Creativity isn't cancelled

Our local creative community has reacted magnificently to these extremely trying times with an innovative combination of things to do, listen to, watch and read, all of which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

TO DO

'Get Creative' packs

Cartwheel Arts distributed creative activity packs to families in the Rochdale borough in partnership with Link4Life. Arts organisations in the borough including M6 Theatre and Skylight Circus Arts also contributed content.

The packs not only inspire creativity and learning but also let recipients know that the local authority and creative community are there for them if they need any help and support in these strange times.

Download the activity booklet and access lots of other free downloadable resources including colouring sheets and puppet templates at: cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/get-creative-inside

Creative Care Kits

A unique collaborative project by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and local cultural and voluntary sector organisations from across Greater Manchester, including AATA friends [Brighter Sound, Cartwheel Arts, Castlefield Gallery, M6 Theatre Company, Octagon Theatre and The Lowry], who came together to respond to the Covid-19 crisis.

The kits were distributed to young people aged between 13- 20, who may be struggling with their mental health, or might be a young carer or not in education, employment or training.

The 22,000 Creative Care kits were distributed to young people who are not online, and so may be feeling more isolated, and lonely during this difficult time.

Each kit contains 36 pages of activities, hints and tips on protecting mental wellbeing and a set of art materials. Download for free at: www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/media/3020/creative-care-kityoung-people.pdf

Be creative with Link4Life The Link4Life team produced highly recommended arts at home projects for adults and children plus an online tour of the Touchstones Collection. Visit: www.link4life.smart-exercise.com/stay-creative-at-home/

A creative challenge Touchstones Rochdale challenged us each week to draw, film, photograph or write something using the weekly word as a prompt. Visit: www.link4life.org/at-home

TO LISTEN TO, WATCH AND READ

Music from Rochdale Parish Church

To enjoy on YouTube The Scott Brothers Duo’s (Jonathan & Tom Scott) 'Saturday Night Spectacular' for Piano and Organ broadcast from Rochdale Parish Church, St Chad’s, with a much-anticipated version of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and great footage of St Chad’s. This video has already had circa 30k views! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bEnrPci2tM

Performances from Rochdale's M6 Youth Theatre

Young people from Rochdale’s M6 Youth Theatre were unable to share live performances with their community this year. However, nobody wanted to let all of the hard work go to waste, so they connected online and created four brand new digital productions.

The two 8-11 year old groups created music videos to accompany original songs from their shows and the two older groups turned their scripts into radio plays.

The young people and their families filmed their own sections from home and created lots of colourful homemade costumes. Planet B is an epic rock-opera style performance that explores climate change and what we can do to help our planet. The group had great fun putting their own spin on the video.

Two dramatic radio plays are also available to hear. The Game explores the everyday pressures that young people face and Globe Tech: Your Future is a dark look at a possible version of the future. These productions can be found at www.m6theatre.co.uk

A song from a virtual youth choir

Young people from Greater Manchester formed the Manchester Virtual Youth Choir and recorded 'These Days', originally by Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne and Macklemore; a song fittingly about friendship and memories.

The Manchester Virtual Youth Choir’s wonderful performance was recorded on phones and tablets by the young people themselves under the direction of local musical director and vocal coach Phil Reynolds and introduced by our very own Sue Devaney.

Twenty-eight young people took part aged 7-23 years old, with live drums recorded by 13-year-old Scott Heap and an original rap to thank our NHS created by Emily Moran and Lily Kenny.

Phil Reynolds commented: "Just over a month into the lockdown I decided to try and find a way to bring as many of my vocal students together as possible to give them a focus at a difficult and stressful time... For some time, I've been asked to create a youth choir, and just haven't had the time or venue to do it. But I've often wondered how it would sound if I put all my students together in a room and gave them harmonies to sing. [The video] is an attempt to turn a negative into a positive by seizing the opportunity to do exactly that - but obviously in a virtual setting. In my opinion the results are extraordinary - I knew it would be good, but I genuinely had no idea it would sound like this. Dedicated to everyone struggling with anxiety, depression and mental health issues and with a thank you to our tireless NHS staff and all the keyworkers who have kept us going throughout."

To watch the video just search 'Manchester Virtual Youth Choir' on YouTube.

A short film from local young people

Parvez Qadir’s ‘My week in lockdown' is a powerful short film with five local young people documenting their life for a week under quarantine. An excellent creative response from young people who are dealing with the pressures of self-isolation to express themselves, under Parvez’s direction they became the film makers of their story. The film reveals the highs and lows of navigating a difficult time in their lives. We see through their lens a birthday, fasting during Ramadan and a young person shielding allowed out for the first time. To watch, simply search for 'My Week in Lockdown' on YouTube.

Don't forget Dippy!

We might not be able to visit Dippy for the time being, but we can still see the superstar dino and browse the fab Dippy exhibition at Touchstones from our own homes. Take the virtual tour at www.visitrochdale.com/dippy-on-tour

A good read

BorrowBox brought us FREE e-books and e-audiobooks for all Rochdale Libraries customers. For more information and to download the free app, go to: tinyurl.com/ROCHebooks

Steve Cooke - Arts Columnist