After Katsucon our travels took us deep into the Shenandoah Valley, where our adventures continued at Mysticon in Roanoke, Virginia. Mysticon kept us busy, and we loved it! After the enormity of Katsu, this smaller con was welcoming and relaxed, with a sunny, cheerful disposition. We found intelligent discourse, many pleasant diversions, and always-pleasant company.
Friday evening we presented “What is Steampunk” with Andy Fox, after which I jumped into Podcasting Basics with Rich Sigfrit, Bethany Halle, and John Meagher. Later Friday night, Herr von Hedwig, Captain Charette, and I conducted, for the first time, a live corset-making demonstration. Two lovely ladies,
Merri and Kat, stepped up to assist us and left with their very own self-designed corset pattern. Hilarity and education happened, two of our favorite things. The audience was sharp and focused, asking great questions, adding to the general store of knowledge, and favoring us with commendatory critiques.
Saturday we kicked off with a Steampunk Costuming panel (we did not name our panels – for us, steampunk is a wardrobe, not a costume…) and had a marvelous time. We could have gone on for another two hours, easily, and the Mysticon panel-goers, once again, contributed much to the success and conviviality of the experience. Herr von Hedwig darted off to consume the Cosplay and Photography panel, then we were presenting again.
Kat Martin (the dashing steampunk pirate, not the romance author), Anne Asplund (who always looks amazing), and Michelle Capamaggio joined us for Costuming on a Budget, where we shared much and learned much. (Michelle’s wing harness was worth the price of admission alone, but then we got Anne’s tip on cleaning velvet and furs!) A fun and fast-moving panel with an excellent variety of expertise.
We then spent the afternoon enjoying the many pleasant distractions. The children drove remote-control robots, Gerhardt purchased many fine dice, Adolphus dodged the admiration of cookie-selling Girl Scouts. Annabelle and Adolphus participated in a Next Generation of Fandom panel.
We were impressed with the variety of programming – filmmaking, ghost hunting, and professional wrestling were represented, in addition to more traditional fandom. There was excellent variety in the video rooms and panel programming, as well as open and welcoming gaming in centralized area.
We met Greg Porter, whose new steampunk RPG we hope to review for you very soon. We hobnobbed with friends old and new, including Area 42 Games and John Meagher, who wrote his novel “Tales of the Left Hand” just so he’d have material to practice his audiobook reading skills. Pardon the expression, but that’s just badass.
Saturday evening we entertained at our Steampunk Salon, then Mein Herr and I helped judge the costume contest, while Captain Charette, Adolphus, and Mirabelle won Best in Show (we recused ourselves from that vote, of course).
Sunday began with amazing conversation about Science in the Steam Age. This was another panel that could have gone three hours, so lively and thoughtful was the discussion between panelists and panel-goers. Captain Charette, Mein Herr, and I joined Andy Fox and John Monahan. La Belle Capitaine was kind enough to ask Mr. Monahan to sign a copy of his book “They Called Me Mad” for Mein Herr’s birthday gift. Monahan is a high school science teacher who wrote the book so that his students could meet the minds behind the formulas in their text books, to make science exciting and relatable. Phineas is enjoying it very much, and recommends it highly.
dead caged fairy queen by Amanda Gilpin
Bill Truesdale, Pamela Kinney, Michelle Capamaggio, Amanda Gilpin, and the von Hedwig children joined in “Pimp Your Prop” to discuss tips and tricks for making costume props for all sorts of fandom, Star Wars to Steampunk and beyond.
Of particular delight was revealing the common household object or readily available toy at the base of some outlandish and fanciful creation, like Amanda’s fairy catcher based on a bug vacuum, and the way that brass curtain rods play a large part in the Steampunk Family’s arsenal.
A stimulating convention at a relaxed pace – that’s quite an achievement, and the staff should be very proud. We certainly thank you for the experience, and look forward to next year!
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photo of Amanda Gilpin’s Fairy Queen by The Convention Fans Blog Official Photos
