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Writer Leanna Renee Hieber Hunts the Paranormal Mediums across the aether have warned of there being many free flow- ing spirits at the inaugural Empire Symposium. As a precaution, the Symposium has invited award win- ning, bestselling author, actress and playwright Leanna Renee Hieber to be a guest of honor and paranormal expert for the weekend’s convention. Ms. Hieber grew up in rural Ohio inventing stories. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Miami University, a focus in the Vic- torian Era and a scholarship to study in . She has adapted works of 19th Century literature for the stage and her one-act plays such as Favorite of Gothic Victorian novels, cal theatre production currently in Lady have been produced around the landed on Barnes & Noble’s best- development with a team that includes country. Her novella Dark Nest won seller lists, was named a favorite of talent from Tony Award winning the 2009 Prism Award for excellence 2009 by 14 genre blogs, won two shows like Memphis, Wicked, Tarzan in Futuristic / Fantasy / Paranormal 2010 Prism Awards for Best Fantasy and more. In November 2011 Leanna Romance. and Best First Book, the 2010 Orange launched Magic Most Foul, a new Her debut novel, The Strangely County Book Buyer’s Best Award Gothic Paranormal Young Adult series Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, (Young Adult category) and has been with Sourcebooks Fire. first in her Strangely Beautiful series optioned for adaptation into a musi- Continued on page 21 Gentleman Artist Myke Amend has Seen the Future Myke Amend is a weaver of Dore, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Gerald strange worlds in which darkness and Brom, Derek Riggs, Salvadore Dali, the , fantasy, speculative fic- Albrecht Durer, Pieter Brughel the tion, emotion, and even politics blend Elder, a thing most commonly noted seamlessly into , surreal, hor- about Myke’s artistic style is his atten- rific, yet serene and wondrous worlds tion to detail and details within details, of tranquil chaos. bordering on “neurotic”. His works are those of mystery His illustrations have been pub- and message, wherein seeks to lished for Magazine, provide the viewer with endless new Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Gatehouse things to find within a busy sea of tiny Gazette, Kilter Magazine, and the art strokes and intermingled thoughts, collection “ Now” hiding visages and artwork within Amend has commissioned art- Brothers Circus, Vernian Process, and each element of every work, and in the works for many names in Steampunk Captain Robert of Abney Park. empty space between. Music, Entertainment, and Literature Influenced greatly by Gustave including Dexter Palmer, The Pickled Continued on page 21 Page 2 Inaugural Gathering of the Empire Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! are behaving in an uncivilized manner. Welcome to the first ever Steampunk 7. Please abide by our weapons policy: Empire Symposium; thank you for All weapons must be non-working being a part of this totally inaccurate and peace bonded. Bladed weapons historical event. (including sword canes) must be cased For the comfort and safety of all or sheathed at all times. Any firearms attendingApril the Symposium, 27-29, please 2012. The Atrium Hotel, orCincinnati, antique firearms used inOhio costum- abide by these common sense rules: ing must have the firing mechanisms weekend jolly well full of Guest Author: Leannadisabled, bolt,Renee flint, Hiebermatch or firing pin 1. You muststeampunk wear your membership festivities and Guest Speaker: Ay-leenremoved or havethe the Peacemaker trigger restrained badgeA (ribbon) at all times to be ad- by a member of our security staff. Live mittedlarks: to any guests, convention panels, function. gaming, Guest Artist: Mykeammunition Amend is prohibited. 2. Possession of alcoholic beverages Honoured Guests:8. No Emilie horseplay P in Bush,the common areas. byworkshops, anyone under 21 yearsmerchants, of age is parlour Any weapon used in an offensive man- groundsgames, for expulsion absinthe, from theevents, con- LARPing,5. Announced eventsSteampunk and guests are Boba ner Fett, will be Lord confiscated Bobbins, and rule #6 vention without refund. subject to changeThe and/or Vagabonds, cancellation enforced.Airship Archon, & more 3.concerts, Please keep all etiquette, behavior that politecuriosities, without notice. Every effort will be 9. Please do not abuse our hotels facili- attendeesdances, would tea, find the publicly awe-inspiring offensive made to announceMusic any changes from: via theFrenchy ties or hotel & the staff. Punk, Room Parties This and in your hotel rooms. Internet and pre-conventionWay to the publi Egress,- other Veronique announcements mayChevalier, be dropped 4.Imperial Steampunk EmpireGames, Symposium and muchcations more but .sometimes . . last-minute off at our Information Desk. and Pandora Promotions LLC are not changes will occur.Ford Theatre Reunion,10. Wear appropriate clothing in the responsible for lost, stolen or damaged 6. We reserve the right to ask you to common areas; nudity needs to remain property, or for injuries www.steampunksymposium.comsustained dur- leave the convention and refuse to in the hotel guest rooms. ing the course of the convention. refund your membership money if you

09.28.12 - The Pandoracon Opens!

Babylon 5’s Author Jason Carter Teri A. Jacobs

Artist More Guests to Billy Tackett be announced

Crowne Plaza Blue Ash www.Pandoracon.com Page 3 Noteable Persons of the Aether to Present Panels

Emilie P Bush Ay-leen the Peacemaker Steampunk Boba Fett Journalist and writer Emilie P. Steampunk Boba Fett (John F. Known throughout the greater ste- Bush has written two Steampunk nov- Strangeway) is one of the most recog- ampunk community for her work with els. Her first, Chenda and the Airship nized figures in both the Steampunk the popular site “Beyond Victoriana,” Brofman, was a “ripping good yarn!” and Star Wars fan communities. Ay-leen the Peacemaker is a leading and the tale was a 2010 Semi-finalist The idea originated in John’s lifelong voice on multiculturalism in steam- for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel love of Star Wars and in particular punk. For the past few years, Ay-leen Award. New this year, The Gospel the cult figure of bounty hunter Boba has been involved with the steampunk According to Verdu picks up the epic Fett. He had the idea for a Steampunk communities in the New York metro tale where Chenda left off - high in the variation for quite some time but area and New England as a convention skies. Coming in Spring of 2012, Emi- lacked the resources to build the speaker and general rabble-rouser. lie P. Bush teams up with illustrator to match his vision. That changed at Her upcoming published work will William Kevin Petty for the first ever AnachroCon 2009, where he met Matt be included in the anthology children’s Steampunk picture book : Silva of Penny Dreadful Productions. “Fashion Talks: Undressing the Power Her Majesty’s Explorer: a Steampunk A few months later the two began of Style” from SUNY Press in 2012. bedtime story. work on the suit, which debuted at She has also been interviewed about Emilie P. Bush loves to laugh and *Con 2009 to overwhelming steampunk and its evolving makes the audience the stars in her acclaim. John and Matt are featured for many steampunk and sci-fi sites wacky convention game shows: The prominently in the PBS documentary and for the books “The Steampunk Great Debate: Tesla v. Watt and the “Four Days at Dragon*Con.” Bible” (Abrams Image, May 2011) and all new game Verne v. Wells. Only the When he’s not portraying Steam- “Steampunk: Reloaded” (Tachyon audience can decide who’s right, and punk Boba Fett, John serves as PR/ Publications, 2010). better yet, who’s FUNNY! Also, she media relations representative for Ay-leen currently lives and works hosts a gathering of kilt lovers – The Penny Dreadful Productions. He also in New York City. One of her many Men Without Pants Party, and will works with Dragon*Con Media Rela- hats is running Tor.com Steampunk host the first ever Steampunk Worship tions, appearing on Better Mornings on Facebook and Twitter. Service this Spring. Atlanta and 11Alive in 2010.

Bobbins utilizes his history in mo- Lord Bobbins of Teslacon tion pictures and theatrics to bring imaginative delight to people of all Described as the Walt Disney of ages. The Steampunk Symposium is Steampunk, Lord Hastings Robert delighted to have Lord Bobbins as a Bobbins III (aka Eric Jon Larson) is distinguished guest as he shares with truly a master of the most splendid all his expertise on a wide range of immersive and interactive conven- Victorian and Steampunk matters. tions this side of the aether. Lord

Page 5 Scandalous Musicians Seeking to Corrupt both Young and Old Drunk and Sailor

Phillip is usually the drunk, and Capt. Amos is usually the sailor. Sometimes they’re both drunk, and sometimes they’re both sailors. Every once in a great while they are both drunk and both sailors.

cheeky ballads sung in English and French, danceable old-world inspired melodies and thunderous tribal- march-style drum instrumentals. Get a Steampunk-lish Chanteuse, and transported to a world full of humor, Spooky Polkanista, who has been theatricality, whirling dance and bo- described as a twisted incarnation of hemian . Come experience their Edith Piaf from an alternate reality - genre-busting non-traditional take on the one in which her parents are Jim world cabaret served with a twist of Morrison, and Elvira, Mistress of the vaudeville and a dash of steampunk Dark, and her godparents are Lucille flavoring rooted in folk, punk and the Ball and Weird Al. Extraordinary Contraptions vineyards of southern France.

A lawman, a time traveler, a gentleman explorer and a mad genius join forces... To alter the sound of ste- ampunk as we know ! The Extraordi- nary Contraptions, Atlanta, Georgia’s own steampunk rock band combines superb musicianship with visuals from a time that never was. The rock-and- roll aesthetic meets the steampunk DIY ethic to produce a unique sound and visual sensation. This Way to the Egress Ford Theatre Reunion This Way to the Egress is an Ole Ford Theatre Reunion have been Tymey, Gypsypunk, Cabaret. With a Deadly Sins Burlesque described as “one of the strangest, valiant effort to “bring the show back most interesting, eclectic bands I’ve to the people” they are a revolving Deadly Sins Burlesque is a glit- ever heard. I don’t know if they fit door of musical mayhem, sideshow, tering collision of class, sass, ass, any genre/classification . . . If you burlesque, and comedy leaving a and over-the-top vaudevillian enter- like NEW sounds F T R is the ticket.” modern twist on the good old days of tainment. They first cut their rhine- (Yelp!); “Visually resplendent, full of Vaudeville. Like a renegade theater stone-encrusted teeth over a year performance daring and stylistically of sorts, they weave visual antics with ago, and quickly became a diamond indefinable, the Lexington collective eclectic sounds creating an experience in the rough, having graced (and dis- is a dark musical carnival that loves to unlike any other in their genre. graced) stages across Kentucky. dash the senses.” (LexGo). Please note that the Deadly Sins Burlesque performance is a limited Veronique Chevalier engagement for Symposium mem- Frenchy and the Punk bers over the age of 21 fortunate Veronique Chevalier is the eccen- enough to win tickets in the char- tric Françican (Français-American) Euro-American duo Frenchy and ity raffle; further information, and Chanteuse (Songstress) known as The the Punk (formerly The Gypsy No- tickets can be found at the registra- “Weird VAL” of . mads) fuse raucous live guitar looping, tion desk. She’s an unparalleled Parodist; Page 6 Alliance Declared Between Various Aether Factions A variety of experienced steam- various oddities and contraptions. tions and events near and far. The punk groups are joining forces to Dr. Torque’s Traveling Exposition of Archon is a close-knit group and like facilitate panels, entertainment, and Curious Contraptions and Fantastical to keep their business practices and programming for the Steampunk Em- Oddities launched at Geek Media Expo policies on the sly but are willing to pire Symposium. in late 2010. This traveling Exposi- teach you a few things on fashion, tion features the alluring and quizzical character creation, prop building, sew- romp of Clocktease Burlesque founded ing and being thrifty! by our talented resident burlesque dancer Bettie B. Cupp.

The Apparition Abolishers! The Airship Archon The League of Cincinnati Whom Shall One Telegraph? The A diverse group of entertainers, Apparition Abolishers! A group of tinkerers, and business people hail- A confederacy of chronologically steampunk costumers, artists, prop- ing from the humble but worldly city anarchistic ladies and gentlemen of makers, and performers based in of Columbus, Ohio. They continually varying degrees of gentility and de- Nashville, TN. They won Dragon*Con’s strive to network and propagate their bauchery. Established in the year MM- 2009 Masquerade Best Overall Cos- good name to far off cities as much as VIII, the League has grown immensely tume award during their inaugural possible. Frequently they host build year. Their artistic endeavors include days, meet ups, picnics, and dinners. unique costumes, a web comic and In addition they also travel to conven- Continued on page 7 June 29th-July 1st, 2012 Ramada Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus, Ohio

Ohio’s only weekend-long convention and trade show celebrating geek culture, technology and bacon!

Online RegistrationFeaturing: is now OPEN! *Exhibitors/Vendors galore, for all your geeky/bacony shopping needs *Programming with a wide variety of topics *Bar eet Saturday Night Party *The Ba-Consuite - hospitality suite chock full of bacony goodness! *Special Guests like: Jennie Breeden...Je Carlisle...Jason Carter... The Cast & Crew of Aidan 5 (nominated for nine IAWTV awards!)

geek. games. tech. BACON! Page 7 Continued from page 6 an absurd love for terrorizing Boston, Michigan, and Ohio areas. They’d go since. They hold monthly Steampunk farther, but because of their fearless Salons, cavort with picnics, promenade leader’s love for messing with machin- in festivals, but the highlight of the ery he really shouldn’t be touching, Cincinnati calendar is the Steampunk that’s about as far as they’ve been able Symposium at the end of April. All to get. But stay tuned! A few miles of who feel themselves somehow mis- rope, and this may get fixed. placed in time are welcome to don a From terrorizing “The Man” to top hat, tighten a , and join the assembling like minded individuals League’s adventures and mischief. into coherent masses for posing and picture taking, they do it all. Being conventionally recognized doesn’t really suit their style at times, but be- ing the good hearted individuals they are, they’ll easily be prepared to give creative instruction on any manner of topics. CharlieTonic.com Remember, when you throw aristocrats, pirates, a cook, and a few outlaws at each other, you can’t help but come up with a bronze and brass to all the staff and people who have encyclopedia whose pages are always helped to get this helium filled conven- changing. ton off the ground, there’s so many of The Vagabonds you, and all we had left was this tiny Lurking out from the shadows, Much Gratitude bit of space, but please know that this The Vagabonds are a crew of nomadic, A very heart felt thank you from miniscule part of the program book is crime solving, ninja bandits who have the Steampunk Empire Symposium dedicated to all your hard work :) Page 8 An Array of Panels, Presentations, & Workshops The Steampunk Empire Symposium offers its attendees a variety of Punk panels, workshops, and such for (Airship Archon) Background on the entertainment and education. Please Japanese & how easy it note that unless marked otherwise, is to incorporate into steampunk for each is approximately 50 minutes in fun, fresh looks for ladies who don’t al- duration. ways want to wear floor length gowns! Adie’s Hide and Seek Game Love, Sky, City, Burn (90 min) (The Vagabonds) Adie has hidden (Original Film) The siege goes trinkets all around the convention! poorly. The Enemy will soon break Find one and return it to her to through and the sky-city of Stoat- redeem a small prize! pamphlet will burn. Four friends attempt to survive the coming night- Bartitsu Workshop mare-- but for the factory lads of (Ring of Steel) Learn to fight like a Stoat, escape is not an option. Meet gentleman with Mr. Barton-Wright’s William Norrister: a bare-knuckle fine martial art, later immortalized boxer in debt to a crime lord. Jona- by the late Sherlock Holmes. than Starsmore, a druggist seeking to escape the cataclysm. Ghery, a Belly Dance Workshop beautiful bar singer who must learn (Zahara’s Tangled Web) A beginner’s to hope again-- and Hennison, a dark session to basic bellydance moves. man on a mysterious mission. The lead your people through ancient enemy is at the gates while knives Calling Card Etiquette Greece. Agricola, own a farm and are drawn in the dark. To live they (Lord Bobbins) Learn the subtle art feed your family during the dark must pay the price of blood. of the calling card as it was used then ages. Seven Wonders, draft your fu- and how it can be used now. ture. La Cita, building a city during The Making of Remnant the Renaissance. Settlers of Catan, (John Strangeway) Remnant is the Charlie Tonic Hour a classic resource management latest project from Penny Dread- (Ginny Tonic & Charlie) Join the game, and many more. ful Productions. Starting out as a hosts of the Charlie Tonic Hour conceptual fashion line set in a post podcast as they record a live studio Gizmos, Gadgets, and Doodads apocalyptic/steampunk genre, it audience episode of their infamous (The Vagabonds) Need to build a has now moved on to the big screen show. prop? Have a tight budget? We’ll with the help of Brothers Young teach you tips and tricks on how to Productions, Dim Horizon Studios, Deus Ex Machina make impressive steampunk gad- Amy Houser Illustrations, and other (Emilie P Bush) Theology In Steam- gets and weapons without contributors to create five short vi- punk – There is god in the machine, spending a fortune. gnettes to bring the characters to life. for good or ill. This discussion looks at various forms of theology in Steam- Growing up Steampunk Meet the Vagabonds punk literature, personas and film. (Emilie P Bush) Kids and Steampunk - (The Vagabonds) It’s time to meet what can be learned? Using alt- history all the members and talk about their Envisioning a Better Steam as a framework for teaching history, stories. They’ll talk about how they Society: Steampunk and Social basic engineering and more. Round- came to be the misfit group of merce- Justice table discussion. Handouts will be nary paranormal detectives they are (Ay-leen the Peacemaker) How might available for those wanting to try some now. lessons of the past and steampunks kids activities. of today make for a better tomorrow? Midnight Masquerade (2 hours) Gun Spinning Workshop ( Hearts) At the stroke of mid- From Disaster to Dashing: Dress- (Ring of Steel) Learn how to wield night masked revelers will fill the ing for Men that raygun or maverick with a little Atrium Ballroom for eclectic music, (Airship Archon) In this panel we will more style. gathered by our time traveling jockey discuss clothing and accessory options of the disc, shall fill the hall; drink, for the overlooked male gender, as A History of Cincinnati laugh, and make merry. well as discovering your personal style (A. Mann) Cincinnati was once a hub and places to look for inspiration and for steamboats from all across the Survival 101 pieces. nation; learn more about the Queen (The Vagabonds) They’ll teach you City from our local dapper historian. how to find, capture, and defend Gaming (all day) yourself from various creatures and The Gaming Room in Windsor West Indie Film Making . And talk about some of offers the following games and oth- The directors of Love, Sky, City, their encounters with them. ers for your enjoyment and distrac- Burn (Billy Boyd) and The Wars of tion: Dominion, a deck building Other Men (Mike Zawacki) share game. Race for the Galaxy, card their knowledge of tips on how to game of space conquest. Olympus, produce your own steampunk film Continued on page 13 Friday Afternoon & Evening Programing Banquet East Windsor East Stratford Theatre Atrium Ballroom 4:00 p.m. Steampunk 101 Love, Sky, City, Recruitment Fair Burn & Swap Meet 5:00 p.m. Steampunking Iconic Characters

6:00 p.m. Gizmos, Gadgets, Wars of Other Men and Doodads

7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony 8:00 p.m. Extraordinary Thrifty Steampunk The Art of Myke Contraptions Amend

9:00 p.m. Calling Card The Victorian Etiquette Language of the Fan

10:00 p.m. Veronique Chevalier Steampunk Steampunk in Literature: an overview

11:00 p.m. Steampunk Vs. - Victorian Erotica Victorian

12:00 a.m. This Way War of the Worlds Steampunk Motion to the Egress Picture Marathon

Hall Activity Open Close Oxford Curiousity Exhibit Closed for set up Banquet West Vendor Hall 4 p.m. 9 p.m. Windsor West Gaming 6 p.m. 10 p.m. Hyde Park Children’s Program 4 p.m. 8 p.m. Saturday Morning & Afternoon Programing Banquet East Windsor East Stratford Theatre Atrium Ballroom 10:00 a.m. Stage Combat Monster Survival Steampunk Art Workshop 101

11:00 a.m. Steampunk Dances Steampunk 210 Steam Around the Mustache Workshop World: Beyond Parade Victoriana

12:00 p.m. Bartitsu Workshop Growing Up A Reading from Nerf Dueling Steampunk - Kids Leanna Renee and Steampunk Heiber

1:00 p.m. Steampunk Dances From Disaster to Photo Manipulation Croquet Workshop Dashing: Dressing for Men

2:00 p.m. Gun Spinning A History of Envisioning a Better Tea Dueling Workshop Cincinnati Steam Society: Steampunk and Social Justice

3:00 p.m. Belly Dance Prop Making Tips Verbal Dueling Workshop

4:00 p.m. Lolita Punk Love, Sky, City, Tiddly Winks Burn 5:00 p.m. Drunk & Sailor Trash to Treasure Umbrella Dueling Vendors in the Merchant bazaar Altered History Caelyn Tek Merchants Gwilling & Black Artifixer Costume Gallery Highwind Steamworks Artistic Intentions Festooned Butterfly Oh So Fine Beadful Things Road Pandora’s Pagoda Black Hearts Clothing Got Steam? Singing Lemur Jewelry Bustles & Britches Griffin Works Leather Time Traveler Outfitters Hall Activity Open Close Oxford Curiousity Exhibit 10 a.m 6 p.m. Banquet West Vendor Hall 10 a.m 8 p.m. Windsor West Gaming 10 a.m. 10 p.m. Hyde Park Children’s Program 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Saturday Evening Programing Banquet East Windsor East Stratford Theatre Atrium Ballroom 6:00 p.m. Zalikir’s Magic Show Wars of Other Men Airship Races

7:00 p.m. Extraordinary The Mystery Contraptions Airships of 1897

8:00 p.m. Steampunk Story Time

9:00 p.m. Ford Theatre Victorian Spacecraft Reunion

10:00 p.m. Victorian Drinks & Veronique Chevalier Drunkardness

11:00 p.m. Frenchy & the Punk Meet the Vagabonds

12:00 a.m. Deadly Sins Midnight Burleque Masquerade

Windsor Windsor West East Oxford

Banquet West Gents

Ladies Parking Lot Banquet East

Reception Desk Map of Steampunk Empire Symposium (not to scale) Registration Stratford Theatre Hyde Park

Atrium Ball Room Sunday Morning & Afternoon Programing Banquet East Windsor East Stratford Theatre Atrium Ballroom 10:00 a.m. Deus Ex Machina The Victorians and - Theology In The Paranormal Steampunk

11:00 a.m. Steamkids Play The World of Steampunk 320 Teslacon

12:00 p.m. Victorian Fisticuffs The Making of The Charlie Tonic Nerf High Noon Workshop Remnant Hour

1:00 p.m. Sword Cane Indie Film Making Pandora Promotions Workshop Preview

2:00 p.m. Motion Picture

3:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony

Hall Activity Open Close Oxford Curiousity Exhibit 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Banquet West Vendor Hall 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Windsor West Gaming 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Hyde Park Children’s Program 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Page 13 Continued from page 8 into upcoming events and see how Stage Combat Workshop you can get involved with the fun. (Ring of Steel) Learn the basics of The Mystery Airships of 1897 pretending to fight without actually (Zebulon Vitruvius Pike) An his- Photo Manipulation getting hurt. torical review of the series of airship (Lord Bobbins) The fine art of taking sightings that occurred between No- pictures and adding more adventure Steam Around the World: Be- vember 1896 and May of 1897 across to them. yond Victoriana the American West and Mid-West. (Ay-leen the Peacemaker) Steam- Prop Making Tips punk is more than just faking a Movie Marathon (Steampunk Boba Fett et al.) From British or German accent; learn more A series of steampunk motion pic- the Penny Dreadfuls’ workshop to about neo-Victorian multicultural- tures will be screened for your view- that corner in your garage, what tips ism from one of the leading experts ing pleasure in the Stratford Theatre can we share for safe and creative in the field. (see door poster for film schedule). making of steampunk props? Steamkids Play Myke Amend Q&A Reading from Leanna Renee (Children’s Program) The Steamkids Meet the artist and learn more about Hieber: Leanna will present work of the Symposium present an orginal his techniques and inspiration. never before heard, a dramatic reading piece of steampunk theatre for the from her short story that will appear in mirth and amusement of the grown Nerf High Noon Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells: Tales ups. Sunday, noon, the ultimate Nerf of Gaslight Fantasy releasing from shoot out. You can take cover, but no Tor Books in 2013, and participate in a Steampunk 101 where will be safe from those foam lively Q and A. (Airship Archon) Basic background darts. info on the history of steampunk and Recruitment Fair its emergence in popular culture. Opening Ceremony Is your airship missing a vital crew The Steampunk Empire Symposium member? Are you a stray steampunk Steampunk 210 will formally welcome attendees, air- in need of an airship? Friday afternoon (Airship Archon) Going to conven- ships, and special guests. and evening come to the Atrium Ball- tions, meeting people and starting room and find new crew mates for the your own airship. Notes on making Pandora Promotions Preview Symposium Games. (The Pandora Society) Get an insight Continued on page 14 Page 14 Continued from page 13 Steampunking Iconic Charac- personas, outfits and basic modifica- ters tion of clothing and props. (Steampunk Boba Fett) An overview of the inovative steampunking of Steampunk 320 various pop culture characters. (Airship Archon) Advanced Steam- punk for Fun & Profit. Swap Meet An opportunity to trade clothes, Steampunk in Anime props, etc. with fellow Symposium (Ay-leen the Peacemaker) Japanese attendees. animation has a long history of being (Emilie P Bush) Authors and readers steampunk long before it was popu- come together to share their favorites Sword Cane Workshop lar. and the Classics of Steampunk. We’ll (Ring of Steel) Learn how to use the talk about what makes Steampunk Ste- ultimate concealed weapon. Steampunk Art ampunk, and look at some sub genres (Myke Amend) An overview of how as well. Panel will offer a handout of Thrifty Steampunk the world of steampunk has been Steampunk literature, a few dramatic (The Vagabonds) Creating an outfit inspired by art and vice versa. readings, and opportunities for book from thrift shop goods isn’t as hard signings. as people expect. Come and see how Steampunk Dance Workshop simple mods can transform anything (Madame Gigi) Learn to blend - Steampunk Storytime clothing into a unique outfit. ern and traditional dance styles into (The Vagabonds) Gather ‘round and something completely new. listen to the tales of ghost hunting Trash to Treasure missions, monster hunting mishaps, (Apparition Abolishers) Watch and Steampunk Fashion and what goes on behind the scenes learn how the Apparition Abolishers’ (Apparition Abolishers) Describing on our ship. fantastical contraptions and exposi- and discussing the ins and outs of tion oddities were made! A discus- creating authentic, yet creative fash- Steampunk VS. Neo-Victorian sion of how some of the key Abol- ions fueled by a Steampunk sensibil- (Airship Archon) What is the differ- isher’s gear, props and oddities were ity. ence between Steampunk & Neo Vic- conceived and constructed. Building torian? Is there one? Come to discuss tips and material sources will also be Steampunk Literature: an over- two different movements and how Continued on page 16 view they relate. Sept. 22nd & 23rd 2012

www.CincinnatiComicExpo.com

Page 16 Continued from page 14 The Wars of Other Men (Original Film) Set in an alternate discussed. How everyday objects and 1920s-era world at war, The Wars of discarded trash can be transformed Other Men tells the story of a name- into a Steampunk wonder. less Lieutenant fighting for an army on the verge of defeat. The enemy Victorian Drinks & Drunkard- has begun to dominate the battle- ness field with their new chemical super (The Pandora Society) Calamity weapon, known only as “the Fog.” Dawn and Ginny Tonic explore popu- When his superiors learn the loca- lar cocktails and the drinking culture tion of the facility that manufactures of the 1800’s. the Fog, the Lieutenant is ordered to lead a squad through the war torn Victorian Erotica city to capture the scientist respon- (The Pandora Society) Calam- sible for its creation… at a terrible ity Dawn and Ginny Tonic present Verne’s Columbiad and Wells’ Cavor- cost to soldier and civilian alike. something a little naughty with read- ite sphere to Tsiolkovsky’s rockets With the lives of his men and the fate ings from adult Victorian literature. and Edison’s aether propeller. of the war hanging in the balance the Lieutenant must make a choice — Victorian Fisticuffs Workshop Victorians and The Paranormal will he be a good soldier or will he be (Ring of Steel) Learn how to box like (Leanna Renee Hieber) Why these a good man? a gentlemen. things go so well together. A discus- sion of culture, fear, psyche and The World of Teslacon Victorian Language of the Fan. pseudo-science. (Lord Bobbins) If you have yet to (Leanna Renee Hieber) Learn about attend TeslaCon, you certainly have these mythic secret signals in an en- War of the Worlds heard friends talk about it; learn tertaining discussion of 19th century (Audio Delight) There have been more about this immersive steam- culture and communication. many adaptations of H.G. Well’s punk convention from the inventor classic tales of Martian invaders, but himself, Lord Bobbins. Victorian Spacecraft perhaps the most accurate is actually (Zebulon Vitruvius Pike) A history Jeff Wayne’s 1978 rock opera ver- Zalikir’s Magic Show Spectacular of the science and sion. (The Vagabonds) Is it a trick? Or is it of 19th Century space travel, from real? You never know with Zalikir. Page 17 Airships Compete in “Civil” Annual Symposium Games The Symposium Games are the If you are not a member of an air- annual gathering of airships and ship, or your team lacks a person ca- steampunk groups from all over the pable of fulfilling a particular contest, surrounding regions of the Midwest do not despair. Friday, in the Atrium aether and beyond to compete in a Ballroom, between four o’clock and series of “civil” brawls and contests. six o’clock is the Recruitment Fair in The winner of each individual contest which solo attendees can find an air- is awarded a Champion Ribbon and ship willing to take them aboard as an scores a point for his or her airship or honorary member for the weekend. group; the team with the most points For the MMXII Symposium at the end of the weekend wins the Games the contests are as follows: coveted Symposium Tropy and four weekend memberships to next year’s Airship Races Steampunk Empire Symposium to be Several teams have arrived with trusted to the team’s captain. remote control replicas of their actual Each airship or group participat- airships. This challenge will pit pilots Mustache Parade ing in the Games must formally regis- against each other in an obstacle race Gentlemen only please, and no ter at the Registration Desk. Require- around the Atrium dome. fake mustaches. In this challenge ments are that the crew be at least four chaps with long whiskers will pit the persons from the same geographical Croquet aesthetics and eccentricity of their region; sorry, a captain without a crew The classic sport of mallets and is not recognized as a captain at the hoops shall be played indoors around Continued on page 18 Steampunk Empire Symposium. the Atrium Ballroom. Page 18 Continued from page 17 lune” for documented confirmation), the humble umbrella is quite the ver- mustaches against one another to satile accessory for any lady or gentle- impress a panel of judges. man. Competing airships will put forth their best brolly-fencer for a knockout Nerf Dueling tournament of umbrella dueling. It just simply would not be a ste- ampunk excursion without the pres- Verbal Dueling ence of the ubiquitous Nerf Maverick. “I would challenge you to a battle Sharp shooters from each team will of wits, but I see that you are un- stand back to back to another marks- armed.” man and walk several paces before flight by pressing down on a wink, As part of the weekend’s contest turning to fire. thereby flicking it into the air. The each competing airship shall put for- objective of the game is to score points ward their most cerebral warrior for Tea Dueling by sending your own winks into the the Verbal Dueling. Opponents will sit The American Tea “Duelling” pot and preventing the opponent from comfortably either side of a table while Society will run this sport that they “squopping” your winks by placing sipping tea (or some other beverage) first started this year at AnachroCon; a your own winks on top of them. As and trying to fluster the other with challenge of tea and dunking biscuits part of strategic gameplay players witty insults. To win a round one must (aka cookies). often attempt to squop their oppo- simply leave one’s opponent flounder- nents’ winks and develop, maintain ing for the right rhetorical come back, Tiddly Winks and break large piles of winks. Quite or else be deemed the wittier of the Tiddlywinks is an indoor game the challenge. two by the umpire should time run played on a flat mat with sets of small short. discs called “winks”, a pot, and a Umbrella Dueling More detailed rules will be ex- collection of squidgers. Players use a Useful for fencing off the weather plained by the umpire of each chal- “squidger”: a disk (nowadays made and eliminating moon men (see lenge; see schedule for the times of of plastic) used to propel a wink into Georges Méliès’s “Le Voyage dans la each challenge.

www.MARCON.org Page 19 An Explorer’s Guide to Local Foods

Region 6 Region 5

Region 4 Region 3 Region 7 Region 8

Region 1 Region 2

The Atrium Hotel Region 1 Region 5 Region 7 Region 8 Benihana Chik-fil-A Burger King Chipolte (in Tri-County Mall) Five Guys Burgers Chili’s BJ’s Graeter’s Ice Cream (highly Hibachi Buffet IHOP Ruby Tuesdays recommended local delight) Wal-Mart Macaroni Grill Jade Garden Buffet McDonald’s Mall Food Court: Jimmy John’s Target Cajun Grill Liquor Store Wendy’s O’Charley’s China Experience Tri-County Beverage Cen- Gold Star Chilli ter, 350 Northand Blvd, Region 2 Great Steak & Potato 45246 (513) 771-3419 Steak ‘n’ Shake Subway TGI Fridays Villa Pizza. Region 3 Ali Baba Region 6 Lulu’s (good Chinese) Blue Agave Mexican Squekey’s Hot Dogs First Watch Frisch’s Big Boy Region 4 KFC Panera LaRosa’s Pizza Ponderosa Red Squirrel Skyline Chilli (local) Spiritualists Predict Pandoracon to Open September 28th, 2012 The Pandora Society has given that they shall be among the many indication that a committee of experts who will gather at the site of the con- in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, vention to witness the opening of Cin- gaming, and other such disciplines cinnati’s new celebration of Chic Geek are currently working on the mys- Culture that is Pandoracon. Many have tery of the fabled Pandoracon. There speculated that this meeting of nerds, have been numerous reports in the gamers, dorks, cosplayers, fanboys and past that opening of the mythological fangirls could be as a result of a certain Pandoracon would bring about the end time travelling Doctor, but it still has of tedium in Cincinnati and the sur- yet to be conformed exactly Who this rounding region, but now The Pandora might be? Society have made the solid prediction To organize the chaos and mirth the victor of the weekend. that this cataclysmic event will occur that is bound to explode at the week- A program filled with panels, on Friday, September 28th, 2012 at end convention, authorities will divide screenings, gaming, costuming, work- the Crowne Plaza Blue Ash and last all attendees into what has become shops, music, events, parties, and a weekend before it is over. known as the four Houses of Pandora: general celebration of all that is Chic Celebrities such as Jason Carter clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. Geek awaits attendees of this cosmic from the televisual show Babylon 5, Each house will have a Con Queen; event. The Pandora Society advises artist Billy Tackett, dark fan- champions of each house will battle at people to research this topic further by tasy author Teri A. Jacobs, and other the site of the Pandoracon in friendly visiting the aetherweb site . . . persons of talent have already declared contest to see which house emerges Pandoracon.com Steampunk Empire Symposium set to Return for April 26th to 28th, 2013 For April MMIXIII, the Steam- more workshops . . . what else is one to punk Empire Symposium will be do with more space? And the Sym- hosted in the larger conference halls posium Games will grow as well; to of the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati North, keep the Games freshly strange, each 11320 Chester Road, just a five-minute competing airship or steampunk group drive from the site of the inaugural has now been issued the challenge of gathering of the Empire. submitting a unique contest to be a Many revisions and expansions part of next year’s Symposium Games. have already been planned for Ken- To help us plan an even better tucky, Ohio, and Indiana’s only steam- Steampunk Empire Symposium for punk conference and will be facilitated 2013, please visit the new Symposium by the newly tinkered aethersite site and follow the survey link to give SteampunkSymposium.com us feed back on this weekend’s events Each airship registered with the and programming. We look forward to Symposium will receive its own page reading what you have to say, and did profile on the new site, and there will we mention that there will be a prize The Tower by Bethalynne Bajema be greater recognition for captains drawing for two memberships? Just and other such notable persons of the posium will include more panels, more take the survey to be entered; more aether. artists, more honored guests, more details on the site. Programming for the 2013 Sym- bands, more authors, more dances,