WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 9 MAY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 9 MAY 2026
Previews: We Invented the Weekend, ORTOA present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ , World Premier Of Even plus In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience
Reviews: Murals festival scoops international award
Murals festival scoops international award
By Steve Cooke
Things are only getting better for the legacy of our year as GM Town of culture with the Murals Festival scooping a well-deserved international award!
Rochdale’s Common Walls International Mural Festival has won The Pineapple Award for Activation Events at the Developer and Festival of Place Pineapple Awards.
The award recognises Common Walls, the international mural festival, which took place in Rochdale last year, as a standout example of creative placemaking, selected from an exceptionally strong field of projects from across the UK.
Led by the Culture and Placemaking Team at Rochdale Development Agency — working in partnership with Rochdale artists The Butterfly Effect — the festival successfully bridged the gap between global street art and local heritage, bringing internationally recognised artists together with local stories, communities and spaces.
Judges praised the project’s depth of community engagement, it’s clear and lasting legacy, and its role in transforming perceptions and experiences of place. In their comments, the panel described Common Walls International Mural Festival as “a premier blueprint for how creative activation can strengthen a town’s cultural identity.”
Rachel Laver, Managing Director of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “Winning a Pineapple Award is an incredible achievement and a huge moment of pride for Rochdale. Common Walls showed what’s possible when culture, community and place are brought together with ambition and care. The festival didn’t just animate our town centre it created lasting connections, celebrated local identity and left a legacy that will continue to inspire long after the murals were painted.”
The win was received with surprise and pride by the project team, with the scale and quality of the competition making the recognition particularly meaningful.
Common Walls International Mural Festival was delivered in collaboration with Hayley Garner (Aylo), Rochdale Development Agency, Rochdale Borough Council and The Butterfly Effected CIC, demonstrating how creative activation can extend beyond a single moment to deliver long term cultural and social impact.
Pete Courtie, Head of Culture and Placemaking at the RDA, said: “We’re investing in our places by working closely with artists and local communities by listening to residents and collaborating with them to shape spaces that reflect who they are and what they want for the future.”
The Pineapples are the only UK awards dedicated exclusively to placemaking, with winners selected through live judging presentations by a multidisciplinary panel spanning development, design, culture, local government and community sectors.
WE INVENTED THE WEEKEND
Preview by Steve Cooke
The full programme for this year's We Invented the Weekend Festival has been announced.
Across Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026, Salford Quays and MediaCity will be buzzing with over 200 free activities in the UKs most ambitious, creative, original and fun-filled festival celebrating the most precious of commodities – our free time! This will be the 3rd iteration of the much-loved FREE festival that invites communities from across Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond to celebrate the amazing variety of ways in which we love to spend our weekends.
Putting together the perfect weekend is a collective effort and the festival is working with dozens of partners ranging from BBC, Lowry, University of Salford, RHS, English National Opera, Imperial War Museum North and Play England as well as community and grassroots organisations. The two-day festival in June will celebrate summer, throwing open the doors of MediaCity and Salford Quays with a jam-packed programme including live music, action-packed sports, family fun, theatre, DJ sets, exclusive tours, art workshops, thought-provoking talks, street food, boat trips, wellbeing sessions and much, much more.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Perfect Pitch, an epic World-Cup inspired performance by English National Opera and Walk the Plank with hundreds of singers from local choirs and football clubs
Explore Play Street - an interactive children’s zone that celebrates the history of the play street in Salford in collaboration with Play England and supported by Quayside
Storytelling and talks: From CBeebies Bedtime Stories to thought-provoking talks including Salford legend Peter Hook in conversation with Mark Radcliffe
Star of musical SIX performs in Lowry's (North) West End Live on the Plaza
Club Culture: brand new for this year, dedicated to electronic dance music of all eras.
Sports and wellbeing focus from street sports, BMX to yoga and movement, open swimming, football for all ages and abilities, cycling, running, Taekwondo and more
Main stage headliners including Radio 6 Music DJ Afrodeutsche and live performance by Afriquoi
Visit the website for more information: www.weinventedtheweekend.com
ORTOA present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ
Preview by Dr Joe Dawson
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) present Celebrity Recitals at the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall Organ
Alexander Woodrow was appointed Organist & Director of Music at Leeds Minster in 2020. He leads a busy professional life as a choral director, church musician, organ recitalist, and teacher. He is Director of Music for two chamber choirs and Accompanist to the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir.
Alex has held positions at Guildford and St Albans Cathedrals, Hexham Abbey, and from 2012 to 2016 was the youngest cathedral organist in the country, as the Organist & Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral.
Alex read Music as Organ Scholar at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at the age of 19, winning first prizes in all categories, including the Limpus Prize. He is also a Fellow of Trinity College London, and a recipient of the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Alex has regularly broadcast as both conductor and organist on BBC Radio and Television with the Choir of Bradford Cathedral, Solihull School Chapel Choir, and the Choir of Leeds Minster. He has been Organist to five programmes of BBC Songs of Praise and directed the music for the BBC1 Easter Sunday Eucharist from Leeds Minster in 2022.
For more information about Alex, please visit www.alexanderwoodrow.co.uk
His forthcoming programme for Rochdale’s magnificent JJ Binns instrument is well chosen, with works by William Walton, Percy Whitlock, Philip Moore, Mendelssohn, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Alfred Hollins and Saint-Saëns.
Come and see a Master at work.
Soloist Alexander Woodrow (from Leeds Minster) Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 1 pm
Notice the change back to Tuesday at 1 pm!!
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.
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
WORLD PREMIERE OF EVEN THESE THINGS THE THIRD PRODUCTION OF THE ROYAL EXCHANGE’S 50th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME – A HOMECOMING
Preview by Steve Cooke
The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced that award-winning actress Elaine Cassidy and Katherine Pearce will be joining the cast of Rory Mullarkey’s original play EVEN THESE THINGS, which will have its World Premiere at the Manchester theatre as part of the 50th anniversary season under the theme ‘A Homecoming’.
Directed by James Macdonald, this bold new piece of theatre takes place in three different moments of Manchester's history, including the day the IRA bomb exploded in the city centre in 1996, asking us to imagine what lies beyond disaster.
EVEN THESE THINGS will run from 15 May with its final performance taking place on 15 June 2026, 30 years to the day when the bomb exploded.
To bring this story to life, the production will be completed by a community cast of 108 participants from across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs, highlighting the profound impact that the events had on the Manchester community and placing the people of Manchester at the very centre of the story.
Three centuries. Three moments in time. An epic story of Manchester and Ireland by multi award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey premieres at the Royal Exchange Theatre, 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city.
In 1846, Annie Donovan has a score to settle; in 1996, it looks like any other Saturday morning in Manchester; and in 2026, Jenny moves back to the place where she grew up.
This original and moving new play explores private and public histories, grief and love – and the making and re-making of our city.
The creative team includes Designer, Laura Hopkins; Lighting Designer, Charles Balfour; Sound Designer, Children’s Casting Director, Keston & Keston; Dramaturg, Emily McLaughlin; Associate Director, Katie Greenall; and Assistant Director, Sadie Mears, who will bring this new work to life on the Royal Exchange’s iconic stage.
Tickets from £12
Friday 15 May – Wednesday 15 June 2026
Access Performances
Captioned (C) Performances: 6 June, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sensory Adapted (SA) Performance: 9 June, 7.30pm
Audio Described (AD) Performance: 12 June, 7.30pm
BSL-Interpreted (BSL) Performances: 2 June, 7.30pm and 4 June, 7.30pm
Box Office: 0161 833 9833
Online: www.royalexchange.co.uk
Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH
In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience
Preview by Steve Cooke
Comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh will be joined by an illustrious wine expert to guide you through tasting five wines and at least five jokes for In Pour Taste at Hope Mill Theatre.
Everyone from savvy sauvignon swiggers to clueless chardonnay chuggers will find something to make their glass half-full, as the wine industry’s hardest-hitting questions are answered… How far should I extend my pinkie when sipping? What the heck is a tannin? And who’s parked in the loading bay – you’re about to be towed?
Watch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jACniJm_Q_A
Book tickets: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/in-pour-taste/
Ticket includes five tastings, with an alcohol-free option available if requested in advance.
The show comes to Manchester following a sell-out north American debut in Toronto, a Las Vegas run, a New York season and sell-out tours and festival runs in the UK and Australia.
Please note that this performance is only bookable as unreserved seating, you and your party will be sat at a table. All seats are ground level. Please email Boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk with any access requirements.
Suitable for ages 18 and over
Run time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Wednesday 29 July 2026 — Saturday 1 August 2026
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
Box Office Email: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office Phone: 0161 275 9141
RECOMMENDED
Friday, 8 May 2026
Reading Group - Heywood Library
Second Friday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly group. Books will be loaned from the library.
For adults.
Booking required: places are limited, please book by emailing heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk.
Free
10am - 11am
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Come and join our Lego sessions.
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.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Monday, 11 May 2026
Book Club - Junction Library
2nd Monday of every month. Come and join us at Junction Library for a brew and a cosy chat about the books you've read. We can’t wait to meet you.
For adults.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
2pm - 3pm
Junction Library, Grimshaw Lane, Middleton M24 2BW
Monday, 11 May 2026
Icons on Ammo Boxes Exhibition
From war to witness. From destruction to hope.
The Icons on Ammo Boxes collection transforms ammunition crates from the Ukrainian front line into powerful sacred artworks—symbols of resilience, faith, and survival. Experience this extraordinary exhibition at St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge. Free entry | Donations welcome
11:00
St. Edmunds Church , Clement Royds Street Falinge, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL126PLIcons on Ammo Boxes Exhibition
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Icons on Ammo Boxes Reception Evening: Transforming War Materials into Sacred Art
You are warmly invited to an evening of reflection, beauty, and profound storytelling.
Icons on Ammo Boxes presents a remarkable collection of sacred artworks created on reclaimed ammunition boxes from the Ukrainian front line—each piece a striking fusion of devotion and defiance.
Set within the historic surroundings of St. Edmund’s Church, Falinge, this reception evening offers an intimate opportunity to experience these extraordinary works, accompanied by the voices of the acclaimed Svitoch Ukrainian Chamber Choir.
An unforgettable evening where art, history, and humanity meet.
Free / Pay What You Want
19:00
St. Edmund’s church , Clement Royds Street Falinge, Rochdale , Lancashire , OL150AP
Icons on Ammo Boxes Reception Evening: Transforming War Materials into Sacred Art
You are warmly invited to an evening of reflection, beauty, and profound storytelling.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Students from Chetham’s School of Music
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
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