WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2026

Previews: Rochdale’s Youth Arts Festival is ‘FAB’, Music at Rochdale Parish Church – St Chad’s, Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey beyond our world plus Welcome To Utopia - The Highly Anticipated Working Pub Art Installation By Trackie Mcleod at Aviva Studios.

Review: ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Town Hall Organ in Rochdale, Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/26.

Rochdale’s Youth Arts Festival is ‘FAB’

Preview by Steve Cooke

FAB - a new youth arts festival, is being held later this month in Rochdale, placing young people’s creativity at the centre of a packed programme of events on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March. 

Created with young people for young people, FAB (which stands for freedom, art and belonging) will include theatre, live music, dance, poetry, circus, exhibitions, e-gaming, murals a carnival parade and lots more, showcasing work by local children and young people.

Highlights on the line-up include creation of a huge new mural on the side of the Regal Moon building in Rochdale town centre by top mural artist Hayley Garner (aka Aylo), who curated of last year’s Common Walls International Mural Festival, a carnival parade by Global Grooves and the Nigeria Community Association, live performances by M6 Theatre, and an outdoor art exhibition at the Square Gallery in front of Rochdale Town Hall.  There are also new murals being created on Yorkshire Street, with young artists mentored by Aylo and a Teenage Market will be held. 

The festival’s main sponsor is Hopwood Hall College, who host an e-gaming event on the Saturday, and Skylight Circus Arts Youth Circus will also be performing shows for the whole family to enjoy with opportunities to join in too. All elements of the event have been designed by over 100 hundred local young people, even its name and colourful logo. 

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This new festival will provide our young people with an inspiring platform to showcase and celebrate their amazing creativity. Offering some brilliant chances to take part in creative activities for free, it's also a perfect way end to our year in the cultural spotlight.” 

Julia Heap OBE, principal and chief executive of festival sponsor Hopwood Hall College said: “We are incredibly proud to support the Youth Arts Festival, which not only brings families together but shines a spotlight on the remarkable creativity of young people across our borough. In Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, this festival represents everything that makes our community special - talent, opportunity, and cultural ambition. We are thrilled to be part of an event that will inspire the next generation and help bring this vibrant celebration to life.”

All events are free. For full details and the latest line-up visit www.rochdalecreates.co.uk and follow @Rochdale.Creates on Instagram.  The FAB Youth Arts Festival is supported by the government’s Flexible Funds, Hopwood Hall College, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Arts Council England. 

MUSIC at ROCHDALE PARISH CHURCH – ST CHAD’S

Preview by Steve Cooke

The Saturday Lunchtime Concerts at the atmospheric St Chad’s is a series of superb performers and music in an iconic setting.

Saturday 21st March- 12 Noon: “VociVoices” Vocal quartet this well-loved group of highly accomplished musician return to begin the season - Elisabeth Ambrose, Margaret Ferguson, Eric Cymbir, Mackenzie Paget and at the piano – Jonathan Ellis.

Saturday 11th April – 12 Noon: Gabriel Rhodes (Baritone) Chethams School of Music with a programme of Lieder, Art Song: music to please the ear, sung by local prospective R.A.M. Student.

Saturday May 9th - 12 Noon: Logan Ferris (Organ) University of Manchester with a varied exciting programme of music including some ‘lollipops’ performed by this very talented player.

Saturday May 30th - 12 Noon: Celebrity lunchtime concert with Liana Storey (Pianoforte) 2025 RNCM Concerto prize winner - programme forthcoming - including Chopin 3rd Sonata no. 3 in B Minor .

Saturday June 13th - “Come and Sing European Choral Classics” with Gary Hulme – [Prestbury Choral Society & Prestwich Parish Church] – a half day workshop running from 10AM ending with a short concert at 3pm: using the collection “European Sacred Music (edited Rutter) including items by Bach, Bruckner, Faure, Franck, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Mozart & Victoria - £12.00 (Participants) Music provided - Bring Sandwich/drink….More details to follow!

Saturday June 27th – 12 Noon: Callum Bisson (Pianoforte) RNCM, including: Chopin Nocturne Op 62 no.1, Rachmaninoff Op 32 no 9 & Metner Sonata Op.39.

Saturday July 11th – 12 Noon: Kell Wind Trio (Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon), a welcome return from this highly respected group, with music by Mozart, Sullivan & Shostakovich.

Saturday July 25th at 3pm a Celebrity Piano Duet Concert with Scott Brothers Duo (Jonathan & Tom Scott). An afternoon concert followed by light refreshments, £12.00 available on door

Saturday August 1st - 12 Noon: Richard Haslam (Guitar) RNCM alumnus & Hull Univ. with contrasting music from Spain, Japan & England including Walton’s Bagatelles written for Julian Bream.

Admission £6 entry - pay on door including refreshments beforehand from 11.30am. The concerts last about 50-55 minutes

For Further details email:  JM_stchadschurch@outlook.com  or phone: Jill on 01706 639162

Visit: https:// rochdaleparishchurches.co.uk

St Chad’s Parish Church, Sparrow Hill. Rochdale, OL16 1QT

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey beyond our world.

Preview by Steve Cooke

Wonders of Our Universe promises to be not just a theatre show —  “an unforgettable voyage through space and time, bringing the story of the cosmos vividly to life on stage”.

Guided by astrophysicist Ian Hall FRAS, audiences will travel from the explosive birth of the universe to humanity’s first steps beyond Earth. Along the way, you’ll encounter the mysteries of black holes, witness the life cycle of stars, and explore the breathtaking beauty of distant galaxies.

With stunning cinematic visuals, immersive sound, and a soaring soundtrack, this experience transforms complex science into something emotional, inspiring, and accessible for everyone — whether you’re a passionate stargazer or simply curious about the universe above us.

Ian’s live narration combines expert knowledge, humour, and storytelling to create a truly captivating evening that will leave you looking at the night sky in a completely new way.

Tickets are now on sale — secure your seats early: https://www.whatsoccurrinevents.co.uk/event-details/wonders-of-our-universe

Saturday 16 May 2026

7:30pm

Champness Hall, Drake Street, Rochdale OL16 1NZ

ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Town Hall Organ in Rochdale, Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/26

Soloist Ronny Krippner (Ripon Cathedral) Saturday 28 February 2026 at 3 pm

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

Dr Ronny Krippner was appointed Director of Music at Ripon Cathedral in 2022. Born in Bavaria in 1980 he studied organ in Regensburg while at the same time working as Assistant Choirmaster of the ‘Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows’, the Cathedral's famous boys' choir.

He took his master’s at Exeter University UK whilst singing in the Cathedral Choir as a Choral Scholar. In 2005 he became Organ Scholar at Bristol Cathedral, Organist at Clifton College and a member of staff at Bristol Grammar school. After a period at Newport Cathedral, Ronny held several such posts in London.

Ronny has made organ improvisation a specialism, for which he has won many accolades; he was Specialist Tutor for Organ Improvisation at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and in 2019 gained a PhD with a thesis on the subject from Birmingham City University. Ronny has recorded several CDs with organ and choir music and performed on television and radio in Germany and the UK.

So, Rochdale’s magnificent JJ Binns instrument was in good hands (and feet). In his pithy and helpful introductions Ronny described it as ‘absolutely amazing.’

Guilmant’s Finale from Sonata No 1 was a splendid opening, quickly establishing both player and the composer’s late Romantic style ideal for the instrument.

Mozart’s only surviving piece for organ, Piece for a Musical Clock K594 was mainly sombre and reflective as it was a funereal piece, yet Mozart’s playfulness and Classical charm surfaced for moments such as with references to his comic opera Cosi fan tutte.

Stanford’s Fantasia and Toccata in D minor, brought us back to the late Romantic sound world as with pieces from Widor’s Symphonie Gothique Op 70.

Finally, Ronny’s own improvisations provided a tantalising glimpse of the art of the organist. Not only must they adapt quickly to each individual instrument’s foibles but be quick witted enough to extend or provide seamless musical accompaniments to the needs of the church service or occasion. He showed himself to be a master of this with his Thema and Variations on Handel’s March from Scipione, and Prelude, Adagio and Fugue on the tune MELITA (Hommage à JS Bach).

This programme proved to be a perfect match for player, instrument, venue ...and audience, as the sustained applause that called him back to the stage demonstrated.

Next concert Tuesday 19 May 2026, 1 pm – Alexander Woodrow (Leeds Minster)

Admission £10 (concessions £8) concerts last one hour. Card or cash at the door or visit www.rochdaletownhall.co.uk/events or iao.org.uk/ortoa.

WELCOME TO UTOPIA - THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WORKING PUB ART INSTALLATION BY TRACKIE MCLEOD at AVIVA STUDIOS

Preview by Steve Cooke

As part of their ground-breaking Young Curators programme, Factory International has unveiled UTOPIA by Trackie McLeod – an art installation in the form of a working pub inside the iconic Warehouse space of Aviva Studios, that transforms across three days into an expansive day and night programme of live events and takeovers that celebrate the grassroots talent of the city.

The Young Curators, aged 30 and under, have spent the past year working with leading industry professionals and artists to create a large-scale installation, the culmination of which will be a takeover from artist Trackie McLeod in UTOPIA (19-21 February). The unique new installation is a loving nod to the working men’s clubs McLeod grew up in in Glasgow – playfully exploring identity, class, and gentrification by building a working, flat-roof pub inside Factory International’s iconic Warehouse space.

By day, UTOPIA is open as a pub, exhibition and workshop space – complete with the opportunity to explore new prints, sculpture, video and found-object work by Trackie McLeod.

Audiences can also drop by for a free drink during Trackie’s Happy Hour each afternoon, while the artist himself works a shift behind the bar. 

Come sundown, the pub transforms into an intimate venue which celebrates the grassroots talent of the city through a programme of free events selected by the Young Curators - featuring drag queen Bailey J Mills, round-table discussions with Rebecca Swarray aka DJ Mix-Stress, Dave Haslam and rebecca elizabeth shaw, a DJ set by Rainy Miller, plus live rap from mamba.exe, spoken word from sonic storyteller Sharari, and a Saturday night takeover by iconic queer venue The DBA.

The Young Curators programme launched in 2024 as an opportunity for six young Manchester creatives to explore curation and encourage younger audiences. The Young Curators for 2025-26 are - Anita Ezeh, Fauziya Johnson, Jack Clarke, Madison Marcantonatos, Otega Ajuchi, and Rachel Morgan.

Artist Trackie McLeod says: “I’m honoured to have been selected by the Young Curators to exhibit at Factory International. It’s an amazing opportunity, and Manchester and its people have always held a special place in my heart.

I often say you can tell how friendly a city is by how you’re treated in a smoking area and in Manchester, like in Glasgow, someone will always offer you a lighter.” 

Young Curator Jack Clarke adds: “Trackie’s a kindred spirit, he doesn’t just get the vibe, he is the vibe. There’s a rebellious tenderness to his work that I’ve always gravitated toward, something that speaks to the mess and the joy and the stubborn resilience of nightlife, especially when it's disappearing in real time. Working with him is like throwing a spark into a room full of kindling, you don’t know exactly what’s gonna catch, but you know it’s going to burn bright.”

RECOMMENDED

Saturday, 14 March 2026

Lego Club - Littleborough Library

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.

Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.

Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.

No need to book, you can just come along.

Free

11am - 12pm

Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE

Saturday, 14th March 2026

Broadfield Park Slopes: Nature Scavenger Hunt

British Science Week runs to 15th March 2026. As part of this we would like to invite families and children to explore the science of nature and biodiversity on the Broadfield Park Slopes through a fun fact-based scavenger hunt. Families will be given a set of questions and then will set off around the Broadfield Park Slopes to hunt down their answers!

The Broadfield Park Slopes are a newly restored park space located behind Rochdale Town Hall. There are new pathways, benches, interpretation and wildflower lawns to be used and explored. Please come along!

Free, drop-in event open 11am to 3pm.

All materials are provided.

The Broadfield Park Slopes are a newly restored park space located behind Rochdale Town Hall. There are new pathways, benches, interpretation and wildflower lawns to be used and explored. Please come along!

Broadfield Park Slopes , Rochdale Town Hall The Esplanade Rochdale, Manchester, Greater Manchester, OL16 1AZ

Saturday,14 March 2026

Rochdale Music Stories presents: Kenion Street Album Launch Concert

Join Rochdale Music Stories for a very special concert celebrating the iconic music recorded at Cargo Studios and Suite Sixteen between 1977-2001.

Rochdale boasts a rich and diverse musical legacy: from Gracie Fields to The Courteeners, Lisa Stansfield to Autechre. It’s the town where Joy Division recorded their seminal track Atmosphere and where groundbreaking music continues to thrive.

As part of Rochdale’s Town of Culture year, Rochdale Development Agency have launched Rochdale Music Stories – an exciting collaboration between The Stockport Music Story and Voltalab Sound Studios. This project invited local artists to reimagine tracks that were recorded at Cargo and Suite Sixteen studios on Kenion Street, Rochdale.

The result of that is a limited-edition vinyl record available at this launch where the artists will each perform their track. Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) will compere the event and chat to some very special guests as part of the show.

From £13.65

Visit: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/book/?show=629602AGBQJTNKRGRCBSRQJSPRJTQPNBC

19:00

Heywood Theatre, Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, OL10 1LW

Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Music from Tonacliffe Primary School. Directed by Freda Farnworth

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

  Celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.

https://www.allacrossthearts.com