For good memories, see the report and photos of our most recent meeting.

We usually meet on the third Saturday of September, November, January, March and May. Our meetings are 2:00 - 4:00 and are held at 1627 10 Ave SW, a location that is wheelchair accessible.
View map for meeting location

• 21 Jan 2012 - Murder of a Matchmaker - A Jane Austen Murder Mystery Tea

  This year, the annual JASNA Calgary tea has a twist. On Saturday, January 21, 2012, as we celebrate the birth of Jane Austen, you will get to be one of her characters as you attempt to solve the Murder of a Matchmaker during afternoon tea. Be prepared for intrigue, drama and humor. All you need is an open mind and a clever wit to enjoy this murder mystery tea.

  Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience Austen like you never have before!

• 17 Mar 2012 - She's Not Finished! The Neglected Novels

  Jane Austen's six novels are well-loved and familiar to us but her two unfinished works are often overlooked. We will take a look at the uncompleted Sanditon and abandoned The Watsons to discover what they reveal about our favorite author.

• 12 May 2012 - A Great Exhibition on Pastimes & Progress

  While away an afternoon at our Great Exhibition with pretty Regency amusements and diversions as well as a peek into the changes occurring in gritty England at the beginning of the nineteenth-century. There will be time for many of our fine members to exhibit (just please don't make an exhibition of yourself!).

Elizabeth Marshall shared her recent trip to the JASNA AGM in Fortworth, Texas. Among several of her highlights was a talk given by Andrew Davies on his "sexed-up" version of Sense and Sensibility. The AGM film festival including a Spanish version of Sense and Sensibility entitled From Prada to Nada, and a modern adaptation called Scents and Sensibility.

After tea, we were delighted with In Their Words, a play in the form of a panel of critics on Jane Austen and her work. Among those present were Sir Walter Scott, Caroline Austen, Mary Bridges, and Charlotte Bronte. Our own Judith Umbach wrote this play after a recent visit to England where she was set on obtaining a British Library card. In order to do this, she needed to create a research question. Her question became "What were the contemporary reviews on Jane Austen." She used this research as the basis of her play.

Each reviewer discussed all six of Austen's novels. Sir Walter was most impressed by Austen's "sketches of spirit and originality". Caroline Austen presented varied opinions on Austen's work by her own family members, including Jane's own belief that Pride and Prejudice was "light, and bright, and sparkling". Bridges mentioned Austen's remarkable talent for observation, and Charlotte Bronte condemned Austen for her perfect absence of the passions. Finally, we were graced with the presence of Jane Austen herself who thanked her critics and opened the floor to questions. It was, altogether, the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon in November.