touchstones.
This group exhibition intends to showcase a wide selection of work demonstrating what photography can mean, be and say outside of simply recording a view or memorable occasion.
Featured artists: Bob France, Stefan Byrom, Ellie Waters, Abi Black, Michael England and Susan Butterworth.
The Perspectives exhibition launch is a drop in event where you can meet the artists and other members of their artist community while experiencing the exhibition.
If you can’t make it Perspectives will be available to view from the 9th until the 31st of August - email info@eborstudio.co.uk to arrange a time to visit that suits you.
Sat, 9 Aug 2025 14:00 - 16:00 BST
Ebor Studio, William Street, Littleborough OL15 8JP
Artists of Distinction at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Cellist Isabel Williamson has a master’s from RNCM (distinction) and a first-class degree from the University of Manchester. She performs solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, including Elgar and Vivaldi concertos, and specialises in Baroque performance. Isabel plays with ensembles like the Michael Haydn Orchestra and has toured with indie-folk bands. A versatile session musician and arranger, she also composes for cello and loop pedal and is a passionate teacher of cello and piano.
Pianist Jonathan Ellis is also a graduate, postgraduate and multiple prize winner from the RNCM and Manchester University, who currently works around the NW as soloist, accompanist, repetiteur and chamber musician. Three times the “Best Solo Instrumentalist” at the Buxton Fringe, he also performs in duo with several different artists. He is additionally known for his work with opera companies and the charities Music in Hospitals and Live Music Now. He has recently begun working at Xaverian College, Manchester, as staff accompanist and piano teacher.
Two supremely talented colleagues fortunately able to team up at Toad Lane Concerts.
They opened with Beethoven’s Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen”, based on the timeless Pamina and Papageno duet from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The duo captured its charm and philosophical weight with clarity and warmth and devoured the fantastical variations.
Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op. 73 was approved for performance by the composer for clarinet, violin or cello. Isabel’s cello certainly brought out the work’s intimacy and lyricism, with Jonathan providing elegant support.
Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in G minor Op. 5/2 was the centrepiece—a milestone in the cello repertoire where the piano part was first fully written out and both players given equal prominence. The solemn Adagio and fiery Allegro were delivered with dramatic flair, while the playful second movement sparkled with wit and virtuosic precision and panache.
A surprise encore—Lennox Berkeley’s Andantino (1955)—was exquisitely performed, rounding off a magical hour in the church’s resonant acoustic. This was chamber music of the highest calibre, and Rochdale is fortunate to host artists of such distinction.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts - every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 30 July 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Voci Voices Elizabeth Ambrose, Margaret Ferguson, Eric Cymbir, Mackenzie Paget and Jonathan Ellis
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 31 July 2025
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.
Under 4s Free, Children (aged 4-15) £6, Seniors £6, Students £6, Adults £8, Family (4 people) £24.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Wand making workshop - Smallbridge Library
Celebrate Harry Potter's birthday with us at Smallbridge Library and enjoy some family fun with our Harry Potter-inspired wand making.
For families with children of all ages.
We will be using recycled materials and twigs from our summer walks to create some amazing wands. Decorate your own wand then take it home to display in your home. It might even be magic.
Free, no need to book
2pm - 3pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Friday, 1 August 2025
Singing Group - Heywood Library
First Friday of every month. Come and join our friendly, happy singing group in our wheelchair-accessible community room. Refreshments will be provided.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a good singer. It’s all about having fun and meeting new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Songs sung include everyday pop favourites from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s as well as show tunes
For adults
Free no need to book
11am - 12pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Every other Saturday get creative with Lego.
All children are welcome to join in and enjoy some creative play with Lego.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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