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/

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.

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

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

Tea on the Lawn

Please join Machina Fatalis and the San Diego Costumer's Guild for a Steampunk Victorian Edwardian Tea on the lawn at Heritage Park. We will be meeting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29th for tea, luncheon and lawn games. Proper attire encouraged.

Attendees should bring a tea time dish to share for 8 people. There are no benches or tables in the park, so please bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Tables will be provided for the food.
Heritage Park is located in Old Town at 2454 Heritage Park Row. We will be on the upper lawn adjacent to The Burton House. Map here. Please contact Machina Fatalis (link at left) should you have any questions. See you there!

Sherman-Gilbert House, Heritage Park - photo by bisyan lady (flickr)

Absinthe Tasting Party - December 13th, 2008

By way of celebrating a successful year of steampunk events extraordinare (and the birthday of one of our members), Machina Fatalis hosted an absinthe tasting. Our evening began with the arrival of many finely attired guests. Much mingling and merriment followed. Once everyone was present, our sommelier for the evening, Carol, began our tasting. She made some fine dishes to accompany our absinthe: Gnocchi with fennel pollen, goat cheese and onion tartlets, 4 types of artisan chocolate, and other tasty nibbles. Yummy! Our tasting began with a Czech absinthe, Fruko Schulz. It was determined by all to be nigh undrinkable, with comments like "looks like mouthwash, but not as good", and "what is this stuff you're making us drink?". Only lighting it afire seemed to make it consumable. After each tasting, Tayopa read a history of the brand, with tasting notes. Quite enlightening and amusing. Next on our tasting menu was Lucid, the most popular absinthe in bars. Lucid was determined to be acceptable, nicely flavoured, but a bit strong on the anise flavor. A short time out to dine on the divine gnocchi and tartlets. Carol is a wonderful sommelier and a fantastic cook. Everyone raved about the food. Then on to the last 2 tastings. Next on our list was Le Tourment Vert, the house absinthe at The Edison. Though quite tasty, the truly artificial color could be improved upon. Lastly, one of our own, S. Sprocket graciously offered a bottle of St. George. An absinthe with a deep green, smoky color and complex taste. Divine! Determined to be our official absinthe from now on. Once the last of the absinthe was gone it was time for photos and fun, with many staying until all hours debating and conversing.
Jerry Abuan's beautiful photos of the evening, including the one shown here, can be seen at his photography site. Carol Wafer may be contacted for events at carolwafer@gmail.com.

Zeppelin Flights Return to the U. S.

Abney Park

has partnered with Airship Ventures for an historic flight,

and Machina Fatalis will be there!

On October 31st, Airship Ventures will herald the return of passenger airship travel to the United States with the U. S.'s 1st passenger Zeppelin flight in over 70 years. The Zeppelin NT07 will be the largest airship flying in the U. S. at 246 feet long, 50 feet longer than the largest blimp. It carries up to 12 passengers, and with the crew of the H.M.S. Ophelia on board, that leaves only 8 seats left on this momentous flight! Machina Fatalis members are determined to be among those lucky few to ride with the original airship pirates on the maiden voyage. Kaja & Phil Foglio of Girl Genius fame have also secured passage. There will be a champagne reception before the flight. If you are interested in joining this epic adventure go to http://www.abneypark.com/airship or email robert@abneypark.com for details.
2nd flight added!! - The first flight sold out so fast (12 minutes, I hear) that a second has been added. You can purchase tickets here: http://www.abneypark.com/airship. You have until October 11th, or until this flight is also sold out.

Croquet Noir!

The Society is pleased to announce our next event: Croquet Noir. Please join us on Saturday, the thirteenth of September at 10:00 in the evening for a rousing round of croquet. We will meet in Heritage Park on the lawn at the far end of the park, adjacent The McConaughey House. As there is no seating in this area, lawn blankets are encouraged. Feel free to bring small flashlights, comestibles and potables. Alcohol under 20% is allowed for those of age. As this is a county park, there is no closing hour. However, this is an urban location near homes and a bed & breakfast, so please use manners as befit gentlemen and ladies. Steampunk and Neo-Victorian clothing enthusiastically welcomed at this event. Please contact us via this blog or our new email contact should you have any questions. 

Picnic & Steam Engine Tour

The Machina Fatalis Society will be pleased to welcome SD Costume Guilders, SD Cosplayers, The Manticore Society, and others to our next meetup. Like our tag says, Machina Fatalis is dedicated to steampunk art, literature and lifestyle. We seek adventures in the real world based around a neo-Victorian/steampunk aesthetic and a DIY ethic. We are not a cosplay or larp group. Basically we'd like to promote the lifestyle aspect (i.e. everyday living) of Steampunk; no scripts, no agendas, nothing to sell you on, just like-minded individuals up for adventures Steampunk style! Of course a little character playing creeps in now and again*, but what is life without fun?

Now, as to the finer details of our next congress, it seems the consensus is that we will be dining first, around 1 in the afternoon, on the lawn adjacent the County Administration building across from the Maritime Museum. Gentlemen should expect to provide their own meal and that of the ladies accompanying them. Unchaperoned ladies, though somewhat unheard of, may join us for their meal if they so choose and bring a dish to share. Please call upon Mr. Greyshade or myself if you care to do so. After a fine repast, we shall adjourn to The Berkeley steamferry for an examination of her inner workings. A thrilling time is anticipated!
If there are any concerns or comments, please feel free to call upon us through the Aether or comments upon this missive. I look forward to seeing all of you there!

(*see remainder of post)

A Record Showing for San Diego Steampunk

Tonight's dinner at the Jolly Boy Restaurant was well attended by Steampunks local and distant. Though a group of 10 - 12 was expected, the actual headcount was 18 persons, a record for Southern California. Drinks were had, dinner was eaten, world domination plans laid, a good time had by all. In attendance were*; Hope Barton, Captain Stockings, Penny Dreadful, Gabriel, Professor Fossilbottom, Gadg3t, The Brothers Greyshade, Fraulein Flieger, Mr. J. S. Greyshade, Lady Jane, Cindy P. and Jerry, S. Sprocket, Mr. & Mrs. Klockwork Kobbler, Jimmy Diggs, with Anachronist presiding. Due to the fact that Captain Stockings will be leaving shortly for university, it has been decided that our next event should take place on Saturday, August 16th. It will be a trip to visit The Berkeley, an 1898 steam-powered ferryboat, with an accompanying picnic on the nearby lawn. Please see our related posts on Brass Goggles for planning information, or check this blog for final details.
*Brass Goggles usernames used when available.

Gathering at the Jolly Boy

In view of the enthusiasm shown by so many San Diegans for steam culture following the momentous gathering at ComicCon International this weekend past, we of Machina Fatalis are hosting a gathering for dinner and libations at the Jolly Boy Saloon in Old Town State Park this weekend coming. We will be converging on the restaurant at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, the Second of August. Information on the Jolly Boy may be found here. In addition to its nineteenth century ambiance, the Jolly Boy is a full service restaurant and is therefore all ages. It also has a full bar for those of age and is one of the few locations in San Diego where absinthe is served. Due to the recent surge in interest in our events, steampunk regalia is welcomed but not required.

Steampunk @ Comic Con

The steampunk presence was well felt at this year's Comic Con International. Not only were many panels and vendors of interest to steampunks, we had a very successful meetup! An anticipated crowd of 30 - 50 turned out to be 200+ with many interested onlookers as well. Many fine photographs may be seen on Flickr, and LJ Steamfashion. One of my favorites can be found here:
Lucien Desar's Steamfashion photos
As exciting and interesting as our con meetup was, we of the Machina are exhausted. After a short rest, we will resume planning events for the San Diego/Southern California area. We would like to have events like steampunk work days (for work-in- progress), midnight croquet, day out to the Berkeley, picnic in Heritage Park, trip to the steam museum, and other adventures. We welcome any steampunks who would like to join us on our adventures. Please feel free to contact us here, or via Brass Goggles, where we may be found under our member names.

ComicCon awaits!

Machina Fatalis is pleased to be attending this year's ComicCon International. We may be found on Saturday, from 12:00 in the afternoon until 1:00 p.m., at the Steampunk group meeting in Room 24A. We may also be found at a party on Friday night, details of which may be found on the Brass Goggles forum. Sights to be seen at this year's event are: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog showing, a preview of Mutant Chronicles & discussion with the stars, including Ron Perlman, a live performance of Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd (a time-traveling scientist), & attendance by Girl Genius creators, Kaja & Phil Foglio. A good time shall be had by all!