Having a Ball at the JASNA AGM by Shannon Winslow

 

“It was great! I’m so glad I went!”

That was my reaction to my first Jane Austen convention – the Jane Austen Society of North America’s Annual General Meeting, held in Minneapolis last September. It’s now almost six months past, and I’m still living in the afterglow. So I thought I’d share some of my experiences, and perhaps it will inspire you to reserve your spot for this year ‘s convention in Montreal.

AGM lobby lineup

Sharon Lathan, Marilyn Brant, Candy Morton, Maria Grace, and Carey Pierson

I flew out of Seattle on Wednesday afternoon (September 25) with book-laden suitcases and high expectations for all I would see and do over the next four days. My first goal upon arriving in Minneapolis was to connect up in baggage claim with my friend and roommate for the weekend, fellow Austen Variations author Susan Mason-Milks, who was also coming from Seattle on a different flight. What happened next was a sign for how the weekend would go. Before I could even find Susan, I stumbled across four other Janeites, whom I knew but hadn’t expected to see – at least not so soon! All six of us ended up piling into a van-style cab together.

At the hotel, these fun and fortuitous meetings just kept coming.

Next week shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend. (Jane Austen, a letter, 1798)

IMAG0111The first thing on my schedule for Thursday morning was a Bonnet Workshop, where I hoped to make something to wear the rest of the weekend as occasion required, since I hadn’t managed to fit my only other hat into my suitcase. Two hours and gobs of hot glue later (not period-correct millinery technique, admittedly), I had something I was reasonably pleased with. What do you think?

The rest of the day was filled with informative sessions (Regency Magazines, The History of Tea, etc.) and meeting with friends over meals.

Netherfield BallFriday was a big day, the highlight of the morning being the Dance Workshop class I’d been looking forward to for months: an hour and a half with a bunch of other clueless students under the instruction of a dance master, learning some of the very same “country dances” Jane Austen would have performed herself! Despite knowing nothing when I started, I flatter myself that I did pretty well – better than Mr. Collins at any rate!  Now I’m hooked, and I’d love to find a dance group near home so that I could continue, which might be possible. Far less likely, though, is that my husband will agree to go with me. That he would ever consent to dress in Regency costume for it? Impossible. *sigh* There goes that little fantasy.

Friday afternoon, plenary speaker John Mulland gave a fascinating talk entitled “Speechless in Pride and Prejudice,” expounding on the significance of silences and silent characters in the novel. For example, there are two important characters in the book that never actually say a word! It’s true. Neither Georgiana Darcy nor Anne de Bourgh has a single line of dialogue. Are you surprised to learn that?

AGM author signing

with Emily Auerbach at the author signing

Later in the day, I participated in the Author Signing – an array of about 25 authors with published books (fiction and non-fiction) related in some way to Jane Austen. I got to sign a few books and postcards, to meet some of my lovely readers, and also to visit with my fellow authors, including my tablemate – scholar, speaker, and author Emily Auerbach. During this session, I managed to snag a few autographs for myself as well.

Another special event followed on Friday evening – a dinner gathering together in person an entire community of folks normally connected mostly via the internet: authors, bloggers, and other JA enthusiasts. There were about 30 of us, and we very noisily took over one entire end of an English pub style restaurant for a couple of hours. Who knew that Jane Austen fans could be so rowdy?

More excellent and informative sessions followed on Saturday, leading up to the climactic events of the convention: the banquet, the promenade, and the Regency ball. This was the time to pull out all the stops and appear in your best period costume. I only had a “morning” dress to wear, not a proper ball gown. Where I fell a little short in the wardrobe category, however, I think I made up in enthusiasm. “I danced every dance!” as Lydia boasts in P&P’95. The only minor blight on the evening was the lack of enough gentlemen partner. We ladies outnumbered them at least 20 to 1, but that didn’t hold us back. This style of dancing doesn’t require the typical male/female roles. So, yes, I danced with girls most the night… and had a wonderful time!  

AGM lineup

Marilyn Brant, Susan Mason-Milks, Shannon Winslow, C. A. Pierson, Syrie James, Sharon Lathan, Abigail Reynolds, and Maria Grace

“Perhaps by and bye I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones.” (Lizzy to Darcy at the Netherfield ball, Pride and Prejudice)

Unbeknownst to me, a cameraman from the TV show Nightline was also present at the ball, acquiring footage of the dancing for a planned segment on Jane Austen “Super Fans.” Watch it here, and keep a sharp eye out for my graceful moves in two brief appearances. (I’m counting this as my official television debut, btw!)

By Sunday morning, things were winding down. But the final event on the schedule was well worth staying for. It was a brunch meeting featuring a presentation by a panel of three from the team who created The Lizzy Bennet Diaries – a vastly popular online modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which was presented as a series of episodic video blogs. This wonderfully innovative series has no doubt captured an entirely new audience for Jane Austen. And it’s not just for the under 30 crowd. It’s for anybody wanting a fresh way to get your P&P fix. I came to the party late (the live series having already wrapped up), which was just as well, because once I got started, I couldn’t rest until I had seen all of it. You can still view it here, episode by episode or in marathon fashion like I did. :)

AGM 1

lunch with Julie Klassen

I’ve got one more bit of fun to tell you about.

As I expected, the best part of going to the AGM was the chance to meet new people, as well a many I’d only known over the internet before – fellow Austenesque authors, other Janeites, and even a few of my fans! What I didn’t anticipate is that I’d also get to know a lovely author of whom I am a particular fan: Julie Klassen. I introduced myself to her at the author signing on Friday, and then we bumped into each other several times afterward. We even ended up as dance partners for a while at the ball and shared a late lunch (along with Abigail Reynolds) Sunday afternoon before I caught my plane home. Just the icing on the cake of a great weekend!

So there you have it – all the highlights from my trip to the AGM. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I sincerely hope each of you will have the chance to attend at least once too!

17 comments

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    • Deborah on March 18, 2014 at 5:08 am
    • Reply

    I found this interesting. When I was in my early 20’s I was part of the Society of Creative Anachronism (dressed in medieval attire, ate medieval food & danced those dances). In some ways this is similar, but I like the learning aspect that is brought out here. The news clip was very informative as well. One day I’ll get to a GAM, hopefully soon.

    Thank you for sharing this information.

    1. We all like a chance to dress up and live a little of the fantasy once in a while, don’t we? Thanks for your comment, Deborah.

        • Deborah on March 18, 2014 at 12:43 pm
        • Reply

        Yes we do. As you and others have reiterated my husband Aldo would not dress up to attend. As for dancing….never would he and sadly I trip over my own feet.

  1. Lovely post it is something I could only ever dream of doing! Lovely bonnet I dread to think what mine would look like, I would imagine not fit for purpose! Yes I too would love to do the dancing but do not think there is anything near me. My mum teaches kwadril it is a St Lucian folk dance that was derived from the quadrille but we live 60 miles apart so it’s not feasible. Thank you again for sharing

    1. Hi, Tamara! When I searched on the internet, I was surprised to find how many English Country Dance groups exist. I hope you discover one near you too.

    • Kara Louise on March 18, 2014 at 8:29 am
    • Reply

    It was so much fun, and so wonderful to meet many authors and others in the JA community I only knew through the internet! Our dinner together was great, wasn’t it? It was fun to go back to it through your post (and the video clip!)

    1. Yes, so fun to meet you there in person for the first time, Kara!

    • Maggie Griscom on March 18, 2014 at 8:49 am
    • Reply

    I am glad you all had so much fun! Your dresses were great. I agree though I couldn’t get my husband into Regency garp much less ask him to dance where you might hold hands. What a dweeb. Great post!

    1. Haha! Yes, sad but true. I couldn’t help feeling a little envious of the women whose husbands were there and fully participating. The only way it would happen for me is if I made an outrageous bet with him and he lost. I’d hate to think what I’d have to risk in return, though!

    • Sheila L. M. on March 18, 2014 at 12:11 pm
    • Reply

    Those two husbands sound like mine. When we would attend wedding receptions, he considered his duty done if he danced one slow dance with me, which was him swaying back and forth. He is a great athlete but will have nothing to do with dancing…even drunk, in college! LOL Sounds like you all had a great time. Would be so over-the-hill exciting if I were to actually meet the authors I read here and on my kindle and in paperback. I would be in awe. You are so talented. The hat and the costumes are lovely.

    1. Thanks for your comments, Sheila!
      I fear I would disappoint your high expectations, however, if we ever met. I’m pretty ordinary. I’m thrilled when people enjoy my books, but certainly no need for awe in my case! *blushing*

        • Sheila L. M. on March 18, 2014 at 4:11 pm
        • Reply

        Please, the fact that you can come up with the imagination, first of all, and then to create conversations and thoughts in period pieces is so beyond me! We all have our talents. I do crafts & needlework, sometimes sew (made Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls for children and nieces), etc. I would still like to meet as many authors as possible. I only attended one National Convention, in NYC. Retired so budget is limited. I read and re-read books, sometimes just the “good” parts before I go to bed. LOL Kindle makes that difficult as mine does not bookmark.

        1. “We all have our talents.” I can accept that, Sheila, and I’d love to meet you sometime!

  2. Shannon,
    It was such a blast to finally get to meet you (and several other Austen friends!) for the first time at the AGM 😀 ) . What a packed conference it was!! You’ve just brought back lots of wonderful memories… Thank you for the fun flashback!
    p.s. I thought you did an excellent job on your bonnet 😉 .

    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Marilyn!

    • Beth on March 19, 2014 at 8:05 am
    • Reply

    I loved reading this. Sounds like more fun than the conventions I attend! Not that musicology is not exciting, of course.

    1. Beth – Musicology at least sounds like more fun than conventions for my former career: dental hygiene.

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