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WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2025

Writer's picture: STEVE COOKE AATASTEVE COOKE AATA

  



previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

  



                        

 

WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2025

 

Black Dyke back in Rochdale Town Hall

Preview by Steve Cooke


After the resounding success of their last performance, the world’s most successful brass band is back with a dazzling repertoire of classics, breathtaking solos, and popular favourites.



The world-renowned Black Dyke Band returns to our beautifully restored Rochdale Town Hall for an unforgettable evening of brass brilliance.



Over 160 years old, Black Dyke is described as the most famous Brass Band in the world having toured Japan, USA, Australia, Europe and having performed with likes of Elton John and The Beatles. Performing on The Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury in 2017, is testament that Black Dyke is no normal 'Brass Band' and appeals to a wide ranging audience! Come and hear for yourself what it’s like to experience the uplifting sounds of a 'Traditional' Brass Band in the 21st century. I promise you will not leave disappointed!


From £5.00 to £16.00

Adult

£16.00

+£1.60 Booking Fee

Concession

£14.00

+£1.40 Booking Fee

Child/Student

£5.00

+£0.50 Booking Fee

Thursday, 15th May 2025 at 7:30 PM in The Great Hall, Rochdale Town Hall

 

Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd have announced a cast of Northern actors and musicians for newly commissioned production The Engagement Party

Preview by Steve Cooke


The Engagement Party (Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 February 2025), is a specially commissioned new production by up-and-coming Greater Manchester playwright afshan d'souza-lodhi set in, and inspired by, Oldham with Creative Director Amanda Huxtable.



The theatre is delighted to announce the cast for the production which includes a company of talented actors from across the North of England, including Connor Darren-James as Zack, Marucia Ferreira as Sofia, Jo Gerard as Elder One, Andrea Crewe as Elder Two and Samir Arrian as Elder Three, Evanya Taylor as Daphne, Sid Akbar as Bilal and Noor Hadid as Aisha. The creative team includes Oldham writer Jake Talbot as script support, Designer Emma Williams and Musical Director Sam Davies


Audiences will be greeted by the hosts of the party, a group of Elders who are supporting the happy couple (Zack and Sofia), when they arrive at the venue before being seated at tables as the performance unfolds around them. When the couple are late, tensions rise between friends and family. Will love conquer all or will their differences tear them apart? With live music and special performances, The Engagement Party will be filled with laughter, love, and the vibrant spirit of Oldham, celebrating us all.


The live music featured in the show will be performed by members of Manchester’s acclaimed Untold Orchestra. Musicians performing will be Zee Mehdizadeh (vocals), Oliver Lamb (keyboard), Jon Needham (drums) and Faz Shah (violin).


Sam Davies Musical Director, commented on the production: “I'm really excited for this special collaboration between musicians from the Untold Orchestra and the incredible cast we've got - it's going to be magical.”


Creative Director for the show Amanda Huxtable comments: “Oldham is a great storytelling town, and our cast can’t wait to share this special production. What we are

creating is more than a play, it’s a celebration for everyone! The cast are a great example of talent from across the North of England and Oldham. We held our auditions in the heart of Oldham where our partners have been so welcoming. At one point one of our cast sang a song and everyone came out on the balconies to hear! I’m looking forward to making something special as we reflect the best of our talent in so many ways.”


The production has been made with, for and by people in Oldham and Greater Manchester and the theatre is proud to be working with a Community Company made

up of local people that will perform in the show. As well as opportunities to perform, 20% of the tickets will be given to local community groups.


Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd is a charity, which since the closure of its Fairbottom Street base in 2023 has been producing and presenting a programme of theatre and

creative opportunities for local people, including the popular Khushi Festival, a celebration of South Asian arts, and Culture and Chips, which brings together the local

creatives to talk about arts and culture in their town. The Oldham Coliseum Theatre Ltd’s programme is supported by Oldham Council, Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.


The Engagement Party will run for seven performances from Tuesday 18 until Saturday 22 February 2025 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham. Tickets are now on sale with a

Pay What You Choose options with prices starting from £10. The production is recommended for everyone aged 8 and over.

For more information and tickets visit coliseum.org.uk.

 

FRIENDS OF ROCHDALE ART GALLERY

Preview by Dr Joe Dawson


FRAG (Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery at Touchstones) has been nomadic since August 2023 whilst Touchstones is being renovated. It has succeeded in persevering so as to continue its support on reopening. It has embraced both art gallery and museum collections for some time now. So, it was fitting to visit a key part of the heritage provision at Rochdale’s Local Studies and Archives Collection, Norman Rd, Rochdale.

The formation of the Local Studies Collection dates to the late 1800s, and one of the earliest items in the Collection is a land grant in Todmorden dating from 1318.

With the closure of Touchstones, it was relocated with help from Arts Council funding.



The Friends were met by Centre manager, Janet Byrne, whose enthusiasm was infectious. Soon the group was immersed in Rochdale’s art and cultural heritage, submerged in fascinating material such as records of births, marriages and deaths, wills, mill ledgers, trade journals, maps and photographs and a library of information about the borough.


Particularly poignant, for example were record books of Birch Hill Hospital (formerly Littleborough Workhouse) in poor condition having been rescued from the demolition site. What a wealth of human stories there!


History is no longer restricted to old documents and artefacts but enhanced by modern technology. Guidance and access to computer study and research facilities is encouraged at the centre. One member was totally captivated by computer research into her family tree – a popular speciality of the centre.

Quite where this fantastic resource will eventually settle is unsure, but surely it will continue to be an integral part of the borough’s recent massive developments in arts and cultural heritage.




Coming soon at Rochdale Music Service, the Butts:

The FRAG AGM 13th February 2025 at the Rochdale Music Service, including a focused update from Mark Doyle, Director of Arts, Heritage and Wellness, Touchstones, with the very latest information available at the time.


Thursday 13 March 2025: Speaker Philip Dearden,  ‘Harold Dearden – Artist son of Rochdale’

Spread the word - FRAG meets every second Thursday in the month:

Gathering downstairs 13:00 - 13:30, talk upstairs 13:30 – 14:30

temporarily at Rochdale Music Service, in The Butts.

Enquiries Dr Joe Dawson (FRAG Chair) 01706 648872, mail@joedawson.co.uk.

 

RECOMMENDED

 

Tuesday 28 January 2025

Rochdale & District Camera Club - How to improve your photography

Session: How to improve your photography

Hints & tips with suggestions from the members. Bring along one "trick" you do to improve your pictures. Could be out in the field - or once you get back.

We meet every Tuesday at 8pm at Syke Methodist Church Hall.

You are more than welcome to come down to one of our club nights to see if you would enjoy joining the club.

Visit the link below for the 2025 syllabus.

New members very Welcome to join us.

Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136

8pm

Syke Methodist Church Hall, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF

 

Tuesday 28 January 2025

Knit and Natter

We hold a 'Knit and Natter’ in the Marian Room every Tuesday afternoon.

Everyone is welcome to drop by and call in for a chat with friends, old and new.

The church will also be open for anyone who would like to take time for prayer and reflection.

Phone: 01706 631973

1.00pm til 2.30pm

Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church, Dowling Street, Rochdale OL11 1EX

 

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Rock Choir Middleton - Sing with the nation’s leading adult choir

Rock Choir is much more than a choir - it's a multi layered singing experience.

The power of music, meeting new friends and performing at life changing events, together contribute to an emotional and powerful journey for our members. We have been perfecting Rock Choir for 10 years now and have achieved an award-winning standard of excellence in both the educational and emotional aspects of what we try to do.

Rock Choir is the pioneering contemporary choir of the UK and remains unique with over 28,000 members enjoying it across the UK. Each member is welcomed into the Rock Choir family and their journey with us allows music, friendship and a new found confidence to impact their everyday lives. Together we have created a safe, up lifting and exciting experience just for you.

As a new member, you may choose to simply rehearse with your friends or take to the stage and join them at a variety of Rock Choir events and shows - it's up to you. You can take as much or as little from the experiences on offer. You'll never have to sing on your own or be under any pressure.

Sign up today on our website (link below) and get a FREE taster session with us.

First session FREE

Phone: Xander–Jaymes Le Petit 01252 714 276

7.30pm - 9pm

Edgar Wood Academy, Heywood Old Road, Middleton, Heywood OL10 2QN

 

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have  - Sam Rodwell classical guitar (RNCM).

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 648872

Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm

St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ

 

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Rochdale Photographic Society

Tonight's session - Q1 Competition, Judge – John Riley.

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.

Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus.

Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start

Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP

 

 

 



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