New To the Line up!

Yesterday we had the Rail Arts District Tour in Avondale Estates. I had a lovely time meeting and talking with artists and patrons alike spreading the word about STEAM Fest and the ideas of steampunk itself. Captain Bill of The Venusian Airship Pirate Trading Company was there with all manner of armaments necessary for in self respectin' [or not] airship pirate! If you missed him at the arts tour have no fear for he and his compatriots will return for STEAM Fest!



Also added to our line up is Sketch MacQuinor and his creation The Game is Afoot: Renowned consulting detective Grimpen Meyer and his associate Dr. Basil Rosemarythyme are on the case, protecting their nation of Albion from the ne'erdowells and napoleons of crime that would seek to upset and hoodwink its citizens. It's a steampunk/mystery/comedy/puppet show unlike any other steampunk/mystery/comedy/puppet show you've ever seen.

I think it is going to be a smashing good time! There will be two episodes played throughout the two days of the festival so if you want to know the ending you better stick around!



And last but not least I present Thimblerig Circus! Some of you might recognize them from last year's festival and they will be back again!



I, Ophelia Crane, will also be reading an excerpt from The True History of Henry Rayne and The Airship Pirates at the Crossroads Writer's Conference as part of Dr. Amazing's Traveling Steampunk Literature Show which will be on Saturday at 4:30 in the Newton Chapel at Macon's campus of Georgia College and State University. This part of the conference is free to the public, and will feature several great steampunk authors and playwrights. If you ever had a question about what steampunk literature is, come and we will give you a taste!

That's all for now, enjoy the snow!

Winners!

We finally have our winners for our STEAM Fest 10 Minute Play Contest! These two pieces will be performed alongside The True History of Henry Rayne and the Airship Pirates during the weekend of the festival.

In no particular order:

Industriously Yours

By Miss Camille Alexa

In hopes their daughter will forget her Attachment to Rupert, a young man of dubious Social Standing, Cecile's parents have sent her for an extended stay of no certain duration to the Sisters of the Blessed Cog in a remote mountain abbey. Cecile, decidedly sick of mountain air, yodeling goatherds, and Rupert's absence writes in turn various relations and acquaintances requesting materials for a very secret project. Soon Gretna Green and Rupert are just a few stitches, some begging, and some well-timed blackmail away.

Nick of Time

By Mister Drew Davis

In 1880's London, part of the Spanish colony Ingleterra, investigator Don Raul de la Alvarez uncovers a mystery in the amazing inventions of Lord Nicholas Tempson that may impact the past, present, and future.

As of right now we do not know wether we will be able to fully stage these pieces or if they will be costumed formal staged readings as well. We will post details as we receive them. We want to thank everyone who entered, it was a tough choice, and we look forward to next year's contest!

Volunteers

Hey Guys!

I hope you all had a smashing Holiday and a Happy New Years!

If you are going to be in town this summer and want a chance to see what STEAM Fest is all about from the inside out, and do it for free, come volunteer with us!  Dates are Saturday June 19th-20th

Because we are looking to expand this year and include several new ten minute plays in addition to our formal staged reading, animation screenings, chess/checkers tournaments, circus troupes, and sooo much more we are going to need a lot of help!

If you are interested in helping please email me at dread.pirate.lainey@gmail.com with an idea of how much time you can commit!

Thanks! And I will keep you updated! Winners of our 10 Minute Play contest will be announced February 2nd--hooray Groundhog's Day!

Thanks!

Plugging Along...

I hope everyone had a great time at Dragon*Con!  I heard the Alternate History Track was a smash success [as I knew it would be!]  Coming up next is Anime Weekend Atlanta! 

I and a few other compatriates will be in attendance enjoying the festivities and other mischief.  We will also have STEAM Fest postcards to hand out!  Can't wait, hope to see you there.

I've also heard through the networks that Outland Armor will be there doing panel discussions, and if you like steampunk props and costumes this is definitely a group to check out!

We will also be having our first organizing meeting for STEAM Fest sometime near the end of September [date coming soon!] 

If you are interested in volunteering please email me at dread.pirate.lainey@gmail.com

Thank you!!

Dragon*Con

Have fun everyone!!!

If you make it to the Alternate History Track you can pick of a STEAM Fest postcard!!!

We're Back!

And better than ever.  After a brief hiatus, and vacation [woot!] we are backing and planning STEAM Fest 2010!  If you are interested in helping with the festival in any capacity please contact Lainey at dread.pirate.lainey@gmail.com

We've got a lot of cool new ideas for this years [or next years rather!] festival including a writing contes, a themed costume contest, and a brand new full length steampunk play The True History of Henry Rayne and the Airship Pirates by local playwright  and festival coordinator Lainey Welsch, more music, more art and more steampunk theatre!  Details will come as we confirm them.  Until then, you should go to DragonCon and enjoy the all new Alternate History Track!

Writing Contest Rules:

CONTENT:

Because STEAM Fest is a theatre festival celebrating the alternate history and inventive science fiction of steampunk in both literary and visual aspects we do ask that all works be related thematically in some way.  For two good jumping off points for the genre we would recommend first: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk as it is a great overview and introduction to the wild world of steampunk as well as a good history of how it came to be.  

The second resource I would recommend would be: http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/ which has great information as well as a wealth of links to various steampunk related goodies. Even if you have never heard of steampunk before I encourage you to learn more and participate.  It is expansive as a sub-genre and there is a little something for everyone.

If you have any questions regarding content please email dread.pirate.lainey@gmail.com

LENGTH:

Each work must be no longer than 10 pages [not including the title page].  Anything longer will automatically be disqualified.

FORMAT:

Entrant may send up to 3 works.  Accompanying each work will be a Title page which includes the following information:

Title of Work

Full Name

Mailing Address

Email Address

Phone Number

Paragraph Synopsis

Please mail hardcopy manuscripts to: 

Lainey Welsch

536 Partin Road

Cleveland, GA 30528

Electronic copies will not be accepted. 

If sending more than one work, please use one envelope. 

DEADLINE:

All scripts must be postmarked no later than December 1st, 2009.  The winners will be announced by February 28th and a staged reading of the winners will be performed June 19th and 20th at The Academy Theatre's Second Annual STEAM Fest. 

For any questions regarding the contest please email dread.pirate.lainey@gmail.com

Thank you and I look forward to your works!

Please feel free to send this to any and all who would like to participate!  The more the  merrier!

Our Wonderful Film Crew!

Clayton and Jared rock!  And hopefully after a few weeks [and a lot of coffee!] we will have a documentary on the first ever STEAM Fest!

Jared's other film work as well as artwork can be seen HERE: