The Steampunk World's Fair: The Convention is in the Eye of the Beholder

This past weekend was our first time going to the Steampunk World's Fair. I had no idea what to expect.



Since the con is focused on steampunk and no other genre, it is not as big as DragonCon, but it is larger than any of the Florida steampunk exposes or festivals I've been to. As such, it is possible for two people to experience the weekend in totally different ways. I realized this, when a friend told me that he thought it was more of a vendors' convention than anything else. I had made the rounds of vendors rooms and hotel rooms cleverly turned into stores by the time he said that, so there was no arguing with his point of view. There are many shopping opportunities at the fair. I had formed a different view by that time, though, and had decided that it was a music festival above all else.

There was music everywhere, even in the hallway. This DJ referred to his set-up as "suitcase music".



Blaze and I began our Steampunk World's Fair experience by taking a waltzing class.





This was followed by seeing/hearing a lot of great live music.

Night Watch Paradox:





with more cowbell.











The Nathaniel Johnstone Band:

They may have lacked cowbells, but they had everything else: talented musicians, Tempest's beautiful dancing, Dogwood's energy, enthusiasm, and fantastic vocals, and Nathaniel Johnstone's very expressive face, while he demonstrated his ability to play multiple instruments.















This Way to the Egress:








The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing:









Those were only the shows we saw on Friday.




Pictures from the Steampunk World's Fair to be continued...