Press Release

Press Release


PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
DATE: April 5, 2021
CONTACT: [Denelle Cowart 985-320-6653, [email protected]]

Jane Austen Festival scheduled for April 28th 10 a.m.-5:30 Patron & Supper Ball 6:30-10:30 p.m.

The Jane Austen Foundation presents the 11th Annual Jane Austen Literary Festival in Historic Old Mandeville entitled “A Day with Jane” and evening Regency Supper Ball.

Historic Lang House at 650 Carroll St. in Mandeville will host the daytime activities including the No Plain Janes Fashion Show, the Mr. Darcy Oratory Contest, Silent Auction, Hairstyles of the Era by Jacqueline’s Family Salon, refreshments the Richard H. Boyd Poetry Panel & Witticisms honoring writer and deceased founding member Richard Boyd. Poets include: Ray Russell, Tammy Bouche, D’Wanna Hanes, Sara Dickey, Susan Newton, Bill Gallaher, Eliana Gradishar, Eve Brouwer and John Souza. Display by St. Tammany Public Library, Tribute to Beatrix Potter with Mr. McGregor’s Garden - children’s Storytime, lawn games, recitation of a prayer written by Jane Austen and period dance lessons by Northshore Vintage Dancers. Promenade through the Community Market. Admission $20. Adults; students 16 and under $10. Children 5 and under free. Half-price after 2 pm. Free Regency Dance lessons offered by Northshore Vintage Dancers in April every Saturday 11:30am at the Lang House, 605 Carroll St, Mandeville, LA, stop by and have a tour of the house too! Full schedule at www.janeaustenfestival.org

The Regency Supper Ball will take place at Old Rail Brewery upstairs Malt Room, 639 Girod St., Mandeville. A Champagne Punch Patron Party honoring N.Y. Times best-selling romantic thriller author Erica Spindler and featuring local historian Nixon Adam as Bernard de Marigny. Bernard will offer a toast to make Jane proud and he will discuss Mandeville in Austen’s era including Marigny’s contributions to the dice game of Craps. Bath Olivers, cheeses and marmalade will be served at the Patron Party. English, Irish and Scottish Live music by Kitchen Session of Baton Rouge. The Patron Party will precede the Regency Supper Ball at 6:30 p.m. The Ball includes dancing by the Northshore Vintage Dancers for view or participation. Dances include: Minuet for a Woman, Best Set in the Hall, Dashing White Sergeant, Hole in the Wall (danced by Anne Hathaway in Becoming Jane), Upon a Summer’s Day, Childgrove. Sit down buffet supper with menu items of the era including Salad, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Fettucine, Shepherd’s Pie, Flummery and Trifle, Coffee & Tea. Cash bar. Admission to the Patron Party and Supper Ball is $50. Admission to the Regency Supper Ball $35, The ball is a family friendly, children 16 and under - $15. Regency Attire encouraged but NOT required. Admissions online at www.janeaustenfestival.org. At the door -$40 adults; $20 children.

The Foundation is inaugurating a summer book club with activities. The featured Austen book will be Northanger Abbey and other Gothic fiction of the Regency period all to be held at the Lang House. Future Foundation activities include “Jane and Jeans” Fall concert featuring music of the era, a picnic and the popular “Perfect Love Letter Readings” event. Painting with a Twist fundraiser, Dessert Tea, and Christmas Caroling at the Old Mandeville Trailhead later in the year.

Founders: Danna Acker, Kerri Blache; and the late Richard Boyd. Current officers and board members are Co-Presidents: Kerri Blache, Anne Calvert and Denelle Cowart; Vice-President: Nikole Herasymiuk; Treasurer: Kim Goodale; Board Members and Volunteers: Jan Lugenbuhl; Amy Pellittieri Fleming; Meg Barnes; Andree Cosby; Bee Chenier; Gwen Culotta; Jordan Cressy-Garcie, John Souza and Laurie M. Pennison.

Proceeds benefit Literary and Cultural Initiatives. Mission is to foster the Fine Art of Letter Writing

www.JaneAustenFestival.org Like us on Facebook: “Jane Austen Literary Fest” Twitter: JA_Fest
The Jane Austen Foundation of LA, Inc. 501 C3 /Federal Tax ID number: 77-0433330