What's On in The Arts - spring/summer 2024

I am Rochdale born and bred and proud of our rich heritage – especially in the creative arts. A heritage that includes the global superstar, Gracie Fields, born Grace Stansfield in humble circumstances in our town; the singing powerhouse that is Lisa Stansfield; and Corrie star Sue Devaney, who has toured in Mamma Mia, worked on Dinner Ladies with Victoria Wood and crashed many an ambulance on Casualty – not bad for a local lass! This is just a small sample of our elite level heritage.

What I am even more proud of is the current plethora of active organisations providing opportunities for people of all ages, across our diverse communities to get together to both enjoy creativity and to be creative such as:

• M6 Theatre - m6theatre.co.uk

• Skylight Circus Arts - skylightcircusarts.com

• Curtain Theatre - curtaintheatrerochdale.uk

• Rochdale Artists - rochdaleartists.com

• EBOR Studios and Gallery Frank - eborstudio.co.uk

• Cartwheel Arts - cartwheelarts.org.uk

• Rochdale Musical Theatre Company - rochdalemtc.co.uk

• Breaking Barriers - breakingbarriersrochdale.co.uk

Check them out... there will be something for you!

Recommended over the coming spring and summer...

LUNCHTIME MUSIC AT ST CHAD'S

Saturday 13 April - Chiara Lordi [piano]

Chiara Lordi is 22 years old and started playing the piano at the age of 6. She was a student at the City of Edinburgh Music School and since 2020 has been studying at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Saturday 15 June - Alicia Cadwgn [Soprano] and Philip O’Connor [accompanist]

Since leaving the RNCM, Philip has performed throughout Europe with companies such as the Bergen National Opera, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and the Dutch National Opera. Alicia Cadwgan is a New Zealand soprano based in Manchester. She graduated from The Royal Northern College of Music in 2021 with a Master of Music and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction.

Saturday 17 August - Scott Brothers Duo

Brothers Jonathan and Tom perform internationally in instrumental combinations which cover the entire keyboard spectrum. Their online performance videos have totalled over 70 million views, making them some of the most watched in the world.

Refreshments available from 11.30am. The concerts begin at 12 Noon and last about 50 minutes - all welcome. Chiara Lordi and Alicia Cadwgn £6 / Scott Brothers £10 pay on the door. St Chad's Parish Church, Church Stile / Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, OL16 1FF. Further information contact 01706 639162 or visit: rochdaleparishchurches.org.uk

SATURDAY 13 APRIL OPEN STUDIO AT EBOR

An opportunity to take a look inside a vibrant artist studio and meet the professional artists that make up the Ebor community. 12-4 pm at Ebor Studio and Gallery Frank William Street, Littleborough OL15 8JP

POETS ON TAP

Poets on Tap have had a tumultuous time with the closing of their base, The Medicine Tap and of course the sad passing of mainstay and much-lamented Robin Parker.

However, under the guidance of Eileen Earnshaw and Michael Higgins they are now operating from the upstairs room in the Flying Horse.

So, on the second Sunday of every month we can enjoy their eclectic mix of poetry, folk song and music.

Michael Higgins informs me that Poets on Tap 'welcome any writers, singers and musicians at each session. All are welcome and anything that's legal goes'.

WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL - SATURDAY 20 APRIL IOLANTHE

Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society presents four performances of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Iolanthe' at St Aidan's, 10 Manchester Rd, Rochdale, OL11 3EL. Tickets adults £14, children £7 available at: ticketsource.co.uk/ rochdale-phoenix-operasociety or call Penny on 01706 344773.

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY - FRIDAY 28 JUNE ELEVATION BY BREAKING BARRIERS

Rochdale lies below us. We can see its people, its culture, and its history, all intertwined in a rich tapestry of community. We are on top of the world!

Elevation is an immersive journey along the scenic route of Blackstone Edge, using binaural sound, which creates an “audio 3D effect”, to tell tales of those who walked this land before us, and encouraging audiences to take a moment to listen deeply to the sounds of Rochdale in the distance.

Created and delivered by Rochdale-based production company, Breaking Barriers, Elevation is an invitation to embark upon a creative guided tour across the flatlands of Blackstone Edge, whilst listening to the mother of the moorlands on a pair of headphones. Although you’ll be listening individually, you’ll experience the journey as a collective together.

Go on a pilgrimage along the ancient path, as we make our way through timeless landscapes and stories from the Romans to the Radical Rochdalians.

Performance days each week: Wed, Thurs, Fri

Special performances at sunrise and sunset will be delivered on Saturday 25 May and Saturday 1 June. This is a free event, and all are welcome. You can book your free tickets at eventbrite.com (search Elevation, Rochdale).

SUNDAY 2 JUNE - FRIDAY 12 JULY

CULTURE CO-OP IS BRINGING OPEN EYE GALLERY’S HOME EXHIBITION TO ROCHDALE

The Home exhibition brings together diverse projects from 17 Ukrainian artists who offer distinct ways of seeing and thinking about Ukraine, reflecting on both its history and its contemporary visual culture. Crucially, underlying the selection of work, is the question ‘what does home mean when your country is threatened by invasion?’

SUMMER FUN FROM THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE IN ROCHDALE THIS AUGUST

THE DEN, a fun a flexible pop-up theatre, arrives in Rochdale for a two-week arts festival!

Filled with loads of shows, workshops, arts & crafts, music, dance, food, face-painting, exhibitions, and performances, and with free tickets available for all activities, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Created with a group of incredible local Ambassadors and local partners, the Royal Exchange has co-created this festival-extravaganza especially for the people of Rochdale.

Venue to be announced soon - find out more at royalexchange.co.uk. Watch this space!

WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER - SPRINGHILL HOSPICE COMEDY FUNDRAISER

Five headlining comedians come together at Milnrow Cricket Club for a special comedy night in aid of Springhill Hospice. Featuring Howard Walker, Tony Burgess, Jenny Hart, Dawn Bailey and Dave Twentyman.

Raise a smile, raise money whilst having a laugh! Doors from 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets £10 available from whatsoccurrinrochdale.co.uk.

Steve Cooke

All Across The Arts