Two great East End related events take place next month.

First, Tower Hamlets Local History Library in Bancroft Road, Mile End, has what should be a fascinating free talk on Thursday, 5 September (18.30 - 20.00hrs) entitled “The Petticoat Lane Foxtrot”.

The next day, September 6, sees the opening of a great exhibition at the Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London,  E1 5HU, celebrating the rich legacy of the East End’s Brady Girls Club.

The Petticoat Lane Foxtrot will be presented by Alan Dein, compiler of the album “Music Is The Most Beautiful Language In The World: Yiddisher Jazz In London’s East End 1920s To 1950s”. He will tell the remarkable story of long-forgotten Jewish-themed jazz 78rpm discs when swinging hot dance bands were still all the rage on the streets of East London. The wonderfully evocative lyrics, in both Yiddish and English, reflect the Jewish immigrant experience. These are joyful songs about food, community and markets. There's a selection of humorous tunes, and the inevitable weepies too. The original recordings will be accompanied by photographs and artefacts from the era. Alan will also reflect on the musical stories of East London's Jewish community from singers, songwriters, conductors, and cantors to musicians, managers, proprietors of record shops and club owners. Their stories are entwined with the development of the British recorded music industry.

Although free, people are asked to book on https://idea.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=137704#bookingsContainer

More details can be found at https://ideastore.towerhamlets.gov.uk/events/137704

The Brady Girls Club exhibition – We are the Brady Girls Part Two – is a presentation by the Bradians Trust dedicated to the history of the Brady Girls’ Club.

The club’s aims were laid out succinctly by its chairman, Miriam Moses OBE JP.  “It is the purpose of Brady to create a feeling of friendship between all peoples – regardless of creed or colour.”

This exhibition is the second part of the We Are The Brady Girls exhibition held in

2023 at London Metropolitan University, and is being held at the original home of

the Brady Girls’ Club in Hanbury Street, E1, now known as the Brady Arts and Community

Centre.

Showing previously unseen photographs, the exhibition will explore the pivotal role the

Brady Girls’ Club played in the lives of thousands of young women in London’s East End.

Built in 1935, the Club provided a safe and nurturing environment during times of local,

national, and international upheaval, including World War II, when the building served as

the local Air Raid Protection headquarters. Despite the challenges of the era, the Club

continued its mission to support youth activities and community welfare, leaving a lasting

legacy in the community.

The exhibition coincides with the launch of the new Brady Memory Map which offers a

unique digital journey through the history of the Brady Clubs, mapping their influence

across London’s East End and beyond. Visitors can explore the locations and stories

connected to the Brady Clubs, which for over seventy years provided crucial social

opportunities, skill development, and even holidays for the youth of the Jewish East End.

Visit www.bradymemorymap.co.uk

Highlights of the exhibition include:

 Historic Photographs and Artefacts: View previously unseen images and objects from

the Brady Archive that capture the vibrancy and resilience of the Brady Girls’ Club.

 Personal Narratives: Discover the stories of the young women whose lives were shaped

by the Club’s supportive environment.

 Legacy and Continuity: Explore how the values and community spirit of the Brady Clubs

continue to influence the East End today.

About the Brady Clubs

The Brady Clubs were established to serve the community in London’s East End, offering

young people vital opportunities for personal growth, social interaction, and education.

Over eight decades in the 20th century, the Clubs became a beacon of hope and support for

underprivileged youth, with their influence still felt in the community today.

We Are The Brady Girls will be on display from 6 th to 28 th September 2024 at the Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU.

Exhibition hours: Mondays to Fridays 9am – 7pm and Saturdays 10am – 4pm

For more information, please visit www.bradyarchive.co.uk