ENGAGE. ENGROSS. EDIFY.
The Beacon Salon Series is an educational outreach program of Beacon College. The speaker series — which channels the spirit of intellectual discourse of the French salons of the Enlightenment — invites the Central Florida community to partake in lifelong learning at the feet of respected scholars, to enrich their souls through the beauty and vibrancy of visual and performing arts, and to weigh new perspectives on old issues through lectures from breakthrough authors and national speakers.
Registration is required.
2023-2024 Speakers
Tina McElroy Ansa
Spirituality in African American Fiction
Oct. 3, 2023, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Dr. Christopher Huff and Dr. A.J. Marsden
Bat S**t Crazy (but not Brand New): The History and Psychology of Conspiracy Theories from the Illuminati to QAnon
Nov. 8, 2023, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Dr. William Nesbitt
The Beats: Poets and Provocateurs
Dec. 4, 2023, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Barbara Bergren
A Witness For My Father
Jan. 25, 2024, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Rich Lowry
Lessons From Lincoln
Feb. 15, 2024, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Flying Horse Big Band
Ray of Sunshine: The Music of Ray Charles
March 7, 2024, at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Elizabeth Randall
Haunted Florida
April 25, 2024, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Previous Events
Dance Theatre of Orlando
Creating Art in Motion: A Seminar on Dance Choreography with Marshall Ellis
Aug. 28, 2023 at The Savannah Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Dani Mitchell
Falconry and its Impact on Raptor Conservation
Sept. 25, 2023, at the Venetian Center
Boxed meals served beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Speaker begins at 7 p.m.
Beacon Salon Speaker Series events are free and open to the public; however, donations are welcome to help defray the cost of speaker fees, catering, travel/lodging/transportation for out-of-town speakers, and venue costs. Sponsorships also are available for the entire series or individual events. To make a donation or to inquire about sponsorships, please contact BeaconSalon@BeaconCollege.edu. For speakers interested in presenting, please use our Beacon Salon Series Submission form.
