Signature Events
Election 2019
Nearing Kansas City’s April 2 primary, the sprawling field of hopefuls to succeed outgoing Mayor Sly James gathers for a public forum soliciting their stands on the city’s most pressing issues. Nick Haines of KCPT-Kansas City PBS moderates. Audience members can get involved, submitting their own questions.
Matthijs Bouw
Internationally renowned Dutch architect Matthijs Bouw discusses today’s increased attention to urban resilience – preparing cities for challenges ranging from climate change to threats of a pandemic or cyberattack to the more chronic stresses of inadequate infrastructure.
Searching the Psyche Through Cinema
This annual screening-and-discussion series continues in February with more psychological studies of films helmed by female directors. Inspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their homes. The post-screening discussion is led by psychoanalyst Marilyn Metzl and film critic Vivian Kane. Presented in partnership with the Greater Kansas City and Topeka Psychoanalytic Center.
This program was resceheduled from its orginal date of March 3, 2019.
This program was resceheduled from its orginal date of March 3, 2019.
Brian Steed
Brian Steed, a military historian at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Middle East foreign area officer, discusses the Middle East’s emergence during World War II as a key battleground and vital element in America’s national security – a view that persists to this day.
Tom Tudor
Tom Tudor, once a sentinel and commander of the relief at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, traces the story of the cemetery from its Civil War origins to today. Included is a look at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s place in its history, presiding over the interment of World War II and Korean War soldiers in the Tomb of the Unknowns in 1958.
Robert H. Mnookin
Drawing from his new book, Harvard University’s Robert Mnookin takes stock of the situation of American Jews today. While they’ve achieved unprecedented integration, esteem, and influence, he identifies a number of critical challenges: rampant intermarriage, weak religious observance, a waning sense of community (owing to a diminished threat of persecution), and conflicting views about Israel.
Bridget Heos
Friday Night Family Fun
Kansas City children’s author Bridget Heos shares the latest addition to her award-winning series about a little boy and with a bad-guy mustache and the hilarious adventures he finds. Ages 4 and up.
Benjamin Wills
Artist Benjamin Wills has come to understand what a few lines in a letter – or just the arrival of mail – can mean to someone behind bars and separated from society.
