From the earliest times, humans have looked at the stars and wondered what things were like up there. It might be our greatest achievement that members of our species have walked on the moon, sent back awe-inspiring images of our planet, and learned so much about the great cosmos above.

However, there won’t be much of that Brian Cox wide-eyed wonder here! This talk is about the Space Race and how we ended up watching people float around, bashing out Bowie songs in confined pods.

Politics, war, ideological clashes and an almost endless series of animals getting blasted into the unknown, the Space Race could be as much about dodgy deals, white-washing of people’s pasts, imprisonment, nuclear war and disaster as it could be about exploration, iconic footprints and space puppies.

Come to the Old Monkey and let’s see if they’ve got any appropriately-themed drinks like they did for our Irish History and Pirate talks! Space gin, anyone?

Roving the high seas. Waving swords while ordering people to do things to the rigging. Drinking rum and terrorising empires. Being a pirate has long captured people’s imaginations, despite the scurvy, seasickness and illegality of it all. But if your mental image of pirates is thick beards and manly shanties, then there’s a whole bunch of iconic pirates you need to meet.

Leeds, now it is time for you to meet some fearsome, fabulous female pirates from around the world, and learn what it takes to be a she on the high seas.

From stowaways and adventurers on British ships, to former sex workers turned scourge of empires in China, to the Irish pirate queen who demanded and got a meeting with Elizabeth I, these are some of the most resourceful, intriguing and salty women in history.

Come along the Wharf Chambers, just up the road from Leeds station, and get some tips on how to begin your own career as a female pirate.

The Wharf Chambers asks for people to join as members which costs £1 on the night (details here: https://www.wharfchambers.org/membership/) The actual event is free entry but if you enjoyed the show please feel free to make a donation at the end to help us cover costs and generally swell our stock of doubloons and pieces of eight.

London! Light pollution notwithstanding, do you ever look at the stars at night and pondered how to get up there? You are not alone.

From the earliest times humans have looked at the stars and wondered what things were like up there. It might be our greatest achievement that members of our species have walked on the moon, sent back awe-inspiring images of our planet, and learned so much about the great cosmos above.

However there won’t be much of that Brian Cox wide-eyed wonder here! This talk is about the Space Race and how we ended up watching people float around in metal pods, millions* of miles from home!

Politics, war, ideological clashes and an almost endless series of animals getting blasted into the unknown, the Space Race is as much about dodgy deals, white-washing of people’s pasts, imprisonment, nuclear war and disaster as it is about exploration, iconic footprints and space puppies.

Come to the Nursery Theatre, next to London Bridge station, and learn about the dirty, silly, tragic, crazy side of humanity’s greatest achievement.

This event is free entry but if you enjoyed the show please feel free to make a donation (suggested donation £7) at the end to help with venue hire, non-cosmic transport and our continuing efforts here at Hollyzone History to do a show on the moon.

There will be drinks in the fridge and the venue is wheelchair accessible via the lift.

*Not actually millions, the moon is only about 230,000 miles away. But “millions” alliterates.

Roving the high seas. Waving swords while ordering people to do things to the rigging. Drinking rum and terrorising empires. Being a pirate has long captured people’s imaginations, despite the scurvy, seasickness and illegality of it all. But if your mental image of pirates is thick beards and manly shanties, then there’s a whole bunch of iconic pirates you need to meet.

Birmingham, you might think your landlocked location means you are safe from piracy, but with all those canals it might be wise to learn about some fearsome, fabulous female pirates from around the world, and learn what it takes to be a she on the high seas.

From stowaways and adventurers on British ships, to former sex workers turned scourge of empires in China, to the Irish pirate queen who demanded and got a meeting with Elizabeth I, these are some of the most resourceful, intriguing and salty women in history.

Come along the Victoria, right next to New Street station, and get some tips on how to begin your own career as a female pirate.

This event is free entry but if you enjoyed the show please feel free to make a donation at the end to help us cover costs and generally swell our stock of doubloons and pieces of eight.

Roving the high seas. Waving swords while ordering people to do things to the rigging. Drinking rum and terrorising empires. Being a pirate has long captured people’s imaginations, despite the scurvy, seasickness and illegality of it all. But if your mental image of pirates is thick beards and manly shanties, then there’s a whole bunch of iconic pirates you need to meet.
London, now it is time for you to meet some fearsome, fabulous female pirates from around the world, and learn what it takes to be a she on the high seas.

From stowaways and adventurers on British ships, to former sex workers turned scourge of empires in China, to the Irish pirate queen who demanded and got a meeting with Elizabeth I, these are some of the most resourceful, intriguing and salty women in history.

History with humour, this show dives into the lives of these fascinating women while also plundering laughs from the audience.

Holly is a Manchester-based performance historian who is on a mission to bring history to those who like a good night out of learning, laughing and failed attempts at alliteration.