Posted On: July 2, 2015
More than 100 time-travelers, explorers, and Victorians gathered at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library on Sunday, June 28, 2015 to revel in all things Steampunk. Guests–dressed in a wide range of Victorian-era-meets-modern-technology garb–sipped exotic teas, watched a Magic lantern show, and enjoyed chamber music performed on steampunk-inspired instruments.
Special guests at this year’s party included science writers from the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination’s Clarion Writers’ Workshop, and Anastasia Hunter, leader of Gaslight Gathering, who read samplings of steampunk literature. Steampunkers also participated in a variety of hands-on activity booths, where they could curate a paper theatre display by selecting characters and scenery; assemble exotic take-home teabags; and design a ‘Cornell Box.’
The inventors among the group completed a patent application for their next Steampunk invention (hopefully some of which will come to fruition in time for next year’s gathering), while the brave and adventurous got a stamp in their passports so they could travel back in time via the magnificent Steampunk time machine. Steampunk first-timers were invited to stop by the milliner’s to have their heads measured for a traditional hat to be made in their honor, before visiting the ‘Mustard Bar’ where they taste-tested and submitted formal culinary reviews of the various curiosities.
Take a step back in time and view the photos from the event here. For more information about the Annual Steampunk Tea Party, contact Scott Paulson at spaulson@ucsd.edu.