Lectures on Tap- The Secret World of Cultural Warfare: Ballet, Marvel &More

Join us for an engaging evening where professors, experts, and storytellers bring their thought-provoking lectures to your favorite bar in River North, Chicago!

Hosted by the Lectures on Tap team.

🗓️ Date: August 19th, 2025

🕡 Time: 6:30 PM

📍 Location: River North, Chicago (exact address provided in confirmation email)

📚 Lecture: “The Secret World of Cultural Warfare: Ballet, Marvel & More”

🎤 Speaker: Dr. John J Murphy

Ever wonder how a Chinese revolutionary ballet helped open diplomatic relations with America? Or why the Pentagon has script approval on your favorite blockbusters? Join us for a fascinating exploration of the secret world of cultural warfare, where art isn't just entertainment, but ammunition.

Dr. John J Murphy will take us on a whirlwind journey from Mao’s wife weaponizing ballet dancers to Marvel superheroes serving Uncle Sam. We'll delve into how governments have always understood the power of storytelling, a lesson that platforms like Netflix are just beginning to grasp: whoever controls the narrative controls the world.

John J Murphy is a historian, educator, and self-proclaimed professional nerd with a deep passion for the intersection of culture and politics. He holds an M.A. in History from Tulane University and a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership. By day, he serves as a school principal in Chicago, blending his love for history with education.

Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover the intriguing connections between art and power!

Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌

Agenda

6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key.

6:55 PM – Host introduction

7:00 PM – Lecture begins

7:45 PM – Audience Q&A

8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round

8:30 PM – Wrap up.

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