Steam Punk

You might ask yourself WTF are people walking around my convention in Victorian clothes and brass gears hanging out of their nose? And then you might not. But if you did these cosplayer's are Steampunk.

If anyone knows who took this picture or who is in it contact me. Thanks :)

Wikipedia defines steampunk as "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history."

Which I have to say is pretty damn Accurate.

If anyone knows who took this picture or who is in it contact me. Thanks :)

Epic Abe Lincoln, and as always, If anyone knows who took this picture or who is in it contact me. Thanks :)


I personally enjoy the craftsmanship the steam punk crows has to offer. I enjoy the shiny brass bobbins and the corsets and the use of top hats. So to me it's not that bad. The big problem with steam punk (for other conventions) is the theme crashing. What I mean by theme crashing is If you go to a sci fi convention you expect to find star wars, star trek, battle star galactica costumes. When jack Sparrow shows up he is theme crashing. When you are at "Midlevel days" a local rein fair you expect to see knights, maybe silk cover merchants, bonnie lasses in poet shirts and bondage (I mean corsets), you might even get an occasional pirate or musketeer. But, That storm trooper he is theme crashing. Anime and comic conventions are no less a victim, I have seen Darth Vader duel a Pokémon, and I have scene Spiderwoman glomp Dr Who. Theme crashing happens.

Steam Punk gets a bad rap for it. They rarely get cons of their own and they are kind-of-a-sub-genre of sci fi and fantasy. Almost all forms of fiction have a steam punk influence. Rather it be Steamboy or Skycrawlers or Big-O in Anime, Dr who's Dalek's (which embody high-end technology that could pass as a late 18th century espresso machine), Back to the Future even has a heavy influence with a steam punk train. There is even a number of authors who delve into the sub-genre. Like " White Chapel Gods" a personal favorite of mine. Orson Scott Card even touched base with it in his fictional histories of America "Seventh Sun". Movies have played with cowboys with laser guns, knights with lightsabers, high-tech HG Wells styled machines, dystopian retro technologies, and Victorian envisioned time travelers. So it's not like there isn't a source material.

The point I am making is there is literally hundreds of cross genre, genre bending themes in fiction and sci fi. So give the steam punks a break. They have to share conventions with the rest of us for now, and when they get their own conventions we can crash them in out Spiderman under wear, storm trooper jack boots, and shiny chainmail. Preferably with their respective costumes and not all mashed up together.
Another Note: The steam Punk crowd in Colorado is One of the most active I have ever seen. They are outgoing, compassionate, and full of some rather interesting and awesome people. So pull out a bowler cap, a Victorian coat, and a spray painted nerf gun, and join in on their fun. Or not, it's all gravy to me. I am sure in future posts I will interview some of the Local Steam punks.

PS Don't paint your nerf guns up to look like real guns, cops can't tell the difference and its not safe to go waving it around in the hood either.


Some steam Punk Events mentioned to me By Colorado Steampunks, Kronda Seibert are listed below, enjoy.

Grave yard Picnic

Sunday, June 26 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Fairmount Cemetery
430 S Quebec St
Denver, CO

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102701159820391

Steam Punk pride

Civic Center Park
Saturday, June 18 · 11:00am - 4:00pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=221213201225307
Colorado Renaissance--Time Travel!

Colorado Renaissance--Time Travel!
Saturday, June 11 · 10:00am - 6:00pm
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Larkspur, Colorado
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124362360976240


Victorian Ice Cream Social
Friday, June 3 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
City Park, Denver
Denver, Colorado

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174943412560052