Something different in the ‘air’ at Darnhill Library

Children and families are invited to Darnhill Library on Saturday 12 October for a day of fun dedicated to the air, one of the warm up events being held on the run up to Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival

Darnhill Library will host a celebration of poetry and music based on the theme of ‘air’ with live performances, storytelling, drumming and dance as the first Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival breezes into the borough later this month, with the special preview event being held on Saturday 12 October.

There’ll be hands-on activities for all the family, including a making your own hot air balloon session, which can ben kept or set free.

Community groups taking part in the day, which runs from 11am until 3pm, include Cartwheel Arts, Spiral Dance and the Youth Council.

It’s free to attend and no booking is required.

The preview event is being held during the run up to Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival, staged from 25 to 27 October, which will feature workshops, music, children’s shows, talks and more from guests including Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, television personality Gyles Brandreth, Dragons’ Den winner Mark Champkins, poet Simon Armitage, MOBO award-winning rapper Akala and former Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy.

There’ll be the chance to meet inspiring poet James Nash and former rugby league international and author of ‘Tries and Prejudice’, Ikram Butt. There’s a full range of shows for children including The Wimpy Kid Show, a puppet theatre performance of The Pied Piper and Grandpa’s Railway - by M6 Theatre, plus top children’s storyteller Susanna Oldfield.

The event is organised by Rochdale Borough Council, funded by the Maskew Bequest and the Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts Award.

For more, visit www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk