Weekend at the Asylum 2010

[greensteam]

McAsylum? Tch! You will be toasting Mrs Brown next, when Dave The Troll produces Her Majesties portrait.

It is useful to get conference and tourist managers involved, we comped a hotel at Contemplation (Eastercon 2007)  so that they would know what to expect when LX (Eastercon 2009) went to that hotel,and that proved to be  very useful, and we are trying to spread the word. If Glasgow City Council could look for a venue similar to the lawns (Victorian, three function spaces etc then this helps. A smaller Con could be hotel based, which opens up a far greater range of dates as it mitigates against bad weather, and would allow for a reduced hotel rate for example in February or March, later in the year May or later  would allow for better weather and a campus type event, perhaps at a university campus. Plenty of options to consider though.

The Fruitmarket is probably best for the main central venue http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/corporate/room/101  A particular advantage is that the upstairs gallery could be used for our market place, allowing stalls to be permanently set up. There are other rooms in the concert hall complex next door that could be used but they are now modernised.

Just across the road is the Merchant Square http://www.merchantsquareglasgow.com/gallery.asp which has a big space in the middle often used for markets, gigs etc, surrounded by bars and posh restaurants. it cannot be made private in the way the fruitmarket can.

The whole surrounding area is called the Mercahnt City and is awash with bars, restaurants etc

<5 mins walk away is the Britannia Panopticon music hall where we had our first GUeSS event: http://www.britanniapanopticon.org/1.html


Glasgow uni is very date sensitive as it gets booked up really fast. but has some wonderful halls to use and there are other great locations nearby too.

There is however, nothing quite like the compactness of Lincoln!

[darkshines]

If the Asylum was any further north, we would not attend as we have to drive from Cardiff and its alreay a 6 hour drive for us! Saying that, I'm sure Cardiff Castle would accomodate us, they already run a Victorian Weekend (which is usually on the same time as the Asylum...)

[TimeTinker]

You will note from my previous post we have no intention of moving the main Asylum to Glasgow,  We are however considering other venues with a view to providing events which are more accessible.

We deliberately chose Lincoln because it was more central than most of the other locations available.  Whilst it is five hours from Glasgow, four hours from Cardiff and three hours from London (Driving times courtesy of the AA) it can never be perfect for everyone it does give a fair crack at it for most.  The only real problem is the poor rail links.

If we were to go with Warwickshire (2 hours from Cardiff), Lincoln (4 Hours), East Sussex (3 hours 20 minutes) and Glasgow (6 hours 40 minutes) then you would have a choice of three events to attend all substantially inside your six hour limit.   More importantly many more people would be closer to a steampunk festival and thus have a chance to attend.  Our aim is to be as accessible as possible.

Cardiff Castle were not interested in accomodating us when I spoke to the organiser of their Victorian Weekend last Summer.  I work in Cardiff regularly and had considered the City as a venue.  Indeed we discussed Cardiff at some length when we were first seeking a venue.

Once again I will reiterate that we do invite people to suggest venues but on the following terms ONLY:  (Repost of the guidelines from a little down the page)

The call for locations still stands.  The rules are simple...if (a) you have a venue that may be suitable for the Asylum and can accomodate 500-1000 people with sufficient accomodation in the immediately surrounding area and (b) you have spoken to that venue and they are interested in doing business with us then we would be pleased to hear suggestions and follow them up.   We do not have the time, manpower or facilities to chase every suggestion.  If you think a place might be suitable then check it out for us and then suggest but PLEASE DO NOT JUST NAME PLACES OR REQUEST THEY BE CONSIDERED.

Indeed this was the same post which stated categorically that we were not about to move the Asylum to Glasgow.

I would be most grateful if people could read the thread before commenting on it.  It is an active thread that gets regular posts so best go back to your last visit to recap before drawing conclusions.  Thank you.

[darkshines]

Sorry Tink, I was merely joining in the discorse others were having about the merits of a hypothetical event in Glasgow, I know this wasn;t anything like a serious proposition from you or the VSS.

[TimeTinker]

Thank you.

Running an event in Glasgow is a very serious proposition for me and the VSS (and we would hope to work closely with GUESS and other local steampunks)

Running an event in Glasgow only is not a serious proposition.

The following are general comments, not addressed directly to you Darkshines but a recap for people newer to the scene and not aware of the history of The Asylum

When the VSS first put their heads above the parapet and set about running an event it was because we had suffered lengthy discussions about the merits of different locations etc whilst people were all clamouring for a festival.  This was tedious and destructive since it just came across as selfishness with everyone wanting it (understandably) in their own back yard.  No one would secure a venue (although several people made valiant efforts) and no-one would step up and offer to do the work.  We saw the need, approached many venues, secured one and the rest as they say is history.

A little over a year ago I made the offer that anyone who could point us at a suitable venue which was already interested in having us and where we went on to run an event would be treated to free tickets to the event.  That was the basis of the "Location rules" below.  That offer still stands.  We cannot be fairer than that can we?

At the same time we have always made it clear that anyone who wants to run an event anywhere in the UK is perfectly welcome to do so, we will not be offended by it or consider it as competition since we are not competing with anyone.

We do not expect anyone to attend every event.  We merely hope that our events are attractive to some of the steampunk community and that they choose to attend.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Here, here it would be expected that other Convivials would not just be clones of The Asylum, each would develope their own character based upon location and venue. For example a Glasgow Convivial is likely to be mainstream City Centre, which may suggest it being hotel based if there are concerns about members walking the streets to somewhere like The Panopticon (which cry's out to be used as a name)(although Glasgow has hosted Worldcon's, Eastercons and other conventions aplenty, so they are relatively urbane and sophistrated to the extent that rather than 'weirdo' crossing peoples minds it will be 'these are MUCH better dressed than the other SF fans'). If you go down the hotel route though you have to negotiate with the hotel on function space and rooms, a benefit The Asylum avoided by going Campus style, for if you do not fill the rooms you do not get the function space and you positively have to sign people up for the hotel, they really can't make their own accomodation arrangements.

Campus type events such as The Asylum are limited to those parts of the year which are relatively warm and dry, an event under a single roof has greater flexibility on timing, Redemption (Coventrey City Centre opposite the Transport Museum) for example look towards February/March because hotel occupancy rates are relatively low, and they want an affordable event under one roof convention.

I can understand about Cardiff, the bid for 2011 Eastercon wanted Cardiff and the closest they could get is the NEC Hilton for an 800 member convention under one roof (Easter can be dodgy weatherwise), but a May 2011 300- 400 member campus style event, would allow for about 4 months between it and the Asylum, should have good weather, and just over a year to clear up booking, promote and gain Membership, books acts etc, etc.

If someone is interested in setting up a Regional Convivial I would suggest setting up a thread in United Kingdom for it, and stop further misunderstandings on this thread. It is after all how the Asylum started.

[gyxile]

hi

I recveived my invoice for tickets payed for my tickets via paypal (tickets 60.61) som time ago  what hapens next. do i just turn up on the day wih my paypal confirmation and pick my tickets as i noticed it mentioned  that you can print then out somewhere...

confused of Grmsby

[TimeTinker]

Only people who have booked with the new automated system (which opened yesterday) need to print out tickets.

If you have booked by the old manual system (as you have done Gyxile) what is important is your ticket number.  If you know your ticket number you can claim your token or wristband (for limited access tickets) at the event.

The tokens for entry to the features are intended to be cast pewter medallions which you can later turn into watch fobs, pendants etc and which we hope will become collectors items.  We are not posting these out for obvious cost and security reasons but you will claim it on arrival.  By quoting the ticket number from your invoice you can claim it.  You can if you wish print out and bring along your paypal confirmation and your invoice in case of any problems.  The ticket number on the invoice is the important part.

People who have purchased tickets through the automated system should print out the tickets emailed to them and bring them along where they can claim their pewter tokens.  PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL IN AND SEND A BOOKING FORM to Asylumtickets@ymail.com for us to add names and contact details to the attendees list quoting the barcode number on your tickets.  If you do not do this you will be asked to complete a booking form on arrival and this may delay you joining in with the fun.

[gyxile]

Thanks very much for the clarification. Its very much appreciated

[Lady Felis]

Sorry for the delay in offering my time, but I have been busy knitting.

I remember being shanghi'd at the end of the last Asylum by the good Major regarding a possible craft circle type event this time around.

So this is just a note to say, I am happy to help out if you decide to go ahead with this

Lady Fe

[TimeTinker]

Well it is very good of you to remind me Lady Fe.  It had totally slipped my mind

Would it be possible for you to talk about what this could entail here for people to register their interest.  We can of course make space available.

[Lady Felis]

I believe the idea was a place where people could come to work on handicraft projects, look at examples of completed items (or works in progress) and take away information on where to find the patterns and look for further advice etc.

In particular, knitting, crochet and small sewing projects.

if possible, access to cake

And although this may appear a more ladylike activity, I see no reason why men would not be welcome, afterall many men do handicrafts

Lady Fe

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Typically such events are known in SF circles as 'Stitch n Bitch' sessions less than ladylike. Rather than a formal workshop these are more informal people swap contacts, ideas, sources of material, get opinions from their peers etc. Everyone brings their own stuff which inevitably leads to minor swaps e.g a set of buttons for a length of brocade. Nothing serious is made on site, but people leave with knowledge tocomplete what they are doing.

It would make an excellent elevenses or afternoon tea feature, in one of the smaller programme rooms. Perhaps we should do something like this on each elevenses/afternoon tea slot, certainly one for the prop makers as well, perhaps one elevenses and one afternoon tea each?, it would allow for greater flexibility,and allow those interested to get to at least one of the sessions.

Any chance if getting a friendly tea company to put on tea for these? Arrangements would have to be made for cake and cucumber sandwiches, perhaps donation?

[lady joanna]

They could be 'craf-teas' 

These sound like a lovely idea, although I'm unlikely to attend myself due to hopefully having a stall.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

You could always get someone to look after your stall for you for a bit.

Please could anyone with ideas for programme items put them into the pot now. So far we have Dr Greensteam and the clockpunk wacky races, Darkshines on Mesmerism, Lady Felis and her sewing circle (embroidery, samplers and modern Prometheus a speciality), are any gentlemen going to step up? Surely there is some gent out there who would be willing to organise or present a programme item?

The more the merrier, last year it left the Major, Arkwright, Lady Elsie etc a bit overstretched doing so much themselves on programme, as well as all the running around behind the scenes. Are there any societies out there who would put on an item? Useful for recruiting new members as well as entertaining for the restvof us. If something is going to take a bit of money, sponsorship may be available, or the Major may release a bit of budget if it is going to be something with wide interest. The VSS is investing in tech such as dataprojectors etc which can be used throughout The Asylum on multiple programme items, lectures, workshops, panel, film shows, quizzes etc, so this facilty should be available for each programme room.

[lady joanna]

I think I mentioned in a previous post about model steam engines? If it's still of interest I shall contact my father and his steam-intoxicated cronies to see if they would be up for it....

[TimeTinker]

Thanks for the support folks.

It is essential that ideas are circulated and potential support gauged though before we commit them to the programme.  We have limited space and must emphasise features that people are interested in attending since we would be doing a diservice to asylum-goers and speakers if features are unpopular and empty.

The Races are proving very popular so will be going ahead.

We have had very limited interest in a mesmerism talk.  If people would like to go to this we need them to speak up.

I would like to timetable a textiles crafty session - again I need statements of interest.

Other suggestions can be mailed to me direct at Majortinker@aol.com or people can volunteer here.

PLEASE DO NOT add to our substantial workload at this stage by simply suggesting ideas.  Only put things forward if you are in a position and are willing to facilitate them.

Thank you.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

I for one would be interested in the mesmerism.

Major Tinker is right though, please come with the ideas fully worked out, know who is going to present/produce it, what tech might be required, what other costs might be associated with it, and keep it relevant to steampunk, Victoriana and related fields, this is not a showcase for any persons particular hobby or interest outside steampunk.The Clockpunk races are a good example, individual members bring the clockworks and modify them before The Asylum, Dr Greensteam organises the races, The Asylum provides racetrack and back up tech. Quick and easy to set up and break down again, so of doesn't leave a programme room 'dark' for complicated set up/break down, so the maximum can be available for you edification and entertainment.

If you are suggesting external speakers make sure they can attend and agree any content/expenditure beforehand with the Major, we do not want to alienate people! There was a recent Eurocon in Moscow which announced George RR Martin as a Guest without asking him first, he wasn't available and it didn't end well. We are on the heritage weekend so please remember a lot of people will be busy that weekend doing exactly the thing we might want them to do.

[darkshines]

Maybe people just don't know what it is, or have more pressing matters in mind such as costume/weapons constructing, travel/hotel arrangements to be made etc! I LOVED the magnetism talk last year (where we microwaved various items) and the hall was completly full. Needless to repeat but I will NOT be making ractical demonstrations, I will however be giving a brief history on mesmerism, some colourful and bizarre accounts from real life and fiction and will use as many original docuements as I can find for authenticity. My tutor is one of about I think 6 in the country to be an expert in the field, so it will be a rare oppertunity to get so much knowledge on the subject.

[lady joanna]

My apolgies. When I mentioned steam engines previously, it received a warmer reception  . You asked if any societies out there would be interested in putting on an item, useful for recruiting new members (I asume that works both ways???). If you don't think it's suitable then fair enough, but if you would like me to put the feelers out then I shall. 

[TimeTinker]

I am very sorry Lady Joanna, you seem to have misinterpreted our posts.   

Steam engines are an excellent idea and if you are in a position to facilitate this then so much the better.  Please do put out a tentacle or two and then email me with further information if you would be so kind.

A display of steam engines is more of an exhibit than a programme item and we are talking about programme items here which are staged for just an hour or so. (Although you may have an idea for a programme presentation which we can also consider.)

[lady joanna]

Ah! Our discourse seemed to cross wires - although I'm a little concerned that you feel I may be hiding tentacles about my personage ...

I shall put the idea to my father forthwith and in the meantime here is a picture for your perusal 

http://www.rslr.org.uk/eagroup.htm

I hope it satisfactorily meets the Steampunk genre.

[Celestial Temple]

Mesmerism, yes please I would definitely attend a talk or demonstration on the subject!

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Perhaps Darkshines if you could raid a few archives for pictures from the era of Victorian mesmerism.

[darkshines]

Of the procedure? But of course!

Franz Anton Mesmer using his skills on a young lady (the original procedure was done with magnetic rods, then Mesmer made do without them and used his hands). Note where the "magnetic fluid" flows from, and to.....


One of very few images of a baquet party. I have detailed a baquet in the "your dream toy" thread (how it works) if you are interested in the mechnics. Again, arties like this seemed to be a thinly veiled excuse for sexual endevours.....


A later (1880) mass mesmerism


During mesmerisms revival in the mid 1800s, it became a far more personal procedure again, where a doctor would mesmerise a single patiet at a time. It was during this period that the after effects of mesmerism were explored with a bit more depth (some mesmerees demonstrated EXTRAORDINARY powers after the procedure). I can;t find any images of an accurate nature online to demonstrate this, but I have books printed at the time which I can scan if people REALLY need it!

Mesmerism had its peak in England at around 1850-60, and then one case which made media headlines was found to be fraudualnt, thus calling the entire practise into question. It became a stage act, a fraud, an act, and thus doctors and scientists no longer associated themselves with it. It eventually split into various schools of practise such as spiritualism, psychic/mediumship, hypnotherapy and so on, some of which ran alongside or even predate mesmerism but it got merged into this during its devolution.

I could talk about this all day, so please stop me if it all gets a bit much!