a curious invitation last tuesday society
a curious invitation the century club last tuesday society soho london
Sins of the Flesh - The Erotic Dinner

 

IF I WAS A CARPENTER
A Celebration of Karen Carpenter with biographer Lucy O'Brien
At the Century Club - Soho W1

Wednesday 1st March 2023
- Doors at 6:30 pm, talk begins at 7 pm

As one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1970s, The Carpenters - the sibling duo of Richard and Karen - created lush soundscapes of melodic pop, producing global hits like 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Top of the World' and 'Close to You’. Though rightly recognised as one of the greatest singers in popular music, Karen’s struggles with anorexia and her tragic early death at the age of just thirty-two in 1983 have often overshadowed her achievements.

Forty years after her death, Lucy O’Brien, has written Lead Sister, a radical new biography of Karen Carpenter. In conversation with the author Travis Elborough, she’ll discuss the life and legacy of this troubled but extraordinarily talented artist, and a woman whose battles with mental health and eating disorders have astonishing resonance today.

Tickets £12 - please click here to purchase

Lucy O'Brien
Dr Lucy O'Brien is a writer/academic and author of She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music, Dusty: The Classic Biography and Madonna: Like an Icon, as well as co-authoring Skin's memoir, It Takes Blood and Guts. Lucy was a judge for the Penderyn Music Book Prize in 2018 and has contributed to numerous publications including Q, Mojo, NME, the Sunday Times, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. She is also a TV/radio broadcaster, having co- produced Righteous Babes, the Channel 4 film about women in rock, and scripted the BBC Radio 2 series She Bop. Her PhD is on women's agency and power in popular music and, back in 1979/80, she played in all-female punk band, the Catholic Girls.

‘Bravo to one of the all-time best authors of our time: O’Brien delivers again. O’Brien removes the shackles of simplified myth to expose the innovator and trail blazer, while bravely examining the layered complications of family, fame, mental health and desire. I could not put it down.’ - Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, author of You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nico, and Being Britney


OTHER DATES AT THE CENTURY CLUB:

9th February 2023
The Art of Pin Up: Burlesque Life Drawing with Dr Sketchy

11th February 2023
Sins of the Flesh: The Erotic Dinner

14th February 2023
Sperm Warfare: The Science of Sex with Simon Watt

15th February 2023
From A to Biba: An evening celebrating the iconic fashion brand with Delisia Howard and Chris Price

17th February 2023
The League of Contrivance: An Improv Comedy Night

25th February 2023
From Fats Waller to the Smiths:A Musical Cabaret with Marcella Puppini

28th February 2023
The Pleasures All Mine: A History of Perversion with Julie Peakman

1st March 2023
If I Was A Carpenter: A Celebration of Karen Carpenter with Lucy O'Brien

2nd March 2023
The Graphic Novel:Posy Simmonds in Conversation with Lizzy Stewart

7th March 2023
On the Money: An Evening with the Artists Behind the Alex Cartoon

14th March 2023
Designing Dystopia: An Evening with the Artists Behind Judge Dredd and Watchmen

18th March 2023
CRÉME DU CARÊME: An Evening Feasting with The First Celebrity Chef

22nd March 2023
They Shoot Comics, Don't They?: A Panel Discussion About turning Graphic Novels into Films

28th March 2023
But Is It Art? AI and the Visual Media with Dave McKean and Iain Sinclair

30th March 2023
Giving Offence: A Talk and Live Draw with Cartoonist Martin Rowson

The Century Club
 
salons at the Century Club Soho