Curious Histories at the East Street Tap

For our first in-person show of 2025, Curious Histories is delighted to support Pelican Parcels. They are a small charity that helps babies and young children in Brighton and Hove whose families are facing financial hardship. They do this through gift parcels of essentials such as clothes, school uniforms, prams, nappies and toys. More info about this terrific outfit below.

We're back upstairs at Brighton's friendly, quirky East Street Tap with a remarkable double bill, featuring a special screening of an unique life history documentary by Ali Ramsey and, from Jonathan Scott, the curious story of NASA's 1977 mixtape for aliens.

Our talks:
Menopause: The Movie - Ali Ramsey

Ali Ramsey will introduce, and then take questions on, her ground-breaking social history documentary, Menopause: The Movie. The film incorporates personal testimonies, archive and newly shot footage. It considers what we might make of menopause's new visibility in public life and the relationship this has to the historical experiences of older women and the ongoing feminist work for equal healthcare. Ali made the movie as part of her PhD in Critical and Creative Practice at the University of Sussex. You can watch the trailer above.

The Vinyl Frontier - Jonathan Scott

Jonathan Scott makes a welcome return to Curious Histories with the story of a group of scientists, artists and writers who in 1977 put together possibly the most unusual mixtape ever devised. In that year, NASA sent Voyager 1 and 2 on a grand tour of the outer planets, and the agency commissioned a plaque to be fixed to the side of each probe - a calling card to any passing alien that might one day chance upon them. The result was the Voyager Golden Record, a genre-hopping multimedia metal LP. How this unique artefact came about, and what kooky things are on it, will be revealed in Jonathan's talk.

Our speakers:

Ali Ramsey is a doctoral candidate and associate of Sussex University's Centre for Life History and Life Writing. Her professional background is in documentary making at the BBC. She's also co-founder of award-winning multimedia production company Digital Drama and she produces films, audio, installations, live events and plays.

Jonathan Scott is the author of , the subject of his talk for Curious Histories. He's also a record collector, genealogist and regular contributor to the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

Our chosen charity:
Pelican Parcels takes pre-loved and new item donations for babies and children up to age twelve, and redistributes them to families facing financial hardship across Brighton & Hove. The city has high rates of children in need, in care and with child protection plans, or who have been referred to social care services. The charity aims to provide all children's essentials: beds and clothes, uniform and shoes, toys and books, prams and play mats, nappies and toiletries. All donations go directly to the families at no cost to them. Find out what you items you could donate here.

FAQs

How do I find out more about Curious Histories?

You can follow us here on eventbrite, or join our public facebook chat group.

How do I get to the ?

It's towards the southern end of East Street, in the Lanes. On-street parking in the vicinity is very limited, but the NCP theatre car park on Church Street is reasonably close. Better still, all major city bus routes stop within a three-minute walk of the venue (alight at North Street). Brighton railway station is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the pub.

What refreshments will be available?

Buy your drinks in the bar downstairs before the event and at the interval - you can bring them up to the show.

How does this Curious Histories event support good causes?

All profits from this event will be going to support Pelican Parcels.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?

The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have a list of names on the door.

What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?

If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.

Will latecomers be admitted?

We will begin at 7.30pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.

Is there wheelchair access to the venue?

Unfortunately, the nature of the building makes wheelchair access to the upper floor of the pub impossible.

Host or Publisher Curious Histories @ St John's