Wednesday, January 13th at 4:00 PM (EST)
The Topsy-Turvey World of Gilbert and Sullivan: Their World, Their Lives and Their Music with James Stebbings
James Stebbings presents this fascinating and ebullient history of Gilbert and Sullivan as part of the ESU Happy Hour Series. Performed still throughout the world, the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas have been part of the fabric of British life for over a century. Beyond the success of the operas themselves however the lives of these two extraordinary men reveal some intriguing stories from this Victorian era involving sex, drugs, jealousy, ambition, greed and tragedy. In a presentation illustrated with rare images and musical extracts we learn about this unique partnership and the enduring legacy of their work that remains today.
Wednesday, February 10th at 4:00-5:00 PM (EST)
Creole Food: America’s Oldest Cuisine with Liz Williams
Founder of the National Food & Beverage Foundation (NatFAB), Liz William’s forty-plus year career spans the professional gamut beginning with a BA in English and a JD from Louisiana State University. In Creole Food: America’s Oldest Cuisine, Liz will explore why a cuisine developed in New Orleans and how it continues to evolve. The people of 3 continents that came together in early America – North America, Europe and Africa – came together in many places, bringing their foodways and culture into elbow-rubbing distance of each other. But in most places those 3 influences produced signature dishes of the area. In New Orleans those 3 influences forged a new cuisine – we will talk about why.
Wednesday, February 24th from 6:00-7:30 PM (EST)
An Interview about Franklin and Washington
The Founding Partnership with Edward Larson and Gordon Edes
This ESU Happy Hour program was co-sponsored by The ESU Boston Branch, The Athenaeum of Boston and American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Join moderator and journalist Mr. Gordon Edes for an interview with Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward Larson on his dual biography Franklin & Washington – The Founding Partnership. Two of our most notable founding fathers shared a partnership that was key to the independence of the United States.
Wednesday, March 10th from 4:00-5:00 PM (EST)
Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World with Kathryn Aalto
In a visually-rich and entertaining presentation, New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed speaker Kathryn Aalto introduces her book, Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World. Taking people behind the scenes into forays up mountains and into castle gardens, Kathryn Aalto celebrates 25 remarkable women with grit and verve whose influential writing helps deepen our connection to and understanding of the natural world. A great talk for people interested in natural history, nature writing, travel writing, women’s history, and more.
Wednesday, March 24th from 5:00-6:00 PM (EDT)
Celebrating World Poetry Day with the Wick Poetry Center Traveling Stanzas with David Hassler
In an interactive, multi-media presentation, Wick Poetry Center Director David Hassler will share poems, stories, and videos from the award-winning Traveling Stanzas community arts program that seeks to bring poetry to everyday lives through innovative digital tools and interactive exhibits. Drawing from a wide range of projects, Hassler will share how poetry can be used as a powerful tool to empower people of all ages to make meaning of their lives and deepen their sense of belonging. This interactive presentation will include time for us all to pause and reflect on our lives, to feel renewed and inspired, and to share our voices to the Global Peace Poem in celebration of 100 years of the English-Speaking Union.
Wednesday, April 7 from 4:00-5:00 PM (EDT)
Basket of Hope: Finding Success Beyond Setbacks with Dr. Gideon For-mukwai
In his talk, Dr. Gideon For-mukwai, Ed.D, reflects on setbacks and comebacks on a journey from Africa to Asia and America. It looks at the human experience through the lens of his African, British, French, Chinese and American cultural interconnections and heritage. Dr. For-mukwai is an award-winning speaker and bestselling author of “The Science of Story Selling,” an Amazon 2015 Bestseller in three categories. His storytelling projects have been featured in The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Select Journal, The Daily Astorian in Oregon, as well as other broadcast media in Singapore, South Africa, Namibia and France.