Excessively Diverting

It’s that time of year again that many Janeites most look forward to: the yearly AGM!

This year it will be held in Chicago, sponsored by the JASNA – Greater Chicago Area. The theme is Jane Austen in the Arts.

From the website:

Each of Jane Austen’s novels features the arts in some form—from the domestic female accomplishments of playing an instrument, singing, and drawing as practiced by Emma Woodhouse, to the elaborate but private preparations for a performance of Lover’s Vows in Mansfield Park, to the public concert at the Assembly Rooms in Persuasion. We invite you to explore and experience this fascinating topic in the beautiful, exciting surroundings of the city of Chicago.

This year’s plenary speakers are:

• Gillian Dow, former executive director of Chawton House
• Devoney Looser, Austen scholar and author of The Making of Jane Austen
• Desmond Shawe-Taylor, surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures since 2005
• Maestro Stephen Alltop and Soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg will delight us with a concert that features compositions mentioned in Austen’s writing during the Sunday brunch

Registration is $299 for the attendee with a surcharge of $209 if you bring a companion.

For more information, visit the AGM’s website.