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 Netflix’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: EMMA 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, Bill Nighy, 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.