previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 04 DECEMBER 2024
Miracle on 34th Street at HOME this festive season.
Preview by Steve Cooke
In addition, or as an alternative to Panto how about joining HOME for a festive musical this Christmas with Miracle on 34th Street!
A major New York department store is on the brink of collapse and their upcoming Christmas sale has to be a success. When their Santa quits at the last minute, they’re left with a kind-hearted stranger who is convinced he’s the real deal to save the day.
But when he is arrested, the fate of Christmas is in the hands of a child called Susan. Can she restore the world’s belief in Santa Claus?
Featuring songs including It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, HOME’s spectacular new show is filled with joy this festive season.
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture Story by Valentine Davies. Screenplay by George Seaton. Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Watch the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f4tpuxTjdw
Fri 6 Dec – Tue 31 Dec
Suitable for ages 8+
Running time approx. 2.5 hours (including interval)
Tickets from £25
School bookings – a teacher gets a free place with every 10 student tickets
HOME Theatre 1, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
Box Office 0161 200 1500
An elegant, stimulating concert at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Two more prominent northwest musicians performed an elegant and stimulating concert in the superb acoustic of St Mary in the Baum, bringing eloquent warmth to the coldest day of the year.
London-born baritone John Powell studied music at Cambridge, before settling in Manchester. He initially taught and ran the choirs at Chetham's for many years, followed by the National Youth Choir, Bolton School and the University of York. He now teaches privately.
He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a solo singer and directs several choirs including the John Powell Singers (with whom he has broadcast on BBC Radio nearly 200 times).
Welsh pianist and organist Elin Rees is a freelance accompanist at the RNCM, where she gained a master’s in piano whilst also the organ scholar at St Ann’s Church in Manchester. She continues to be in demand in both disciplines as choir accompanist, resident organist at Bury Parish Church and a recitalist.
Early songs by English Renaissance composer Dowland and Italian Baroque Carissimi introduced us to the theme of Unrequited Love as expressed over four centuries. This included Romantic lieder by Brahms and Schubert, Clara Schumann and Wolf, contrasted with further English settings.
John’s informative introductions and printed translations underpinned the theme throughout. The latter part of the recital had a lighter touch with a delightful set of British folk songs arranged by Britten, sometimes witty, sometimes quirky, but always shining new light on familiar tunes.
Then George Gartlan’s naïve and charming little parlour song from 1920, The Lilac Tree (subtitled Perspicacity) led us to a dramatic and hilarious Finale - The Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song (from Iolanthe) by Arthur Sullivan, with impressive virtuoso passages of patter singing.
John’s impressive, beautifully poised baritone range of tone and expression, plus impeccable, sensitive piano accompaniments from Elin resulted in a sophisticated and fulfilling recital.
This was concert number 1,113 since taking over from the council in 2001. The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday 12:30 – 13:30 at the Grade 1 Listed St Mary in the Baum Church, Rochdale OL16 1DZ, admission £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 04 December 2024
Tea Dances with Prima Dance
Join us as we waltz back into a cherished tradition and let the rhythm of sequence dancing sweep you off your feet.
The Tea Dance will fill the Grand Hall every first Wednesday of the month. Immerse yourself in an afternoon of joy and connection, as friends old and new come together to enjoy the magic of dance.
Prima Dance invites you to glide in harmony with your fellow dancers while executing the same routines, moving gracefully in an anticlockwise direction around the room. Each step you take offers a chance to bond with others, making memories that linger long after the last note fades.
Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just looking to try something new, we warmly welcome all skill levels.
Mark your calendars and prepare for an enchanting mix of rhythm, relaxation, and reconnecting. We can't wait to see you back on the dance floor at Rochdale Town Hall.
£6.50 including refreshments
Phone 01706 924797
1pm - 3pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Wednesday 04 December 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Club Auction evening - Presidents Cup
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: https://www.rochdaleps.org.uk/syllabus for a full 2024 syllabus.
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 04 December 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Telemann Baroque Ensemble, Alastair Roberts flute, Alfred Pollard oboe, Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violins, John Goodstadt viola, Roger Bisby cello & Peter Collier harpsichord.
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 04 December 2024
Art Group
Interested in art?
Why not come along and meet like-minded individuals, meeting each week to paint, draw, watch demos, etc.
Bring along your own artwork and join us. We are a very friendly group .
We are beginners up to very experienced artists who enjoy the sociability of meeting up and helping each other.
All abilities welcome.
Weekly programme of topics and events.
£1.00 weekly subs
Phone: Veronica Swinden 01706 640567
Visit: http://rochdaleartists.com
10.45am to 12.45pm
Castleton Library and Community Centre604 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF
Thursday 05 December 2024
Syke Community Choir
A new weekly Choir session held every Thursday.
This is a fun social group, all you need is a mouth, no previous singing experience required , we all learn together.
£5
7pm - 8.30pm
Syke Community Base. 206 Syke Road, Rochdalen OL12 9TF
Thursday 05 December 2024
Syke Arts & Crafts morning
All are welcome to our Arts and Crafts weekly sessions.
We have lots of Crafty materials for you to be creative with.
£3.50
10am - 12pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Thursday 05 December 2024
Therapeutic Thursdays
Every Thursday. Come along for a chance to learn something new by joining in fun and friendly activities.
Chat and meet new friends
Arts and crafts
Refreshments
Support for long term health conditions and lifestyle changes
Please note: Events on the first Thursday of each month will start at an earlier time of 9.30am.
Free
Phone: Debby Gemmell 07757 673843
9.30am - 12pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Thursday 05 December 2024
Women In Touch Community Dance Group
We are a group of like-minded women who love to dance.
We welcome anyone who is interested in self-expression through creative movement in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Our free session are held most Thursday.
Please ring or text to check that each sessions is running as sometimes we might not have access to the hall.
Free
Phone: Jen Lowe 07739 836848 / 07593276278
7pm - 9pm
St George’s Church Hall, Bury Road, Rochdale OL11 4EB
Thursday 05 December 2024
Bilingual Storytime
Come and join us for fun and interactive bilingual story time sessions.
Our storytellers will delight both kids and adults with engaging tales in two languages.
It’s a great way to introduce children to different languages and cultures while joining in with craft activities related to the story.
Every other Thursday.
Free and suitable for children 5 and under and their grown-ups.
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
12pm to 1.30pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Thursday 05 December 2024
Grandparents Storytime
Calling all 0 to 5 year olds and their grown-ups to come and listen to stories read by Grandparents who will bring the story to life for the children in our communities.
If you are interested in volunteering for a story-time role, please see a member of staff or visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries/library-volunteers
Free
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
10am to 11am
Langley Library, Langley Children's Centre, Windemere Road, Manchester M24 4LA
Thursday 05 December 2024 - Saturday 07 December 2024
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Saturday 07 December 2024
Christmas Open Day
A fun festive day for all the family.
Fair rides.
Stalls.
Fire engines. .
Refreshments
You can meet Father Christmas for a small additional charge.
We look forward to seeing you all.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Saturday 07 December 2024
Christmas Spectacular (Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society)
Join the Award-Winning Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society for their Annual "Christmas Spectacular" Concert.
The afternoon will feature a selection of hand-picked Christmas songs delivered by talented vocalist sure to put you in the mood for the festive season.
£10
Phone: Penny Lydiate 01706 344773
2pm
St Aidan's Church, 10 Manchester Road, Sudden, Rochdale OL11 3EL
Saturday 07 December 2024
Christmas Fair
Raffles.
Tombolas.
Cakes & Bakes.
Crafts.
Books & CDs.
Bric-a-Brac.
Toys and more ...
Refreshments.
Sandwiches.
Mince pies.
Tea.
Coffee.
Biscuits and More...
Free Admission
Phone: L Taylor 01706 358442
11am - 2pm
Rochdale Parish Church of St. Chad, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale OL16 1QT
(On hill behind the Town Hall )
Saturday 07 December 2024
Norden Soul Motown & 60's Christmas Dance Party
A Christmas night full of Motown classics and 60's floor fillers for all generations.
Carrying on the vibe of our SHOUT! Motown nights.
£7 Advance tickets / £10 on the door
Phone: Ruby 01706 560309
7pm
St Pauls Hall, Blackpits road, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5NG
Saturday 07 December 2024 - Sunday 08 December 2024
Riverside Christmas Market
The countdown is on to Christmas in Santa's favourite town centre and this year the inaugural Rochdale's Christmas Market is taking place at Rochdale Riverside. The market is brought to you by Rochdale Town Centre BID, and it will feature over 30 seasonal stalls to make sure that everyone gets their Christmas wrapped before the big day.
Whether you're seeking unique gifts, looking to savour street food, or simply want to soak up the seasonal vibes, the Christmas Market promises something for everyone.
Live music will add to the festive atmosphere.
Free
10am - 4pm
Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, Riverside Walk, Rochdale OL16 1TR
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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