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. 157 - June 2015

Hello all,

Summer is here at last. The month of the longest day, but a slightly shorter guest list than usual. Why? Read on...

4th June: Singers and Musicians
8.15 pm start. Free entry.

11th June: Wendy Arrowsmith
Wendy has been a full-time musician since 2008, performing at folk clubs and festivals the length and breadth of the land. Her easy-going style, gentle sense of humour and strong and distinctive voice have made her a popular guest wherever she has played, including previously at the Topic

Originally from Glasgow, Wendy performs a mixture of British folk songs, with an understandably generous helping of Scottish material, as well as her own songs, accompanying herself mainly on guitar, but occasionally she displays her talents on other instruments too.

There are many testaments to Wendy’s songwriting skills, her songs having won awards at Saltburn Folk Festival, Scarborough Seafest and Ryedale Folk Festival. She has also been involved in a number of children’s workshops and school projects which has led to a recent TV appearance with the children of Wavell Junior School. Wendy has 3 well-reviewed CDs to her credit. (£6/£5)

Wendy Arrowsmith has a voice that can stop you in your tracks - R2 (Rock ‘n’ Reel) Magazine

18th June: Richard Grainger & Chris Parkinson
Richard Grainger is one of the most prolific and diverse artists on the folk music scene. Born in Middlesborough he was brought up in a musical family, singing from an early age and has now been recording for 30 years. He is widely respected as a song writer and guitarist with a clear and captivating vocal style. In the 1980’s he toured with the popular Teeside Fettlers folk group and in the 90’s he continued to perform widely at the major folk clubs and festivals . Since 1995 he has worked as an artistic director to festivals and as a consultant to local authorities and arts organisations to help devise new events.

Chris Parkinson has been playing music since the age of 5 on various instruments, but settled on the accordion as his main form of expression. He plays folk music from Britain, Europe “and beyond”. He was a founder member of the highly regarded House Band and has worked with the top luminaries of the folk world, such as Martin Carthy, Ralph McTell, Steve Tilston, Martin Simpson to name nut a very few. As well as bringing out 2 solo CDs Chris has appeared on close to 100 in various collaborations or as a session musician.

Richard and Chris first teamed up in the 90’s and in 1994 appeared together on the highly acclaimed Folksound album “Thunderwood”. £6/£5

25th June: Singers & Musicians. 8.15 pm start. Free entry.
The July singers night is a week early on this occasion to accommodate our old friend and stalwart Roger Sutcliffe who likes to perform on the first Thursday in July.

It means we will be having 5 guest nights in July.

TOPIC NEWS (well, reminders...)

Bradford Festival 2015
The Topic will be taking part in this year's Bradford Festival, which takes place in City Park from Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June 2015. We will be having our own stage on the Saturday afternoon (13th) in the Norfolk Gardens area and our slot, featuring Bella Gaffney, Roger Davies and Plumhall, will be from 14.15 until 17.00.

A song for the Topic
As you will know 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. So all you creative people out there, keep them coming.

It is our intention to have some "big names" as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. If there is anyone you would like us to try to book please let us know. Autumn 2016 is as long way off, but bear in mind that artists get booked up a long time in advance and we will have to start making enquiries fairly soon.

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