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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 252 - June 2023

Hello again all, 

I hope you are all keeping well. 

Here's the programme for the coming month:

1st June: Singers & Musicians  (£1 entry)

8th June:   Lizzy Hardingham

As a folk singer songwriter Lizzy Hardingham performs songs that drive straight to the heart, giving audiences a chance for genuine connection, empathy and empowerment. Hardingham is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with beautifully delivered songs, her wonderful voice grabbing the listener from the very first note and holding on until the last. Think Christine Collister, Joni Mitchell,Sandy Denny and KT Tunstall all wrapped into one.

In 2022 she celebrated a brand new, full band, Help Musicians UK supported record, How Did We Get Here?. A 16 date tour with the likes of Katriona Gilmore, Jonny Wickham and Ellie McCann presented a jubilant, rich and full sound, but Lizzy’s powerful and emotive voice stole the shows as usual. In short: Lizzy has a dazzling combination of voice and songwriting talent that rarely appears.

 £7/£6

One of the most distinctive voices since Sandy Denny - Celtic Music Radio

Gorgeously delivered self penned songs that pip everything else to the post.” Northern Sky(★★★★)

A voice you could listen to on loop with songs that sing straight to the heart. - Maverick Magazine

https://www.lizzyhardingham.com/             

15th  June:  Singers & Musicians  (£1 entry)

22nd  June: Terry Hiscock

Back in the mists of time, Terry Hiscock along with Chris George and Doug Morter formed the legendary folk/rock band Hunter Muskett playing the circuit alongside Fotheringay, Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Steeleye Span.

Following their 1970 album release, Every Time You Move, recorded with Pentangle’s Danny Thompson, Rog Trevitt joined on bass. The four-piece then gigged at home and abroad and released a second album, produced by Keith Relf of The Yardbirds. After festival appearances and a successful UK concert tour with Ralph McTell, the band went their separate ways in but later reformed when Cherry Red released the albums on CD to great acclaim and they now tour every year.

When they’re not on the road, singer/songwriter Terry Hiscock performs acoustic songs from the Hunter Muskett repertoire both old and new and is now one of the most sought after musicians on the circuit. Having played up and down the land in countless clubs and concert halls, he has accumulated a wealth of stories and anecdotes to delight his audiences, but it’s the performances of his own songs which stay long in the memory.   £7/£6

https://www.terryhiscock.com/

29th June:   John Ward Trio

John Ward has achieved an excellent reputation as a writer of powerful, thought-provoking and witty folk songs that often draw upon his life in a gritty port town and his wider travels in the world

After a life travelling on the road and making music, in 2014, Les Woodley joined forces with John and Lynne to bring a fuller sound to these excellent songs that often capture the spirit of the times, and to perform them at folk clubs and festivals across the UK. The Trio also draws on its wider repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes, particularly songs suited to chorus singing. The Trio majors on powerful 3-part harmonies, accompanied by acoustic guitar, bodhran, harmonica, double bass, mandolin, accordion and whistles. All self-taught musicians who are no strangers to busking, the Trio’s performances are authentic and from the heart. Their choice of material, variety of instruments, versatility and engaging humour, not to mention John’s blistering bodhran solos, blend to delight and entertain folk audiences in intimate venues and bigger stages alike.   £7/£6

What a wonderful evening this lively trio gave us, with well-crafted songs enhanced by their vocal harmonies and superb musicianship – Jackie White, Organiser, Dorking Folk Club.

….magnificent songs, killer harmonies – Grapevine.

Great entertainers – gave us a brilliant night to remember – Michael Jaselsky, Waltham Abbey Folk Club   

http://www.johnward.org.uk/

TOPIC ZOOM SESSIONS

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

INVITATION TO JOIN THE MAY TOPIC ZOOM 


Monday June 19th 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.

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

On Monday June 5th at 8 pm Liz Narey's Bingley First Monday Folk has local multi-instrumental band Six Days, who play acoustic Americana, featuring songs by some of the USA's finest songwriters.

Venue: The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2HB. 

 Entry by donation to the hat/raffle.

Other news from around and about:

Buck Inn: as mentioned previously, Muppett's Buck Inn sessions are on hold for the summer: however, on Sunday June 4th there will be a  Buck Inn Late Spring Fling!!!!! ( Musicians, Singers and Poets session) between 2pm and 5pm. It's timed to fit in with the  timetable of the Dales Bus, on which you can travel to and from Buckden. Flyer attached.

Cleckheaton Folk Festival. A sad reminder that as advised in the last newsletter this year's Cleckheaton Folk Festival, due to be held on  the first weekend in July, has been cancelled. 

However: on Saturday 1st July, Cleckheaton Methodist Church Hall, Mortimer Street, Cleckheaton BD19 5AR is hosting an interesting-sounding event from 1.30 - 3.45 pm: a Dulcimer Workshop Afternoon. It will feature a "Come and Try" session for the Hammered Dulcimer and the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer, followed by a "slow and steady tune session" for all instruments. The event will be run by Sandie and Ken Hudson of the Nonesuch Dulcimer Club. Free entry.

Sounds fascinating: if you've ever wanted to try out these amazing instruments, here's your chance. Full details on the attached flyer.

Vaughan-Williams concert series: “Pub to Pulpit”

2022 marked the 150th anniversary of Vaughan-Williams' birth. These concerts are in celebration of Vaughan-Williams collecting of folk tunes and repurposing them as hymn tunes. The concerts will include the original folk songs and hymns which they became.

The following link will give details of the local (and national) concerts and events.

https://www.broomdasher.com/FromPubToPulpit/dates/index.ht

STOP PRESS (well,almost)...I’ve just got details of this: checkout The Otley Music Festival www.otley-music-festival.co.uk. (NOT to be confused with the Otley Folk Festival which takes place in September).

This one runs from Friday 23rd June to Sunday 2nd July and has lots of folk acts, including many who have played at the Topic, e.g. Katie Spencer, Henry Parker, Hazjak, Dave Vermond, Jon Palmer Acoustic Band, Pete Ivatts, The Hall Brothers with John Carey, and Ranagri.

TOPIC STUFF

Point of interest: at some point in late May the Topic had been in existence for 66.66 recurring years - two-thirds of a century. We can't be precise about the actual day, as we don't know for certain the actual day it began. Unless anyone can enlighten us....

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. (The last guest night was actually downstairs, but this was an exception!)

Remember too 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