What's On in The Arts 2022

As we all look to get back to 'normal', post-Covid legal restrictions, it is encouraging to see the arts community at the forefront; providing opportunities for us to both be creative and to enjoy creativity of across all genres of the creative arts.

Some of us already have enthusiastically engaged, some are taking more tentative steps and others are still reticent. Theatres, cinemas, and galleries are finding their audiences slowly building towards pre-Covid numbers. Creative writing groups, visual arts groups, music societies and drama groups are all moving from the 'virtual' world back to human contact in the 'real' world.

The beneficial effects of the creative arts on individual wellbeing and community resilience are well documented. In this column you will find a small selection of the opportunities being provided by our amazing local creative community. I urge you all to keep your eyes and ears focused on the exciting activities, events, exhibitions, performances, and festivals that are upcoming in our town. Opportunities for all, young and old, across our diverse communities.

TOAD LANE CONCERTS

Music lovers owe a debt of gratitude to Dr Joe Dawson for continuing to provide us with access to music of the highest quality at weekly Toad Lane Concerts [TLC] on Wednesdays at St Mary in the Baum, a stunning venue and a welcoming, friendly ambience. TLC has been going since 2001 and has done us proud by being granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020 during the pandemic! Concerts are Wednesdays 12.30-1.30 (doors from 12) at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ. Entry £6. Contact: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872

LUNCHTIME MUSIC AT ST CHAD’S

Saturday lunchtime concerts of the highest quality in St Chad’s - Rochdale’s historic Parish Church. Email: Philip Lowe philmus22@outlook.com

ROCHDALE MUSIC SOCIETY

Bringing musical excellence to our borough since 1980. Tickets and booking information for upcoming concerts can be found by visiting: www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk Visit: rochdalemusicsociety.org

TOUCHSTONES CREATIVE WRITING GROUP

TCWG includes several published and/or broadcast writers but is open to writers of all abilities. Meeting monthly at Touchstones Arts & Heritage Centre for facilitated workshops, the group boasts an ever-increasing membership and enjoys a wide demographic. Phone: Val Chapman 07906 695715 Visit: www.touchstonescreativewritinggroup.com

LANGLEY WRITERS

Langley Writers is a group of enthusiastic local writers who write individually and collectively for pleasure and wellbeing and share their work with others through performance and publishing. An opportunity to share ideas and write with other local writers, and occasionally enjoy facilitated sessions by established guests. These have included James Nash, Joy France, Rosie Garland, Tony (Longfella) Walsh, Anjum Malik and Craig Bradley. Langley Writers meet on the third Thursday of every month 2pm - 4pm at Demesne Community Centre, Asby Close, Middleton M24 4JF. Visit: langleywriters.wordpress.com

FALINGE WRITERS

A new weekly creative writing group. Falinge Writers welcomes writers of all genres and all levels of experience. Sessions led by guest facilitators drawn from our local community’s amazing body of highly talented, published writers who will give members the benefit of their wide experience. So, whether you are a poet, a playwright or just have a thing for words, Falinge Writers could be for you. Meeting weekly on Thursday mornings 10 am until 12 noon in the café in Falinge Park. No booking required. Light refreshment available and free parking. Email: eileen.earnshaw@yahoo.co.uk.

CARTWHEEL ARTS

Little Artists - A Cartwheel Arts project supported and funded by Rochdale Borough Council, The Ragdoll Foundation, and The National Lottery Community Fund has resulted in a new coproduced arts and play resource for 2-4year olds, their families, and carers to use at home to get them school ready. Download the resource for free here: artforareasonblog.wordpress.com/2021/10/07/little-artists Contact Becky at Cartwheel Arts for more information and find out about sessions in your area: becky@cartwheelarts.org.uk

Listening with Art & Soul

Art & Soul are a user-led arts group that work under the ethos of Art for Wellbeing, which is a creative development programme focused on working with adults with mental health experiences. They are currently working on a project themed around 'Listening' - funded by the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Network through Action Together. Look out for the upcoming exhibition at Heywood Sports Village this Easter! Visit: www.cartwheelarts.org.uk

ROCHDALE FEEL GOOD FESTIVAL

On Saturday 13 August the town will once again be filled with an array of live entertainment and culture as well as great food and drink. Ongoing refurbishment of Rochdale Town Hall and major improvement works around the town hall square will mean a change for this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival. The main stage will move 400 metres, to Hopwood Hall College. Indoor stages in town centre venues will remain the same, with only the main stage re-locating for 2022.

Whilst Brit Award winners. The Fratellis will grab the headlines, the beauty of Rochdale Feel Good Festival is often seeing an act you’ve never heard before. While line-ups for the indoor venues around the town centre have yet to be announced as we went to press, here’s three acts that will be performing, to look out for…

ABBIE OZARD

Hot new Nantwich singer-songwriter Abbie Ozard is supported by BBC Introducing in Manchester and 6 Music. She's already received national airplay on Radio 1 as well as slots at major UK festivals. Her indie pop edge, vocals and infectious hooks have generated a growing fan base. Nominated as one of the UK's top new artists by the Indie Central Music Awards, Abbie's debut EP 'Growing Pains' was released in 2019 and last year she was named by The Times as one of the top new artists in the UK to look out for.

FIREWOODISLAND

This indie-folk duo is the alias of Bristol-based Norwegian-Welsh multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Stian Vedoy and Abi Eleri. With emotive and dynamic vocal harmonies and a mix of digital and acoustic instruments, their music is atmospheric and euphoric. Supported by BBC Introducing and 6 Music, the super talented pair have received a stack of glowing praise from the national music press and followed up their 2018 album 'Chaos is the State of Heart' with their second album in spring 2020.

AZIZ IBRAHIM

The influential multi-talented guitarist and singer/songwriter has performed with artists including the Stone Roses, Simply Red and Asia as well as co-writing and playing live with Ian Brown, Paul Weller, Rebel MC and Hot Chocolate. With a stellar career spanning over three decades, he’s founded the Asian Blues Collective and toured with Pakistan based rock group ‘Overload.’ Aziz’s solo work includes his acclaimed debut album telling the story of his family’s journey from ‘Lahore To Longsight‘.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival is on Saturday 13 August. Find out more at rochdalefeelgoodfestival.co.uk

BETWEEN THE VINES

Rochdale based husband and wife Kev and Rebecca Whitehead, and brothers Dave and Norman Higginson, also known as Between The Vines, have released a new album. This album continues in the similar Southern Country rock style to their first album from 2018 ‘50 ways to Beautiful’, featuring guest artists Nashville star Clive Gregson, Darren Wharton from Thin Lizzy, country legend Sarah Jory and many more.Check out @BetweenTheVinesMusic on social media for local performances. Both albums are available at: www.between-the-vines.co.uk

ROCHDALE FOLK FESTIVAL

Following on from the success of the first Rochdale Folk Festival in 2021, the festival is back bigger and better this year including morris dancing and folk sessions for the first time. Whether you want to listen to some music, spend the day with the kids or join in a session as a musician or singer, there’s something for everyone. The line-up of artists and activities will be announced at the beginning of April, but for now, put the dates in your diary and let’s hope the sun shines as beautifully as it did for last year (although there’s plenty of indoor events if it doesn’t!). Rochdale Folk Festival runs 10th – 12th June 2022. Venues include The Flying Horse, The Medicine Tap, The Baum, Vicolo del Vino, Hoochi Koochi, Touchstones Rochdale and Rochdale Central Library, but there will also be lots of pop-up performances across the town centre over the weekend.

Steve Cooke

Steve Cooke Arts Columnist