Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 4:00 PM ET Sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch After 250 years, why are Jane Austen’s novels still so popular? Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all over the world and have been made into countless TV, […]
Long before Kansas City became synonymous with jazz and innovation, African American leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators were building institutions that shaped the city’s identity—and influenced the nation. This talk explores the people and places that defined Black Kansas City from the arrival of Exodusters through the Roaring ’20s, revealing stories of resilience, creativity, and […]
2026 National Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals March 1,2026 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm CST Join us for our 42nd annual Shakespeare Competition in Kansas City as KC metro area high school students compete for First Place with the winner advancing to the National Finals in New York City in April 2026. Students perform […]
Eighty years ago, on March 5, 1946, history was made when Winston Churchill delivered his iconic “The Sinews of Peace” address, also known as the Churchill Iron Curtain Speech, on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. To honor this landmark anniversary, America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) invites you to a series of special […]
Sponsored by the ESU Mongolia and Central Pennsylvania Branches The English-Speaking Union is a worldwide nonprofit education-based organization spanning the globe with international branches in 66 countries from Albania to Yemen. All ESUs worldwide are connected through the ESU International Council. The President of the ESU International Council is Professor Bolormaa also known as Bella […]
On March 13, the Linda Hall Library will debut Alchemy of Knowledge, the largest exhibition in the organization’s history. Presented as the Library celebrates its 80th anniversary, the exhibition takes us on a journey through the powerful intersections of literature, art, the humanities, and science across centuries, revealing how these disciplines have continually shaped and […]
A thriving arts community isn’t built on individual genius alone—it’s built on networks, partnerships, and shared investment, and Kansas City’s creative ecosystem depends on all of us. Kansas City has a long history of artists building careers through collaboration, resourcefulness, and community—not just working alone in studios. This talk traces the evolution of the KC […]
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe during World War II, launched on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was the largest amphibious invasion in history, involving 160,000 troops landing across five Normandy beaches. Winston Churchill, while cautiously supportive, initially held reservations about potential heavy losses but ultimately ensured […]
Dan Falk, award-winning author of The Science of Shakespeare: A New Look at the Playwright's Universe, joins Dr. Eric Dorfman, President of the Linda Hall Library, for a lively conversation on the connections between the famous playwright and the beginnings of the Scientific Revolution—and how, together, they changed the world forever. William Shakespeare lived at a remarkable […]
What if the wild isn’t something you travel to—but something you can turn back on where you live? In this talk, I’ll share stories from cities around the world where people are using simple tools—like citizen science apps, listening experiences, and even “talking trees”—to reconnect with nature in everyday life. The heart of the talk […]
Saturday, April 11, 2026 • Dinner: 5:30 PM • Performance: 7:30 PM Bach Aria Soloists is thrilled to collaborate with the excellent Kansas City Actors Theatre in this world premiere performance of “Our Favorite Things,” a singular evening of BAS’ most treasured music spanning from Renaissance to Contemporary, juxtaposed with scenes from Kansas City Actors […]
The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference on April 24th-25th,2026. The conference, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The conference program will include the ESU 2026 Annual General Meeting, social events such as receptions …
