24 May 2008, Friendly Farms Restaurant, Upperco, MD
Popular Dances of Jane Austen's Time
Professor Chrystelle Trump Bond, Artistic Director of Choregraphie Antique, The Dance History Ensemble of Goucher College, taught four popular dances of Jane Austen's time and demonstrated the silent language of gloves, fans, and handkerchiefs. The dance workshop was followed by luncheon and a toast to Jane Austen.

The MD-Northern Baltimore County Reading/Study Group and their guests enjoyed a magnificent workshop demonstrating the music and songs of the Regency Period at the European-style Vinny's Cafe on Saturday afternoon, December 29, 2007. Clinton Adams, renowned pianist and professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, delighted the group with commentary and solo piano performances of music by Carl Davis, Mozart and Beethoven. He also accompanied the eminent and talented soprano, Rosemarie Critcher, who sang arias and songs composed by Handel, Mozart, Paisiello, and Haydn -- just a few of the composers who were popular during Jane Austen's time in the early 19th century. Some of the music selected for this event was inspired by screen adaptations of Jane Austen's works, as well as the recent movie, "Becoming Jane." The program concluded with our 46 participants happily singing Christmas carols from the Regency Period, ending with a joyous "We Wish You A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!” Our guest artists received a standing ovation at the end of their workshop performance.

A delicious lunch and social gathering followed. Committee member Joan Lewczak, who made the lovely tea light candle favors for each participant, also announced the door prize winners. Prizes were won by Bernadine Harris, Bill Roberts, Missy Cochran, Bette Schaum, Betty Sobus and Henry Bauernfeind.

Committee member, Patricia Hartley offered the following toast and quotation: “We have enjoyed an extraordinary day with these wonderfully talented people taking us to a different time and place with their gifts of singing and piano virtuosity. As we leave today and go our separate ways, let us light our little tea light candle and remember this event. We cannot part company without a quote from our beloved Jane, who says in Mansfield Park: "If any one faculty of our nature may be called more wonderful than the rest I do think it is memory. There seems something more speakingly incomprehensible in the powers, the failures, the inequalities of memory, than in any other of our intelligence."

Before leaving, the participants were reminded by Marge Critcher, coordinator of the Northern Baltimore County Reading/Study Group, to watch Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and their showing of The Complete Jane Austen. The series begins on Sunday evening, January 13, with our favorite, Persuasion, and continues with other novels and a related story through April 6, 2008.

Note: The Northern Baltimore County Reading/Study Group presently is reading and/or re-reading Persuasion. Discussion questions will be sent to our JASNA members soon for their preparation of our upcoming meeting in the fall.

Claire Klein and Janice Shipley

Our spring meeting/workshop, “Popular Dances of Jane Austen’s Time” will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Details are forthcoming.

For more information, contact Marge Critcher, mcritcher@comcast.net.