The National Post has an article about the JASNA AGM coming up in a little more than a month in Vancouver, BC. We hope you have already registered if you wanted to attend–the event is sold out! What is it all about, you might ask?

Mary Atkins, a retired teacher from North Vancouver who has been an Austen society member for 20 years and passionate about Austen for 50, says: “My family is saying, ‘You know, she only wrote six books. How much is there to talk about?’ But there is so much contemporary information that rounds out our knowledge. It’s not just her books that are so fascinating; it’s the social history. She documents that very well.”

It’s also partly communing with fellow Janeites. Imagine geeking out on Jane in a room full of several hundred other people geeking out on Jane. How fun is that?

They’re finding out down under, too–the Sydney Morning Herald had an article about Austen fans enjoying Jane’s work, including the JASA annual meeting, which was held last weekend in Sydney, and some who don’t wait for the official events.

John Garden runs Earthly Delights, a Canberra company that specialises in all things Regency, from ballgowns to events at which more than 80 people dress and behave in the style of the era. He says: “The bulk of people who come are in their early 20s … they like the whole thing of coming together, interacting in a physical way other than just going to the pub.”

Stephanie D’Abruzzo, who played the Bingley equivalent character in last year’s off-Broadway production of I Love You Because (a modern-set musical P&P with the genders switched), will play Sam in the New York Musical Theater production of Austentatious, which will run from September 18 through 29. Austentatious is a musical about a community theater group putting on a really, really bad production of Pride and Prejudice (though we did actually rather enjoy the addition of pirates to the story). We saw the play at the Philly Fringe Festival last year and it is hilarious!

Alert Janeite Lisa sent us a link about the Dallas Theater Center’s production of Pride and Prejudice, which has previews beginning tomorrow and opens on September 4. The article reports that after the matinee on Sunday, September 9, a conversation with the director, Stan Wojewodski, Jr., and a talk-back with the cast will follow the matinee on Sunday, September 16. Both events are free.

Incidentally, alert readers will remember that we reported last week that the play inspired an article in which a no doubt well-meaning journalist used the adjective “Victorian” to describe the time period in which it is set. Lisa commented that in the photo accompanying the article about the play, the actress’ hair looks suspiciously…Victorian. We were a little more taken aback by the gentleman’s coiffure. Really, we’re surprised it wasn’t described as “Jane Eyre Meets Becks.” No doubt the actual play will be more period-correct.

A UK tourism report noted that film locations in the UK have seen increased visitors. The Bath Chronicle discusses how Austen films such as Persuasion 07 (and 95, we dare say, which showed Bath to great advantage) have increased tourism not only to Bath but to surrounding areas, such as the village of Lacock, a filming location for Pride and Prejudice 95 and Emma 96.

During 2006, the city provided the backdrop for 116 productions including TV adaptations of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Dracula and Beau Brummel.

Wow!

The BBC noted that Basildon Park, the location for Netherfield in P&P05, experienced a 76% rise in visitors after being featured in the film. Wow X2!

Congratulations to Amy R., who won the drawing for a copy of Letters From Pemberley. We still have a pile of swag to give away, so if you didn’t win, be ready to try again!