The Catalyst Club http://www.catalystclub.co.uk Eclectic and edifying talks Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Copyright © The Catalyst Club 2010 alistair@cartoonet.org (Dr Bramwell) alistair@cartoonet.org (Dr Bramwell) Spoken word 1440 catalyst club, brighton, A monthly dose of eclectic talks from the Catalyst Club in Brighton. Each month at the Catalyst Club in Brighton three speakers talk on a subject that fascinates them. Some of these previous talk titles will give you a flavour of the night: Bees, Emergence Theory, Victorian Lantern Shows, The Exciting World of Slime Mould, Giant Squid and The Dawn of Civilisation. Dr Bramwell Dr Bramwell alistair@cartoonet.org No no http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/itunes144.jpg The Catalyst Club http://www.catalystclub.co.uk 144 144 The Catalyst Club 2012 http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2012/01/13/the-catalyst-club-2012/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2012/01/13/the-catalyst-club-2012/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:55:14 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=467 At the Catalyst Club this January we learned to appreciate our sense of smell with the return of Mr Andy Spector, while Jacob Funnell entertained us with the extraordinary story of Bartitsu, an English martial art, which came complete with live action and attempted mugging. We also learned from a fascinating talk on wine myths from the lovely Belinda Kemp that if you are prone to hay fever it is best to drink wines from Chile and New Zealand which have low levels of biogenic amines and avoid port and cheese together! Alternatively she recommended buying Quercetin tablets (chemical compound found in grape skins) a natural antihistamine from your local Health shop.


Jacob Funnell celebrates a damned fine moustache

We return in February with a packed schedule courtesy of the Brighton Science Festival, with two science dates (Thursday 9th and Thursday 23rd) packed with talks on hedgehogs, disasters, videogames and erm, custard!

A regular honest-to-goodness Catalyst will also be running on Friday February 24th. As always, the nature of these talks will be kept a closely guarded secret, known only to Dr Bramwell and a Nepalese mystic (whose identity is also a closely guarded secret).

The Catalyst Club has been selling out these last few months; we recommend getting your tickets in advance from the latest music bar website.

Thursday 9th Feb Science Festival:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/148706

Thursday 23rd Feb Science Festival:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/148761

Regular Catalyst Club Friday 24th February:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/148772

Dr Bramwell x

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2012/01/13/the-catalyst-club-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/12/09/454/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/12/09/454/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:35:08 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=454

Our 100th Catalyst night on 8th December went off with a bang, thanks to an exploration of virtual reality and a rubber hand from Katie Genevieve, Matthew Jeffrey’s skilled reading of M&M lyrics, and Matt Rudkin who explained why Mother Theresa may have been a mutant.

As a Xmas present for everyone present, Mark Bennett kindly made a Ken Campbell inspired 4-hour DVD of alternative Xmas telly, all culled from youtube. Those who missed out can pick up a copy for free from Ecologicool on Sydney Street.

With the continued popularity of the night, we return on January 12th with plans to sell 65 tickets in advance from the link below and to make 30 tickets available on the night after 6pm. In the event of a sellout, the night will also be screened for free upstairs.

We’re also hosting a free ‘best of’ night in January for free which is being filmed for telly. For more details, join the mailing list…

Happy new year
Dr Bramwell x

www.wegottickets.com/event/147139

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/12/09/454/feed/ 0 December 8th: 100th Catalyst Club! http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/11/11/next-month-the-100th-catalyst-club/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/11/11/next-month-the-100th-catalyst-club/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:37:26 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=430

Yvonne Luna tries the cold water treatment

November’s Catalyst was another busy one with a Brighton theme running through the talks. We learned how Yvonne Luna dealt with depression through a variety of unconventional and sometimes alarming means, finally settling on joining the Brighton Swimming Club who plunder the icy waters every morning at 7am, every day of the year!
Our genial host, Dr Bramwell talked about the history of Mail Art and mischief with the postal service (including his own exploits) while James Burt encouraged us all to go on a psychogeographical tour of the city to see it with fresh eyes!

December 8th will be our 100th official Catalyst Club (excluding our occasional excursions to London and Oxford) and to celebrate there’ll be a little party afterwards upstairs with a few nibbles, kindly provided by the venue.

After eight and a half years however, word has finally got out, meaning our last few night have sold out and people have had to be sent home empty handed to watch Eastenders and an ITV documentary about miniature ponies. Some of you have also been coming for years which means a lot to me and I’d hate to lose you to the dark side (i.e. Five Rhythms Dance Classes, hot yoga, improvised juggling workshops etc).
We’re not looking to expand just yet so for now, to guarantee entry, please book in advance from: www.wegottickets.com/event/139886 and all will be well in the world.

Dr Bramwell x

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/11/11/next-month-the-100th-catalyst-club/feed/ 0 Viva Betty! http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/10/14/viva-betty-mulcahy/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/10/14/viva-betty-mulcahy/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:23:55 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=419

Catalyst Club this October featured the wonderful Betty Mulcahy who, at 91, is our oldest ever speaker (closely followed by Mike Gaddon at 87). She talked about her passion for poetry and how she became a professional performer of poetry, travelling the world, writing books and making films. At the end we were treated to some EE Cummings and Dylan Thomas and spared Pam Ayres.
Richard Robinson (creator of Brighton Science Festival) also took us through the ‘History of Everything’ in under 14 minutes and Junk TV’s Simon Wilkinson explained the shocking but fascinating history of ‘Fractional Banking’.

We return November 10th, same time, same place. I’ve got a feeling this might be our 100th Catalyst Club so there’ll probably be a free mince pie or two. Tickets available in advance from:

www.wegottickets.com/event/133833

Dr Bramwell x

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/10/14/viva-betty-mulcahy/feed/ 0 RIP Drako Zarhazar http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/09/09/rip-drako-zarhazar/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/09/09/rip-drako-zarhazar/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:28:02 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=409

Farewell Drako Zarhazar, the Brighton eccentric. Former Dali model and performer, Drako personified the Catalyst ethos for passion: his joy for life was unequalled and his Basil Brush laugh infectious. After a car crash, coma and subsequent memory loss in 1991, Drako externalised his lost inner world by filling his house with notes and ephemera. It became a work of art. His house really ought to be turned into a museum.

On a different note, September’s Catalyst was a stonking success, we had talks on sharing, meteorites and the politeness of the Brits vs the Yanks. I think we lost the battle.
Next Catalyst Club is Oct 13th. Bring your conkers.
Dr Bramwell x

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/09/09/rip-drako-zarhazar/feed/ 0 Summer holiday http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/07/15/summer-holiday/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/07/15/summer-holiday/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 06:13:59 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=390 Thanks to everyone who made our 8th birthday bash a triumph this July, especially David Osbourne, Matthew De Abaitua and Alistair Goode for their talks on the law, camping and the suffragettes.
The Catalyst Club will be taking its annual holiday in Skegness this August but will return sunkissed and rejuvinated on September 8th at the Latest Music Bar in Brighton.
For those who can’t bear the thought of not seeing its host, Dr Bramwell, for this long, he can be found giving inspiring talks on utopia at Port Elliot, Wilderness and Playgroup festivals throughout August.

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/07/15/summer-holiday/feed/ 0 8th birthday 14th July http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/27/8th-birthday-14th-july/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/27/8th-birthday-14th-july/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:57:27 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=382
Come dress in tweed, corduroy and gingham and join the hippest people on the planet this month to celebrate the 8th year of the Catalyst Club. Since our humble beginnings in the converted loos on Elm Grove in 2003 we’ve spread our wings to Oxford, London and Glasgow as well as taking part in festivals ranging from Brighton Science Festival to a week long Japanese themed festival in Bartholomew Square. As usual this month we have three speakers, a free mince pie, inane banter from your host (me) Dr Bramwell and probably some more nudity from the speakers…

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/27/8th-birthday-14th-july/feed/ 1 June Events http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/05/june-events/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/05/june-events/#comments Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:14:55 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=374 Thursday 9th June
The good-old no-frills, festival-free, back-to-the-same-old-venue, yes-the-loos-are-still-broken Catalyst Club returns to surprise you with brand new speakers, the return of Charlie Bauer, a tale or two from the good doctor and news of a Catalyst camping trip to Oxford! We have tickets for pre-booking, some kept aside for the door and a few more chairs. Room for all (almost) guaranteed!
Doors 8pm
Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, BN2 1TF
Tickets £5, available on door, or pre-book from www.wegottickets.com/event/120174

Friday 10th June Catalyst Club
Spirit Broadcast and Ghost Trains with Spacedog & Colin Uttley @ the Last Tuesday Society, Hackney

In the early 20th century, radio and gramophones seemed so remarkable that some tried to use them to explain the spirit world and telepathy. Engineer and musician Sarah Angliss take us on a journey to a time when physicists flirted freely with the paranormal, complete with live aether music and genuine voices from beyond the grave!

Starting with the ghost train on the Palace Pier, Colin Uttley explores how the 18th-century phantasmagoria became this classic fairground ‘dark ride’. Along the way he even reveals a Victorian railway disaster, deep in a tunnel just outside Brighton which inspired Charles Dickens’ haunting tale The Signalman. Includes some ghost train special effects – hold onto your seats!
Tickets http://thehendrickslectureseries.co.uk/catalyst3.html

Thursday 23rd June Catalyst Club Special:
Japalyst! (TM) @ Festival Hub, Bartholomew Square
as part of the Asahi Brighton Japan Festival

As part of a week-long festival in Brighton celebrating all things Japanese, the Catalyst Club will be running a special Japanese themed evening with talks and demonstrations from artist/actress Sachi Kimura, comic expert Tim Pilcher and Moshi Moshi’s director Nicky Rohl. There’ll be a chance to learn about Japanese Manga comics, a talk about one of Japan’s most controversial photographers, Araki, and a unique opportunity to have your bum ‘read’. No, really. It’s going to be brilliant.

Doors 7.30-11pm, Festival Hub, Bartholomew Square Tickets £8 from Brightonjapan.com, Dome Box Office, Brighton ticketshop.com, Ticketweb, Seeticket, Resident, Rounder, Moshi Moshi direct and University of Sussex Union shop!

For more info: Brightonjapan.com

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/06/05/june-events/feed/ 1 EXOTICA: DEVILISHLY GOOD NIGHTS IN MAY! http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/03/04/march-into-may-with-the-catalyst/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/03/04/march-into-may-with-the-catalyst/#comments Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:46:31 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=221 In collaboration with Playgroup, Brighton’s celebrated spoken word night, the Catalyst Club presents EXOTICA, a series of outlandish, entertaining and enlightening talks throughout the May Festival, on themes ranging from ghost trains and freakshows to utopias, camping and vaginas. Each night will feature special guest speakers plus surprise performers from the festival itself. Come and be inspired, learn stuff, share your festival tips in our audience review section, meet the performers and maybe even push the boat out and have half a shandy.
Tickets only £6 from www.concorde2.co.uk/events
Venue: Hector’s House, Grand Parade, Brighton

Wednesday 11th May 8pm. £6

SPIRIT BROADCASTS AND GHOST TRAINS

with Sarah ‘Spacedog’ Angliss and Colin Uttley

In the early 20th century, radio and gramophones seemed so remarkable that some tried to use them to explain the spirit world and telepathy. Engineer and musician Sarah Angliss take us on a journey to a time when physicists flirted freely with the paranormal, complete with live aether music and genuine voices from beyond the grave!

Starting with the ghost train on the Palace Pier, Colin Uttley explores how the 18th-century phantasmagoria became this classic fairground ‘dark ride’. Along the way he even reveals a Victorian railway disaster, deep in a tunnel just outside Brighton which inspired Charles Dickens’ haunting tale The Signalman. Includes some ghost train special effects – hold onto your seats!

Sunday 15th May 8pm. £6

KEN CAMPBELL: THE GREAT CAPER!
with Michael Coveney & Daisy Campbell

Eight years ago Ken Campbell’s daughter Daisy sent him out to buy his first computer. On his way Ken discovered that for a few extra quid he could ‘upgrade to a parrot and have some real fun’…

Throughout his life Ken Campbell inhabited the world of a madcap genius; he was the creator of The Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool, directed the world’s longest play (The Warp), pioneered the classic ferrets-down-the-trousers stunt and created award-winning one-man shows. Tonight his life is remembered by his biographer and theatre critic, Michael Coveney and his daughter Daisy Campbell. Plus! rare video treats for fans and a chance to buy signed copies of Michael Coveney’s new book; Ken Campbell: The Great Caper.

Thursday 19th May 8pm. £6

THE N09 BUS TO UTOPIA
with Dr David Bramwell

After being dumped by his long-term girlfriend, and amidst a growing realisation he had things to learn about sharing, Dr Bramwell took a year off and travelled through the West in search of utopia. After visiting underground temples, futuristic cities, erotic arcadias and a sacred caravan site he returned from his travels and decided to put into action some of the lessons he had learned by transforming his neighbourhood in Brighton into his own vision of utopia. He hopes to inspire you to do the same. Mixing comedy and lecture-style slide shows, this is a full-length version of Dr Bramwell’s talk that featured as a Brighton TEDx lecture in January 2011.

www.drbramwell.com

FREAKS, VAGINAS AND THE ART OF CAMPING
Tuesday 24th May 8pm. £6
Jamie McCartney, Kathleen Kotcher and Matthew de Abaitua

Brighton-born conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton were the world’s strangest double act to ever grace both stage and screen and are best remembered for their role in the film, Freaks. Author, Kathleen Kotcher, reveals all about their strange loves and lives.

Created from casts of 400 women’s nethers and spanning 9 metres, The Great Wall of Vagina took five years to make. Jamie McCartney shows us how and tells us why he did it…

Matthew De Abaitua of the Idler Magazine and author of the forthcoming The Art of Camping explores the subversive history and importance of sleeping under the stars.

]]> http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/03/04/march-into-may-with-the-catalyst/feed/ 1 Catalyst vs Science Festival 2011 http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/01/14/diary-dates-for-2011/ http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/2011/01/14/diary-dates-for-2011/#comments Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:04:48 +0000 Dr David Bramwell http://www.catalystclub.co.uk/?p=199 It’s genital piercing vs corduroy this March as the Science Festival comes to Brighton, takes over the Catalyst Club and fills the town with fizzing test tubes, prototype jet-packs and damp Hush Puppies. Catalyst events run on Tues 1st and Thurs 3rd March, 7.30pm kick off. There’ll be a brilliant array of speakers as ever, including Michael Brooks and Jonathan Hare (BBC Rough Science) on the science of the sci-fi film, Moon. Tickets in advance from websites below.

Tues 1st March:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/109232

Thurs 3rd March:

WINTER/SPRING DATES:

Tues & Thurs March 1st/ 3rd Science Fest 7.30pm £6 www.brightonscience.com/2011/category/catalyst-club-life

Thursday April 14th: regular night  8pm start

Catalyst Festival Specials  in May

Saturday 7th 10pm, Sunday 15th 8pm, Sunday 22nd 8pm

Dr Bramwell x


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