Make sure to visit our Regency Emporium and check out the wares for sale. Browse through the book stalls for the latest publications about our favorite author.

Thursday October 2: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday October 2: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday October 3: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Friday, October 4: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Dance Mistress Mady Newfield will prepare you for Saturday night's dancing. She knows Tom Senior, our caller for the Regency Ball, and will coordinate her dance classes with his program. You will learn dances with the same melodies that you will hear at the ball. All levels of dance experience are welcome.

Mady has been teaching and performing dance in the Chicago area for 20 years, running a weekly folk dance group at Fermilab, and presenting programs at schools and community events. She started a new successful English country dance group in the Chicago area two years ago and loves to bring newcomers into the joys of the dance with her clear basic instruction and musician's sense of rhythm and phrasing. When not dancing, she teaches French and English as a second language, and organizes dance events.

Dances for JASNA 2008 that will be taught in the dance classes and danced at the ball (in no particular order):

Duke of Kent's Waltz
Mr. Beveridge's Maggot
Childgrove
Auretti's Dutch Skipper
Sellinger's Round
Juice of Barley
Mutual Love
Rufty Tufty
Hole in the Wall
Gathering Peascods
Comical Fellow
First of April
Grand March

Participants will create their own uniquely festooned Regency Era style bonnet and learn a bit of head covering history. The complete kit supplied for each Gentlewoman shall include everything required, save their own modest sewing skills. The workshop is offered by Donna McLarty, who has studied historical millinery arts for several years and is a re-enactor with the Vancouver Heritage Ambassadors. 

With the help of Rebecca Morrison-Peck, a historical costumer for over 40 years, you will construct and decorate a fully lined drawstring bag to hold all those indispensable items close at hand s you whirl about the dance floor at the Ball. Compete kits will be provided, but bring a small pair of scissors if you can. Basic hand sewing is the only skill you'll need.

Enjoy the magnificent skyline of Chicago and spend time with members of JASNA aboard the Odyssey, the most luxurious vessel on Lake Michigan. Dine and dance to music -- a live four piece jazz band with a vocalist. Enjoy a cocktail and butlered hors d'oeuvres during boarding.  Enliven your senses with distinctive appetizers, entrees and desserts, and sip from an award-winning wine list. One of the three climate controlled decks has been reserved for JASNA members. Experience extraordinary attention to detail as the beautiful, panoramic views drift past each table. You may board as early as 5:00 pm from the dock at Navy Pier (one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city). We cruise from 6:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $90 including tax and gratuities; alcoholic beverages are extra. Those who are renting a costume for the Saturday evening ball may come to the dinner cruise in your rented Regency finery. “All Dressed Up” will arrange to pick up your costumes Monday morning.