Events

This collection of illustrations, photographs, and objects (Doulton figurines, ash trays, teapots) demonstrates the far-flung influences of Dickens’ robust, indelible, and often grotesque characters.

Established in 1874, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department has for 138 years protected our citizens while keeping abreast of changes in criminology, transportation, technology, and society. This long and colorful history is examined in a new exhibit, Kansas City’s Finest.

For nearly half a century Americans coped with the possibility of atomic war as a regular part of their daily lives. Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow, a new exhibit by Kansas City-based ExhibitsUSA, looks at how everyday citizens responded to this threat.

Mass merchandisers used atomic imagery to add excitement to products and packaging. Comic books, monster movies, and toy ray guns created an alternate set of coping mechanisms for a nation constantly under siege from messages of impending annihilation.

The newest exhibition of the Orval Hixon Gallery, New Compositions: The Dance Portraiture of Orval Hixon, is on display from June 11, 2011 through 2013 at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The exhibit features a rich selection of Hixon’s portraits, including images of some of the best-known dancers of his time.

To most local landscape architects, Hare & Hare is a household name. The firm has left an indelible mark on some of the most iconic and often-visited areas of Kansas City—the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Loose Park, Ward Parkway, and Mission Hills among them.

Have you ever wanted to try yoga? Do you want a chance to get out from behind your desk and do something just for you? Try out our free yoga class at the library. This basic class is good for beginners and yoga lovers alike.

Twenty Films Essential to Cinema Literacy

Think you’re film literate? Not until you’ve experienced the masterpieces of world cinema presented as part of this new series. Former Kansas City Star film critic Robert W. Butler (now a member of the Library’s Public Affairs staff) provides opening and closing remarks.

Come to the North East Book Group each month to share your passion for books and join in on riveting book discussions.

Join us for our weekly family movie on Sunday afternoon. Today we will feature "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3".

Get into the swing of the Charles Dickens bicentennial by joining the book discussions group meeting on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., and on December 2nd at 2 p.m. at the North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Road.

Architectural historian Keith Eggener looks at the heritage of architect Louis Curtiss (1865-1924), often described as “the Frank Lloyd Wright of Kansas City” and a pioneer of the “curtain wall” design featured in his 1909 Boley Building at 11th and Walnut.

Featuring internal skeletons of steel or concrete and sheathed in lightweight glass, Curtiss’ buildings paved the way for the modern skyscraper.

Eggener is a professor of American Art and Architecture and director of graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Join us at Trails West as we celebrate the Christmas season with classic Christmas movies and refreshments. This week's film will be "It's a Wonderful Life(1946)"