Chrononaut: Lace & Brass Ball

This February Chrononaut had a romantic flair with the theme Lace & Brass Ball. All in attendance were encourage to grace the dace floor with their most elegant garb and encouraged to partake in the one-step dance lesson given by a local dance teacher. Manticore Society's Obscure Discoveries wing was there once again to display items of fancy, as well as promote more for Elective Surgery, the Repo! Genetic Opera shadowcast we participate in.

Capt. Wong Wei did not participate in the dance but did take lots of pictures of those who did. I did enjoy myself as I learned the dance and was delighted to see all the smiles and laughter from those who attempted this dance. The instructor and her partner where both patient and wonderful!

Ingred walked the crowds to present roses to all the lady patrons as her other lovely half delighted us with the music styling of what transformed every five minutes into another place & time. The silent film being played had my attention while I took care of the booth. Jerry's photo booth made record of all the lovely couples who came out of this event of grace and romance!

The Elective Surgery booth, headed by our lovely directors Amy and Amanda, was the most sweetest of all, having cake to gain in exchange of a $1 or more donation! We also had a raffle for a beautiful picture album and Valentine's Day candle. The generous crowd contributed enough for us to open an official cast account. A very great step into our future!

After all the songs were played, the photos snapped, the rose basket empty, and the cake was gone, we said our goodbyes and left with a great feeling of togetherness and accomplishment.

For more photos and videos please visit our myspace.


- Report by Merci/Photos by Captain Wong Wei -

Dickens Festival 2010

This was a first for Manticore Society to attend: the annual Dickens Festival in Riverside, CA. Unsure of what to expect, we got together in our best attempts at 19th Century dress and headed over on a rainy day to Downtown Riverside. The captain dressed in his best "hobo" wear and I as a reformed tart dressed as a nun! The first thing Capt. Wong Wei and I noticed about this area was that it was incredibly beautiful and had really interesting architecture. The fair was set up of vendor booths, exhibits, teas, dances and shows. Minstrels and carolers traveled through the crowd, actors read scenes from A Christmas Carol, and musicians performed in the Chinese pavilion.

Along with the period appropriate dressed patrons and visitors in present day attire, steampunks made their marks and gave those who were not familiar with the genre many questions as to why were were wearing goggles with our costumes! Eventually Capt. Wong Wei and I found our friends Cindy and Jerry along with their friends from the sewing circle. Cindy made her debut in a dress that she had labored over for a long while and it was amazing!

After wandering around the grounds, snapping many pictures around the little hidden corners and seeing a gatling gun exhibit (that was VERY loud!) Capt. Wong Wei and I stood about and talked to our friends, some he knew already and those I met and immediately liked! We even got interviewed for an internet Mediocre Minds concerning the festival and steampunk. (And yes, we did give a shout out to our Manticore Society members!) We could have stood much longer speaking about or different ideas and experiences but the cold was taking over and I was starting to become sick. We did have a wonderful time at this new-to-us festival, will definitely come back next year, and come back just to have another look at everything and take more pictures!

For more pictures and videos please visit our myspace.


- Report by Merci/Photos by Captain Wong Wei -

17th Annual Riverside Dickens Festival

The 2010 Riverside Dickens Festival will be on February 5th, 6th, and 7th in historic downtown Riverside, California. The theme for this year is 'A Visit to the Old Curiosity Shop'. Activities and events range from plays, street performers, food vendors, educational workshops, musical performances, and exhibits. Come enjoy the street bazaar and the free educational family-oriented entertainment for all ages. Funded in part by the City of Riverside and the Riverside Arts Foundation.

http://www.dickensfest.com/

- Captain Wong Wei -