previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 07 SEPTEMBER 2024
Flamenco - Art of Believing Tour Coming to Champness Hall
Preview by Steve Cooke
A rare opportunity to experience pure flamenco in the centre of Rochdale as the Art of Believing Tour comes to the Champness Hall.
The award-winning flamenco production Art of Believing hosts an exceptional group of musicians; flamenco singers, guitarists, percussionists, a violinist and a dancer, joining Daniel in what has been described as a must-see powerful flamenco performance bursting with passion and authenticity.
‘Art of Believing is a truly unique musical production where the audience will enjoy a rich variety of flamenco styles; from the intense emotion of a Seguiriya, to the joyful sounds of an Alegria.’
The production came to life in 2017 when Daniel decided to create a project that would represent his life as an artist and flamenco guitarist so far. The show is essentially a musical representation of Daniel’s humble beginnings; from a young boy learning to play the guitar in the conservatoire whilst spending tireless hours perfecting the art of flamenco, to his adult life as a composer and musician.
Art of Believing debuted in Edinburgh´s Royal Lyceum Theatre in October 2017 to a sold-out audience and due to its continuing success, the Daniel Martinez flamenco company has been touring the UK, taking the production to an array of cities and theatres across the country.
This promises to be a beautiful presentation of pure flamenco and outstanding musicianship. Vibrant and exciting, this is an unmissable opportunity to be immersed in the flamenco experience.
£31
Phone: Daniel Martinez 07533 177057
Monday 09 September 2024
7.30pm
Champness Hall, Drake Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1NZ
James Baldwin and Britain at HOME Manchester
Preview by Steve Cooke
James Baldwin, author and activist, was renowned as the most eloquent voice of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and as a pioneering writer of queer fiction. In this series of screenings at HOME Manchester, presented in partnership with the University of Manchester’s ‘James Baldwin and Britain’ project, we have an opportunity to examine his ongoing influence on British culture.
Baldwin visited the UK on numerous occasions and was a sharp commentator on British race relations. He won a televised debate at the Cambridge Union in 1965, gave high-profile speeches in support of Black prisoners in London in 1971 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull in 1976. He was also the subject of a major documentary, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, first screened on ITV, in 1981.
At the centennial of his birth, in 2024, the films in this season reflect key moments from Baldwin’s time in Britain and reappraise his ongoing significance in British culture.
These screenings are part of the ‘James Baldwin and Britain’ project (2024-2027), led by Douglas Field, Kennetta Hammond Perry, Isabel Taube and Rob Waters, with thanks to The Arts and Humanities Research Council, for their generous support.
This project explores the American writer James Baldwin’s complicated relationship to Britain, and to British culture. Born in Harlem, in 1924, Baldwin became a globally esteemed author and activist during the 1960s, renowned as one of the most eloquent voices of the civil rights movement and a fêted transnational writer. At the centennial of his birth in 2024, this project proposes a reappraisal of how Baldwin has influenced British-based artists, intellectuals, and activists, as well as challenging the consensus that the writer’s relevance and impact diminished during the 1970s and 1980s. Baldwin visited the UK on numerous occasions. A sharp commentator on British ‘race relations,’ he won a televised debate at the Cambridge Union in 1965; gave high-profile speeches in support of Black prisoners in Westminster, in 1971; was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull in 1976 and was the subject of a major ITV documentary, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, in 1981. In his final years, when Baldwin's reputation was at a low ebb elsewhere, his first play, The Amen Corner, became the first Black British production to reach the West End.
Despite his growing prominence globally, studies of Baldwin's international profile overlook his notable presence in British culture, and his long-standing influence on generations of Black British artists and activists. Similarly, they elide Baldwin's insights into Britain's colonial past. There has also been minimal work on Baldwin’s significance as a writer of queer fiction in Britain, and of the legacies of his novel, Giovanni’s Room, first accepted for publication by the British publisher, Michael Joseph, in the mid-1950s, when homosexuality was banned on both sides of the Atlantic. The project reflects on Baldwin's status as a global writer and activist, a literary and public figure whose work cuts across genres and disciplines. It is led by an experienced international team of scholars from Literary Studies, Politics, and History.
Wed 11 - Thu 19 Sep 2024
2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
Box Office 0161 200 1500
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 07 September 2024
Roy Orbison & The Traveling Wilburys Experience
Come and enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment jam-packed with non-stop hits, big-screen action, expert narrative and lots of fun.
You will be taken on a journey through several decades of pop as we celebrate the music of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Beatles’ George Harrison, as well as the collective genius that was The Traveling Wilburys.
Although the Wilburys never toured, here you have the chance to experience what it might have been like to see them live, as we explore their many collaborative hits.
Now in its ninth year of successful touring this popular show is an up-tempo feel-good celebration of classics such as Pretty Woman, Mr Blue Sky, Please Please Me, End of The Line, Handle With Care, Free Falling, Blowin’ in the Wind, Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Heading for the Light, Only the Lonely and many more.
Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets from £26.50
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Saturday 07 September 2024
Temperance Bar on Toad Lane
To mark our 180th year and as part of Rochdale Town Centre's Heritage Open Days activities, we are hosting a pop up bar with temperance (alcohol-free) drinks for free!
The Rochdale Pioneers wanted to open one in the summer of 1844 for their members to gather socially and avoid the pitfalls of debt and addiction. They never achieved that ambition, so in 2024 we are giving it a go!
We want 31 Toad Lane to be a place where everyone feels welcome - come and try a traditional herbal refreshing beverage on us.
For people doing the Heritage Ale Trail - collect your information about the heritage of the pubs in Rochdale here at the Pioneers Museum first.
Our pop-up bar will be in the courtyard outside the museum; only in the case of very wet weather, we will move it indoors - parents of young children should note that there is a busy road nearby.
Terms and conditions: One drink per person limit, as long as stocks last. Allergen information will be available, and it is important that visitors review this on the day.
Free
Phone: Liz McIvor 01706 524920
11am - 2pm
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale OL12 0NU
Saturday 07 September 2024
Grand Town Hall re-opening organ concert
There will be great music ranging from famous orchestral arrangements to original works, with something for everyone.
Jonathan Scott is organist at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, where he regularly performs to audiences of thousands.
He is in demand as a concert soloist all over the world and is the only organist to be performing a solo organ concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London for the 2024 BBC Proms.
Jonathan has known the organ of Rochdale Town Hall all of his life and is proud to be giving this special concert on one of his favourite instruments.
Booking required: please book by 5pm, Friday, 6 September 2024.
£12
Phone: 01706 924797
3.30pm - 5pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Tuesday 10 September 2024
The Lady Boys of Bangkok – 25 Years of Fun
25th ANNIVERSARY THEATRE TOUR 2024.
This BIG anniversary show has a glamorous cast of 16 in a fun filled outrageously funny new production, with more glitz and star-spangled sassiness than you can squeeze into any of your party nights out.
Packed with the biggest floor fillers from your favourite music superstars, performed by the biggest showbiz divas in the world.
The Lady Boys of Bangkok is where London’s West End meets Hollywood and Broadway every night of the week. This is the greatest and most fabulous evening of entertainment, a true celebration of 25 years of fun.
Grab your friends. Warm up your vocal chords. Get your dancing shoes on.
Never rude or crude.
It’s cheekier and funnier than ever.
Age Guidance: suitable for ages 16+ due to adult themes
Doors open at 6.45pm.
Tickets from £23.00
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Wednesday 11 September 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Christine Widdall FBPE MPAGB EFIAP APAGB
Presentation - ‘What are we going to do about AI?’
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
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.
£2.50 for room fee
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitaria Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime11 September 2024
Wednesday 11 September 2024
This week we have Telemann Baroque Ensemble: Alastair flute, Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violins, Penelope Bisby viola, Roger Bisby cello and Peter Collier harpsichord.
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 648872n Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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