At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

24 September 2002

THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB - INFORMAL NEWSLETTER

Sorry, this is another brief reminder - not the full-blown edition that I know is overdue.

Reminder - this week (26 September) we have Keiran Halpin, making a welcome return. One of the few singer-songwriters of the sort that grace our stage whose songs are regularly and consistently covered by other major artists. A major talent. I hope as many as possible will come and support him - we have had several disappointing attendances recently (as have other folk clubs, it must be said) and we need to reverse this. One supporter who is definitely booked is Anne Curran, who will provide the official Featured Support. Anne sings and plays guitar, and has in the past had her own booking, so it will be worth your while coming to support her too.

The following week (3 October) we have the unique talents of one-man band bluesman Ray Stubbs. Ray has to be seen to be believed: I have this fading memory of him from last time he came surrounded by equipment as if he was riding a motorcycle - carefully adjusting each aspect of his instrumentation for the next song before acknowledging the applause for his last. Obsessional guitar-tuners please note! It will be good to see him again - this is raw blues at its best.

10 October sees another Singers' and Musicians' night. Theme? Let's try "Work". Cue for a rash of songs about mining, seafaring, soldiering - well, the theme is about as wide as you can get. I challenge anyone to come up with a song that no-one can link to work. ("It was hard work listening to that" is not an acceptable link.)

17 October, and we have Kimber's Men. Joe Stead, John Bromley, Neil Kimber and Roger Hepworth. Sea songs with great harmonies.

24 October, and there's another Singers and Musicians. Ok, for contrast, the theme tonight will be "Leisure". As always, no compulsion to follow the theme, but see what you can come up with.

That's do for now for upcoming acts. The rest of the year is set out below.

However, one major piece of news. Our Website, for some years maintained by the much-missed Pete Mitton, has had a bit of an overhaul, and is under new development. Check it out on http://members.aol.com/MelbornTopic

It not only lists upcoming guests, but gives you links straight into their own websites; which will save me time typing stuff out. Have a look, see what you think, and mail any comments or suggestions for improvements to its Editor, Nick Waller (yes, relation) whose email address appears on the site. We hope to develop a history page, and even an "anecdote" page - so if any of you have interesting memories of the Topic (for instance, by giving full details of the infamous and possibly apocryphal time when Paul Simon was refused a floor spot) then mail them in.

Sorry this has been a bit of a cut and paste job, as illustrated by all the different typefaces.

Best wishes, and see you all soon.

John Waller - Topic Informal Newsletter Editor.

Remaining Autumn Programme

31 October Phil Hare

7 November Duncan McFarlane (with support from Instruments of Torture)

14 November Singers and Musicians

21 November Hoover the Dog

28 November Mark Newman

5 December Roy Bailey

12 December John Kirkpatrick

19 December Xmas Party with Banoffi

26 December Singers and Musicians

THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB - The oldest Folk Club in the World - Founded 1956, still going strong. Meets every Thursday at the Melborn Hotel, White Abbey Road, Bradford, 8.30pm.

The Melborn is a Real Ale pub, and the Club is proud to be a no-smoking venue. Floor singers welcome, but please arrive and sign up by 8.30pm if you want to perform on Guest Nights.

23 September 2002