TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD
At the Bradford Irish Club, Rebecca Street, BD1 2RX - a wheelchair-friendly venue
Newsletter No. 87 - April 2009
It's no April Fool ˆ we really are having all these excellent performers at the Topic over the next few weeks. Starting of course with Singers and Musicians, which last month was full of people with lots of variety, so hope you'll come down and help to make it that way again. Listeners are important too.
2nd April
Singers & Musicians, featuring the launch of John Waller's third CD, Tapestry.
Everyone is welcome to come along and sing, play or just listen in a welcoming and informal atmosphere. John will almost certainly be singing something from his new CD when his turn comes around and this evening it will be on sale at the concessionary launch price of £5. Free entry.
9th April
Marie Little. No doubt there will be many people looking forward to seeing Marie Little again. It's many years since she last performed at the Topic. This is sure to be a friendly and entertaining evening. For those of you who don't know her, Marie is a well-respected figure on the folk scene, and, though now based in the North East, still retains her native Salford chat and earthiness. She has appeared at clubs and festivals all over the UK and Europe. Marie's warm personality and choice of good quality songs, accompanied by guitar and delivered in a relaxed manner make for an evening not to be missed. £5/£6
16th April
A Double Header evening. Two acts share the evening which is sure to be one of variety: Gerry McNeice is a very sincere singer-songwriter from Otley with some well-crafted thoughtful songs on a range of subjects. He performed a featured support spot for us some time ago, and more recently you might have seen him at the Queensbury Music Festival. Acoustica, otherwise known as Andy and Catherine Higgins, are a duo based in the North-East. Plenty of original songs as well as their own interpretations of traditional material, with vocal harmonies and, between them, playing 6 and 12 string guitars, tiple, ukulele, violin and accordion. £5/£6
23rd April
Rosie Doonan. A first for the Topic, Rosie was spotted at a festival by one of our regulars who recommended her highly. A Yorkshire lass from a family of musicians, dancers and performers, some of whom you may be familiar with. She's a singer-songwriter and has released her first solo album which „focuses on making a fresh start and developing new ideas. Her songs suggest feelings of moving on, travelling and all the emotions of elation and despair of falling in and out of love.‰ Rosie will appearing on this occasion with The Snapdragons: herself on vocals, Katriona Gilmore on violin and Sarah Smout on cello. £5/£6
30th April
The Durbervilles. Welcome back to this band of five lively musicians whose sound evokes a Yorkshire take on the Bruce Springsteen Seeger Sessions - original songwriting, mixed with a twist of Cajun and a sprinkling of Crosby Stills and Nash style harmonies. Their most recent (3rd) album Alternative Route To All Destinations, has enjoyed BBC Radio 2 plays and features guest contributions from Ric Sanders of Fairport Convention and Jude Abbott of Chumbawamba. You might also know The Durbervilles from their weekly Folk & Roots show on BBC Radio Leeds. £5/6
7th May
Singers and Musicians. Everyone welcome as always, whether to sing, play, join in choruses or just listen. Free entry.
14th May
Kieran Halpin. A prolific writer of some stunning songs and an engaging live performer. In the words of Folk Roots: "Halpin, more than most, has a voice that sells the songs. It's unusual for a contemporary songwriter to sound so Irish (Christy Moore apart) and it's rare for anyone to sound so hard. This has the effect of accentuating all the emotions."
Kieran has been a regular guest at the Topic over the years. He releases his 19th album this year, featuring ten new songs including one he has written for his friend John Wright - So Long John. £5/£6
And coming later:
May: Fyrish, Steve Turner
June: Gareth Davies-Jones, Kimber's Men, Amy Atkinson & Midnight Special, Ian McKone
More details in the next newsletter or see http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk
You don't have to be a member to come to the Topic, but if you would like to join you may do so any Thursday evening at the club. £5 pays your membership up to 31st December 2009 and entitles you to the usual £1 reduction on guest nights. It also entitles you to attend meetings and gives you the choice of becoming more involved the running of the club if you so wish.
Everyone is welcome every Thursday at the BRADFORD IRISH CLUB. 8.30pm start.
Floor singers are always welcome, especially in the first half. Please get there by 8.15pm if you‚d like a slot ˆ it helps the MC to plan the evening.
Rahel Guzelian
Topic Newsletter Editor
rahel@blueyonder.co.uk
Topic Newsletter No 87 April 2009
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