Chair’s Message Six years ago, a dream became reality; a convention grew out of the local steampunk community’s desire and determination to celebrate their shared view. From this ragtag band of merry Makers has sprung forth six unique annual mechanisms of steampunky goodness. This year marks a unique turning of the cogs. It is our final year of our annual weekend consortium with FanimeCon, who have been a wonderful cohort. We thank them for the gracious support as the mainspring unwinds on this venture. Next year, Clockwork Alchemy will be held on March 25-27, in Burlingame. For now, please have a ball, blow off steam, and enjoy this dream made real—Clockwork Alchemy! Thatch Durbin and Josh Kessler Chairs, Clockwork Alchemy 2017
One to Grow Upon, A.K.A. Charity for (the sake of) Science! Born at oh!-CA! Say what?! Gentle Reader, please find our next steampunk anthology, Some Time Later: Fantastic Voyages in Alternate Worlds, at booksellers in print, ebook, and here at Clockwork Alchemy 2017! Get your copy signed at the Authors’ Salon! Created by well-versed returning anthology editors AJ Sikes, BJ Sikes, and Dover Whitecliff, Some Francis, and amazing others. Fifty percent of the proceeds are directly donated to public libraries. So put the kettle on, pour a strong cuppa, and curl up on the couch for a rollicking journey through time and genre!! Order more copies here: Anthony@ThinkingInkPress.com.
Guests of Honor Author Guest of Honor
Madeleine Holly-Rosing Madeleine Holly-Rosing won a Sloan Fellowship for screenwriting, and the Gold Aurora and Bronze Telly awards for a PSA written and co-produced with Women in Film. In addition, she has won many awards while completing the UCLA MFA Screenwriting Program.
After successful crowdfunding campaigns for Boston Metaphysical Society, her webcomic, Madeleine created a crowdfunding class at Pulp Fiction Books in Culver City and lectures at Scriptwriters Network and Dreamworks. Teaching inspired her to write and publish Kickstarter for the
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Independent Creator and more! She fences, too — nationally and internationally! Madeline holds a BA in Politics from U.C. Santa Cruz, an MA in Arabic and the Cultural History of the Arabs from Columbia. Mighty with the pen and the sword, Madeleine lives with her rocket scientist husband, David, and two rescue dogs, Ripley and Bishop.
Fashion Guest of Honor
Musical Guests of Honor
Samantha Rei
Diego’s Umbrella
Samantha Rei began her design career in 2000 with Blasphemina’s Closet, an early American Lolita clothing line. After closing it in 2013, she started anew with Samantha Rei, embodying her standards of sweetness, femininity, and detail. Samantha draws style inspiration from illustrators: Chris Riddell, Brom, Tony DiTerlizzi, Brett Helquist, and Mihara Mitsukazu; stories: Alice in Wonderland and Snow White; and designers Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hirooka Naoto, John Galliano, and Anna Sui. Huffington Post, Shojo Beat, the American Gothic & Lolita Bible, Glamour UK, Gothic Beauty, and Vogue UK have featured Minnesota-based Samantha. In 2014, City Pages named her an “Artist of the Year,” and Best of the Twin Cities Best Fashion Show and Reader’s Choice awarded her “Best Local Fashion Designer” in 2016. That same year, Vancouver Fashion Week featured her designs. In 2015, she authored and illustrated a how-to book: Steampunk and Cosplay Fashion Design and Illustration.
Diego’s Umbrella are Gypsy Rock ambassadors, hailing from San Francisco and touring worldwide, combining violin, flamenco guitar, three part harmonies with modern rock sensibility, and Eastern European flavor. They have performed for 12 years, to wondrous acclaim. These renowned entertainers create an irresistible and unique mélange of traditional klezmer scales and flamenco strings with modern punk rock energy that effortlessly blend into beautiful harmonies and catchy hooks. Their singular, ecstatic, experiential show may transform you in one concert or less! Look for their new album Edjka!
Maker Guest of Honor
Scott Brodeen
Scott Brodeen is a Nautilus specialist, since the mid 1980’s. He started working full-time in 1993 making models, props, molds, castings, and prototypes. Scott also restores, repairs, and verifies items for the Profiles In History auction house. Recently, he helped the restoration team for the Nautilus submarine used in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Scott’s prop work includes: Star Trek movie and television franchise, Sea Quest, Miracles, Supergirl, WaterWorld, Tank Girl, and Eraser.
Royal Airship Kamehameha’s War Room Guest of Honor
Melissa Tosetti
Melissa Tosetti co-owns the Tosetti Institute of MMA & Fitness in Redwood City. She trained and competed in Olympic fencing for seven years, earning a spot at the National Championships in 1993. She began studying eastern martial arts in 1994 with Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu. Over 12 years, Melissa earned three black belts, while competing in forms and tournaments across the USA and Canada. In 2001, she trained with the Shaolin Monks and at the Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, China.
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Featured Guests Morgyn Owens-Celli
Morgyn Owens-Celli draws inspiration from his travels to over twenty countries; this fifth-generation straw artist creates steampunk, couture and historical headgear reflecting the beauty of straw. In 1984, Morgyn founded the American Museum of Straw Arts, with 10,000+ objects from 80 cultures. The museum and Morgyn curated record-setting exhibitions at the Craft and Folk Art Museums in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This world-famous California native taught at the International Festivals of Straw in Belarus, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, and the Ukraine. In 1992, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian honored him with a one-man show. Three of his works reside in the permanent collection of the National Museum of American History. Currently, Morgan types away at his most significant book yet: The Fifth Season: Straw Costumes in Folk Festivals.
Peter S. Beagle
Peter S. Beagle is an American novelist and screenwriter, especially fantasy fiction. His best-known work is The Last Unicorn which Locus subscribers voted the number five “All-Time Best Fantasy Novel” in 1987. He won several literary awards, including a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2011 and has published more than 35 novels, books, and screenplays.
Harry Turtledove
Harry Turtledove is an internationally acclaimed Hugo Award-winning American novelist, best known for his work in the genres of alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. He has been nominated for, or awarded, greater than 26 literary awards since 1991, with over 126 published novels and books. He sometimes smiles.
Featured Events Clockwork Alchemy Fashion Show This year’s show will dazzle you on Sunday, May 28th with this theme: “The Steampunk Elements.” Fire, water, earth, air, aether, or time is incorporated into the designs, as a literal, conceptual, or as a representational element. Again, giant custom-made steampunk frames showcase these living works of art. Peruse and perambulate through the museumlike setting, viewing the displayed works up close. Several new designers will be present for the first time and some return from last year. Come gaze admiringly at their amazing steampunk- and historically-styled inspired fashions!
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Splendid Tea Pot Racing Fire up the boilers! Fine tune the steam engines! Brew your favorite cuppa! Tea Pot Racing consists of a series of heats where modified, battery powered, remote-control teapot vehicles maneuver an obstacle course using Splendid Tea Pot Racing Association, New Zealand rules. Style one of your own, or use one of ours!
Dance Lessons Cut loose! Shake a leg! Brush up your waltzing form! Beginning or refresher classes: • Basic Waltz—John Schmidt • Waltzing ’Round The Clockwork: An Afternoon Waltz— Cathleen Myers, John Schmidt, and DJ Persephone • Swing—Stacy Hanssen and Gregory Friedman • Belly Dance—Firefly (Lisa Felten)
Wind-Up Cabaret Friday night, music and performance mix in a fantastical spectacle. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Cirque des Betes, Dogwood, Greg Schwartz, Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Spark Acting, Unwoman, and a martial arts demo by Alain Bloch!
Alain Bloch
Alain Bloch is a lifelong Star Wars fan who trains in the NCSCS system under Novastar. He has experience in many forms of martial arts including Iaido and Ying-Jow Pai Kung Fu. He is the co-founder and head instructor for the Golden Gate Knights, and has made contributions to the second instructional DVD of Novastar and Caine’s Saber Combat System. He makes appearances in television and radio stations around the world, including NBC Bay Area and Good Morning Sacramento.
Cirque des Betes
Cirque des Betes brings buskers, burlesque, and bamboozling feats of art, athleticism, bad puns, and fun stories ensue! This California-based group of sexy beasts and circus freaks creates unique shows, spreading joyous organized chaos all over. In 2012, Nikolai de la Muerte & Eve Riot began attending conventions and shows as buskers and clowns. In 2014, they expanded their troupe, adding jugglers and varied flow artists, including hooping, contact juggling, staff manipulation, fan dancing, and aerial arts!
Dogwood Dogwood hails from the hedge and loam of Seattle’s undergrowth while aiming to weave historical and wax hysterical in the old-new traditions of mountain men, shanty men, and her fellow men as she tromps acro’st both ancient myth and accidental malady. Dogwood is a 2013 graduate of Cornish College of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre/Playwrighting who inherited her father’s passion for bluegrass and her mother’s love for eighties pop and opera. Her first ever role on a stage was at the tender age of three, when she played Persephone in a summer daycare
production of the Greek myths. She’s been hooked on them ever since, and it is from those and other ancient tales that the sparks of her inspiration most often originate—in song and poem form alike. In 2010, she picked up a ukulele and hasn’t looked back. She released her first EP (Myths & Maladies) in 2014, recorded by musical partner Nathaniel Johnstone and fellow ukuleleist and collaborator Aaron J. Shay. Her first album (Persephone Is Dead, Long Live Persephone!) came out in 2015, also recorded by Nathaniel Johnstone.
The Nathaniel Johnstone Band
The Nathaniel Johnstone Band hails from Seattle, WA, and is led by multi-instrumentalist Nathaniel Johnstone (violin, viola, banjo, mandolin, and guitar). Their vibrant sound crosses boundaries and borders—resulting in a blend of European, Middle Eastern, and South American music with Jazz, Rock, Surf, Folk, Gothic, and Steampunk influences. Surrounding himself with an ever-changing roster of likeminded souls, Nathaniel creates music for his many friends in the dancing world. Every song in his repertoire was inspired by and created with a particular dancer/troupe in mind. He has been joined on stage and in the studio by a talented array of musicians. The ensemble varies from show to show depending on the scope and location of the event, but always promises a dynamic experience. He has also collaborated with a number of other ensembles: The Ghosts Project, Jill Tracy’s Malcontent Orchestra, Ego Likeness, Jody Ellen, Android Lust, The Last Dance, The Hellblinki Sextet, Abney Park, and others. NathanielJohnstone.com
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Greg Schwartz
Greg Schwartz has been fire dancing since 2010, performed in Temple of Poi’s 2012 Fire Expo, and has performed in previous years Clockwork Alchemy Cabarets. His fire dancing style is influenced by martial arts and electronic music. He also makes costumes with EL Panels, and can often be seen in a Superman costume. Book him! GregSchwartz.net.
Spark Acting
Spark Acting consists of Mander Zander and Ruth Sears. Professor Verve is a larger-than-life, mad-scientist type or “Animist.” He collects emotional essences from the audience, imbuing them into inanimate objects; then these come to life to commune with the audience. His most successful project: his assistant, Galatea. They relish improvisation; your character ideas give them an opportunity to explore new realms. On stage or mingling in crowds, they bring events to life while blurring the separation between audience and performer.
Tempest
Tempest is an artist, designer, and dancer based in Seattle, Washington. One of the major pioneers of Fusion Belly Dance (Gothic/Dark, Steampunk, and Ritual), she strives to create and teach dance that maintains the essence of belly dance, balancing tradition, inspiration, and innovation. Her compellingly artful performances exemplify her distinctively theatrical, unique, and expressive style, and are rooted in oriental dance technique with a transcendent approach. In addition to teaching and performing throughout the world, she is the producer of Waking Persephone—a festival for dark and unusual dance— and Tapestry: Dance Retreat (for sacred, ritual, and folkloric dance/arts). DarklyDramatic.com
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Unwoman
Unwoman is a San Francisco-based solo cellistsinger-songwriter. Seven albums contain timeless songs about lost love and classic covers. Many North American major steampunk, goth, and sci-fi events have featured Unwoman. She received the 2013 Steampunk Chronicle Reader’s Choice Award for best solo musician and has performed with Amanda Palmer, Voltaire, Abney Park, Rasputina, and Vernian Process. See more! Unwoman.com
Aural Alchemy The musical spectrum feels the influence of steampunk too. Saturday night’s concert brings together vibrant examples of this musical genre! Serenading us this year—Musical Guests of Honor: Diego’s Umbrella with Dogwood, Frenchy and the Punk, the Nathaniel Johnstone Band, and Strangely Doesburg!
Frenchy and the Punk
Frenchy and the Punk hail from Paris and New York, and have toured their red wine, kale, and granola-raised punk rock ballet style in the USA and Europe. Create a duet between Siouxsie Sioux and Dee Dee Ramone, inspired by Django Reinhardt, Edith Piaf, Toulouse Lautrec, and Deepak Chopra; then blend in equal parts: Dresden Dolls, Sonny and Cher, and the White Stripes. Results: eclectic and uplifting fun with a capital F!
Strangely Doesburg
Strangely Doesburg plays accordion like a lost baby kaiju stuck in a suspension bridge, and hails from uncertain origins. Adopted by esoteric mystics and raised without popular entertainments, he now peregrinates about the globe presenting sundry amusements. Years ago, over a heated card game, the deck cooled, the stakes uncanny, Strangely described his art. For a moment across that purple-felted table they locked eyes, our hero and his adversary. “I seek,” said Strangely, a smile shifting his face like the stirrings of an awakening bear, “to create in you a sense of happily befuddled wonder, to make you sing and dance and carouse and woo.” This answer seemed to satisfy, and the hands continued, as they do to this very day. In private, shy and retiring, but once placed in front of a crowd this troubadour transforms into a transfixing bearded dervish. According to popular legend, behind his copious facial hair lurks a countenance of surpassing beauty, though he vowed never to walk beardless until he completes his arcane quest. Patreon. com/Strangely | StrangelyAndFriends.com
Emperor Norton’s Ball His Imperial Majesty made congenial arrangements for a luxurious time-traveling ball featuring the best dancing from Victorian times, the swing era, and an alternative Earth. Sunday evening, be our guest and enjoy seven hours of music and dancing! Once again, enjoy the many talents of Unwoman (see WindUp Cabaret) followed by:
Lee Presson
Lee Presson and the Nails are an award-winning big band out of San Francisco. Around since 1994, they pound out their peculiar brand of sinister swing, alleging, “We are the wildest swing band in the Great ’48!” The steampunk community warmly embraces LPN despite deep confusion as to how and why this might have occurred. Debate here! LeePresson.com
Featured Exhibits Artist’s Bazaar
Artist’s Gallery
The Bazaar showcases handcrafted one-of-a-kind finery, rare frippery, fantastical instruments, and armaments. Wander these wondrous Bazaar aisles, discovering fairy relics, hats, spats, corsets, crinolines, and other clever creations to use and enjoy in the home—and beyond. Come sample these fruits of the astonishing talents of the steampunk artist community’s makers and dreamers!
Admire Clockwork Alchemy’s space for artists, makers, dreamers, and doers! As the written word brings inspirational spark, the devices, paintings, and fashion created by these talented individuals bring the steampunk aesthetic to physical life. Curated paintings, sculptures, costumes, props, and inventions please your eyes, feed your soul, and inspire your own creativity by observing what can be accomplished with a little ingenuity and a lot of imagination.
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Presentations Talented writers, filmmakers, fashionistas, makers, and experts in 19th-century culture, etiquette, technology, and the world of steampunk offer their wisdom to advise your steampunk persona, plus share history that never almost did happen, and…?! Consult your Pocket Guide for a detailed schedule.
Panels Join assemblies of authors, artists, makers, and tinkers for group discussions on a variety of topics. This is a grand way to acquire tricks of the trade and share your knowledge with others in a congenial community.
Workshops Make your own steampunk accessories and props! Turn thrift store finds into steampunk fashion and gadgets. Planned topics include: costuming, simple prosthetics, writing, publishing, 3D printing, and more! Kids Crafting Workshops entertain the young ones! Parental units and Galactic Guardians, please stay with your Smalls and Shorts during Clockwork Alchemy!!
Events and Exhibits The Authors’ Salon
Alchemist Tea Parlour
An incredible set of steampunk, historical, and sci-fi fantasy authors share their tricks of the trade and show us how to not reinvent the wheel as a writer…or to use trite phrases. Meet them as they unveil their latest works at a special BOOK RELEASE PARTY — Friday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Get your books signed! Peruse their latest in print and on the web.
We offer wonderful teas, delightful treats, and a wonderful time. Properly sip our stalwart Earl Grey, maybe go for our Clockwork Alchemy Classic Rooibos, or perhaps you’re feeling adventurous and would like to try something brand new! We offer numerous enchanting entertainments. Friday afternoon, we present wonderful acoustic sets, and throughout the weekend, we’ll have a tea leaf reader! Saturday and Sunday mornings, discover technical tea-related secrets and digest details of tea etiquette! New this year: after tea service ends, we host Fortune Telling sessions! Join us at the Alchemist Tea Parlour!
Caravan Tent This nomadic tent features floating veils, flying carpets, and mysteries of the Far East and nearer locales. Belly dancers and other artists perform on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, in the Gateway Foyer. Exotic, enchanting, and elegant, they’ll spirit you away to a place of legend, lore, and myth where genies, sultans, and viziers ruled the Silk Road... and only the bravest adventurer dared travel.
Gaming Sit down and play something! Have a steampunk-based game to share? We have a large game library that you can play in this room. This is a great way to take a break and meet other con goers. We’ll also be running some game demos! Awesome!!
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Steampunk Film Festival
Aetheric Telegraph Office
We present to you steampunk films of sundry types! Silver-acetated stories illuminate your eye-dreams and frost imaginative memories. Float into brain-worlds of extraordinary storytellers!
The Aetheric Message Machine Company offers free telegram service. Text us your message; we’ll print it on our antique brass and glass machines. Free messenger delivery service! Pick up our card at any Info Desk, or find us by the lobby near the Artist’s Gallery. Drop in for the latest news!
The Airship Kamehameha War Room Experience Martial Arts in the Steampunk ’verse! Our crew traveled on airships, submarines, and a myriad of conveyances to the corners of the globe to bring you wise and learned instructors. Hone your weapons skills with swords, canes, spears, knives, and LED sabers from nonlocal galaxies. Grasp secrets the Suffragettes used to win the vote for women! Integrate tactics the British expeditionists mastered for their saber skills! Absorb the mysterious martial art used by Sherlock Holmes! Save your airship with these newly learned skills!
Clockwork Alchemy 2017 Staff List Chair Team Thatch D. (Head) Josh K. (Co-Head) Programming Adam S. (Head) Danny D. (Co-Head) Amber D. Alison O. Mj S. War Room Ruthe M. (Head) David D. (Second) Jill G. (Second) Brooke B. Mia B. Matthew K. Kayla C. Fred K. Draven M. Allen S. Dara V. PJ W. Panels Sharon C. (Co-Head) Thena M. (Co-Head)
Jeffrey C. Gaming MIchael K. (Head) Bryce F. Shelley H. Patti K. Michael P. Registration Ariel I. (Head) Tawnly P. (Co-Head) Content Lisa K. Tess M.
(Head) (Second)
Creative Dave H. (Head) Rebecca B. Lauren C. Cynthia L. Tea Parlor Melanie D. (Head) Ryan F. (Second) Sabrina H. (Second) Robin V. (Second) Justin B.
Chip C. Eddie C. Nate C. Brynda A. Angela F. Tiana F. AJ J. David O. Emily P. Lori P. Gina D. Tech Emily R. Darren B. Mark R.
(Head)
Info Desk Laura C. (Head) Barbara C. (Co-Head) Sean F. (Second) Blau B. Michael C. Sara C. Darwin G. Gretchen Ki. Artist’s Bazaar Sandra F. (Head)
Jill B. Lisa F. Jessie H. Melody J. Meghan M. Hayley R. Carrie S.
Katherine H. Nathanial K. Ileana L. John R. Karl S. Jareth T. Kayla W.
Katie L. Rebecca L. Laura O. John S. Sara S. Lynn S. Charlie W.
Artist’s Gallery Nathaniel B. (Head) Judy M. (Second) Kevin H. Nate J. Rachel K.
Bobbies Cassie K. (Head) Mary A. (Second) Marshall C. (Second) Michael A. Eddie C. Edward K. Jon M. Leslie P. Anton T.
Web Vernon P. (Head) Michaela H.
Operations Wolfgang C. Michael C. Robert T. ConOps Peter R. Judi F. Alex P. Sandra A. Jacalin C. Penny E. Raine F. Teddy H.
(Head) (Second) (Second)
Special Events Alyssa R. (Head) Jennifer A. Zoie A. Jennifer B. Kory D. Joseph F. Sherry H. Matt H. Cheryl K.
Logistics Gene F. (Head) Joseph F. (Second) Matt F. (Second) Ali P. (Second) Amber A. Joseph G. Emmanuel G. Vika H. Sarah R. JP R. Carey S. Andi S. Calvin T.
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