previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2024
We are lucky to have top notch musicians appearing in our town on a weekly basis at TLC
Preview by Steve Cooke
If you have an hour to spare at lunch time on any Wednesday, then do yourself a favour and pop along to St Mary in the Baum for a musical treat with TLC [Toad Lane concerts].
Even if you think ‘classical’ music is not for you, give it a go you may be very pleasantly surprised.
Coming up over the run up to and the festive period itself you could be enjoying:
Nov 20 John Powell baritone (Cambridge University and BBC Singers)
Elin Rees piano (RNCM)
Nov 27 Nina Savicevic piano (RNCM)
Dec 04 Telemann Baroque Ensemble Alastair Roberts flute Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violins John Goodstadt viola Roger Bisby cello & Peter Collier harpsichord
Dec 11 More than Melody - Ken Greaves conductor Brian Milligan piano
Dec 18 Notability mixed voice choir (piano Lesley Cavanagh
Jan 08 Voci Voices
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade-1 listed building of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
All of this Unreal Time at Factory International
Preview by Steve Cooke
Watch Aoife McArdle, Cillian Murphy and Max Porter’s mesmerising film – followed by live performances of new music inspired by the film from composers Aaron & Bryce Dessner and Jon Hopkins
‘I came out here to apologise. You know. I find myself, at the midpoint of my life, in a dark wood, and now I’m here, in the forest of my mind, and every tree is shame, every living thing is a reprimand, and I realise, I must speak freely now, before I lose you.’
A man – any man, everyman – walks alone through night and the city. From subway to pavement to wide open marshland, he confesses his failings: emotional, physical, political. To whom, and for what? Ashamed and alarmed, he considers both the smallness of human life and the scale of the world, and ultimately our most pressing obligation: to care for those alongside us, and for the earth that sustains us.
In this night of cinema and music, watch the film starring Cillian Murphy then take in live performances of new music inspired by the film from the composers of its original score – Aaron Dessner & Bryce Dessner (of The National) and Jon Hopkins.
Written by Max Porter, directed by Aoife McArdle and produced by Mary Hickson and Fran Thompson, All of This Unreal Time was first presented as an immersive installation at Manchester Central during the 2021 edition of Manchester International Festival. After making its London premiere at Royal Festival Hall (Southbank Centre), All of This Unreal Time returns to Manchester.
This one-off screening is followed by a Q&A with members of the creative team, as well as live performances of new work inspired by the film from composers Aaron & Bryce Dessner and Jon Hopkins. The events in London and Manchester also mark the publication of Rough Trade Books' edition of All of This Unreal Time, with a new foreword by Cillian Murphy.\
Don't miss your chance to experience this standout film in an unforgettable night of cinema and live music.
7 Dec 2024
£25
The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ
Lights out for horror tale at the town hall – a unique and memorable experience
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
‘Twas the week of Halloween … and Rochdale Town Hall as you have never seen it before. The newly renovated heritage jewel in the town has striking gothic architecture. Now, inside had turned into an old style picture house for a horror film show.
The Great Hall upstairs was in darkness apart from coloured uplighters on the organ pipes and enormous twin tv screens and, of course, ushers with torches. The screens could perhaps have been placed higher, so that the English subtitles could be read by more of the audience, but the atmosphere was tremendous and compelling.
‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror’ (1922) is Murnau’s German silent movie adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a classic of its genre. More than one hundred years on, the original tale still causes a tingle down the spine. The dozens of imitators of the Dracula archetype have almost become figures of fun – Hammer films to Ghostbusters, Caspar to Shrek, is this nervous laughter to cover a deep-seated fear?
Following the tradition of silent movies, award-winning Scottish organist Aaron Hawthorne gave a virtuoso performance of improvised accompaniment. He ran the gamut of combinations of stops and made full use of the instrument. From a literal wall of sound to mysterious flutes and strings he followed or led by turns the unfolding story on the screens – creating an ominous musical subtext. This meant a constant stream of extempore characterful music for almost 1½ hours.
In his hands, Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument, proved to be not an evil monster but a glorious beast of the organ world, and undoubtedly the star of the show. The spontaneous thunderous applause and cheers from the audience at the end said it all. Aaron’s cheeky encore of Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera certainly struck the right chord.
What about a Chaplin, Harry Lloyd, Buster Keaton comedy fest next time?
Forthcoming organ notes
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association) est. 1908, have long been voluntary custodians of the town hall instrument since its installation in 1913, organising celebrity recitals and concerts. After being mothballed through Covid and the renovation, these will resume on 25 January 2025. Meanwhile, their Honorary President Jonathan Scott will present his annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday 18 December at 2 pm.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 16 November 2024
One Night of Billy Joel: The Piano Man
The ultimate celebration concert to one of the most iconic and best-selling artists of all time.
In this brand-new touring theatre show Robert Schmuck (Billy The Kid) and his amazing seven-piece band perform breath-taking musical arrangements of multi-million selling songs such as:
My Life.
Uptown Girl.
River Of Dreams.
Tell Her About It.
Still Rock ‘n’ Roll To Me.
An Innocent Man.
Movin’ Out.
Just The Way You Are.
We Didn’t Start The Fire.
Piano Man.
The Longest Time and many, many more, it’s a non-stop hits show.
From £24.50
7:30pm Doors open: 7.00pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Saturday 16 November 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.
Free
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
10.30am to 12pm
Rochdale Library, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Saturday 16 November 2024
Christmas table top sale
Join us for an exciting Christmas table top sale to raise funds for people in Rochdale affected by domestic abuse. You'll find unique gifts at reasonable prices, a magical atmosphere, and a festive spirit.
Phone: Suzana Janusko 01706 345111
11am - 2pm
Rochdale Connections Trust, 60 Drake Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1PA
Sunday 17 November 2024
Coach House Craft Fair
The doors will open to the public at 10am.
Stallholders will be able to access earlier in the morning to be able to set up their stalls.
The charge to stallholders for a table is £20 for each craft fair.
Please contact us to book a stall for one of our craft fairs or have a query about arrangements on the day.
Free
Phone: Elizabeth 07939 491 545
10am til 3pm
Littleborough Coach House, Lodge Street, Littleborough OL15 9AE
Sunday 17 November 2024
Creepmas Alternative Market
From the team that brought Heywood's first Horror Convention - 'Horrorwood' Comes an all new Christmas shopping experience.
Join us as we bring a touch of spooky fun to your festivities.
We'll have frightfully good traders selling all manner of gifts and curiosities with a gothic and alternative twist.
Stock up on presents for your loved ones who like something a little a bit different at Christmas and enjoy a hot drink and some food whilst you're at it.
There's free parking, free entry and some Gothmas activities for the little ones too.
This is Heywood's first Christmas market of this type so please do come down and support us and find yourself a unique gift that you won't get anywhere on the high-street.
Free
Phone: Kim Goldie 07807 906828
10am - 2pm
Community Rooms, Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood, Rochdale OL10 1JZ
Monday 18 November 2024
Grandparent 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
Wednesday 20 November 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Rebecca Entwistle - An Introduction to Focal Stacking, bring your camera.
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 20 November 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have John Powell baritone (Cambridge University and BBC Singers), Elin Rees piano (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
Free Drama Workshops
Wednesday 20 November 2024
Two Shires Drama is kicking off free drama workshops.
Ever been told you should give acting a try? Or maybe you're just someone who loves fiction and drama? Whether you've always wanted to be on stage or you’re just curious, this is your chance!
No pressure, no experience needed—just come along, have fun, and see where it takes you. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage.
Let’s make this unforgettable!
Our workshops offer:
Theatre games.
Drama skills.
Acting exercises that aim to build confidence, self-esteem and friendships.
These session are suitable for ages 16+ and run weekly.
Free
Phone: Jules Howliston 07909 505461
6pm
Caring and Sharing Community Hub, 78 Yorkshire Street, Town centre, Rochdale OL16 1JU
Wednesday 20 November 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 Centre, 604 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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