What's On in The Arts: Rochdale

What a great summer we have had with so much for us to enjoy and engage with! Among the many highlights it was wonderful to see the town centre’s many excellent venues bouncing to high quality music with the return of the Feel Good and the Rochdale Folk Festivals.

The town continutes to offer a multitude of exciting, stimulating events and activities as we move into autumn and winter 2022.

On the visual arts front we have a UK first as Touchstones Rochdale unveils “Mischief” this Autumn with an exclusive new exhibit from American queer feminist artist Liz Collins’ with her first European exhibition.

The Mischief exhibition, created in collaboration with Touchstones Rochdale Gallery and Museum and guest Curator Dr Julia Bryan- Wilson, will take over all four gallery spaces and see immersive installations transforming spaces with intricately hand stitched wall pieces to industrially manufactured sculptural works.

Mischief uses explosive patterns and colours to transform everyday life inspirations into a fun, mischievous aesthetic, exploring the boundaries between art and design through textiles and fibre.

Guest curator Julia Bryan-Wilson said: "With her bold textiles and radical graphics, Liz Collins creates dazzlingly powerful works. Her aesthetic mischief blurs the lines between art, craft, and design."

Complementing the Mischief exhibition will be “Queer, People, Places and Things”, an extra special exhibit co-curated by a group of LGBTQ+ Rochdale locals stemming from Liz’s desire to provide a platform for the voices of queer artists.

Twenty pieces of work, chosen by Collins and Bryan-Wilson, will be shown alongside some significant pieces from the Rochdale Borough collections, The Walker Art Gallery, and Bolton Museum & Art Gallery, all presented through a queer lens.

Mischief is at Touchstones from Saturday 1 October 2022 – Sunday 8 January 2023.

Visit: yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/venues/touchstones-rochdale

It is never too early to get excited about panto season!

Watch Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones in the role of the evil Wicked Queen plus a star-studded cast from across stage and screen in this year’s Christmas production of Snow White at Middleton Arena.

Snow White will be played by BGT finalist Lucy Kay. BBC’s Hacker T.Dogg will also feature in the performance, voicing the Magic Mirror and back by popular demand, Matthew Siveter will take his rightful role as Dame Dolly.

The magical pantomime, based on the classic Disney fairy-tale, promises “epic songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, breath-taking costumes, and astounding 3D special effects that will get everyone into the festive spirit”.

Abigail Hindle, Events and Programming Manager at Your Trust Rochdale said: “It may be the end of summer right now, but the preparations for this year’s wickedly entertaining Christmas panto have begun. We’re really excited to have so many stars grace our Middleton Arena stage this winter, and they’re sure to create a performance to remember. You’ll be in for a treat at Snow White with lots of hilarity, insane special effects, and a truly unforgettable experience for all the family.”

Snow White will run from Tuesday 29 November until Wednesday 28 December (Katya Jones will appear in performances from 18th Dec onwards). Tickets start from £16.50 and £9 per child for school visits. Find out more and book tickets here: yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/snow-white-middletonschristmas-panto-2022/

Over at Heywood Civic Centre Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw takes the wicked lead in the 2022 Jack and the Beanstalk production, alongside Britain’s Got Talent star Steven Hall.

This action-packed show boasts great songs, compelling dance routines and plenty of laughter for all the family as they watch Jack try to rescue Princess Jill from the Giant’s castle.

Jack and The Beanstalk will run from Saturday 17th December until Wednesday 28th December. Tickets start from £9.50.

Find out more and book tickets here: yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk

If you enjoy programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Show then our very own Rochdale Antiques Society [who meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at St Vincent’s Community Centre, Caldershaw Rd, OL12 7QR with doors open at 7pm with an entry fee £4 pp], give you plenty to look forward to with a varied programme: 12th October – Les Hardy on World Bank Notes 9th November – Michael Moore on East Lancs Railway 14th December – Dr David Allen on The Essence of a Georgian Gentleman

Enjoy musical excellence with ORTOA and TLC

Let the organ thunder…

ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association) had its beginnings in an Oldham café in 1908. It soon embraced organists from neighbouring Ashton and Rochdale and in 1913 they held the first recital at Rochdale Town Hall. The current association has continued this tradition since 1979. Currently the Honorary President is Jonathan Scott, international virtuoso, and resident organist at the Bridgewater Hall.

Following the closure of Rochdale Town Hall for extensive renovation, the committee decided it would concentrate on performances at some of the excellent venues and organs in the area. Since then, there have been recitals at St Paul’s in Royton and Albion United Reformed Church in Ashton-under-Lyne, as well as Rochdale’s Parish Church, St Chad’s.

The next organ virtuoso concert will be at St Chad's at 3pm on Saturday 8 October 2022 with Philip Rushworth of Chester Cathedral in a varied programme to showcase this fine instrument. Contact: Hon Sec Barrie Brailsford 01706 343163

Family Theatre Performances at M6 Studio

M6 Theatre Company present Sunflowers and Sheds, an original show for family audiences in Rochdale this October.

As part of a prestigious national tour, special community performances from the award-winning theatre company will take place at M6 Studio Theatre, Albert Royds Street on Saturday 8 October.

Sunflowers and Sheds features a gentle mix of music, puppetry and storytelling and will transport audiences to a lovingly created lifesize allotment. With Frank’s family so far away, he passes the time on his beloved plot. When the allotment next door becomes vacant, he really looks forward to meeting his new neighbour. Until she arrives that is!

This charming tale about a lonely old man and a young Ukrainian woman reminds us that, with the breaking down of barriers, true friendship can grow in the most unlikely conditions.

M6’s Artistic Director and co-creator of the show, Gilly Baskeyfield, said: "We chose to set the story of this unlikely friendship on the fertile ground of an allotment - a place where the patchwork and diversity of people and plants grow side by side.

"Sunflowers and Sheds gives children the opportunity to watch this special friendship develop and to discover what lies beneath the surface - of soil and people. Staged on gorgeously recreated allotments and with original music and a strong emotional story, we discover that surprises are more enjoyable, and disappointments more bearable, when shared with a friend."

Performances will take place at 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Saturday 8 October and are suitable for everyone aged 4 and over. Audiences are invited to ‘pay what you feel’ on the day but tickets need to be booked in advance from M6 Theatre by calling 01706 355898 or emailing admin@m6theatre.co.uk.

A Night at the Movies!

Whitworth Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society presents A Night at the Movies! From Disney to Bond, the silver screen to modern classics, this is a musical journey you don't want to miss, showcasing talented local performers.

Performances 7.30pm Wednesday 5th - Saturday 8th October at The Curtain Theatre, Rochdale. Tickets £10 available at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/wamds

Steve Cooke