WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 20 JNE 2026

An oasis of positivity celebrating the creative arts with previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.

WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2026

Previews: Photographer Iqra Saied’s  “Desi United” exhibition inspired by Bend it Like Beckham, Syke Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Tin Man and the Scarecrow and RochTales

Review: RMBC/ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ Soloist Jean Martyn

Photographer Iqra Saied’s  “Desi United” exhibition inspired by Bend it Like Beckham

Preview by Steve Cooke

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Manchester based photographer, Iqra Saied has launched her first solo photography exhibition inspired by Bend It Like Beckham, at Richard Street Studios in Rochdale running until 18th July 2026.

Desi United is a photography series depicting themes of identity, culture and football through an authentic lens. Influenced by the artist’s family’s support for Manchester United and the cultural impact of the film, Desi United revisits Jess Bhamra’s story for a new generation.

Arriving at a moment where global attention builds towards the FIFA World Cup 2026, celebrating football as a shared language across cultures and communities.

Iqra began planning her project after revisiting the film, noticing a lack of creative reinterpretations. She shared her vision online, connecting with women who were passionate in getting involved. Using borrowed Manchester United shirts from her father as nostalgic relics, the project grew through collaboration and shared admiration of the film.

The series resonated strongly with many people online, including the Director herself, Gurinder Chadha, commenting “Bang on in the spirit of my movie!”

Iqra Saied shared: “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do my first solo exhibition, showcasing work inspired by a classic film that has resonated with many communities. It is a significant milestone in my early career, and I am excited to see the response to the exhibit.”

Parvez Qadir, Artistic Director of Breaking Barriers and lead tenant at Richard Street Studios, said: “Breaking Barriers are so proud to host Iqra's first solo exhibition at Richard Street Studios, Rochdale. Desi United is a celebration of powerful Asian women caught through Iqra’s creative eye. Bend It Like Beckham is the inspiration, however Iqra has made the photography exhibition relevant for today's audience. We are excited for communities to come see the work.”

Following a successful launch night on Thursday 23rd April, guided tours of the exhibition have taken place throughout April and May, receiving a hugely positive response from audiences. Due to continued interest and demand, additional ticketed tour slots have now been opened.

Desi United was created and exhibited by photographer Iqra Saied. Produced by Liam Hobday in collaboration with Breaking Barriers Rochdale. Hosted by Richard Street Studios.

Tickets for the exhibition can be reserved via Eventbrite, with visitors booking a one-hour time slot to experience the exhibition and guided tour by Iqra Saied. Tours are now available for, Tuesday 23rd June and Wednesday 14th June, with slots running between 2pm and 6pm. Slots for July to be confirmed soon. Check Eventbrite for more details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/desi-united-tickets-1985792958194

Iqra Saied is a photographer based in Manchester. Her work explores a combination of incorporating South Asian culture and storytelling. Through her practice, she aims to represent communities who are undervalued.

Themes surrounding her perspective of identity are prominent in her work.

In 2025, Iqra achieved the MACFEST photography award.

Email: iqra.saied@gmail.com

Desi United, 1 Hour viewing per slots at Richard Street Studios 44 Richard Street Rochdale OL11 1DU

Syke Arts and Crafts Exhibition

Preview by Steve Cooke

Syke Arts and Crafts Exhibition takes place in July each year and has been running for 18 years.

This valuable annual exhibition  celebrates work of our wonderful local creatives.

Rochdale has lost a number of Art venues in recent years: Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre has been replaced by the RSPCA and Touchstones is currently closed, so it is great to see exhibitions such as this continuing to provide opportunities for local creatives to exhibit and for the wider community to be able to enjoy their work.

Sue Smith, Art co-ordinator says, “ Our Exhibition features local artists of all levels, upwards of 100 pictures for sale, artisan & craft tables and quality refreshments (cakes etc). It is opened by the Mayor each year. Our footfall is hitting 500 over the 5 days which is helped by interesting workshops such as  Seamus & Maggie Kelly’s Nature Journalling.”

Syke Community Base deserve huge credit for providing this platform for the great pool of local talent, both established and emerging artists and crafts people of all kinds.

Visit: https://sykecommunitybase.com/

Art Week 2026- 14 July -18 July at Syke Community Hub, 206 Syke Rd, Rochdale OL12 9TF

Tin Man and the Scarecrow

Preview by Steve Cooke

Tin Man and the Scarecrow at Number One Riverside is a new family dance show by Joss Arnott Dance for audiences aged 5+.

There will be two performances on Saturday 11th July - at 11am and 1.30pm.

Inspired by the company’s previous indoor production Tin Man, this new show has been reimagined and created specifically for adaptable performance spaces that include schools, libraries, community centres and outdoor festivals. With his rusting joints in need of oil, this stunning new dance production for families and children explores the Tin Man's backstory and his encounters with the Wicked Witch who turned him into tin.

Fascinated by wanting to play and creating good in the world, we witness how the Tin Man builds a scarecrow puppet using the set and objects around him with help from the audience. With the scarecrow built and the Tin Man receiving joy from the audience, he realizes he doesn’t need to be dependent on his oil to get his joints to dance and be mobile, all he needs is the interaction he finds with his newfound friends who are invited to play games in the performance area to finish the show!

Told through enchanting storytelling, puppetry, bold choreography and stunning costumes that are all accompanied by new and original music by award-winning composer Oleta Haffner, we are invited to experience the Tin Man’s journey that results in a captivating story of self-discovery, friendship and audience interaction!

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, The Granada Foundation and Rochdale Borough Culture Network. Supported by Dance at Salford and Bradford Arts Centre.

Free / Pay What You Want

11:00 0n 11 July at Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1XU

Wheel chair / pram accessible

RMBC/ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ Soloist Jean Martyn

Preview by Dr Joe Dawson

The JJ Binns instrument in the Great Hall is a civic pipe organ. Regarded as one of the finest of its kind, it also represents a noble tradition of civic instruments in the UK. Whilst able to embrace the conventional concert and cathedral repertoire the civic instrument encourages the appreciation of adaptations of ceremonial, orchestral and secular music … for all.

Since Rochdale Town Hall was so magnificently renovated,  the instrument has already been successively utilised with varied musical events, including organ accompaniments to silent movie nights (Nosferatu and the Phantom of the Opera).\

So, an appropriate and worthy addition to the impressive ORTOA celebrity organist list is Jean Martyn, an internationally acclaimed performer on keyboard instruments, including Hammond, Yamaha, and Korg organs, as well as pipe organs in cathedrals and churches. A player from the age of 3, she later taught in schools for twenty one years, as well being an organist and musical director.

Jean caught the nation's attention in 2011 as a finalist on Britain's Got Talent, which led to performances in major arenas across the UK and around the globe, including Ronnie Scott's in London! This added to her distinction of being the only woman to record a CD on the Wurlitzer organ in the Blackpool Tower ballroom. She also played classical organ concerts, including Birmingham's Symphony Hall, Town Hall, and Lichfield Cathedral, the city of her birth.

During the pandemic, Jean's streaming sessions brought her music to a global audience. Her appearance on Holland's Got Talent increased her international following, and she continues to attract thousands of followers across her social media channels.

Her Rochdale programme will consist of Gershwin, popular standards, a Beatles selection, and West End Musicals; in the mix with Melody in F and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, all capped off with Pomp and Circumstance No 4. Just the right eclectic range for the instrument. All for your delectation and pleasure.

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.

Monday 22 June 2026 at 1 pm RMBC/ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ Soloist Jean Martyn

RochTales

Preview by Steve Cooke\

RochTales is a free live performance of six brand new short story commissions on the theme of Rochdale by authors Rosie Garland, Reshma Ruia, Abi Hynes, Nicholas Royle, Benjamin Judge, and David Gaffney, and a brand-new sound installation by Rochdale artist Maryanne Royle, a resident of Ebor Mill artists in Littleborough.

The authors have been running writing workshops at libraries around the borough - now here's your chance to listen to what they've written!

With an open mic opportunity for you to join in!

 RochTales Thursday 9 July, 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm at Ukrainian Club OL11 1HJ

RECOMMENDED

Saturday, 20 June 2026

Lego Club - Littleborough Library

Every other Saturday during term time. Join our free club and get creative with Lego. Suitable for all the family.

Free

For families with children aged 2 years and above. 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.

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.

Email: littleborough.library@rochdale.gov.uk

11am - 12pm

Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Tuesday Reading Group - Spotland Library

Tuesday every 4 weeks. 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.

Free

For adults.

No booking required, you can just turn up.

Email: spotland.library@rochdale.gov.uk

11.30am - 12.30pm

Location: Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have -  Telemann Baroque Ensemble, Alastair Roberts flute Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violin, John Goodstadt viola Roger Bisby cello

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