Steampunk and its growing following

[groomporter]

Just got back from Teslacon in Madison, WI as guest demonstrators playing our period games and especially featuring our game Pope Joan which was popular in the 1800's.

The theme was that the hotel was actually an airship and we were on the maiden voyage of the new HMS Explorer II. The first night was pleasant, but for a attempted sabotage "killing" a crew member, and starting an on-going interactive mystery. We were busy demonstrating our games, but my gist of the storyline is that much of London has been by a Tesla weapon launched from a stolen airship that is the sister ship of the one we are on, and is in the hands of a evil mastermind.

I attended a panel on men's steampunk fashions. the panelists seemed knowledgeable about clothing for the 1800's but I didn't really learn anything I didn't know but then I've done reenacting for a while now...

No plastic badges were required like at big Scifi cons, rather we were issued nicely printed "passports" which would get stamped to show if you have paid for some additional features like unlimited coffee/tea from the tea room, and help keep track of something regarding the on-going mystery.

The mystery involved 8 scenes over the course of the weekend as an interactive play and attendees are encouraged to talk to each other about potential clues throughout the event and watch for the agents of the evil Dr. Proctocus

There were something over 400 attendees. Sounds like they've already decided they will need a larger hotel next year for a submarine voyage setting, and are possibly planning a trip to the moon for 2012. It was a well organized event for a first year and we're definitely planning on going back. There were people from as far as Wyoming, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

A few pics http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=292904&id=673048898&l=4abea70625

[groomporter]

Stylin' the new hat, for 18th, 19th century and steampunk use

[Taffy Saltwater]

Snazzy new headwear, GP!  Sounds like TeslaCon was well set up.

[crashbot]

I don't know how many of you guys are familiar with Demonia shoes/boots. They are a cheap but durable brand mostly, we goths and punks have been wearing them for years.

Anyway, they have a steampunk line now.

http://www.pleaserusa.com/regular.asp?div=2%5FDEMONIA&dpt=1%5FWOMEN&ctg=60%5FPUNK&WebFormat=12&PW=150&PH=150

http://www.pleaserusa.com/regular.asp?div=2%5FDEMONIA&dpt=2%5FUNSEX&ctg=10%5FPUNK&WebFormat=12&PW=150&PH=150

Basically, they are the same boots we gothy types have been wearing for a long time, with some steampunk adornment. The mens boots are kinda lame, but the womens stuff looks pretty good.

[groomporter]

One of the interesting things about Teslacon was that we saw lots of people we knew from the MN/WI Renfair community as well as the midwest historical reenacting community, so it seems to be drawing people from a large cross-over of historical hobbyists.

[groomporter]

Someone else's Teslacon pics
http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z408/Tinted_Fish/TeslaCon%201/?start=all

[The Lady Mercedes]

I don't know how many of you guys are familiar with Demonia shoes/boots. They are a cheap but durable brand mostly, we goths and punks have been wearing them for years.

Anyway, they have a steampunk line now.

http://www.pleaserusa.com/regular.asp?div=2%5FDEMONIA&dpt=1%5FWOMEN&ctg=60%5FPUNK&WebFormat=12&PW=150&PH=150

http://www.pleaserusa.com/regular.asp?div=2%5FDEMONIA&dpt=2%5FUNSEX&ctg=10%5FPUNK&WebFormat=12&PW=150&PH=150

Basically, they are the same boots we gothy types have been wearing for a long time, with some steampunk adornment. The mens boots are kinda lame, but the womens stuff looks pretty good.

Yes the Tesla line-they're friggen awesome!

[Rani Zemirah]

TeslaCOn sounds amazing, GP!!!  Wish I could get to something big like that one of these days! 

Crash, those shoes and boots are gorgeous, although I wish they had a lower heeled version!  I don't have to have flats, but I can't do the really high ones, either.  Great styles, though... 

[Delireus]

I've seen all those shoes everywhere! (by everywhere, I mean like 3 other steampunk sites, not just around town. But that'd be cool if they were). I swear I'd wear these every day! - http://www.pleaserusa.com/ProductDetail.asp?div=2_DEMONIA&dpt=1_WOMEN&ctg=60_PUNK&STYLE_CD=CRYPTO-301&PROD_CD=CRYP301%2FBN%2FMF

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh... LOVE the new chapeau, btw, GP!!!  Looks like it will lend itself to lots of different styles! 

[Zardoz]

If this has not come up already, If you're in the Houston area, there are some SP activities this year at the 37th Annual Galveston Dickens on The Strand Victorian festival , the first weekend in December, 12/4-5/10.

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Dickens_New_Events.asp

[Rani Zemirah]

That sounds like so very much fun!  There are so many events down in the Houston area...  If the weather were more mild in the summer I would seriously think of moving down there! 

[groomporter]

Article on Teslacon
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_5c1adba8-ead4-11df-b39a-001cc4c03286.html

[dbaldock]

That sounds like so very much fun!  There are so many events down in the Houston area...  If the weather were more mild in the summer I would seriously think of moving down there! 

We have Air Conditioning here, and Hurricanes, too... 

[Rani Zemirah]

Air conditioning is not enough to make up for being physically ill every time I step outside for 6 months out of the year, though... unfortunately.  I can't live half my life inside, either!