Norwegian Dancers meet Steampunk

With Google delivering 36,100,000 search results, Steampunk is much more than an unknown genre in the back row, yet it remains under the radar, attended to by some very devoted fans and participants. It is a fast-growing sliver of culture that is big enough to have its own entry in Wikipedia, and is big enough to have a three day "convention" right here in Madison. The Wikipedia link is well worth reading. Steampunk is a hard to explain mix of Jules Verne-fantasy meeting steam-powered airships meeting Victorian era fashion. And more. The convention was big enough to fill the west side Marriott, which is where the dancers found themselves Friday night, for what is most likely one of the most unusual venues the dancers have ever entered. The dancers held up well, a small group of traditionally dressed Norwegian kids and parents surrounded by an ocean of people dressed in full costume and role playing Steampunk characters from the Victorian era. German airship captains with handlebar mustaches are the easiest to describe. There were numerous other characters as well, that somewhat defy description. A very unique venue, filled with happy people that obviously enjoy getting into period costume and finding another dimension. The dancers were part of the opening ceremony and did two dances then, as well as a longer performance later on in the evening after Teslacon Prime Minister(?), Lord Hastings R. Bobbins had concluded his keynote. Lord Bobbins' web page does quite a good job further explaining Teslacon, which is officially where the dancers found themselves Friday night (11/1/13).

pictures in the blog entry are from Jeff Bach.

by the way, here's an interview (from 2012 so it's a year old) with the Wisconsin gentleman driving the whole Teslacon show.