Click on any entry in Barry Bradford’s Speaking Schedule for full details.
Cultural History
Events
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1876 – American Time Capsule (PM)
ZoomOur popular "Time Capsule" series returns! One hundred fifty years ago, America celebrated its Centennial with grand exhibitions, patriotic celebrations, and boundless optimism. But 1876 was far more than a birthday party. It was a year of extraordinary innovation, dramatic … Continue reading
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Television In The 1950s
Private VenueThe fabulous 1950s are often called The "First Golden Era" of Television!Mel With programs ranging from "I Love Lucy" to Edward R. Murrow, Sid Caesar to live dramas weekly, , from rigged quiz shows, Gunsmoke, and soap operas, the 1950s … Continue reading
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The Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part One: Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry & Jerry Lee Lewis
North Shore Senior Center 161 Northfield Road, NorthfieldWhere did rock ’n’ roll come from? There is no single answer. The music that changed American popular culture grew from an extraordinary mixture of sounds—country and Western swing, blues and rhythm & blues, gospel, boogie-woogie, and more. Musicians borrowed … Continue reading
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Mel Brooks
Private VenueMel Brooks wrote, directed, and starred in some of the funniest movies of all time. He even wrote the music for them! As a TV writer working for the great Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks contributed to perhaps the funniest TV … Continue reading
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Great Fortunes Of The Gilded Age (J. P. Morgan)
Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL, United StatesDuring the Gilded Age, America saw a handful of families dominate the economy with staggering fortunes. If I asked you to name the richest American, other than Elon Musk, you might name Bill Gates or Sam Walton. Both are from … Continue reading
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The Beach Boys: America’s Band and Their Timeless Sound
Private VenueWith Brian Wilson's death on June 11, 2025, American music lost one of its most dynamic and original creators. As co-founder of the Beach Boys, Wilson was the musical genius behind the California sound, melding lush harmonies, inventive arrangements, and … Continue reading
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What Just Happened – August 2026 Current Events (Afternoon)
ZoomPLEASE NOT NEW START TIME THIS MONTH ONLY, THE PROGRAM BEGINS AT 12:30 PM Once a month, you can participate in a current events discussion presentation with a twist. Award-winning professional historian Barry Bradford will help us learn “What Just … Continue reading
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The Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part One: Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry & Jerry Lee Lewis (Afternoon)
ZoomWhere did rock ’n’ roll come from? There is no single answer. The music that changed American popular culture grew from an extraordinary mixture of sounds—country and Western swing, blues and rhythm & blues, gospel, boogie-woogie, and more. Musicians borrowed … Continue reading
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The Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part One (Evening)
ZoomWhere did rock ’n’ roll come from? There is no single answer. The music that changed American popular culture grew from an extraordinary mixture of sounds—country and Western swing, blues and rhythm & blues, gospel, boogie-woogie, and more. Musicians borrowed … Continue reading
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The Musicals of Lerner & Loewe – From Brigadoon to Camelot
Niles Senior Center 999 Civic Center Drive, Niles, IL, United StatesLIVE AN IN-PERSON LUNCH INCLUDED REGISTRATION REQUIRED Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe created some of the most beloved musicals of Broadway’s Golden Age — Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, and Gigi. Together, the lyricist and composer … Continue reading