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TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD
NEWSLETTER No 75 – early March 2008

Greetings:  and here is another Topic Newsletter barely a week after the last: 

THE MOVE        No, we haven’t booked the popular singing group of that name.  But we have now transferred our location, and last night had a very successful inaugural Singers and Musicians evening, attended by about 50 people altogether.  Thanks to everyone who made the effort to come along and sniff out our new venue: regulars, irregulars; and some we haven’t seen before.  Come again.

All the comments I heard were positive: from the acoustics, the variable lighting, the quality (and price) of the beer, and the other clientele using the club.

If you weren’t there and haven’t been paying attention, then (for the last time) be aware the Topic is now based at the Bradford Irish Club, on Rebecca Street: BD1 2RX (just behind the New Beehive).  See www.topic-folk-club.org.uk for details.

The secret now will be for us to maintain the audience levels that we had last night.  We’ve got some great acts coming up: they deserve your support.

13 Mar       Jackie Oates (Mar 13).    A young English fiddle singer, of (mostly) traditional English ballads.  Jackie was a recent (well, 2003) finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Performer awards: a guarantee of quality.  A regular performer on her own and with her own band, Jackie was also recently a member of Rachel Unthank’s Winterset, and has toured (and recorded) with Phil Beer.  She may be accompanied tonight by James Dumbleton on guitar, mandolin and bodhran.  Featured Support comes from Go Beo (it means lively in Gaelic): Martin Lennon and Aiden Kilroy, who did a floor spot when we had Dark Horse back in January, and impressed us with their whistle and bodhran work.  It’ll be good to show our new hosts we can play their music too.  Come and help get our new venue off to a continuing good start.   £5 / £6 to come in: MC Neil Etherington.

0 Mar       A Double Header evening (20 Mar):  Pillowfish  are a young duo from York featuring violin and viola (Helen Bell) with bouzouki and guitar (Tom Drinkwater).  They play tunes (mostly written by Helen) and sing songs (mostly written by Tom) in a distinctive style.  Tim Moon is another artist for whom the word “distinctive” might have been coined: an amusing, multi-talented multi-instrumentalist with a strong voice and a BCB radio show all his own.  It will be interesting to see just how many of his 100+ instruments he brings along tonight.  £4 / £5 to come in: MC Ian Gobbi

27 Mar       Ceri Rhys Matthews (with Christine Cooper) (Mar 27).    Ceri is a Welsh artist of considerable reputation and ability. He plays wooden flute, pipes and guitar, and uses the spoken voice.  He is billed as a key figure in the renaissance of, and a fine ambassador for Welsh folk music.  He is teaming up with a regular collaborator: young but experienced fiddle-player (from Tenby via Leeds) Christine Cooper.  Featured Support will come from talented songwriter, singer and fiddler Kate Bramley, who is also well known as one of Jez Lowe’s Bad Pennies; and who will be playing in a longer solo set at the Topic at the end of May.    £5 / £6 to come in: MC Neil Etherington.

AND ONWARDS

3 April – Singers and Musicians

10 April – Debra Cowan and Pete Smith:  an American voice singing traditional English songs, backed by Pete’s impeccable guitar.  FS Peter and Barbara Snape: traditional songs with accordion.

17 April – Bernard Carney:  lovable Australian entertainer, guitarist, wit, troubadour, songsmith and humourist.  FS Troy Faid: Leeds-based guitarist/songwriter

24 April – Double Header:  Danyluk and Card on tour from Canada; and Chris and Siobhan Nelson on a special visit from Lancashire

1 May – Tom Bliss for one night only: Tom Bliss solo and unplugged as nature intended, in order to give his beautiful songwriting and exquisite musicianship full reign. 

But there’ll be another newsletter along before the April Guests arrive. 

See you all some Thursday at the BRADFORD IRIS.H CLUB.   8.30 start.  Talented floor singers always welcome, especially in the first half: get down prompt and early and beard the MC if you’d like a slot. 

John Waller   

Topic Newsletter Editor

Topic Newsletter No 75: March  2008

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