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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: bykerlads on Wednesday 23 October 24 17:32 BST (UK)

Title: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: bykerlads on Wednesday 23 October 24 17:32 BST (UK)

With ref the 1970's / 80's in Huddersfield. The Amsterdam bar in Queen Street South,  was a well-known bar and venue of that era.
Can anyone recall or find mention of, an appearance there by Nina Simone? Probably a one-off informal gig.
I know someone who talks of seeing her up on the bar singing at the end of one of the famously raucous nights there.
All  replies appreciated.

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: J.R.Ellam on Thursday 24 October 24 06:57 BST (UK)

Hi Bykerlads

I cannot recall  any mention of Nina Simone but I remember it was more known for its drag acts os it might have been a tribute act

John

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: AlanBoyd on Thursday 24 October 24 07:22 BST (UK)

Here is a detailed timeline of her appearances. Notice the years along the top – you can jump in rather than scroll down. As might be expected there is no mention of Huddersfield. There are details of European and British tours, so it might be possible to narrow down possible periods of time to focus on.

If you look at what kind of appearances she was doing at that time it does seem very unlikely. I always had the impression that she was a serious character, not the type to do impromptu sessions in bars.

http://www.boscarol.com/ninasimone/pages/nina/chrono.php (http://www.boscarol.com/ninasimone/pages/nina/chrono.php)

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: bykerlads on Thursday 24 October 24 08:00 BST (UK)

Thanks for the replies.
I was thinking the same thing, as it seems rather unlikely.
And I am told that the 2 owners of the bar often ended up performing in drag and dancing on the bar.
Conversely, they did apparently host some surprisingly well-known performers too.

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: J.R.Ellam on Friday 25 October 24 07:08 BST (UK)

My parents often went & it wasn't a bar as such it was run on similar line of the Batley Variety.

Batley was a lot bigger & got the bigger acts but the Amsterdam Bar built a good reputation for there drag acts.

John

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: bykerlads on Thursday 31 October 24 17:32 GMT (UK)

Yes, I had the impression that the Amsterdam was more of an entertainment venue than just a bar. And the owners apparently had several other clubs.
Thanks for replies.

Title: Re: Huddersfield Amsterdam Bar question
Post by: SmithRodgers on Thursday 23 January 25 16:01 GMT (UK)

I remember as an art school student at the Huddersfield school of art going there when one of the drag artists's long haired wig caught fire. He decided to change hairstyles after that I understand