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Topic Newsletter Archive

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

Topic Newsletter No 82 Nov 2008

Greetings all and one:  and as befits a November Newsletter, here is some information on our November programme.  You wouldn’t want it any other way.                                            

06 Nov       Celtish (Nov 06).    Please do make every effort to come to this.  Celtish are a big, big folk band (having recently done the Royal Albert Hall and the NEC, for example) coming a long way up from mid-Wales to perform in our venue as a first step in breaking into the Northern Circuit.   Their sound is full, rich, multi-instrumental (harps, fiddles, mandolas, flutes; all sorts) and polished: fronted by the feisty singing (and song-writing) of Gwyneth Keen.   Their music reflects their name: and is easily recognisable as such; but firmly rooted in the Welsh Celtic tradition.  They really are very good; and deserve a really good turnout.  £5 / £6 entry; and your host for the evening will be Neil Etherington.

13 Nov       Mark Newman (Nov 13).    A Topic semi-regular: and one of the most delicate of fretboard artists you are ever likely to come across.    The sort of performer that brings home to us mere mortal guitarists just how vast is the gulf between the competent and the truly gifted.   Mark plays many delightful tunes: but sings as well.    This will, as usual, be a mellow evening for the connoisseur.   Featured Support comes in the erudite form of Lazy Dazy aka Dave Speight and Sue Strange; who promise “bluesy-based harmony vocals covering a range of music”.     Just £4 / £5 to come in; and your MC for the evening will be Trevor Charnock.

17 Nov            Monday 17 November 8.00pm: AGM – Topic Members only – see below

20 Nov       Triban (Nov 20).    Another Welsh band: this time only three performers; but once again featuring fiddle and a harp (that’s three harps in four weeks, what with Bryony’s Scottish version).    The three band members are all established musicians in their own right; and their collaboration as Triban is relatively recent.   Their music is likely to be more delicate than the power of Celtish: but just as worthy.  Featured Support will come from two of our singaround regulars: Jim and Alma: who trade under the name of Traditional Echoes.  £5 / £6 entry. 

27 Nov       Tich Frier (Nov 27).   Your consummate entertainer.  Originally from Edinburgh, and now based back north of the border, Tich spent some years in Bradford and played a full part in the local Cultural and Musical Scene of the time.    His repertoire focuses on traditional and modern Scottish songs (including plenty of Burns); but is laced with parodies, stories and his own songs delivered in a form suitable for music hall.   He has been involved with many theatre, radio and TV productions, and will be a joy to watch.   It’ll be great to see him again.  £4 / £5 to come in.

04 Dec       Singers and Musicians (Dec 04).   Another opportunity for our fine cohort of local performers and/or people who’d like to showcase us their material, to come and do their bit for each other for free (free except for the near-obligatory raffle, of course).    

11 Dec       Tom Bliss (Dec 11).   Two things.  First: this will be Tom’s Launch Gig for his latest CD The Whisper; which will be available at a special discounted price on the night.  (It has actually been out for a short while already: but Tom was anxious to have a dedicated Launch Gig at one of his favourite Local Clubs.)    But second: this may be the last opportunity to see Tom locally; as he is seriously considering bringing forward his impending retirement to his beloved Alderney.   Anyone who knows anything about folk music and song-writing in that tradition will recognise Tom as one of the best in the business: and also the most approachable.   Let’s give him a great send-off.  £4 / £5.

17 Dec       Scarlet Heights: the Original Duo (Wednesday Dec 17).    Quite simply the best Irish-style three-member musical duo in Bradford.    Pat Sherry (erstwhile drinking companion of Tich Frier above) and Nigel Broadbent were founder members of Scarlet Heights, who should need no introduction to Bradford audiences.  The third member of the duo is Stuart Douglas; who earns his place as he was simultaneously in a duo with Nigel (and is currently in another duo with Pat); but who never actually joined Scarlet Heights when it was formed, as he chose instead to go and live in the USA.    Right, that’s quite enough history and mathematics.   SH-TOD will be performing their third consecutive late December gig with us; and to be doing so at the Irish Club is to some extent “coming home” for them.   It’ll be a great night, as always.  (But do note it is a Wednesday, not our usual Thursday)  £5 / £6.

And Onwards into 2009!

Jan: David Ferrard, Wendy Arrowsmith, Berkana, Pete Morton, Flossie Malavialle

Feb: Janet Russell, Landermason, Stanley Accrington,

March:  Gina Le Faux, Irish Band, Bernie Parry

But there will be more about all these in later issues.

CALLING ALL MEMBERS:  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

As advised earlier, the Topic’s Annual General Meeting will be held at 8.00pm on Monday 17 November, in the Irish Club.  This event is open to fully paid-up Topic Members only.  The intention is that a formal Agenda and various bits of supportive documentation will be sent round to members by email nearer the time.   The AGM offers an opportunity for general debates on artistic policy, marketing outlets and all the other factors relevant to the running of the club: including the recruitment of additional active volunteers (lots of things need doing), and the election of the formal committee.             Any member wishing to give advance notice of any issue they wish to raise, or who wish to stand for the Committee, is invited to send details to the Secretary Rahel Guzelian, at rahel@blueyonder.co.uk

OTHER EVENTS:   I am often asked to promote other local events; and with the best will in the world, it isn’t possible to mention them all.  However, here are three November upcomers:

Raise Your Banners 2009: Fundraising Event:  Roy Bailey, David Ferrard, VoiceMale and Otra – 22 November, Irish Club £8

Community Drum Circles:  Shipley 8 November, Otley 23 November: details ring 01943 465413 (Paul Wrigley)

Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus:  in Reeth and Halifax 8/9 November: details from Pete Coe http://www.ryburn3step.org.uk <http://www.ryburn3step.org.uk/>

See you all some Thursday at the BRADFORD I.RISH CLUB.   8.30 start.  Floor singers always welcome, especially in the first half: get down prompt and early if you’d like a slot, especially on big nights.  Longer Featured Support slots may be available, primarily for acts or milliners we don’t yet know who’d like to showcase their material.  But please contact rahel@blueyonder.co.uk, not me.

John Waller   
Topic Newsletter Editor       
john@john-waller.co.uk  

Topic Newsletter No 82 Nov 2008

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NEWSFLASH 82A

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

NEWSLETTER No 82a – November 2008

Greetings: and sorry to pester you again so soon.

The main reason is to inform you that Triban, the band booked for Thursday 20 November, has unfortunately been obliged to pull out. One of its members has left, and the remaining two members feel unable to rehearse up a replacement in time to present a gig at the standard they would have wished.

However, the Featured Support of Alma and Jim Potter, Traditional Echoes, will still be coming; and we are fully intending to provide a local replacement main act. Any remaining gaps will no doubt be filled by our excellent complement of local singers. Any entrance fee will reflect the nature of the offering we can provide.

If you’d really like to know exactly what is planned, then do look at our Website www.topic-folk-club.org.uk <http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk/> in the days immediately before the gig. In the meantime, don’t forget the remainder of the year’s events:

13 Nov Mark Newman (Nov 13). One of the most delicate of fretboard artists you are ever likely to come across. Featured Support: Lazy Dazy.

Monday 17 November 8.00pm: AGM – Topic Members only.

20 Nov Featured Support from singaround regulars: Jim and Alma: Traditional Echoes. Plus a main act to be confirmed.

27 Nov Tich Frier (Nov 27). A consummate entertainer. Traditional and modern Scottish songs (including plenty of Burns); but laced with parodies, stories and his own songs

04 Dec Singers and Musicians (Dec 04). Another opportunity for our fine cohort of local performers and/or people who’d like to showcase us their material.

11 Dec Tom Bliss (Dec 11). CD Launch Gig (The Whisper) / and final appearance at the Topic? A must.

17 Dec Scarlet Heights: the Original Duo (Weds Dec 17). Pat, Nigel and Stuart. Say no more; but spread the word.

See you all every Thursday at the BRADFORD IRIS.H CLUB. 8.30 start. Floor singers always welcome, especially in the first half: get down prompt and early if you’d like a slot, especially on big nights. Please contact rahel@guzelian.com

John Waller Topic Newsletter Editor
john@john-waller.co.uk
www.topic-folk-club.org.uk

Topic Newsletter No 82a Nov 2008