Good day, antipodeans and others.
Some of you will already be aware of of least some of our planned activities in New Zealand's glorious capital next month, but here's the full list. I recommend a cup of tea and a comfy chair as you consider your travel plans.
The weekend will begin on Thursday evening (20th) with
steampunk cocktails at our favourite bar the Hawthorn Lounge (no relation), 82 Tory Street. It's a tricky place to find for the uninitiated but worth the effort (hint: it's above the Mexican restaurant opposite Harvey Norman). We'll be there from 8pm. Come upstairs and sample something from the Full Steam or Half Steam menus - or water, if that's your beverage of choice; we don't mind.
Stagecraft Theatre is presenting a steampunk-themed production of Shakespeare's
The Tempest from Wednesday 19th, but the 'official' Capital! Steampunk night of attendance is Friday 21st at 7.30pm. Venue is the Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street. More details and bookings
here.
On Saturday 22nd it's
Aethercon, the Wellington steampunk convention. During the day (10am to 4.30pm, and you're welcome to stay for a drink and nibbles after that) it's in historic Dransfield House, the home of Wellington's first mayor, at 335 Willis Street. Then at 8pm the
Aethercon Ball begins at Bodega, 101 Ghuznee Street. Meet new friends, display your finest steampunk attire, enjoy the entertainment. During the evening Capital! Steampunk members will be frightening the horses (in a private room) with selected Victorian erotica readings. Anti-hysteria devices will be on hand if required. Bookings for both events are on
Eventfinder.
To wind down on Sunday 23rd, we suggest a stroll in the Botanic Gardens while enjoying a reading of
The Hunting of the Snark. We'll be meeting at the top of the cable car in Kelburn at 11am, probably ending up in the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens where they serve a rather fine cheese scone, among other desirable comestibles. And tea.
There may be more activities to come as well, such as a visit to a display of Victorian and Edwardian undergarments in the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace during the day on Friday, but we're still finalising some of this.
We shall be delighted to welcome visitors to our fair city for what promises to be a rather splendid affair. The
Capital! Steampunk website will have more details (or look for
Capital! Steampunk NZ on Facebook, if you like that sort of thing).