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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 250  - April 2023

Hello again all, 

I hope you're enjoying the lighter evenings, they've been a long time coming. Now all we need is some decent sunshine...

Here's the programme for the next month:

6th April: Singers & Musicians.  (£1 entry)

13th  April: Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer.  

With “two grand voices – individually and in harmony” (Folker - German Folk Magazine), the Anglo-German duo Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer offer a versatile miscellany of self-penned and imaginatively arranged songs, delivered with guitar, woodwind instrumentation and occasional percussion.

I’ve never seen our audience so spellbound! - Malc Gurnham, Folk Club promoter

So, what is it that makes this internationally touring pair so irresistible?

Whilst Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer are acclaimed for their image provoking songwriting, expressive vocals and authentic musicianship, they are frequently recalled for their warmth, humour and their remarkable ability to engage with their audience. Karen’s natural theatricality and life affirming playful energy compliment charmingly with Paul’s calm geniality and combined they magically turn a great performance into a real event. In brief: enchanting, entertaining, uplifting.

Great show! - Graham Norton

Based in Staffordshire in the UK, the duo has toured its shows extensively taking in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland and most corners of the UK, wooing audiences with Karen’s southern German accent tinged with an ‘oatcake induced’ North Staffordshire dialect from Paul’s heritage. Their latest show ‘Auf Wiedersehen, Me Duck’ was a huge success at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The pandemic has seen them focusing their attention on writing, recording and developing their online presence. Their live stream ‘Afternoon Tea with Paul & Karen’ is now in excess of 100 shows and still attracts a dedicated international following. The new album ‘Auf Wiedersehen, Me Duck’ was released in May 2022 and received a great amount of radio play, video attention and glowing reviews:

Eclectic, performed with passion and with excellent musicianship - Folk & Honey

Charming, varied and fun - Irish Music Magazine

A first-class experience - Bietigheimer Zeitung

https://www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk

Support Act: Heslop and Stringer.

Local musicians Mark (Heslop) and Matt (Stringer) joined forces in late 2021 to develop their shared passion for songwriting and live music.  Their songs are a mixture of their own personal experiences and stories from northern history and folklore.  They play guitars, violin and mandolin as a backdrop to their vocal harmonies.  Their first CD ‘New Beginnings’ was launched in 2022.

£7 (£6 members)

20th  April  :  Singers & Musicians.    (£1 entry)

27th  April  :  Den Miller. Support: Boothtown Rats.

Strong melodies, catchy sing-along choruses and intelligent lyrics are the trademark of songs composed and performed by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Den Miller. Den is an engaging and entertaining live performer, delivering his music and his message with clarity, energy and a good deal of humour.

His latest album "Join All The Dots" presents a quirky outlook on modern life's issues and challenges, including relationships, parenting, war and terrorism. Den shares an unusual viewpoint that entertains and is thought-provoking, to make connections between situations and events that seem to be unconnected.

Come and enjoy a performance which has been described as "A splendid evening, rated one of the best for a year at this very discerning club. Den's songs and his style - from wildly comic to deeply poignant - make listening a pleasure, and an experience not to be missed."

A splendid evening, rated one of the best for a year at this very discerning club. Den's songs and his style - from wildly comic to deeply poignant - make listening a pleasure, and an experience not to be missed - Horsham Folk Club

Den can deliver a hefty punch with a killer turn of phrase that becomes a real mindworm to match the musical earworm content. 'Why-didn't-I-think-of-that?', unforgettably air-punching statements - David Kidman, Join All The Dots review in FATEA Magazine

This is an extremely well-written song ... particularly good lyrics ... I think that's really good! - Alan Raw, BBC Radio Leeds

Beautifully crafted ...this is someone who works hard to get things just right. Great, intelligent lyrics - Yorkshire Music Collective

https://denmillermusic.com/home

Support: The Boothtown Rats.

Duo Boothtown Rats are Michael Shaw (guitar, vocals) and Charles Henderson (double bass, vocals) who deliver a mix of folk music, folk-rock, Irish and a splattering of original music.  

£7 (£6 members)

TOPIC ZOOM SESSIONS

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

INVITATION TO JOIN THE APRIL TOPIC ZOOM 

Monday April 17th from 8 -10pm or so (log-on any time after 7.30).

Anyone wishing to take part, either as a performer or as audience, please email Joy Leach using joy.utistugu.49.5.8@gmail.com , by Thursday 16th. If you’d like to play, sing or recite a poem, (usually a couple of items), we’ll put your name on the Running Order for the evening. Should your preference be to drop-in and take potluck, it’s worth a try. The MC for the evening will try to accommodate, depending on the numbers expected.

You’ll be sent the details, passcodes and a link before the event. Audience members are most welcome. With your permission, we’ll add your name and details to an email circulation list. You’ll then be notified each month, a week or so in advance of the session and will be asked to let us know if you plan to join that month.

Jim Saville kindly lets us use his Zoom Pro, so that we can run the evening without a break. 

NON-TOPIC STUFF

CHARITY EVENT

 Zbig Szafranski has organised a fund-raising event for the victims of the Turkish/Syrian earthquakes.

This will take place in  the upstairs room at  Groove Pad, 48 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HN on Sunday 2nd April (that's tomorrow!!) starting at 5 pm at which many local musicians (including some Topic regulars) will be performing. Entry is free but you are asked to make a donation to this worthy cause. Flyer attached.

Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue have two events coming up which might well be of interest:

Winter Wilson (who gave us a great night at the Topic back in December) are playing on Saturday 15th April at 7.30 pm;

Local favourites Plumhall are playing on Saturday 29th April at 7.30 pm.

 See https://www.blackdykemills.org/ 

The regular Buck Inn Sessions organised by Muppett (see previous newsletters) are on hold until the autumn and will resume on October 8th (more details nearer the time).

However, on Sunday June 4th there will be a  Buck Inn Late Spring Fling!!!!! ( Musicians, Singers and Poets session) between 2pm and 5pm.

TOPIC STUFF

A reminder that Andy is kindly allowing us to continue to use the upstairs room at Groove Pad for guest nights.

Singers and musicians nights will continue to take place in the downstairs cafe bar.

Remember that we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card.

MEMBERSHIP 

Membership of the Topic Folk Club - still only £5 - runs from 1st January and 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. 

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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. 

Covid is still around: please continue to take precautions when visiting the club.

Best wishes

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club