topicacousticfolk3
item1 item1b item1c item1d item1e item1f item1g FBfLogoblue29

At: Groove Pad, 48 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HN
Venue (not Club) Tel: 01274 586542

Est: 1956

item7

Map

Write to Tony Charnock
to get the email newsletter

Newsletter
Archive



01 Feb 2024
01 Jan 2024

01 Dec 2023
01 Nov 2023
01 Oct 2023
27 Aug 2023
01 Aug 2023
01 Jul 2023
01 Jun 2023
01 May 2023
01 Apr 2023
01 Mar 2023
01 Feb 2023
01 Jan 2023

30 Nov 2022
01 Nov 2022
01 Oct 2022
01 Sep 2022
01 Aug 2022
01 Jul 2022
01 Jun 2022
01 May 2022
01 Apr 2022
01 Mar 2022
01 Feb 2022
01 Jan 2022

01 Dec 2021
29 Oct 2021
01 Oct 2021
01 Sep 2021
01 Aug 2021
01 Jul 2021
01 Jun 2021
01 May 2021
01 Apr 2021
01 Mar 2021
01 Feb 2021
01 Jan 2021

01 Dec 2020
01 Nov 2020
01 Oct 2020
29 Aug 2020
27 Jul 2020
01 Jul 2020
01 Jun 2020
01 May 2020
01 Apr 2020
01 Mar 2020
01 Feb 2020
01 Jan 2020

01 Dec 2019
01 Nov 2019
01 Oct 2019

01 Sep 2019
22 Aug 2019
01 Aug 2019
01 Jul 2019
01 Jun 2019
01 May 2019
01 Apr 2019
01 Mar 2019
02 Feb 2019
01 Jan 2019

01 Dec 2018
01 Nov 2018
30 Sep 2018
01 Sep 2018
01 Aug 2018
01 Jul 2018
01 Jun 2018
01 May 2018
02 Apr 2018
01 Mar 2018
01 Feb 2018
04 Jan 2018

01 Dec 2017
01 Nov 2017
01 Oct 2017

27 Aug 2017

01 Aug 2017
01 Jul 2017

01 Jun 2017

01 May 2017

01 Apr 2017

28 Feb 2017

01 Feb 2017

01 Jan 2017


28 Nov 2016

31 Oct 2016

01 Oct 2016
27 Aug 2016

02 Jul 2016

01 Jun 2016

02 May 2016

01 Apr 2016

01 Mar 2016

01 Feb 2016

06 Jan 2016


01 Dec 2015
01 Nov 2015

01 Oct 2015

01 Sep 2015

01 Jul 2015

01 Jun 2015

01 May 2015
01 Apr 2015

01 Mar 2015
01 Feb 2015
01 Jan 2015


01 Dec 2014

01 Nov 2014

01 Oct 2014

29 Aug 2014

01 Aug 2014

01 July 2014

01 June 2014

01 May 2014
01 Apr 2014

02 Mar 2014

02 Feb 2014
01 Jan 2014

29 Nov 2013
01 Nov 2013
01 Oct 2013
29 Aug, 23 Sep 2013

01 Aug 2013
01 Jul 2013
01 Jun 2013
01 May 2013
01 Apr 2013
01 Mar 2013
01 Feb 2013
02 Jan 2013

01 Dec 2012
30 Oct 2012
30 Sep 2012

01 Sep 2012
01 July 2012

31 May 2012
30 Apr 2012
01 Apr 2012
29 Feb 2012
29 Jan 2012
03 Jan 2012

20 Nov 2011
23 Oct 2011

17 Sep 2011

17 Aug 2011
06 Jul 2011
10 May 2011
13 Mar 2011
26 Feb 2011
01 Feb 2011
19 Dec 2010

01 Dec 2010
01 Nov 2010
01 Oct 2010
30 Aug 2010
29 June 2010
01 June 2010
01 May 2010
01 April 2010
01 Mar 2010
01 Feb 2010
01 Jan 2010

01 Dec 2009
01 Nov 2009
01 Oct 2009
01 Sep 2009
01 Jul 2009
01 Jun 2009
01 May 2009
01 April 2009
01 Mar 2009

02 Feb 2009

02 Jan 2009

09 Dec 2008
06 Nov 2008
01 Oct 2008
01 Sept 2008
01 July 2008
01 June 2008
06 May 2008
08 Apr 2008
07 Mar 2008
08 Feb 2008
26 Feb 2008
09 Jan 2008

05 Dec 2007
29 Oct 2007
28 Sep 2007
04 Sep 2007
10 July 2007
23 May 2007
25 April 2007
06 March 2007
07 Feb 2007
22 Jan 2007

22 Dec 2006
07 Dec 2006
24 Oct 2006
25 Sep 2006
28 Aug 2006
06 July 2006
13 June 2006
15 May 2006
25 April 2006
21 March 2006
23 Feb 2006
01 Feb 2006
06 Jan 2006

06 Dec 2005
08 Nov 2005
04 Oct 2005
01 Sep 2005
09, 14 June 2005
18 May 2005
05 April 2005

14 March 2005

01 March 2005

07 Jan 2005

23 Dec 2004
01 Dec 2004
03Nov2004
14Oct2004
07 Sep 2004
28 July 2004

07 July 2004
15 June 2004
27 May 2004
12 May 2004
20 April 2004

25 March 2004

01 March 2004

02 Feb 2004
06 Jan 2004

10 Nov 2003
30 Sep 2003
03 Sep 2003
09 July 2003
10 June 2003
19 May 2003
06 May 2003
18 April 2003
02 April 2003
18 March 2003
25 Feb 2003
05, 11 Feb 2003
14 Jan 2003

10 Dec 2002
26 Nov, 03 Dec 2002
05 Nov2002
08 Oct 2002
24 Sep 2002
05 Sep 2002
23 July 2002
01 July 2002
12, 18, 25 June 2002
7 May 2002
30 April 2002
03 April 2002
19 March 2002
05 March 2002
15 Jan 2002
02 Jan 2002

17 Dec 2001
 

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 248  - February 2023

Hello again all, here's what's on offer at the Topic  - and elsewhere - to brighten up what can be a rather gloomy month...

2nd    February:     Singers and musicians (£1 entry).

9th     February:     Pete Morton

Pete Morton has been performing to audiences all over the world for over 30 years: throughout that time he has been regarded as one of the best on the contemporary music scene. His latest album A Golden Thread received rave reviews with eight newly self-penned songs, a Pete Seeger classic Oh Had I a Golden Thread and versions of the traditional gems Barbry Allen and The Farmer’s Boy.

Often referred to as an old time troubadour, Pete has a compelling stage presence and approachable style that delivers an unruly mix of humanism, politics, love, social commentary and humour, all wrapping its way round the folk tradition.

Not only original, but a revelation - The Guardian

Pete is everything we want our singer-songwriters to be. Fiercely creative, proudly independent, skilful, talented and terminally unpredictable - Mojo Magazine.

https://www.petemorton.com/

16th   February:     Singers and musicians  (£1 entry)

23rd   February:     Chris Elliott & Caitlin Jones

Described by Bright Young Folk as "experienced storytellers" who bring "timeless quality" to their music, award-winning duo Chris Elliott and Caitlin Jones have been playing music together since they met in 2014. Previously performing alongside Bella Gaffney (Magpies) and Heather Sirrel (Pilgrim's Way) in the four-piece 'Bric-a-Brac,' Chris and Caitlin formed as a duo in 2017.

In 2019, they released their debut album Carry Me Home, which takes listeners to "an area of diverse landscapes, history and traditions, a patchwork of Staffordshire and beyond." Since then, they have become well-known faces on the folk circuit, and have won several accolades, including the Shrewsbury Folk Festival open mic competition in 2018, and the 2022 Downend Folk & Roots Cliff Woolley Award. They were a featured artist at the 2021 Folk Expo in Manchester, and are currently working on their second album, Game of Halves, which will be released in Spring 2023.

Both proudly from Staffordshire, Chris and Caitlin bring a mix of traditional and self-penned ballads about place, identity, old and new. Driving guitar and bouzouki accompany haunting whistles and harmonium along with intricate and warm vocal harmonies. Expect to hear songs written for and collected from all around the Midlands and beyond, accompanied by the heartfelt human stories that inspired them, their charming storytelling and warm Midlands humour.

Chris and Caitlin are also currently on tour as part of the band 'A Different Thread' and feature on their latest album The Call of the Road.

Timeless quality - Bright Young Folk

https://chrisandcaitlinmusic.org.uk/

 

TOPIC ZOOM SESSIONS

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

INVITATION TO JOIN THE FEBRUARY TOPIC ZOOM 

Monday February 20th 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.

We compile this in advance to create a good programme. 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.

This is so we can draw up a programme for the evening.

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

NON-TOPIC STUFF

A local folk gig which may well be of interest: a North American fiddle and cello duo  Jocelyn Pettit and Ellen Gira are playing at The Live Room on Friday 17th February at 8 pm. Door entry £14, discount for Chorus members.

Their show includes high energy traditional and original tunes and songs inspired by their Scottish and Irish roots, with lively step-dancing.

https://theliveroom.info/

NON -TOPIC STUFF

The Mocking Birds, well known to Topic audiences, are playing at Liz Narey's Bingley First Monday Folk  event at Ryshworth Club, Crossflatts, Bingley BD16 2HB on Monday February 6th at 7.30 pm

The next Buck Inn Session organised by Muppett (see previous newsletters) in Buckden, Upper Wharfedale BD23 5JA is on Sunday, 12th February, 1 pm till 4 pm. Entry is free.

More from Muppett:

At Cooper’s Bar in Guiseley, The Charity, Friends of Dales Bus will be running their 5th fundraising concert which will take place on Saturday 25th February at 7 pm - see the attached flyer.

Due to the pandemic, the Group hasn't been able to run a concert since February 2020 when it raised just over £1000 for the charity.

 The fantastic Hall Brothers supported by John Carey, along with an Otley-based duo known as Keeper’s Wood, who have supported the concerts in the past playing again as will 4 members of  Bradford’s very own legendary  Irish Rock Folk band Scarlet Heights  

Once again the event has been organised and will be hosted by Muppett, who will fill in with a few of his own songs and among other things is also a member of the Friends of Dales bus.

Tickets are at just £10 – which is fantastic value. You can reserve tickets by contacting Muppett on muppett@cnet.org.uk or just turn up on the night.

 The Friends of DalesBus is a voluntary organisation campaigning for accessible and affordable public transport for visitors and residents within the Yorkshire Dales. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2016.

The Friends of DalesBus manage a Bus Operating Fund, to which passengers can make donations to support bus services. These funds are transferred, along with other fundraising, such as the proceeds of this concert to organisations such as the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company to invest in services.

They also assist with publicity, and organise the DalesBus Ramblers programme of free guided walks, so that buses and trains in the area are well used and supported by fares as much as possible.

New members are always welcome, see their website, www.friendsofdalesbus.org.uk for further details.

A reminder that Cleckheaton Folk Festival has organised a concert at Cleckheaton Town Hall on Saturday March 25th  featuring none other than Dougie MacLean (flyer attached).

Phew, what a lot's going on....

TOPIC STUFF

A word from our treasurer:

Many readers will know we now have a Card Reader, meaning we can accept payment by credit or debit card for entry on our Guest nights.   You may, of course, still pay in cash if that’s more convenient.  However, it would be helpful to those of us working on the door and with the Topic’s financial management, if as many people as possible could pay by card in future.

MEMBERSHIP 

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

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. 

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

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

item7a item7