What does national defense engineering have to do with helping an injured sea turtle swim? More than you might think. When Tortellini, a sea turtle at the Kansas City Zoo, developed a buoyancy disorder known as “Bubble Butt,” she lost the ability to dive and swim normally. The condition, caused by trapped air under the […]
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 …
The ESU National Shakespeare Competition returns to New York City for an unforgettable weekend of fun, education, and performance. From Saturday, April 25 to Monday, April 27, students, parents, teachers, and ESU members will gather for three exciting days in the Big Apple. Competition Weekend features a full lineup of activities, including a New York […]
If you love trivia contests, this event is for you! The International Relations Council is hosting WORLDQUEST 2026 again this year and all ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend. Teams of eight representing area businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, community groups, ambitious students, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. […]
Most people think professional baseball players have unlimited resources and perfect nutrition. The reality is far more nuanced. From coaching a minor league athlete transitioning into the big leagues, to navigating food superstitions before a game, to answering constant questions about protein — this job isn’t just about meal plans. Sports Dietetics is about performance […]
The National World War I Museum is collaborating with Alliance Française de Kansas City with a special film screening of the 2004 award-winning film A Very Long Engagement. This is the final film from a French Film Festival hosted by Alliance Française de Kansas City. All ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to […]
ESU National Board Member Mary Coleman Way in Conversation with Tamara Meneghini on Elizabeth I: in Her Own Words A critically acclaimed one-woman play, by Carole Levin, in collaboration with Tamara Meneghini and Sabin Epstein, that combines Elizabeth I’s own letters and speeches, the poetry of Shakespeare, and music of the period to reveal a complex woman […]
As Kansas City steps onto the global stage, this lively, community-focused session is designed to build excitement for the FIFA World Cup while helping fans feel confident and connected to the game. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just starting to pay attention, this panel breaks down what actually matters on the pitch—from formations and […]
Every so often, the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch comes across an unexpected opportunity too special to miss, even on short notice. We are delighted to share one of those rare finds with you—a free and extraordinary evening we hope you will add to your calendar. All ESU members and Friends of ESU are warmly […]
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • 5:00 PM ETSponsored by the ESU Hawaii and Seattle Branches Did you know that Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth (President Lincoln’s assassin), performed Shakespeare plays in the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 1850s? And he wasn’t alone. The Hawaiian Kingdom hosted many actors who came to the fabled islands to […]
Step beyond the familiar headlines and into the decisions that quietly reshaped the world we live in. In this engaging session, we revisit the presidency of Harry S. Truman—not as a footnote defined by a single moment, but as a force behind the modern global order. From the Oval Office of a plainspoken Missourian, a […]
With the Commander of the American Forces from Virginia, four of the first five Presidents from Virginia, the authors of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution from Virginia, an early Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from Virginia, multiple signers of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia and, indeed, the very […]
