previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2024
The Islamic Co-op Present: Qawwali Night Live Performance, with Hamid Ali Naqeebi
Preview By Steve Cooke
One of the UK's most exciting Islamic praise artists comes to Rochdale for an evening of live faith based music. Qawwali musician Hamid Ali Naqeebi will be taking the stage at Rochdale Town Hall. This concert is open to all!
Hamid Ali Naqeebi is widely recognized as the leading professional Qawwal in England, a title he has earned at a remarkably young age. Hamid has quickly established himself as a prominent figure in both Western and Eastern music communities. His exceptional talent and dedication to the art of Qawwali have garnered him immense recognition across diverse audiences.
Hamid’s passion for Qawwali music began in his early childhood, inspired by the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His journey with the harmonium started at the age of four, and by 2010, he was already regarded as one of the UK's master harmonium players. His deep connection to the harmonium and his unique vocal abilities have set him apart as an exceptional musician.
Qawwali Night Performance
£15, £10 Concessions
Friday 18th October
7:00pm (doors open 6:30pm, please be prompt)
Rochdale Town Hall OL16 1AZ
Stones in His Pockets at Bolton Octagon
Preview by Steve Cooke
Stones in his Pockets is a hilarious, thought-provoking and darkly funny comedy coming to the Bolton Octagon.
Lights Camera Action! Hollywood is coming to the Octagon…but what happens when two Irish extras become the stars?
Set in rural Ireland, a small village is turned upside down by the arrival of a Hollywood studio to film the latest historical blockbuster. Told through the eyes of local lads Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, who are employed as extras, it soon becomes clear that Tinseltown’s romanticised dream of Ireland is a long way from reality…
Directed by Matthew McElhinney, son of the play’s writer and original director, this new production brings a fresh take on this hysterically funny, thought-provoking and witty award-winning comedy.
A co-production with Barn Theatre and Wiltshire Creative
Age 14+
Contains strong language and references to suicide
Tue 22 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
From £15 - £44.50
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB
AN EVENING OF LAUGHGTER AT THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Preview by Stave Cooke
A not to be missed Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Royal Court smash hit! Winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2022 BULLRING TECHNO MAKEOUT JAMZ is a funny and uplifting one-man show, a joyful way to spend an hour.
Written and performed by Nathan Queeley-Dennis and directed by Dermot Daly, this piece explores Black masculinity through Beyoncé lyrics, techno raves and the deeply intimate relationship between a man and his barber.
Nathanial is a serious romantic who sees love as a fine art. He's looking for the Mona Lisa to his da Vinci, and tonight is the night: his date with Destiny...'s Child.
An uplifting evening of laughter, storytelling and brilliant music - with all tickets £15, this is the one to send to the group chat! But get in quick as it's only on for 4 shows! (28 - 30 Oct).
Winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2022, Nathan Queeley-Dennis’ debut play is a love letter to Birmingham, exploring Black masculinity through Beyoncé lyrics, techno raves and the deeply intimate relationship between a man and his barber.
Trim? Fresh.
Skin? Glowing.
Vibes? Immaculate.
Directed by Dermot Daly, the show was a huge hit during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2023 and subsequently opened in London to rave reviews. The show now runs for four performances at the Exchange where it was awarded the Bruntwood Prize in 2022.
Nathaniel is a serious romantic who sees love as a fine art. He’s looking for the Mona Lisa to his da Vinci, and tonight is the night: his date with Destiny…’s Child.
Nathan Queeley-Dennis said…
“I’m thrilled to bring BULLRING TECHNO MAKEOUT JAMZ to the Royal Exchange Theatre. Our journey began here with the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2022. Though I’m not from Manchester, this feels like a homecoming for the play. An extract was performed at the ceremony, and the feeling in the room was electric, you could really feel it living in the space. I’ll never forget that moment or feeling, and I can’t wait to bring that electricity back to that room, bringing the 0121 to the 0161.”
28-39 October
Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH
Phone: 0161 833 9833
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - L&CPU Folio North B.
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.
£2.50 for room fee
Phone: Secretary - Ed Whitaker
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Margaret Ferguson soprano (Ghana, RNCM & Poland), Jonathan Ellis piano (Manchester University & 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
Open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Thursday 17 October 2024
Therapeutic Thursdays
Chat and meet new friends.
Arts and crafts.
Refreshments.
Support for long term health conditions and lifestyle changes.
Please note: Events run on the first Thursday of each month only, will start at an earlier time of 9.30am.
Free
Phone: Debby Gemmell 07757 673843
12.30pm - 3pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Thursday 17 October 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.
Jen Lowe: 07739 836848 / 07593276278
7pm - 9pm
St George’s Church Hall, Bury Road, Rochdale OL11 4EB
Friday 18 October 2024
Rock On Tommy
He’s a national treasure who became a household name as one half of Cannon & Ball. Tommy Cannon played the straight man to the late Bobby Ball as the double act dominated prime-time TV for more than a decade.
An actor, singer and comic, Tommy has lived an extraordinary life – most recently being lauded by rock star Robbie Williams, at a sell-out concert in Manchester.
Now he’s returning to the stage in Rock On, Tommy,
A variety show featuring clips, incredible stories, tons of laughter, audience Q&As and more.
Fans can meet the man who has provided laughter to millions since debuting in 1968 on the talent show Opportunity Knocks.
£15
7:30pm Doors open: 7:00pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Until Saturday 19 October 2024
Dante or Die’s - Inside Odds On
Join us to experience this unique, immersive and free pop-up film that warns about the dangers of gambling addiction in Rochdale town centre.
The award-winning and critically acclaimed Inside Odds On will transform an empty shop at the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre into a mesmerising, immersive underwater betting shop with this ground-breaking installation.
Until Saturday 19th October theatre company Dante or Die will provide a 40-minute simulated experience each hour throughout each day, where the audience is put in the shoes of a woman battling the highs and lows of gambling.
The film was created in consultation with people with lived experience of gambling harm, using their own words, and is inspired by their openness and creativity as they reflect on their journey towards recovery through Gordon Moody gambling recovery centres throughout the UK.
Audiences will be given opportunities to watch the film as well as learn about the making of it and discover resources and support information for gambling issues.
Due to the topics covered in the installation the experience is strictly 18+
Trigger warnings:
The films presented contain gambling (live play, images, sounds, slot simulation) and discussions around lived experience of gambling which may be triggering to people with a gambling addiction or who are in recovery. There will be support and safeguarding services present and a full support pack will be available for anyone who may be affected by the issues raised in the production.
Support packs available on the Eventbrite page.
Access - Venue and Experience are fully accessible. If you require any confirmation of accessibility, please email sophiehack@danteordie.com.
Tickets and times are available via the below weblink.
Free
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Unit 50a, Newgate, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1YL
Saturday 19 October 2024
Oktoberfest Rochdale
Join us for a night of drinking and games with our amazing Oompah Band. With bars serving authentic German beers as well as Gin, Spirits, Wines and of course Jager!
£20 +booking fee
7.00pm - 10.30pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Saturday 19 October 2024
Bi-Lingual Storytime
Come and listen to stories read in English and other languages such as Urdu, Arabic, French and Slovakian.
Afterwards, join in with crafts related to the story.
Alternating Thursdays and Saturdays.
Free and suitable for children 5 and under and their grown-ups.
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
10.30am to 12pm
Rochdale Library, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1XU
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.