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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 269 - November 2024

Hello everyone,  hope all is well with all of you as the evenings are getting dark earlier and earlier...

Bit of a long read, this...so much going on!!

Here's the programme for the coming month....

7th November Singers & Musicians

14th November Bella Gaffney

As most, if not all of you will know, Bella Gaffney is a British singer-songwriter, guitar and banjo player who has established herself as a prominent figure in the folk music scene. Born and raised in Bradford in West Yorkshire, Bella's love for music began at a young age, when she would visit her local folk club, The Topic.

In 2016, Bella won the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections, a music festival held annually in Glasgow, Scotland. The award recognizes emerging talent in the Scottish folk music scene and has helped launch the careers of many successful musicians over the years. Bella's win was a testament to her songwriting skills and her ability to put a fresh spin on traditional folk pieces.


In 2023 Bella released her new album Reflections.  The album was inspired by the connections she made during the lockdown period and features collaborations with some of the most talented musicians in the folk music scene, including Sam Kelly and Leesa Ghentz of Hussy Hicks.  Reflections has been described by folk radio UK as: 'One of the best folk albums in whatever year it was released'.


Bella's music is characterised by her  distinctive voice, intricate guitar playing, and her knack for storytelling. She draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including her own life experiences, the natural world, and the rich history of folk music. 


In addition to her solo work, Bella is also a member of the popular folk band, The Magpies. The band has been described as "effervescent" by The Sunday Times and has won over audiences across the UK with their lively performances and infectious energy. Bella's contributions to the band have been instrumental in their success, and she continues to be a sought-after musician in the folk music scene.


A fine blend of original and traditional songs from Bella Gaffney of The Magpies… showcasing her exceptional guitar, banjo, and vocals. Americana UK (8/10)
 

Great singer, great guitarist, really interesting songwriter - Mike Harding

Folk with finesse’- The Daily Mail

https://www.bellagaffneymusic.com/

Support tonight from Her Orange Coat.

Her Orange Coat is an up-and-coming British singer-songwriter, specialising in sadness. After an initial flirtation with a heavily pop-inspired sound, the purchase of a ukulele radically changed the trajectory of her music, burying her deep into the emotional depths of acoustic melancholy. Her music is delicate yet rich, multi-layered and yet stripped back. Her lyrics often combine the short, shallow phrases written in her youth with the lived experience she has since acquired. Her coat is orange.

With her mellow sound, Her Orange Coat borders indie-folk, but draws from a vast pool of musical influences. The ukulele is central to her music, the base upon which rich tapestries of harmony are built.

https://www.herorangecoat.com/

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/610030

21st November Singers & Musicians

28th November Steve Turner

Steve Turner is known as a pioneer of highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments, stretching the boundaries of traditional forms, with one of the best voices in the business. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who also accompanies himself on the cittern, and also plays mandolin and tenor banjo.

Steve began his career on the Manchester, UK folk scene at the end of the ‘60s, with the Geordie band “Canny Fettle”, touring with them for eight years and making two albums with them.

_{In 1979 he won the UK Melody Maker’s national “Stars of the 80s” competition, which persuaded him to turn professional, and for the next 12 years he toured solo, nationally and internationally, releasing four albums with Fellside Records during this period (Out Stack, Jigging One Now, Eclogue and Braiding). After 13 years away from the folk scene he made a welcome return in 2004 performing in folk clubs and festivals, and in 2008 producing his 5th album, the highly acclaimed Whirligig of Time which featured UK luminaries Martin Carthy, Nancy Kerr and Miranda Sykes. Since then he has released further albums, Rim of the Wheel, Spirit of the Game and Late Cut, and his latest much anticipated 9th album Curious Times featuring Martin Carthy was released in Spring 2023.}

_{He has also been interviewed in leading articles in the UK folk magazines fRoots and Living Tradition and RnR.}

https://steve-turner.co.uk/

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/610045

TOPIC ZOOM  – MONDAY NOVEMBER 18th 2024

Joy Leach has submitted the following:

This is an invitation to join the Topic Zoom on Monday November 18th. This will be following closely after the annual Songs for Peace and the Peace and Crafts Fair  (see below for details of these events):perhaps the theme will continue at the Zoom session on 18th. Our Zoom sessions are open to everyone, anywhere in the UK and beyond. Both performers and audience members are welcome.

As previously, the digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start; the programme will run till 10.00. Singers, musicians and poets can all take part. For further enquiries about participating, pass codes for the evening etc, please email: joy.utistugu.49.5.8@gmail.com

Once again we are grateful to Jim Saville who hosts the sessions, allowing us the use of his  Zoom facility.
 

 THE TOPIC AND BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE 2025

The now usual reminder that we are involved in one of the cultural events in the run up to Bradford City of Culture 2025.

Please see the attached updated flyer Songs with a Bradford Accent.

This ambitious project is by no means limited to the usual participants in the acoustic music scene: if you know of anyone outside our orbit who might be interested in being involved, please let them know about it, nay, encourage them. It's not a competition, by the way, no winners and losers, just a chance to show what local songwriters can do to honour the city's award.

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NON-TOPIC STUFF

On Saturday 2nd November  a "Concert in Five Parts" featuring "The Melsons and All Its Parts"  at Batley Town hall has been organised by Cleckheaton Folk Festival Organisation .

The concert will feature Jess & Richard Arrowsmith; Nancy Kerr & James Fagan; The Wilsons and The Melrose Quartet. 

Visit www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org for details,or you can phone the booking office 01484 225755, alternatively the organiser Dave on 07929 134556

On Sunday 3rd November Joe King will be performing at Costa Coffee, 11 Market Street Shipley BD18 3QD 6pm to 8pm in the last of a series of intimate monthly gigs with a folky flavour. Costa are unable to continue hosting this series of concerts after the November event. The organisers are trying to find a new venue, so watch this space....

Joe King may be a new name to you: but he has won a Melody maker award, appeared on BBC 2's The Old Grey Whistle Test and supported Cliff Richard.

This will be a pay as you feel event.  

On Monday 4th November 2024 Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Tim Moon.

Venue:The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2HB. Doors 7 pm. No entry fee. Raffle and donation. Music from 7.30pm 

On Sunday 10th November at 1 pm Songs for Peace will take place at the Bradford Cenotaph. There will be soup and more singing at the  Unitarian Church, 7A Russell St, Bradford BD5 0JB afterwards. See the attached flyer.

Also on 10th November, 7.00 till 10.00 pm, Bob Fox is appearing at Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG. Visit https://ryburn3step.org.uk/ for details.

On Thursday 14th November from 4.30 till 7.00 pm there will be another tribute event to Muppett, this one organised by his former colleagues at C-Net, which will be held at The Silk hall, Manningham Mills Community Centre, Lilycroft Road, Bradford BD9 5BD. Full details on the attached flyer.

On Saturday 16th November the Peace and Crafts Fair organised by CND will take place at Victoria Hall, Saltaire, 10 am till 4 pm. As usual, food, craft stalls and music by local musicians will be featured at the event.
 

HULLABALOO NEWS

Friends of Hullabaloo Ltd are currently running a Community Crowdfunding project, this is mainly to help with the upkeep and renewal where necessary of items essential to the running of the business, particularly with regard to bar and kitchen equipment and suchlike.

Any individuals who wish to may of course contribute. The deadline is 7th November but it will still be open to receive donations for a week or two after that date. 

For some interesting information about the pub and its aims, also details of the crowdfunding project (including rewards) visit  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hullabaloo-2

Remember that freshly prepared food is available at Hullabaloo from 5.30 pm.                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------

TOPIC STUFF   

As most of you know, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better.

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 now runs on Thursdays at Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX. Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and 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. 

Please continue to take Covid precautions when visiting the club.

Best wishes

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club