Jane Austen music? You might think I mean music of the 1800’s. But, no, there is a new blues song inspired by a Jane Austen character.
I went on Youtube, on a whim of boredom, to see what was new in the world of Jane Austen. Sometimes students put up book reports, or there may be an announcement for a new movie. What I found was even more fun. A singer-songwriter from Brooklyn has created a blues song dedicated to Elizabeth Bennet’s plain and bookish sister, Mary. “Oh, oh, oh, Mary Bennet…” This is a fun way to celebrate Pride and Prejudice.
Photos and report back from my trip into NYC to see the premier of Jane Eyre. Video Review by Stephanie and me: here.
Note! The Jane Eyre movie is coming out in select theaters. More to follow over the next few weeks. See list: here.
While author Jane Austen, and the character Jane Eyre, both lived after the time of Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Circle readers may know I love works by Jane Austen, and works based on Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte’s character) very much. My favorite Jane Eyre so far has been the 2006 BBC miniseries. And, I am so excited to hear that the new movie, with Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre, is coming to American theaters in March 2011. And, the movie trailer has just come out…
“The Feminist Initiative” A film and panel event at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York, USA. A documentary about the formation of a feminist party in Sweden: Feminist Initiative.
Speaker: Lina Olsson of Feminist Initiative. Moderator: Charlotte Koons of the NYCLU. Panelists: Hedda Marcus, Professor of English, Women’s Studies and Multidisciplinary Studies at Nassau Community College; Kimberly Wilder of Georgiana Circle; Andrea Callan, Executive Director of the NYCLU Suffolk Chapter. Thanks to Charlotte Sky for organizing the event. Videographer of the Huntington event: Kimberly Wilder.
The movie is “The Feminist Initiative” by director Liz Weisberg. It tells the story of a diverse group of women working to establish the world’s first feminist political party in Sweden in the spring of 2005. Currently, the Feminist Initiative party is campaigning for the European Parliament Elections in June 2009. The website for the group is: http://www.feministisktinitiativ.se They also have a Facebook group.
Andrea Callan, Hedda Marcus, Lina Olsson, Kimberly Wilder, Charlotte Koons
Rorie Kelly at PeaceSmiths Coffeehouse, March 2009
Rorie Kelly is a young and cool musician from New York. Some guy recently wrote her an e-mail telling her that she is an awesome singer, but she should lose weight. Here is her wonderful and reflective answer. Interesting for women to hear, and if you go to the youtube, you can write your own comments. (And/or comment here and I will pass it along.)
Please take the time to share your thoughts in the comment section.
The playwright Richard Sheridan was at times a friend of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and her family. Though, there was a later conflict which was more than just a falling out.
For admirers of Georgiana and her biography, it is so interesting to get a glimpse of her character in art, a play created by Richard Sheridan, possibly in collaboration with Georgiana herself. And, it may provide a good antidote from the concern about Georgiana’s treatment at the hands of the Duke, to realize that Georgiana was able to win over him in art. It was brilliant of the movie, The Duchess, to incorporate Sheridan’s play into the movie.
Below is Part 1 of 10 of the play “School for Scandal“, written by Sheridan and premiered in 1777. This 1965 black and white production of the play appears on Youtube in sections, which all link from each other. Joan Plowright plays “Lady Teazle”, a thinly disguised character based on Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. The details are Georgiana down to the expensive feathers and flowers purchased to adorn her dresses. The play is very amusing. While the plot is somewhat unkind towards the Duke, the happy ending makes one believe that Georgiana (and/or Sheridan) may have had hope for their marriage, and some faith in the Duke’s character.
If you take the time to watch this play (or if you have seen another version of it) it would be great if you could comment on this post. I think it is so magical that Georgiana was able to transport herself in time, in the form of art, for us to hear from her. And, it is even more amazing if we can think about her and her message together. Also, please send or post other interesting links or video or lists of Georgiana-related art.
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire: The Ultimate Fan Guide [Kindle] $0.99.
Georgiana Circle curator Kimberly Wilder authored an eBook. A collection of Georgiana articles, reviews, and media lists, with added personal reflections. Come celebrate Georgiana, a historical figure with connections to the royal family and to Chatsworth.
The banner image is a crop of a painting by the artist Angelica Kauffmann, 1774. (l) is Lady Georgiana Spencer (shortly before she became Duchess of Devonshire) and (r) is her sister Lady Henrietta-Frances (Harriet) Spencer.
Georgiana Circle: Women Healing History 