Brass Brunel! Bristol Steampunk Festival

Sadly due to poor ticket sales, the organisers of Brass Brunel, which was due to run from June 20-22, have had to cancel the event. The convivial was being organised by steampunks, for steampunks and was going to feature a market, workshops and steampunk exhibitions in Bristol.There was also going to be entertainment provided by Birthrite, Gladstone, The Cogkneys and Miss Von Trapp.

The worry is that is smaller independent events such as this aren’t supported, then the larger events such as Asylum will become too commercialised. A problem that Whitby Goth Weekend is on the brink of.

It is terribly unfortunate that an event would have to cease before it even began simply because of money, which is something that shouldn’t be a problem. Could there be an underlying factor? Whitby has just been and some people may be feeling the pinch at a time when the organisers really need them to get a ticket or two. Doncaster Steampunk event is now running on the same date. Could it be that there are too many events running at the same time or near to each other?

Let me know your thoughts.

Related articles

• Brass Brunel! The Bristol Steampunk Convention
• Goths galore at the Whitby Gothic weekend
• Leeds steampunk Christmas Market 2013

Vader by Eric Poulton

Happy World Star Wars day to all Star Wars fans out there. I will be presenting a number of Star Wars related articles throughout the day, so please continue to revisit the Journal.

X-Wing hangar

May the Fourth is celebrated as Star Wars day (May the Fourth be with you) and so I want to entertain you, delightful readers, with a selection of what I consider the best steampunk Star Wars imagery on the aethernet.

This first article highlights some of the wonderful artwork that is out for perusal.

Bjorn Hurri
Bjorn Hurri is a contemporary artist working on many video games here in the UK. His website has an entire area dedicated to a steampunk Star Wars section and the images are phenomenal. You can view his entire collection here: Bjorn Hurri

Vader by Bjorn Hurri

Jawa by Bjorn Hurri

Han Solo by Bjorn Hurri

Eric Poulton
Eric Poulton has created a series of steampunk artworks for well known Star Wars characters including Princess Leia, Vader and Admiral Ackbar. The page that I found these images on even has an interesting back story to each character slightly modified from the original. You can read the stories and view the entire collection of images here: Where Is My Eyeball

Leia by Eric Poulton

Jabba the Hutt by Eric Poulton

Han Solo & Chewbacca by Eric Poulton

Death Star by Eric Poulton

Ackbar by Eric Poulton

Greg Peltz
Greg Peltz is a CG Modeller from San Francisco, California. His blog hasn’t been updated for some time, but he’s been commissioned for some splendid Star Wars steampunk artwork. The great thing about these images is that they aren’t in an action setting. They’re traditionally placed in Victorian portrait poses, such as Vader in a military pose. The best result has to be the grumpy Chewbacca image complete with a monocle. You can read his blog here: Greg Peltz blog

Vader by Greg Peltz

Luke & Leia by Greg Peltz

Chewbacca by Greg Peltz

R2-D2 by Greg Peltz

Jabba by Greg Peltz

Boba Fett by Greg Peltz

C-3PO by Greg Peltz

Miscellaneous
These artworks are ones I couldn’t find any copyright links for. I’m happy to add it at any time should you be the owner or know how I can get in touch with them. Please email steampunkjournal@yahoo.com or leave a comment in the comments section.

Nico Strobe

Albert Feliu

Jeff Miller

Owen Egan

Simon Joyce

Eric Durant

Han & Leia

There’s no denying that you simply have to give cosplayers some respect. They spend months researching and making a costume to wear at an event for a few hours and then it’s onto the next one.When you look closely at the dedication and toil that has poured into it, though, it makes you see quite how dedicated they are.

In this article, as a celebration to Star Wars day, I’ve compiled a few photographs of the best steampunk Star Wars cosplay costumes. Obviously there’s an appearance from Steampunk Boba Fett. Let’s face it, a Con wouldn’t be a Con without Steampunk Boba Fett appearing. Sadly I couldn’t find an Emperor Palpatine or Nien Nunb.

Stormtrooper and female Vader

Stormtrooper

R2-D2

R2-D2

Princess Leia

Female Han Solo

Boba Fett

Boba Fett

Admiral Ackbar

Female C-3PO

C-3PO?

Related articles

• Steampunk Boba Fett: Trial of the Mask video short released

Steampunk X-Wing fighter

I have to admit that when I began researching these articles, I expected to have dozens of images for the vehicles. They’re so easy to adjust to steampunk.It couldn’t be further from the truth. I managed to get ten images that show, or at least reference, a Star Wars vehicle. A Death Star can be seen in the Artworks article that I posted earlier.

What images I do have are of some fantastic work such as an X-Wing fighter styled on a bi-plane and a Millenium Falcon as a dirigible.

Steampunk Y-Wing fighter

Steampunk X-Wing fighter bi-plane

Steampunk T.I.E. fighter

Steampunk Speederbike

Steampunk T.I.E. Interceptor

Steampunk Millenium Falcon

Steampunk Millenium Falcon zeppelin

Steampunk AT-ST

Steampunk AT-AT

Related articles

• Poll: Which is the best steampunk look?
• Steampunk India wins Steampunk Chronicle Award for Best MultiCultural Steampunk

Tullie House, Carlisle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There seems to be a very interesting evening happening in Carlisle on Friday, May 16. Tullie House, the Carlisle museum is celebrating Museums at Night festival by turning their Mechanical Circus room into a steampunk wonderland.

After paying an extremely modest fee, visitors will be able to experience steampunk by dressing up in costumes that are provided to try, designing steampunk accessories and there’s even Tea Dueling.

Amy Walker is the Events & Exhibitions Officer at Tullie House and she told CarlisleLive “This is the first time we’ve held an event of this kind in one of our exhibitions; it’s not going to be your standard museum activity.”

There will also be circus acts, magic and music provided by a local DJ. “The Mechanical Circus lends itself well to the themes of Steampunk; a sub-genre of science fiction, exploring the style and design of steam powered machinery and industrial settings.” Ms Walker continued.

The organisers are encouraging everyone to come as a steampunk. Tickets cost £4.50 or £4 concessions. They can be booked in advance and while this isn’t necessary, it hasn’t been expressed whether admittance would be refused if they get busy.

You can read the CarlsileLive article at this link with a chance to win tickets to the event: CarlisleLive steampunk circus tickets competition

Related articles

• Steampunk Star Wars Vehicles – May the Fourth special
• Top 5 Coolest Homemade Steampunk Gadgets
• Generative steampunk drawings
• Brass Brunel Bristol steampunk event is cancelled
• Steampunk poised to become ‘the next big thing’
• Poll: Which is the best steampunk look?
• How immersive are you in steampunk?

Methley RiversMEET cafe was to be the location of a steampunk mini market 18th May, 2014

The steampunk Mini Market that I reported about on March 27th at Rivers MEET Cafe in Methley. It was due to be held on Sunday, 18th May 2014 but has been cancelled due to a lack of interested traders. The organisers decided it was better to cancel in advance rather than have a lack lustre event.

Related articles

• Steampunk Mini Market looking for stallholders

Steampunk Kickstarter project

American traveller, steampunk blogger and friend of the Journal Forwhomthegearturns has began a Kickstarter campaign which will fund an adventure into the heart of the Colonies‘ motherland.

She intends to travel to London and visit Victorian places of note while writing a travelzine for other potential tourists from the Americas or beyond.

By getting involved, you can contribute to the trip and get something back in return. There are various ways to show your support. For example, for $10 (around £6) you will get a 50 word (written by you) advertisement (called a Shout Out) with a thumbnail image in the ezine.

You can use this space to advertise a product, business location, person of interest or simply say hello to someone. There are other options should you decide to pledge more or less including some splendid hand-made creations and copies of the Travelzine.

If you want to contribute to this project, follow the link here: Steam Tour: An American Steampunk in London

Related articles

• Steampunk Star Wars artwork – May the Fourth special
• Steampunk-Inspired Alternative Fashion
• Steampunk Star Wars Vehicles – May the Fourth special
• Steampunk’s guide to sex

Sky Bridge concept art

A computer game company based in Van Buren, Arkansas, is due to begin production of a steampunk themed video game with a free roam feature of a vast Neo-Victorian world, but they need your help.

Jacob Siler, the CEO  of JAZ Games which he owns with his siblings Allison and Zachary thought up the idea some time ago. After processing the idea and formulating a structure to the plan, they published a book called Sky Bridge: Fallen Stars, which serves as a background to the characters and storyline.

Siler said about the book: “It describes a variety of characters fighting their way deeper into a web of mystery and intrigue. They begin to discover that the lines between good and evil are not as clearly defined as they once believed. When secrets threaten to tear them apart, they must weigh their dedication to their cause against the cost of battling a conspiracy which could ultimately destroy the fabric of their civilization.”

JAZ are using Kickstarter to fund the project which needs $250,000 and are hoping for the same success as the book which managed to get 200% of the asking amount. Should the Kickstart be a success, they plan to hire Programmers and Graphic Artists. They also intend to run internships throughout the semesters to get experience to as many interns as they can.

The game will feature:

• PC, MAC, and Linux release
• Unreal® Engine 4 – Fully Licensed – Featuring AAA Graphics WASD movement
• Open World Environments
• Third / First person Dynamic Camera Views
• Multiple Vehicles (Airships, Amphibious Craft, Jet Packs)
• Land, Air, and Sea Real-time Battles (including pirates and Oracles)
• Motion Capture
• Crafting, Inventing, and Alchemy Labs
• Foley and Sound Design for all Cutscenes and gameplay
• Full voice acting for all characters (including NPCs)

You can view the project and fund it via Kickstarter here: Sky Bridge: Fallen Stars Kickstarter project

Related articles

• Steampunk India wins Steampunk Chronicle Award for Best MultiCultural Steampunk
• British steampunks! Your attention, please
• Steampunk Star Wars artwork – May the Fourth special
• Blackmore steampunk video game Kickstarter
• An interview with Steampunk India by author Khaalidah
• Western Steampunk?
• How immersive are you in steampunk?

Los Altos, California, May 12, 2014

RebelsMarket shopping page

RebelsMarket.com has launched the first alternative-inspired online marketplace and community for the anti-mainstream and fashion-forward. The site caters to individuals with unique interests in different fashion subcultures, including glam goth, punk, street, emo, rock, skate, steampunk, burlesque, fantasy and tattoo.

With co-founders hailing from Kenya, Germany and the U.S., RebelsMarket offers international goods from antiestablishment and indie brands. According to co-founder Robert Wagner, the idea stemmed from his personal experiences growing up as a self-proclaimed rebel. He refused to accept what was socially acceptable and instead preferred a more edgy and rebellious lifestyle. After launching a tattoo-themed Facebook page and gaining 4 million “likes,” he knew there was a large, under-served counterculture fan base who would value a marketplace to buy and sell edgy, alternative items.

“What makes RebelsMarket interesting is being able to offer the fashion rebel an international marketplace carrying curated goods from coveted underground brands and independent sellers,” said co-founder James Wachira. “Our style is influenced by the edgiest and rebellious of fashion—from Goth to burlesque, from tattoo to steampunk.”

RebelsMarket provides sellers from all over the world with the opportunity to create free online storefronts and charges a 15-percent transaction fee once an item is sold. Vendors can connect with a niche audience of subculture fans in search of hard-to-find unconventional products. Featured sellers include Tattoo Fast Online, Steampunk Retro, Kate Clothing and InkAddict just to name a few. Since its inception in 2012, RebelsMarket has realized 45 percent growth month over month.

Some of the trending items on RebelsMarket include avant-garde layered cardigans, leather wristbands, journals, tattoo, goth, vintage clothing retro messenger bags, temporary tattoos and more. RebelsMarket also features a blog which highlights new fashion – from rebellious looks to edgy street style and makeup techniques, interviews with sellers and subculture trend pieces.

Battestar Galactica 1880 cover

Infamous 1980′s science fiction television show Battlestar Galactica has been given a fresh new dimension for a comic that’s about to launch.

The new Battlestar Galactica is in fact an “old” version as it’s set in 1880 and based in a steampunk alter-dimension.The story follows the original storyline with slight changes. In this new world, the Colonial Empire is destroyed by clockwork Cylonics created by Professor Baltar. Apollo – the Arch Duke Adama’s son – is missing and Lady Athena must seek out reluctant hero Captain Starbuck to find him and bring him home.

Written by New York Times number one best selling author Tony Lee, with art by Aneke and covers by Ardian Syaf and Sergio Fernandez Davilla. This actually looks quite interesting and if you grew up with BSG like I did, it will be definitely worth a read.

I think the protagonists on the cover above look like my friends Quentin Cumberpatch and Louis Hamblett, but I can’t place the lady. I’d love to know who you think they look like in the comments section below.

The Globe of Dislocation on display at the Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory are currently running a steampunk exhibition surrounding the longitude problem. Named Longitude Punk’d, the display features creations from well known British steampunks such as Doctor Geof, Emilly Ladybird and Major Thadeus Tinker among others.

The exhibition allows visitors to have a glimpse of how steampunk would have designed technology to solve the longitude problem. Interestingly, the adventure is set in the 18th century yet uses steampunks from 100 years later. However, the first exhibit is The Globe of Dislocation. This machine is the remnant of a crashed time-travelling airship, which explains how the steampunks are out of their own time period.

The Commodore is your guide – a character devised from the mind of Robert Rankin – who said about the exhibition:

“It is an absolute honour to be chosen to exhibit my work at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and to exhibit it alongside such artistic luminaries as Dr Geof and Herr Döktor, whose work I deeply admire.

“Am I pleased to be here? I am absolutely thrilled.”

There are nine steampunk artists that have been commissioned. Aside from the aforementioned Doctor Geof, Emilly Ladybird and Major Thadeus Tinker, you can also enjoy the works of Robert Rankin, Lady Raygun, Herr Döktor, Lady Elsie, The Alchemist and Citizen Griffdawg.

Longitude Punk’d opened 10 April 2014 and celebrates the madcap inventors, star-gazing scientists and extremely elegant explorers of the past, and delves into a world where sci-fi collides with 18th-century innovation.

To coincide with Longitude Punk’d, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be hosting a dedicated events programme, including sci-fi screenings in the Peter Harrison Planetarium and an extravagant Steampunk ball.

Exhibition information for visitors:

Venue:   Royal Observatory Greenwich
Dates:   10 April 2014–4 January 2015
Opening times:    every day, 10.00–17.00
Visitor enquiries:   020 8858 4422 / www.rmg.co.uk
Admission:   Charges apply, please see www.rmg.co.uk for details

Image from Old Cowtown steampunk day 2013

Press release
Visitors to Old Cowtown Museum are used to seeing the Victorian era portrayed true to form, but when Steampunk Day arrives on Saturday May 24, they will experience a re-imagined, more advanced 19th century straight out of a Jules Verne or H.G. Wells novel.

Simply put, Steampunk is Victorian science fiction that includes some influences from turn-of-the century Barnum & Bailey carnivals. During Steampunk Day, several hundreds of Steampunk fans will be strolling Cowtown’s streets dressed in traditional 19th century fashion accessorized with mechanical gadgets, goggles, gears and other pre-modern imaginative technology. The cornerstone of the Steampunk movement is taking modern inventions – the Internet, weaponry, clocks – and re-imagining how they would look had they been created with Victorian technology and materials.

Steampunk-inspired entertainment for the general public includes:

• Coventry Leather Demonstrations*
• ROSCOE – Magic & Mayhem
• Airship Vindus – an all-day display and 2 panel presentations with this filmmaking Airship group from Colombia, Missouri
• Airship Nox
• Wasteland Salvage Company
• Beard & Mustache Competition and Costume Awards
• Dr. Dillinger’s Dime Museum & Show
• Kids Steampunk Crafts
• Southern & New Orleans Telegraph Company*
•  “Fraternal Organizations of the Victorian Period”- Presentation with original artifacts*
• Airship Cannon*; Anti-Airship Gun; Rains- A- Lot Rainmaking Machine
• The Glorious Steampunk Pentathlon (featuring three Airship Companies)*
• Phrenology – Have Your Head Examined
• Blackheart Fencing Club
• Niamh Conneely – Steampunk Literature*
• Seven Steampunk Vendors*
• Many other new & exciting surprises*new for 2014

Steampunk Day has been a popular event at Cowtown since 2010. Cowtown had the distinction to be awarded Best Steampunk Expo by True West Magazine for 2012. They stated that “The best one we’ve seen devoted to the Wild West form of Steampunk is the expo at Old Cowtown in Wichita, Kansas. Normally such expos are held in some run-of-the-mill convention hall. But folks can really get into the spirit walking around Old Cowtown’s drovers camp, traders area and 1870s residential street.” It will be a family-friendly event that is unlike anything most people have ever experienced before.

The event, which is family-friendly, lasts from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $7.75 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $6 for ages 12-17, $5.50 ages for 4-11, and free for ages 4 and under. Call 316-350-3323 for more information.

Steampunk selfie (hashtag selfie)

It’s been reported on a number of news sites that a number of new words have been added to the US collegiate dictionary Miriam-Webster and one of those is steampunk.Other words to be placed inside the tome include cringe-inducing self portrait abbreviation “selfie”, social media location slang term “hashtag” and a word that’s in every steampunk creator’s repertoire “crowdfunding”.

Words get included in the dictionary due to widespread use throughout the world and cultural reflections based on need and inspiration.

Here are the fifteen most popular words to be included:

1. Auto-Tune or auto-tune vt (verb transitive) (2003): a proprietary signal processor, to adjust or alter (a recording of a voice) with Auto-Tune software or other audio-editing software, especially to correct sung notes that are out of tune
2. Cap-and-trade adj (1995): relating to or being a system that caps the amount of carbon emissions a given company may produce but allows it to buy rights to produce additional emissions from a company that does not use the equivalent amount of its own allowance
3. Catfish n (1612): (second definition) a person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes
4. Crowdfunding n (2006): the practice of soliciting financial contributions from a large number of people, especially from the online community
5. Dubstep n (2002): a type of electronic dance music having prominent bass lines and syncopated drum patterns
6. Fangirl n (1934): a girl or woman who is an extremely or overly enthusiastic fan of someone or something
7. Freegan n (2006): an activist who scavenges for free food (as in waste receptacles at stores and restaurants) as a means of reducing consumption of resources
8. Gamification n (2010): the process of adding games or gameline elements to something (as a task) so as to encourage participation
9. Hashtag n (2008): a word or phrase preceded by the symbol # that classifies or categorizes the accompanying text, such as a tweet
10. Selfie n (2002): an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera, especially for posting on social networks
11. Social networking n (1998): the creation and maintenance of personal and business relationships, especially online
12. Steampunk n (1987) science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology
13. Turducken n (1982): a boneless chicken stuffed into a boneless duck stuffed into a boneless turkey
14. Tweep n (2008): a person who uses the Twitter online message service to send and receive tweets
15. Yooper n (1977): a native or resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan — used as a nickname

What word would you like to see included in the dictionary? Leave your ideas in the comments box below.

Steampunk Tower defence game

Steampunk Tower, the simple tower defence game originally only available on iOS has now been released on Google Play.

According to Droidgamers, the notable interesting point about this game is that you actually do have a tower that you have to defend. You do this by destroying attackers on both sides and upgrade your steam powered tower in the process.

There have been mixed reviews about the game from critics, but why not see for yourself? The game is available for free on Google Play.

Steampunk Tower fighting the enemy

Steampunk Tower is a free download game for Android and iOS, which is newly available on Google Play. Developed by Dreamgate, the game is published by Chillingo, the same stable as Catapult King, Dead Ahead and Tiny Troopers. Steampunk Tower is a free download game in most countries.

Steampunk Tower main screen

Features
Once you’ve installed the game from the App store or Google Play, you’re faced with a main screen in antique brown. Gears whirr in the upper centre portion of the screen and either side of the text. You can opt to play a game, look at the credits or sign into your Google+ account. This does allow Chillingo even more access to your details as well as the basic stuff just from downloading.

Steampunk Tower Map

Playing a game initially takes you to a map of the immediate area which features a fantasy land full of battlefields, mountains, deserts, canyons and pretty much every other natural occurrence you may find on an entire planet. Except trees. It has a look similar to the Old West. Animated dirigibles float around the map stopping at the landing zone next to the Old battlefield before meandering off. Chimneys spew fumes from the Factory in the centre of the map and sewage spills into the swamp. A red tower indicates your play area as a tower is under attack.

Steampunk Tower starting the game

Tapping it pops up a briefing window with Lord Bingham, a dapper chap in a top hat and monocle, will give you instructions on your next step. Your help is in the form of Jane – Head Researcher to Lord Bingham – who will guide you on setting up the tower.

Steampunk Tower building your arsenal

A blue arrow indicates that it’s possible for you to purchase and use a weapon. You start with $11,000 and a machine gun costs $7,000 each. Other weapons are locked until your tower upgrades a level. Once you’ve kitted out the tower, you can start the battle.
Fighting is done automatically, but you can tap on certain targets to get the guns to concentrate fire-power on them. As you advance through the lower stages new enemies will appear such as airships, helicopter bombs and reinforced troops.

Steampunk Tower fighting the enemy

As the guns fire, they deplete their ammunition and when they get to the end, they need to reload. You can do this at quiet parts by dragging the guns into the main tower. Part of the strategy is also to move the guns around the tower to places they’re needed.

Once you’ve completed certain levels, you’ll be allowed to access the Laboratory back at the Map page. Here you can upgrade the guns, added tower levels and get new tech.

Steampunk Tower defeat

Conclusion
If you have some time to spare – several hours, for example – then Steampunk Tower is a game that will thrill, excite and infuriate you. The animation is great and they’ve nailed a steampunk look perfectly. The story flows well and the enemies work well as silhouettes because they look more sinister.
Maybe I’m simply no good at computer games, because I struggled to get past Wave 8 of Level 4. However, my six year old son got to Level 7 within half an hour of starting to play.

I really like the artwork to the game and the amount of interaction you have even while fighting. It means you’re not simply sat there while the game has all the fun.

Ratings
Features 4
Game quality 4
Value 5
Overall 4

Related articles

• Steampunk Tower available on Android
• Steampunk Star Wars Vehicles – May the Fourth special

The exterior of the shop

Introduction
While on my travels to San Francisco, I visited Distractions in Haight Ashbury – a bohemian area of the city situated close to the San Francisco Park. They cater for anyone with an interest in steampunk and Victorian culture as well as other genres.

Overview
It took me quite a while to get to Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. Arguably because I didn’t have a map and couldn’t find an information desk. I managed to get the correct bus and 20 minutes later I was in the Haights standing outside the shop.

The main floor is stuffed with clothing

As I crossed the threshold, my eyes became accustomed to the dark interior and I became giddy with excitement. The main floor and left wall are filled with racks of clothing from waistcoats (vests in the USA) to trousers and coats. There’s plenty of ladies costumes to the rear of the shop. The main desk runs the length of the right side of the shop and I was greeted warmly by Adam who worked there and I had a great chat with Jim, the owner. We talked about steampunk and how Distractions isn’t actually a steampunk shop so that it isn’t categorised in case it puts off potential customers who aren’t steampunks. He’s extremely knowledgeable and can answer any questions that you may have.

Hats by Steampunk Hatter

The wall behind the desk is full of hats from Steampunk Hatter and there are cabinets with wonderful accessories from hip flasks to canes. There’s also a display of goggles from Mack McGowen. You can purchase rings, which rotate in a cabinet to allow you to view them all.

Towards the back, there’s a small ramp and you descend into the rear of the shop where the more eclectic clothing and accessories are. One thing I noticed while strolling around Haights Ashbury that day was that glass, vibrantly coloured pipes are very popular at the moment and Distractions has a large range of these.

The back holds smoking accessories

Prices range from $10 for small accessories to hundreds of dollars for larger items. My waistcoat cost me $60 which in the exchange rate was ok at around £45. If you think that it’s on the steep side, consider the fact that you’re in a large city. The way to get it cheaper is via the aethernet, but you don’t get the benefit of visiting the store and chatting to people.

Conclusion
The shop is decorated wonderfully with Victorian era inspired artwork and dark tones with wood finishes. Even the fitting room is a place where you’d want to exist as a steampunk.
The great news is that Distractions isn’t alone on that strip of road. There are a number of other shops that sell items that would please steampunks, including Loved to Death which is a shop featured on Oddities SF. They specialise in antiques, jewellery and taxidermy.

Loved To Death is a taxidermy and antique store along the way from Distractions

If you’re visiting San Francisco at any time in the future, you need to visit Distractions and also leave time for a stroll around the rest of the shops. I bought a lovely monocle and waistcoat from Distractions. I’ve been looking for a waistcoat that has lapels for several years, but British ones are styled differently. It just proves that if you want something, odds are they’ll have it.

While I chatted to Jim, he gave me a list of stores in the area that would cater for the steampunk and it’s this kind of community spirit and mentality that makes Distractions and The Haights such a lovely place to visit. The sunshine helped too.

You can visit the Distractions website here: www.distractionsonhaight.com
The address is: 1552 Haight Street, San Francisco, California, 94117

Ratings
Stock range 5
Staff professionalism 5
Value for money 4
Overall 5

Steampunk goggles are supplied by Mack McGowen

Racks of hats and clothes are available to buy

Clothing options adorn the walls

Even the fitting room is beautiful

Clothing accessories are also available

Vintage stores are in abundance

Victorian architecture is all over Haights Ashbury

Related articles

• Haworth steampunk festival 2013
• Leeds steampunk Christmas Market 2013

The steampunk Ring Master

If you’re currently unacquainted with Grimm, it’s a modern day police drama that draws inspiration from the popular Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The basic plot centres on a police officer who learns he is a descendant from a centuries old league of warriors called Grimms. Throughout the centuries they’ve hunted and exterminated “Wesen” (pronounced Vessen on the show). He teams up with Monroe – a converted Wolfman (Blutbad) – to help find killers who are actually Wesen before dealing with them off radar.

The steampunk Ring Master in profile

In episode 16 of the third series, we see a steampunk element as an unusual Carnival comes to town. The main show of the Carnival is a display of people who seem to mutate into creatures in front of the crowd. The steampunk Ring Master keeps them all in check until an angry Wolfman breaks from his cage and attacks the crowd. He’s shot by the Ring Master and dragged away. You can tell as soon as you see the Ring Master that he’s a sinister character.

Of course this is all part of the display but trouble ensues when people start turning up dead with claw marks. Nick immediately enlists the help of Monroe and his fiancee Rosalee (a Fuchsbau) who then ends up accidentally undercover at the Carnival to try and find out the truth.

The Ring Master tries to control his Wesen

The episode is enjoyable and fast paced, and my only issue is with the steampunk character appearing to be a bad guy. It’s a struggle because not all fictional steampunks should be good guys, but I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen one depicted in a negative light. It begs the argument on how adventurers are supposed to fight the good fight if there’s no-one to start the bad fight.

I suppose it boils down to the fact that there aren’t that many references to steampunk in fictional popular media at the moment because it’s still gaining it’s momentum.

Rosalee goes undercover

It would be great to have a film or television programme filled with steampunks that are courageous and inherently good. Maybe such as the storyline of Knights of Badassdom. That film, starring Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage and True Blood actor Ryan Kwanten, shows LARP participants as positive, funny and brave as they fight to the death against a demon.

Grimm steampunk Carnival Ring Master

Related articles

• GRIMM Runs Away to the Circus
• Distractions Eclectic Emporium (San Francisco) review
• Steampunk Tower review

Baron von Munchausen

The Royal Observatory are to screen popular science fiction and fantasy films which have a steampunk theme to them during their Longitude Punk’d exhibition.

The films will be shown in the impressive Peter Harrison Planetarium and will be followed by a talk about the film’s themes.

The line up of three films include Luc Besson’s “The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec” being screened on Thursday 26th June, and Terry Gilliam’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” & “City of Lost Children” showing in the following months.

Below is the full schedule and details for each film:
 
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec
Set in a fictional early 20th-century, French cult classic, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec, follows the fantastical adventures of an authoress as she strives to save her catatonic sister.
From acclaimed director Luc Besson, the movie will be shown in French with English subtitles.
Date:                    26 June 2014
Venue:                Peter Harrison Planetarium
Time:                   19.00 – 21.00
Admission:         £7.00
Age:                     11+
 
The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen
Directed by Monty Python star Terry Gilliam, this 1988 adventure- fantasy comedy chronicles the tall tales of the 18th century nobleman Baron Carl Friedrich von Munchausen. Being swallowed by a giant sea-monster and a trip to the moon are only the beginning of the Baron’s adventures, in his bid to save a town from defeat by the Turks.
Date:                    31 July 2014
Venue:                Peter Harrison Planetarium
Time:                   19.00 – 21.30
Admission:         £7.00
Age:                     11+
 
City of Lost Children
Set in a surrealistic society, a scientist kidnaps children to steal the dreams he craves to have and prolong his life. With his brother in jeopardy, it is up to former whale hunter One (Ron Perlman of Hellboy), to rescue the children. This powerfully atmospheric  movie is directed by the creator of Amélie, Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The movie will be shown in French with English subtitles.
Date:                    28 August 2014
Venue:                Peter Harrison Planetarium
Time:                   19.00 – 21.30
Admission:         £7.00
Age:                     15+
 
 

Steampunk model, image copyright photofairground.co.uk

Welshot Imaging are holding a steampunk photoshoot in October and if you’re interested in following in the footsteps of well known steampunk photographers such as Ruud De Korte, Gary Nicholls or Chuck Coleman, then this could be the opportunity for you.

Steampunk model, image copyright photofairground.co.uk

Throughout my career in the photographic industry, I’ve had experience of Welshot Imaging and what they do. I can certainly vouch for the expertise, drive and passion of the team.

The workshop shoot is to be held in Castlefields, Manchester on October 18th and will feature steampunk models in the industrial setting of the Science and Industrial Museum.

Steampunk model, image copyright photofairground.co.uk

Techniques you will learn include off-camera flash, composition, exposure tips and I dare say, posing. All of this will be taught to you under the watchful eye of Lead Tutor and Managing Director of Welshot, Eifion Williams.

Prices vary depending on whether you’re a member of Welshot. You’re encouraged to bring certain items and you’re also free to bring extra equipment if you have something you want to try.

If you want to take part or learn more about the day, you can visit the Facebook page by clicking on this link: Welshot Steampunk shoot Facebook event page

You can also visit the Welshot website here: Welshot Events page

Related articles

• The problem with photographers
• SteampunkGoggles.com interviews Matthew deMaris
• Bohemian Steampunk Wedding Inspiration From France by Hairstyle and Wedding
• PHOTOS: 2014 Steampunk World’s Fair
• Pictures from Steamcon V
• Best examples: Steampunk photography