2024 Shakespeare Competition Winners Announced

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Garden City, Kansas Senior Wins First Place For Second Consecutive Year

The Kansas City Branch of the English-Speaking Union is excited to announce the winners of its 40th annual Shakespeare Competition held on February 25, 2024. Pierre Madlangbayan, a senior from Garden City High School, Garden City, Kansas, has won the ESU Kansas City Branch Shakespeare Competition for a second consecutive year--the first time that a student has repeated as the Branch winner since the Kansas City Branch began participating in the ESU Competition in 1984.

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Happy Hour: The Remarkable Tommy Lascelles

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Join Our ESU Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 5:00 PM ET

Sponsored by the ESU Richmond Branch

Alan Frederick "Tommy" Lascelles had a remarkable career serving four sovereigns of Great Britain from George V to Queen Elizabeth II in the role of Private Secretary or Assistant Private Secretary. From the death of a monarch, through the abdication of another, World War II, the death of a second monarch and the ascension of a young woman to the throne, Tommy was there closely observing everything. Was he the malevolent martinet as portrayed by Pip Torrens in the Netflix series "The Crown" or was he merely wholly dedicated to preserving the Monarchy by guiding the Monarch? 

We will explore Tommy's life, education, family, and career as well as the role of the Private Secretary. Our guest speaker, Terry Mulchahey, examines the fascinating life of Tommy Lascelles. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Richmond Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.

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Happy Hour: Winston Churchill and the United States of America

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Join Our ESU Happy Hour

National Winston Churchill Day
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 4:00 PM ET

Sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch

On April 9, 1963, President Kennedy signed a House Resolution proclaiming Sir Winston Churchill an Honorary Citizen of the United States. This program will examine and explore Churchill's life-long admiration for America and his belief that a "special relationship" between Britain and the United States would benefit both countries and the greater world. We invite ESU members and guests around the world to celebrate National Winston Churchill Day on April 9th with our guest speaker, Timothy Riley, Director and Chief Curator of America's National Churchill Museum. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.

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IRC WorldQuest 2024

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If you love trivia contests, this event is for you! The International Relations Council is hosting WORLDQUEST 2024 again this year and all ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend.

Teams of eight representing area businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, community groups, ambitious students, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. There will be six rounds of ten questions covering topics like global affairs, geography, world languages and cultures, history, and more in this fun and interactive competition. The winning team takes home the traveling trophy, while second-place and third-place teams win valuable prizes.

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ESU Festival Group Night

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The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival's 32nd season brings the political thriller Julius Caesar which is a true story of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The play tells the story of the conspiracy against Caesar, his assassination, and the defeat of his conspirators. As the world spins out of control, chaos and superstition lead to civil war. Julius Caesar is highly regarded for its incisive commentary on politics, ambition, and the power of rhetoric. This is a must-see production directed once again by Sidonie Garrett. ESU members and friends are invited to this special evening on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Curtain is 8:00 pm.

This promises to be a spectacular production with lavish stage sets, colorful costuming, and featuring an all-star cast. Southmoreland Park is the perfect outdoor setting to bring Julius Caesar to life and share a beautiful evening in the park with friends and family.

When: Wednesday, June 26, Curtain is 8:00 pm

Where: Southmoreland Park, just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

Seats: We will have reserved seats near the stage at a discounted group price.

Tickets: We have arranged a group discount price of $22.00 per seat. To purchase your tickets, simply phone the Festival's office at (816) 531-7728. Tell them you are ordering a reserved seat(s) for the "ESU Group" so you will get the discount price. You can pay over the phone by credit or debit card. When you arrive at the Park, just tell the staff at the entrance you are part of the ESU Group and have a reserved seat.

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