Tea and Revolution: an Informal Evening with Margaret Killjoy

Tuesday March 18th at 6:00




Margaret Killjoy, aka Magpie, is an itinerant author and editor.

As an editor he is the founder of SteamPunk Magazine, the editor of Mythmakers and Lawbreakers: Anarchist Writers on Fiction, the co-editor of We Are Many: Reflections on Movement Strategy from Occupation to Liberation and other titles.

He is the author of two books: 

A Country of Ghosts, is set in an alternate nineteenth-century-like world. The protagonist is a journalist covering an empire's war upon a peaceful egalitarian society. The empire is after coal and iron, the people they're attacking are defending a utopian way of life.



What Lies Beneath the Clock Tower is a steampunk "choose your own adventure" type book for adults. In it, an impoverished English dandy in Paris discovers an underworld of goblins and their gnome oppressors. What he does about this is for you to decide.



Join Magpie on the Greyshade Estate, an urban homestead in East San Diego. We’ll have a potluck, vegan/vegetarian dishes encouraged, and gather in the living room, or the fire pit in the yard depending, for a chat with the hardest working “bearded lady” in the intersection anarchism and speculative fiction. RSVP to machinafatalis@gmail.com for directions.

The 2012 Steampunk @ Comic Con Party

Being for the Benefit of the San Diego Automotive Museum

Chrononaut Presents

The 2^nd League of Temporal Adventurers Society Gala

On the auspicious date of Friday July 13^th from eight in the evening until midnight.

The evening features the extraordinary Victorian synthpunk of

Unextraordinary Gentlemen,

and sad (but beautiful!) songs played on a toy piano, sung by

Miss Eliza Rickman.

Professor J. S. Greyshade

will return to the stage and gramophone as MC and DJ.

Inclusive of ones ticket are admission to Steampunk the Exhibit, the museum’s exceptional display of conveyances, gadgets and gizmos, delectable light fare and non-intoxicating beverages. For those wishing to imbibe, exceptional ales and the finest wines known to humanity will be available for purchase.

All ages – Friday, July 13^th, 8:00 pm to 12:00 am

San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan America Plaza, Balboa Park

$15 in advance/$20 at the door - tickets available at http://sdautomuseum.org/

Steampunk Image Transfers

I recently taught a class in making image transfers at Gaslight Gathering. For those that couldn't make it, here's the basic instructions. As with all crafts, feel free to experiment with the technique. 

Quick and Easy Image Transfers

Supplies needed:



1) Omni Gel Transfer Medium (available at Michaels)



2) An image, sized to your project, photocopy or laser print

4)Paintbrush


Step 1: Choose an image and size it to slightly smaller than your project. Print it on a laser printer or make a copy of your inkjet print. Inkjet prints can work, but also can run. Experiment with your printer or get a copy made.

Step 2: You will need to brush on 3 coats of the Omni gel. Brush the first coat in a horizontal direction, let dry completely. Brush the second coat in a vertical direction, let dry completely. Brush the 3rd coat in a diagonal direction, and again let dry completely.

Step 3: Cut image to the size of your project and then soak in a bowl of water for 10.While paper is still wet, rub the paper backing with your fingers in a circular motion to remove all of the paper leaving just the gel transfer behind. Concentrate on the center of your design, working towards the outside. Rinse the transfer in water occasionally to remove the extra paper. Try to remove as much paper as possible so no haze will show through.

Step 4: When the paper is completely removed, you’re left with a vinyl piece with the image trapped inside.vAt this point you can trim this up with scissors if you have ragged edges.


Step 5: Use more of the Omni Gel as glue to adhere the transfer. Spread a light coat on your project and press the transfer down and smooth out to get rid of any air bubbles. Press gently from the center to the sides to work out any air bubbles. Try not to stretch the image while working the bubbles out. Some very small ones won’t be a problem, but be sure to get rid of larger ones.

You can use this technique on tile, ceramics, glass and other hard surfaces. Once completely dried, in a day or two, the image should be completely clear and hard wearing. 

The Great Steampunk Picnic and Exposition

Come one, come all to the Great Steampunk Picnic and Exposition celebrating the opening of our Finest City's first Steampunk exhibition. To be held on the grounds of the San Diego Automotive Museum, the picnic welcomes all Fair Ladies and Gentlemen to partake of a picnic lunch amidst the Glories of Nature in the environs of Balboa Park. All attendees are invited to view Steampunk - the Exhibit, opening June 1st. The exhibit will be featuring the art of the Starburner Galactic Courier Service, Andrew Connolly, Jerry Abuan, Ramona Szczerba, David Farish, Tom Sepe and many more. The show will also feature Steampunk fashion, gadgets and photography. Arrangements are being made to procure entrance with the greatest ease for all who attend the picnic.

When: Saturday, the Second of June, 1 p.m. onwards until a grand time is had by all.

Where: The San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza within Balboa Park, and the lawn directly in back of the museum.

What to Bring: a picnic lunch to your liking, blanket or chairs for the lawn, some spending money for the exhibit and museum store, and your friends & family.

Update: The museum has graciously offered picnic attendees discounted admission to the exhibit the day of the picnic! $5 admission instead of $8. See any Chrononauteer for a wristband the day of the picnic.

What was that?

Local steampunks have finally gone and done it. Here's their funny and very true video for Sh*t Steampunks Say.

Thanks to Michael Pao for the link.

San Diego Steampunk is not associated with Queen Bee's

Though we do not like to discuss business matters in public, recent events make posting this necessary. Recently we have been contacted regarding producing events at Queen Bee's, a local all ages venue & former home of the Chrononaut Steampunk Club night, which we produce. Machina Fatalis, Chrononaut and San Diego Steampunk are no longer associated with Queen Bee's in any way. Furthermore several incidents over the last year have made other local steampunks very unhappy with the management of this venue. At the core of all these disputes is the venue's practice of using “contracts” that are little better than scrawled notes or are strictly verbal. Because of this lack of documentation it impossible to prove anything for either side, but there have been disputes regarding both money and ownership of steampunk art objects. Those looking to produce steampunk events with us in San Diego need to look elsewhere for venues. 

Steampunk Image Workshop

Love those vintage images and wish you could make things with them? Well you can, with image transfers. 

Join me for a hands on workshop where we'll make a set of 4 Italian tile coasters for you to take home, with vintage engravings of cephalopods. During this class you'll learn simple image transfer techniques that you can use to decorate just about anything. 

Cost of materials is $10 per person, payable in class. Similar coasters sell for $40 in stores. 
Sunday, Dec 4th, 1 pm at the San Diego Lapidary Society, 5654 Mildred St, San Diego (Morena Blvd area)

Please RSVP if you plan to attend so I can bring enough materials for everyone. If you have any questions, please email me at thievingmagpie (at) cox (dot) net

Chrononaut Presents: "A Uniquely Steampunk Experience"

The above phrase was part of the write up for the opening night of Chrononaut in June 2009. It was a magical night with a packed house of young people dancing. Most of the science fiction, renaissance faire, and costuming communities had never heard of steampunk back then. As steampunk became "la fantaisie du jour" in those communities, it changed the crowd and the vibe at Chrononaut into something like a ren faire or a fan convention, which for some reason had a DJ. With the best of intentions people started shying away from the phrase "club night" when describing it.

While steampunk is, among other things, a genre of science fiction, its culture is much more diverse than mainstream "fandom" has ever understood. A new organization has formed to promote and celebrate that fact. The Gashouse Crew is dedicated to putting steampunk back in the hands of the steampunk community. Part of steampunk is its music scene so tonight we are getting back to our roots. Expect a high-energy dance set from the Professor, as we celebrate the rebirth of Chrononaut as a club night, and the steampunk community through the Gashouse Crew.

Thursday September 8th, 7 pm to 11 pm

At Electric Ladyland 4944 Newport Ave, San Diego

Five dollars at the door. All Ages

http://chrononautclub.com

Jean Campbell, author of Steampunk Style Jewelry, will be speaking to The Bead Society of San Diego and they have graciously offered to have local steampunks join the fun. Jean's book is one of our favorites in the current wave of steampunk art & jewelry books out there. Not only does it have fantastic jewelry designs, throughout the book are sidebars discussing steampunk music, community, fashion and art. We're excited to hear her speak on "Designing Jewelry in the Steampunk Style".  We would love to see many local steampunks showing off their best gear for the Bead Society members to admire. Don't forget your steampunk jewelry as well!

Join us Saturday, August 20th at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, dressed in your steampunk best. Suggested arrival time is 9:45 to ensure a good seat for the presentation. The Bead Society has generously offered to pay the Mingei admission for the first 20 steampunks and a discounted rate of $5 thereafter. Light refreshments will be served. Parking may be found in front of the San Diego Museum of Art, Alcazar Gardens lot behind the Mingei and the Organ Pavilion parking lot. Your admission to the museum is good for the day, so feel welcome to explore their exhibits afterwards. See you there!

The Official Guide to Steampunk at San Diego Comic Con 2011

San Diego Comic Con 2011 is Steampunk Central the 3rd week of July. Concerts, panels, vendors & artists plus the always popular Saturday steampunk meetup will keep us and the Steampunk community up to our brass in things to do. We've created this post as a way to help everyone keep track of all of the events of steampunk interest. Events will be updated with information as we become aware of it. If you would like an event included, please email us. If you'd like to repost this list, all or in part, please give us a credit & a link. Thanks! See you at the con!

Exhibitors:

Kelly's Heroes (Steampunk gadgets & more) #D-07

Chet Phillips/Union of Superlative Heroes & Order of Nefarious Villains #N-13 (Small Press)

League of S.T.E.A.M. #607

Yen Press/Soulless manga adaptation #1116

Mysterious Galaxy (Author Signings) #1119

Topatoco/Wondermark #1229

Phil & Kaja Foglio/Girl Genius #1301

Tor Books #2301/2303

Joe Benitez/Lady Mechanika Aspen Comics #2321

Arcana Studio (Clockwork Girl) #2415

Dr. Grordbort/Weta Workshop #2615

Quantum Mechanix/Qmx #2944/2950

Steamcrow/Monster Commute #4207

Brute Force Studios #4919

Artists Alley:

Paul Guinan/Anina Bennett (Boilerplate) HH-15 & 16 

Fan Tables:

Dr. Steel's Army of Toy Soldiers #MZ-21

Gaslight Gathering (w/ConDor) #MZ-11

IKV Stranglehold #MZ-02 (Klingons known to pass as Steampunks frequently)

Around the Booths:

Chet Phillips/Union of Superlative Heroes & Order of Nefarious Villains #N-13, featuring The Union of Superlative Heroes and the Order of Nefarious Villains. Both explore a parallel universe of Victorian/Steampunk Superheroes and Villains. Along with the trading cards sets of each will be a limited edition, hand bound, back-to-back book that combines both series and includes extra characters along with a dozen short episodes of thrilling action and enlightenment. The book is still in production and will be unveiled at the show. In addition they also offer a limited edition softbound version of the Society of Sinister Simians, a Victorian themed evil monkey universe.

The League of S.T.E.A.M., #607, will entertain attendees with demonstrations of their amazing Steampunk gadgets, provide fan activities, prizes, and exclusive giveaways! Illustrator Claire Hummel will also be on hand to autograph copies of the long-awaited “Adventures of the League of STEAM” DVD, premiering at Comic Con!

With more special guests and other surprises, stay tuned to www.facebook.com/leagueofsteam and @LeagueOfSTEAM on Twitter for more information!

Yen Press, #1116, Yen Press panel at 6:30 on Friday night in Room 8. What better way to end your day than with new series announcements, Q&A, and, of course, more giveaways! For those of you who like to cosplay, come to the panel in Black Butler, Soul Eater, or Soulless costume for your chance to win an extra-special present!

Mysterious Galaxy, #1119, will have booth signings with a number of authors, including Scott Westerfeld, Saturday 1:00 – 1:50 pm. There are 75 tickets are available for each signing. Tickets can be picked up on the day of the signing from the staff in Booth #1119, any time after the Exhibit Hall opens. Get your signing schedule and details at mystgalaxy.com

Studio Foglio/Girl Genius #1301, Stop by the booth in your best Steampunk outfits for a Gaslamp Fantasy Costume Appreciation ribbon, plus all those awesome steampunk pins & of course Girl Genius comics.

Tor Books #2301/2303, Friday, 12pm Bram Stoker Award winner John Shirley, signing copies of Bioshock: Rapture, the prequel story to the award-winning and bestselling video game franchise. Sunday, 12 pm Dreadnought giveaway by steampunk high priestess, Cherie Priest.

Joe Benitez/Lady Mechanika Aspen Comics #2321 will be offering a Lady Mechanika #2 San Diego Comic Con 2011 exclusive cover by Benitez and Steigerwald, and limited to 1000 copies, which will be available at the Aspen Comics Booth #2321 in addition to other exclusive Aspen Comic Con covers.

Quantum Mechanix/QMx, #2944, will debut new Warehouse 13 products including a Tesla gun, a new Art Nouveau Ladies of Firefly poster series, and will be featuring a full-sized TARDIS for amazing photo ops!

Warehouse 13 exclusive promo card for the Season Two trading cards will be available at these dealers:

The Wright Stuff #A-10

K&J Non-Sports Cards #A11-12

Triangle Cards #B-1

Wee Bee Cards #C-9

Junior’s Comics #C-12

Julio’s Non-Sport Cards #134

Endless World #629

Mark’s Non-Sport Cards #5616

Thursday 7/21:

2:00-3:00 Bill Plympton: Independently Animated— Two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton (Mutant Aliens, I Married a Strange Person) celebrates the release of the new Rizzoli Press book Independently Animated: Bill Plympton, about the life and art of the King of Indie Animation. Also, Bill will discuss the recent release of his animated feature Idiots and Angels on DVD, screen some of his recent short films, and present a sneak peek at what he's working on next, including The Flying House, a remastering of a classic Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend short film by Winsor McCay. Everyone who attends will receive a free Bill Plympton autographed drawing! Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 Arcana Comics: A Look at One of the World's Largest Graphic Novel Publishers— Sean Patrick O'Reilly (Clockwork Girl), Josh Blaylock (Devil's Due), Erik Hendrix (SideShows), Mike Kalvoda (Banshee), Brooke Burgess (Becoming), Matt Wilson (Scrooge & Santa), and Ryan Colucci (Harbor Moon) take you through some of the amazing talent coming out of one of the world's largest graphic novel producers. With over 150 graphic novels released, find out what the publisher currently has coming in the near future and get a sneak peak at the 3D animated feature film Clockwork Girl. Attendees will get free comics and the first in a series of Arcana Universe posters. Room 23ABC

7:00-8:00 The Scoop at Simon & Schuster! Get the inside word on Simon & Schuster's upcoming books and the chance to win exclusive prizes! Lucille Rettino (marketing director), Elke Villa (senior marketing manager), Carolyn Swerdloff (associate marketing manager), and Anna McKean (publicity manager) give you the scoop on upcoming books from exciting authors, including Cassandra Clare, Scott Westerfeld, Orson Scott Card, and Becca Fitzpatrick. Hear what is going on with S&S's hot properties -- Star Trek and The Smurfs -- and get a chance to win exclusive giveaways. All attendees will receive a limited edition T-shirt for Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Prince. Room9

8:00-9:00 H. P. Lovecraft in Comics and Film— "That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even death may die." Famous words penned by H. P. Lovecraft, regarded by critics and fans alike as "Master of the Weird Tale." A horror writer from the early days of pulp magazines, his work inspired thousands of writers, artists, musicians, game designers, and filmmakers. Explore a few of the works influenced by the Great Old Ones and get a sanity-smashing peek into the latest Lovecraftian comics and movies. With Adam Byrne (The Strange Adventures of H. P. Lovecraft), Andrew Leman (co-founder of the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society), Michael Alan Nelson (Fall of Cthulhu), and Frank H. Woodward (Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival). Room 9

8:30-10:00 Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog— Sing along with your fellow fans at this screening of the original three acts of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog hosted by the California Browncoats, complete with callbacks! Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), and Felicia Day (The Guild) and was written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (Dollhouse), Zack Whedon (Fringe), and Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse). Room 6BCF

Friday 7/22:

12:00-1:00 The Official Aspen Comics Panel 2011— Aspen Comics creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika), JT Krul, Alex Konat, Jason Fabok, Beth Sotelo, and some surprise guests announce and preview new Aspen releases for 2012, including a special look at their new series in association with director McG's production company, Haunted City, as well as answer questions about Aspen's growing library of titles. All attendees will receive a free gift courtesy of Aspen Comics! Room 4

4:15-5:15 Warehouse 13— For one day only, America's top-secret treasure trove is moving from the middle of nowhere to the middle of Comic-Con. Stars Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen), and Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), along with executive producer Jack Kenny, take you inside Syfy's blockbuster hit series, Warehouse 13. Moderated by Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo, Eureka). Ballroom 20

5:00-6:00 Motion Picture and Television Illustrators— Nowadays a movie starts with an idea expressed in words or images. The men and women who turn these ideas into worlds of visual reality, be it a distant world of pure imagination or an earthly hovel, are the storyboard artists and illustrators. Panelists who will discuss their craft and answer questions include moderator Hank Mayo (Ghostbusters 2), Tim Burgard (Thor), Ricardo Delgado (John Carter of Mars), Robin Richesson (I Am Number Four), and Josh Nizzi (Transformers 3). Room 23ABC

6:30-7:30 Yen Press Panel— The Yen Press crew -- publishing director Kurt Hassler, senior editor JuYoun Lee, and assistant editors Tania Biswas and Abby Blackman -- unveil exciting new projects including the manga adaptation of Gail Carriger’s Soulless and take questions from the audience. And of course, the swag. We mustn't forget the swag! Room 8

9:00-11:00 Syfy Screening: Eureka, Haven, and Mercury Men— Imagine Greater with fellow fans during an advanced preview screening of the next all-new episode of Eureka, followed by a special presentation of an all-new Haven. And be sure to stick around for the exclusive premiere of the new digital series The Mercury Men. Introductions by Eric Balfour (Duke, Haven). Room 6A

Saturday 7/23:

STEAMPUNK DAY!!!

10:00-11:00 Steampunk Influences on Mainstream Media and Entertainment— Phil Foglio (Girl Genius), Kaja Foglio (Girl Genius), Greg Broadmore (WETA), Lon Muckey and Aaron Ginn-Forsberg (Mantecoza), and Thomas Willeford (Brute Force Leather) discuss the appeal of the Steampunk aesthetic and the reasons for its increasing popularity in media, the arts, and the entertainment industry, including literature, graphic novels, costuming, props, prosthetics, Internet, and film. Moderated by Kim Hutsell of Starburner Galactic Courier Service Room 23ABC The room has 405 seats, a great improvement over years past!

1:00 - 2:00 Steampunk Meetup Take the opportunity to be a part of one of Steampunk’s biggest gatherings. Join us for the presentation of the Annual Starburner Awards to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Steampunk community. 2011's Steampunk Meet-up and Annual Starburner Awards take place on the East Mezzanine level near the stairs (MAP)

3:00-4:00 Resin Casting and Silicone Moldmaking— Jeff Broz has presented eight previous seminars about plastics and casting at Comic-Con. Sam Girgis produces large-scale garage kits. Whether you want to produce a garage kit model, reproduce your sculpture, or reproduce vintage Steampunk, this year's seminar will cover new materials and tips from previous seminars about silicone mold design and casting techniques. Learn from the presenters' own pitfalls with short-run 3D duplication, garage kits, and industrial design. They will also talk more about vendors, guides, and material choices to cast your sculptures or models. Room 30CDE

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan— Join Comic-Con special guests Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett with moderator (and Eisner Award nominee) Shannon Wheeler for a multimedia panel spotlighting the creative couple's past and future work. Paul and Anina will perform excerpts from their book Boilerplate, which has been optioned by J. J. Abrams; talk about their comic book careers and becoming accidental apostles of steampunk; and give a sneak peek at their upcoming book Frank Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention. Room 26AB

Saturday Offsite:

7:00 pm - 1:00 am The Time Machine The Comic-Con Steampunk After Party!

Multimedia steampunk concert and show featuring Abney Park and Unextraordinary Gentlemen.

Also appearing: Optomistichaos, Zoe Tantrum's Steamy Stilters, Tammy Firefly and belly dancers plus Steampunk art and fashion. Special FX.

Hosted by DJ Professor Greyshade of Chrononaut.

At Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego (MAP), parking nearby on 29^th St.

All Ages, beer & wine with ID

Tickets $27 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163647

Sunday 7/24:

11:15-12:15 Building the World of Leviathan, an Illustrated Steampunk Series— Bestselling YA author and Comic-Con special guest Scott Westerfeld (Uglies, Midnighters) discusses how illustrated adventure novels disappeared in the early 20th century and how he worked with artist Keith Thompson to create one for the 21st, Leviathan, a steampunk reimaging of WWI. Lots of visuals (and some secret news about Uglies). Room 6DE 

Offsite Events & Meetups:

Saturday 7/23

The Time Machine: The Comic-Con Steampunk After Party! - 7:00 pm - 1:00 am

Multimedia steampunk concert and show featuring Abney Park and Unextraordinary Gentlemen.

Also appearing: Optomistichaos, Zoe Tantrum's Steamy Stilters, Tammy Firefly and bellydancers plus Steampunk art and fashion. Special FX.

Hosted by DJ Professor Greyshade of Chrononaut.

At Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego (MAP), parking nearby on 29^th St.

All Ages, beer & wine with ID

Tickets $27 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163647

Chrononaut Pulls Up Stakes

Steampunk is about adventure, and what could be more adventurous than an expedition? Chrononaut is off to explore the legendary wilds of Ocean Beach, where no steampunk has dare tread before. 

We have commissioned legendary explorers The Eben Brooks Band to find us safe harbor at Electric Ladyland Studios and The Slow Poisoner to use his secrets of the voodoo spirits to ensure our swift passage.

Our journey begins promptly at 7 p.m. Ticketing office is located at Electric Ladyland Studios at 4944 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach. Passage is $10 for the compleat adventure, all ages. Motor car parking is available on street, or quite nearby for a modest fee at Apple Tree Market 4949 Santa Monica Ave. 

Chrononaut Presents: 6 String Samurai

Spring is upon us, here at Chrononaut. Shaking off the cold and damp of Winter, we look upon the coming months with great anticipation of fantastic Steampunk events yet to some. In the spirit of renewed joy at what the world has to offer, Chrononaut presents a night of just plain FUN! 

Join us for an epic night of steampunk music featuring San Diego's own 6 String Samurai! 

Thursday, April 14th, 8 pm to 12 am, 

$8, All Ages

Queen Bees, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego 

http://chrononautclub.com/
Not yet familiar with 6 String Samurai? 

"In mid 2009, a group of time traveling adventurers time traveled to San Diego to save the world from a prophesied catastrophe. These heroes numbered 3: Frank (AKA the Ronin Inventor, team leader, technological genius, scientist, gadgeteer ,bassist, and top hat enthusiast), Radar (alias the Mystic Gentleman, sorcerer, soothsayer, drummer, and master of the arcane), and Erik (nom de plume the Barbarian Blademaster, unparalleled master of the axe [both musical instrument and instrument of destruction], poet, songsmith, and general hedonist). (Un)fortunately no catastrophe ever occurred. There were no giant spider robots to battle or evil megalomaniacal monkeys with human minds. Thus the heroes decided to stay in San Diego and pursue a different career: music. Using their unique adventuring talents, the trio created 6 String Samurai: The Band, and now entertain crowds both near and far with unrivaled excellence and flair."

A Concert for Sepiachord

Thursday January 13th at 8:00
Chrononaut presents: A Concert for Sepiachord

You wanted more live music? You've got it at this month's Chrononaut! Our biggest gathering of steampunk musicians since the League Gala in July has come together for a cause close to all our hearts. Our line up features Eliza Rickman, Flip Cassidy and the Junkyard Gospel, Veronique Chevalier and Jon Magnificent.

The steampunk music scene is unusual in that steampunk is not a genre of music as such but is instead a common thread of anachronism that runs across many genres. It's a network of artists, bands and DJs who have come to recognize that indefinable yesterday-meets-tomorrow something that we have in common. That network didn't just happen. Someone had to recognize the potential. Someone had to hear the groove. Someone had to define a "genre that doesn't exist." That someone was Jordan Bodewell, the man behind Sepiachord.

There are others who have helped of course, The Davenport Sisters of the Clockwork Ball and the Clockwork Cabaret, Joshua Pfeiffer of Vernian Process and Gilded Age Records, perhaps even that Greyshade chap, but none of us have Jordan's energy. Jordan writes more record reviews than I have time to read. He posts a song of the day on multiple Internet forums every day. He's put together two extraordinary compilation CDs and has pulled artists together who otherwise might not have known one another existed. Yet somehow he is so humble about what he does that he thought that if he couldn't do it anymore no one would care. Fat chance Captain Bodewell!

The Bodewell family was hit with medical bills so far beyond what their insurance covers that it will take years of careful budgeting to recover. As part of that budgeting Jordan felt he needed to cut out his Internet connection, his web hosting, and his music budget. This would have killed off Sepiachord. Already enough donations have come in, including the proceeds from Chrononaut's Jule Fest, so that he has promised not to do this hideous thing, but more is needed for both Sepiachordand Jordan's family. A band of Los Angles musicians all agreed to donate their talents to the cause but lacked a venue. As a result they are heading south to San Diego and Chrononaut. This is a rare opportunity for us at Chrononaut to host Northern talent that our humble little club normally couldn't draw.

$10 at the door (additional donations welcomed!)
ALL AGES
BEER AND WINE WITH ID

We have a new blog

We have always seen steampunk as a lifestyle, as something much more than brass and goggles, but not everyone shares that view. So we have started a new, much more personal blog about what we feel steampunk means, and how we put it into practice in our day to day lives. We will continue to keep Machina Fatalis going to post about topics of more general interest to the steampunk community but for those whose intrest in steam culture is as deep as our own we offer Greyshade Estate.

Chrononaut on the Boardwalk

Ah summers at the shore, the ladies and gentlemen in their whites, gay stripes and straw hats. The strong men, jugglers and arcades on the piers amuse the recreating masses of rich and poor alike. From the cliff tops ornithopters launch catching the updrafts and only occasionally crashing on the rocks below. Bathers in modest costumes enjoy the warm sun and waters trusting in the submarine kraken patrols to keep them safe. Fortunately death rays work underwater!

Of course we can't actually move Queen Bee's closer to shore physically but we can certainly move the atmosphere of the shore to Queen Bee's, for in August summer wear is certainly in order. Professor Greyshade will spin light and amusing tunes, we invite buskers to ply their trades (please send us an e-mail to let us know you're coming) and there will be other surprises including a rare cinematic treat. 

At Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, CA

$5 at the door. Thursday, August 12th, 8:00 pm to12:00am, all ages.

http://chrononautclub.com/

2010's Steampunk At San Diego Comic Con

2010's San Diego Comic Con is looking like the Steampunk weekend of our dreams! Concerts, panels, vendors & artists plus the always popular Saturday steampunk meetup will keep us and the Steampunk community up to our brass in things to do. We've created this post as a way to help everyone keep track of all of the events of steampunk interest.  Events will be updated with information as we become aware of it. If you would like an event included, please email us. If you'd like to repost this list, all or in part, please give us a credit & a link. Thanks! See you at the con!

Exhibitors:
Ogner Stump/The Slow Poisoner S04 (Small Press)
Chet Phillips Illustration/Steampunk Monkeys P13 (Small Press)
Paul Guinan/Boilerplate CC09 (Artists Alley)
Mysterious Galaxy #1119/1121/1123
Wondermark/TopatoCo #1231/1233
Phil & Kaja Foglio/Girl Genius #1331
Tor Books #2310
Entertainment Earth #2343
Dr. Grordbort/Weta Workshop #2615
Quantum Mechanix/QMx #3251
Steam Crow/Monster Commute #4207
Rolling Thunder /Dave Dorman #4401/4500
Brute Force Studios #4919
Thing From Another World/CBLDF Fundraiser #5625/5626
Semantik Publishing - "The Heavens" comic due Fall '10 TBD
Dr. Steel's Army of Toy Soldiers MZ20 (Mezzanine Fan Tables)
Gaslight Gathering MZ10 (Mezzanine Fan Tables)

Steampunk Special Features:
Tor Books #2310 - Friday, July 23rd is Steampunk Day at the Tor Books booth. Stop by the booth to say hello and check out some of Tor’s steampunk offerings on display. While supplies last, we’ll be giving away an illustrated short story “The Life and Adventures of Young Sam Smiles by the Brotherly Order of the New Thought”. This short story ties into Felix Gilman’s The Half-made World, a forthcoming steampunk novel set in an alternate American West. At 2:00 PM we’ll be giving away copies of Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. For those of you who can’t make it out to San Diego this year, keep an eye on the @torbooks Twitter as we’ll have a couple of giveaways running that week.

Quantum Mechanix/QMx #3251 - QMx will be premiering the first piece in their new Warehouse 13 line, The Farnsworth. The Farnsworth is a video communicator that uses a secure line that only another Farnsworth can decode. Two prototypes will be on display at San Diego Comic-Con: an exact replica of the hero prop with grey screen and an “idealized” version with more detailed weathering and a realistic, semi-transparent screen.  Make sure you take the time to stop by the QMx booth (#3251) to learn more about items from the Warehouse 13 line as well as items from QMx’s other licensed properties such as Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica and Firefly.

Thing From Another World/CBLDF Fundraiser #5625/5626 Participating artists include Phil Foglio (Girl Genius) and Nick Percival (Legends: The Enchanted). Original sketches to be auctioned for charity, limited edition autograph cards available of each sketch from the artist or TFAW booth.

Panels & Meetups: 

THURSDAY:
The Clockwork Girl - 11:00-12:00 Room 9 Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) and Sean Covel and Doc Wyatt (Napoleon Dynamite) talk about the feature film and show an exclusive featurette for The Clockwork Girl.

The Danger Element by Battle Jitni -12:00-12:30 showing in Marriott Hall Room 2 as part of the  SDCCI Independent Film Festival. See map in con guide for location.

Twisting Genres - 4:00 - 5:00 Room 25ABC Fantastic fiction authors talk about pushing the envelope on genre, not confining it to one definition. Participants include China Miéville (Kraken), Justin Cronin (The Passage), Naomi Novik (Tongues of Serpents), Daryl Gregory (The Devil's Alphabet), Jeffrey J. Mariotte (Cold Black Hearts), Robert Masello (Blood And Ice), Keith Thompson (The Leviathan trilogy), and Scott Westerfeld (The Leviathan trilogy). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.

SFX presents The British Invasion - 5:00 - 6:00 Room 5AB Five top UK writers from the worlds of TV, comics, books, and movies discuss what makes modern British SF unique. Dan Abnett (Ultramarines), China Miéville (Perdido Street Station), Paul Cornell (Doctor Who), Kieron Gillen (Thor), Pat Mills (2000 AD), and Toby Whithouse (BBC's Being Human creator) talk to SFX magazine's Dave Bradley in this panel and Q&A session.

Thursday Offsite
Steam Powered Giraffe + Rumbledore 6:30 - 11:00 pm
San Diego's original singing robot comedy act are joined by one-man-band Michael Reed of The Smart Brothers as they weave a laugh-out-loud colorful performance imbued with pantomime illusion and folk inspired songs. Opening for the robots are the local Harry Potter band Rumbledore,
which will be followed by a live art showdown by SPG members Jon Sprague and Christopher Bennett, as they race to paint portraits of lucky raffle winners.
There will be prizes to win via raffle, Steam Powered Giraffe merchandise for sale, and a tournament of the SPG Card Game. Doors open at 6:30 PM for The Card Game Tournament. If you are participating make sure to arrive on time!
at Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego All Ages, $10 at the door.

FRIDAY:
The Official Aspen Comics Panel - 12:00-1:00 Room 32AB  Creators Frank Mastromauro (Dellec), Peter Steigerwald (Soulfire), Vince Hernandez (Fathom: Kiani), Mark Roslan (Heroes), J.T. Krul (Mindfield), Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika), David Schwartz (Fathom: Blue Descent), David Wohl (Witchblade), Micah Gunnell (Shrugged), Alex Konat (Mindfield), Eric Battle (The Scourge), Beth Sotelo (Fathom), and surprise guests are on hand to unveil Aspen's all new properties for 2010 and beyond! See never-before-seen covers and art, hear firsthand from the creators their plans for exciting new properties, and ask them questions directly in a special Q&A session. All fans in attendance will receive an exclusive gift courtesy of Aspen Comics.

Top Shelf 2010 5:30-6:30 Room 9 The crew at Top Shelf Productions celebrate their most international year yet, discussing their hit "Swedish Invasion" initiative, the acclaimed graphic novel The Playwright from British-Australian expats Eddie Campbell and Daren White, and their brand-new book of cutting-edge manga, Ax. And they'll show off exclusive sneak previews of upcoming books from  Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Jeffrey Brown (Incredible Change-Bots), Jeff Lemire (Essex County, Sweet Tooth), Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole), and so much more!

SATURDAY: 
Steampunk Meetup - Saturday 12 - 3pm The official Steampunk at Comic Con meetup is back! This time no room can hold us all, so we will meet at the center terrace stairs, bayside exit from Ballroom 20. Wear your best for the group photo at 2:00 pm, parade through lobby at 3:00.


Spotlight on China Miéville 1:30-2:30 Room 5AB Multi-award-winning author and Comic-Con special guest China Miéville talks about his books -- including The City & the City, Perdido Street Station and his most recent, Kraken -- in this special Spotlight panel.

Spotlight on Dave Dorman 2:00-3:00 Room 8 Eisner Award-winning illustrator and Comic-Con special guest Dave Dorman is best known for his stunning depictions from the Star Wars universe. Dave talks about his paintings and his comics work, including the eagerly awaited sequel to his Steampunk graphic novel Rail -- continuing stories set in his creator-owned universe, The Wasted Lands. 

Warehouse 13 and Eureka 3:30-5:00 Room 6BCF Don't miss two of Syfy's biggest hit series in one exclusive event. Catch back-to-back Warehouse 13 and Eureka panels, featuring Warehouse 13's Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen), Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), and Jack Kenny (showrunner/executive producer) and Eureka's Colin Ferguson (Jack Carter), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Allison Blake), Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo), James Callis (Grant), Jaime Paglia (co-creator/executive producer/writer), and Bruce Miller (executive producer/writer). Plus, Syfy brings back Cafe Diem at Hard Rock Hotel, featuring W13 themed items.

Disney Epic Mickey 4:30-5:30 Room 9 Warren Spector (creative director, Junction Point -- Disney Interactive Studios) and Peter David (award-winning comics writer and author of upcoming Disney Epic Mickey comics) share their insights about bringing the world and characters of the Disney Epic Mickey video game to life in two media -- video games and comic books. Warren and Peter explore "Wasteland," a world of forgotten, retired and rejected creative efforts from the Disney archives, and discuss the joy and challenges associated with writing for Mickey Mouse and his "brother," Walt Disney's first cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The panel includes discussion, gameplay demo featuring never-before-seen areas, concept art, previews of comic pages and Q&A.
ure Solider video game studio associate producer Adrian Lacey in a panel discussing the upcoming short film, as well as connections between the film and the game. Attendees will be treated to the world premiere debut of the film trailer, as well as a live demo of the upcoming video game.

War of the Worlds: Goliath 6:00-7:00 Room 5AB War of the Worlds: Goliath is an animated, 95-minute, battle epic set in a Steampunk 1914 Earth that has rebuilt and rearmed following the failed Martian Invasion of 1900. Set for release in early 2011, War of the Worlds: Goliath features voices by Peter Wingfield, Adam Baldwin, Elizabeth Gracen, Jim Byrnes, and Adrian Paul, among others. Producer Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Heavy Metal), producer/director Joe Pearson (Roswell Conspiracies, Captain Simian and the Space Monkeys), producer/writer David Abramowitz (Highlander), and producer Leon Tan screen footage from the upcoming feature, discuss the production process, and hold a Q&A session.

Saturday Offsite
The League of Temporal Adventurers Society Gala 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Wrap up your Comic Con Steampunk experience with the steampunk party of the year! Featuring Voltaire, Unextraordinary Gentlemen, The Slow Poisoner, Veronique Chevalier, The Hoop Unit & The League of S.T.E.A.M. With guest DJ, Mr. Bodewell of Sepiachord and Professor Greyshade of Chrononaut.
at Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego All Ages, beer & wine with ID
$18 in advance, $20 at the door (if available) L. T. A. Gala

SUNDAY:
Spotlight on Ann and Jeff VanderMeer 10:30-11:30 Room 8 Dr. Lambshead, Steampunk, Weird Tales, Imaginary Animals, and You— Weird Tales editor and Hugo Award winner Ann VanderMeer and her World Fantasy Award–winning husband, writer/editor Jeff VanderMeer, take you on a whirlwind exclusive inside look at a cornucopia of exciting new projects, from The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities, featuring work by Mike Mignola and Greg Broadmore, to the Steampunk Bible coffeetable book, from the rejuvenated Weird Tales to the insanely entertaining Kosher Guide to Imaginary Animals, featuring recipes for Wookiee and Cthulhu by Ace of Cake's Duff Goldman. With discussion, interrogation, arguments, and, er, Mongolian Death Worms. Nom nom.

Offsite Events:
Thursday 7/22
Steam Powered Giraffe + Rumbledore 6:30 - 11:00 pm
San Diego's original singing robot comedy act are joined by one-man-band Michael Reed of The Smart Brothers as they weave a laugh-out-loud colorful performance imbued with pantomime illusion and folk inspired songs.
Opening for the robots are the local Harry Potter band Rumbledore,
which will be followed by a live art showdown by SPG members Jon Sprague and Christopher Bennett, as they race to paint portraits of lucky raffle winners.
There will be prizes to win via Raffle, Steam Powered Giraffe merchandise for sale, and a tournament of the SPG Card Game. Doors open at 6:30 PM for The Card Game Tournament. If you are participating make sure to arrive on time!
at Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego
All Ages, $10 at the door.

Hot Topic Tweetup - Food, Giveaways & surprises for Hot Topic fans. Follow them on Twitter for details.

Saturday 7/24
The League of Temporal Adventurers Society Gala 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Wrap up your Comic Con Steampunk experience with the steampunk party of the year! Featuring Voltaire, Unextraordinary Gentlemen, The Slow Poisoner, Veronique Chevalier, The Hoop Unit & The League of S.T.E.A.M. With guest DJ, Mr. Bodewell of Sepiachord and Professor Greyshade of Chrononaut.
at Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio St, San Diego
All Ages, beer & wine with ID
$18 in advance, $20 at the door (if available)
L. T. A. Gala