At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX |
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Est: 1956 |
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Topic Newsletter Archive |
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TOPIC INFORMAL NEWSLETTER No 15, 2 APRIL 2003 FIRST, NEWS OF WHAT'S COMING UP April 3 Paul Tiernan. Once a singer with "Flex and the Fastweather", a band who in their heyday had a string of hit singles in Ireland, a publishing contract with Paul McGuiness of U2 and a top 10 hit in Sweden. In the past few years he has embarked on a solo career culminating in the release of a debut album "Who's Fooling Who" in 1995. He has since released two further albums: "Virgoville" and "god knows i love a happy ending". Among his collaborators are Donovan (over a decade ago now) and Keiran Halpin (last month). His music blends electric with acoustic, and crosses boundaries between rock and traditional folk. Find out more at his website: http://www.paultiernan.com/home.html Featured support: Martin Sumpton, who has performed with us in the past, most recently as floor support for Keith Donnelly. He promises well-sung traditional songs with sensitive guitar arrangements and may bring a fellow musician! April 10 - Vin Garbutt (tickets available NOW, ring Bfd 883412). Not much needs to be said about Vin a package of hilarious entertainment, anecdote, wit, sparkle, joke, and (whisper it not he doesn't whisper anything) maybe the odd song. Tickets are going well, but you'd be well advised to ring Philomena and reserve yours. We plan to turn the room round to have Vin sitting where he can be seen from both legs of our curiously-shaped auditorium. And we'll get you in, if we have to nail buffets to the ceiling. Don't miss it. Floor spots available too! April 17 - Singers and Musicians: Theme: Good (and or bad) luck, chance, gambling, fate (cruel or otherwise), surprise, anything really. As always, there's no need to stick to the theme, and they are sometimes mercifully abandoned at beer break time. But not always see below! April 24 - Bill Jones and Sarah Wright. Bill originally hails from Sunderland, and studied Jazz at University. Hence the catholic mixture of what she provides: mostly traditional arrangements, ballads, love songs; but the occasional surprise. Plays accordion and electric piano but it is the clarity and purity of her voice that has most reviewers raving. She appears tonight with Sarah Wright, one of many musical collaborators, who will bring a complementary set of instruments and harmonies to what should be a delightful evening. Featured support The Durberville Vs a local five-piece band with much energy and enthusiasm (and talent). They attended a singaround some time last year, and blew us all away. Details of all main acts via the Topic Website: www.topic-folk-club.org.uk And onwards: May 8 Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies Featured Support: Sue Burgess May 22 Maggie Boyle June 5 Instruments of Torture June 19 The Lost Boys July 3 Roger Sutcliffe July 17 Tom Napper and Tom Bliss July 24 Singers and Musicians (till Sept 4) Sept 4 Kate Howden, Paul Jones and Tony Taffinder Sept 11 Simon Howarth and Andy May Sept 18 Karl Dallas Sept 25 Singers and Musicians Oct 2 Kevin Loughran The list goes on. Some real surprises in store for the rest of the year including The Amazing Mr Smith in November. Don't say you haven't been warned. FEATURED SUPPORT We've had a good run of Featured Support artists recently; and long may it continue. If you'd like a spot to extend yourself a bit, and are a competent floor singer and/or would like a try-out for a Guest Spot, let me know. I need to have details by 15 April for anyone wanting to perform in June, July or August and who also wants their spot to reach the main publicity outlet of Tykes News. AND WHAT YOU'VE MISSED This Newsletter doesn't usually essay reviews - but a special mention needs to go to the Irish Singers' and Musicians' Night last week. Approximately 20 people came and went, you know how it is, including one from Truro (though not specially . . .). Some were there because of the theme, as also happened for the Scottish night. And with one or two exceptions, the theme of Ireland was kept going all night. At risk of repeating earlier newsletters, what is really enjoyable about these nights is the variety of instruments on show, the range of songs, and the willingness of all to join in musically or vocally whenever they can. Great. AND FINALLY News has reached me that the BBC have decided to axe Henry Ayrton's Thursday Night Folk Programme on BBC Radio Humberside, Leeds & Sheffield and on BBC North Yorkshire & Radio York. The grounds? No-one listens to Folk Music. You can join the campaign to reverse this decision by writing to the Controller, BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, 9 Chapel Street, HULL, HU1 3NU. Wait for the standard reply, then write again. Of course, regular Topic-goers will have few opportunities to tune in, but ANY diminution of our sort of music is sad. John Waller 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. Website: http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk Log On Now! April 2003 |
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