News And Events

King Charles' Birthday Tea Party

An ESU Tea Party Fit for a King

Saturday, August 17, 2024
10:30 am or 2:30 pm Seatings

All ESU Members and Friends of ESU are cordially invited to attend one of our biggest social gatherings of the year—a tea to celebrate King Charles III's birthday. We will miss our wonderful Tea Parties for the Queen but our King's Teas will be equally regal. We will be celebrating HRH King Charles' 75th birthday. This will be an ESU Tea Party fit for a King! 

Our tea party will include a variety of tea sandwiches, sweets, Brenda's signature scones, Mock Devonshire cream, fine fruit butter or fruit jams and premium tea.  Brenda Hedrick, the owner and proprietress of Anna Marie's Teas proudly proclaims, "This is not just any tea party--our tea experiences are delightfully extravagant!"  This is a special occasion not to be missed!

The English teas will be held in the Bohnet House in Liberty, Mo., which is a stately 3-story, 5,000 square foot home built in 1913. The house boasts Frank Lloyd Wright details--oak trim, 3 fireplaces and large open spaces. Its large wraparound porch and period American, French and English antique furnishings create the perfect setting for tea parties--served on a special collection of china and silver. 

Our teas will include a special champagne toast to HRH King Charles' 75th birthday and we will again have our popular Trivia Quiz as well as some special door prizes.

When: Saturday, August 17, 2024. Choose either 10:30 am or 2:30 pm seatings.  

Where:  Bohnet House
              343 W. Liberty Dr.
              Liberty, MO.
              Directions and map: Click here 

Tickets:  $39 per person. All-inclusive, including taxes and gratuities.

Learn More Register Here
 

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2024 Shakespeare Competition

Join Us On Sunday, February 25, 2024 • 2:00 PM

Kansas City Public Library • Plaza Branch • Truman Auditorium

4801 Main Street • Kansas City, Missouri

Free and Open to the Public • Registration Not Required

2024 marks the 40th anniversary for ESU Kansas City Branch Shakespeare Competition. Earlier this year, students at nine high schools in our region performed monologues from Shakespeare's plays and recited Shakespeare's sonnets in competitions held at their schools: Center High School; East High School; Garden City High School; Harrisonville High School; Olathe South High School; Paola High School; Paseo Academy; Saint Thomas Aquinas High School; and Salina Central High School. Join us at the Kansas City Public Library as the winners of those competitions represent their schools at the ESU Kansas City Branch Finals. Invite your friends, families, teachers, and classmates as our distinguished judges select our Kansas City Branch First, Second, and Third Place winners.

 

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Happy Hour: Packing Their Bags, the Kindertransport to Britain

Join Our Next ESU Happy Hour

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 4:00 PM ET

Sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch

From December 1938 until the start of WWII, the Kindertransport operation brought 10,000 Jewish children from Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia to Britain. Leaving their parents and homes behind, the children would face many challenges and responsibilities in a new country. This endeavor required the commitment of many individuals, humanitarian organizations, and the British government to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. 

Guest speaker, Holly Mandelkern, acclaimed author and lecturer, tells the story of the harrowing journey these children endured before the start of WWII. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. Please register here.

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ESU Kansas City Annual Meeting and Luncheon Program

You're Invited to the ESU Kansas City Branch Annual Meeting and Luncheon Program

Mark your calendar for our ESU Kansas City Annual Meeting and Luncheon Program featuring our keynote speaker: Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Sidonie will give a glimpse backstage describing how the HASF team and director plan for the 2024 production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in Southmoreland Park this summer. Be sure to invite your friends to join you for this fascinating talk while we dine in the comfortable and relaxing atmosphere of O'Neill's restaurant.

ESU Kansas City members are reminded that our short annual business meeting will be held prior to Sidonie's presentation.  

When: Saturday, February 3, 2024, 12:00 pm

Where: O'Neill's Restaurant, 9417 Mission Rd., Leawood, Kansas

Program registration: $25 per person

Learn More Register Here
 

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Happy Hour: Potatoes are not Irish with Robin Sinclair

Join Our Next ESU Happy Hour

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 6:00 PM ET

Sponsored by the ESU Nashville Branch

Potatoes are not Irish, tomatoes are not Italian, tea is not English, or why we play bagpipes at 9/11 Memorials. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, European sailors traversed the globe in search of riches, glory, and new trade routes to East Asia. Historians refer to this period as the Age of Exploration, or the Age of Discovery. During this time, European explorers made daring voyages that changed world history. These discoveries caused ideas, technology, plants, and animals to be exchanged around the world. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the Nashville Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. Please click here to register:

Learn More Register Here
 

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The English-Speaking Union

Kansas City Branch

Kansas City Branch Landmark Photo