A Jane Austen Tea & Holiday Celebration

Nov 19, 2016 | 2016 Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Books & Tales, Heather Parish

“It is such happiness when good people get together—and they always do,” says beloved novelist Jane Austen.

And what better time to take a bit of respite with like-minded folk than during the hubbub of the holidays? The Central Valley region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (“JASNA Cen Cal”) will provide just such a respite by hosting A Jane Austen Tea and Holiday Celebration to honor Austen’s 241st birthday and celebrate the Yuletide season. The tea will be held December 3, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clovis. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with friends and loved-ones, and get to know the members of JASNA Cen Cal.

The members of JASNA Cen Cal have a delicious traditional afternoon tea planned, including finger sandwiches, salad, scones and clotted cream, and, of course, tea, amongst other tasty treats. There will also be a trivia competition called a Pride and Prejudice Tea Quiz, based on classic pub quizzes, with prizes for the winners of each round, and grand prizes for the top winners. There will also be a drawing for a door prize – a basket filled with Jane Austen goodies! It’s a lovely afternoon spent with people who admire classic literature and good company.

Photo from the JASNA Cen Cal Jane Austen Birthday Tea in 2009

“The holidays just happen to coincide nicely with Jane Austen’s birthday on December 16, so it makes it a nice time for Jane Austen fans to get together and celebrate both Jane and the holiday season. And what’s more festive and fun than a lovely tea party?” says Central California Regional Coordinator Carrie Flores. Some participants will dress up in Regency-era clothing styles, while others will dress for tea in modern clothing, but a sense of occasion and and appreciation for bygone eras is universally praised!

JASNA is a nation-wide organization dedicated to foster among the widest audience possible, the love and appreciation of Jane Austen, her works, and the era in which she lived.

Members of JASNA Cen Cal at a costumed picnic in Woodward Park in October.

Throughout the year, regions host events, lectures, and book discussions about Austen and Regency-related topics. “I think we have some really unique events coming up in 2017, including a performance of music from Jane Austen’s era in April and one of the only Jane Austen festivals on the west coast in September,” says Flores.

But book discussions on titles such as Persuasion and Northanger Abbey are also on the JASNA Cen Cal calendar for 2017. The combination of literary and historical arts discussions, lectures, costume, and social events is what makes JASNA Regional events unique. There’s a little something for everyone and you can be involved how you like. Flores is very enthusiastic about the organization. “It’s always a pleasure to meet fellow Jane Austen fans and share a mutual love of literature and British history. And, of course, it’s always a lot of fun to don a Regency era gown and play dress up for a day at some of our events.”

A group shot of JASAN Cen Cal members after a book discussion this past summer.

A Jane Austen Tea and Holiday Celebration will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clovis, California on Saturday, December 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the tea are $30 for the general public and $25 for JASNA members. They must be purchased in advance by Friday, November 25 and can be ordered online or via a mail-in form. Information on tickets and the tea are at the JASNA Cen Cal website: https:www.jasnacencal.org. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter (@jasnacencal) or Instagram (@jasnacencal)

Heather Parish works in publishing by day and is a producer for the Rogue Performance Festival by night. She loves theater, historical costuming, period dramas, literature of the classic and trashy varieties, and her husband who patiently wears top hats and cravats when asked. (Good thing he likes time-travel stories!)