Happy Hour: J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth & Modernism
2025-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Florida
J.R.R. Tolkien was a towering figure in the world of twentieth-century English letters. His labors on Beowulf continue to shape the literary landscape, his work on the Oxford English Dictionary still serves, and his groundbreaking thoughts about the role and purpose of fairy stories gave focus to the thoughts of C.S. Lewis and other Inklings. The Rev’d. Andrew Lazo returns to speak to the ESU about Tolkien’s approach to myth and language in his own period—an approach that still speaks call on our age as well.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout Andrew LazoThe Rev. Andrew Lazo is an internationally-known speaker and writer specializing in C.S. Lewis and the Inklings. Andrew earned his Master’s in Modern British Literature from Rice University where he was a Jacob K. Javits fellow in the Humanities. He is a frequent speaker around the U.S. and U.K. and has authored several articles on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In 2009, Andrew published Mere Christians: Inspiring Encounters with C.S. Lewis. In 2014 he also was honored to transcribe, edit, and publish a previously unknown book by C.S. Lewis, “Early Prose Joy,” which was Lewis’s very first spiritual autobiography. For ten years he taught English and C. S. Lewis at St. Thomas and Houston Christian High Schools in Houston. After finishing studies for an M. Div. (with Honors) at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA in May 2022, Andrew was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in January 2023 and serves as the Apprentice Rector at Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden, FL. He is also pursuing his doctorate in Romantic Theology at Northwind Seminary, where he serves as a Distinguished Lecturer. Andrew is married to author and speaker Dr. Christin Ditchfield Lazo. For more than fifteen years, Andrew has been working on a long-awaited study of Till We Have Faces, making groundbreaking discoveries all along the way. The results of his ongoing research have led him to give talks to the Mythopoeic Society in 2016 as Scholar Guest of Honor; in the summer of 2017, Andrew served as a plenary speaker at the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s 2017 Summer Institute in Oxford and Cambridge. The talks in the Myth of Love series will be published as chapters of his forthcoming book.

"Teenage Shakespeare" - PD Workshop with Catherine Loomis
2025-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
With wit, insight, and passion, Professor Loomis brings Shakespeare to life in ways that are both entertaining and inspiring. In this one-hour Zoom session, she will share strategies for engaging your students and providing rich historical context through her presentation, “Teenage Shakespeare.” This session will explore what life was like for teenagers in Shakespeare’s time, as well as what the Bard himself experienced during his formative years.Register

Happy Hour: Vampire Literature: An Anthology
2025-10-01 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Co-Authors Dr. Robin Werner and her colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, will discuss their book titled Vampire Literature: An Anthology. Specifically, they will talk about the anthology’s inspiration and the challenges of the creation process.Vampire Literature: An Anthology is the first anthology designed specifically to introduce students and general readers to the history, theory, and cultural impact of the literary vampire. With coverage from the early nineteenth century to the twenty-first, Vampire Literature: An Anthology brings together a wide range of texts from many eras and collects work by American, British, Irish, and Caribbean writers. The focus is on shorter prose texts, primarily short stories and novellas; in a few cases, longer works are excerpted. A range of illustrations, from political cartoons to film stills, is also included.Don’t miss this discussion on an often-misunderstood genre of literature by highly acclaimed authors who bring considerable research into the topic. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout the Co-Authors: Dr. Robin A. Werner and Dr. Elizabeth M. Lewis are instructors in the Department of English at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Werner received her B.A. from St. Lawrence University and both her M.A. and Ph.D. from Tulane. Robin’s research and pedagogical interests are in Victorian Literature, Women and Gender Studies, Theatre History, and Fantasy and Horror Literature. She has taught a variety of special topics courses on children’s fantasy literature, supernatural fiction, and Victorian gender roles.Dr. Lewis’ doctoral degree is in British and American Modernism and Performance Studies. In addition, she has a dance background and taught classical ballet for many years. Her specialty is dance in literature and her dissertation “Dance for the World is Dead” examines the centrality of dance aesthetics to the style and structure of modern epics, including James Joyce’s Ulysses, William Carlos Williams’ Paterson and H.D.’s Helen in Egypt. She has given numerous conference papers and has published in the field, as well.Dr. Lewis teaches undergraduate literature courses in drama, fiction, American and British literature, as well as New Orleans literature, both onsite and online, in addition to courses in Women’s Studies.Cocktail:Mademoiselle d’Styria1.5 oz dudognon champagne cognac•1 oz Lilette Rosé •1 oz Giffard pêche du vigne•0.5 oz Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao•0.5 oz lemon juice•2 dashes Angostura bitters Shaken & served up in a coup glass with a lemon twist

Happy Hour: The Lost Heirs: The Rise and Fall of the D'Oyly Carte Dynasty
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • 4:00 PM ETSponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania BranchThe name D’Oyly Carte is recognized throughout the world because of Richard D’Oyly Carte’s partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan, which produced fourteen famous comic operas during the last quarter of the 19th Century such as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado.Richard D’Oyly Carte (1844-1901) was one of the greatest impresarios of his age as well as a shrewd businessman who realized the potential of Gilbert and Sullivan’s work and worked closely with them to produce and promote their operas. The company became renowned for its high-quality productions featuring talented singers, musicians, and actors. It was the success of these operas that paved the way for D’Oyly Carte’s other achievements—building his own theatres and establishing a chain of luxury hotels that included The Savoy Hotel, Claridge’s and The Berkeley in London.A gripping new book by author James Stebbings sheds new light on the untold story of the D’Oyly Carte family – and the tragic loss of two heirs that ultimately led to the dynasty’s downfall. ‘The Lost Heirs – The Rise and Fall of the D’Oyly Carte Dynasty’, tells the story of Lucas and Michael D’Oyly Carte, the son and grandson of the legendary theatrical impresario and hotelier, Richard D’Oyly Carte.Richard D’Oyly Carte’s empire spanned both the worlds of theatre and luxury hotels. Yet, the story of two of his heirs, Lucas and Michael, has long been overlooked – until now. James Stebbings delves into the lives of these two young men who were destined to carry on the family legacy, but whose untimely deaths sent shockwaves through the D’Oyly Carte family.Today, the legacy of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company lives on through recordings, revivals and adaptations of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, which continue to be loved by audiences around the world.James Stebbings’ presentation is coming to ESU audiences from his hometown in Norfolk County, England. His talk is illustrated with rare photographs and images. If you are a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, a theatre history enthusiast, or anyone intrigued by the dramatic rise and fall of one of Britain’s most celebrated dynasties, this Happy Hour is for you, sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout James Stebbings:James Stebbings has had a life-long love of the theatre, especially the musical theatre and the world of drama and theatrical entertainment, participating whenever he has had the opportunity. Before retirement, James worked in financial management in London for a US energy company, but his passion was always the musical theatre about which he writes and talks. After his retirement he moved to Norfolk in the East of England which gave him time to focus on subjects he loves. This includes organizing music festivals, managing and representing some professional performers, creating and performing in historical enactments for a local museum, and performing in a musical duo. His newest book, The Lost Heirs – The Rise and Fall of the D’Oyly Carte Dynasty, was just published in April, 2025.James is a familiar figure with ESU Happy Hour audiences giving presentations on Gilbert and Sullivan in 2021, the story of the sinking of the Lusitania in 2022 and, also in 2022, James was a featured speaker at four ESU US Branches in the Evelyn Wrench Lecture series. Cocktail:T.N.T. CocktailThe Fifth of November in the UK is known as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night remembering when, in 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament. I thought it appropriate therefore that we mark it with a T.N.T. cocktail from The Savoy Cocktail Book.Equal parts:Canadian Club WhiskyAbsinthe Instructions:Fill a mixing glass with ice cubesAdd the whiskey and absintheStir well until chilledStrain into a chilled shot glass or coupeStir, don’t shake: Though Prohibition-era recipes often called for shaking, modern practice suggests stirring spirit-only cocktails to chill them without adding air, which gives them a frothy texture.

Exploring Shakespeare's Women: A Professional Development Workshop
2025-11-15 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join the ESU for an exclusive online professional development workshop live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Explore four of Shakespeare’s most fascinating women—Juliet, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, and Hero—through an interactive session connecting critical writing with rehearsal-room practice. Gain fresh strategies for engaging students with themes of gender, relationships, and power in Shakespeare’s works.Ideal for secondary English and drama teachers, especially those involved in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. Participants may be eligible for Professional Development credit.

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall
2025-11-20 08:00 - 2025-11-23 17:00 (Europe/London)
The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to
A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall
Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AG England
November 20–23, 2025

Executive Plus/Deluxe Suite $2,800 pp double occupancy, $3,900 pp single
(Executive Suites at $2,500 pp double / $3,400 pp single are sold out)

Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation from the Earl and Countess of Derby to spend a luxurious weekend at historic Knowsley Hall, a magnificent estate nestled in the English countryside.
Knowsley Hall has been in the ownership of the Stanley family for over 600 years. Set within 2,500 acres of a private walled estate, located near Liverpool, the hall has been welcoming royalty and distinguished guests since 1495.
For more information or to secure your reservation contact Rossana Ivanova, rivanova@esuus.org, (862) 224-4244.

View Itinerary
Registration Form
Participant Agreement

Happy Hour: A Brief History of Toys for Tots
2025-12-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
About Major Gunnar Spafford, USMC (Ret.) Major Spafford joined the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in August 2023 as the Deputy Vice President of Business Development working within the Marketing & Development department. Major Spafford served in the United States Marine Corps as both an enlisted infantryman and a military police officer before being competitively selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program to receive education and training to become a Marine Corps Officer. As a Military Policeman, he served in multiple billets to include Assistant Special Operations Chief, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of a weapons storage facility, Watch Command, Patrol Supervisor, Special Reaction Team (SRT), and SRT sniper. As an officer, Major Spafford served as Deputy Provost Marshal, Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Senior Operations Officer before fulfilling his final role as a Manpower Program Manager for Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower & Reserve Affairs. After 25 total years of service, Gunnar retired from the Marine Corps and continued as a strategic and innovative Project Management Professional with a diverse background in program leadership and process improvements, most recently working as the Deputy Director for Manpower & Personnel for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Manpower and Reserve Affairs.This Month’s Cocktail:Chambord Lemon Drop Martini.Ingredients:1 1/2 Oz Vodka2/3 Oz Chambord Black Rasberry Liqueur1 Oz Simple Syrup2/3 Oz Lemon JuiceCrushed IceSteps:1) Fill Cocktail Shaker with crushed ice2) Add all ingredients except Chambord and shake until completely chilled3) Strain into chilled champaign glass4) Slowly pour chambord over mixture and garnish with a lemon wheel

Virtual Event: Churchill and the Middle East
2026-01-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
During World War I, Britain made numerous and often contradictory promises in the Middle East—including the Sykes–Picot Agreement, the Balfour Declaration, commitments to Arab leaders, and support for Wilson’s Fourteen Points—in an effort to secure allies. After the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Britain faced the challenge of reconciling these conflicting obligations. Winston Churchill, guided by T. E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell, led key meetings and decisions in 1921–22 that ultimately shaped the modern Middle East.
This is a virtual event
The event will begin at 6:00PM ET
$10-30

Register Here

The American Revolution: A Civil and a World War
2026-01-14 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
As the calendar turns to 2026, The English-Speaking Union of the United States begins a year-long celebration of 250 years of American independence. Throughout the year, ESU will feature several Happy Hours that give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on this historic milestone.The American Revolution was a war unlike any other—one of ideas and ideals, that shaped “the course of human events.” With 165 principal engagements from 1775-1783, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence. The Revolutionary War was not just a civil war conflict between colonists who remained loyal to the Crown and those who sought independence from British rule. When other European powers like France and Spain officially entered the war, it expanded into a global clash of empires—a veritable World War.Today’s Happy Hour guest speaker, Dr. Henry (Phil) Williams III, president of ESU’s Charlottesville, VA Branch, will describe the early beginnings of the war from 1775 through 1783. He will illustrate the eight-year conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies beginning with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and ending with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally recognized American independence.Williams will explain that the true history of the Revolution must not be taught just from an American-centric focus, but also how England, the Commonwealth, and Europe viewed and, in fact, taught this period of history quite differently.Join us as the ESU launches a journey toward this landmark event as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville, VA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.About Dr. Henry (Phil) Williams IIIDr. Williams is originally from Michigan. He received degrees and diplomas from Culver Military Academy, the University of Virginia, the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, the University of Florence, Italy, and two Master’s and a Doctorate in International Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University. He has lived in four foreign countries and has studied and worked professionally in four foreign languages: French, Greek, Italian, and Turkish. Formerly a Wall Street and International Investment Banker, he currently lectures on a variety of topics, including American History, Turkey, and the Middle East. He has been featured on National Public Radio related to several of his interests, has written many news commentary pieces on Turkey and the Middle East, and has published scholarly articles on Ottoman and Turkish Law. He has been teaching a course at Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye, titled “Turkey and America, East and West – Where the Twain Meet” since 2015. Dr. Williams is the President of the Charlottesville Branch of the English-Speaking Union and a past Virginia State President of the Sons of the American Revolution with which he is still active. He served on the board of the American Friends of Turkey for over twenty-three years. He is an avid sportsman with keen interests in equestrian pursuits, racquet sports and swimming. He also inherited a love of Antique and Classic cars and has been active in his local car club for many years. Marilyn Williams is his wife, and they have two grown children, Margaret and Phillip. What did a Revolutionary Period Happy Hour Look Like?The Founding Fathers drank a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including whiskey, rum, ale, beer, cider, wine (Madeira, claret, and champagne), and punch. Popular drinks often served at official functions included Madeira wine and various punches. Many of the founders had specific preferences; for example, John Adams favored hard cider and Madeira, while George Washington was a fan of whiskey and Madeira. Non-alcoholic drinks like cider, small beer (a low-alcohol brew), and coffee were also commonly consumed for refreshment and social reasons.

Shakespeare in Song: An Online Professional Development Worshop
2026-01-31 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
The ESU is excited to offer this exclusive professional development session, presented live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Shakespeare in Song will explore how Shakespeare used music to enhance mood, develop character, and support storytelling, as well as how these techniques can be used to engage modern students.This workshop will be led by Dr. Emily Baines, a professional musician, lecturer, and musical director who works with the Globe, throughout Europe, and specializes in historical woodwind instruments. Educators will be guided through the music of the plays, from Elizabethan ballads to contemporary adaptations. Performing live on period instruments, Dr. Baines will share practical strategies for integrating music into classroom instruction, connecting Shakespeare’s world to modern musical composition.This special PD offering is made possible by support from the Frederick Loewe Foundation.

Happy Hour: Jane Austen and You
2026-02-11 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
After 250 years, why are Jane Austen’s novels still so popular?Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all over the world and have been made into countless TV, film, theatre, and radio adaptations. She is known for her sharp wit, social commentary on the English Regency period, and pioneering contributions to the development of the modern novel. Her works—such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Mansfield Park—blend romance with incisive critiques of class, gender roles, and the expectations placed on women in 18th- and early 19th-century society.Austen’s writing is celebrated for its elegant prose, memorable characters, and subtle irony. Though she gained limited fame during her lifetime, she is now regarded as one of the most important and beloved authors in English literature.Jane Austen’s reputation has reached legendary status in the modern world. Her works have achieved remarkable global recognition, evidenced by their translation into more than 40 languages. The Jane Austen Society has branches worldwide including The Jane Austen Society of North America which has over 5,000 members in 83 Regions. Followers of Jane Austen on social media and local clubs total well over 100,000.Last year marked the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. To understand why she is still regarded with such affection by fans the world over, our ESU Happy Hour guest speaker, John King, will discuss her family, her times, where to start (or return to) her works, and how to get the most reward from reading her novels. Whether you read Austen often, or never, you will enjoy engaging with a writer whose novels have delighted men and women in every corner of the globe for over two centuries.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.About John KingJohn is a current member of the Georgia Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a longtime volunteer for many Atlanta civic and nonprofit organizations including past member of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Opera, counselor for Boy Scouts of America, past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Historic Oakland Foundation, and past Chair of the Program Committee of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta.For twenty years, John worked in the sale and implementation of Information Technology solutions, primarily Enterprise Resource Planning systems. In 2011 he began providing consulting and training to IT sales teams. He has delivered these services on five continents, to clients that include SAP, Oracle, Google, and IBM.He earned a BBA degree in Marketing from Georgia State University in 1991 and a Master’s degree in Management of Technology from Georgia Tech in 1997. His interests include sailing, watercolor, horology, math, astronomy, history, and English literature.CocktailRegency MocktailInspired by the 19th-century punch tradition with modern non-alcoholic ingredientsIngredients:1 oz brewed black tea (strong, cooled; Earl Grey or Assam are ideal)1 oz pomegranate juice (or non-alcoholic red wine for a richer base)½ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)½ oz demerara or simple syrup (to taste)Dash of grated nutmegOptional: orange blossom water (1–2 drops for a floral Regency flair)Garnish: lemon or orange wheel, optional herbs like mint or thyme

2026 Annual General Meeting
2026-04-23 00:00 - 2026-04-25 23:59 (America/New_York)
The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference. The conference, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The conference program will include the ESU 2026 Annual General Meeting, social events such as receptions and meals, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and local tours. We invite you to participate in the camaraderie and help us advance our programs that support teachers, students, and recent immigrants.
HIGHLIGHTS
Revolution in Old New York: Soldiers, Spies & Statesmen of the American Revolution Walking Tour:
Trace the footsteps of revolution through Manhattan’s past and present.
Lunch on historic Stone Street or Fraunces Tavern
One of New York City’s oldest surviving streets, originally paved in 1658.
and
Art of the Gilded Age at The Met Museum Guided Tour
Uncover the brilliance and forgotten voices of the Gilded Age at The Met.
Our Conference venue will be at the ESU House, 144 East 39th Street, and the Shelbourne-Sonesta Hotel, 303 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016. We have a special hotel room at The Shelbourne Sonesta Hotel, which will be available Thursday night through Saturday night. Hotel prices do not include taxes or additional fees, and prices are valid through March 23, 2026. We will have a special opportunity to see the USA finals for the International Public Speaking Competition. Space is limited, first-come-first-served.
$650
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