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 172 - October 2016 

Hello all,

The Topic's celebratory season continues with some great names, new and old, all at the usual bargain price.

6th October: Singers & Musicians. 8.15 pm start. Free entry.
This is a special S/M night as it is part of the nationwide We Shall Overcome anti-austerity campaign.This music event is one of over 200 taking place under the 'We Shall Overcome' banner across the UK in early October, hopefully to give much needed support to Bradford Food Bank. ‘We Shall Overcome’ is a community effort led by musicians and music promoters who want to do something practical to help people in our area and across the country who are being hit hard by homelessness and poverty.

Several thousand musicians will be performing nationally over the week of October 3-9 as audiences are encouraged to bring food for foodbanks or make donations to homelessness and other projects.

The night will give a chance for anyone to come down to the Topic to sing a song, play a tune or just listen to the performances.

To gain admission to the event audiences are being asked to bring a food donation / make a donation - no matter how small - to the Bradford Food Bank.

13th October: Dave Burland:
Dave Burland is one of the most well-respected and long-established performers on the folk scene. His apparently effortless singing (a uniquely relaxed singing style - The Guardian) and guitar playing gained widespread acclaim 40 years ago when his first album, A Dalesman’s Litany, was voted Melody Maker Folk Album of the Year. Nic Jones summed up Dave Burland perfectly when he said: “He’s a uniquely calm, gentle and clever singer who makes you feel it’s all so amazingly simple.”

Dave has also recorded Songs Of Ewan MacColl with Tony Capstick and Dick Gaughan. As well as releasing several solo albums, he has played alongside many other performers and played on albums with such artists as Mike Harding, Nic Jones and Kate Rusby. £6/£5

Tonight we have a support act: Wilson McGladdery (Gaynor Wilson and Paul McGladdery) an impressive singing/songwriting duo based in Saddleworth who are making a name for themselves around our area and beyond. Expect powerful vocals and tight harmonies , with guitar and fiddle accompaniment.

20th October: Tom McConville
Tom McConville, was born and brought up on Tyneside in the North East of England. He’s one of the leading fiddle players of our time, virtuoso musician and fantastic singer: his rich and warm voice makes his interpretation of traditional and contemporary songs greatly admired by singers throughout the world. He is 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.

His live performances combine a rollercoaster of musical delights from fast, rhythmic dance tunes , through beautiful slow airs and of course, great singing. All presented with his inimitable sense of humour and Geordie wit. £6/£5

He is not only a fantastic fiddle player but one hell of a singer - Phil Cunningham

27th October: Lowri Evans & Lee Mason: **
Lowri Evans is blessed with a voice capable of wide emotional power, her songs taking their musical colours from a broad palette that includes folk, jazz, country and blues, all beautifully knitted together through her innate musicality and heartfelt delivery Described by Bob Harris (BBC Radio 2) as a wonderful singer-songwriter, Lowri and Lee released their 6th album Everyone is from somewhere else in February 2016 and have been touring the UK, performing numerous radio sessions including a session for Bob Harris, receiving rave reviews for their live performances and performing at festivals such as Cambridge Folk, Warwick Folk Festival and Underneath the Stars.

Blessed with a voice so distinct and special that she sings as easy as one breathes (Fish Records), Lowri has that rare ability to immediately bond with an audience, transporting them to the emotional heartland of every song she sings.

Integral to all she has done has been Lowri’s pride in being Welsh, her homeland’s rich musical heritage an inspiration and springboard into performing. As a result she has always written, sung and made records in the Welsh language as well as in English. As one critic commented, Lowri Evans is a major talent in any language (Hot Press).

Accompanied by the accomplished guitarist and singer Lee Mason, together they have toured the USA, been playlisted on BBC Radio and regularly perform in venues and festivals across the UK and Ireland. £6/£5

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE TO ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED PROGRAMME: BRIC A BRAC WILL BE APPEARING AT THE CLUB ON 22ND DECEMBER 2016

TOPIC STUFF

The final date for the Topic Song (see previous newsletters) is looming: bring it on down on 3rd November when you will be able to perform it to an appreciative audience. Or come and listen.

Joe Grint is soon off to York to live: he has been heavily involved in the live acoustic music scene in Bradford, not just at the Topic, for whom he has worked tirelessly over the years, and will be sorely missed. We'd like to wish Joe and Fiona well in their new home and we hope to see them in Bradford from time to time.

Just a note in advance that the club's AGM will be held immediately preceding the December singers and musicians night on 1st December. It would be great to see some new faces on the committee: it's not too onerous a task, involving about 4 meetings per year, so if you think you would like to be involved in running the club, please consider putting your name forward; there will be a form available to do so at club nights from now on.

Usual stuff

For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please note that the bookings organiser is Rahel Guzelian, email address : rahel@guzelian.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 normally 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, though may be limited when we have a booked support act - please check. 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