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

Newsletter No. 155 - April 2015

Hello all,

Well, the clocks have changed, but much remains the same at Glyde House on Thursday evenings. Certainly the quality of entertainment on offer, as you will see:

2nd April: Singers and Musicians 8.15 pm start. Free entry

9th April: Kieran Halpin.
If the mark of a great songwriter is the number of artists singing their songs, then Kieran Halpin must be considered a great modern writer of songs. There can be few writers on the acoustic/folk scene in Europe today who have had more songs covered. Names like Vin Garbutt, Dolores Keane, The Battlefield Band, John Wright, Flossie, Niamh Parsons, Chris Jones and countless more have recorded his songs. In fact his songs can be heard in folk clubs, pubs and festivals all over the world sung by the famous and not so famous. Often the songs are better known than the writer himself: some have been translated into German, Finnish and Spanish. He has recorded albums in his native Ireland, Scotland, London, Nashville, Oxford and Sydney. Whilst his albums are always something to look forward to it is live on stage where Kieran makes his mark. Powerful and passionate, intimate and intense, he has managed to marry his intelligent and thought provoking lyrics with great melodies and has developed over the years into a writer with a unique style. All this is underscored by an incisive wit in his introductions which helps an audience understand where the song comes from and hint at where it might be going. 

Kieran is equally at home playing to a small folk club audience and a large festival crowd. He is also one of the hardest touring musicians on the scene today with upwards of 160 shows per year all over the world. £6/£5

PLEASE NOTE: We are making this a special night in remembrance of Mick Walker, who died suddenly last year. Mick was a real stalwart and played a big part in the running of the club behind the scenes. He is, and will always be, very much missed. He was a great admirer and friend of Kieran Halpin so it is fitting to dedicate this night to Mick's memory. All profits from the raffle on the night, and any donations, will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, one of Mick's favourite charities.

Mick was a great T-Shirt man: we thought it would be nice if people could wear a Topic T-shirt on the night. We have several - all medium - still for sale (a legacy of Mick's!) or to order. If necessary we could probably organise a changing room for anyone who wants to buy and wear one on the night!

16th April: Sarah Horne & James Cudworth.
Best known for their mesmerising, high energy fiddle-driven music, Sarah and James have a growing reputation for their exciting musical arrangements; these include contemporary and traditional pieces from around the world as well as dramatic original compositions.

Their natural style gives their performances a very instinctive feel; they have been described as 'brilliant', with James 'extremely skilful' on guitar and vocals and Sarah 'outstanding on fiddle'.

When they opened for Spiers and Boden, York Press said they 'demonstrated an understanding of folk which belies their age' and after supporting Fairport Convention, Ric Sanders said he was 'knocked out by their tremendous energy and musicianship'.

Sarah began playing in the folk clubs around West Yorkshire when she was 13 and met James when playing at an open mic at Holmfirth Festival of Folk over 5 years ago and the duo was formed shortly after. Sarah is currently based in York, and James in Liverpool, both often play in various local musical collaborations of all kinds as well as bands around their hometown of Wakefield, including their own band, Aelfen. £6/£5

23rd April: Jaywalkers Duo.
Since reaching the finals of the BBC Young Folk Awards in 2008, Jaywalkers have cemented their place as one of the most exciting and entertaining young bands working on the British Folk scene. With influences from folk, bluegrass, country and western swing the band creates a unique sound, with intricate instrumentals and stunning harmonies.

On the back of being awarded the Help Musicians UK Emerging Excellence Award in early 2014, they will be releasing their 3rd full studio album in March of this year. Recorded in Autum 2014 by the award winning producer Andy Bell, the album will heavily feature Mike Giverin’s original compositions that take inspiration from the Lancashire stories that are a part of his heritage as well as a few traditional offerings.

Normally performing as a trio, The Jaywalkers appear tonight as a duo: Jay on fiddle, lead vocals and guitar, Mike Giverin on mandolin, harmony vocals and  guitar. £6/£5

30th April: Dave Vermond.
Described by Nick Hall as 'West Yorkshire's best kept songwriting secret...a uniquely charismatic performer whose songs evoke tears of laughter and tears of poignancy in equal measure - superb'.  Dave has too rarely entertained us before at the Topic: it has been said that he should “get out more” – for our benefit, that is. A hugely entertaining evening  from this talented, slightly reticent, performer is guaranteed. £6/£5

Mind-boggling – Ilkley Gazette
 

TOPIC NEWS

A Song for The Topic

As you will know by now from previous newsletters, THE TOPIC SONG is a chance for fun and creativity, a cost free way of celebrating our 60th anniversary and would be a valuable shared experience for Topic members and others who patronise the club. We could include poems as well, short stories perhaps.

No rules no prizes (apart from praise).  These “Topic Songs” could played on Singers and Musicians nights and floor spots throughout 2015, even collaborated on so that it can be a group effort.

We will have to set a cut off date which could be Spring 2016 and plan what to do with what we have, maybe look towards a grand performance in the Autumn. The excitement's building already...

Bradford Festival 2015

The Topic will be taking part in this year's Bradford Festival, which takes place from Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June 2015. We will be having our own stage on the Saturday afternoon, so watch this space for details, times etc.

Usual stuff

For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please note that the bookings organiser is 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 8.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

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

Tony Charnock, Topic Newsletter Editor  
Topic Folk Club

tocharn@gmail.co.uk