Event Archives
Acclaimed British Author, Diana Preston, Reveals a Chilling Story About WWI in New Book
Event Recap
Diana Preston, a noted British historian, writer and broadcaster, presented a lecture at the National World War I Museum, at Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City, Mo. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Click here to see photos from lecture.
The lecture was hosted by the National World War I Museum and co-sponsored by the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch. Approximately 90 people attended the lecture. The lecture was taped by CSPAN and National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" for future broadcast.
Mrs. Preston presented another lecture program at the ESU Headquarters offices in New York City just the day before their visit to Kansas City. That lecture was on another of her books, "Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy."
Her lecture program in Kansas City dealt with her just-published book, A Higher Form of Killing, in which Preston describes three pivotal events that occurred in the spring and early summer of 1915, during the first year of the First World War that forever altered the way war would be fought.
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Pageantry on the Prairie: From England to Prairie Village, KS
Event
Organ Dedication Concert
In March, 2015, the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Prairie Village, KS., acquired, through a generous donation, a state-of-the-art Rodgers 588 organ—a high tech instrument unique to the Kansas City area.
On Sunday, May 17, 2015, the Church will officially introduce this remarkable Rodgers organ with an Organ Dedication Concert featuring eleven top area artists.
The free concert is open to the public and everyone is invited to hear this organ's superb sounds, rich in color and realism found nowhere else. ESU members and guests are invited to be part of the unveiling of this impressive musical instrument.
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Midwest Tea Fest
Event
Attention all ESU Tea Lovers
The Midwest Tea Fest is holding its first annual celebration of tea and tea culture featuring tea tasting, education and vendors on June 6, 2015.
All ESU Members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend this one-day Festival celebrating everything that tea culture has to offer.
On display will be KC's & some of the Midwest's finest tea vendors, free tea tastings, a series of presentations, talks and Q&A sessions with tea experts, and the opportunity to browse top quality tea selections curated from around the world. Craft and accessory vendors will offer tea sets, cozies, and gifts.
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Taking Tea with Shakespeare and Friends
Event
Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Great Tea & Delectable Treats with Entertainment by The Barn Players
The English-Speaking Union
Cordially Invites you and your Guests
to an Afternoon of
Taking Tea with Shakespeare and Friends
There is nothing so quintessentially British as taking afternoon tea
while enjoying the literature of Shakespeare.
Tea and a vast array of delectable tea sandwiches, scones and sweets will be served by the Magna Carta & Royal Arms Chapters of the Daughters of the British Empire.
During the tea, the Barn Players will present a musical performance of Shakespeare's sonnets.
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Shakespeare Visits the Rotary Club
Event Recap
Ben Martin, a long time ESU member and Rotary Club member, organized a special "Shakespeare Day" at the weekly Rotary Club meeting in Lee's Summit, Mo. on April 23, 2015.
Ben contacted Olivia Sloan and Molly Williams, ESU's First and Third Place winners of the Kansas City Branch Shakespeare Competition, and asked them to perform their Shakespeare monologues and sonnets before the Rotary Club audience of about 85 members and guests. Ben explained that the English-Speaking Union's Shakespeare Competition began in Kansas City 31 years ago and is ESU's flagship national educational program for high school students.
Ben also described the First Folio document to the audience and explained that one of the original First Folios will be in Kansas City next year at the Kansas City Public Library from June 6-28, 2016. Ben even brought his own personal copy of the Norton Facsimile of the First Folio for everyone to see.
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British Gala KC
Event
Brits International, a Kansas City-based non-profit organization, is hosting their 5th Annual British Gala KC. All ESU members and Friends of ESU are welcome to attend this one-day festival of all-things-British!
The ESU Kansas City Branch will have an information table at the British Gala so be sure to stop by and say hello to our ESU volunteers! Bring your family and friends as there is something for all ages!
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2015
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral
415 West 13th St.
Kansas City, Mo.
Admission: Adults: $4.00
Children under age 10: Free
Parking: Free
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ESU Welcomes Paseo Academy’s 2015 Spring Arts Festival
News
The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts will hold its second annual "Arts on the Hill: Spring Arts Festival" on Friday, May 1, 2015. The Festival is a celebration of the arts, featuring Paseo's talented artist-scholars, alumni, and honoring Paseo's arts/business partnerships of Kansas City.
The ESU Kansas City Branch will be one of the business partners with Paseo in its Spring Arts Festival with an information table providing handouts and membership details on the ESU to students, teachers, alumni and other business partners attending the event. The ESU Kansas City Branch has been a long-time partner with Paseo Academy. For many years, Paseo has supported and participated in the ESU's Annual Shakespeare Competition.
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The Merchant of Venice
Event Recap
Produced by
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Directed by Sidonie Garrett 
On Sunday March 29, 2015, Kansas City ESU members and guests attended the last performance of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. This production by The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and directed by Sidonie Garrett, was the first play produced indoors by the Festival. This was also be the first professional production of The Merchant of Venice in Kansas City in 65 years.
This final production of The Merchant of Venice was a Sunday matinee performance at the Johnson County Community College Polsky Theatre. It was a complete sellout and enthusiastic crowd. At the end of the performance, Sidonie Garrett held a "Talk Back" Q&A session with the audience and the entire cast. At least 75-100 audience members stayed for the Talk Back and many interesting questions were presented to Sidonie and the cast.
ESU welcomed three guests to our group, Mary Spangler and Nicole Burriss. After the play, nine ESU members met at a local restaurant, Ricco's Italian, for a casual dinner to discuss the play and relax. It was a great afternoon.
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Homeschool Teen, Olivia Sloan, Wins First Place Kansas City Shakespeare Competition Next: Lincoln Center, New York City!
Event Recap
Olivia Sloan, a senior homeschool student in Kansas City, Missouri, won First Place in the English-Speaking Union's, Shakespeare Competition. Her sponsoring teacher was Matt Rapport, Director of Education, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. This was the 31st anniversary of the Shakespeare Competition for the ESU Kansas City Branch.
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Holiday Brunch
Event
It's time for our Annual Holiday Brunch! Be sure to mark your calendar for this special occasion. This is a festive gathering where we reflect on a great year of ESU activities, feast on award-winning food and even celebrate with traditional British Crackers.
When: Sunday, January 11, 2015
Time: 12 Noon
Where: Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Avenue,
Kansas City, Mo.
Price: $27.00 per person,
all inclusive including gratuity
This Sunday Brunch has been acclaimed by food critics as one of the best in Kansas City. It includes your choice of five entrees from a special Brunch menu, a selection of appetizers, salads, pastries/desserts and your choice of coffee or tea (a cash bar is optional).
We hope to see you on January 11, 2015! Please call Jeff Schnabel at (816) 442-7007 if you have any questions. The entire ESU Board wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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