Joint JASNA/JABC Meeting and Regency Fashion Show, Sat., March 24

For the last several years, JASNA Syracuse and the Jane Austen Book Club (JABC) of CNY that meets at the Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton have held at least one "official" joint meeting per year, in addition to a good many unofficial contacts. And a very special event is planned for this year's joint meeting, Saturday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m.: a Regency fashion show co-sponsored by the Bookstore, and involving both live models and exquisite costume dolls!

JASNA Syracuse/Rochester Co-Coordinator Lisa Brown--proprietor of Regency Rentals, and a veteran presenter of Regency fashion demonstrations to JASNA chapters and other groups--will focus on every aspect of genteel clothing of the time for day and evening wear. Gowns, gloves, fans, jewelry, bonnets, reticules, jackets, breeches, waistcoats, uniforms, swords, and more will be on display as volunteer models proceed elegantly down the Bookstore's large third-floor meeting room. Lisa will also discuss how contemporary ladies and gentlemen can obtain or make Regency-style outfits on a variety of budgets.

In addition, Sandra Stevens--a member of both the JABC and JASNA Syracuse--will display a selection of her handmade Regency costume dolls. Sandra's creations are not only lovely and elegant, but unbelievably detailed, and we're delighted to have the opportunity to view these.

So do join us at the Colgate Bookstore, 3 Utica St., Hamilton, for an afternoon of fashion and fun! We look forward to seeing you.

Early Spring Announcements

As we begin moving toward spring in Central New York (in fact, did we ever really have a winter?), we have several announcements:

• The Syracuse Post-Standard ran a feature article today about the War of 1812 quilt show in Sackets Harbor next weekend (March 17-18). See our February 19 post.
• If your inclination is to head west rather than north on the 17th, Syracuse Regional Coordinator A. Marie Sprayberry will be giving a presentation titled "A Field Guide to the Royalty, Nobility, and Gentry of Austen's England" at JASNA Rochester's March meeting, to be held as usual at the Pittsford Barnes and Noble at 1 p.m. This is an updated version of a presentation Marie gave in Syracuse several years ago; the discussion will include some questions of rank in Downton Abbey and the most recent Royal Wedding!
  
• Despite her recent move to Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Joanna Manring has not forgotten her Syracuse-area admirers: She writes that in addition to forming a new Jane Austen Singing School for Young Ladies (JASSYL) chapter in Lexington, she hopes to hold a "JASSYL Summer Camp" in Skaneateles this summer and to conclude it with a concert. We'll pass along further details as we acquire them.
  
• With spring, of course, our thoughts turn to the annual Jane Austen Ball in Rochester, co-sponsored by the Country Dancers of Rochester and JASNA Rochester. This year's edition will be held Sunday, May 6. To download a registration form, go to the CDR website, click on the "Jane Austen Ball" link at the top, and then scroll down to "Further Details." Bear in mind that even if you don't dance, a gallery seat includes the delights of spectatorship and chaperonage, as well as an elegant tea at intermission.
• Finally, Syracuse/Rochester Co-Coordinator Lisa Brown (seen above with "Captain Eric" Borresen of the CDR at the 2010 ball) has begun a personal blog called "Mostly Maggots," to be dedicated to her adventures in English country dance and Regency costume. (A "maggot" in this context is "an archaic term for a whimsical or fanciful dance"; the best-known example is "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot," which was made famous in the 1995 BBC P&P and will be danced at the ball on May 6.)