Refugee Kids: One Small School Takes on the World
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 | 6:30 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
The new documentary Refugee Kids puts a human face on the politicized debate over America's role as a safe haven for refugees. Spotlighting the Refugee Youth Summer Academy in New York City, it follows newly arrived students granted asylum from some of the world's most conflict-stricken areas - Burma and Tibet, Egypt and Iraq, Liberia and elsewhere in West Africa - as they transition from the everyday violence of their homelands to school and life in the U.S. Their individual stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Library kicks off its 2016 Immigrant Heritage Series with a screening of the 39-minute film, followed by a discussion featuring refugee students in the Kansas City Public School system.

Co-presented by Jewish Vocational Service.
________________________________________
Script-in-Hand: Much Ado About Nothing - Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | 2 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
The Library kicks off its 10th season of Script-in-Hand performances and launches more than six months of special programming surrounding one of the cultural events of the year - an exhibit featuring a rare, nearly four-centuries-old First Folio collection of Shakespeare's plays.

Much Ado About Nothing, one of the Bard's best comedies, is the first Script-in-Hand production to be staged by Kansas City's Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Later performances will be produced by the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and likewise revolve around Shakespeare, part of an extended celebration in conjunction with the First Folio exhibition at the Central Library from June 6-28. The rare volume will be on loan from the Folger Shakespeare Library.

All First Folio-related events are made possible by a generous contribution from the David W. Newcomer IV and Gene Ann Newcomer Family Foundation Fund, in memory of Gene Ann's brother, Professor John Klier.
________________________________________

Programming is free at the Kansas City Public Library and free parking is available at all Library locations. Event attendees can RSVP at kclibrary.org or at 816.701.3407.