December 2, 6:30 pm: Dancing with Jane Austen

Join David Millstone, Upper Valley dance caller extraordinaire, for a talk on English country dance in Jane Austen’s day. Join us in the Mayer Room or on Zoom. Register for Zoom here.

Social dancing is featured throughout Jane Austen’s novels; indeed, the author herself was an enthusiastic dancer in her youth. This multi-media presentation provides a brief history of the dance form from its roots in the mid-seventeenth century; we’ll pay particular attention to English country dance as it was done in Austen’s lifetime some 150 years later. Participants will come away with a deeper appreciation of the important role that dance and dance events have for the characters in Austen’s novels. You’ll also appreciate some of the nuances of the dancing at our upcoming Jane Austen Ball!

December 4, 5-7 pm: Jane Austen Inspired Embroidery

Step into the elegance and refinement of the Regency era with a hands-on embroidery workshop honoring the 250th birthday of Jane Austen. Create a floral handkerchief embroidery piece reminiscent of the styles popular in Austen’s time. 

This program is open to adults and teens ages 13+ 

If you have questions, email sam.milnes@thehowe.org 

Wednesday December 10, 9am-9pm: Marathon Pride and Prejudice Reading!

Join us in celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday! We will be reading the entirety of Pride and Prejudice out loud over the course of the day. From 9:00 – 1:00 pm, we will be in the Mayer Room at the Howe Library. From 1:00 – 5:00 pm, the reading will continue at the Literary Arts Bridge. We will finish up from 5:00-9:00 pm at Still North Books & Bar (with Happy Hour pricing on drinks for participants!).

If you would like to read, sign up for 15 minute slots here (as many as you like!). Drop-in participants are also welcome if slots remain unfilled.

Howe Library: 13 South Street (coffee and light refreshments will be provided)

Literary Arts Bridge: 7 Lebanon Street, Suite 105 (light refreshments will be provided)

Still North Books & Bar: 3 Allen Street (happy hour pricing for drinks)

Friday, December 12, 7-9 pm: Jane Austen Ball

Join us for a Jane Austen Ball! The dance will be called by David Millstone, with live music by Trip to Norwich (Carol Compton and Thal Aylward). (Snow date: Saturday December 13, 7:00-9:00 pm.)

Jane Austen fans, English Country dancers, Bridgerton aficionados, and the idly curious: All are welcome! English Country Dancing is a highly accessible social dance form. Instruction will be given and dances will be called. No experience necessary!

Costumes admired, but not required! Refreshments will be served, and Still North Books & Bar will be on hand to sell elegant editions of Jane Austen’s works.

The ball will take place in the New Books area on the Main Floor of the library. No registration required. Email jared.jenisch@thehowe.org with questions.