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 174- December 2016 

Hello all,

A couple of days early this month to remind you that the club's AGM will be held immediately before the singers and musicians night on Thursday 1st December and will start at 8PM.

It is important that members who are going to attend arrive at 8 pm - this will ensure that this somewhat tedious but necessary procedure can be dispensed with as soon as possible for the sake of those who have come to play and sing.

We need 10 members to be quorate, otherwise we would have to rearrange the AGM for another date.

Anyone can of course attend the meeting, but only members may vote.

So to the final programme of the year, and it's a cracker (!):

8th December:  Roger Davies. 
There can’t be many people who haven’t heard, or heard of, Roger Davies, now one of West Yorkshire’s  best-known performers on the local acoustic music scene, a firm favourite wherever he goes. With several critically acclaimed CD’s to his credit, Roger goes from strength to strength, performing at larger venues as well as the more intimate small clubs. A regular guest at the Topic, he will be singing his trademark songs about Yorkshire places and Yorkshire people to his usual receptive audience.

Roger possesses the enviable skill of obtaining an instant rapport with any audience. It’s no wonder he was such a hit with Fairport Convention’s fans when he supported them on their recent UK tour - FATEA Magazine, 2016

15th December: Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies Christmas Show entitled: "Snowed In"
Folk songwriter Jez Lowe’s Christmas tours have become something of a tradition in his native North-East over the last 7 years, and indeed across the country as he sets off once more on a festive winter-tainment night of songs, banter and seasonal scrooge-like tomfoolery.

So sit back and enjoy a night Snowed In with Jez Lowe (SONY Radio Academy Award Winner, 2015 Folk Awards Nominee) and his multi-talented band The Bad Pennies (featuring fiddle, Northumbrian Pipes, keyboards, guitar, bass, harmonica and voices) plus special guest folk balladeer and actor Benny Graham.

As ever, Jez puts together an original take on Christmas in the North, part folk-concert, part music-hall revue, with songs, humour and music done the way only The Bad Pennies know how, as sell out crowds across the country can testify.

22nd December:    Bric a Brac (postponed from 27th October 2016)
Bric-a-Brac are a lively young folk band playing traditional and original music.  Hailing from exotic corners of Yorkshire and the Midlands such as Bradford, Sherwood Forest and Moseley Bog, they play an eclectic mix of instruments: songs and tunes in their repertoire from fast reels to sensitive airs can be lead by anything from concertina to 5-string bass. With their on-stage energy, clever  arrangements, thoughtful instrumentation, harmonies (they all sing) and an evident joy in playing that easily transmits to the audience, they tick every box going. Here, without doubt, is a band with a future.

Bric-a-Brac consists of Bradford’s own Bella Gaffney  (vocals, guitars and concertina), Chris Elliott (vocals, fiddle, bouzouki and guitar),Caitlin Jones (vocals, whistles, flutes, folk recorder, Heather Sirrel ( vocals, bass and guitar) and Dan Latham - drums (occasional).

29th December - club closed.

OTHER STUFF

Tom Bliss is back, briefly...

Tom’s daughter has recently been diagnosed with the debilitating neurological condition MS and he has decided to make a limited return to the stage for just a handful of gigs to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, sounding better than ever thanks to Dave Bowie's inventive double bass and York's Ross Bennett on delightful guitar and vocals - under a name which gently mocks his 'infamous’ retirement - Tom Bliss and the Burning Bridges. If you remember Tom (he says he does - just!), or want to see if he's really as good as they all said, you've only got three chances:

Leeds Jan 7th at 8.30 Inkwell Arts 31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3LW - 0113 3070108 inkwell@leedsmind.org.uk http://www.inkwellarts.org.uk/

York Jan 14th at 8.30 The Black Swan (home of the folk club) 23 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR - 01904 679131 info@blackswanyork.com http://www.blackswanyork.com/

Leeds Feb 11th at 8.30 The New Headingley Club 56 St Michael's Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BG - 0113 275 7712 bennygdog@hotmail.com - http://www.newheadingleyclub.co.uk/
 

All gigs are pay-as-you-feel for the Multiple Sclerosis Society: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/

TOPIC STUFF

The November singers and musicians night was a really good night: thanks to all those whose contributions helped make it a special anniversary event.

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"

Oh, and finally: happy Christmas to everyone.

Tony Charnock, Topic Newsletter Editor 

Topic Folk Club