At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

At Glyde House, Glydegate, Bradford BD5 0BQ  

http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk

Newsletter No. 141 - February 2014

Hello again everyone,

Well, we seem to be sitting comfortably in our new home; a smooth a transition as we could have hoped for. We have been made most welcome by Howard Sharpe and the staff at Glyde House and we are very grateful for all the help they have given us in all aspects of the move.

It's gratifying to see the attendance numbers have been very good during this initial period: welcome to all those who have started to come along to the Topic and also to those who have become members for the first time.

We have been getting some good feedback: please continue to let us know your feelings about the venue, and of course the club. We welcome your comments and will try to accommodate any requests etc. 

And so to the month ahead;

6th February:    
Singers and Musicians 8.15 pm start. Free entry.

13th February: 
Tom McConville
Tom, primarily known as The Newcastle Fiddle Player, is one of the leading fiddle players of our time.  A virtuoso musician and a remarkable singer, his rich warm voice makes his interpretation of traditional and contemporary songs admired by singers throughout the world. In great demand as a performer, session musician and teacher, playing the fiddle is his lifelong passion and he has achieved every player’s dream of creating his own unique instantly recognisable sound. Tom’s live performances combine a roller coaster of musical delights from fast rhythmic dance tunes to beautiful slow airs and great singing, all presented with his inimitable sense of humour and style. £6/£5

“I so admire Tom McConville’s music. He has given 30 years of dedication and passion to the folk scene and everybody loves him” – Vin Garbutt

“A great musician with a lovely flowing style, beautiful tone and faultless technique and is regarded by many as one of the finest fiddle players in the British isles” – The Folk Song Society of Greater Boston.

20th February:  
Phil Cockerham
Phil Cockerham will be a familiar name to many as a West Yorkshire - based singer and songwriter who is becoming increasingly well-known on both the local and national acoustic music scene. His songs contain a range of sometimes humorous but always thought-provoking themes with memorable hooks and irresistible choruses. He also sings some familiar traditional songs, but delivers them in a refreshingly different way. His original material and entertaining performances are giving him the wider platform he deserves. £6/£5

27th February:  
Union Jill
Union Jill are Yorkshire-based Helen Turner and Sharon Winfield who have been performing together since 2006, producing spellbinding effects with their rich harmonies and clever instrumentation on guitar, mandola and anglo concertina..  Playing their own material, they have developed an appealing stage presence and gathered an ever-growing fan base across the UK. Taking their inspiration from a wide range of styles, Union Jill bring their own energy and passion to the acoustic music scene, mixing  traditional folk instrumentation with an edgy contemporary feel and powerful vocal delivery.  Their material embraces historical themes and contemporary issues; personal experiences and protest songs delivered with an on-stage banter that you only get from two women sharing a stage.

Having performed at many festivals and supported the likes of Fairport Convention, Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson, Karine Polwart , and with Clive Gregson producing their latest album, the future is certainly looking bright for this talented and increasingly popular duo who are now deservedly establishing themselves as a long-standing and growing presence in the acoustic/folk world. £6/£5

“It’s always nice to find a stunningly good act, making lovely harmony-drenched acoustic music reminiscent of the Indigo Girls.” Bob Fischer of BBC Radio

"Accomplished guitarists and articulate songwriters, although the first attribute to win over audiences is the intuitive harmony of their distinct yet complementary voices." - Rock 'n Reel

Topic Website: Past Artist links pages updated.
Regular users of the Topic Website  ( www.topic-folk-club.org.uk ) may well be aware that it contains weblinks to information on virtually every one of the Topic's 750 booked acts since records began in about 1958. In most cases this is to the performer's own website: but if they don't have one, then to a review, a You-tube offering, a Wikipedia page, interview, obituary, or even a Mudcat thread.  

The latest news is that the webteam have recently trawled through every single link, ensuring it is up-to-date and still functioning. Regrettably, it seems, over time many artists have let their original domain names lapse, or have changed them. But with this exercise having just been completed, the lists and links are as up-to-date and functioning as they ever can be.

Log onto the Topic website, click on "A-Z of all acts", and just see how much information there is.

Usual Other Stuff

For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please note that the bookings organiser is now Sue Gaffney, email address : sue.gaffney@btinternet.com

If you would like to become a member of the Topic Folk Club, it costs just £5.00 per year, running from 1st January. Being a member entitles you to the lower ticket prices shown in this newsletter, as well as the chance to become more involved in the workings of the club if you would like to.

If you’re visiting the club for the first time, be sure to come and say hello, and if anyone has any suggestions for the club, for example if you would like us to try to book a particular artist, we’d like to hear them.

The Topic runs on Thursdays at Glyde House, Glydegate, Little Horton Lane, BD5 0BQ  8.30pm start. (Singers & Musicians nights start at 8.15pm). Like all the clubs in the area, our aim is to provide good quality live entertainment to suit all tastes of those interested in folk music, and we thank you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome, especially in the first half. Please try to get there by 8.15pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

To find the Topic on Facebook search for "Topic Fc"

Best wishes

Tony Charnock, Topic Newsletter Editor  

tocharn@gmail.com        
www.topic-folk-club.org.uk