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Event Archive

Search our archive of past events at the Library! You can search by keyword - such as event title, subject, or presenter name - or by a date range. To search for an exact phrase, put it in quotation marks. If you know the specific date of an event, enter the same date in both fields. Search results will only show events that match ALL entered terms.

Format: 2013-05-21
Format: 2013-05-21
  • Author Richard V. Barbuto examines the unpopular War of 1812, during which the U.S. launched three failed invasions of Canada and British troops burned our White House.
    Richard V. Barbuto - America on the Ropes
    Tuesday, October 23, 2012
    Central Library

    The War of 1812 began with much confidence among U.S. leaders.

    Thomas Jefferson predicted that the conquest of Canada was “a mere matter of marching.” But, as historian Richard V. Barbuto points out, “Mr. Madison’s War” found the U.S. government in debt, the Royal Navy raiding our coasts and British troops burning the White House. The conflict was hugely unpopular with American citizens.

    How did we get into this war ... and how did we win it?

  • Join your fellow citizens in viewing the debates between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. The evening's topic: Foreign policy. Following the debates, a panel led by UMKC professors Max Joseph Skidmore, Sr. and Max Joseph Skidmore, Jr. will discuss the evening's events.
    Presidential Debate 3: Foreign Policy
    Monday, October 22, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Join us for a public viewing of the 2012 Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates.

    A panel discussion follows each debate.

    Co-sponsored by A&S Continuing Education at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

  • Pretty little women? Everything up to date? Radio personality and pop culture expert Michael Lasser explores the songs inspired by Kansas City and the Midwest.
    Michael Lasser - Kansas City in Popular Song
    Sunday, October 21, 2012
    Central Library

    Peabody Award-winning radio personality Michael Lasser explores the songs inspired by our town, from “Everything’s Up To Date in Kansas City” to the rock classic “Kansas City” with its “pretty little women,” a tune recorded by artists as varied as the Beatles and Trini Lopez.

    Lasser has been called “a walking encyclopedia of American song” and is the author of America’s Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley.

    He hosts the weekly syndicated radio show Fascinatin’ Rhythm.

  • Coterie Theatre artists read from their favorite children’s books while the audience enjoys an opportunity to “jump into the story” on stage. This program is appropriate for all ages.
    Coterie Theatre - Dramatic Story Time
    Sunday, October 21, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Children and parents are invited to be part of monthly interactive story times presented by the Coterie Theatre. Coterie Theatre artists read from favorite children's books while audience members enjoy an opportunity to "jump into the story" and then participate in an improvised story of their own making.

  • Writer/illustrator Edward Hemingway reads from his new book about Mac the apple and Will the worm, unlikely best friends who must stand up to bullies who just don’t understand their relationship.
    Edward Hemingway - Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship
    Saturday, October 20, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, making it just the right time for children and their parents to be introduced to the remarkable characters in Edward Hemingway’s new book Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship.

    Mac is an apple living in a world populated by other apples. There’s his Grandmother (a green Granny Smith apple) and a bunch of unpleasant crab apples.

  • Local children’s songwriter and Library favorite Dino O’Dell (a.k.a. Kevin Dolan) sings and tells stories of space aliens, monsters under the bed, and swimming in peanut butter. Put on your Halloween costume and join in the fun.
    Dino O’Dell’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Show
    Friday, October 19, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Children’s songwriter Dino O’Dell sings and tells stories of space aliens, monsters under the bed, and swimming in peanut butter. Put on your Halloween costume and join in the fun at the Kansas City Public Library!

  • atherynne M. Valente introduces and signs her new book for young adults, a sequel to the New York Times best seller The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.
    Catherynne M. Valente - The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There
    Thursday, October 18, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Catherynne M. Valente’s 2011 book for young adults, the New York Times best seller The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, was a fantasy embraced both by children and adults.

    Now Valente introduces her just-published followup volume, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There.

    The evening includes a book signing. This event is recommended for ages 10 and up.

  • Novelist Naomi Benaron (Running the Rift) and filmmaker Leah Warshawski (Film Festival: Rwanda) explain how Rwanda has recovered from the 1998 murder of approximately 800,000 people known as the Rwandan Genocide.
    Naomi Bernaron & Leah Warshawski - Literature and Film of Witness
    Wednesday, October 17, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Novelist Naomi Benaron and filmmaker Leah Warshawski, descendants of Holocaust survivors, discuss their work about Rwandan genocide.

    Benaron’s debut novel, Running the Rift, is the story of a Rwandan athlete whose Olympic dreams collide with ethnic hatreds.

    Warshawski’s upcoming documentary Film Festival: Rwanda follows filmmakers who create a traveling film festival to restore pride in their country.

  • Join your fellow citizens in viewing the debates between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. The evening's topic: Foreign and domestic policy. Following the debates, a panel led by UMKC professors Max Joseph Skidmore, Sr. and Max Joseph Skidmore, Jr. will discuss the evening's events.
    Presidential Debate 2: Domestic & Foreign Policy
    Tuesday, October 16, 2012
    Plaza Branch

    Join us for a public viewing of the 2012 Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates.

    A panel discussion follows each debate.

    Co-sponsored by A&S Continuing Education at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

  • Restaurateur Jim Chappell and sports journalist Matt Fulks share the stories of local sports heroes revealed over food and drink at Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum in North Kansas City
    Jim Chappell & Matt Fulks - Conversations at Chappell’s
    Sunday, October 14, 2012
    Central Library

    Jim Chappell has accumulated a treasure trove of sports memorabilia that covers the walls of his restaurant. Dozens of sports personalities have talked of their lives and careers over dinner and drinks at Chappell’s. Now Chappell and co-writer Matt Fulks share the stories told by local professional and collegiate stars of football, baseball, basketball, and sports journalism.

    Chappell is the owner of Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum in North Kansas City. Fulks is a sports journalist, author, and broadcaster who works for Kansas City’s Metro Sports.