JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA
12-14 April 2019

Jane Austen Festival Australia is an annual celebration in Canberra where Austen and Napoleonic fans from all over Australia come and indulge themselves in everything Regency - including dancing, music, food, games, archery, fencing, theatre, promenades, grand balls, talks, workshops, costumes and books. This festival is now a regular part of the ACT Heritage Festival, Australian Heritage Week and is supported by the ACT Government, the Australian Costumers Guild and the Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy. Since its inception in 2008 this little festival has blossomed into one of the most delightful four days anyone could experience each April in an old and beautiful part of Canberra, the Federal capital of Australia.

July 07, 2012

Draft Program for JAFA 2013

The next Jane Austen Festival Australia will be held from 18-21 April 2013 and will celebrate 200 years since the publication of her timeless masterpiece, Pride & Prejudice. For many, Pride and Prejudice is their first acquaintance with Jane Austen. For most, it remains their favourite among her novels.Plans are underway to bring you a program that – like the novel – is engaging, thought-provoking, and diverting. The following is a draft program and subject to change:


Friday 19 April 2013

Regency Dance School
Dr John Gardiner-Garden
Sociable and fun workshops from 9.30am - 3.30pm learning regency dances with live music from Sally Taylor and Charlotte Fletcher. No experience or partner necessary but smooth, low-heeled shoes desirable. Period costume welcome. Cold drinks and biscuits provided.

Regency Sewing & Craft Workshops
Tracey Clifford - Jewellery Making
Kelly Lock - Making a Chemisette
Aylwen Gardiner-Garden - Dorset Buttons

Symposium on Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, 1.00pm-4.00pm
Dr Heather Neilson, Senior Lecturer, English Program, UNSW Canberra
Dr Kate Mitchell, Lecturer, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Laura Carroll, Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Critical Enquiry, Latrobe University
Tim Bullamore, Editor, Jane Austen’s Regency World, Bath, United Kingdom
Dr Gillian Dooley, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Humanities, Flinders University.

The program will cover a range of topics related to the novel, including musical themes and film adaptations. Attendees will enjoy a most scrumptious afternoon tea of muffins, cakes, biscuits, quiches and tartlets, and other regency-inspired delicacies.”

DINNER WITH DARCY, 6.30pm - 10.30pm 
English Roast Dinner & Desserts
Fashion Parade, Various Entertainments, Dancing


Saturday 20 April 2013

Regency Dance School
Dr John Gardiner-Garden
Sociable and fun workshops from 9.30am - 3.30pm learning regency dances with live music from Sally Taylor and Charlotte Fletcher. No experience or partner necessary but smooth, low-heeled shoes desirable. Period costume welcome. Cold drinks and biscuits provided.

Archery & Lawn Games
details t.b.a. includes a Napoleonic Cricket Match

Regency Sewing & Craft Workshops
Jo van Raaphorst - Reticule Class
Karin Ronning-Meagher - Mourning Costume
Adrianne Unger - Making a regency dress from a Sari

Various Talks & Workshops
Lindie Ward, Curator Love Lace, Powerhouse Museum - Australian Dress Register
John Potter - Royal Navy of the Regency Period
Sophia Whitfield - Jane Austen for children
Jacqui Newling - Regency Curry Workshop
Deborah Mulhall - "Acting Austen"
(an acting workshop to experience what an actor goes through in the rehearsal process when a company mounts an Austen play)

Costume Research - Men
Study original men's costumes from the Jane Austen Era. Limited places.

GRAND NAPOLEONIC BALL
This is a fantastic opportunity to wear your Regency ball gown or tailcoat & breeches.
An evening of fine music, fun dancing, games, cards and a regency supper.
Be welcomed by our official greeter, Canberra's own Town Crier, Mr Alan Moyse.


Sunday 21 April 2013

Picnic at Pemberley
Costumed Promenade, Picnic & Historic House Tour

Through Bass and Human Nature: A Musical Tour through Pride & Prejudice, 2pm-4pm
Performers will include soprano Gillian Dooley, mezzo-soprano Raechel Damarell and
pianist Fiona McCauley. The program will comprise music from the Austen family
music collections and readings from the novel. Includes afternoon tea.

Olde English Fayre and Graveyard Tour
Includes join-in dancing, roaming musicians, 95th Rifles, maypole

Costume Research - Women
Study original women's costumes from the Jane Austen Era. Limited places.




If you have questions or would like to have a stall at the Olde English Fayre, please contact:


Mrs Aylwen Gardiner-Garden
Director, JAFA 2013

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