TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD
At the Bradford Irish Club, Rebecca Street, BD1 2RX a wheelchair-friendly venue
Newsletter no 86 - March 2009
It was encouraging to find that the February singers & Musicians night was well attended despite us being in the grip of that icy spell which made it tricky for some people to get out and about. There still seems to be a nice steady trickle (melting ice?) of first-time attenders to the Topic from week to week, some of whom will find themselves receiving this newsletter for the first time. Hopefully you'll find it informative and will be tempted to come again.
5th March
Singers & Musicians. Hope you'll join us with a song or tune or two; whether experienced or a beginner you'll be welcome to come and take your turn to sing or play, or just to come and listen. We're expecting a visit from three piece band Zoox, who are touring in the area and would like to pop in and join us for the evening. Free entry.
Don't forget Queensbury Music Festival 7th & 8th March! (more details below)
12th March
Gina Le Faux. It's quite some time since we've had Gina as our guest. She's one of the great fiddle players on the British folk/roots music scene and a warmly entertaining performer. Gina also plays Viola and Mandolin and guitar and she is an exceptional singer and interpreter of songs old and new. One of her recent performances was described as "White Soul" and her guitar playing as "spellbinding". Gina's latest CD is due to be released this spring. £5/£6
19th March
Irish Night with Phoenix. There will be no entry fee to pay for this event which is not going to be in the usual style of a Topic evening. Tonight we'll be joining forces with our kind hosts, The Bradford Irish Club, as part of their St Patrick's celebrations. The club room will be opened up to the bar area to create a lively atmosphere, with plenty of social interaction and traditional Irish entertainment: songs and tunes from Phoenix, a versatile 5-piece local band with fiddles, bouzouki, mandolin, flute, whistle, banjo, melodeon, guitar and vocals. Come down for the craic! Free entry.
26th March
Bernie Parry. The Storyteller in Song. It'll be good to see Bernie back at the Topic after some years. We don't see his name around the clubs so much these days, so this could be a rare sighting. He's still writing songs and producing new CDs which deserve more exposure. Bernie is well known for having written the classic song Man Of The Earth which was made famous by Vin Garbutt. He has a wealth of equally well-crafted songs all with a strong narrative link which he accompanies with his strongly individual guitar style.£5/£6
2nd April
Singers & Musicians, featuring the launch of John Waller's third CD, Tapestry. As always, if you like to perform please come down and share your songs or tunes. One of the good things about a Singers & Musicians night is that, as well as giving us all the chance to perform, we get to listen to and be inspired by other people's contributions. Tonight John Waller, known by many regulars but not so often seen these days, will unveil his new CD and hopefully sing a song or two from it and perhaps even some more recent material. There'll be a chance to purchase the CD Tapestry at the concessionary launch price of £5. Please come and give your support! Entry is free of course.
9th April
Marie Little. It must be many, many years since Marie Little last appeared at the Topic. Several venues ago in fact. Marie is a native of Salford and, though now based in the North East, still retains her old Salford chat and earthiness. She has been around the folk scene for many years and has appeared at clubs and festivals all over the UK and Europe. A well-respected figure on the folk scene, her warm personality and choice of good quality songs delivered in a relaxed manner make for an evening to look forward to. £5/£6
And coming later:
April: Gerry McNeice, Acoustica, Rosie Doonan, The Durbervilles
May: Kieran Halpin, Fyrish, Steve Turner
More details in the next newsletter or see http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk
Queensbury Music Festival 7th and 8th March 2009
A new community festival that will present some of the finest folk artists from across the north of England on the Folk Day - Saturday 7th March - and will celebrate the wide range of music that originates from the village itself on Sunday 8th March. There will also be plenty of opportunity to get involved on both days with workshops, singarounds and music sessions.
Find out more at: http://www.myspace.com/queensburymusic
Political Songwriting Competition.
Organised in conjunction with Raise Your Banners Festival, the final of this competition will be taking place at the Topic on 5th November. It may seem a long way off, but if you would like to enter the competition, now is the time to start thinking about it. The theme is: "Living in 21st Century Yorkshire". The winner will be asked to perform the winning song at the Leon Rosselson Birthday concert on the afternoon of Saturday 7th November.
Songs will be judged primarily on the lyrics which should be sent (with a £5 entry fee) to:
Raise Your Banners Song Competition
c/o Bradford Resource Centre,
17-21 Chapel Street, Bradford, BD1 5DT
Details should include the writer, the performer/s (maximum 2), the tune, and date written. Please also include any explanation of the song which you would use by way of introduction when performing your song. All songs must be original and received by 1st September 2009.
Further information from: www.raiseyourbanners.org or: Rob Martin 01274 593585
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 86 Mar 2009
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