Thames – All Steamed Up

Thames – All Steamed Up

7 November 2015

An alternate steampunk universe will open up in Thames on November 13-15 2015 with the inaugural Thames Steampunk Festival. What better way to jump start summer.

There will be three days of high energy fun for adults and families alike where you have the license to be whoever you wish – a futuristic crazy, mad scientist, fortune hunter, absinthe drinker, explorer, sea captain or burlesque dancer.

We will steampunk the Thames.

The festival kicks off on Friday night with the Bella Street Steampunk Ball (now sold out). Ball organisers have a fun packed evening planned for their guests with live entertainment, steampunk food and prizes for the best dressed as well as a few surprises up their sleeves.

Saturday provides full on entertainment – Punk Your Ride vehicular art will be on show on Pahau (and Pollen) Streets in historic Grahamstown from 10am on along with food, music and entertainment.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Steampunk Convention which will run alongside the car art will be a maker’s fest where you can learn to upstyle your costume and accessorise your hat. Bring along your hats, jackets, skirts and materials along with accessories and our artists will help you design and build your outfits in time for the circus.

The Seagull Sculpture Competition will be judged at 3pm at the Seagull Centre on Burke Street showcasing local steampunk talent.

Then really kick it into gear with the Astounding, Exhilarating & Stupendous Steampunk Circus and Street Carnival on Mary Street right in the heart of Thames. Starting at six pm, this Victorian style circus is vintage family entertainment at its best. Step right up ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages to the greatest show on earth.

And then for those who want to party the night away, there’s a night of the Burlesque at the Grahamstown Bar and Diner (GBD)from nine until late.

Sunday will be just the ticket for all those who want to decompress. There will be a steampunk breakfast at the GBD followed by steam train rides at the Thames Small Gauge Railway with food and entertainment.

And for those who are into a little laid-back stimulation, there is the Academy of Future Past at the Hard Rock Museum (Thames School of Mines). Four artists who at the forefront of their speciality will give talks about their work on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Saturday talks start at 1pm and 3pm; Sunday at 11am and 1pm.

Thames is a steampunk mecca. Whether you are an upstyler, salvager or treasure hunter, there are bits and bobs and bells and whistles to be had all over town. So while you are here check out the Seagull Centre; the pop-up Steampunk Emporium for guns, costumes and hats; Thames Jewellers for watch part cogs; Crystal Ball for your gothic jewellery, Read Brothers for you hardware needs and all the op shops in Grahamstown.

ENDS

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