Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition

Programs, Presentations, and Workshop Listings

Please note that programs, individual workshops times and compositions are subject to change. Please check signage at the Exhibition for any last minute changes.

We shall be offering the following Presentations, Panels and Workshops:

AMERICAN DREADNOUGHT

Patrick McKercher presents a brief overview of early human powered submarines leading into Civil War ironclads (some of them ending up in South America). Coverage includes Colt, Verne, Holland, Tesla, Lincoln, Erikson, and Napoleon! Sunday, 10:00-11-15, East Room

CASTING & WORKING WITH RESINS, SILICONE & PLASTER

James Currie, Dave Nutty, Jade Falcon, Gwyan Rhabyt

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions; in & out privileges throughout. Sunday, 10:00-11:45, Placer Room

COSTUMING IN CHARACTER, CHARACTER IN COSTUME

Sophia St. Clair (M), Ryan Galiotto, Jean Martin, Anders Hudson, Alexander Logan

Creating a persona to go with your attire, or attire to go with your persona. Sunday, 1:00-2:15, West Room

DUNGEONS & DICKENS

Mike Perschon

What happens when a Game Master mixes J.R.R. Tolkien and Jules Verne into one gaming world? Come find out how to apply brass goggles, airships, and clockwork automatons to your roleplaying campaign, through a discussion of online resources, a brief review of some of the steampunk RPGs, and a look at the best miniatures for steampunk campaigns. Sunday, 2:30-3:45, East Room

FIBER ARTS ~ KNITTING, EMBROIDERY, & QUICK TRIMS

Miss Kalendar, Rachel Young, John Mitchell, Jade Falcon, Francesca Myman

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions. Raw materials may be available at some vendor booths! In & out privileges throughout. Saturday, 4:00-5:45, Placer Room

THE FOGLIO’S PRESENT

Artist Guests of Honor Phil and Kaja Foglio

The geniuses behind the award-winning Girl Genius, offer up an illustrated question and answer session about their work and future projects! Saturday, 1:30-2:45, East Room

GIRL GENIUS RADIO THEATRE

GOH Phil Foglio, GOH Kaja Foglio

Girl Genius authors Kaja and Phil Foglio, along with a handpicked cast of several, invite you to an irreverent (and not especially canon) live radio theater presentation of the continuing adventures of Agatha Heterodyne: Girl Genius! Sunday, 10:00-11:15, West Room

GREAT EXHIBITIONS & THEIR CULTURAL ROLES

Howard Hendrix (M), Chris Garcia, Thomas Strange, Ariane Wolfe, Gwyan Rhabyt

What’s the appeal of a great exhibition and what role did they play in society, mind, and imagination? What were they really like? How do they relate to the modern steampunk movement? Sunday, 2:30-3:45, West Room

INTERVIEW WITH LITERARY GUEST OF HONOR JAMES BLAYLOCK

The intrepid Mr. Chris Garcia interviews our Literary Guest of Honor, Author James Blaylock. Sunday, 1:00-2:15, East Room

IT ALL STARTED WITH A PUFF OF STEAM

Howard V. Hendrix (M), Mike Perschon, Alexander Logan, Jean Martin, Liz Gorinsky

Origin and history of steam-punk. Saturday, 10:00 to 11:15, West Room

JON SARRIUGARTE ON HOW TO USE YOUR STEAMPUNK GOGGLES

Maker Guest of Honor Jon Sarriugarte presents on goggles in action: welding, sparks flying and his various evil genius inventions, as well as the maker mentality, and anything else that strikes his fancy. Sunday, 11:30-12:45, East Room

KINETICS, MOVEMENT & ENGINEERING

Kimric Smythe, George Chlentzos, Patrick McKercher, Dave Nutty, GOH Jon Sarriugarte (who will do a Tesla Coil demonstration)

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions. Raw materials may be available at some vendor booths! In & out privileges throughout. Saturday, 12:00-1:45, Placer Room

LEATHER WORKING

Thomas D. Willeford, Iana Iasiello, John Mitchell

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions. Raw materials may be available at some vendor booths! In & out privileges throughout. Sunday, 2:00-3:45, Placer Room

THE MARIONETTE UNIT

Abi Caruthers, Jett Dunlap

The team behind the feature “The Marionette Unit” will be showing the exclusive concept teaser trailer titled “Inception”. It is an introduction into the story and world of the film and your chance to get involved with the film before it goes into production later this year. Sunday, 4:00-5:15, East Room

METAL MACHINING & MANIPULATION

George Chlentzos, Patrick McKercher

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions. Raw materials may be available at some vendor booths! In & out privileges throughout. Sunday, 12:00-1:45, Placer Room

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE STEAM

GOH James Blaylock, Liz Gorinsky, Francesca Myman, Gail Carriger (M), J. Daniel Sawyer

Steampunk voices in the literary world, authors and editors discuss where steampunk is going and where it has been. Saturday, 11:30 to 12:45, West Room

SEWING, PATTERN DRAFTING, TAILORING & MODIFICATION

Jade Falcon, Sophia St. Claire, Sarah DeLong, Iana Iasiello, Rachel Young, Julie Porter

Maker workshop – bring your own projects, see Expert demos & ask questions. Raw materials may be available at some vendor booths! In & out privileges throughout. Saturday, 10:00-11:45, Placer Room

STEAM WARS

Mike Perschon

While steampunk continues to defy attempts at definition, it is Steampunk Scholar Mike Perschon’s contention that it is a visual aesthetic. This aesthetic can be seen clearly in a comparison between the well-known cultural icons of Star Wars and their steampunk counterparts, through an examination of images by a handful of digital artists who took part in CGSociety’s challenge to apply a steampunk approach to the Star Wars universe. Saturday, 4:30-5:45, East Room

STEAMPUNK FANS IN ACTION

Chris Garcia, Mike Perschon, J. Daniel Sawyer (M), Jean Martin, Liz Gorinsky

Steampunk zines, podcasts, websites, blogs, and more. For those who are involved and those who want to be. Sunday, 11:30-12:45, West Room

STEAMPUNK GARB FOR LIFE ON A BUDGET

Jade Falcon, Ryan Galiotto, Jean Martin, Gail Carriger (M), Heather McDougal

Modifying and adapting everyday wear. Making steampunk gear out of found objects and clothing. Saturday, 1:30-2:45, West Room

STEAMPUNK MUSIC JAM

George Chlentzos, Anders Hudson, Julie Porter

Come and join in this anything goes musical event -bring your own steampunk instrument and see what music happens! Saturday, 2:00-3:45, Placer Room

STEAMPUNK PHILOSOPHY

J. Daniel Sawyer, Mike Perschon (M), Liz Gorinsky, GOH James Blaylock, Thomas Strange

Is there a philosophy behind steampunk? If so what is it? If not, what should it be? Saturday, 3:00-4:15, West Room

STEAMPUNK TECHNOLOGY

GOH Jon Sarriugarte, Patrick McKercher, Alexander Logan, Mark Anderson (M), Heather McDougal

Making and creating past inventions for the future. Discussing the Maker mentality, why the rise of Steampunk? Why now? Saturday, 4:30-5:45, West Room

THOSE WACKY VICTORIANS

Chris Garcia

Presentation and discussion on A brief history of steam power, the great exhibitions & fairs that helped push forward the state of the art, as well as bringing about strange innovations no one ever thought possible. Saturday, 10:00 to 11:15, East Room

Just Added! THE (STEAMY) WORLD OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Michael Kurland

A presentation and vigorous discussion by acclaimed Holmes author Michael Kurland. Saturday, 3:00 to 4:15, East Room

YOUR TESLA IS STEAM-POWERED

Alexander Logan

A brief history of steam power (from Hero to Fulton) followed by an exploration of how the modern world still runs on steam power, whether we know it or not. Saturday, 11:30 to 12:45, East Room

Workshop Locations:

East Room: The eastern half of the Top of the Bay Room on the 14th floor.

Presentations from The Royal Pundit Society will take place here.

West Room: The western half of the Top of the Bay Room on the 14th floor.

This is where you’ll find Salon Discussions & Intellectual Debate Club.

Placer Room: Also on the 14th floor, houses the

Maker’s Interactive Workshops & Evil Genius Activity Center.

A Word About The Weather

Nova Albion’s outdoor area is dependent upon the weather… all those with influence over such things are encouraged to put their best efforts forward!

For the nonce, and despite the intermittent showers this week, no rain is predicted for the weekend by those with the talent to fore-cast! Let us hope the weather decides to cooperate…

A Frightening and Powerful Alt History: The Marionette Unit

How does one write a review for a movie that has yet to happen? Can you do it?

I have just been introduced to The Marionette Unit. A fledgling project still only in the concept phases, and being produced in an innovative and “nonlinear” manner, this promises to be a profound and chilling film. The story is set in “an alternate Victorian England… where all creativity, art and individual expression is state-controlled”. But that description only hints at the extraordinary story about to be unleashed!

The Marionette Unit - Concept Art by Raine Kuusi

“In a world where steam instruments and power control our lives…

The Marionette Unit is a theatre show where machine and human have been fused together. A musical machine that resembles a twisted tortured church organ, run with valves, steam and electricity, is connected by a mass of electrical cables to three ballet dancers, who have the wires fused into their bodies. The dancers are controlled by the machine much to the amazement of the Victorian audience. Continue reading A Frightening and Powerful Alt History: The Marionette Unit

From Our Brass Sponsor: Gentleman’s Emporium!

Yes, Virginia, There Will be Books!

This is, after all, a gathering based upon a genre of fiction (at the very heart), and it seems to me that it would be a particular crime to shirk our literary obligations. Our Author Guest of Honor, James Blaylock, has too many books under his belt to mention here… but you can (and should) take a look at this list of James’ writings.

Not being an expert myself, (though certainly a fan), I asked Steampunk author Gail Carriger for a list of books in the genre that she recommends. [You can see her recommended reading list here]. Gail will be speaking at Nova Albion alongside several other talented authors and editors, including J. Daniel Sawyer,Francesca Myman, Howard V. Hendrix and more. I was delighted to find that between Borderlands Books and Tachyon Publications (for new print), Studio Foglio (for graphic novels) and Books and Treasures (for antiquarian), we will have nearly every book on the list - and quite probably many, many more – in Nova Albion’s Traders’ Concourse!

Tor Books editor Liz Gorinsky will also be at the Exhibition. I (quite happily) hold her responsible for Tor’s Steampunk Month, launched last year! Click here for Liz’s recommended reading list.

And yes – I will confirm the rumor that we shall, in fact, have a written piece from G. D. Falksen (who I hear is working on a novel based on his Cities of Ether) in the event program!

Let there be books!

Aetheric Messaging Delivery at Nova Albion!

The dream of wireless printing telegraphy has at last been achieved!

The Aetheric Message Machine Company, Ltd., will be demonstrating its printing telegraph machine at the Exhibition. The Machine receives wireless messages sent to it, and automatically prints them.

According to John Nagle, from the Aetheric Message Machine Co, Ltd., “

The first printing telegraph was developed in 1841. By the 1870s, printing telegraphs, in the form of “stock tickers”, were in use in financial centers. These Victorian-era machines printed letters on a long, narrow paper tape.

Our message machine uses a somewhat later design, the Teletype Model 15, introduced in 1930. This is the most reliable of the early teletype machines. About 200,000 units were built, and thousands still exist. The elaborate machinery was usually hidden inside an opaque case, and we are enclosing it in a brass and glass case to give it a Victorian look and to show off the complexity of the machine, with its many moving parts.”

Continue reading Aetheric Messaging Delivery at Nova Albion!

Dark Garden Corsetry Unleashes Dollymop Line on Unsuspecting Public!

Dark Garden Dollymops by Russ Young

In an exclusive steam-powered Fashion Show at Nova Albion’s Party at the Center of the Earth, Dark Garden Unique Corsetry will officially launch their fantastic new line: Dollymop for Dark Garden – a Steampunk Collection! The Dollymop Collection is a hot, neo-Victorian and steam culture-inspired collaboration between Dark Garden founder and fashion designer Autumn Adamme and accessories designer Kalico Delafay. Continue reading Dark Garden Corsetry Unleashes Dollymops on Unsuspecting Public!

A reminder to all our attendees…

The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition is proud to host the Maker’s Interactive Workshop & Evil Genius Activity Center.

Experts will be on hand both at different times during the day on Saturday & Sunday in a special area doing demonstrations but also eager to answer your questions and help you out with your special project.

Subjects will include:

sewing, pattern drafting & modification
engineering mechanical movements including a Tesla Coil demonstration
knitting, embroidery, quick trims, and ribbon flower making
casting & working with resins, silicon & plaster
metal machining and manipulation
basic tips for leather working

Also there will be a musical jam, hopefully including some homemade steampunk instruments.

Get a Charge Out of Our Tesla Coil!

Maker Guest of Honor Jon Sarriugarte will be firing up a vintage Hogan High Frequency Apparatus at the Steampunk Exhibition!

I did a little research, and it seems that this was a popular a medical device! There is a scan of a 1922 manual for the High Frequency Aparatus, explaining its many medical uses, background, design and set-up in the online library of the [Electrotherapy Museum site]. The manual cites that it was Nikola Tesla who, in 1891, originally suggested that high frequency could be used therapeutically. Vacuum Electrode Treatment for Sciatica seems to have been one of the more popular uses of the day… Continue reading Get a (Medical) Charge Out of Our Tesla Coil!

Girl Genius Radio Theatre-on-the-Go

Girl Genius authors Kaja and Phil Foglio, along with a “hand-picked cast of several”, invite you to what they refer to as “an irreverent (and not especially canon) live radio theater presentation of the continuing adventures of Agatha Heterodyne: Girl Genius”!

From the [GirlGeniusOnline] site:

For the last few years, Studio Foglio has been performing Girl Genius “radio dramas” live at Science Fiction conventions and events in the Seattle area. These are done in the style of old-time radio productions, with all of us standing around the microphone doing our lines in front of an appreciative crowd.

Join the Professors Foglio as they perform and broadcast live from the Steampunk Exhibition! You can also listen two earlier GG Radio Theater Podcasts here: http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/radio/radio.php

Delightful and Whimsical

Johnny Payphone is a self-proclaimed “Contraptor, metalworker, global activist, (and) steampunk”. He is a member of the Neverwas Haul crew and spends a good deal of his time, well… contrapting! Especially vehicles of the pedaled persuasion, of which he seems to have many.

Enter, the Pennyfakething.

Continue reading Delightful and Whimsical Pennyfakethings on the Way!

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