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. 156 - May 2015

Hello all,

Spring is in the air again, but before you go casting clouts, get down to Glyde House to see what the Topic has lined up for you:

7th May: Singers and Musicians 
8.15 pm start. Free entry.

14th May: Sarah McQuaid
A welcome return for this captivating performer, with her cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.

Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries.

Sarah lived in Ireland for 13 years from the mid nineties, working as a music journalist and active member of Dublin’s arts community. In 2007, she re-released her critically acclaimed 1997 debut solo album, When Two Lovers Meet, and launched her solo career with a performance on Irish national television.

Now living in Cornwall with her husband and their two children, Sarah currently spends six months of each year on the road in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe and the USA.  £6/£5

21st May: Morfran Heights
Morfran Heights (Martin Francis and Paul Morris) are a relatively new collaboration on the local acoustic music scene. Martin, well known to West Yorkshire audiences, has been described as a "powerful singer/songwriter of ballads and lively chorus songs". He has been entertaining with his songs and fine guitar playing for 35 years on the West Yorkshire folk scene, having begun his musical interest as a teenager by first learning the harmonica before progressing to the acoustic guitar. Through the years this has led him to master the mandolin, tenor banjo and bodhran often used in accompanying fellow musicians. In the last few years Martin has written over 40 songs, published three CDs and last year released his fourth album  Love On A Shoestring.  Martin has an extensive repertoire, which includes lively Irish, contemporary folk, gentle ballads and his self-penned songs, which always prove popular.

Paul Morris is from Clitheroe, Lancashire. Paul fell in love with the Irish whistle 20 years ago after listening to an Irishman playing the whistle from the back of his yacht in a regatta in Loch Fyne and has been playing  in folk sessions, festivals and gatherings  ever since. Paul has been a member of two previous bands, Korrrigan and Northwind.

Morfran Heights was formed at a New Years Eve bash at the Moorcock in Blacko, Lancs in 2013 when Paul and Martin felt they could both enhance each other’s music and create a depth of sound to bring to the folk music scene. Within the duo Martin uses mainly the guitar, but incorporates the bouzouki, while Paul plays a variety of whistles and the bodhran depending on the mood and style of the songs and tunes to create a distinctive accompaniment to traditional, contemporary  and original lively songs, lilting tunes and  gentle ballads. £6/£5

28th May: Stuart Douglas
Stuart is well known for his appearances at the Topic in his long term collaboration with Pat Sherry, and it is with much pleasure that we are able to give him the opportunity of a solo guest spot as a late stand-in for Paula Ryan who is unable to appear on this night. Stuart has occasionally turned up to do a floor spot on his own and has displayed a remarkable talent for his heartfelt delivery of thoughtful songs. Stuart is a Bradford lad, occasionally does make the odd solo appearance, stepping out of his harmonising mode to deliver some lesser known songs from his vast repertoire: contemporary, classic and occasionally comical. Stuart sings his guitar-driven music with passion and enthusiasm that is always thought-provoking. £6/£5

TOPIC NEWS

The Kieran Halpin night in memory of Mick Walker was well attended: a total of £80 raised from the raffle has been sent to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance 

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.

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 (13th) and our slot, featuring Bella Gaffney, Roger Davies and Plumhall, will be from 14.15 until 17.00.

Request: 

calling all Topic goers in the Batley area, regular or occasional attendees:

A gentleman who needs assistance with mobility would appreciate a lift to the Topic when possible. Anyone who would be willing to help, please contact me, tocharn@gmail.com, to coordinate this.

IMPORTANT

Following my previous brief note about problems with parking at the Che Bar, please note that Glyde House no longer has an arrangement regarding parking at the Che Bar, so this car park should not be used at all in the future by those attending the Topic. As mentioned previously, Radwell Drive car park is free and a scant 4 minute walk from our venue. The National Media Museum car park (Sharpe Street) costs 50p after 6 pm.

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