Darkover® Grand Council Meeting: Steampunk

What is Steampunk?

Victorian science fiction is the short answer. A little longer one comes from Wikipedia: "The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used — usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England — but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of 'the path not taken' of such technology as dirigibles, analogue computers, or digital mechanical computers (such as Charles Babbage's Analytical engine); these frequently are presented in an idealized light, or with a presumption of functionality."

What this means for DarkoverCon is that Chrononauts, Sky Pirates, and Mad Scientists from everywhere will be descending upon the convention to attend the first ever Steampunk Track which will have programming on all three days. We will have everything from historical presentations for background knowledge to hands on how-tos to social get-togethers where we can swap ideas. Come and join us on our Grand Adventure!

Steampunk Programming

Take a look at all our really great programming!

Friday

4:00PM - Steampunk Darkover: No! Really!
A round table open to fans of both MZB's Darkover series and Steampunk. Steampunk Star Wars has been done already, so let's take a cue from them and toss around ideas on how would -you- bring Steampunk to Darkover? Those Free Amazons seem like they would fit right into the Rational Dress movement, so what else can we come up with? Come and find out!
Moderated by Kirsten Houseknecht.

5:00PM - Decorate or Make Your Own Hat or Facinator
This workshop will allow you to decorate your own hat or make your own facinator. The Steampunk Staff will have many decorations on hand, but we ask that you bring one item with you that you can share with at least one other person such as flowers, brass bits, or a pack of mini glue sticks. There will also be hair clips, mini top hats, and other supplies available for a small fee.
Wrangled by Elektra Hammond and Amber Dionne.

6:00PM - Steampunk 101: Why Am I On This Dirigible and Where Are We Going?
Curious about steampunk? Want to learn more about it? Then come join us as we discusses all things steampunk. This presentation will cover the basics of the steampunk genre, its development as a subculture and fashion trends as well as much much more. After the presentation, it will open up into a round table discussion.
Presented and Led by Amber Dionne

7:00PM - Steampunk Costuming
Where do you start? What patterns can you choose from? Do you have to be a seamstress to get good results? After I have an outfit, what do I do to give it that Steampunk touch?
A panel featuring Marty Gear, Judy Mitchell & Courtney Houghton as well as possibly some other surprise special guests!

8:00-10:00PM - Bartitsu: The Lost and Found Scientific Self Defense of Sherlock Holmes (or Self-Defense for Victorian and Steampunk Gentlemen [and not-so-gentlemen])
This two hour workshop will be in the Main Programming room and is designed to be an extensive introduction to this esoteric system of self-defense which incorporates: fisticuffs (in the scientific method); savate (use of low kicks in self-defense; grappling(judo/jiujitsu); as well as the use of numerous commonplace Victorian accessories such as walking-stick, cane, umbrella, top hat, snuff box, opera cape, handkerchief, etc. all employed in an effort to maintain “preservation of person and property when beset upon by ne'er-do-wells of nefarious intent”. For Mr. Donnelly's qualifications as an internationally recognized instructor of Bartitsu, please visit Bartitsu.org and click on his bio page.
Taught by Mark P. Donnelly

Saturday

Silent Auction:
The Steampunk community here in the Maryland area has 'be good, do good' as one of it's precepts. In this vein, we will be holding a two hour silent auction to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We have some awesome things to auction off and it's all for a good cause, so stop on by from the beginning of the Oooh Shiny Display to just after the Guest of Honor speech ends.

11:00AM - Steampunk 201: Creating Your Own
So now that I know what Steampunk is, what can I do?! Come spend an hour with us discussing how to take things to the next level. Bring your own innovations and creations to share and help spark ideas for those who are stumped on what to do next. We will have a general outline to begin discussion, but let's see where our conversation takes us. I just ask that each person bring one thing with them for either show and tell or as a recommendation to the group. This could be a book, website, article of clothing, accessory, historical document, musical piece, etc. Anything whimsical, innovative, fantastic, and tasteful is welcome; please remember that minors could be present.
A round table discussion led by Kathleen Madsen.

12:00PM - The Eric Carter Oooh Shiny Display and Social Hour
Steampunk is all about the cool gadgets right? Okay, well, there's other stuff too, but... gadgets! Have you made something you think is really cool? Please come show it off in hour devoted to the "Ooooh shiney!" Then you can meet and chat with your fellow Steampunkadoodles (the -only- proper name for a group of Steampunk enthusiasts).

1:00PM - GoH Speech. In Main Programming. Our Guests of Honor will be speaking, so go meet Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman.

2:00PM - Mad Scientist Hour
This wacky workshop is for the younger set: the up and coming mad scientists among us! We will be doing simple experiments and creating possibly glow in the dark substances not yet known to man! There will even be real goggles to be worn. For children ages 4-16. Those 12 and under must have a responsible adult with them at all times.
Wrangled by Amber Dionne and Mad Scientists' Parents

3:00PM - Take A Spare Truss: Victorian Travel Advice for Steampunk Adventurers
Victorian literature is filled with strange and curious advice for travellers. When combined with the outlandish claims of Victorian print advertising, we can see that late nineteenth century British travellers had to contend with exotic foodstuffs, intemperate climate, currency exchange rates, pickpockets, thieves, slave traders, sunshine, and even foreigners. And yet, Mrs. C. E. Humphries wrote in 1897 of the British travellers duty: 'I... endeavour to convey as agreeable an idea as possible of ourselves to those countries which we honor with our distinguished presence in our little trips.'
A presentation by Mark P. Donnelly

4:00PM - How NOT to Wear a Kimono
A panel discussion on the common mistakes (as well as some of the more spectacular examples) in wearing a kimono. Especially in Steampunk.
Vera Lynn Cox DiPietro and Tylar Umeno.

5:00PM - Steampunk Literature
A panel reviewing Steampunk literature, both fiction and non-fiction. What's out there? Where is the world of Steampunk literature going? Many of these topics will be covered by our panellists Mark P. Donnelly, Elektra Hammond, Kevin Houghton, and Steven Southard. Moderated by the Steampunk Staff.

6:00PM - Dinner and Dressing Hour
Be sure to eat something and then get ready for our grand promenade!

7:00PM - Promenade
We will all gather in the Steampunk room in our very best Steampunk outfits before all heading out to promenade around the atrium. With Doom Bunny Amber, costuming guru Marty Gear, and our Steampunk Guest of Honour Mark P. Donnelly looking on, there will be recognition for the best outfit personifying the Steampunk aesthetic for a man, woman, and child. There will also be recognition for the best Victorian period outfit, judges' choices, and viewers' choice. So bring your best and remember this is a promenade first, a competition second, and we'll have lots of fun!

8:00PM - Ready! Aim! Fire!
Have you modified a Nerf (or other similar) gun to fit in with the Steampunk aesthetic? Bring it to this free-for-all battle with rules similar to Mornington Crescent! Please remember however, that we do have a weapons policy forbidding guns, so make sure your weapon looks nothing like a real one. There will be extra guns available to borrow for the fun provided by Sarah Paylor so don't hesitate to join in!
Wrangled by the Steampunk Staff.

Science Sunday

10:00AM - Victorian Submarines
A history of submarines, focusing primarily on the Victorian era, though we will reach into history, especially touching on Cornelus Van Drebbel's submarines of the 1620s and Bushnell's "Turtle", from the American Revolution. This presentation will also talk about Victorian submarines in Science Fiction.
A presentation by Fred Blonder

11:00AM - Inventions Never Mentioned: Bizarre Victorian Contraptions which Never Caught On
History is full of ingenious inventions. Progress through civilization has always been fueled by scientists, engineers and inventors. But not all inventions lead to progress. This presentation highlights some of the most bizarre inventions and ideas to come out of the industrial revolution.
A presentation by Mark P. Donnelly

12:00PM - From Gentleman of Science to PhD: The Birth of an Occupation
The 19th century witnessed many breakthroughs in science and technology. Perhaps one of the largest was the change in the very practice of science itself.
A presentation by Craig Levin

1:00PM - Art Auction in Main Programming

2:00PM - Post Mortem
Did you like this year's Steampunk programming? Did you not like it? What would you like to see next year? Please come give the Steampunk Staff your compliments, concerns, criticism, and any questions you may have.

Even though our programming is full this year, if you have any ideas or questions for Amber, who is running the track once more this year, you can now reach her at steampunk at darkovercon dot org.

Darkover^® Grand Council Meeting

November 25-27, 2011

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What is Steampunk?

Steampunk Programming

Friday

Saturday

Science Sunday

Guests of Honour

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