Events

The Charlottesville Branch of the English-Speaking Union cordially invites you and your guests to the Gala Kick-Off event at the Farmington Country Club. Expect to comingle, sing, quaff, toast the King and the President, dine, laugh, be edified and bowled over with the exuberance, mirth, lyricism, comedic-tragic orations, dance, twists and turns of Shakespearian drama, […]

The Charlottesville Branch will again host the Nation-wide ESU Happy Hour Podcast. In this ongoing American semi-quincentennial commemoration, the Branch is honored to have one of its own, internationally renowned Constitutional Law Professor Emeritus, A. E. Dick Howard, speak to this most relevant topic.                Today our ESU Happy Hour takes us […]

You and your guests are cordially invited to a tasting of Burgundy wines, paired with hors d'oeuvres and French dishes. The food and wine will be accompanies by a presentation titled, "The Story of Burgundy Wine." History, viticulture, terroir, politics and festive traditions will compliment the visual and gustatory experience of this Sunday luncheon at […]

A Sunday afternoon Christmas Party Chez Kelly at The Glenmore House. A tax-deductible per person charge will be levied in support of the Shakespeare Competition.   As always, will be a “Dickens” of a Christmas, caroling, wassailing, and general merriment.  Christmas food treats are most welcome. Event time is estimated (actual time to be provided).

Christmas in America has a much richer and stranger history than the cozy images we know today. This festive ESU Happy Hour explores why early New Englanders outlawed Christmas, how rowdy wassailing gangs once filled the streets, and how German, Dutch, and English traditions eventually blended into the modern Santa. We’ll trace the journey from medieval St. Nicholas and Alpine mischief-makers to […]

January 6, 2027, 5 PM ET, Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville, VA Branch Do you love a good mystery? For five decades, Agatha Christie’s primary obsession was murder, but her interest in houses was a close second, particularly the English country house. Taken together, some of her most popular works offer a keen look at […]

Now an event with a track record to warm the cockles of old Rabbie’s heart. Pipes, kilts or black tie, prayers, immortal toasts, an Address to the Haggis, humor, a wee dram or two, and a farewell, arms interlocked, with Aude Lang Syne. 

Come and cheer the contestants on as they orate the incomparable words of the Bard. Refreshments are provided at intermission. This is a unique experience for our young thespians.  If you have never experienced this performance in the architecturally stunning Black Friars theater, now is your chance to fill that void. For those who can […]

The Charlottesville Branch will again host the Nation-wide ESU Happy Hour Podcast. The Branch is honored to have John A. Ragosta, PhD/JD, as our speaker. An award-winning author, Dr. Ragosta is a historian, lawyer, and beekeeper living in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is currently a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello and a fellow at […]

This will be at the Alamo Theater near Wegmans off Rt. 64. Easy parking.  In-seat dining.  President Williams has a classic movie in mind.  More information to follow.

The 2026 Teachers Learning Abroad (TLAB) recipients for both the Charlottesville and the Richmond ESU branches will present their experiences and lessons learned from their trips to the UK this summer. This is an event not to be missed. The benefit our philanthropy provides is on full display with this event. Venue for the event […]

Highland Executive Director, Sara Bon-Harper, will present "Monroe: Soldier, Stateman, President." Refreshments will be provided. A 1.5 hour tour of Highland can be schedule separately and would be scheduled for 2:30. Times of the event and optional tour are tentative. Final details on the event, the optional tour, and time will be provided.