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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T190000
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UID:1691-1780423200-1780426800@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:An Evening of Poetry in the Garden
DESCRIPTION: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 invited to An Evening of Poetry in the Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Overland Park\, Kansas. \n\n\n\nThe program features a summer evening of poetry set in the serene Emily Dickinson Garden within the Overland Park Arboretum. Enjoy readings by acclaimed poets\, Catherine Anderson and Robert Cole. Each poet will craft and debut an original poem inspired by Summer at the Pond\, adding a personal and meaningful layer to the evening’s readings. \n\n\n\nThe evening will also feature a special musical performance by vocalists Mark Fortino and Susie Corrigan\, bringing an added dimension of artistry to this immersive garden experience. After the poetry and music\, guests will gather in the LongHouse Visitor Center for dessert and conversation. This is a rain-or-shine event; in case of inclement weather\, the readings will be held indoors at LongHouse. \n\n\n\nLocation: Emily Dickinson Garden within the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden\, 8909 W. 179th Street\, Overland Park\, KS. \n\n\n\nTime: 6:00 pm \n\n\n\nPlenty of free parking \n\n\n\nThe program is free\, but RSVP is required. Click here to RSVP. This program is presented by The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park and is underwritten by the David W. Newcomer IV and Gene Ann Newcomer Family Foundation—celebrating the literary arts in connection to the natural world.
URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/an-evening-of-poetry-in-the-garden/
LOCATION:Kansas
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T170000
DTSTAMP:20260621T025012
CREATED:20260412T173931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260412T173932Z
UID:1662-1780502400-1780506000@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:The History of Shakespearean Theatre in Hawaii
DESCRIPTION: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 perform Shakespeare. Our guest speaker\, Professor Mark Lawhorn\, will speak on the history of Shakespearean theatre in Hawaii. He put together a detailed display on this topic for the exhibit of Shakespeare’s First Folio at Kapi’olani Community College in 2016. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Hawaii and Seattle Branches. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nAbout Mark Lawhorn\, PhD \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nMark Lawhorn is Professor of English at Kapi’olani Community College\, Honolulu\, Hawaii. In 2016\, he spearheaded the acquisition of a copy of the First Folio as part of the national tour of First Folios in all 50 States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Kapi’olani Community College was the only community college selected to host a copy of the treasured collection during its tour. Lawhorn is the President of the ESU Hawaii Branch and is a member of ESU’s National Board of Directors.
URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/the-history-of-shakespearean-theatre-in-hawaii/
LOCATION:Kansas
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260604T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260604T190000
DTSTAMP:20260621T025012
CREATED:20260517T164619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260517T164620Z
UID:1684-1780596000-1780599600@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Think & Drink: Pints and Policy: The Documents That Built the Modern World
DESCRIPTION: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 series of executive orders\, doctrines\, and alliances helped end a war\, redefine civil rights\, and lay the groundwork for today’s international institutions and policies. \n\n\n\nYou’ll explore how Truman—born into a former slave state and shaped by its history—grew into a leader willing to challenge it. His bold actions\, including desegregating the U.S. military and elevating civil rights to a national priority\, came at significant political risk but permanently altered the trajectory of American leadership. This session invites you to reconsider what “founding documents” really mean—not just those of 1776\, but the pivotal decisions of the 20th century that continue to influence global politics\, equality\, and governance today. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\nCassie Pikarsky\, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Truman Library and Erica Benson\, The Third Place Historian. \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\, June 4\, 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 and scroll down to June 4 to register. \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-pints-and-policy-the-documents-that-built-the-modern-world/
LOCATION:Kansas
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T193000
DTSTAMP:20260621T025012
CREATED:20260608T195453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T170618Z
UID:1695-1781200800-1781206200@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:"What is the American Dream?"
DESCRIPTION:The American Dream is one of those ideas everyone thinks they understand until you start peeling it back — and suddenly it becomes a conversation about identity\, opportunity\, struggle\, and belonging. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a moderated panel and community Q&A as we explore how immigrants and refugees define\, pursue\, and reshape this iconic national ideal. Through personal stories\, lived experiences\, and thoughtful dialogue\, we’ll examine how the American Dream has evolved\, what challenges stand in the way\, and how communities across generations continue to keep it alive. \n\n\n\nThe Kansas City Public Library\, through its Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE) division\, brings this capstone event as we explore the immigrant and refugee experience to a powerful close — inviting reflection\, conversation\, and a deeper understanding of what “The Dream” truly means. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, June 11\, 2026\, 6:00-7:30 PM \n\n\n\nWhere: Kansas City Public Library\, Plaza Branch\, 4801 Main St. Kansas City\, MO\, \n\n\n\nTruman Auditorium \n\n\n\nFree admission and plenty of free parking
URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/what-is-the-american-dream/
LOCATION:Kansas
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T170000
DTSTAMP:20260621T025012
CREATED:20260426T170531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T170532Z
UID:1677-1782316800-1782320400@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Happy Hour: America: Made in Virginia
DESCRIPTION: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 land on which Washington D.C. stands from Virginia\, it is safe to say that Virginia was indispensable in the creation of our country.  Ellen LeCompte\, President of the ESU Richmond VA Branch\, will share the people\, places\, and things that Virginia contributed to successfully establishing our democracy. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the Richmond\, VA 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.REGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nAbout Ellen LeCompte \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nEllen LeCompte is president of the ESU Richmond Branch\, a former Regional Chair\, and an ESU SSE alumna. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and is a proud Virginian and an acknowledged expert on the UK listed by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of their top Advisors in the United States. She has co-authored two books on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s historic relationship between Virginia and Great Britain. In 2025\, Ellen was honored by King Charles III to be made a Dame of the Order of St John\, one of Britain’s oldest chivalric orders dating back to the 12th century.  \n\n\n\nCocktailIt should be a Mint Julep served in a pewter Jefferson Cup—preferably made with Bourbon from George Washington’s distillery at Mount Vernon! \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nIngredients8 mint leaves1/4-ounce simple syrup*2 ounces bourbonGarnish: mint sprigGarnish: Angostura bitters (optional)StepsIn a silver or pewter cup or rocks glass\, lightly muddle the mint leaves in the simple syrup.Add the bourbon then pack the glass tightly with crushed ice.Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome and garnish with a mint sprig and a few drops of bitters (optional).*Simple Syrup Ingredients1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup waterPrepare Simple SyrupAdd the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat.Stir until sugar is dissolved.Let cool\, then pour into a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid.Simple syrup will keep\, refrigerated\, for about one month.
URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-america-made-in-virginia/
LOCATION:Kansas
CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260627T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260627T140000
DTSTAMP:20260621T025012
CREATED:20260610T193339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T193340Z
UID:1700-1782561600-1782568800@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Tristan and Emma Travel to New York City: A Fundraiser Luncheon
DESCRIPTION:ESU Members and Friends of ESU are invited to a special fundraiser luncheon on Saturday\, June 27\, to hear the remarkable journeys of our two most recent ESU Kansas City Branch First Place Winners as they performed in our annual Shakespeare Competition. Together\, they will offer a fascinating look at the hard work\, discipline\, and passion for Shakespeare that culminated in this outstanding accomplishment. \n\n\n\nTristan Jenkins\, our First Place winner from this year’s competition\, and Emma Scherman\, last year’s First Place winner\, describe their remarkable experiences as they began preparing for the competition at their school\, the excitement of winning First Place in the Kansas City Branch competition\, traveling to New York City\, meeting fellow competitors from around the nation\, and ultimately performing on one of America’s most celebrated stages at Lincoln Center. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand their unforgettable journey to one of the nation’s most prestigious student Shakespeare competitions in the nation. Tristan’s and Emma’s friends\, relatives\, fellow classmates\, teachers\, and other competition students are all invited to this special luncheon program. \n\n\n\nWhen: Saturday\, June 27\, 2026\, 12:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: O’Neill’s Restaurant\, 9417 Mission Rd.\, Leawood\, Kansas \n\n\n\nProgram registration fee: $30 per person. Click here to purchase a registration fee. \n\n\n\nFood selection: Enjoy the flexibility of ordering from O’Neill’s extensive menu. The cost of your meal will be separate from our Program Registration Fee. Each family\, couple\, or individual will pay from a separate bill at the end of the meal. A cash bar will be available. Please make your reservation no later than June 23 so we have a good count for the restaurant. \n\n\n\nWe will have some wonderful door prizes and a 50/50 raffle at the end of the program. Please call Jeff Schnabel at (816) 878-1239 if you have any questions. \n\n\n\nAbout the Shakespeare Competition \n\n\n\nThe ESU Kansas City Branch has hosted annual Shakespeare Competitions in Kansas City for 42 years. We are proud that we have had two First Place National Winners\, two Second Place National winners\, one Third Place National winner\, and four students who placed in the top ten Finals in the National Shakespeare Competition. This competition helps students develop speaking and critical thinking skills while they explore the beauty of the language and the timeless themes in Shakespeare’s works. These competitions give high school students in the KC metro area the opportunity to prepare a Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for public presentation. They bring Shakespeare to life in their own way and learn to express his works with understanding\, clarity\, and feeling.
URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/tristan-and-emma-travel-to-nyc-luncheon/
LOCATION:O’Neills Restaurant\, 9417 Mission Rd.\, Leawood\, Kansas\, 66206\, United States
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