Archivists take over the popular bar-based monthly lecture series, Nerd Nite Philly.

Nerd Nite is a monthly lecture event that strives for an inebriated, salacious, yet deeply academic vibe. It’s often about science or technology, but by no means is it limited to such topics. And it’s definitely entertaining. Our unofficial tag line is “It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer!” There are Nerd Nites around the world, Philadelphia is just one of them. Take a gander at http://philadelphia.nerdnite.com/welcome/ for more info.

Tuesday, October 23, 8:00-9:30

Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
$5 cover charge

Speakers

Celia Caust-Ellenbogen, Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia (A4BLiP) – “#Archives4BlackLives: Archivists Respond to Black Lives Matter”
When the Black Lives Matter movement emerged more than five years ago, it called for a reckoning to address the pervasive racism, both overt and covert, that impacts nearly every aspect of U.S. culture. This includes archives, a profession that is overwhelmingly white, and stewards collections that disproportionately represent white history. Archives For Black Lives in Philadelphia (A4BLiP) is a loose association of archivists, librarians, and allied professionals in the area responding to the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement. This presentation will outline the goals of the group and describe actions that citizens, archivists, and citizen archivists can take towards ensuring that our historical memory is as just and inclusive as possible.

Celia Caust-Ellenbogen is one of the organizers of Archives For Black Lives in Philadelphia (A4BLiP). She is an archivist at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.

Laurel Burmeister – “HOW ARE YOU, IMPOSTERS! Tracing the Origins of the Ice Cream Soda”
Using a curious and bombastic Philadelphia broadside from the 19th century, we’ll wade into the murky history of the ice cream soda, while investigating turn of the century fountain culture–fraught with professional rivalries, grandiose self-promotion, and a healthy fear of ice.

Laurel Burmeister is the historic programs, outreach, and collections manager at the Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery, America’s oldest continuously operating confectionery. She enjoys long walks in the woods and discussing the cultural implications of the 1858 Bradford sweets poisoning.

Chelsea Reed – “Locating Philadelphia Jazz: The Intersections of Place, Sound, and Story in the History Classroom”
Chelsea Reed, a Philadelphia based jazz vocalist and educator, reveals the hidden musical history on the streets of North and South Philadelphia. This presentation will use jazz music, media, and spaces to illuminate powerful African American histories located in neighborhoods beyond Old City. With a focus on presenting these histories to younger audiences, Reed demonstrates ways that we can engage and empower students through the built environment.

Chelsea Reed is a jazz vocalist and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. She earned her B.M. in Jazz Vocal Performance with a double major in American Studies from Temple University. A recent graduate of Temple University’s Public History Graduate Program, Reed’s research and life’s work centers around how to bring radical jazz history to the classroom using the musical places of Philadelphia.