At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 244  - October 2022

Hello everyone. The nights are definitely drawing in - well they always do at this time of year!! So goodbye summer, welcome to the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness....

Here are the details of our programme for the coming month: 

6th   October:      Singers and musicians. (£1 entry)

13th   October  :      Christopher Mark Jones.

A literate and engaging song artist with echoes of Greg Brown, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Coburn and Daryl Scott, Christopher Mark Jones sings soulful country and blues-inflected Americana narratives in “a rich voice that’s slightly rough around the edges” (Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), but still grabs the listener along with his “fascinating lyrics” (Melody Maker, UK) and the “intricate guitar-playing” and “wide-ranging textures and exquisite instrumentation” (Larry Berger, Saturday Light Brigade) of his recordings. Listeners hear echoes of “Greg Brown's pacing and a Lyle Lovett attitude” (Ben Shannon), as well as of John Prine, Bruce Coburn and Darrell Scott. 

Between careers as a basketball player and French professor, Jones busked in Paris, toured the UK, Denmark, and Holland, and played New England clubs. He now tours and streams solo from Pittsburgh, PA, and plays regionally in formats varying from solo to full band. Looking for the Light (2021) is his sixth recording of original folk/roots songs.  £7/£6

...impeccable performances supporting Jones’ engaging lyrics and music, the fruits of four-plus decades of songwriting - Harry Funk, The Almanac

https://www.christophermarkjones.com/

20th   October  :    Singers and musicians.  (£1 entry)

27th  October  :    Jack Rutter.

Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years. A hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs. Following on from his critically acclaimed second album Gold of Scar & Shale, 2022 will see the release of a brand new EP, with 2023 bringing the successor to Gold of Scar & Shale in the form of a new album of traditional songs. £7/£6

Among Britain’s finest traditional singers - Folk Radio UK

An outstanding performer - The Independent

www.jackruttermusic.com

www.alanbearmanmusic.co.uk

TOPIC ZOOM SESSIONS

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

Topic Without Borders for Singers Musicians and Poets

Interested in joining the monthly Topic Zoom sessions? Not able to attend the Topic Live at present either as audience or performer? Join the Topic without geographical borders, the Topic minus the travelling, the Topic where you can fix any beverage to suit. The next session will be on Monday October 17th – from 8 -10pm or so (log-on any time after 7.30).

For two years, the Topic has been running on-line Zoom sessions. Jim Saville kindly allows us the use of his Zoom Pro which means that we are able to run them monthly from 8pm on a Monday (We usually stop at 10.00 but people are welcome to continue on if they wish).

At the easing of COVID restrictions, it was decided to continue as Zooms are useful to a number of people for a variety of reasons. A regular core group has developed, made up of current and former Topic members and others. Newcomers are welcome.

If you’d like to check us out, with your permission, we’ll add your name & details to an email circulation list and you’ll be notified each month, a week or so in advance of the session. You will be asked to let us know if you plan to join that month, so that we can draw up a programme for the evening. If your preference is to drop-in and take potluck, that is also worth a try. The MC for the evening will try to accommodate, depending on the numbers expected.

Anyone wishing to take part, either as a performer or as an audience member, please email Joy Leach using joy.utistugu.49.5.8@gmail.com"

SAD NEWS                                                      

Many of you will know or remember David and Doreen Hamer (David was a life member of the club). Last December David and Doreen moved to Norwich to be near their family. In July David suffered an aneurysm and as far as we know is still in hospital. Sadly Doreen passed away last month (September).        .

We send our deepest condolences to David and wish him a full recovery. 

NON-TOPIC STUFF

THE BUCK INN SESSIONS

Muppett has asked me to pass on details of the sessions up in the Dales as follows:

"Following on from the good turnout in the June trial session at the Buck Inn in Buckden (Upper Wharfedale) and the publicity we got in the August edition of the Dalesman, we’re running another session there on Oct. 9th (see attached poster for details).

"The idea behind the sessions is to resurrect sessions that Jackie Beresford and other Dales musicians used to run back in the 60’s and 70’s in the pub.

"The timings of the sessions also tie in with the Dales buses that operate on Sundays and thus enable folk to access them in order to get to Buckden by public transport. See this link for the details of the buses: DalesBus Timetable Booklet."

Poster attached.

MEMBERSHIP

A reminder that the previous year's membership, which was on hold since 2020, expired on 31st August, so we will be collecting subscriptions at club nights from now on.

Membership - still only £5 - entitles you 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. You can join or renew your membership on any club night. Good news is that subs paid this year will last until the end of December 2023, so it's even more of a bargain!

                                                                                   ---------------------------

For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please email: info4topic@gmail.com

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 Groove Pad, 48 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HN, 7.30 pm start with a target time of 10pm to finish. 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 are hoping we can count on you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome (though may be limited if we have a booked support act - please check). Please arrive by 7.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening. 

Although covid appears to be on the retreat just now (or is it??), please continue to take precautions when visiting the club.

Best wishes,

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club