The
5th Annual Jane Austen Festival
will take place July 21 & 22, 2012 at Historic Locust Grove, a circa
1790 Georgian home and farm just six miles from downtown Louisville, KY.
Each day of the festival you can enjoy a Four-Course Afternoon Tea (several sittings each day), shop in
the Regency Emporium inside and in the Shoppes of Meryton outside (fabric,
patterns, bonnets, pre-made dresses, chemisettes, men’s waistcoats, trousers
& tail coats, tea sets, tea, jewelry, antiquarian books, shawls, silhouette
cuttings, miniatures painted & lots more!)
See a Regency Style Show, watch a bobbin lace making demonstration inside the historic home and see Regency fashions on mannequins in each room of the second floor of the house.
The last tea of the day on Sunday is reserved as a special Children’s Tea with a menu to appeal to children. Perks include goodies such as a cup and saucer to take home. Outside, under the tent hear interesting talks such as: A Dangerous Indulgence: Jane Austen's Illness and Her Doctors - this reviews possible causes of Jane Austen's death, her letters, the doctors that cared for her, and how updates in genetic mapping may help us determine what caused her death. Also- Austen-itis: Sickness and Health in the Novels of Jane Austen - reviews characters in the novels that suffer from illness (real and imagined). A one-woman theatrical performance about Fanny Kemble called, Shame the Devil : An Audience with Fanny Kemble will be performed under the Big Top Tent. Fanny Kemble was a member of the famous English Kemble-Siddons acting dynasty who married an American and moved to the American South. She became active in the early anti-slavery movement. New this year, will be the Earl of Sandwich Tea Shop located near the Shoppes of Meryton and the Big Top Tent with simple libations such as - sandwiches, scones, cookies and drinks. Meanwhile out on the Village Green you can expect to see:
*Side-Saddle Demonstration *A Duel Between Gentlemen *Tutorial on Fencing *A Bare Knuckle Boxing Demonstration Roving musician Jack Salt will entertain as will Commonstock Entertainment with shadow stories and their Potato Wagon of Wonders! Workshops will involve learning about Tea (Tea, Anyway you Steep it! and Play with your Leaves), offered by Bingley’s Teas, and How to Paint a Fan taught by Jenni Miller. The Grand Ball will take place on Saturday evening at Spalding University in downtown Louisville. The ball room is reminiscent of a Georgian Assembly Room. A practice session will be held in the afternoon. Admission is $10 each day which admits you to the Emporium, Shoppes, most everything under the Big Top Tent and tours of the 1790 Georgian home (usually $8). The Afternoon Tea is $20 per person, the workshops are $25 each, the theatrical performance is $10 and the Grand Ball is $20 per person. Advance reservations are highly recommended and begin on-line June 1st at www.jasnalouisville.com For those traveling from out-of-town, please contact Regional Coordinator Bonny Wise at [email protected] for a list of recommended B&Bs and hotels. Answers to frequently asked questions: You do not have to be a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America to attend the festival. Regency attire is not required, but is admired!ù Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you at the 5th Annual Jane Austen Festival!
Sincerely, Bonny Wise, Regional Coordinator Greater Louisville Region Jane Austen Society of North America & the Festival Committee
