Topic Newsletter 47 (and Supplement 47A)
December 2005
Greetings - and a reminder of the programme for the rest of the calendar year (and beyond)
Dec 8 The Duncan McFarlane Acoustic Band.
Duncan is one of the better local showmen and performers, always great fun, energetic and enthusiastic. He comes in a variety of guises, and we are pleased to welcome him in full acoustic band mode tonight, with a four (or will it be five?) piece band to provide fulsome support. Expect Duncan's usual mix of traditional songs (including many of his own in traditional idiom - often with cutting wit) and a fair few demands on your Chorus-joining-in faculties.
Dec 15 A Double Header evening.
Gerry Cooper plays (and sings) mostly standard Blues material. But it won't just be blues, but also rags and "songs he just quite likes" reflecting his wide range of influences over the past 40 years. Gerry has been a welcome regular at the Topic recently, including performing MC duties. We had the honour of giving him his first official booking when he returned to public performance a year or so ago; and are pleased to offer him a longer platform tonight.
Meanwhile, Kevin Loughran is another Topic regular, though this time in the sense of regularly returning as a booked act. He provides an eclectic mix of Irish, English and American songs, delivered with polish. He is, as it implies on his CD, "Big in Keighley" and Leeds and Bradford too, as it happens. An entertaining evening in store.
Dec 22 The final formal Topic event at the Melborn (probably) - the Christmas Party with the Holbeck Mummers, with their timeless tirade of traditional theatrical buffoonery. The intention is that two of their members will join up with a third, who is not part of the Mummers Group, to form the delightful and entertaining Three Score and Ten. This trio provided a Featured Support slot back in September 2004, demonstrating a fine repertoire of hilarious Music Hall material with associated patter and banter. This will be a pay-to-come-in event (even if the proceeds may go to charity) but there will be a wealth of musical talent, food, gaiety and (if we can fit it all in) an opportunity for anyone who wants to have a last sing to have a last sing from the Topic stage in the Melborn. And a formal farewell to the Melborn and the staff there who have supported us.
Dec 29 Singaround (still at the Melborn) for anyone who's around and up for singing. This will technically be the last final event at the Melborn, but many people are often away between Christmas and New Year. So if you want to celebrate, come on the 22nd.
THE MOVE TO THE COCK AND BOTTLE - do join us .
Jan 5 Singaround
The first at the Cock and Bottle. Technically (ie, it says in Tykes News) there is a theme involving water for this evening; but do come and sample our new venue and sing (or play) whatever you want. Let's get the new venue off to a cracking start. The more people who come, the easier it will be for us to identify strengths and weakness of the new venue, and rectify (any weaknesses) as soon as possible.
AND ON INTO THE NEW YEAR
Jan 12 Westport
Yorkshire/Irish songs (maybe some Scottish), tunes and entertainment, from this scratch band led by Barry Smith. Well, they were a scratch band two years ago when they last appeared at the Topic, with two of the members being introduced to each other for the first time as they mounted the stage for their first set. Barry has a fine ear for a tune and a song, and excellent whistle-playing skills, while the band members have full Irish/Scottish credentials. An excellent start to our new venue.
Jan 19 Solan
Celtic Wizardry from the remaining duo of this once five-piece band from the Shetlands (a Solan Goose is the Shetland name for a Gannet). Now more conveniently based in the north of England, Richard Chaff (guitar, vocals) and Frances Wilkins (concertina) combine cool English sensibility with Celtic passion and verve. Much influenced by their years on Shetland, they offer songs, tunes both traditional and self-written, and storytelling. A superb night in prospect.
Jan 26 Double Header
Kath Reade a singer, guitarist and songwriter from Burnley, who often appears at the Skipton Folk Club but is going the extra mile tonight. She has a distinctive guitar style that matches her stunning voice. In contrast, the classical duo of Richard Heacock and Becky Price play fiddle and accordion respectively, presenting a series of classical English dance tunes. Both are highly accomplished musicians with a host of professional engagements.
Feb 02 Tom Napper Tom Bliss
I don't need to say much about this remarkable, talented, multi-instrumental, friendly, self-effacing and entertaining duo. Two superb musicians in their own right: Bliss with his superbly crafted and thoughtful songs, and Napper with his ability to play anything with strings (and probably without strings) in the Irish tradition. They don't appear in West Yorkshire as often as they could, so we are well pleased to have them as early guests in our new venue.
For the rest of February:
16th William Pint and Felicia Dale, on tour from the States, and on the 22nd, a welcome return for Roy Bailey.
In March:
2nd Anne Lister, 9th Stanley Accrington, 23rd Judy Cook, 30th Julie Ellison
In April:
6th Cordner and Rudolf, 20th D/H Emily and Ben, with Tim Moon: 27th Steve Ashley
In May:
4th John Conolly, 18th Bernard Carney, 25th Pete Abbott
In June:
1st Pete Smith / John Buckley, 15th CrossCurrent, 22nd Robin Laing, 29th Roger Sutcliffe
In July: 6th Alistair Russell 13th Touchwood
There'll be more on these acts in due course. Or research them yourself via our excellent Website!
NEWS FROM THE AGM
For Topic regulars who like to know these things, the AGM received the accounts for the year ending 31 October 2005, and was pleased to record a small surplus. More important for a money-in, money-out facilitative organisation like ours, however, was that we recorded a 28% increase in turnover, door takings and, by definition, payments to Artists. At a time when some other clubs are feeling the pinch (and even, sadly, closing) this is an encouraging result, which we hope to build upon in our new venue.
See you all some Thursday at the Topic at one of the above events. 8.30 start. Be there by then if you want to perform a floor spot, which are still available every night even where there is a Featured Support artist booked. No smoking in the club room.
John Waller
Topic Newsletter Editor
john@john-waller.co.uk
Topic Newsletter No 47 December 2005
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Newsletter Supplement 47A
December 2005
Dec 22
Probably the final formal Topic event at the Melborn Hotel: the Christmas Party. This will feature the delightful and entertaining Three Score and Ten, a trio including two long-standing members of the Holbeck Mummers with their anarchic mayhem. This willbe a pay-to-come-in event, but we hope to provide everyone who wants with a final opportunity to perform a Melborn floorspot. This will depend on how many want to take part; and it will be a matter of first come, first served. There will be nibbles, mince pies and stuff, and also a final chance to thank the Melborn and the staff who have supported us over the past decade.
Dec 29
Singaround (still at the Melborn) for anyone who‚s around and up for singing. .
THE MOVE TO THE COCK AND BOTTLE - do join us.
Jan 5
Singaround - the first at the Cock and Bottle. Technically there is a theme involving water for this evening; but do come and sample our new venue and sing (or play) whatever you want. Let‚s get the new venue off to a cracking start. The more people who come, the easier it will be for us to identify strengths and weakness of the new venue, and rectify any weaknesses as soon as possible.
Jan 12
Westport - Yorkshire/Irish and maybe some Scottish songs, tunes and entertainment, from this scratch band led by Barry Smith. They will be joined, as Featured Support, by Scarlet Heights - the original duo. Pat Sherry and Nigel Broadbent, founder members of the long-lived and much-loved Bradford Irish band, will combine in a one-off appearance especially arranged to celebrate the Topic's move to the Cock and Bottle. A really excellent start to our new venue.
Jan 19
Solan - Celtic Wizardry from two of this once five-piece band from the Shetlands.
Jan 26
Double Header: Kath Reade a singer, guitarist and songwriter from Burnley, plus the classical duo of Richard Heacock and Becky Price who play fiddle and accordion respectively, presenting a series of classical English dance tunes.
Feb 02
Tom Napper Tom Bliss - I don't need to say much about this remarkable, talented, multi-instrumental, friendly, self-effacing and entertaining duo. They will be joined as Featured Support by Ian Hill, well-respected purveyor of Scottish, Irish and even Slav material.
See you all some Thursday at the Topic at one of the above events. 8.30 start. Be there by then if you want to perform a floor spot, which are still available every night even where there is a Featured Support artist booked. No smoking in the club room.
John Waller
Topic Newsletter Editor
john@john-waller.co.uk
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