Art opening at ARTS/West hosts the ornery Steampunk September event.
Athens takes a step back into the 19th century for steampunk September.
On Friday, ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. is putting on a Steampunk Art Opening as the first installment in the third annual Steampunk Spectacle.
Steampunk is a style taken from a sub-genre of fantasy novels that feature futuristic steam-powered technology and incorporates the fashion era of 19th century England.
There will be vendors selling art and accessories including Uptown Costume & Dancewear.
Occasional Chic and the Enchanted Emporium will have costume pieces and accessories.
The Henna Faeries will also provide steampunk-themed body art. Vending and art exhibits will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided.
In addition to the vendors, at 7 p.m. there will be a performance featuring The Steampunk Ballet from the Southeast Ohio company Whiplash Tribal Fusion Dancers and from Devin Sudman, an intern at ARTS/West. The Whiplash Dancers will perform for their third year in a row.
The activities and vendors have even interested those who are unfamiliar with the steampunk lifestyle.
“It sounds cool, and I honestly don’t know what steampunk is, but I might go,” Kirsten Cupach, a junior studying journalism, said.
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Kelly Lawrence, the event-coordinator at ARTS/West and owner of Green Mantle Studio in Athens, said the event will be fun even for those who don’t know anything about steampunk.
“What’s wonderful about our event is that it’s the perfect opportunity to sort of get your feet wet and see what you think about steampunk,” Lawrence said. “You can come dressed up or not, there’s going to be tons of things there to look at to maybe create your own costume for the ball.”
Attendees can dress as if they were from the Victorian Era of England, but with a "techy" influence — almost “Victorian futuristic,” Lawrence said.
Accessories such as top hats, goggles and metal-studded bustiers are common when it comes to steampunk attire.
As a finale to what Lawrence affectionately dubbed a “three-ring circus,” there will be a masquerade ball Sept. 26th at Central Venue, 29 E. Carpenter St. Hosted by the Athens County Historical Society and Museum and Airship Athena, there will be a costume contest, steampunk music by DJ First Mate Adkins and a live performance by the Boys of the Hock at the event. Penni AlZayer, a member of the Whiplash Tribal Fusion Dancers and the Henna Fairies, is very happy with the way that the event has grown.
“My friends and I are longtime steampunk aficionados, so we were elated to see a 'community' of like-minded people coming together in Athens,” AlZayer said. “We are really pumped that there will be a full month of activities this year, so major props to Airship Athena and their partners who are making it happen.”
Lawrence encourages anyone to come visit and experience some of steampunk culture.
“We had a really good time last year. It was a lot of fun and well attended. We’re looking forward to that being the same this year,” Lawrence said.
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