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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 249  - March 2023

Hello again all, 

Spring just around the corner, three guest nights at the Topic this month: it's all looking good...

Here's the programme for the coming month:

2nd March: Singers & Musicians  (£1 entry)

9th March:   Robb Johnson  

Robb Johnson is one of the most consistent and prolific songwriters of our generation. His work is both political and personal: contradicting capitalism since 1985 pretty much sums up the vast body of his work. He is now widely recognised as one of the finest songwriters in the UK today.

Robb has played pubs, clubs, pavements and benefits, arts centres and festivals, local radio, BBC Radio 3 and 4, Belgian Radio 1, Nicaraguan TV and Channel 4 to name but a few. He also appeared at the Barbican in London as part of the prestigious BBC Folk Britannia series. He plays extensively in Belgium, Holland and Germany, and has toured Britain supporting Chumbawamba and the US with David Rovics.   £7/£6

An English original - Robin Denselow, The Guardian

One of our best singer-songwriters ever - Mike Harding

https://www.robbjohnson.co.uk/

16th March:  Singers & Musicians    (£1 entry)

23rd March:  Chris Ronald

Since emigrating from his native England in 2002, Chris Ronald has earned a place as one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters creating and performing contemporary folk music. Ronald's stand-out signature sound is steeped in his British background, poetic lyrics, and a buttery fusion of Roots and Americana music.

Chris is an international touring artist, giving concerts ranging from solo to full band. Whatever the format, Chris always draws on his abilities as a highly skilled singer, storyteller and musician (guitar, harmonica, ukulele), to deliver a show that is captivating and unique.   £7/£6

https://chrisronald.com/

30th March:  Dougie Mackenzie & Brian Miller

Dougie Mackenzie sang mostly Gaelic songs in his youth but was introduced to folk music at the famed Inverness Folk Song Club run by Duncan MacLennan, who mentored Dougie and gave him numerous songs. He is drawn to Scots ballad language and the stories it carries to us from the past.

Brian Miller is one of the most esteemed singers and guitarists on the Scottish traditional music scene with performing and recording credits, including with his daughter Siobhan Miller, The Occasionals, The Singing Kettle and Tom Paxton. He is still a member of The Stars Band with Arthur Johnstone, Charlie Soane and Gavin Livingstone.

Recently Brian and Dougie have joined forces in the studio and on stage. The album Along The Way by Dougie and Brian was recorded and produced by Ian McCalman at his Kevock Studio and he passed on a copy of the master to Ian Green for a listen. Ian was so impressed with the singing and the selection of songs, plus the quality of the recording, that he immediately contacted Dougie and invited him to join the Greentrax label. Dougie was delighted. After this collaboration Dougie and Brian have officially formed a duo together.  £7/£6

https://drooble.com/dougie.mackenzie/presskit

TOPIC ZOOM SESSIONS

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

INVITATION TO JOIN THE MARCH TOPIC ZOOM 

Monday March 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.

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

Much-loved local Topic favourite Bella Gaffney is playing at The Live Room, Saltaire on Sunday 5th March at 7 pm (doors 6.30). 

Bella will be sharing the bill with Matthew Sturgess, who goes under the name of The Silver Reserve. Matthew is another extremely gifted West Yorkshire musician and songwriter, so he'll be in good company.

Door entry £12, discount for Chorus members.

 See https://theliveroom.info/

Steve Tilston and Hugh Bradley are playing at Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue on Saturday 11th March at 7.30 pm (doors 7.00pm. Tickets £12 in advance, £14 on the door.

See https://www.blackdykemills.org/ 

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

CHANGE OF VENUE

As advised previously, Cleckheaton Folk Festival has organised a concert on Saturday March 25th  featuring Dougie MacLean.

PLEASE NOTE that the venue for this event is now Batley Town Hall, Market Pl, Batley WF17 5DA.

TOPIC STUFF.

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.

One more reminder that 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 

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