At: Groove Pad, 48 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HN
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Topic Newsletter Archive

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

At Glyde House, Glydegate, Bradford BD5 0BQ

Newsletter No 180- June 2017 

Hello all,

2017 continues at its cracking pace, well at least in terms of the music on offer at Glyde House on a Thursday evening. As you will see if you read on....

1st June:  Singers and musicians night. 8.15pm. Free entry

8th June: Double Header: Henry Parker/Helen McCreary.

A real treat, a double treat, in store: two fine local musicians for the price of one. U.S. born Helen McCreary is currently studying archaeology at the University of Bradford, having spent time in New York on the singer/songwriter circuit as well as working for a spell in New Zealand. With her beautiful voice, intricate guitar playing and thoughtful, sometimes humorous songs and tasteful covers we can say for certainty that New York’s loss is most definitely Bradford’s gain and Helen is proving a huge favourite on the West Yorkshire acoustic music scene.

To quote The Review:...music has found a new gem

Henry Parker has been making a name for himself locally at folk clubs and concerts as a fine acoustic guitarist and singer of self-penned and traditional songs. His style draws heavily from the performers of the  60's folk revival, think Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and Michael Chapman paired with outside influences from Jazz, Rock and Ambient music. 

Henry Parker has a beautifully clear and precise finger picking acoustic guitar style...this isn't background folk club music, or filler, it's quite simply gorgeous. - FATEA

A gifted young guitar player who has been impressing local audiences with his dexterity and choice of material - TYKES NEWS

This evening will be the perfect antidote for all that voting you've been doing...

15th June: Alistair Russell & Chris Parkinson.

A highly respected artist in his own right, Alistair Russell was a member of Scotland's esteemed Battlefield Band from 1984 to 1997. Chris Parkinson has been a session musician on a plethora of recordings in addition to releasing two solo albums and a further seven with the hugely popular pan-Celtic outfit The House Band.

Singing and playing folk music since his teens, and over thirty years a professional musician and sound engineer, Alistair sings songs mainly from his family homeland Scotland, its neighbour Ireland, self-penned songs inspired by his world-wide travelling with Battlefield Band, and any other song that takes his fancy. He will always be, first and foremost, a singer who has “a way with a song” and a performer who makes sure the audience comes first.

Chris Parkinson was a founder member of the much travelled and highly acclaimed "The House Band". He is still in great demand both for live performance and studio session work, and has  worked with countless people from the folk scene and beyond - Martin Carthy & Norma Waterson, Ralph McTell, Steve Phillips, Mike Harding, Steve Tilston, Martin Simpson, John Kirkpatrick, Roger Wilson, Alistair Russell, and Richard Grainger to name but a few. 
 

22nd June:  Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne 

Cohen has been a musician since the age of 6 and took to squeezeboxes in his teens and has since developed into a fine player of both the melodeon and Anglo concertina. As an instrumentalist Cohen is experienced in playing for dancing, playing as part of groups, both as an accompanying and as a lead instrument, and playing as a soloist. Cohen is also a well-regarded singer and in 2014 won Bromyard Folk Festival's Future of Young Folk Award for singing.

Cohen's main passion is for songs and tunes from the English tradition, along with some contemporary material. His solo repertoire consists mainly of traditional songs with accompaniment on concertina or melodeon, also traditional tunes and the occasional unaccompanied song. Cohen's style, approach and repertoire is rooted in the English tradition, with influences from Scottish, Irish, American and European traditions. An average solo performance includes traditional ballads, historical songs, industrial songs, sea songs and shanties, with a fair amount of material linked to the West Midlands where Cohen has lived for much of his life.

Cohen previously performed at the club at a few hours notice after the booked guest had to cancel through illness. He gave us a great night and now comes as the booked artist in his own right, deservedly so.

29th June: Singers and musicians night. 8.15pm. Free entry

PLEASE NOTE that this is actually the July singers and musicians night, a week early to accommodate the club's long time favourite, Roger Sutcliffe, on the first Thursday in July.

OTHER STUFF

We receive details of far too many events and festivals, particularly for the summer months, to include on our newsletter but I'll mention a few here briefly: if anyone one would like more details you can email me and I'll send you the information you require. If you come to the club check out the display of leaflets, fliers which tell you some of what;s going on around the country at this busy time.

16th - 18th June - Soundpost Singing Weekend Dungworth, Sheffield (www.soundpost.org.uk)

July 3rd to 16th 2017 - Mountain minstrel project (details on previous newsletters)

7th -9th July - Yorkshire Folk Dance weekend - Drax Social Club (http://yfdw.org.uk)

A late addition: there will be a concert by The Hepton Singers at the Delius Centre, BD7 1AA on 24th June at 7.30 pm entitled "Bushes and Briars: An Exploration of Folk Songs", in support of the White Ribbon Campaign UK. See website http://www.heptonsingers.co.uk/ for details.

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