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 175- January 2017 

Hello all,

Happy New Year one and all!

Uncertainties abound in this world of multiple changes, but the Topic is as constant as a Northern star, in fact it is a Northern star...

New Year, new programme, some new faces, some not so new. See here, or better still, see, hear

5th January:  Singers and musicians night.
8.15pm. Free entry

12th January: Yan Tan Tether. 
A female close harmony folk trio from Otley consisting of Rosie Knighton, Tess Leslie and Lynne O’Malley who have been singing together since September 2013 and have already built up a reputation for wonderful performances in the local folk clubs and festiv als around Yorkshire and beyond. They play a host of instruments between them but concentrate mostly on creating beautiful a capella arrangements of traditional folk songs.Their voices blend beautifully, creating spine-tingling harmonies interspersed with some rollicking chorus songs.

Their music has been played on the Mike Harding Folk Show a number of times, and Mike describes them as “one of the best a capella groups going”. They have also appeared on BBC Radio Leeds and won the hiring fair at Cleckheaton Folk festival in July 2016, and have played a number festivals and clubs in Yorkshire, with bookings coming in for 2017.

The trio did an impressive support slot at the Topic early in 2016 and from that are back for a full evening, not a moment too soon. £6/£5

Yan Tan Tether gave us a great performance at Kirkgate Irregular Roots with a perfect combination of sublime harmonies and varied, interesting repertoire. Highly recommended!  Joe Grint (Irregular Roots)

Great band ..... three girls singing with terrific harmonies. If you have a chance to see them, do go because they're wonderful. Mike Harding

19th January: Stuart Douglas.
A second visit to the Topic for this unpretentious local favourite who displays a remarkable talent for his heartfelt delivery of thoughtful songs. A Bradford lad, Stuart is making more solo appearances around the local clubs these days, 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. Well received wherever he goes, this is sure to be a delightful evening. £6/£5

26th January:  Ray Hearne. 
An established songwriter and musician, Ray is also well known in Yorkshire for his appearances on regional television and weekly BBC Radio Sheffield broadcasts featuring his own and other writers' poetry. Born in Rotherham of Irish parents, he still lives and works in the town and tries in his songs to bring the two cultures together; Irish and South Yorkshire; contemporary songs in a traditional idiom. His songs have been recorded and sung by Roy Bailey, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Kate Rusby and the late John Wright, but there's nothing to compare with his own passionate performances. He has played at festivals across the North of England and toured Belgium, Holland and Ireland.

An organiser and tutor for many years with the Workers Educational Association, Ray was a pioneer of the writers' workshop movement helping people of all ages across South Yorkshire's communities and beyond to find their voices, in story, verse or song. He also works with community groups and partnerships, and campaigning groups, helping them to tell their stories and to affirm themselves through poem and song. His latest CD Umpteen was released in May 2016.

More recently Ray has worked as a member of the team writing BBC Radio Two's Radio Ballad series. Ray's song Curtains' sung by Kate Rusby featured in the first programme  Song of Steel. £6/£5

OTHER STUFF

Reminder

As mentioned in the last newsletter, Tom Bliss is making a short reappearance on the acoustic music scene, a series of three gigs to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society,as his daughter has sadly been diagnosed with this debilitating condition.

A reminder that the gigs are as follows: (please note the change of time for the Inkwell Arts concert on 7th January, 6.30 pm not 8.30 pm)

Leeds Jan 7th at 6.30 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

At the AGM held on 1st December the following were elected onto the committee: Rahel Guzelian; Sue Gaffney; John Waller; Guy Killingbeck; Liz Narey; Chris Hyland; Henry Parker; Tony Charnock. A warm welcome and thanks to Henry Parker who by agreeing to stand has at a stroke probably halved the average age of the committee membership.

Reports presented to the meeting show a reasonably healthy financial position and bookings stretching ahead into the coming year and beyond, with the majority of guest nights filled by performers who have approached the club for a booking rather than the other way round.

It has been suggested that the offerings for the Topic song night in November be posted up on the website, probably on a dedicated page. If you would like your contribution to be included please send in the lyrics, preferably to myself (see below for my email address). Also Rob Martin who presents a programme Into the Buttercup on BCB Radio has offered to play recordings of the songs on the programme. If you have a recording of your song that you would like to submit for consideration please contact Rob (via my email address tocharn@gmail.com). 

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