Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
It was a journey into the enchanting world of renowned author Jane Austen with a holiday ball hosted by the Mission Viejo Library.
Held at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, guests enjoyed regency-themed dancing, crafts and refreshments on Friday, Dec. 15, at the Austen Ball. Participants engaged in Austen’s literary works with a holiday flare — and in honor of her Dec. 16, 1775, birthday.
The evening featured a live performance by the Capistrano Valley High School flute choir and an accompanying cellist. English country dancing lessons were taught, provided by a live dance caller.
The Austen ball marked the culmination of a month-long series of Jane Austen-inspired programs hosted at the Mission Viejo Library. Throughout four events, participants delved into Austen-themed trivia, enjoyed storytime sessions, experienced the lost art of letter writing and participated in a workshop that offered tips and tricks for crafting ball gowns.
Mission Viejo residents Laurel Skinner, Harry Newman and Sharon Newman, from left, pose for a photo in their time period costumes during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library in celebration of the authorxe2x80x99s birthday, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Devon Ohlwiler, left, of Mission Viejo helps Kaylani Kristjanson, 12, of Rancho Mission Viejo create a Jane Austen-themed Christmas ornament, complete with cutouts of Jane Austen quotes, during a ball celebrating the author's birthday, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Steve and Nancy Fast of Mission Viejo sit together at a table in the ballroom at the Norman P. Murray Center during a Jane Austen-themed ball on Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Capistrano Valley High School Flute Choir perform in the ballroom at the Norman P. Murray Center during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Grace Sheehy, a Children's Librarian at the Mission Viejo Library, and the organizer of Friday's Jane Austen-themed ball at the Norman P. Murray Center, welcomes guests to the event celebrating the author's birthday on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Erlina Mozo of Huntington Beach, Elizabeth Russell of Newport Beach and Kris Martin of Irvine, from left, pose for a photo in their time period costumes during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library in celebration of the authorxe2x80x99s birthday, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Amanda Center of Mission Viejo, Whitney McMackim of Fullerton and Devon Ohlwiler of Mission Viejo, from left, create a Jane Austen-themed Christmas ornaments, complete with cutouts of Jane Austen quotes, during a ball celebrating the author's birthday, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
One ball guest drops a ticket, registering a vote for actor Colin Firth for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, at the "Battle of the Darcys" table during a Jane Austen-themed ball at the Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Katherine Brauer of Mission Viejo drops a ticket, registering a vote for actor Matthew Macfadyen for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, at the "Battle of the Darcys" table during a Jane Austen-themed ball at the Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Heather Dillehunt, a Children's Librarian at the Mission Viejo Library, sits at the "Battle of the Darcys" table, where guests get to vote for their favorite portrayal of the character Mr. Darcy from various screen adaptations of Jane Austen novels, during a celebration of the author's birthday at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Guests wearing attire appropriate to the turn of the 19th century form large circles as they learn how to do English Country Dancing during a Jane Austen-themed ball, hosted by the Mission Viejo Library, at the Norman P. Murray Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The programs were developed by Mission Viejo librarian Grace Sheehy who was influenced by similar balls that she attended in Pasadena and Riverside.
Sheehy wanted to capitalize on the increasing popularity of “Regency romance,” a subgenre that highlights early 1800s British life, made popular by shows like “Bridgerton” on Netflix.
For those who couldn’t attend these events, Genesis Hansen, the director of Library and Cultural Services at the Mission Viejo Library, said future similar programming is in the works.
