News And Events

A Candle Against the Dark

Save the Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023, 2:30 PM

Ben Martin, President of the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch, has written a stage play titled, A Candle Against the Dark premiering at the Englewood Arts Center in Independence, Missouri in October.

A Candle Against the Dark tells the true story of one Kansas City family's experience with polio. In addition, it tells the stories of others who have been affected by the disease. The story follows victims and doctors, parents and nurses. It recalls a time in our history when we were helpless against a seemingly invincible foe and reminds us of all those who worked so hard to achieve near-total elimination of polio from the world.

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Let’s Get Trivial

ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to our first annual FUNdraiser, Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. 100% of net proceeds from this event support our ESU Kansas City Branch's educational programs, events, and operations.

Where: Piropos Restaurant in Briarcliff, Buenos Aires Room, 4141 N. Mulberry Dr. Kansas City, Missouri

When: Saturday, September 30, 2023.
6:00 pm—Drinks, social, networking
6:45 pm—Buffet Dinner served
6:00-7:30 pm—Live jazz musicians entertain
7:30 pm—Let's Get Trivial Contest begins

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Happy Hour: What I Know About Shakespeare and Why It Matters

Join Us for Our Next ESU Happy Hour

Jeff Watkins, the founding Artistic Director of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company (ASC) at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, will investigate the idea that Shakespeare changed his life, and the life of the Atlanta Shakespeare Co. ASC developed an understanding of what Shakespeare's original practices were and how they could revolutionize our production and performance of his works. 

In simpler terms, Jeff will ask and answer the question of how his approach to rehearsing and performing Shakespeare has changed over the last 25 years. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch.

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ESU Kansas City Branch Welcomes Andrew Lownie

Dr. Andrew Lownie, acclaimed author and biographer, arrived in Kansas City for a lecture program co-hosted by the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch (ESU) and the International Relations Council (IRC). Andrew told an intriguing tale about the notorious English-born Soviet spy, Guy Burgess. Lownie, arriving in Kansas City direct from London, presented his lecture program on Friday, September 15, 2023. This special lecture program is part of ESU's Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series. Members and guests from ESU and IRC thoroughly enjoyed the program which was also livestreamed in the auditorium of the National World War I Museum. You may watch the recorded lecture here (1 hr. 20 min.)

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Stalin’s Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War And the Cambridge Spy Ring

Stalin's Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War And the Cambridge Spy Ring

A Lecture by Acclaimed Author
Dr. Andrew Lownie

Everyone loves thrilling British spy novels and Andrew Lownie doesn't disappoint as he tells an intriguing tale about the notorious English-born Soviet spy, Guy Burgess. Lownie, arriving in Kansas City direct from London, will present his lecture program on Friday, September 15, 2023. This special lecture program is in partnership with The English-Speaking Union of Kansas City and the International Relations Council and is part of ESU's Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series. The ESU and IRC are pleased to welcome Dr. Andrew Lownie to his first visit to Kansas City.

In his lecture, best-selling author, Andrew Lownie will present the chilling, yet colorful, life story of one of the most fascinating and utterly ruthless men who betrayed his country to the Soviet Union. Burgess rose through academia, the BBC, the Foreign Office, M15, and M16, eventually becoming a member of the infamous Cambridge Spy Ring gaining access to thousands of highly sensitive secret documents which he passed to his Russian handlers. 

Andrew Lownie is a best-selling author, journalist, and one of Britain's most acclaimed biographers. He is currently a visiting professor at the Ulster Literary Biography Research Centre. He has a master's and a PhD in history from the University of Edinburgh.

When: Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
5:45-6:30 pm CT—Registration and Networking
6:30 pm: CT—Lecture followed by Q&A
7:30  pm: CT—Book signing

Where: National World WarI Museum, Auditorium,
2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO and online

Tickets: IRC/ESU Member (in-person): $15
Non-Member (in-person): $20
Livestream (online) attendance: $10
Students: FREE

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After the lecture, Andrew will be available to autograph his book, "Stalin's Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War, and the Cambridge Spy Ring." A limited number of books will be available for purchase after the lecture, or you are welcome to bring your own book. 

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