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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter

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. 

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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