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 161 - November 2015

Hello all,

Here we are back to GMT, which as you all know stands for Great Moments at the Topic, although that of course applies throughout the year, not just during the winter months. So come on down to GMT 2015

5th November   Singers and musicians - free entry (8.15 pm start)

12th November: Thomas McCarthy.

Thomas McCarthy is based in West London but returns regularly to his home in Birr in County Offaly in Ireland where his family settled generations ago.  He describes himself as an Irish Traveller who comes from a long line of old traditional singers and musicians who kept the tradition of singing strong. 

Thomas has sung at festivals including Whitby Folk Week, Sidmouth Folk Week, the Fife Traditional Singing Festival, Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival (Belgium),  the South Roscommon Singers festival (Knockcroghery) and the Frank Harte Festival (Dublin) – where he once shared a stage with Christy Moore.  He has been invited to folk clubs including the Cellar Upstairs, Walthamstow Folk Club,  the Musical Traditions club and the An Goilin club in Dublin and has toured with Sam Lee, all around England, Scotland, Wales and Belgium. £6/£5

19th November: Fil Campbell & Tom McFarland.

Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland are a husband and wife duo from Co. Down in Ireland who perform a mixed programme of traditional and contemporary Irish songs accompanied by guitar and percussion. They present a lively evening of old and new material with plenty of choruses to give audiences opportunities to join in. Fil ‘s 7th CD was released this summer  with guest vocals by Tom: it is a collection of new songs highlighting the work of Irish songwriters, including themselves, and is Fil’s first collection of contemporary songs since the 2002 release “Beneath the Calm”. In between she has released 3 CDs of women’s folk songs that were featured in a multi media project called Songbirds – a TV show, touring show, CD and DVD which profiled the lives of women singers in Ireland who had recorded the popular folk songs of the 30’s 40’s and 50's.

Fil and Tom have been regular performers on the UK and European folk circuits since the mid 1990s and have played at some of the most prestigious folk clubs in Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland and Germany as well as touring several times in America, France and Denmark. They have appeared at the St Patrick’s Day Festival in the London Borough of Brent, the Irish Centre in Hammersmith and at many folk festivals in Ireland and across the UK and Europe.

Belfast born Tom, as well as being a talented multi percussionist and backing vocalist, is also a studio recording engineer and video editor.  £6/£5

Fil Campbell … has been likened to a lot of female performers, but can be compared to none. She has a unique voice and a knack of making every song her own - The Word (Ireland)

Tom McFarland …one of the most sensitive accompanists on the folk scene - Folk Roots - 

26th November: Union Jill.

Helen Turner and Sharon Winfield produce spellbinding effects with their rich harmonies.  Playing their own material, they have established 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. Sharon and Helen’s ability to tell a story through lyrics draws in audiences of all types: their material embraces historical themes and contemporary issues, personal experiences and protest songs. They have an on-stage banter that you only get from two women sharing a stage.

Union Jill have worked closely with Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith) and John Wood (Nick Drake, Squeeze, John Martyn) to produce their new album. Sharon and Helen have also collaborated with a number of other excellent musicians, including Andy Seward (Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson), Mark Boyce (The Durbevilles), Kate St. John (Van Morrison, Kathryn Williams, Marianne Faithfull) and Ric Sanders (Fairport Convention).  £6/£5

Everything you could wish for from two singer songwriters -  R2 magazine

TOPIC NEWS

The Topic - a winner again!!

For the second year running the Topic has been successful in the Yorkshire Gig Guide Awards, in the category "Outstanding Yorkshire Music Club". The committee were presented with it's award on a recent club night. Thanks to all who voted for us, but most of all thanks to all of you who continue to support us. It's not the committee that makes a club, it's all those who come along and help contribute to the club in this culturally vibrant town of ours who are the ones really responsible for its continued success.

Songs for Peace will take place at the Cenotaph at 1 pm on Sunday 8th November (Remembrance Sunday) followed by soup and a sing at Glyde House. Details and songsheets are available from me or on club nights.

Don't forget the Topic song project for next year's anniversary - see recent newsletters for details.

Travelling to the Topic

We have been informed  by a kindly club member of new bus times which may be helpful to those who use public transport to get to the club. Or who would like to leave the car at home!

From 6th November the last bus to Manningham, Frizinghall,  Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Keighley every night will be 23.45 (except Fridays and Saturdays when it will be 00.15)

The last bus from Leeds to Keighley via Shipley is now 23.41 from the Headrow and by the rail station.

Other news:

Bradshaw Mummers ARE seeking new members, and the Winter Folk Festival at Ilfracombe 20th/22nd November: to save repeating these rather lengthy items, if anyone is interested you can either refer to the last newsletter or contact me direct for details.

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