About this Event
Since 2016, Liam O’Donoghue has been turning back the clock to share the most interesting chapters of local history for his popular KPFA podcast and radio show, . From the founding of the University of California to the creation of Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley has figured prominently in many episodes.
Liam will highlight some of the “greatest hits” from Berkeley’s past for our Arts & Culture program on Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but masks and proof of vaccinations will be required.
Expect to meet a cast of eclectic characters, such as Byron Rumford, the first African American from Northern California elected to a state office, and Dorothea Lange, the Depression-era photographer. You’ll also hear some fascinating tidbits of Berkeley history, like the backgrounds of the Berkeley Pier and Telegraph Avenue. In addition, Liam will explain both the evolution of East Bay Yesterday and how he assembles a segment.
Originally from the Chicago area, Liam came to the East Bay twenty years ago, armed with a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois but little else. He was drawn here by the cultural scene — the writers and musicians — and the easy access to the hills and water.
He bounced around the journalism scene for a few years, including a stint managing social media channels for the online magazine Salon. He had begun to notice how quickly the East Bay was changing and became passionate about exploring and preserving its legacy. He felt that it was challenging to get people to read history but that audio would be more accessible. He also liked the idea of “elevating the voices of people” so they would “carry the narrative.”
By combining his interviewing and writing skills with what he taught himself about podcasting from YouTube videos, Liam found his calling. He has single-handedly produced and recorded nearly 90 hour-long episodes of East Bay Yesterday. He also leads history walks and boat tours and often speaks at libraries, schools and clubs as well as institutions, including the Hearst Museum and the California Historical Society. In 2018, the East Bay Express named Liam “the best journalist-turned-historian” and Oakland Heritage Alliance presented him with a Partners in Preservation Award.
Don’t miss what is sure to be an enlightening and entertaining trip through Berkeley’s
colorful past.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, United States
USD 0.00