Est: 1956

Topic Newsletter

Newsletter No 293 - November 2026

_{Hello again everyone, welcome back to GMT...}

_{Here's what's what the Topic has in store for the coming month:}

_{5th     November    Singers & musicians   £1 entry} 

_{12th     November        Dana Robinson}

_{Dana Robinson is a songwriter, guitarist and old time fiddler with a warm and soulful singing style.}

_{Following a well-received 15-date tour in March, November sees the second leg of Dana’s The Sound of the Word tour, celebrating his latest CD release.}

_{His songs tell stories about rural life with intimate observations of the natural world: they delve deep into the landscape with wonder, humour and connection with community and sense of place.}

_{Dana’s music remains firmly rooted in humanity, in the ways of nature, and in universal truths. His performances embody a vitality and excitement, which serves to reconnect the audience with the mundane and beautiful things that nourish
and bring us joy.}

_{For over 30 years, Dana has been a fixture on the folk and acoustic music scene in the United States and the UK, playing his unique blend of songwriting with traditional influences. Dana’s guitar playing combines British fingerstyle and Appalachian flat picking to create his own distinctive sound.}

_{Dana’s latest album, The Sound of the Word, is his 14th full-length studio release and the culmination of six years of creative exploration. This record blends contemporary songwriting with southern old-time influences, resulting in a body of work that is at once expansive and intimate. Inspired by bands like The Horse Flies, Wilco, and Shooglenifty, Dana’s new material tackles the pressing issues of our era while always circling back to the solace and inspiration found in the natural world.   £9/£6}

_{We took a fantastic trip across the USA last night with Dana Robinson. His artistry as a songwriter, storyteller and guitarist was sublime.  -  St Neots Folk Club}

 _{What an amazing evening it was! Dana is the full package - beautiful guitar playing and stomping, powerful and heartfelt lyrics with a wonderful voice and a story to tell. He was completely engaging - a very special 'real' human being. -  concert-goer, Ely}

_{Dana’s music is a heady blend of folk, rock and country influences and his lyrics are a celebration of life, landscape and the natural world.  "The Sound of the Word" is an exhilarating album! - John Barlass, At The Barrier}

 _{An intimate and personal record, the overall tone is one of hope, and ultimately the listener is left thoroughly uplifted -  RnR magazine}

_{https://www.robinsongs.com/}

_{https://wegottickets.com/f/24901}

_{19th     November        Singers & musicians   £1 entry. 
Special tonight:  a guest appearance from local Appalachian dance side Roll Back the Carpet.}

_{26th     November        The Hooliemen.} 

_{The Hooliemen are four very seasoned accomplished musicians who have played together for years and have now formally come together as the Hooliemen.}

_{Musicians of the highest calibre with a lifetime of performing experience: Chris Dyson on fiddle and vocals, from Roisin Ban & Gaelforce, ex Mike Harding Band, Leeds CCE; Richard Moss on guitar and vocals, ex-Mike Harding Band, Drop the Floor; Paddy Heffron on button accordion and vocals as well as Sean Nos dance, Roisin Ban, Leeds CCE; and Brian Aylward on flute, Irish pipes, whistle and vocals, Leeds CCE, Damhsa, Ceilihouse.}

_{An up-tempo Irish trad sound with great tunes and beautiful versions of songs you will be familiar with. Jigs 'n' reels, Irish ballads, harmony & a cappella vocals & Sean Nos dance.}

_{The group existed for a decade playing for the set dancing nights – the Hoolie – at Whitby Folk Week, and now they're now formally a band not to miss.}

_£9/£6

_{https://www.facebook.com/the.hooliemen/

https://wegottickets.com/f/24902}

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_{TOPIC ZOOM NIGHT MONDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2026}

_{You are invited to join the next Topic Zoom session on Monday 16th November. The digital doors will open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and the programme will run till 10 pm. To participate in this or other of our monthly Zoom evenings, either as a performer or as an audience member, please contact Guy at guy@wutheringbikes.org.uk}

_{We are grateful to David Kidman who allows us the use of his Zoom Pro so we can run the evening without a break. He also advises on the technical glitches that can occur from time to time.}

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_{NEWS FROM THE DALES}

_{Songs and Tunes of the Yorkshire Dales – the popular monthly sessions will recommence on Sunday November 8th, 1pm to 4pm (note earlier time) at the Buck Inn, Buckden BD23 5JA, not far from Starbotton. Everyone is welcome to come and sing, play, recite poems, tell stories or just listen. The session will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, through to March 2027.}

_{For more information on this and other events going on in the Dales, see the Dales Traditional Music and Dance Collective on:}

_{www.dales-music-and-dance-collective.org.uk}

_{NON TOPIC STUFF}

_{On Monday 2nd November Bingley First Monday Folk welcomes  Johnny Campbell. One not to miss....}

_{Venue: Bingley Arts Centre (upstairs theatre), Main St, Bingley BD16 2LZ .}

_{The venue is 100% accessible via staircase and lift.}

_{Doors 7 pm, music 7.30 pm. Pay as you feel, donation and raffle.} 

_{On Sunday 8th November 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG welcomes JIB, a trio recently formed by Jim Mageean with Ingrid and Barry Temple.}

_{info@ryburn3step.org.uk  or phone 01422 822569 for tickets  (£11)}

_{www.ryburn3step.org.uk}

_{Please note this club can only accept cash.}

_{On Saturday 28th November at 7.15pm the Duncan McFarlane Band are playing at HEART  - Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre - Bennett Road Headingley Leeds LS6 3HN}

_{On Sunday 29th November at 7.30 pm The Leeds Folk Fiddle Group are appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ} 

_{This will be a Pay As You Feel event.}

_{Check out The Live Room at Saltaire for another busy month of excellent shows coming up:  https://theliveroom.info/shows/}

_{----------------------}

_{TOPIC STUFF}

_{The club's two anniversary celebration events went very well: the afternoon at Darley Street Market was blessed with beautiful weather and the evening at Shipley Library was most enjoyable.}

_{Both events were well supported, thanks to all those who came along, and also to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make them so successful.}

_{Special thanks to Andrea of Shipley Library who really went out of her way to help us make that event an extra special evening, and has suggested more collaborations with the Topic in the future, so watch this space...}

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_{As many of you know by now, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment for entry to the club by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better.}

_{Membership of the club normally runs from 1st January and will entitle you to the lower ticket prices on guest nights 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.}

_{As previously advised ALL Topic Folk Club nights, guest nights and singers/musicians nights, now take place at  The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU.}

_{There are two entrances to the pub, the lower door with steps on Barry Street, the top door at ground floor level on Grattan Road. On guest act nights you have to use the Grattan Road entrance as the other one is locked.} 

_{Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road just outside the pub, also on Fulton St., which is a nearby turning off Grattan Road and there is a disabled parking slot. (Fee £1: however, it seems that the Council is planning to scrap street parking charges, but we don't yet know when this welcome change is likely to be taking effect, so be aware).}

_{It has been suggested that we could introduce themes for the singers/musicians nights. We would welcome any thoughts on this, or ideas for themes.}

_{For all events doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 9.45 to finish. (This is for the convenience of the increasing number of people who need to leave a bit earlier to fit in with local public transport services.)}

_{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. It's still around.....}

_{----------------------}

_{Finally, now for something completely different: I have received this from Stuart of the Drever Guitar School in Uddingston, Scotland, for guitarists, budding or otherwise. You might like to spend the long winter evenings developing your style or repertoire:}

_QUOTE

_{My House of the Rising Sun lesson could offer interested guitarists a familiar piece to develop chord changes and moving bass notes.}

_{The sample is a complete House of the Rising Sun lesson on chords and moving bass notes, with a teaching video, four guided practice exercises and a printable handout. Free signup gives access without payment or card details. The optional next step is my £19/month online Guitar Club.}

_{From : Stuart Drever Guitar School
stuart@dreverguitar.co.uk}

_{56 East Avenue, Uddingston, G71 6LG
Scotland, United Kingdom}  

_UNQUOTE

_{That's all for now....}

_{Tony Charnock}