Waltham, Massachusetts: International Steampunk City

[Dr von Zarkov]

From our friends at boingboing comes the news that Waltham (Massachusetts) is to become International Steampunk City from May 6 to 8.

"Enjoy special events all throughout the town, dine in restaurants offering specials to all chrono-adventurers, watch Steampunk films at the local cinema, see Steampunk theatre, ... interact with all manner of performers and actors and dramatis personæ, dance in a historic mansion, see art and Steampunk creation from around the world!' Mainly for free. Brass diving helmets optional."

Waltham is the site of the Charles River Museum's current Steampunk Exhibit.

[oldskoolpunk]

Is this happening?  The site is half-finished, and says that tickets will be available in January, but aren't available yet.

[MosaicLaw]

Waltham, MA also produced a line of pocket watches in the 19th and early 20th century.  (oddly enough called Waltham Watches). 

[vinatroth_bloodvaine]

Is this happening?  The site is half-finished, and says that tickets will be available in January, but aren't available yet.

I checked the site today and it still shows the same. Does anyone have any information about this that obviously the website cannot offer?

I would really like to be able to attend this, but considering I live in GA and a student, a trip has to be planned out way in advance. Not having enough information is troublesome when it says it should have already been available a month ago.

[Ladiofthelibrary]

The event is definitely happening - the creators of the Steampunk City have just finished two of their biggest events of the year, and have immediately started work on this (as well as The Anachronism -come visit! - http://theanachronismnyc.com/ ) event.
Info should be posted very soon.
But yes - The International Steampunk City is certainly occurring, and we hope to see you all there.

[Nora Knightsbridge]

Hoping to attend the event with some friends!  Is the plan to have the event run Friday, Saturday,and Sunday?  Been looking for a list of events but haven't found one yet.

Also, are the restaurants and stores in the area participating, or will the main event be held in the park or museum, and just go to the local restaurants out of costume for food and such?

[SteamSmithWorks]

There has been some chatter in the SteamPunk vender community suggesting that the International Steampunk City event in Waltham MA in May is over reaching and does not have it together.  Last night I had a lengthy conversation with the woman running the event and I came away with the opposite impression.  Elln (correct spelling) Hagney is the Executive Director of the Charles River Museum.  I know her to be an effective administrator and a leader.  I believe that she has a clear vision of what International Steampunk City is/should be and is professionally and effectively making it happen.

International Steampunk City is a Festival, not a convention.  The Festival celebrates all things SteamPunk and Victorian.  The festivals target audience is broad.  She envisions 10,000 or more visitors, of which 20% or so will be current SteamPunkers.  The bulk of the visitors will the the interested and the curious.  From a vendors prospective, she said “This is what you want.”  Thousands of SteamPunkers who may have already purchased from us and may need this or that additional item. AND IN ADDITION, an opportunity to sell to a large audience that has never seen our individual creations.  An audience that has become intrigued with the genre, many of whom will want to begin collecting things SteamPunk.

Regarding Jeff Mach’s departure from the project.  Elln told me that it was a matter of logistics, that the key people making things happen for this event had to be located in the Waltham area in order to respond to rapid developments.  She specifically mentioned short notice site visits being required, as more and more members of the Waltham business, government and not-for-profit community came on board.  She told me that she asked him to “step aside” for that reason.

Having, in the past, served as an Executive Director myself, and being an enthusiastic SteamPunk artist and vendor today, I believe that I have a unique prospective.  I came way for this conversation believing that Elln is very much in charge, that she knows what she is doing, that it IS HAPPENING according to her vision, and that I am glad to be playing a small roll in the event.

Mark Eliot Schwabe, SteamSmith

[artemisia]

This sounds like a fantastic idea, I will definitely be attending.

[LadyEmmaSinclaire]

There are many events being planned for this festival!  Friday night there are two dinner dances, all day Saturday into the evening and all day Sunday!  The web site is being updated as each event is confirmed.  I would say check here for the most current info  http://internationalsteampunkcity.com/?page_id=53    It sounds like a great time!

[LadyEmmaSinclaire]

There are many events being planned for this festival!  Friday night there are two dinner dances, events have been planned for all day Saturday into the evening and all day Sunday!  The web site is being updated as each event is confirmed.  I would say check here for the most current info  http://internationalsteampunkcity.com/?page_id=53    It sounds like a great time!

[SteamSmithWorks]

Yes - Friday, Sat & Sun.  Location (from the web sit): Locations: Steampunk City offers five live stages, throughout the downtown of Waltham; exhibits on the Waltham Common, Charles River River Walk, and both outside and inside the Waltham Watch Factory. Interactive experience will be presented through out area restaurants, on the Moody Street and Main Street and in Mount Feake Cemetery, the Charles River Public Internet Center, and the Gore Estate, the Lyman Estate, Stonehurst and more.

Over a 1000 hours of entertainment

Site has been updated: http://internationalsteampunkcity.com/

[Capt. Stockings]

I'm considering vending, as long as I won't have too much work in one art show or another. A friend may even be coming up from California to share a booth with me.

[oldskoolpunk]

Press report

It seems to have been a modest success. The organizers want to try again next year, but compact the event into a smaller area.  This year's layout had venues all over town.

[Sam Watson]

I think the biggest drawback was trying to spread out all over Waltham. "Steampunk city" or not, it would have worked better if all of the booths and activities were in the lawn behind the museum/along the river. That said, it was nice to see all the outfits and people enjoying themselves.

Here's a photo (not taken by me) of my sweetie and me:

[Maets]

It seems to have been a modest success. The organizers want to try again next year, but compact the event into a smaller area.  This year's layout had venues all over town.

That was my biggest complaint.  Way to spread out.  Lots of empty space between.  What was there was good.

[m2]

Does anyone happen to know the names/websites of any of the photographers that were there this weekend?  One gave my friends and I a card, but we can't seem to find it.

[Maets]

Does anyone happen to know the names/websites of any of the photographers that were there this weekend?  One gave my friends and I a card, but we can't seem to find it.

One of them was Keegan Hobson keegan@keeganhobson.com.  He was very nice and sent me this  photo.


Unfortunately, he should have photoshopped out the grey hair and about 20 years.

[garato78]

curses! I live less then a hafe hour from waltham! wish I had known bout this sooner

[Musist]

I just watched a video of the parade, fantastic to see all the people in costume/period dress. Must have felt good to be there.