Steam punk

There were a few steam punk enthusiasts among the crowds in Roberts Park on World Heritage Day.  This is Jackie and Dennis, both splendidly attired for the occasion. 

Drum Machine

The most unexpected and best bit of my trip to Leeds Industrial Museum was stumbling upon a performance by Drum Machine.  (See also their website here.) There were at least 30 drummers and the sound they made was amazing and utterly infectious. (Turn your volume up and go full screen to watch the video!) Such fun. You could feel the beat vibrating right through your body, as well as hearing it.  I've never quite experienced anything like it before. The guy at the front was the conductor/director and seemed to have an elaborate sign language for what was to happen next, bringing in different types of drum at different times, varying the rhythm, rising to a crescendo and then falling quieter again. They played without a break for what must have been a good half an hour. Brilliant.

I took several still photos but none of them really came out well as it was very dark where they were playing. Luckily this quick video I took on my phone turned out good enough to give an idea of their performance. I've spent all evening trying to work out how to get this few seconds uploaded from my phone and onto my blog! I hope it works for everyone to see, though it's a pale imitation of what it was like to be there.

Steampunk trio

Don't they look splendid?  This trio of steampunk enthusiasts kindly agreed to pose for a photo. I didn't catch all their names though I am sure the lady in the middle is Adele, who I've met before in Saltaire.

Sidetracked

Leeds Industrial Museum was advertised as being open from 13:00 so I was rather surprised to find the car-park full to overflowing when I arrived on the stroke of the hour. The reason soon became apparent. The museum was hosting a 'Steampunk Market' with lots of stalls selling clothes and all the paraphernalia associated with the steampunk movement. So it was full to bursting with hundreds of people. In fact it was not a good time to see the museum itself (I will have to go back!) but nevertheless there was much to be interested in.

Regular readers will recall that there have been steampunk gatherings in Saltaire (see here and here). It seems to be a growing movement - an odd but beguiling fusion of sci-fi, fantasy, Victoriana, engineering and lots of individual creativity. Those dressing up and taking part span all ages and all sorts, and they all seem to have a great deal of fun in the process. The stalls were selling clothing, jewellery, pocket watches, books, posters, hats, wigs and an eclectic selection of ephemera and small machine parts - cogs, chains, watch parts and other bits and bobs that people use to decorate themselves (and their homes too possibly).  The young lady in my photo had the most unusual accessory that I saw - a hawk!

More Steampunk style

Adele and Rosie

More Steampunk style at Saltaire's World Heritage Celebrations  - I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  I thought it was great that it wasn't only young folks - whole families were involved, and I spotted several silver Steampunks!

Amanda and Dennis

An elegant couple - though the dog wasn't joining in, apparently!

Martin

Steampunk style

The World Heritage Celebrations in Saltaire last weekend certainly included some lively happenings.  One trend that I don't think the village has seen before was Steampunk.  It's not something I've come across before - and I'm not sure that I'm much the wiser even now! - but it did look lots of fun.

Caroline's (the social club) hosted a Steampunk gathering, with a concert on Friday night by the British Steampunk band BB Black Dog.  On Saturday there were groups of Steampunks out and about around Saltaire, very happy to pose for photos.

For a full explanation of what Steampunk is, please see here.  In a nutshell, it's a science fiction/fantasy genre including elements of Victorian technology (the steam) and with a creative or rebellious aspect (the punk).  It is first and foremost a literary genre (ie: written fiction) with spin-offs into games, music and  design/style.  It seems almost anything can be 'steampunked': clothes, jewellery, furniture, objects.  I guess more people are familiar with the 'goths' genre - and this seems to be a similar thing but with the link to Victorian technology.  All in all, it was rather fascinating, especially seeing the creative costumes and props.  Some of them looked more obviously 'Victorian/Edwardian' than others but they were all really creative.  As I say, those involved seemed to be having fun and making everyone else smile.  I think it fits well with Saltaire - there is an obvious link to the village's history but it's edgy, creative and modern too.  I hope they make it a regular event.