STEAMCON IV: VICTORIAN MONSTERS to Invade Seattle, Now thru 10/28

Steamcon, Seattle's own Steampunk Convention and one of the largest and longest-lasting such events in the world, celebrates its 2012 Festival with a Halloween-themed celebration of Victorian Monsters.

Call it Victorian science fiction, altered history or yesterday’s tomorrows, Steampunk is a multi-cultural arts movement that incorporates literature, fashion, craft and music. Steamcon is where thousands of fans and artists gather to celebrate the movement with dozens of panels, signings, special events and markets.

This year’s theme is “Victorian Monsters,” a weekend-long Halloween party featuring all the classic monsters of the Victorian era. Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Spring Heeled Jack, the Invisible Man, Jack the Ripper and many more were born in the foggy streets of Victorian London. With participants dressing as monsters and monster-hunters, it's the perfect setting for Steampunk intrigue, ghoulish frights and ghastly delights.

Kim Newman, writer of the thrilling alternate history tale Anno Dracula, is the Author Guest of Honor. Joe Benitez, illustrator and creator of the gorgeous comic book Lady Mechanika, is this year’s Artist Guest of Honor. And The Monster Hunters of Honor will be the ever-popular and outrageous performance troupe The League of S.T.E.A.M.

Headlining the Saturday Night Concert will be Musical Guests of Honor Rasputina, a celebrated cello ensemble whose concert also features the fabulous Nathaniel Johnstone Band and Eric Stern of Vagabond Opera.

Friday night will be the third annual Airship Awards Banquet, an evening to honor the
most outstanding creators in the steampunk community. On Saturday there will be the
Sanatorium Tea featuring a monster costume competition, and on Sunday there will be
the Wayfarer’s Brunch, an event to honor multiculturalism in steampunk.

Taking place at the lovely Hyatt Regency hotel in Bellevue from tonight, October 26th-28th,
Steamcon IV is three days of lively panel discussions, demonstrations, and talks about the literary genre/music genre/fashion/do-it-yourselfers dream that is Steampunk. The Convention also hosts an art exhibition, a merchant’s room, games rooms, a High Tea,
dances, a concert and much, much more. Tickets are on sale now and going fast!

Steampunk Conventions Inc. presents Steamcon IV: Victorian Monsters at Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel, 900 Bellevue Way Northeast, Bellevue, Wash., tonight, October 26-28, 2012. Adults $45.00 and youths $40 if bought in advance. Higher at the door. Tickets available online or at the door. Go to registration.steamcon.org.

For more information, go to www.steamcon.org.