February may be the shortest month of the year, but we have some big plans for it. Namely, check out the announcement from Kevin Steil, the Airship Ambassador, after the jump about “Steampunk Hands Around the World,” a new blogging even spanning the aetherwebz to highlight steampunk communities around the globe. If you are looking for some new people to meet, I highly recommend following along this month. For offline funtimes, people can check out the steampunk and “of-steam-interest” events below, gathered here with the help of our guest contributor & fellow Tor author Leanna Renee Hieber.
Anyone we’ve overlooked can give a plug in the comments below. Want to see your event here next month? Email me at attic.hermit@gmail.com with the details by February 15th
Steampunk Hands Around the World
February 2–28, Hashtag #SteampunkHands
A multi-format month-long event to celebrate the global steampunk community in its many forms and expressions and the friendships to be made in every conversation. Blogs, videos, artwork and events make up this celebration of people and creativity. Join in on February 2 with the kick off blog from Kevin Steil, Airship Ambassador, and follow along every day for new presentations from around the world.
Steampunk Immersion Weekend—A Dark Victorian Romance
Feb 14–16, Indianapolis, IN
The Circle City Aerodrome is pleased to host our Second Annual Steampunk Weekend; the theme “A Dark Victorian Romance,” will sweep you from the depths of absinthe-driven madness, to the heights of multi-dimensional romance, and on through the twisted machinations of our Penny Dreadful interactive theatre. Focusing on an intimate immersion experience rather than a convention, you, our welcome traveler, will spend the weekend in a gorgeous, fully restored Victorian era private club that dates back to 1889. Let us whisk you away to an unexplored dimension, where you may sample the best our Aerodrome offers in the way of aesthetics, science, refined hedonism, curiosities and wonders collected from across the multiverse, and entertainments ranging from the thoroughly educational to the highly prurient. The overall event in the Columbia Club is free and open to the public. Special experiences, such as the Afternoon Tea, Pub Crawl, Workshops, Masquerade Ball, and various Tastings are priced a la carte.
AnachroCon
Feb 14–16, Atlanta, GA
AnachroCon, founded in 2009, is the premier place in the Southern United States for people to celebrate Historical Reenacting, Alternate History, Steampunk, Sciences, Horror, Etiquette & Indulgence, Fashion, Fabrication, Literature & Media, Costuming and socialize with people of like minds. We strive to bring you the best possible guests and experts in their respective fields so that you may leave the convention relaxed, educated, entertained and wanting more!
STEAMpunk Scientific Exhibition at the Rosson House Museum
Feb 28–Mar 2, Phoenix, Arizona
Some of you may be fans of the science and inventions of a bygone time. This year we’d like to help you explore that passion. We have partnered with the Serendipity Center for Informal Learning to bring you the 2nd Annual STEAMpunk Scientific Exhibition: a Community Science Fair. This is a participant-driven event highlighting the science and invention at the turn of the 20th Century.
Tokyo Inventors Society presents Steam Garden, episode: 6 “Dragon Princess”
Feb 22—Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
The year is 1880, and the Tokyo Inventors Society land their airship at the busy port of Long Haigang. This prosperous island nation is ready to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Ambassadors, traders and rogues from all around the world gather here, but they have another secret purpose...to steal the power of the “tears of the dragon”. The mysterious artifact belongs to islands ruler, a princess with one dragon’s hand. As more and more ships arrive, our adventure begins!
Leanna Recommends:
Greetings, Dear Readers! Leanna Renee Hieber here, actress, playwright and Gothic Historical Fantasy author for Tor. I’m excited to share with you a few ideas for making your February Steampunk-tastic.
TempleCon
Feb 6–9, Warwick, RI
I’ve a lot to say about TempleCon, it’s the premiere event I look forward to every year. Maybe I’m biased as I’ve been a featured Guest Author for many years, but it’s truly an event I do not miss year in and year out. For several reasons, one being that the staff is lovely and talented, and lastly and perhaps most importantly; the focus on Retro-Futurism as an all-encompassing genre.
All the ‘punks’ have a place in this choir; from Diesel-punk to Deco-punk to Rococo-punk, “retro-futurism” includes them all and thusly the focus broadens to history in general and how we punk it; how we make history ours today. Every year this convention takes on a new theme, this time, “The Year is 1984” and the Orwellian dynamics will be undoubtedly fascinating.
With such a modern retro, the focus can simply be on Punk as we know it as an influence on our lives today. I’m excited because I’m a proud Goth girl, so, the 80s are a specific influence on my life today. (But if you ever see me in person, it’s quite clear that when I say the 80’s I know I mean the 1880s... I dress like I write: Gothic Victorian.) TempleCon began chiefly as a gaming convention and I’m so pleased to have been at least a small part of its expansion onto greater literary and various artistic ventures, as the event sports a high tea, a fashion show (the former at which I’ll present, the latter at which I’ll be a judge), and lots of fabulous live music. The vendor halls are full of great artisans, the crowd is a great mix of styles and interests. I have found it to be a friendly and welcoming place.
And let it not go unsaid one of my very favourite bands is playing Friday night: Ego Likeness.
Advance registration is currently closed but day passes are available at the door. Can’t make it this year? Like their FB page, follow them on Twitter @TempleCon and consider it next year.
And another plug for STEAMPUNK HANDS AROUND THE WORLD!
I learned about this via one of my favourite blogs, Steampunk India, who in turn was asked by the illustrious Airship Ambassador Kevin Steil, who you’ve met here as one of your event curators, to take part in his initiative! Via Steampunk India:
“I am very pleased to have been asked to contribute to a project called Steampunk Hands around the World, a month long event in February 2014 showing and sharing that Steampunk and the community is global and as such, all Steampunks everywhere are connected. The central theme is that of global connection and friendship.” Here’s Steampunk India’s post about it. Join the party on Twitter via #SteampunkHands
The Airship Archon at the Westerville Library for a Steampunk Fashion Show
Feb 9—Westerville, OH
Lastly, I shine the spotlight on my dear ones over at the Airship Archon in Columbus, Ohio for one of their upcoming events on February 9th. I ADORE this ship. So if you are ANYWHERE near Columbus, Ohio and you fail to attend this event on February 9th at the Westerville Library, face my wrath. About the event, from the utterly fabulous Airship Capitan, Tony Ballard-Smoot:
“Join The Airship Archon at the Westerville Library for a Steampunk Fashion Show. The Alley Vintage and Costume will be presenting the best of Victorian/Edwardian and Contemporary Steampunk Fashions. After the fashion show The Airship Archon is docking at the Westerville library! Visit with members of the crew as they share their love of Steampunk with the library! These costumed interpreters are ready to answer questions and talk about their costumes, characters, what Steampunk is and what life is like onboard a Steampunk airship.”
\Have a beautiful February, Dear Reader!
Additional Events from Around the World:
19th Century Society Meeting & Tea Swap
Feb 3—New York, NY
First, we are making plans for our two biggest events this spring: The Victorian Gothic Literature Lecture and The New York Nineteenth Century Extravaganza! There are also lectures and participatory events in the makings for your learning and entertainment. We are also looking for participants and volunteers who would like to help us with the upcoming events. If you would like to join, or have a proposal for us, feel free to contact us at letters@nyncs.org
Science Fiction Meets Steampunk! at the Rake’s End
Feb 7—Cincinnati, OH
For those who may need a fix before the Voodoo Carnival, this is a music show, Sci-Fi/Steampunked themed. Acts including Jared Presley, AUTOMATON and Sherspock. Steampunk Music, Video Game Music, and Doctor Who and Sherlock BBC inspired music will be had! FREE SHOW!
Valentine’s Day Clockwork Ball—A Steampunk Party
Feb 14—Saxapahaw, NC
Featuring DJs Emmet Davenport and Lady Attercop! Attention Pilots of Airships and their Crews, Mad Scientists, Explorers of the Unknown, Admirers of Verbosity, Respecters of the Strange, Those Lost in the Throes of Absinthe, Teetotalers, Scallywags, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dandies, Fops, and Urchins... Join us on Valentine’s Day, Friday February 14th! Hosted by that darling DJ duo - Emmett Davenport & Lady Nikolai Attercop (both of The Clockwork Cabaret). Jazz, Blues, Swing, Dark Cabaret, Gypsy Punk, Gypsy Jazz & Dance music from times gone by or times that never were. Appropriate Attire is Encouraged, but never required.
3rd annual Steampunk Convivial
Feb 22 – Surrey, England, United Kingdom
It is primarily a family fun day, with a fancy dress theme. There is a suggested dress code which is Victorian/Steampunk - and whilst dressing up is not compulsory of course, it is highly encouraged! There will be an wonderful array of stalls selling hand-made jewelry and other items, so come prepared to do some shopping!
There will be musical entertainment during the day, as well as lots of silly sporting events such as snail racing, tea dueling, and costumed ostrich racing. (That’s ostrich costumes, not ostriches in costumes...) Indoors, there will be talks, exhibitions and book readings, story-telling and all manner of things to delight and entertain throughout the day. There will be a miniature hot air balloon attempt outdoors once again (This has never yet been successful, but you never know...) and remote controlled helium balloon zeppelins inside the hall. In the evening, we have some great music lined up for your pleasure!
Ay-leen the Peacemaker works at Tor Books, runs the multicultural steampunk blog Beyond Victoriana, pens academic things, and tweets. Oh wait, she has a tumblr too.
Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, playwright and the award-winning, bestselling author of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels such as the Strangely Beautiful saga, the Magic Most Foul saga and the forthcoming Eterna Files saga for Tor.
Her work has appeared in numerous acclaimed anthologies and chosen for national book club editions and translated in to many languages. A proud member of performers unions Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA,
Leanna works often in film and television on shows like Boardwalk Empire. An unabashed Goth girl and proud Malfoy, she loves corsets, long walks through graveyards and visiting Family in Salem. She resides in New York City with her husband and their beloved rescued lab rabbit. Visit her website, follow her on Twitter or Facebook.
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