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