There are several exciting Georgian and Regency themed events coming up in Canada and England over the next few weeks, with one just a few days away! I thought, once again, I would remind salon visitors of the wonderful opportunities available, should you fancy dining, dancing or dallying with a highwayman!
To give you plenty of time to peruse and me some time to gad about with pals, the salon is closed on 10th May and will reopen on 11th May 2015. Have a fabulous weekend!
Austen: A New Musical Play
In a few weeks I shall be gadding off to the theatre to watch a new musical play that tells the story of Miss Jane Austen. The very well-received new work is booking now, so don't miss your chance to see it!
A Regency Ball in 21st Century Canada
There's still just enough time to book a ticket to the forthcoming Regency Canada. If you can't attend, Tara's post contains some beautiful images of previous events and a short film showcasing this unique experience!
Georgian Dining Academy
If you're in London, you could hardly do better than join illustrious City of London guides and glorious Georgian ladies about town, Miss Kitty Pridden and Miss Tina Baxter, for the Georgian Dining Academy. In the historic surroundings of Simpson's Tavern you'll enjoy fine 18th century dining and entertainment,!
Gallows Bait
Tony Rotherham is offering the chance to be part of an exciting new film, telling the gritty true story of Dick Turpin. Not such a dandy highwayman after all, roles are available in front of the camera as well as behind; this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the film from the very beginning!
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Take a Georgian Outing
Recently, three guest posters have invited readers to attend Georgian and Regency events in Canada and England.
Since those opportunities are swiftly approaching, I thought this was an opportune time to remind you of the wonderful opportunities available, should you fancy dining, dancing or dallying with a highwayman!
A Regency Ball in 21st Century Canada
There's still time to attend Regency dance classes and a marvellous ball in Canada; even if you can't attend, Tara Rout's post contains some beautiful images of previous events and a short film showcasing the experience!
Georgian Dining Academy
If you're in London, you could hardly do better than join City of London guides and glorious Georgians, Miss Kitty Pridden and Miss Tina Baxter, for the Georgian Dining Academy. In the historic surroundings of Simpson's Tavern you'll enjoy the finest 18th century dining and entertainment the city can offer!
Gallows Bait
Tony Rotherham is offering readers the chance to be part of an exciting new film, telling the true story of Dick Turpin. Not such a dandy highwayman after all, roles are available in front of the camera as well as behind; this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the film from the very beginning!
Since those opportunities are swiftly approaching, I thought this was an opportune time to remind you of the wonderful opportunities available, should you fancy dining, dancing or dallying with a highwayman!
A Regency Ball in 21st Century Canada
There's still time to attend Regency dance classes and a marvellous ball in Canada; even if you can't attend, Tara Rout's post contains some beautiful images of previous events and a short film showcasing the experience!
Georgian Dining Academy
If you're in London, you could hardly do better than join City of London guides and glorious Georgians, Miss Kitty Pridden and Miss Tina Baxter, for the Georgian Dining Academy. In the historic surroundings of Simpson's Tavern you'll enjoy the finest 18th century dining and entertainment the city can offer!
Gallows Bait
Tony Rotherham is offering readers the chance to be part of an exciting new film, telling the true story of Dick Turpin. Not such a dandy highwayman after all, roles are available in front of the camera as well as behind; this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the film from the very beginning!
Friday, 10 April 2015
A Regency Ball in 21st Century Canada
My guest today is Tara Rout, who is here to share an opportunity to attend a Regency ball in 21st century Canada!
---oOo---
For as long as I can remember, I have had a dream, of finding a magical door into a fantastical world, or at the very least, onto the set of Pride and Prejudice. After attending many Regency and Jane Austen related events in the UK, I decided to bring this dream to life here, where I live, in Edmonton, Canada, taking every care to make it as authentic as possible in this very new corner of the New World.
It started with a Kickstarter campaign last summer, in support of a Michaelmas ball, which ended up a huge success, selling out within a matter of weeks and attracting such a long waiting list that I was compelled to repeat it with a Midwinter ball this February, which also sold out and had a long waiting list. People have come from quite far afield to attend both events, as there is nothing like it at least in Western Canada, if not beyond. I am now offering the event again, on May 16 in our neighbouring city of Calgary, at the historic Palliser Hotel on May 16, as the Regency Springtime Ball. The venue is about 100 years too young to really be Regency, but it is the most elegant venue in the city, and with plaster work, frescoes and wood floors, it really does feel quite Regency.
The event itself is a total immersion into history. Guests come in period costume to dance the same English country dances that were popular at the time and play traditional card games using replica antique playing cards and gambling with historical coins. Each guest gets a purse of coins as they arrive, for use at the card tables, and they can cash in their winnings for tickets to various door prizes.
200 years ago, people would be familiar with all the dances when they came to a ball. They would have had dancing masters to teach them the latest ones, and they would show up ready to dance. This is something I wanted to recreate in planning my event, so dance lessons will be offered for the 3 Sundays leading up to the ball, where guests can learn and practice the dances we will be dancing on the night. No dance experience is required and all are welcome. For those coming from afar, I will be posting dance instructional videos on YouTube, for folks to study at home.
There is an optional supper at the start of the evening featuring authentic dishes from the period, and refreshments throughout the night will also be based on historical recipes.
In order to maintain the suspension of disbelief, all technology is banned in the ballroom, including cameras and phones. There is nothing that interferes with an historical setting like someone tweeting a selfie on the dance floor! In order to ensure that everyone still has a record of the event, and of themselves in their Regency splendour, I hire a professional photographer to capture the evening, and to take a portrait of each party as they enter the ballroom.
Most people do not already have a wardrobe full of Regency costumes, but can easily put something together by following these tutorial videos on YouTube. Guests can also rent a costume directly from me, starting at $25, or order something to be custom-made. I have several costumiers ready to take orders for those who do not know of anyone. Although costume is mandatory, it is also very flexible. Any effort at period dress will be accepted.
Tickets are currently available at http://www.RegencyEncounters.com
Join the event on Facebook for ongoing updates at https://www.facebook.com/events/1511994649073100/
Watch the costuming and dance videos on YouTube at
Twitter: @FolliesPast
Questions? Please do not hesitate to email me at contact@regencyencounters.com
(All photographs in this post were taken at the Regency Michaelmas Ball and are used courtesy of Danny Jones Photography. See more at https://www.facebook.com/tara.m.kerr/media_set?set=a.10154809677360607.1073741828.791040606&type=3 and of the Midwinter Ball, courtesy of Janine Rose Photography, at http://janinerosephotography.pass.us/regency-michaelmas-ball)
Written content of this post copyright © Tara Rout, 2015.
Thursday, 5 June 2014
The Launch of the Frontenac
Today we pay a visit to the lovely country of Canada, a land I have visited just once when I made the long journey all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake just a few years ago. It is happy memories of this trip that have occasioned my tale today, the story of the launch of PS Frontenac, the first paddle steamer to traverse the Great Lakes.
Frontenac was built in Ernest Town, Ontario, at a cost of £15,000; designed by Tiebour and Chapman of New York and built by their workers, hopes were high for this exciting new venture. The process took long months, whilst the conglomerate of Canadian businessmen who had financed the vessel watched and waited for their investment to come to fruition. Based in the country of Frotenac, it was these financiers who chose her name.
Finally the paddle steamer was completed and on 7th September 1816 she left the care of the builders to begin her working life. From Ernest Town, Frotenac was taken to Lake Ontario where she received her official public launch on 5th June 1817, amid much celebration and excitement.
Although Frotenac was well-used on made regular and popular trips across Lake Ontario to ferry people between Kingston and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the hoped-for profits failed to materialise. For nearly ten years the steamer passed back and forth over the lake and though the local population were loyal, there were simply not enough passengers to make the initiative pay.
Finally, in 1824, John Hamilton bought Frontenac for the apparently bargain price of just £1550 yet even this proved to be a bad business decision. He ran the boat for two years and finally, a decade after she launched, Frontenac was sold for scrap. Fate had a final twist to play in the destiny of the once grand paddle steamer and as she sat on the lake awaiting salvage she was set alight by arsonists and burned out of existence.
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| Frontenac by Captain James Van Cleve |
Frontenac was built in Ernest Town, Ontario, at a cost of £15,000; designed by Tiebour and Chapman of New York and built by their workers, hopes were high for this exciting new venture. The process took long months, whilst the conglomerate of Canadian businessmen who had financed the vessel watched and waited for their investment to come to fruition. Based in the country of Frotenac, it was these financiers who chose her name.
Finally the paddle steamer was completed and on 7th September 1816 she left the care of the builders to begin her working life. From Ernest Town, Frotenac was taken to Lake Ontario where she received her official public launch on 5th June 1817, amid much celebration and excitement.
Although Frotenac was well-used on made regular and popular trips across Lake Ontario to ferry people between Kingston and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the hoped-for profits failed to materialise. For nearly ten years the steamer passed back and forth over the lake and though the local population were loyal, there were simply not enough passengers to make the initiative pay.
Finally, in 1824, John Hamilton bought Frontenac for the apparently bargain price of just £1550 yet even this proved to be a bad business decision. He ran the boat for two years and finally, a decade after she launched, Frontenac was sold for scrap. Fate had a final twist to play in the destiny of the once grand paddle steamer and as she sat on the lake awaiting salvage she was set alight by arsonists and burned out of existence.
Sunday, 12 January 2014
The Canadian Adventures of Frances Brooke
Frances Moore Brooke (Claypole, Lincolnshire, England, 12th January 1724 – Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, 23rd January 1789)
Frances Moore was born to Reverend Thomas Moore and Mary Knowles in Lincolnshire and from an early age showed a precocious intelligence and enthusiasm for writing.
Whilst in her early twenties she moved to London and embarked on a career as a poet and writer where, under the pseudonym of Mary Singleton, Spinster, she edited thirty-seven issues of the weekly magazine, Old Maid, throughout 1755 and 1756.
Frances retired Old Maid when she married Reverend Dr John Brooke in 1756; the year after their wedding he departed for Canada to take a role as military chaplain and Frances stayed in England. In the six years in which the couple were apart she wrote and published her first novel, The History of Lady Julia Mandeville, as well as translating novels from French for publication in England. She finally sailed for Canada to join Brooke in 1764 in the company of her sister and remained in Quebec for five years before returning to England with her husband, where she was welcomed back into the literary circles she had previously occupied.
Frances published her second novel, The History of Emily Montague, in 1769. It was the first novel to be set in Canada and examined the life and world of the residents of Quebec. She was noted for the rich characterisation of her works and the sensitive exploration of the cultural clashes between the English visitors and their Canadian hosts, examining the world through the eyes of a series of central female characters.
In retirement Frances and her husband lived with their clergyman son, John; the couple died within two days of one another in 1789, with Frances leaving behind a rich collection of writings through which future generations can once again understand the experience of the English in Canada.
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| Frances Brooke by Catherine Read, 1771 |
Frances Moore was born to Reverend Thomas Moore and Mary Knowles in Lincolnshire and from an early age showed a precocious intelligence and enthusiasm for writing.
Whilst in her early twenties she moved to London and embarked on a career as a poet and writer where, under the pseudonym of Mary Singleton, Spinster, she edited thirty-seven issues of the weekly magazine, Old Maid, throughout 1755 and 1756.
Frances retired Old Maid when she married Reverend Dr John Brooke in 1756; the year after their wedding he departed for Canada to take a role as military chaplain and Frances stayed in England. In the six years in which the couple were apart she wrote and published her first novel, The History of Lady Julia Mandeville, as well as translating novels from French for publication in England. She finally sailed for Canada to join Brooke in 1764 in the company of her sister and remained in Quebec for five years before returning to England with her husband, where she was welcomed back into the literary circles she had previously occupied.
Frances published her second novel, The History of Emily Montague, in 1769. It was the first novel to be set in Canada and examined the life and world of the residents of Quebec. She was noted for the rich characterisation of her works and the sensitive exploration of the cultural clashes between the English visitors and their Canadian hosts, examining the world through the eyes of a series of central female characters.
In retirement Frances and her husband lived with their clergyman son, John; the couple died within two days of one another in 1789, with Frances leaving behind a rich collection of writings through which future generations can once again understand the experience of the English in Canada.
Monday, 23 December 2013
The Death of Saint Marguerite d'Youville
Marie-Marguerite d'Youville (Née Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais; Varennes, Canada, 15th October 1701 - Montreal, Canada, 23rd December 1771)
Today we have a first here at the Guide as we meet Marie Marguerite d'Youville, woman who overcame personal hardships to found a religious order. More than two centuries after her death she became the first Canadian to be canonised, making her our very first saint here at Gin Lane.
Marguerite was born to Marie-Renée Gaultier de Varennes and Christophe du Frost, who died when she was still very young. Although the family were desperately poor, Marguerite's grandfather arranged for her to undertake education at the Ursuline convent in Quebec City, where she remained for two years. When she returned home, she educated her siblings and becomes an invaluable help to her mother. A vibrant, intelligent girl, Marguerite was just a teenager when her widowed mother married an apparently reprobate Irish doctor, Timothy Sullivan, effectively sabotaging her daughter's hopes of making a good marriage.
At the age of 21 Marguerite married a reprobate of her own in the shape of bootlegger François d'Youville, with whom she would have six children, two of whom survived infancy. François died less than a decade after the marriage but the years in which they were together proved difficult for Marguerite, with her husband away for long periods and engaged in highly illegal liquor trades. Unhappy and beleaguered, Marguerite turned to her religion to help her deal with the many losses she endured and when her two surviving children entered the priesthood, Marguerite's charitable works went one step further. In 1737 she, along with three fellow charitable ladies, founded a religious home for the poor in Montreal with the intention of offering food, shelter and support to those at their lowest ebb.
Mocked by family, friends and society for their lofty ideals, the women were nicknamed les grises, or, the grey [drunken] women in reference to Marguerite's scandalous late husband. They refused to be cowed by their critics and the movement grew, helping more and more of the poorest people on Montreal. Eventually becoming known as the Grey Nuns, the association rebuilt the General Hospital of Montreal and opened charitable homes in other cities across Canada, silencing those critics who had thought the women were certain to fail.
Marguerite died in the hospital her foundation had restored. In 1990 she was canonised, with a feast day of 16th October; not a bad end for the girl who endured poverty, unhappiness and disdain!
Today we have a first here at the Guide as we meet Marie Marguerite d'Youville, woman who overcame personal hardships to found a religious order. More than two centuries after her death she became the first Canadian to be canonised, making her our very first saint here at Gin Lane.
Marguerite was born to Marie-Renée Gaultier de Varennes and Christophe du Frost, who died when she was still very young. Although the family were desperately poor, Marguerite's grandfather arranged for her to undertake education at the Ursuline convent in Quebec City, where she remained for two years. When she returned home, she educated her siblings and becomes an invaluable help to her mother. A vibrant, intelligent girl, Marguerite was just a teenager when her widowed mother married an apparently reprobate Irish doctor, Timothy Sullivan, effectively sabotaging her daughter's hopes of making a good marriage.
At the age of 21 Marguerite married a reprobate of her own in the shape of bootlegger François d'Youville, with whom she would have six children, two of whom survived infancy. François died less than a decade after the marriage but the years in which they were together proved difficult for Marguerite, with her husband away for long periods and engaged in highly illegal liquor trades. Unhappy and beleaguered, Marguerite turned to her religion to help her deal with the many losses she endured and when her two surviving children entered the priesthood, Marguerite's charitable works went one step further. In 1737 she, along with three fellow charitable ladies, founded a religious home for the poor in Montreal with the intention of offering food, shelter and support to those at their lowest ebb.
Mocked by family, friends and society for their lofty ideals, the women were nicknamed les grises, or, the grey [drunken] women in reference to Marguerite's scandalous late husband. They refused to be cowed by their critics and the movement grew, helping more and more of the poorest people on Montreal. Eventually becoming known as the Grey Nuns, the association rebuilt the General Hospital of Montreal and opened charitable homes in other cities across Canada, silencing those critics who had thought the women were certain to fail.
Marguerite died in the hospital her foundation had restored. In 1990 she was canonised, with a feast day of 16th October; not a bad end for the girl who endured poverty, unhappiness and disdain!
Saturday, 29 June 2013
The Journey to Glegarry
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| The Most Reverend Alexander MacDonell by Martin Archer Shee, 1823 |
On 29th June 1786, Bishop Alexander Macdonell boarded a ship with more than 500 Scottish Roman Catholics, bound for Canada. After serving as Chaplain of his very own regiment, The Glengarry Fencibles, the Bishop and his displaced clansmen were in search of a place to call their own and they finally found it in Ontario, where they established a Catholic foothold and Macdonell went on to high office within the church.
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