WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 MAY 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- May 16
- 6 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 MAY 2025
A New Addition to the AATA Family
By Steve Cooke
I am delighted to welcome Matthew Haigh to the AATA family of writers. Matthew has already had a review published in our column and has now agreed to join our previewing, reviewing, interviewing and recommending team bringing a welcome youthful perspective and special expertise in film.
In Matthew’s own words “I am an aspiring journalist from Rochdale with a profound passion for writing about various topics, including events, films, and sports. I developed this enthusiasm for writing during my reflective days spent contemplating my future at the University of Salford. It was during this time that I came to realize that discussing and expressing my opinions on different subjects was something I truly enjoyed and found fulfilling. I have a website that is dedicated towards expressing those thoughts and opinions. This website will cover newly released films but also looks and reviews the classics in order to appreciate the past.”
Visit: Matthew's Musings: matthews-musings.squarespace.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewsmusingss/
AATA [All Across the Arts] is a family of writers who give their time, expertise and words for free to celebrate the creative arts and artists with a view to encouraging readers to engage with such as performances, events, exhibitions, workshops and creative arts groups. The AATA Column aims to be an oasis of positivity providing a gateway to fun, enjoyment and self-expression.
Writers include Steve Cooke, Seamus Kelly, Eileen Earnshaw, Hilary Dawes, Dr Joe Dawson, Ray Stern, Steve Griffiths and now Matthew Haigh.
AATA passionately believe that greater involvement in the creative arts is beneficial for individual and community wellbeing.
If you would like to discuss joining our writing team, contact Steve Cooke on stevecswct@gmail.com or 07870951530
Random Acts of Art Nature Journal Workshop
Preview by Steve Cooke
Art Nature Workshop is free workshop facilitated by Seamus and Maggie Kelly and start creating your own Nature Journal.
Based in The Lake Room at the RSPCA Visitor Centre, Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough we will look at using words, poetry, images and objects to create a personal journal. We’ll spend some time outdoors gathering inspiration and materials which will involve a short walk on good paths before trying range of techniques including creative writing, sketching, printing, painting and collage to start off your own journal.
Blank journals will be provided so that you can continue adding to it at home.
Saturday 17th May, 10am - 2pm
Places are limited so please book your free place by emailing - seamus@onepoetsvision.co.uk
Random Acts of Art are funded by The Culture Coop through ACE Creative People and Places
The Culture Co-op believe that Culture belongs to us all and that everyone should be able to create, participate and access activities that interest them - that they are here to make that happen in Rochdale.
ACE [Arts Council England] Creative People and Places focuses on parts of the country where involvement in creativity and culture is significantly below the national average including Rochdale. It funds residents to decide what kind of creative activity they want to experience on their doorstep - made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million for Good Causes each week.
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Aviva Studios with the primal force of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring
Preview by Steve Cooke
Few pieces have shaken the musical world like Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Conceived as a depiction of a pagan ritual culminating in human sacrifice, its 1913 premiere in Paris famously caused a riot – audiences were shocked by its pulsing asymmetry, brutal harmonies and sheer sonic violence. Over a century later, The Rite of Spring remains as ferocious and exhilarating as ever, a testament to music’s power to provoke, shock and thrill.
One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed, and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 as the 2ZY Orchestra, the Philharmonic has played an essential part in shaping the Greater Manchester region into an unmissable cultural destination and a hub for world-class talent in orchestral music.
Outside of the Philharmonic Studio, their broadcast home at MediaCityUK, the orchestra presents a flagship series at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall as well as live concerts recorded in venues across the country, at the BBC Proms, and on tour. Whether encountered in the concert hall, heard on the air, seen on television, or streamed on BBC Sounds and iPlayer, the work of the orchestra is enjoyed by millions of listeners every year.
The orchestra’s Chief Conductor is John Storgårds, an inspiring musical leader who has built a close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra over many years. The celebrated English composer Anna Clyne is the orchestra’s Composer in Association.
Artistic innovation and the development of a new audience for classical music has been a keen focus of the orchestra for many years. In June 2024, the Philharmonic gave the world premiere of Huang Ruo’s City of Floating Sounds, an immersive symphonic experience, at the cutting-edge Aviva Studios in Manchester. Other recent UK and world premieres include music by Anna Appleby, Gerald Barry, Erland Cooper, Tom Coult, Sebastian Fagerlund, Emily Howard, Robert Laidlow, James Lee III, Grace-Evangeline Mason, David Matthews, Outi Tarkiainen and Anna Thorvaldsdottir.
Engagement work for children and young people continues to be a vital part of the orchestra’s work. At the end of 2023 the Philharmonic released Musical Storyland, a 10-part television series featuring the musicians of the orchestra, which brings famous stories from around the world to life using the power of music. This was the first time an orchestra has been commissioned to make a series of films for UK network television. To date, Musical Storyland has been streamed over eight million times.
Encounter Stravinsky’s masterpiece in a new production powered by the immersive d&b Soundscape audio system and captivating lighting design at Aviva Studios. Choose how you want to experience the incredible sound of the orchestra – as part of a BBC Proms-style standing arena or sat in the upper tier of the Hall.
Standard: £26.50
Concessions: £14
Aviva £10 ticket
A booking fee of £1.50 applies to all tickets.
8+ Only. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Running time: 2 Hours (with interval)
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
If you wish to book a wheelchair space, personal assistant ticket or have access-related requests, please call 0161 817 4531 between 10am - 6pm, Mon - Sat, or email access@factoryinternational.org. For any other Ticketing related queries please email tickets@factoryinternational.org or call 0333 322 8679 Monday to Saturday between 10am to 6pm.
For ticketing and box office related enquiries, please contact tickets@factoryinternational.org or call 0333 322 8679 (phone lines are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm).
22 May 2026
The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
RECOMMENDED
Tuesday 20 May 2025
First Steps Into Music
Every Tuesday during term-time. Free fun music classes for babies and pre-school children.
In these sessions, you'll be able to:
Learn new songs together
Play musical instruments
Learn how to develop your child’s communication skills
Make friends
Booking required: please book by the Monday before the session you want to join. Book your place on the Visit: https://wildthingsperformingarts.org.uk/joinus/firststeps/
Free
10am - 11.30am
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Tuesday 20 May 2025
LivingWell Arts and Crafts Group - Middleton Library
Every Tuesday. Join our fantastic arts and crafts group in Middleton run by our lovely volunteers. Sessions are free, all materials provided, and all are welcome.
adults and families with teenagers.
This group is:
Fun and friendly
Creative and relaxing
A chance to learn something new
A chance to enjoy a chat and a brew too
Sessions are free, all materials provided, and all are welcome.
You can just drop in.
12pm - 2pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Tuesday 20 May 2025
Card making class - Spotland Library.
Make beautiful hand-crafted cards to take home.
£3 to cover the cost of materials
2pm - 4pm
Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Craft Group
Every Tuesday. Our craft group welcomes anyone with an interest in crafting, such as knitting, sewing, jewellery or card-making.
For adults.
You can just drop in.
No previous experience or expertise is required.
Bring your current crafting project with you.
Free
2pm - 4pm
Location: Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Louise Taylor soprano with Jonathan Ellis piano (RNCM & Manchester University)
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.
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