BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Kansas City - ECPv6.8.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Kansas City X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Kansas City REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260325T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260325T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260222T183458Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T220653Z UID:1622-1774450800-1774454400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Churchill's D-Day DESCRIPTION: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 its success as a key strategic architect.Allen Packwood\, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre\, will explore Churchill’s often neglected role in the planning and execution of Operation Overlord. He will use key documents from Churchill’s papers to tell the inside story.ESU members and guests are invited to this Happy Hour which gives an in-depth look at this pivotal moment in history as allied forces opened a “Second Front” in Europe\, ultimately liberating France.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free to attend\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Allen Packwood OBE \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs Director of the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge since 2002\, Allen has dedicated his career to preserving and illuminating history. A qualified archivist and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society\, he oversees one of the world’s most significant collections of modern political\, diplomatic\, and scientific papers\, including those of Sir Winston Churchill and Baroness Thatcher.His expertise has taken him from curating exhibitions at the Library of Congress to organizing international conferences on the Cold War\, and from Bermuda to Hong Kong\, sharing Churchill’s life story and legacy.Packwood has a BA\, and MPhil (Cantab) and is a Fellow of Churchill College at the University of Cambridge. He was awarded an OBE for services to archives and scholarship in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours. His latest book\, Churchill’s D-Day\, The Inside Story co-authored with General Lord Dannatt\, was published for the eightieth anniversary of Operation Overlord in June 2024. \n\n\n\nCocktail:ManhattanIngredients Whiskey: 2 oz Rye or BourbonSweet Vermouth: 1 ozAngostura Bitters: 2 dashesGarnish: Maraschino cherry or lemon twistInstructions:Combine the whiskey\, sweet vermouth\, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.Stir until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.Garnish with a brandied cherry or a lemon twist.Like so many cocktails\, their origins and history are lost to the vagaries of time\, leading to intriguing theories\, one including the mother of Prime Minister Winston Churchill as its possible inventor.A widely shared story suggests that the cocktail dates to the 1870s\, and despite being named after the New York City borough\, there’s a connection to the United Kingdom. This story has it that one Dr. Iain Marshall came up with the classic Manhattan recipe while attending a party that was held at the Manhattan Club for Lady Randolph Churchill\, the mother-to-be of the not-yet-born Winston Churchill.Of course\, as most legends do\, this story has been called into question because there are indications that Churchill’s mother was in either France or England at this time. Some dispute this and believe that a bartender going by the name of ‘Black’ invented the cocktail at the famed Hoffman House in New York City URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-churchills-d-day/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/hhr_churchill_dday.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260326T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260326T200000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260208T190639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T185954Z UID:1600-1774551600-1774555200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:The Science of Shakespeare DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n\n\nWilliam Shakespeare lived at a remarkable time―a period we now recognize as the first phase of the Scientific Revolution. New ideas were transforming Western thought\, the medieval was giving way to the modern\, and the work of a few key figures hinted at the brave new world to come: the methodical and rational Galileo\, the skeptical Montaigne\, and―as Falk convincingly argues―Shakespeare\, who observed human nature just as intently as the astronomers who studied the night sky. \n\n\n\nESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend this fascinating free lecture at Linda Hall Library either in-person or virtually. Note: in-person registration begins February 12 at 9:00 am. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, March 26\, 2026\, at 7:00 PM CT \n\n\n\nWhere: Linda Hall Library\, 5109 Cherry St.\, Kansas City\, MO \n\n\n\nTickets: Free lecture but registration required. Registration opens on February 12\, 2026 at 9:00 AM CT. Click this link on February 12 to register for the in-person lecture. In-person registrations cannot be made before February 12. \n\n\n\nVirtual Lecture: If you prefer to watch this program virtually via Zoom\, you may register now. Please click here to register for the virtual program. \n\n\n\nParking: Free parking at the library \n\n\n\nAbout Dan Falk \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nDan Falk is a journalist and author with a particular interest in science\, especially physics and astronomy. His freelance writing credits include Smithsonian\, New Scientist\, Scientific American\, Astronomy\, and many other publications. The Science of Shakespeare is his third book; his two previous books are In Search of Time and Universe on a T-Shirt. \n\n\n\nThe Toronto native is a regular contributor to Canadian public radio\, and he has won several international awards for his radio documentaries. He also hosts a podcast called BookLab\, which reviews popular science books. Falk was a 2011-12 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT. \n\n\n\nAbout Eric Dorfman\, PhD \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nDr. Dorfman is the President of Linda Hall Library. He is the author of several popular books on New Zealand natural history and climate change\, as well as scholarly papers on museum education\, public programming\, Egyptology\, and the ecology of wetland birds. His most recent book\, The Future of Natural History Museums\, is currently being translated into Chinese and Japanese. He earned a doctorate at the University of Sydney on scale-dependent habitat use of waterbirds in eastern and central Australia. Prior to his current position\, Dr. Dorfman was CEO of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a Research Professor at North Carolina State University URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/the-science-of-shakespeare/ CATEGORIES:Kansas City,Online Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/science_shakespeare.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260208T192725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T185856Z UID:1608-1775152800-1775156400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Think & Drink: The Wild is Calling and You've Got the Tool to Answer DESCRIPTION: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 is a simple ladder: connection to place\, connection to species\, and connection to purpose. Because once you start noticing the nature around you\, you start caring—and once you care\, you start acting. \n\n\n\nI’ll show how a tiny shift in attention—learning the name of one local tree\, bird\, or insect—can shift your relationship with your neighborhood from “nature is out there” to “nature is here.” That’s a connection to species\, and it often sparks a connection to purpose through community science and stewardship. I’ll also share how ordinary people are documenting urban biodiversity with their phones\, and why those observations can inform real conservation decisions\, including the discovery of species in places where they were previously unknown to exist. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this Think & Drink lecture with guest speaker Dr. Nadina Galle. It’s free to attend and open to all ESU members and the public\, but registration is required. These Think & Drink lecture programs often reach capacity\, so we encourage ESU members to register now. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you register. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, April 2\, 2026\, 6:00 pm \n\n\n\nLocation: Casual Animal Brewing\, 1721-1725 McGee Street Kansas City\, MO \n\n\n\nTickets: Admission is free but registration is required. \n\n\n\nAbout Nadina Galle \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nDr. Nadina Galle is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer\, National Geographic Explorer\, and bestselling author of The Nature of Our Cities. She is the founder of the Internet of Nature®—a global movement exploring how technology can help people reconnect with nearby nature and build healthier\, more resilient communities. Her work sits at the intersection of ecology\, cities\, and innovation\, and has been featured by Bloomberg\, NPR\, CNBC\, and the New York Post. Through her podcast\, field projects\, and storytelling\, Nadina brings audiences into the future of urban life—where the wild still has a place\, even in the most built-up spaces. \n\n\n\nAbout Think & Drink Lecture Series: Think & Drink is an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. This one-hour lecture program was launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company\, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area\, south of downtown Kansas City. The lectures are held on the first and third Thursday of every month and bring together experts\, academics\, and curious minds for evening talks on topics that generate fresh perspectives\, ideas\, and discussion. No topic is off the table URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/think-drink-the-wild-is-calling-and-youve-got-the-tool-to-answer/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/tad_april.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260411T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260411T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260208T193021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260208T193022Z UID:1610-1775928600-1775941200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Our Favorite Things DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, April 11\, 2026 • Dinner: 5:30 PM • Performance: 7:30 PM \n\n\n\nBach 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 Theatre’s favorite plays\, all in one splendid show! Be among the first to experience this unforgettable debut alliance in a one-night-only showcase for music and theater lovers! \n\n\n\nESU Members and guests are invited to an evening of casual dining\, music\, and theatre. We will meet at 5:30 pm at Tavern in the Village in Prairie Village for dinner and drinks. It’s a no-host dinner and the restaurant will provide separate checks. \n\n\n\nThen it’s a short 7-minute drive to the Village Presbyterian Church for the world premiere performance of “Our Favorite Things” bringing together two of Kansas City’s world-class  musicians and actors: Bach Aria Soloists and Kansas City Actors Theatre. Among the musicians\, you will experience the world acclaimed cellist Sascha Groschang who has performed extensively across the U.S.\, Europe\, and Asia and appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times. Beloved actors from the Kansas City Actors Theatre will be performing including John Rensenhouse and many others. \n\n\n\nESU has discounted group tickets for this one-night-only World Premiere of Our Favorite Things. Purchase your tickets now. This will likely be a sold out performance. \n\n\n\nWhen: Saturday\, April 11\, 2026 \n\n\n\n5:30 pm: No host dinner at Tavern in the Village \n\n\n\n            7:30 pm:  Performance of “Our Favorite Things” \n\n\n\nWhere: Tavern in the Village\, 3901 Prairie Ln\, Prairie Village\, KS \n\n\n\n               Village Presbyterian Church: 6641 Mission Rd\, Prairie Village\, KS \n\n\n\nTickets: Discounted tickets: Adult: $30 plus tax. To purchase tickets\, click here then click on “Get Tickets.” Select number of tickets and fill out Patron Information. Click on “Add to Cart.” \n\n\n\nIn “Promotion Code” box\, enter ESU. Then “Apply”. At bottom\, click on “Proceed to Payment” then fill out payment details and click on “Confirm and Purchase.” You may then choose to print your ticket\, or receive a digital ticket\, or pick up ticket at will call at Village Presbyterian Church. \n\n\n\nNote: Seats are not reserved. You should have plenty of time after dinner to arrive at the Church and choose your seat(s). Please contact Jeff Schnabel after you purchase your ticket(s) so we will know how many to expect at the restaurant. Dinner is optional. If you are not attending the dinner and just going to the performance at the Church\, please let Jeff know. Phone: (816) 878-1239\, email: jschnabelkc@gmail.com. \n\n\n\nParking: Free street parking around church and parking lot south of church. \n\n\n\nQuestions? Feel free to call Jeff anytime. This will be a fun evening for ESU members. Guests are welcome too. We would be delighted if you could bring a friend who might be interested in joining the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch. It would be a great opportunity to meet some of our members. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/our-favorite-things/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/our_favorite_things.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260323T221500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T221612Z UID:1648-1776272400-1776276000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Adelaide Robineau: Breaking the Porcelain Ceiling DESCRIPTION:Adelaide Alsop Robineau\, (1865-1929) is considered one of America’s preeminent studio potters. She began her ceramics career as a china painter\, painting designs on porcelain blanks produced by other craftsmen. After moving to Syracuse with her husband in 1901\, Robineau started experimenting with making her own porcelain forms. \n\n\n\nShe quickly became a master of the medium\, known for decorative techniques that included intricate excising and carving away of clay. Robineau developed an innovative approach to glazing her ceramics\, experimenting with\, and perfecting complex crystalline glazes in greens\, blues\, ivory\, and gold. \n\n\n\nIn 1910\, Adelaide Robineau created The Scarab Vase\, a porcelain masterpiece that famously took 1\,000 hours of laborious hand-carving to complete. Garth Johnson\, the Everson Museum of Art’s Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan Curator of Ceramics will explain how Robineau sparked a revolution in ceramics\, and why she deserves to be seen as a feminist icon.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the Syracuse Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free to attend\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Garth Johnson \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nWriter\, curator\, and educator\, Garth Johnson is the Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse\, New York. Before arriving at the Everson\, Johnson served as the Curator of Ceramics at the Arizona State University Ceramics Research Center. Johnson has also exhibited his work and published his writing nationally and internationally\, including contributions to the recent books Funk published by Natsoulas Press and Funk You Too: Humor and Irreverence in Ceramic Sculpture published by the Museum of Arts and Design.  \n\n\n\nJohnson is a self-described craft activist who explores the craft’s influence and relevance in the 21st century. His research interests range from 1960s and 70s artist-led movements in the field of ceramics to the intersection of clay\, video\, and performance. \n\n\n\nCocktail Old PalThe Old Pal is a Prohibition-era cocktail\, a variation of the Negroni\, made with equal parts rye whiskey\, Campari\, and dry vermouth\, typically stirred and garnished with a lemon twist. It is known for being drier and spicier than its cousin\, the Boulevardier (which uses sweet vermouth)\, with the rye providing a peppery kick.Ingredients1 oz Rye Whiskey\, 1 oz Campari\, 1 oz Dry Vermouth\, and Lemon peel for garnish.Use French vermouth to celebrate Robineau’s French husband\, Samuel\, plus Campari to celebrate Robineau’s triumph at the 1911 World’s Fair in Turin\, Italy.Combine all three liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass (with a large ice cube). Garnish with a lemon twist\, expressing the oils over the drink before dropping it in. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-adelaide-robineau-breaking-the-porcelain-ceiling/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/hh_adelaide.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260416T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260416T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260323T221057Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T221059Z UID:1646-1776362400-1776366000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Think & Drink: Tortellini the Turtle DESCRIPTION: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 shell that makes the turtle float unevenly\, can seriously impact a turtle’s health and quality of life. \n\n\n\nIn an unexpected collaboration\, engineers and scientists from the Kansas City National Security Campus partnered with the Kansas City Zoo to tackle the problem. Using the same advanced manufacturing techniques\, design tools\, and problem-solving approaches that support national defense missions\, the team developed a custom weighted harness that restores Tortellini’s balance in the water and allows her to swim naturally again. \n\n\n\nThis talk tells the story of that partnership\, from diagnosing the challenge and designing prototypes to testing and refining a solution that keeps Tortellini comfortable today and adaptable for the future. Along the way\, we’ll explore how engineering innovation\, interdisciplinary teamwork\, and a little creativity can improve animal care and lead to solutions in the most unexpected places. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this free Think & Drink lecture which is open to all ESU members and the public\, but registration is required. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you register. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, April 16\, 2026\, 6:00 pm \n\n\n\nLocation: Casual Animal Brewing\, 1725 McGee Street Kansas City\, MO \n\n\n\nTickets: Free admission but registration is required. Click here to register. \n\n\n\nGuest Speakers:Dan Bowen\, Ph.D. – Sr. Fellow & Chief ScientistDan Bowen\, a subject matter expert in polymer chemistry\, material science\, and additive manufacturing\, helped organize the effort and worked with KCNSC Sr. Leadership.Neiko Levenhagen\, Ph.D. – Lead R&D Scientist Advanced Technology DevelopmentNeiko Levenhagen\, an expert in additive manufacturing technologies of 10+ years\, led the technical side of the team in the design\, fabrication\, and assembly of the custom harness.Peter Roth – Sr. Mechanical EngineerPeter Roth\, employed at KCNSC for 8+ years\, performed the 3D scanning of Tortellini’s shell and created the mechanical design profile of Tortellini’s weighted harness.Holly Weber – Principal R&D Scientist\, Materials Aging and CompatibilityHolly Weber\, employed at KCNSC for 20+ years\, initiated and led the KCNSC/Zoo collaboration to design and manufacture a custom weighted harness for Tortellini. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/think-drink-tortellini-the-turtle/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/tad_april16.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260423T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260426T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20251207T193927Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T182955Z UID:1554-1776902400-1777247999@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2026 Annual General Meeting DESCRIPTION: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 … \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference. 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 and meals\, breakout sessions\, panel discussions\, and local tours. We invite you to participate in the camaraderie and help us advance our programs that support teachers\, students\, and recent immigrants. \n \nHIGHLIGHTS \n \nRevolution in Old New York: Soldiers\, Spies & Statesmen of the American Revolution Walking Tour:\nTrace the footsteps of revolution through Manhattan’s past and present.\nLunch on historic Stone Street or Fraunces Tavern\nOne of New York City’s oldest surviving streets\, originally paved in 1658.\nand\nArt of the Gilded Age at The Met Museum Guided Tour\nUncover the brilliance and forgotten voices of the Gilded Age at The Met. \nOur Conference venue will be at the ESU House\, 144 East 39th Street\, and the Shelbourne-Sonesta Hotel\, 303 Lexington Avenue\, New York\, NY 10016. We have a special hotel room at The Shelbourne Sonesta Hotel\, which will be available Thursday night through Saturday night. Hotel prices do not include taxes or additional fees\, and prices are valid through March 23\, 2026. We will have a special opportunity to see the USA finals for the International Public Speaking Competition. Space is limited\, first-come-first-served. \n \n$650 \n \nPrint Registration Form \n \n \n \n\n \n Register Here URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/2026-annual-general-meeting/ CATEGORIES:Events with Tickets,National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/2026_Annual_Conference.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260425T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260427T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260208T191520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260208T192146Z UID:1604-1777104000-1777309200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition Weekend DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n\n\nCompetition Weekend features a full lineup of activities\, including a New York City double-decker bus tour\, acting masterclasses led by theater professionals\, teacher professional development workshops\, and a Broadway performance. The weekend culminates on Monday\, April 27\, with the National Finals of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater\, where the nation’s top student performers take the stage. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a weekend that brings Shakespeare to life! \n\n\n\nWeekend package tickets go on sale soon! URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/2026-esu-national-shakespeare-competition-weekend/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/ESU_national_shakespeare.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T210000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260125T182505Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T003323Z UID:1581-1777572000-1777582800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:WorldQuest 2026 DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n\n\nTeams of eight representing area businesses\, universities\, nonprofit organizations\, community groups\, ambitious students\, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. There will be six rounds of ten questions covering topics like global affairs\, geography\, world languages and cultures\, history\, and more in this fun and interactive competition. The winning team takes home the traveling trophy\, while second-place and third-place teams win valuable prizes. \n\n\n\nLast year ESU sponsored a table of eight and we would like to sponsor a table of eight again this year\, perhaps two ESU tables if enough interest. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, April 30\, 2026\, 6:00 to 9:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center\, 8788 Metcalf\, Overland Park\, KS. \n\n\n\nTickets: $60 per person. You may pay at the door with credit/debit card or cash. But please call Jim Paszkiewicz at (816) 807-3229 to confirm so we have a list of who’s attending. The ticket price includes a buffet-style dinner. \n\n\n\nParking: Plenty of free parking. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur Favorite ThingsApril 11 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm CDT Happy Hour: Adelaide Robineau: Breaking the Porcelain CeilingApril 15 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CDT Think & Drink: Tortellini the TurtleApril 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT 2026 Annual General MeetingApril 23 – April 262026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition WeekendApril 25 @ 8:00 am – April 27 @ 5:00 pm CDT WorldQuest 2026April 30 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm CDT Think & Drink: Fueling the Show: Nutrition Strategy of Major League BaseballMay 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT ESU Festival Group NightJuly 1 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm CDT URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/worldquest-2026/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/Worldquest2026.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260315T172740Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260315T172742Z UID:1644-1778176800-1778180400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Think & Drink: Fueling the Show: Nutrition Strategy of Major League Baseball DESCRIPTION: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 strategy\, psychology\, logistics\, and trust. Erika Wincheski is a veteran in the world of performance nutrition for Major League Baseball and she’ll take you inside the clubhouse to show you what fueling elite athletes actually looks like. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this free Think & Drink lecture which is open to all ESU members and the public\, but registration is required. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you register. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, May 7\, 2026\, 6:00 pm \n\n\n\nLocation: Casual Animal Brewing\, 1721-1725 McGee Street Kansas City\, MO \n\n\n\nTickets: Free admission but registration is required. Click here to register. \n\n\n\nAbout Erika Wincheski \n\n\n\nErika Wincheski is in her ninth season with the Royals and fifth as the Director of Sports Nutrition. In her role\, she supports all levels of the organization\, develops and maintains nutrition standards and helps players maximize their performance and recovery through enhancing nutrition. She is a Licensed Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She’s also currently serving as Vice President of the Professional Baseball Dietitian Society. \n\n\n\nShe had spent the previous five-plus years working at EXOS in Phoenix\, Arizona. During her time with EXOS\, she worked under contract with the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball as well as the Arizona Cardinals\, Arizona Coyotes and U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. Wincheski received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo\, Calif.\, while she did a postgraduate dietetic internship through the University of Maryland. \n\n\n\nAbout Think & Drink Lecture Series: \n\n\n\nThink & Drink is an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. This one-hour lecture program was launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company\, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area\, south of downtown Kansas City. The lectures are held on the first and third Thursday of every month and bring together experts\, academics\, and curious minds for evening talks on topics that generate fresh perspectives\, ideas\, and discussion. No topic is off the table. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/think-drink-fueling-the-show-nutrition-strategy-of-major-league-baseball/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/tad_may7.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260701T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260701T223000 DTSTAMP:20260404T101613 CREATED:20260301T191613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T191615Z UID:1630-1782936000-1782945000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU Festival Group Night DESCRIPTION:Macbeth is a Shakespearian tragedy play that tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife\, Macbeth murders the King Duncan and soon becomes a tyrannical ruler marked by guilt\, paranoia\, and further bloodshed before his eventual downfall and death\, restoring order to Scotland. The play is filled with riddles\, prophecies\, and nightmare visions. Macbeth is so powerful that an old superstition says its name should never be uttered in a theatre. This is a must-see production by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and directed by Sidonie Garrett. ESU members and friends are invited to this special evening on Wednesday\, July 1\, 2026. We will have reserved seats near the stage at a special ESU discount price. We hope you can join our ESU Group. \n\n\n\nThis promises to be a spectacular production with lavish stage sets\, colorful costumes\, and featuring an all-star cast. Southmoreland Park is the perfect outdoor setting to bring Macbeth to life and share a beautiful evening in the park with friends and family. \n\n\n\nWhen: Wednesday\, July 1\, Curtain is 8:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Southmoreland Park\, just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum. \n\n\n\nTickets: We have arranged group discount tickets on sale beginning May 12. Check our website on May 12th with details on how to purchase discounted tickets at www.esuus.org/kansascity \n\n\n\n6:00 PM—Gates open. \n\n\n\n6:30 and 7:15 PM—Pre-Show Parody: The Festival’s teen apprentice troupe called Team Shakespeare presents a hilarious parody of the Festival play. The parody will amuse both children and adults while helping them understand the plot of Macbeth. You will find the performance between the Festival Gate and the seating area. Two performances: 6:30 or 7:15 PM. \n\n\n\n7:00 PM–Show Talk:  “Show Talk\,” gives audiences an entertaining and educational preview of the play. Show Talk begins at 7:00 pm located near Festival entrance. \n\n\n\n8:00 PM—This production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes\, including a 15-minute intermission. \n\n\n\nFood Options— \n\n\n\n        A. You may bring your own picnic basket with food and drink items of your choice.  \n\n\n\n        B. You may purchase food and beverages from the various vendors at the park. \n\n\n\n        C. Other snacks are available too…funnel cakes\, kettle corn\, soft drinks\, bottled water and more! \n\n\n\nParking: Allow yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the Festival’s entrance.  \n\n\n\nCarpooling:  If anyone wants to use their car to carpool to reduce the number of cars\, let us  know and we will pass along information so members can contact the carpool drivers to make pick up arrangements. \n\n\n\n Weather:  It’s usually very pleasant in the park by showtime. Watch forecasts and plan accordingly. \n\n\n\nFriends of ESU and Guests:  If you have friends or relatives who would like to join our group at the discounted price\, please feel free to invite them. \n\n\n\nQuestions?: Call Jeff Schnabel at (816) 878-1239. We hope to see you on July 1st at Southmoreland Park! URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/esu-festival-group-night-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/shakespeare_festival_2026.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR