Within the intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual tapestry of humankind's brief stroll through time and space, underlying threads cab be pulled which reveal subtle and decidedly, unsubtle patterns woven throughout the systems of belief. Examine these stitches in time closer and we discover, in the intricately woven schemes, symbols representing the meaning we so desperately search for in our lives. Pluck a thread and the Punk movement unravels before you, emerging inside this thread is the Steampunk culture.
For the newly initiated, Steampunk is the mixture resulting from the combination of Rube Goldberg machinery, literature, cyberpunk technology, and Victorian fashion. A combination that could produce, if we are not careful, that most volatile by-product known to man - independent thinking. A dream for some, but a nightmare for those in power or somehow deeply invested in the predominant social norms.
The cycle of social change has been examined and reexamined many times over. Virtually every independent movement has been met with resistance by the cultural police. Do-gooders, religious hierarchy, and the unimaginative hate to deal with subversive thoughts. And the subversive thoughts most repelling to the bosses are, conveniently, ideas that challenge the rule maker's position of power. But you can't stop them all, can you?
It's the change that sneaks up on us from the ignored, underestimated intellectual nether regions that gets through and changes the status quo. Steampunk has adherents from many backgrounds. In a few years, I would not be surprised at hearing the curmudgeons saying, "...but they seemed so harmless at the time." They always do; don't they?
Want to learn more? Well, right in my backyard is an opportunity to fulfilling your wishes.
Wired describes the festivities thusly:
Imagine a world where steam power and clockwork mechanisms are the cutting edge of technology. A neo-Victorian setting, with Charles Babbage’s great Engine running calculations, inventors competing to outdo each others’ greatest works and Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s airships flying overhead. SteamPowered Events, Inc. announces Steam Powered: The California Steampunk Convention 2008, October 31st through November 2nd at the gorgeous Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale, California.
Steam Powered will be two and a half days of Steampunk immersion! The event will be located at the beautiful Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale, California. Special room rates will be available shortly. Click here to see what the Domain Hotel has to offer.
A rough sketch of the calendar is:
Friday October 31st
11am-4pm Vendor and event set-up
4:00pm Registration opens, Vendor Hall open
6:00pm Opening Reception - come in costume! Gamer's Guild opens
6:00pm-Midnight Game Room
7:00pm-Midnight Parties & hospitality Suites
8:00pm - 11:00pm SteamPunk's Ball: Victorian dance, Steampunk style!
11:00pm Costume contest - cash prizes!
Saturday November 1st
10am - 6pm Convention events: Speakers, Panels & Workshops TBA; Gamer's Guild, Steampunk Workshop, Dealer's Den, Art Gallery, Maker's Area
6 - 8pm Hospitality Suites - Leather Tea, etc.
10:00am-Midnight Game Room
9:00pm - 1am Party at the Center of the Earth - Headliners: The #1 Steampunk Band, Abney Park with Platform one, DJ Neshamah & DJ Anders *off-site venue with free motor coach transportation for hotel guests.
Sunday November 2nd
10am - 6pm Convention events: Speakers, Panels & Workshops TBA; Gamer's Guild, Steampunk Workshop, Dealer's Den, Art Gallery, Maker's Area
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