News And Events

Happy Hour: Classical Shindig with ESU Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper and Michael Harold

Wednesday, September 13, 2023,
6:00 pm EDT

Make the acquaintance of two of New Orleans' most beloved hosts and concert pianists, Michael and Quinn, who sure do know their shindigs. From seasonal celebrations to iconic book clubs to lavish parties for friends, family, and charities, both local and national, Michael and Quinn have seen, done, and decorated it all. Join us for our next ESU Happy Hour Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 6:00 pm EDT when Quinn and Michael share stories from their new book, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry: From the Simple to the Sublime. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU New Orleans Branch. All ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and Friends of ESU. Please click here to register:

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Enjoy the pairs' authentic sense of style and design in their lush home and garden while exploring the joys of throwing unique and personal events. The pages are filled with hundreds of delightful photographs captured by twelve renowned Southern photographers that showcase the abundance of Michael and Quinn's New Orleans Garden District home. Come away with hosting, interior design, and entertaining tips and tricks that even an amateur can execute. Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime is complete with more than sixty recipes for every occasion, QR codes for recorded movements of their concertos given in support of community causes, illustrations by acclaimed artists Paul Cox and Tug Rice, and delightful stories all the way from Mississippi County, Arkansas, to the oak-lined streets of New Orleans. Between adventures in piano concerti with orchestras and entertaining New Orleans' natives. The British monarchy, and everyone in between—there's nothing these two won't do to celebrate their love of food, music, and people.

To buy a copy of "Classical Shindig," go to classicalshindig.com and use promotional code ESUCS. A portion of the sale will be donated to The English-Speaking Union of the United States.

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Happy Hour: The Kennedys in England

Join Us for Our Next ESU Happy Hour

The English-Speaking Union Salutes Coronations and UK Memories

Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 4:00 PM CT

Dr. Barbara Perry, presidential scholar, acclaimed author, and Kennedy family biographer, will tell us how one of America's most historic dynasties experienced the height of political and social achievement in pre-war London only to see their dreams dashed by diplomatic missteps and the tragedies of wartime casualties. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. All ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and Friends of ESU. Please click here to register:

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ESU Salutes A Chorus Line

Music Theater Heritage (MTH) at Crown Center is producing the musical A Chorus Line, considered one of the most prolific musicals of all time. Winner of 9 TONY Awards as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it remains relevant, provocative and explosively entertaining. 

This production stars Kansas City native, Nathan Darrow, whose talents include film and television productions such as House of Cards, Billions, and many more. Nathan has the role of the choreographer in A Chorus Line at MTH.

Here are three events featuring A Chorus Line and we hope you can attend all three:

Thursday, August 10

We will attend the opening performance of A Chorus Line at MTH at Crown Center on Thursday, August 10 at 7:30 pm. Read more.

Monday, August 14

This will be a fun evening of storytelling by Ben Martin. He will share his memories when he directed A Chorus Line at Lee's Summit High School just before he retired. Read more.

Tuesday, August 22

We will be showing the documentary film Every Little Step (1 hr. 33 min.) which follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. Read more.

 

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2024 Membership Renewal Party

Let's Celebrate Our New Membership Year

ESU's new membership year begins July 1, 2023 and what better way to bring in the new membership year than with a party! 

All ESU members and Friends of ESU are cordially invited to a Membership Renewal Party hosted by our ESU members, Sally and Greg Davis. This is a potluck party. Our board members will provide Barbeque Brisket, iced tea, and soft drinks. Everyone is invited to bring a side dish such as baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad, or dessert. BYOB for wine, beer.  

We want to bring all ESU members together for a casual afternoon party to make it easy and convenient to renew your membership as well as renew friendships. You can renew online at the party on our secure laptop or with a paper form.  Either way it is easy and fast.  You'll also have the chance to meet both longstanding ESU members as well as our newest recruits.

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ESU Happy Hour Coronation and Memories Tributes

A Special Happy Hour of Coronation
Tributes and Memories

Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 5:00 PM ET

Hosted by the ESU Happy Hour Committee

Join us for a special ESU Happy Hour as ESU Branches across America share Coronation events and tributes to a King and Queen. ESU members and Friends of ESU are cordially invited to submit short stories, videos, Coronation events, greetings, and memorabilia as a tribute to King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II.

Please submit and upload your photos, short stories, greetings, and videos to the Dropbox below by Monday, June 12th. We will share tributes during our Happy Hour on June 28 at 5:00 PM ET.

  • Photos/memorabilia/collectibles/table settings

  • Short stories/shared experiences 250 words or less

  • Videos/greetings 90 seconds or less

Upload Your Submission Here

Click on the link above. You will be directed to a Dropbox page. You can click the Add Files button and navigate to your hard drive where you can select files to be sent. Click Upload. We have made a Smartphone Video Tips page for those who may want to take their video production to a higher level.

If you have questions about what to submit or how to submit, contact Karen Blair-Brand at  kbbzoom@esuus.org . Please submit all tributes by no later than Monday, June 12. All ESU Happy Hours are free, and all ESU members and Friends of ESU are welcome to attend. Please register for the Zoom link.

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The English-Speaking Union

Kansas City Branch

Kansas City Branch Landmark Photo