The weather is starting to cool off a bit here in the Old Dominion and it gets us thinking about our cooler weather events!  We've recently added a familiar favorite: the Christmas Open House at Hope Plantation.  Volunteers are needed to assist with a dance demonstration in the early afternoon after which you may take your leave or take part in the various activities around the grounds of the house.  Cooking demonstrations, carriage rides, live music, house tours, and more await you!  Please be sure to register by November 30!

We have also had a few members add items to our Member Marketplace, our member-to-member "store" on the member side of our website.  Be sure to check out the new items to find a deal on Regency attire, accessories, and more.  (You must be logged in to access the member side of the site.)  Have a period-appropriate item that you wish to sell?  Visit the Member Marketplace for details on how to post your item!

We're looking for volunteers to walk with us in Smithfield's annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for the morning of Saturday, December 21.  There is no fee to march in the parade but we do require that volunteers be capable of walking the parade route (about one mile) and wear early 19th century attire.  To make sure that you get all of the latest information on participating, be sure to register by December 16!

Our members are the best part of our organization and we love to hear about their achievements--particularly when it involves history!  So, we want to give a shout out to one of our own, Michelle Hamilton, for her newly published book, Etiquette in Jane Austen's England!  Congratulations, Michelle, and may you enjoy great success!

For those looking forward to our Victory Ball on November 2, you may now do so with this year's dance program in mind!  We have posted the list of dances (in alphabetical, rather than program, order) on the Victory Ball main page.  Instructions (and links to videos for many of the dances) will be posted shortly.  Haven't purchased your ticket for the Victory Ball yet?  Tickets are available to members and non-members alike through our events page!

We are delighted to welcome Regency Marketplace to our growing family of Member-Friendly Merchants!  Regency Marketplace offers a wide range of period reproductions and Regency-inspired goods for anyone who enjoys the simple elegance of the early 19th century.  The store is currently in the midst of a summer sale and will soon launch its "Jane Austen Box," a subscription box devoted to all things Jane Austen and Regency!  In other words, it's a great time to use that new discount!  RSV Members can now save 15% on their purchases by using the coupon code found on the members' side of the site.  Thank you to Regency Marketplace for its generous support of the Regency Society of Virginia and its members!

Once again, we have reserved a block of rooms for our out of town guests attending the Victory Ball.   Those in need of lodging can contact the Country Inn and Suites (130 Wagner Rd., Petersburg) at 804-861-4355 and request the "Victory Ball Rate" to secure a room.  Two types of rooms are available:  a Queen Suite (2 queen beds and a sleeper sofa) for $119/night plus taxes and fees, and a King Room (1 king bed) for $99/night plus taxes and fees.  Reservations must be made no later than October 2 in order to get the event rates.

We've had a lot of requests for an event focused on writing and penmanship in the early 19th century and we are pleased to announce that we have finalized details on a workshop in August!  This two-part event, to be held on August 3, will be led by R. B. Bartgis, a public historian and conservator technician who has given lectures on the material culture of literacy throughout the eastern U.S.  "Writing in Austen's England" will begin with an hour-long lecture on the ins and outs of writing and literacy during the first decades of the 19th century.  For those of you who want to get more hands-on, we will conclude with a workshop which will allow you to practice cutting a quill, writing letters in period style, as well as folding and sealing letters. 

Pricing is available for both the lecture alone or a combination lecture/workshop admission, however, space is limited for the workshop portion of the event (and only open to non-members starting June 15).  Be sure to get your registration in soon to save your spot!

We apologize for the inconvenience, but we have had to cancel this Friday's (April 26) Regency Dance Practice.  We hope that you will join us at our next regularly scheduled practice on Friday, May 3!

Another quality merchant has joined our family of RSV Member-Friendly Merchants:  The Lady Detalle!  Specializing in historically-inspired accessories to make any Regency lady look fabulous, Lady Detalle carries jewelry, reticules, sashes, saris and shawls, and more!  RSV members are eligible for a 10% discount on their entire purchase when they enter the coupon code (found on the members' side of the RSV website) at checkout.  A big thanks to The Lady Detalle for supporting our members!

If you've been looking forward to our dance practices' return, look no further!  Dance practices will begin once more starting Friday, February 15, 2019 at 6:30pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Portsmouth.  As in the past, practices are free to all regardless of RSV membership status and do not require any partner or experience with English Country Dance.  After the first practice on the 15th, we will hold practices every other Friday thereafter.  Registration for these practices is strongly encouraged.  You can let us know that you will be there for our 2019 inaugural practice by registering here.  We hope that you will join us next Friday!