NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ______August 12, 2021 Contact: Diana L. Klink Office: 757.514.4104 Mobile: 757.359.1845

Tim Kelley Office: 757.514.4103 Mobile: 757.871.3039

PASSPORT TO THE REGENCY ERA: EXAMINING EARLY 19TH CENTURY SOCIETY AND CULTURE

SUFFOLK, VA (August 12, 2021): In the wake of the worldwide success of ’s popular Bridgerton series, Suffolk Tourism has partnered with several community organizations for Passport To The Regency Era, a series of events and activities focusing on early 19th century (1811-1820) culture. Event partners include the Regency Society of Virginia, Stillwater Tea House, Suffolk Art Gallery, Suffolk Art League, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Suffolk- Nansemond Historical Society, Suffolk Public Library, and Suffolk Tourism. Passport to The Regency Era programs and activities are presented below:

. REGENCY-ERA HAT MAKING CRAFT STATION AT THE SUFFOLK FARMERS’ MARKET Saturday, August 28 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Suffolk Farmers’ Market | 524 N. Main Street The Suffolk Art League will be onsite at the Suffolk Farmers’ Market, with an arts and crafts station, focusing on Regency-era hat making. Presented by the Suffolk Art League. Free.

. AFTERNOON TEA & FASHION SHOW Saturday, August 28 | 2 - 4 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Join us for a decadent afternoon tea, provided by Stillwater Tea House, along with a fashion show featuring historically accurate fashions from the Regency era, provided by members of the Regency Society of Virginia, and accompanied by period music. Limited tickets available at StillwaterTeaHouse.com for $30 per person and include two savories, two treats, a scone with jam and cream, and a variety of teas to try; guests will receive a souvenir ticket and parting gift. Exhibits by Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, Suffolk Tourism, Suffolk Library, and the Regency Society of Virginia. Reservations required.

. FILM SERIES A SEASON OF HISTORIC ROMANCE AT THE CENTER: PRIDE & PREJUDICE Thursday, September 16 | 7 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennett meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. Can Lizzie and Mr. Darcy overcome their own pride and prejudice to find their soul mates? The all-star cast includes Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, and Brenda Blethyn. This 2005 film is rated PG and has a running time of 129 minutes. Tickets are $3 per person and may be purchased online at SuffolkCenter.org. Sponsored by Suffolk Tourism.

. FILM SERIES A SEASON OF HISTORIC ROMANCE AT THE CENTER: Thursday, September 23 | 7 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Restless queen bee Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that’s been there all along. The all-star cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, , Josh O’Connor, Miranda Hart, and Johnny Flynn. This 2020 film is rated PG and has a running time of 124 minutes. Tickets are $3 per person and may be purchased online at SuffolkCenter.org. Sponsored by Suffolk Tourism.

. PUB TRIVIA NIGHT: ETIQUETTE, ELEGANCE, AND BRIDGERTON BABES Thursday, September 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Knotts Coffee Company | 1500 Bridgeport Way, Suite 110 Calling all quizmasters, know-it-alls, and fans of regality for this Regency-era-themed pub trivia night at Knotts Coffee Company. The winners will receive their own copy of The Duke And I (the first book in the Bridgerton series) and a gift certificate to Knotts Coffee Company, so gather up all your lords and ladies to form a distinguished team. Ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Public Library; prizes sponsored by Suffolk Tourism. Free.

. FILM SERIES A SEASON OF HISTORIC ROMANCE AT THE CENTER: SENSE & SENSIBILITY Thursday, September 30 | 7 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Penniless Elinor and Marianne Dashwood—two sisters with very different perspectives on life and love—keep one another in line and give support through death, hardship, love, and friendship in Regency-era England. The all-star cast includes Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, and Greg Wise. This 1995 film is rated PG and has a running time of 136 minutes. Tickets are $3 per person and may be purchased online at SuffolkCenter.org. Sponsored by Suffolk Tourism.

. LIVING HISTORY FAMILY DAY: EXPERIENCE THE REGENCY ERA Saturday, October 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | North Suffolk Library | 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road Enjoy interactive demonstrations of Regency era life! Play period games; learn from War of 1812 reenactors, and experience what life was like as a soldier; meet a doctor, learn about medicine, and see medical instruments of the time; try English Country Dancing; and much more! Presenters are from the Regency Society of Virginia. Some interactive stations will be inside, while others will be right outside the North Suffolk Library. All ages. Presented by Suffolk Public Library. Free.

. SUFFOLK SEWING CIRCLE: REGENCY ERA NEEDLEWORK Thursday, October 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Suffolk Public Library Facebook & YouTube Channels Join the Suffolk Sewing Circle of the Suffolk Public Library and learn how to sew! In this intermediate-level tutorial, you will learn how to do hand embroidery using a Regency- themed design. This pre-recorded Suffolk Sewing Circle video will premiere at 7:30 p.m. on the Suffolk Public Library Facebook and YouTube pages. All participants will receive supplies needed for the class (while supplies last). Please register online at SuffolkPublicLibrary.com to receive your Virtual2Go Pack. You will receive notification when your Pack is available for pickup; packs on hold will be available for 7 business days. Presented by Suffolk Public Library.

. SILHOUETTES: THE “SNAPSHOTS” OF THE REGENCY ERA Wednesday, October 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Learn the art of silhouettes and create your own at this fun workshop! Even though photography had not yet been invented, it was common practice during the Regency era to have a likeness or portrait made of a loved one. But oil paintings were expensive and took many sittings to complete. Even watercolor paintings and high-quality sketches took skill, time, and money. For those who did not have the extra funds to spend on such luxuries, a silhouette was a viable alternative to capture a person’s likeness. $30 per person; includes registration, supplies, and materials. Ages 15+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

. CORSETS AND CONTEXT: HISTORICAL FICTION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Thursday, October 14 | 7 p.m. | Suffolk Art Gallery | 118 Bosley Avenue Meet at the Suffolk Art Gallery for a deep dive into the career of Shonda Rhimes, producer of the hit Netflix television series Bridgerton. Our guide is Dr. Michaela D.E. Meyer, Professor of Communication at Christopher Newport University, and co-editor of the recent volume, Adventures in Shondaland: Identity Politics and the Power of Representation. Dr. Meyer will speak on the acclaimed television producer, her production company Shondaland, and her many popular creations, including Bridgerton. After the talk, Dr. Meyer will be available to sign her new book, which will be available for purchase. Ages 18+ Presented by the Suffolk Public Library and sponsored by Suffolk Tourism. Free.

. DINING DURING THE REGENCY ERA Thursday, October 14 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Dinner time, which was normally at 3 p.m., was one of the showiest and extravagant meals during the Regency era, especially when there were guests! Supper was an evening meal eaten as late as 10 or 11 p.m. This class will concentrate on dining in the nineteenth century and will conclude with participants going home with a period- inspired Marzipan Hedgehog, which they will create! $25 per person. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts and the Regency Society of Virginia.

. “MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?” INTRODUCTION TO REGENCY DANCE Fridays, October 15-November 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Bring your spouse, your neighbor, or your best friend, and learn to reenact dances of the Regency era in a class filled with high steps, laughs, and some good old Regency Ballroom Etiquette. This is a four-week class. $44 per person; ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

. MAKE COMICS THEN: HUMOR AND ILLUSTRATION IN THE REGENCY ERA Saturday, October 16 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Learn about the media of the Regency era and make some relevant illustrations and cartoons of your own! Illustration, cartoons, printmaking, and other forms of print media were very prevalent in the Regency era. Whether political or for amusement, there were various periodicals that were important to the spread of culture at the time, and since it preceded the advent of photography, illustration was particularly essential. $30 per person; ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. . CRAFTS PERFECT FOR GALENTINE’S DAY Saturday, October 16 | 2-4 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Women and children in the Regency era spent their time embroidering, so if you really want to channel their crafty spirit, what better way than by completing an Austen- inspired craft? In this hands-on workshop, you will leave with a Regency era-inspired keepsake that you can take home and cherish for years to come. $30 per person (includes registration, supplies, and materials); ages 15+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

. HAUNTING AT CHUCKATUCK: CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN Saturday, October 16 | 4-8 p.m. | Chuckatuck Library | 5881 Godwin Boulevard Something horrible has befallen Chuckatuck! Frankenstein’s Monster has taken residency inside the Chuckatuck Library! Frankenstein, written during the Regency era by Mary Shelley, is one of the first and most influential horror books of all time. Join us at Chuckatuck to have fun and celebrate one of literature’s best monsters. Come before sunset for family-friendly activities outside and spooky thrills inside. After dark, the terror rises and scares get more intense! Presented by Suffolk Public Library. Free.

. REGENCY PORTRAITURE: PAINTING THE PARTS Wednesday, October 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. In this interactive lecture, learn about the popularity of portraits during the Regency era, just as they had been in previous centuries. Two hundred years ago, a portrait was very often the only image one might have of a friend or family member and each of those portraits required the specialized skills of a portrait painter and took many hours to complete. The production of a portrait was often a complex process, which frequently required the efforts of more than one artist, sometimes in multiple locations. Ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Free.

. EDMOND BLAIR LEIGHTON: “THE FIRST GENTLEMAN OF ENGLAND” AND REGENCY ART Thursday, October 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Explore the work of “’The First Gentleman of England” through this informative and in- depth look at the Regency era master painter. Ages 15+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Free. . DELICIOUS MESS TEA PARTY Friday, October 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Suffolk Public Library Facebook & YouTube Channels Join the Suffolk Public Library as we build our cooking skills, have fun, and highlight library and community resources to broaden your horizons and make messes that end in something delicious. This time, Amy Ford from the Stillwater Tea House, will join us for a program on tea. This pre-recorded video will premiere at 7:30 p.m. online. Presented by Suffolk Public Library. Free.

. QUILTING OR CREATING A COUNTERPANE IN THE REGENCY ERA Saturday, October 23 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Quilting is the process of stitching or tying together two layers of cloth and sandwiching between a layer of a thicker, softer material, such as wool batting or down. It is very important to understand that the true definition of quilting is not the piecing together of many small pieces of different colored cloth; that activity is correctly referred to as piecework. In this class, you will learn to create a quilt. $50 per person (includes registration, supplies, and materials); ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

. “STRIKE A POSE – AN INTRODUCTION TO REGENCY FASHION” Thursday, October 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Beau Brummell. Dolley Madison. Josephine Bonaparte. The early nineteenth century gave the world style icons whose names are still recognizable today. The period from 1790-1820 marked a revolution in both men’s and women’s fashion, leaving behind the embroidered silks and wigs of the eighteenth century for a more natural, simple form of elegance. Join us as we explore this radical transition in clothing and get an up-close view of what went into the styles of this remarkable period in fashion history. Ages 15+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts and the Regency Society of Virginia. Free.

. INKED BAG WORKSHOP Tuesday, November 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Ave. Make your own Inked Bag! Ladies of the Regency era used to create bags—either workbags for their sewing or an item called a “reticule,” which was the forerunner of the purse—out of cotton and they would personalize them in various ways, one of which was embroidery. Another way was through “inking,” which was drawing a design onto the bag with a quill and ink. Fashion magazines of the time would publish embroidery and other designs, and many ladies just traced them onto their bags or even their clothing to create a quick but elegant decoration. $40 per person (includes registration, supplies, and materials); ages 15+. Presented by Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts and the Regency Society of Virginia.

. REGENCY BALL Wednesday, November 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 110 W. Finney Avenue Lords, ladies, and gentlemen: you are cordially invited to attend the event of the season! Put on your best Regency attire and dance the night away at this regal soirée. Details to follow.

. BOOK CLUB: BELLE: THE SLAVE DAUGHTER AND THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE Saturday, November 13 | 2-4 p.m. | True Growf | 201 E. Washington Street Join in the conversation as we discuss Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice, based on the true-life story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. She was born into slavery in the West Indies, but raised as a member of British gentry. The book club will meet for tea and conversation. Registration (online at SuffolkPublicLibrary.com) is required to reserve a copy of the book; the discussion is open to all adults without registration. All participants will be entered to win a Stillwater Tea House gift certificate and a copy of the Belle (2013) Blu-Ray. Presented by Suffolk Public Library; prizes sponsored by Suffolk Tourism. Free.

. GET CREATIVE: REGENCY INSPIRED WATERCOLOR PAINTING Monday, November 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | North Suffolk Library | 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road For this Get Creative, we will create a landscape watercolor painting of the Stourhead Estate, which was featured in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie adaptation. All supplies provided; registration required (online at SuffolkPublicLibrary.com). Ages 18+. Presented by Suffolk Public Library. Free.

To stay informed of all event happenings, like our Facebook page @SuffolkVaPassport. For more information, contact the Stillwater Tea House at StillwaterTeaHouse.com, or 757.353.5694; Suffolk Art Gallery at SuffolkVa.us/Parks, or 757.514.7284; the Suffolk Art League at SuffolkArtLeague.com, or 757.925.0448; the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts at SuffolkCenter.org, or 757.923.0003; the Suffolk Public Library at SuffolkPublicLibrary.com, or 757.514.7323; and Suffolk Tourism at VisitSuffolkVa.com, or 757.514.4130. # # #