Inside the Reagan White House by Frank Lavin

The International Relations Council (IRC) is hosting a lecture about the Reagan years in the White House. IRC is inviting all ESU members to this lecture.  Ronald Reagan’s presidency concurred with some of the most remarkable world events in modern history, from the end of the Iran hostage crisis to the Reykjavik summit with Mikhail […]

King Charles’ Birthday Tea Party

Bohet House 343 W. Liberty Drive, Liberty, Missouri, United States

Saturday, August 9, 2025 • 10:30 am 2:30 pm seating SOLD OUT You are cordially invited to attend one of our biggest social gatherings of the year—A tea to celebrate King Charles III’s upcoming 77th birthday on November 14. This will be an ESU Tea Party fit for a King! Our tea party will include a […]

Happy Hour: The Battle of Britain

June, 1940—In the past two months, Nazi Germany has conquered Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Great Britain stands alone against the formidable German war machine. Now, Germany decides to bring Britain to its knees. In order to do that, Goering’s Luftwaffe must win air superiority over the English Channel and Southeast England. The […]

Happy Hour: J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth & Modernism

J.R.R. Tolkien was a towering figure in the world of twentieth-century English letters. His labors on Beowulf continue to shape the literary landscape, his work on the Oxford English Dictionary still serves, and his groundbreaking thoughts about the role and purpose of fairy stories gave focus to the thoughts of C.S. Lewis and other Inklings. […]

IRC 2025 Global Honors Evening

Julie Robinson, president of the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch (ESU), will receive the “Academic Leadership” award at the International Relations Council’s (IRC) Global Honors Evening on Thursday, September 25 at the Kansas City Art Institute. The Global Honors Evening recognizes individuals and organizations for contributions to foreign policy and global affairs, international commerce, or […]

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

We’ve all been waiting. Now it’s here. DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the beloved cinematic return of the global phenomenon (rated PG). In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble. The English-Speaking […]

Happy Hour: Vampire Literature: An Anthology

Co-Authors Dr. Robin Werner and her colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, will discuss their book titled Vampire Literature: An Anthology. Specifically, they will talk about the anthology’s inspiration and the challenges of the creation process. Vampire Literature: An Anthology is the first anthology designed specifically to introduce students and general readers to the history, theory, and […]

The Questionable Identity of William Shakespeare

The question may be met with chagrin by traditionalists, but to some, the identity of William Shakespeare is not positively decided. Dr. Felicia Hardison Londré, Ph.D, presents a thought-provoking analysis on the Shakespeare authorship question. This free lecture program is at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Grant Hall Recital Auditorium, 5200 Charlotte […]

Happy Hour: The Lost Heirs: The Rise and Fall of the D’Oyly Carte Dynasty

The name D’Oyly Carte is recognized throughout the world because of Richard D’Oyly Carte’s partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan, which produced fourteen famous comic operas during the last quarter of the 19th Century such as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado. Richard D’Oyly Carte (1844-1901) was one of the greatest impresarios of […]

Exploring Shakespeare’s Women: A Professional Development Workshop

Join the ESU for an exclusive online professional development workshop live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Explore four of Shakespeare’s most fascinating women—Juliet, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, and Hero—through an interactive session connecting critical writing with rehearsal-room practice. Gain fresh strategies for engaging students with themes of gender, relationships, and power in Shakespeare’s works. […]

DBE Kansas Proudly Hosts: The 38th Annual British Faire and Tea

The British Are Coming!  All ESU members and guests are invited to the 38th Annual British Faire sponsored by the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas.  This annual fundraising event benefits retirement communities and local charities.  Some of the events and activities at the British Faire: Traditional British Afternoon Tea               Celtic Jewelry The Best […]

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union toA Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley HallPrescot, Merseyside L34 4AG EnglandNovember 20–23, 2025 From $2,500 pp double / $3,400 pp single in an Executive SuiteUpgrades to Deluxe and Royal Suite/Lord Derby’s Suite available  Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation […]