October 19, 2025
JASNA San Diego joined the 250th birthday celebration for Jane Austen at the House of England in Balboa Park. We had an information table, told the many visitors about our organization, and participated in the Promenade around the inner green, in period dress. Music was provided by Amanda Fagan, who included her songs about characters from the novels. Tea with Victorian sponge was served.
September 20, 2025
San Diego Regional Book Club (In-person) 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Con Pane Bakery at Liberty Station 2750 Dewey Rd. #105, San Diego, CA 92106 (Pt. Loma)
Members ordered coffee, wine, sandwiches, and pastries, and gathered on the shaded patio of Con Pane Bakery to discuss their favorite Jane Austen novels. Together we voted on the first Austen-adjacent book to kick-off the Bi-monthly San Diego Book Club on Saturday, November 22. Members brought ideas for book recommendations, and the lively discussion reflected our shared appreciation for Austen's work.
"And to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading." Who are we to refuse Mr. Darcy's instructions?!
September 13, 2025
Jane Austen and the British Royal Navy 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (by JASNA Southwest Region)
JASNA Southwest presented "Jane Austen and the British Royal Navy." Members enjoyed this informative presentation by our sister Region.
Dr. Lynda Hall: "Finding the Navy in Jane Austen's England" Dr. Lynda Hall delved into Austen's novels that directly (and indirectly) discuss navy life and its effects on characters, including Frederick Wentworth and William Price. Her insights enriched our understanding of these beloved characters.
Christopher Empett: "Jane Austen's Navy: Brothers, Wives, Women and Warriors in the Royal Navy" Professor Christopher Empett, British naval scholar, took us through the Napoleonic era of the British Royal Navy, life aboard ships, Jane Austen's personal connection to the navy, and more. His expertise brought this fascinating historical context to life.
August 23, 2025
KPBS Festival of Books 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM University of San Diego campus
JASNA San Diego hosted a booth to promote our organization and to discuss the world of Jane Austen with fellow Janeites at the KPBS Festival of the Books. Members enjoyed spreading the word about Jane Austen and JASNA, and meeting many interested visitors throughout the day.
August 9, 2025
A Stay at Chawton House, Presentation by Jeanne Talbot 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM llied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library 5188 Zion Ave, San Diego, CA 92120
Jeanne Talbot, past Regional Coordinator and longtime JASNA San Diego member, presented a Google Slide Show of her recent trip to Chawton House to the JASNA San Diego members.
Chawton House in Hampshire, England is the 16th c. Elizabethan mansion formerly owned by Jane Austen's wealthy brother, Edward Knight. Less than a generation ago, the Knight family descendants still occupied the home until it became too decrepit and expensive to keep up. Through the largesse of Sandy Lerner, a wealthy U.S. tech executive, Chawton House was beautifully renovated to its former glory, along with its extensive grounds, and with the addition of an extensive Early Women Writers collection and research library.
In 2024, a renovated three-bedroom furnished apartment in Chawton House became available for the first time for vacation rentals. San Diego region member Jeanne Talbot stayed in Chawton House with fellow JASNA friends Erna Arnesen and Kathleen Madden for nine days last September. Jeanne discussed what it was like to stay in Chawton "Great House," just a short walk from where Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life. Jeanne described how it felt to stroll the vast grounds and also shared her experiences of the many day outings she and her friends took during their stay there. Her talk was accompanied by many photographs of the house, gardens, and sites of interest, including Salisbury Cathedral, Portsmouth, and Brighton. Members thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating in-person presentation and appreciated the vivid glimpse into life at Chawton House.
July 28-29, 2025
Jane Austen Unscripted! (Improv) Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29 7:30 PM North Coast Repertory Theatre 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr #D, Solana Beach, CA 92075
JASNA San Diego members brought their friends for a hilarious night of improv fun at Jane Austen Unscripted! Members enjoyed introducing their friends to our wonderful Ms. Austen through this entertaining performance. The improvisational format kept everyone laughing throughout the evening.
July 19, 2025
Clueless Watch Party and Live Q&A 3:00 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM Pacific Virtual (Zoom)
This member-only event was part of JASNA's year-long Austen at 250 celebration---and our chance to toast 30 years of Clueless, the iconic (and totally fabulous) modern take on Emma, which first hit theaters on July 19, 1995. Members gathered on Zoom for a livestream watch party and live Q&A with the film's writer/director, Amy Heckerling. The event was especially enjoyable for fans of this beloved adaptation, and hearing directly from Amy Heckerling about her creative process was a memorable experience.
July 5, 2025
Jane Austen's London 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Virtual (Zoom)
Royals, rogues and Regency elegance - the London Jane Austen knew
Andrew and Rachel Knowles, English Georgian/Regency Historians (of www.RegencyHistory.net), presented a talk via Zoom on Jane Austen's London. In the talk, they discussed Jane Austen's visit to Carlton House. Despite living in rural Hampshire, Jane Austen was a regular visitor to Regency London. She was familiar with bustling Covent Garden, the lively theatres, the grand shops and even the Prince Regent's palace of Carlton House.
Andrew and Rachel took us on a journey into Jane's Regency London. They talked about some of the places she visited, and described the delights and dangers she could have experienced while travelling around the capital of late Georgian England.
The talk was illustrated with a mix of images showing London as it was in Jane's time, along with photographs of Jane's London as it is today. Members appreciated the blend of historical and contemporary views of the city.
May 2-4, 2025 (Friday-Sunday)
A Star is Born - Southwest Region Gala
The Southwest Region hosted a multi-day "Super Regional" Gala the first weekend in May 2025. The theme was "A Star is Born." As 2025 marked the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, as well as the anniversary of numerous filmed adaptations of Austen's novels, a talented group of young members planned screenings of noteworthy Austen adaptations celebrating their 30th Anniversary, such as Clueless, Persuasion starring Amanda Root, Sense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson, and Pride and Prejudice starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.
On Saturday, May 3, we convened at the Hotel Dena in Pasadena, a boutique hostelry recently refurbished with a 1940's Hollywood décor. Costumer Mela Hoyt-Heydon discussed sartorial choices in Austen adaptations and conducted a headdress workshop. Dr. Jocelyn Emsley discussed why Sophia's advice to Laura in "Love and Friendship": "Run mad as often as you choose; but do not faint ---" is indeed sound medical advice. Following lunch, Austen fangirl turned academic Jess House reprised her wildly popular Denver breakout on "The Darcy Wars," and members argued passionately on behalf of their favorite film portrayal.
The festivities also included an interactive Regency Ball on Saturday night in the Dena Hotel's Piazza Ballroom. James Hutson led us in merriment, accompanied by the Whirled Peas Band of Regency players. Familiar Austen characters mingled with the crowd, adding to the enchantment of the evening.
Day two found us in Haaga Hall at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in nearby San Marino. After a continental breakfast, Devoney Looser discussed the star power of our favorite author and revealed insights concerning the adaptations that never quite made it into production. UCLA and Opera League lecturer Kristi Brown-Montesano then critiqued the use of music in various adaptations. The rest of the day left attendees at leisure to enjoy tea or lunch in one of the many food venues on site, and then to explore the Huntington's treasures. This multi-day event was a highlight of the year's celebrations.
April 6, 2025
Hilary Davidson: Jane Austen's Wardrobe 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Virtual (Zoom)
Hilary Davidson, acclaimed Australian dress, textiles and fashion historian and Austen expert spoke to the JASNA San Diego via Zoom about her book Jane Austen's Wardrobe. The talk gave us a rare glimpse inside the closet of a stylish dresser and perpetually fascinating writer. Ms. Davidson is a curator, associate professor, and chair of the MA Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice in the School of Graduate Studies at FIT. She's also a noted and skilled hand-sewer who recreated a ground-breaking copy of Jane Austen's pelisse shown in the image above. Members found her expertise in historical dress particularly illuminating.
March 8, 2025
Catherine Hemingway: Pemberley to Dublin 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Carlsbad City Library 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad
Catherine Hemingway, a recent member of JASNA San Diego, spoke about her creative process in writing her new book, Pemberley to Dublin. Diane Allison, JASNA San Diego member, led a book discussion on Catherine Hemingway's novel. Members gathered at the Carlsbad City Library to learn more about the book and her writing. Catherine spoke on her inspiration and background in writing the novel. Members brought snacks to share, and tea was provided. It was wonderful to support a fellow member's literary achievement.
February 15, 2025
English Fans in the Time of Jane Austen 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Virtual (Zoom)
Mary Kitson, Deputy Director of the Fan Museum in the UK, spoke to the JASNA San Diego Region members via Zoom. The talk looked at a variety of fans produced in England during the lifetime of Jane Austen, relating them and their significance to society and the social history of the time. Members enjoyed learning about this elegant accessory and its place in Regency society.
January 19, 2025
Bonnet Making Workshop, Part Two 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM North University Community Library 8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
Instructed by Meredith Johnson, one of our JASNA San Diego Region members.
To recap Part I, on August 25th a dozen or so San Diego Janeites had gathered with their sewing machines to attend a bonnet-making class. Materials were provided to create a fabric-covered soft-crown bonnet. Members chose their bonnet fabric and sewing commenced, as sewing machines hummed from the table-tops in the room. Construction focused on creating a bonnet using modern materials with the look of a proper Regency-era bonnet! As bonnets require a lot of hand-sewing, we didn't finish our bonnets in the time we had.
For Part 2, we gathered again to finish the construction and trimming using flowers, ribbons, feathers, and ties. Those participating were pleased to complete their beautiful bonnets and appreciated Meredith's patient instruction.