Newsletter No. 90 - July/August 2009
At the Bradford Irish Club, Rebecca Street, BD1 2RX a wheelchair-friendly venue
Please note that the next newsletter will be sent out in early September.
From August 6th we'll be trying out a new starting time of 8.15pm for Singers & Musicians nights to give a little more singing time all round. Remember there'll be a Singers & Musicians night each Thursday in August, but before that a month bursting with brilliant guest artists - some you'll know, some you may not. Hope you'll give them a try.
2nd July
Roger Sutcliffe. Year after year he pulls in a crowd at the Topic. If you know him you'll most probably be there. If by chance you haven't seen him yet do come and be entertained by Bradford's favourite blues maestro. £5/£6
9th July
Vin Garbutt. "This remarkable entertainer from Teesside could probably earn a healthy living as a stand-up comedian, but he prefers to concentrate on writing and performing songs with a powerful message. His song introductions are legendary, he is a fine guitar player, a stunning whistle player and a passionate and expressive singer." - Steve Edge, The Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, Canada.
There are still some tickets left at the time of writing. Price £10. To check availability please email rahel@blueyonder.co.uk
16th July
A Double Header evening with Anna Shannon - BBC Radio Yorkshire Songwriter of the Year 2006, folk singer-songwriter who has appeared at numerous venues and festivals, where she has captivated audiences with her original songs covering a vast range of subjects, noted for her 12 string and harp-like classical guitar styles; and Jon Brindley, a stunning, energetic guitarist, seasoned performer and writer of songs and occasional (very accomplished) fiddle player. The eloquence of his lyrics is matched by a fine singing voice and elegant musicianship. £5/£6
23rd July
Another Double Header evening, and another good value evening of guaranteed variety. Andy Hill came to the Topic in Spring 2006 and did a highly entertaining featured support spot. Quite apart from his excellent singing voice, Andy has lots to offer with his own songs of social comment, love songs and songs that will make you laugh out loud, along with some folk and country covers. Several times winner of Ingleton Folk Festival Comic Song Contest, he has many a hilarious tale to tell; Five & Dimers Plenty of uplifting songs and wonderful harmonies from this local five-piece band playing a mix of old timey, bluegrass and country, accompanied by a variety of instruments: guitars, banjo, mandolin, double bass and accordion. If you've been around the Yorkshire acoustic music scene you'll almost certainly recognise some of the faces in this band. £5/£6
30th July
Robb Johnson. Writer of powerful songs of contemporary Britain. A welcome return by this regular visitor to the Topic, known and loved by many Bradford folk. His songs feature in the repertoires of a wide variety of musicians, from folk legend Roy Bailey to acclaimed cabaret diva Barb Jungr. £5/£6
6th, 13th, 20th & 27th August
Singers & Musicians. As previously mentioned, these will start at 8.15pm. Lots of singing to be done during August. Come and try out new songs, revisit old ones, join in with choruses, sit and be entertained. Informal & friendly. Entry is free.
3rd September
Jez Lowe. Well known to many Topic regulars, his songs reflect the hard times, the good times, the hard work and hard play of the region where he was born and raised. Folk supremo Richard Thompson called him "the best songwriter to emerge from the UK in a long time", and his songs are among the most widely sung by folk singers and bands around the country‚s clubs and festivals. £5/£6
10th September
Double Header. Two contrasting young performers, new to the Topic and well worth checking out: Andi Neate, an expressive performer, with a gift for melody, memorable hooks and delightfully offbeat lyrics. She was one of the winners of the prestigious Burnsong Gathering (2007), the national competition to find and promote the best new songwriting talent in Scotland. "An upbeat, sophisticated air that is easily on a par with Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos" - Get Rhythm. Ewan McLennan is a talented young man from Scotland who came to Leeds in 2005 to do a three year degree course in music at Leeds University School of Music. His singing and playing covers the broad range folk music has to offer; from traditional ballads sung unaccompanied, to dance tunes and melancholic airs arranged for the guitar, and his own contemporary songwriting following firmly in the folk tradition. £5/£6
And coming later:
September: Dana & Susan Robinson
October: Martyn Wyndham-Read, Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby, Rag Mama Rag, Duncan McFarlane, Queensberry Rules
More details in the next newsletter or see http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk
You might also be interested in...
Yorkshire Garland Educational Symposium - Taking Folk Music into Yorkshire Schools
Monday 20th July 2009, Murton Park Hall, York
This is a FREE one-day seminar on Yorkshire folk songs in education.
There will be two parallel programmes each of five presentations. Speakers include Steve Gardham, Sam Lee (of EFDSS), Ray Padgett, Bryony Griffith (of The Demon Barbers), Sam Pirt and Doc Rowe. Details of the programme for the day can be found at www.myspace.com/yorkshiregarland. (Click on the blog entitled "Free Educational Seminar Programme"). Alternatively, and for registration, contact Steve Gardham on 01482 850819, gardhams@hotmail.com .
In the evening (from 7pm), Yorkshire Garland members and seminar presenters are hosting an open singaround upstairs at The Black Swan Inn, York, with a mix of featured artists and contributions from the floor.
Murton Park Tel: 01904 489966. Website: http://www.murtonpark.co.uk
Hope to see you sometime at the Topic. You don't have to be a member, 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
Topic Newsletter No 90 July/August 2009
Rahel Guzelian
Topic Newsletter Editor
rahel@blueyonder.co.uk
Topic Newsletter No 89 June 2009
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