Glyde House, Glydegate, Bradford BD5 0BQ
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Topic Newsletter

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

At Glyde House, Glydegate, Bradford BD5 0BQ

Newsletter No 198  - December 2018 

Hello all, 

Christmas is almost upon us once more, which means we have a "short" month: only two guest nights, but quality guests as usual (of course).

6th December: Singers and musicians.  Preceded by the Club's AGM which starts at 7.30 pm

13th  December: Paula Ryan

Paula is a compelling singer/songwriter, born and bred in Tipperary, Ireland, whose powerful, insightful songs are inspired by the lyricism and musical passion of her Irish Gaelic roots & driven by the funky rhythmic influences and “wacky” instruments of music from other cultures.

To accompany her songs, Paula plays marimba/tongue drum, guitar and a variety of percussion instruments including bodhran, djembe and darabuka.

Paula has been active on the folk scene in and around York for many years, both as a solo artist and in varying collaborations. She has regularly toured the USA, France and Germany both performing and organising/ running workshops in singing, song writing, percussion and rhythm in those countries as well as in the UK, Ireland and as far away as Tanzania. Her performances are laced with the warmth, wit and passion of her Irish roots.

Paula has had considerable success in some of America’s biggest song contests: her song "The Red Rose"  received an Honor Award from the Great American Song Contest, as did another of her songs The Faintest Touch. She was a finalist with the same song in one of Ireland’s leading song contests – the Clonmel National Song Contest.

https://paularyan.co/

20th  December: Vicki Swann and Jonny Dyer.

Vicki Swan & Jonny effortlessly blend traditional material with contemporary sounds. Their performances showcase new interpretations of old songs alongside original self penned tunes and new contemporary songs that are entirely at home in the tradition.

Out of this combination they have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Strong believers in letting the music tradition live and breathe through sensitive interpretation, Vicki and Jonny allow the melody to sing without any constraints.

Be entranced by the haunting nyckelharpa, amazed at the cow horn (one of the worlds earliest communication devices) and meet some of the bagpipes that didn’t come from Scotland.

Their evenings are packed with toe tapping tunes and songs of love, death, trains and dressing up (not always at the same time) all presented with sparkling gentle humour, lots of smiles and skilful musicianship.

Tonight Vicki and Jonny will be presenting their special Christmas show. Well, it is nearly Christmas…

http://www.swan-dyer.co.uk/

The Holbeck Moor Mummers will be in attendance as usual at this time of year with their festive offering, humour and all...

27th December: Club closed

THE BRIAN LAWTON LEGACY PROJECT.

A final reminder about this ongoing project concerning photographs taken by Brian Lawton which cover much of the history of folk music and folk festivals in West Yorkshire. It’s well worth visiting the website http://www.brianlawtonproject.org.uk, to which new material is being added on a regular basis.

TOPIC STUFF

IMPORTANT STUFF  -  THE AGM!

As advised previously the AGM will be held on 6th December at 7.30 pm at Glyde House, preceding the monthly singers and musicians night.  Non-members coming to the singers night will be welcome to observe, but will not be able to vote on any matters, as is normal.

Hopefully we will get enough people along to deal with the tedious but necessary business efficiently so we can get on with the singers night.

USUAL STUFF

MEMBERSHIP: If you would like to become a member of the Topic Folk club it still only costs only £5.00 for the year. Membership 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.

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 Glyde House, Glydegate, Little Horton Lane  BD5 0BQ, 8.30 pm start. (Singers & Musicians nights normally start at 8.15 pm). 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 thank you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome, especially in the first half, though may be limited when we have a booked support act - please check. Please try to get there by 8.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

To find the Topic on Facebook search for "Topic Fc".

Tony Charnock

Topic Newsletter Editor