"Lovers' Vows" Dramatization Wows an Enthusiastic JASNA Audience

Cast of "Lovers' Vows" following their performance.  Top row L ro R:  Darren Carroll, Andrea Hearn, Julia Seales, 

Adam Miller, Doug Murray.  Bottom row L to R: Killian Quigley, Caroline Davis, Debbie Carroll and Pablo Martinez Diente.

Under the able directorship of Professor Andrea Hearn, a cast of nine JASNA members and  friends gave a rousing performance of Elizabeth Inchbald's play, "Lovers' Vows," on Feb. 16 in Alumni Hall at Vanderbilt University. Using colorful costumes and "nifty" props, the actors performed with skill in this melodrama which is best known now for having been featured in Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park (1814).  Prior to the play, JASNA members Caroline Davis (Jane Austen) and Debbie Carroll (Elizabeth Inchbald) introduced the play in a very humorous way, setting the tone for the remainder of this lively performance.

February Program Features "Lovers' Vows"

 

Middle Tennessee Region JASNA Members-

You are cordially invited to a special staged reading of

"Lovers' Vows" *

Place: Vanderbilt Alumni Hall, Room 100**

Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Date:  Feb. 16, 2014

Followed by an optional dinner at Cabana Restaurant***

Dinner Cost:  "Dutch-treat"-You pay for you own meal

Please RSVP to Mildred Tilley -- millietilley@gmail.com

to let her know if you:

1.  Plan to attend the play

or

2.  Plan to attend the play and meal at Cabana
(Mildred will make dinner reservations based on RSVP's)

* In 1814 Jane Austen featured Elizabeth Inchbald's popular play, "Lovers' Vows" (1798) into the plot of Mansfield Park.  This very popular, but "racy" play was used because it gave Mary Crawford and Edmund Bertram scope for talking of love and marriage as well as provided a pretext for the flirtations of Maria Bertram and Henry Crawford.  The subject matter of "Lovers' Vows" included adultery and kissing which would have been scandalous topics in polite society of that day.  This short adaptation of "Lover's Vows' directed by Dr. Andrea Hearn, allows audience members to sit back and enjoy a readers' theater version of the play featuring actors from Vanderbilt University, Belmont University and JASNA-Middle TN Region.

**Alumni Hall--See Vanderbilt University Campus Map at:   http://www.vanderbilt.edu/map/  (Get on site and type in "Alumni Hall" under Select a Building.)

Easy parking is readily available near Alumni Hall in the large parking lot of West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue.  Park in the church lot, cross West End Ave. at the crosswalk in front of Vanderbilt Campus.  Walk straight into campus, turn right past Kirkland Hall and continue to Alumni Hall.

*** Cabana Restaurant  1910 Belcourt Avenue     Website:  http://cabananashville.com/  (map is on website)

Darcy is an INTJ. Who Knew??

JASNA member Caroline Davis

Middle Tennessee JASNA members celebrated Jane Austen's December birthday "in holiday style" at the beautifully decorated home of Carmen Gherman.  Following champagne toasts to Miss Austen, Mr. Darcy, Collin Firth's wet T-shirt, etc., those present were dazzled by an exceptionally creative and well-researched program, "The Darcy Dossier" by Caroline Davis.  In "The Darcy Dossier," Caroline explained in detail why such a quiet and at times, "off-putting," character has become one of the most "irresistible" leading men in English literature.  Described by Caroline as a character with a rather "modern personality," Darcy is seen by many readers as open and honest, sincere--not charming, not a "playa or a "houndog", but as a good listener who is a courteous gentleman. Moreover, he knows how to apologize and demonstrates humility and willingness to change.  Caroline also pegged Darcy in Myers-Briggs parlance as an INTJ or as Introverted, Perceptive, Thinking and Judging.  The group heard much about his personality traits and even learned some jobs for which he was most ill-suited:  elementary teacher, dental hygienist and sales clerk!!  Who knew??

2013 AGM in Minneapolis Dazzles JASNA Members

  Mary Tyler Moore Statue in downtown Minneapolis

The oft-cited adage "Minnesota Nice" certainly exemplified the pleasant and memorable time all JASNA participants had at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Minneapolis in late September.  To honor the 200th anniversary of of Pride and Prejudice, this meeting's theme was Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice...Timeless.  Elvira Casal from the Middle Tennessee Region, gave a well received presentation called "Mothers and Other Strangers: Images of Motherhood in Pride and Prejudice."  Other highlights included talks by plenary speakers John Mullen, Joan Ray, Janine Barchas and a panel from the Emmy-winning video blog series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. In addition to the traditional Regency promenade and ball, AGM goers could opt to attend a Pride and Prejudice Fashion Show and Tea, participate in a Whist Tournament as well as make bonnets, tams and ribbon headpieces. Tour options included the Sherlock Holmes collection at the University of Minnesota, historic St. Paul with an emphasis on F. Scott Fitzgerald, a Guthrie Theater Backstage Tour, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis Historic Pub Crawl and Tour, Historic Riverfront and Main Street Walking Tour and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Tour.  Many outstanding speakers from literally all over the world helped JASNA members gain deeper understandings of this "timeless" novel.

Mildred Tilley (l) and Jo Ann Staples (r)

enjoy a pre-banquet "tete a tete" with

"Queen Elizabeth" at the AGM

Costume designer Matthew Lefebvre of Minneapolis' 

GuthrieTheater talks about the fashions of the Regency era.

Model in the Regency Fashion Show

A 19th Century Victoria's Secret Model?

No, a JASNA member brave enough

to model undergarments from the Regency

Period in the JASNA Fashion Show!

Regency Period Antiques from author Candice Hearn's personal

collection included: Georgian and Regency jewelry, scent bottles,

vinaigrettes, purses, glassware, fashion prints, painted silhouettes, 

shoe buckles, quizzing classes, fans and more.

Elegant glass syllabub stand in a period room 

inside the Minnesota Institute of Art

A showy display of fall colors at the 

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Fall JASNA Meeting: "Performing to Strangers-The Courtship of Darcy and Elizabeth"

You are cordially  invited to JASNA's Fall meeting on Sunday, October 13.  Since this meeting will be held at the Green Hills Public Library instead of in a member's home, please feel free to invite a guest to come along with you.  There will be plenty of room for all!  Please note the slight time change from that of most of JASNA's Sunday meetings. 

Middle TN JASNA Meeting

Lecture by Dr. Elvira Casal

"Performing to Strangers:
The Courtship of Darcy and Elizabeth"

Sunday, Oct. 13 from 2:15 to 4:15 pm

Green Hills Public Library
3701 Benham Ave Nashville, TN 37215

Light Refreshments will be provided

Members are urged to bring a guest!

RSVP to Mildred Tilley at: millietilley@gmail.com

VULTURE.COM Ranks Jane Austen Movies-What a Hoot!

Click here to see the full article

Jane Austen's novels are so rich in plot, characterization, dialogue and humor that they have been a treasure trove for screen writers.  Vulture.com, a web site devoted to "devouring current culture" recently featured an article by Sarah Seltzer that ranks 21 Austen-related films. This list is purely personal, but is VERY funny. Here is what Ms. Seltzer says about "Becoming Jane" (2007),

A liberty-taking biopic, it commits the travesty of suggesting that Austen’s work was inspired by a man who trifled with her affections, fed her her cleverest lines, and then left her alone so she could marry her work. But it’s also a travesty because, well, we know Jane Austen. And Anne Hathaway, you are no Jane Austen.

For more of Ms. Seltzer's wit, click the link under the photo above.

Jane Austen's Likeness on English 10 Pound Notes Beginning in 2016

To read more about this change in currency, click here.

JASNA member Yvonne Boyer alerted the editor of this publication to the fact that the Bank of England has decided to put the face of Jane Austen on English 10 pound notes beginning in 2016. The Bank of England's new governor Mark Carney said  in a recent statement, "Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognized as one of the greatest writers in English literature."  Austen's image will take the place of another iconic British writer, Charles Dickens, who face has previously appeared on 10 pound notes. 

JASNA Member Caroline Davis Stars in Delightful British Comedy

 JASNA member Caroline Davis will be starring in

an English comedy written by A.A. Milne in early August.

See below for details.  This play looks like it would

be enjoyed by all JASNA members!

Carrick Productions presents the Nashville premiere of the comedy Mr. Pim Passes By, written by A. A. Milne, Friday and Saturday evenings, August 2-3 and 9-10, at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinee, August 4, at 2 p.m., in the Dead Poets’ Society Auditorium, Lowry Hall, on the Montgomery Bell Academy campus (Wilson Blvd. entrance). $10; $8, seniors/students. Free parking. Info: 615-957-5056.

A. A. Milne’s Mr. Pim Passes By
Makes Nashville Premiere August 2-10

‘Comedy of conversation’ from Winnie-the-Pooh creator
will play five performances

Mr. Pim Passes By, a 1919 comedy of manners and morals by British author A. A. Milne, will make its Nashville debut August 2-10, for five performances in the Dead Poet’s Society Auditorium on the campus of Montgomery Bell Academy. Presented by Carrick Productions, Mr. Pim will play two weekends: Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, and August 9-10, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, August 4, at 2 p.m.

Written five years before Milne’s iconic Winnie-the-Pooh series, and staged to great acclaim in London (1920) and New York (1921) – where it was praised as “the most brilliant light comedy since Oscar Wilde”­ – Mr. Pim Passes By is set in the formal manor house of a Buckinghamshire country estate shortly after World War I (think Downton Abbey). During a visit to Marden House, out-of-towner Mr. Pim’s casual revelations about a chance meeting throw the ordered lives of his host and hostess into complete disarray.

Embraced for its witty dialogue and high-spirited – and often high-minded – characters (think Noel Coward), Mr. Pim Passes By also weaves a thread of social commentary throughout its comedic dilemma by prompting a question worthy of George Bernard Shaw: Do rules of convention outweigh matters of the heart?

The cast features Rick Seay as George Marden, J.P.; Caroline Davis as his wife, Olivia; Lizzie Boston as George’s niece and ward, Dinah; Aaron Ardisson as Dinah’s suitor, Brian Strange; Wesley Paine as Lady Marden, the family matriarch; Merredith Brittain as the housekeeper, Anne; and Gregg Colson as the title troublemaker, Mr. Carraway Pim.

Seay will direct and Jennifer Rybolt is producer. June Kingsbury will handle the 1920 costumes.

                                     

Tickets for Mr. Pim Passes By are $10, with $8 senior (55+)/student rate, and can be purchased at the door (cash or checks only).

The Dead Poets' Society Auditorium is on the ground floor of Lowry Hall on the MBA campus. Free parking is available in a garage located adjacent to Lowry and accessible via the Wilson Blvd. entrance (near West End). Visit montgomerybell.edu for a campus map.

For more information, visit carrickproductions.wordpress.com or contact ccdavis1010@gmail.com.

Mr. Darcy Takes a Dip in the Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park!

 

 A giant statue of Jane Austen's iconic romantic hero, Mr. Darcy, emerges from The Serpentine in London's Hyde Park to celebrate the launch of brand new TV channel Drama.

To get the full story, click on this link.

 A twelve foot statue of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy has been constructed and is on display for a brief time in the Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park in London.  A definite conversation starter, this statue will only remain in Hyde Park for a week. It then heads to Scarborough beach for several days before finally resting at Lyme Park until February 2014.

Doug Murray Tells "The True Story of Box Hill" at Summer JASNA Lecture and Picnic

Despite "steamy" weather, JASNA members enjoy a delightful picnic in the Presidential Courtyard at Belmont U.

Dr. Douglas Murray, professor of English at Belmont University and noted Austen lecturer, delivered a lively and substantive talk about Jane Austen's novel, Emma, on Sunday, June 23 in the Massey Board Room at Belmont.   "The True Story of Box Hill, or What's a Nice Girl Like Emma doing in a Place Like That?" was the provocative title Dr. Murray gave to his talk which proved to be a little provocative itself!   Twenty six JASNA members enjoyed Dr. Murray's presentation which was liberally illustrated with his own photos of Box Hill as well as other slides to illustrate points about the setting, characters, etc. in Emma.   Following the presentation, JASNA members walked to Belmont's Presidential Garden, an intimate courtyard shaded by trees and various plantings to enjoy a potluck picnic lunch.  Besides fruits, salads and desserts, Jo Ann Staples shared special delicacies mentioned in Emma  (Stilton cheese, butter, celery and beets).
Caroline Davis's tasty mini-cupcakes and Yvonne Boyer's cream-filled dates were also desserts which would have gotten "rave reviews" from Miss Bates had she been fortunate to attend.

Dr. Douglas Murray entertains as well as instructs JASNA

members about Box Hill.

Debbie Carroll and her daughter are all smiles as they wait for the 

lecture to begin.

Summer Event in Springfield, TN: "Dressing Mr. Darcy"

"What Jane Saw" Provides a Virtual Time Travel Experience for Janeites

To get inside the "What Jane Saw" virtual exhibit, click here.

When my JASNA friends Caroline Davis and Paula Covington both recently e-mailed me about a Jane Austen-related Internet exhibit, I knew that it must be something special...and it was!  If you have any interest in what paintings Jane Austen may have seen at a London exhibit on May 24, 1813, you don't have to go any farther than clicking on the link just below the watercolor image of the art gallery (see above).  From that point, you will enter into an ambitious online exhibit called "What Jane Saw."  This website, produced by Janine Barchas, an associate professor of English at the University of Texas at Austin, allows modern day viewers to wander through a reconstruction of paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds that were on display for Austen and her contemporaries to see in 1813.  Besides Austen, Lord Byron and the Prince Regent were part of the crowd who viewed these paintings at this early "blockbuster" exhibit.

6th Annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville is Coming Soon!

UNC-Chapel Hill Holds Jane Austen Summer Event

Don’t miss the first Jane Austen Summer Program

Held on UNC’s campus June 27-30, 2013!

Organized by UNC’s Department of English and Comparative Literature in conjunction with the Program in the Humanities, this four-day summer program celebrates the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice.
Learning experiences include lecture formats and discussion groups daily. Discussions will focus on Pride and Prejudice in its historical context as well as its many afterlives in fiction and film.
Additional events include a Regency ball, the chance to partake in an English tea, a silent auction of Austen-related items, and the opportunity to view special exhibits tailored to the conference.

For more information, go to:   http://humanities.unc.edu/programs/jasp/

Tryon Palace Hosts "Jane Austen in June"

To find out more about this event at Tryon Palace, click Here.

"Jane Austen in June" Jane Austen and her popular novels have become timeless classics over the past two centuries, including "Pride and Prejudice" - celebrating its 200th anniversary this year! Join Tryon Palace, the Jane Austen Society of North America's North Carolina regional group, and the Regency Assembly of North Carolina as we celebrate Jane Austen, her great work, and explore what life was like for eastern North Carolinians at the time of Austen's novels. The day will include special "All about Tea" tours, regency era dance classes, a special guest speaker, historic craft activities and games, and regency era tours of the Stanly House. 2nd Saturdays 2013, sponsored by the NC Department of Cultural Resources, combine arts, heritage and fun on June 08, July 13, and August 10. Individual admission varies for Jane Austen in June events. See individual listings below for more details. Special events for June 8 include: The Regency Era in Eastern North Carolina Crafting and Gaming in the Regency Era Dancing in the Regency - Dance Classes "All about Tea" Tour and Tea Jane Austen Society of North America Presents Special Lecture on Pride and Prejudice

More Netherfield Ball Photos are Available for Your Perusal

Photos taken at "The Netherfield Ball" by a Belmont University photographer are available  at the following site:  http://belmontphoto.smugmug.com/College-of-Arts-and-Sciences/2013-Eventsarts/Netherfield-Ball/27963736_rkXf6j#!i=2360644568&k=wfcKnZW.

Netherfield Ball: Middle TN JASNA Stylishly Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Pride and Prejudice

"Netherfield Ball" program

The Middle Tennessee Chapter of JASNA recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by holding its own "Netherfield Ball" in the grand salon of the Belmont Mansion on Friday evening, February 8.  Approximately 40 college undergraduates enrolled in Austen-related courses taught by Belmont University professor, Doug Murray, and Vanderbilt professor, Andrea Hearn, danced traditional English country dances alongside a large contingent of local JASNA members.

 Bridget McAdam(l) and Lucy Frye (r)  are escorted into

the Belmont Mansion by handsome Belmont gentlemen 

who have probably come to their first English country dance

ball. 

Ball organizers Jo Ann Staples and Doug Murray 

greet ballgoers in the elegant foyer of the 

Belmont Mansion.
 

To formally begin the festivities, master of ceremonies, Doug Murray,  introduced Belmont Mansion director, Mark Brown, who made some interesting historical remarks about the Belmont Mansion and its original owner, Adelicia Acklen. Following these remarks, caller Susan Kevra, along with musicians Al and Emily Cantrell, ably led the enthsiastic dancers with clear directions and lively music.

Caller Susan Kevra (r) waits for the music to begin

with Norah Glickstein (l).

Belmont University students provided refreshments made from recipes often used during the Regency period including: white soup (mentioned by Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice), carrot fritters and rout drops.  The dancers' attire ranged from 21st century mohawk hairstyles, 4" spiked heels and mini-skirts to neo-classically coiffed hairstyles with pearls and plumage, elegant empire-style silk dresses, and elaborate cravats.  Clearly, Jane Austen's influence as well as English country dancing never go out of style!

Every gown was more colorful than the next!
(l to r:  Caroline Davis, Bridget McAdam, Lucy Frye and Debbie Carroll.)

 Debbie Carroll (r) and her sister are "belles of the ball."
 

Roberta Maguire and Phil  Staples chat in between dances.

Marie Miesel (l) and Rebecca Jordan (r)  model
dresses that would be the envy of
the Bennett sisters!

What would Jane Austen think of this 21st century Belmont 

student (with his mohawk haircut)?

A dance begins.

Netherfield Ball is SOLD OUT!

Due to numerous early reservations made for the "Netherfield Ball" scheduled for 7:00 pm on  Friday, Feb. 8,  at Belmont University, Middle TN JASNA reports that the ball's registration is at capacity . No one without prior reservations will be admitted to the ball on Friday evening.  Middle TN JASNA regrets any inconvenience this might cause those who wish to participate in the ball, but safety considerations dictate that numbers must be held at capacity.

Your Invitation to Middle TN JASNA's "Netherfield Ball"

You Are Invited

To the

Netherfield Ball

Celebrating the 200^th Anniversary of the Publication of

Pride and Prejudice

To Be Held

February 8, 2013

7:00-10:00 p.m.

At

Belmont Mansion

There will be a small admission charge of $5 per person to cover the costs at Belmont. Please bring a treat (finger foods are best) to be served at the intermission. Water and punch will be provided.

Parking will be available nearby on the campus. A map showing the locations for parking and the entrance to the mansion will be coming soon.

We will have live music and an experienced English country dance caller. No previous dance experience is needed. If you would like to try out English country dancing before the ball, visit the website http://nashvillecountrydancers.org/ to learn about local dances.

You are welcome to bring a partner, but it is not necessary - Jane Austen herself mentions standing up to dance with another lady in one of her letters. Period attire is also welcome, but not required.

Kindly RSVP to jo.a.staples@vanderbilt.edu. We are looking forward to seeing many of you on the dance floor!



Save the date for the NETHERFIELD BALL at Belmont University!

 

Please mark your calendars for the Netherfield Ball on Friday, February 8, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Belmont Mansion. More information about parking, refreshments, and so on, will be coming soon.

Polish up your dancing slippers, order your shoe-roses, and get ready for an evening of lovely period music and dancing. Period costumes, previous dance experience, and partners are all welcome, but not required. We will have a professional caller who is very good at working with dancers of all experience levels, including beginners.

Hope to see you there.

Netherfield Ball Committee