I love a bank holiday, don't you? Late August bank holiday was glorious this year, in fact you could say 'Splendid'. The Steam Punk festival, in Lincoln UK, that we have attended for a few years has moved to this weekend. Pirate Mick and I had a very special little girls birthday party to attend on the Saturday and so we purchased tickets for the Monday.
The Asylum Steampunk festival is the longest running festival in the world. The festival combines art, music, fashion, burlesque, comedy, fun and crafts. Take a look at the website if you would like some more information.
The Asylum, Steampunk |
| Image: Lorna Liza |
What is Steampunk? It is an adventure. A make believe fun, stemming from the genre of science fiction but with Victorian values It is cosplay, a performance art. For some, like me it is fun and a chance to dress up and create a character and for others it is a complete lifestyle. Throughout the years I have attended a fan workshop, to learn how to communicate with a fan and a tea duelling competition. What on earth is tea duelling I hear you cry!! Well, there are two competitors, a pot master (in charge of the tea) and a tiffin master (in charge of the biscuits). The object is to choose your biscuit, from a wide selection, wisely and dunk your biscuit in your tea. (No other drink is acceptable) There is a count to five and then the two competitors need to have a clean 'Nom'! (Eat!!) The person to have their biscuit cleanly survives to eat last wins!Wonder if this could be included into the Olympics?
I have watched alien head arcade games and many 'What would the Major say?' shows.
Imagine a world of Victorians with steam powers, clockworks, mechanical time machines and nerf guns. Goggles are a steampunk's uniform. It is a unique retro-futuristic role play world.
My character this year was an explorer. I was traveling to India. I had a ankle length brown skirt, which I purchased from a vintage shop and a cream high neck blouse. I also wore my under bust red and black corset, which was interesting to put on in the car park!!
I attached a straw boater to the back of my blouse, carried my camera bag and wore my handmade knitted fox scarf around my neck.(Which was fun in the heat!) I pinned up my hair and wore the compulsory goggles. I was going to wear my bloomers but it was so hot that I got away with brown ankle tie up boots. I had my hand painted with henna to represent my travels.
Pirate Mick accompanied me and wore his black suit, top hat, cane, gloves, cravat, spats and a red waistcoat. He also had his goggles on his hat.
We were certainly steam powered but from the heat!! It was very warm!!
There are many stalls in various places. Some can be accessed by the public and others you require your wristband.
One of my lovely friends had a stall, just outside the castle and was selling lovely jewellery and a speciality of hers, Bead adornments!! If you have a bead then you really need some jewellery for it. Take a look at her Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Purplepoisonivy
Another wonderful stall was this one displaying handmade hats. Can you spot my obvious favourite?
Of cause the 'Wizard Of Oz' hat.
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| Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
I was a little underwhelmed by the display as the grass had grown very long and hidden some of it. Maybe if I had walked along the walls and had seen them from above it may had been more of an experience. However I am very glad that I managed to catch them as the exhibition is now over.
There was lots of fun to be had in the castle grounds. Races, steam powered and jet pack, teddy bears picnics and the best beard was some of the activities available to join in. Again many wonderful stalls and lovely people manning them.
Costumes are amazing and everybody gives each other a smile or tip of the hat to say 'Yes I know you're boiling in your costume but no way can any part of it be removed. I feel your pain!!'.
Pirate Mick and I then headed to the next venue, which was the Cathedral. In the refectory we found respite and had a much needed drink and sit down. Again there were interesting stalls, mainly on art and literature.
I was given a couple of wonderful beer mats that had been created for a fictional animal story. Wonderful illustrations. The fictional beer was 'Guzzwort' and the fictional town was 'Winchett Dale'. Aren't they adorable!
The refectory ladies said that they tried to open the refectory most days in the summer. Run by volunteers the opening times may vary. If it is open and if it is a nice day then I can not recommend highly the refectory garden. It is beautiful and very peaceful and gives glorious views of the cathedral. It feels so imposing and grand as if it is in the garden and you can just reach out and touch it! It gave me the chance to view the cathedral in ways I have not before.
Below are a few photographs I took from the refectory garden.
Part of the genre of being a steam punk is to always be splendid. This day certainly was!!
Have I sparked your interest in Steam punk? This festival happens in Lincoln, UK but there are others around the country. The Goth festival in Whitby, which is held in April and November this year, has a large steam punk gathering. I have also heard of other steam punk events and if you are interested please message me and I will try and direct you for a steam punk event near you.
Be Splendid!!
"If happy little bluebirds fly, beyond the rainbow, why, oh why, can't I?" ~ Harold Arlen
All images copyright: Lorna Liza
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