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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

TOPIC INFORMAL NEWSLETTER No 17, 5 May 2003

Greetings one and all.

Don't forget don't forget JEZ LOWE

This coming Thursday (8 May) we have yet another big event the legendary Jez Lowe accompanied on this occasion by his semi-permanent but artistically fluid backing group, the Bad Pennies. On his own or with backing, Jez is always excellent value. His songs are wonderful, moving effortlessly from genuine humour, to pure lyricism, to social observation, to a committed chronicle of the industrial ravages wrought upon his native northeast.

Though he has grown to be one of the most widely travelled and popular artists on the folk scene, Jez's music and performance remain down-to-earth, unfussy and perfectly suited to the folk club environment. He epitomises everything that makes folk music worthwhile: his performances are witty, topical, relevant, vibrant, lyrical and intensely musical. It will be great to see his music given full rein by the Bad Pennies. This must be one of the highlights of our year don't miss it.

Featured Support this week will be provided by Sue Burgess. Sue has been active on the folk scene since 1964, performing unaccompanied, usually in harmony with one or more others. She has been a member of various groups and pairings, and guested at the Topic with Ron Taylor about 20 years ago. She now performs with Sheffield Folk Chorale, and at Ryburn 3-Step in Ripponden. Sue has a clear and uncomplicated voice, with a sense of rhythm rare in unaccompanied performers (or so I am informed by IoT's bodhranist, and he should know).

Thursday 15 May sees another themed singarorund. (Singers and Musicians welcome.) The theme is Travelling, migration, homeland. That sort of thing. We've been keeping the themes going all evening recently, though they are far from compulsory. Last week's Death and Destruction was much aided by a surprise visit from Roger Sutcliffe and his shiny silver guitar,

Thursday 22 May brings traditional singer Maggie Boyle back to our stage. Through her ballads, old and new, she continues the tradition of music and storytelling passed on by her Irish family. Now living in Yorkshire, she was born in London where she sang and played (mostly flute) from an early age. Over recent years, Maggie has accrued an impressive catalogue of live and recorded work. The list of her collaborators reads like a gig-list at some Dream Folk Club: James Horner (Hollywood Soundtrack Composer), The Chieftains, Incantation, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Steve Tilston, Grace Notes, Pauline Cato, Tom McConville, Gordon Tyrrall . . . New working relationships include performing with Jon Brindley and Chris Parkinson, as duos and as a trio called Withy Creek. Withy Creek did a floor spot for us not too long ago.

Featured support will be provided by Barry Smith, a local (Leeds-based) singer and guitarist with a pleasing range of traditional and self-penned songs. Also on the bill will be the irrepressible Duncan McFarlane.

Details of all main acts can be accessed via the Topic Website: www.topic-folk-club.org.uk

And onwards:

June 5 Instruments of Torture Irish music with attitude
June 12 Pete Morton Original and 400-year-old material
June 19 The Lost Boys A Blues trio
July 3 Roger Sutcliffe A legendary Blues legend
July 17 Tom Napper and Tom Bliss Modern songs in a traditional idiom
July 31 Roy Harris A 70th birthday celebratory tour
Sept 4 Kate Howden, Paul Jones and Tony Taffinder
Sept 11 Simon Howarth and Andy May
Sept 18 Karl Dallas
Oct 2 Kevin Loughran
Oct 9 Roy Wilcocks and Bridget Guest
Oct 16 Darren Poyzer
Oct 30 Tom and Barbara Brown
Nov 13 Steafan Hannigan and Saskia Tomkins
Nov 20 The Amazing Mr Smith
Nov 27 Emily Weygang and Ben Harker
Dec 11 Keiran Halpin

John Waller j.waller@bradford.ac.uk

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!

May 2003

PS the following information was recently circulated by Pete Harris, a former performer at the Topic (maybe future too). You probably recall the case. It hasn't gone away.

AMINA LAWAL SET TO BE STONED ON 3RD JUNE

The Nigerian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Amina Lawal, condemned for the crime of adultery on August 19th 2002, to be buried up to her neck and stoned to death. Her death was postponed so that she could continue to nurse her baby. Execution is now set for June 3rd. If you want to sign the Amnesty petition, log on to http://www.amnistiaporsafiya.org/