Steampunk halloween party

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

volunteers to work on the sets and props for the halloween party -
please come forward. We want to create a very complete steampunk
environment. By starting now - we can create awesome things.

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

I am about to schedule back to back meetings for those who will work
on the time machine and planning and set building for the halloween
party. The meetings will be at my house and partially in my barn, and
will probably be followed by a work session moving dirty/spidery
things (bring gloves for that part).

We should get this started sooner, rather than later.

If you are interested in participating, please respond and indicate
your schedule availability (evenings and weekends)

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

We've had our first meeting and work session and there is now a 600
square foot room in my barn that is empty, clean and ready to be
converted into a cool steampunk environment. Thanks to Fred, Vlad,
Adriana, Judy, Ian, Laura and Steven for all the hard work.

We will be meeting to do more work on it and plan decor on Sunday at
11am.

Even if you can't work on the room - I encourage everyone to begin
working on your steampunk halloween costumes and to make props (the
larger the better) or backgrounds that you can contribute to make the
steampunk environments.

Currently the plan is to create mini-environments within the larger
room. Each environment would have its own theme and have seating
within it. We have eight to nine weeks to create the environments.

Example themes:
Mad scientist (this can include electrical gear, chemistry, or
biological specimens) This may become more than one environment.
Tomb raiders - with an egyptian flare
The cell - a place to cage the more dangerous creatures.
The Time Travelers Inn - with time machine(s) obviously.
The Victorian Parlor
Your ideas here ???

We need some noble gentleperson to donate the cost of a porta-potty.

Attendance in the barn will have to be limited to about 40 people.
Carpooling will be encouraged as parking is limited.

The date will be either Saturday, October 16th or the 23rd.
Refreshments would be pot-luck. Music would be from DVD's or IPOD's.


The barn is the current plan. Instead of doing this, we could rent a
large meeting hall with all the usual amenities for $430. We would
only have a "couple of days" to set up the decorations, but there
would be room for lots of people, real bathrooms, lots of parking,
etc. We would need to charge admission to cover the rental.
Depending on the number attending this could be $5-$10. Someone would
have to guarantee the rental charge.

We would like feedback on which is the preferred plan.

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

Plans are finalized for The Barn on October 23rd. I am allocating
1,000 square feet for the Party, and attendance will be strictly
limited to 60 people. Check the event announcement on the Sacramento
Steampunk Society facebook page for the latest details.

Here is how the RSVP system will work: I'm sure some people will think
the RSVP system is overly complicated, but there has to be some way to
fairly allocate tickets and limit attendance to 60 which is the
maximum the space will comfortably hold. No ticket - no admittance.

There will be no cover charge, but please plan on a donation or CD
purchase for Unwoman. Those people who work on the party room
preparation, "perform" at the party, or contribute decorations and
props will get priority for tickets.

Here is how "ticketing" will be handled: You must email your official
RSVP to: do...@yourwoodcraftsman.com with "PARTY" in the topic. This
email should include your "real" name and the names of your
significant other and/or family members attending with you. It also
should include what you (and your family members) are doing to help
with the party preparation, props, or entertainment to qualify for
priority ticketing.

Priority will be as follows:

First priority: Those contributing to the Party
Second Priority: Long-term Society members who are not contributing to
the Party.
Within these two categories ranking will be based on how early you
officially RSVP via email. If you have RSVP'd and cannot attend,
please let me know ASAP so we can release your ticket reservation for
others.

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

The Steampunk Halloween party is moving along GREAT! There will be
work sessions tomorrow (Saturday) and the following Saturday to get
the barn space ready and build "sets".

The 60 attendees will be first from those who have contributed to the
party effort, in the order they sent their official reservation
request. Second priority will be those not contributing, in the order
they sent their reservation request.

In order to earn top priority for tickets and be sure you will be in
the top 60, you (and your guests) need to select a way to contribute
to the party: by work on the barn or sets, supplying props, organizing
activities, or performing.

We are looking for a variety of interesting steampunk props, or
halloween props with steampunk flavor. Some of the set environments
we are creating are:

Victorian Parlor/Dining room
The Crypt (with an egyptian flair)
Mad Scientist Labs (chemistry, biology, electricity)
Time traveler's corner (Tardis!)
Industrial stage

Those who can paint wall murals or have set designing/building
experience are extra welcome.

The idea is to use the time before the party to create the background
environments - we don't want to wait to the last day to decorate. If
you have items to offer, please send a list (photos), bring them to a
work session, or discuss it with me at a meeting. There will be work
sessions scheduled for each weekend before the party. There is one on
each of the next two Saturdays. Bring some food to share.

You can also earn first priority by "entertaining" at the party (open
microphone).

It is a pot-luck party so hopefully everyone will bring lots of their
favorite party food or steampunk/halloween food to share.

Thanks for helping!
Doug

PS: Here is how "ticketing" will be handled: You must email your
official
RSVP to: doug at yourwoodcraftsman.com with "PARTY" in the topic.
This
email should include your "real" name and the name of your
significant other and/or family member attending with you. It also
should include what you (and your guest) are doing to help

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

For the latest details on the Halloween party see the Events for the
Sacramento Steampunk Society on Facebook.

[Alexander Watt Babbage]

You will be amazed at what a rich steampunk environment is being
created for the STEAMPUNK Halloween Party. This is going to be a lot
of fun - you won't want to miss it.

There is still room for creative contributions to the party. There
will be a small work session tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon/evening,
and major final work sessions both Saturday and Sunday (10-6pm). The
final lighting/sound check will be done Tuesday evening the 19th.
There may be some final details added on Saturday afternoon before the
party starts, but we want to have nearly everything COMPLETE THIS
WEEKEND.

You can qualify for first priority to be on the attendee list (limited
to 60 people) by:

working on the sets and props
bringing lamps, props, decorations
performing at the party (singing, poetry, dancing???)
organizing fun party activities

For those with limited time:
donating money for the porta potty
(one person) buying halloween plates, napkins, cups and plasticware
(100 count)

This is a pot-luck party so everyone is bringing food/drink to share.
Remember that Unwoman is performing for "free" so please come prepared
to give her a donation or better yet, purchase her cd's or USB drives.

There may be other creative ways you can think of to contribute to the
party in order to qualify for attendance.
For example: one attendee is making a steampunk/halloween cake
sculpture. Another is setting up a portrait studio and will
photograph partygoers in front of a blue backdrop and photoshop them
into steampunk scenes. He will supply the base photo's freely and
charge a small amount for the photoshopped versions.

If you haven't already, you need to officially RSVP to doug at
yourwoodcraftsman.com with your real name, the names of those
attending with you, and what you and your guests are going to
contribute to the party. This is the only way to get on the list.

Check the event announcement on the Sacramento Steampunk Society

Facebook group for the latest announcements and to RSVP for the work
sessions to get the address.