Steampunk: tomorrow as it used to be
OAMARU changed forever 10 years ago when Agent Darling (a.k.a. Iain Clark), the League of Victorian Imagineers, and the Forrester Gallery held the first ‘‘Steampunk: tomorrow as it used to be’’ exhibition in 2009.
It ran alongside the Victorian Heritage Celebrations and was the most popular exhibition ever held. The following year, the annual fashion show and gala ball events were created and the Steampunk NZ Festival was born.
From simple beginnings it has grown into a multievent festival drawing steampunkers from all over the world to Oamaru every year, and earning the town the title of ‘‘Steampunk capital of the World’’.
Marking 10 years of steampunk in Oamaru coincides with celebrations of Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday, for a full weekend of frivolity in true steampunk fashion.
The local communityrun event the Trustpower Fire and Steam kicks off the weekend on Friday, May 31, bringing together the local community and the wider steampunk community, visiting from near and far. This event transforms the Oamaru Victorian Precinct with fire performers, light shows, local music, and food to entertain thousands of people.
Alongside the original fashion show and gala ball events there are now markets for all your steampunk needs, vaudeville for a pinch of cheeky adult fun, the everpopular teapotracing, and much much more!
For the full programme of events, please visit www.steampunk.org.nz
FLAMBOYANT AND COMEDIC DUNEDIN TALENT FOR STEAMPUNK NZ FESTIVAL
A slice of Dunedin talent is guiding the Steampunk NZ Festival for 2019, with Dunedinborn comedian Pinky Agnew MC for the festival, and Dunedin local Tahu Mackenzie MC for the Trustpower Fire and Steam.
Pinky Agnew, now based in Wellington, is considered New Zealand comedy royalty, becoming a member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment in 2004. Her versatility as an actor, author, social commentator, and wedding celebrant has been a huge part of her success. Organisers of the event are confident that Pinky will add unique character to this year’s festivities.
Tahu Mackenzie, well known in Dunedin for her flamboyant dress and welcoming personality, is MC for the communityrun event Trustpower Fire and Steam. Tahu will be bringing her upbeat energy to the familyfriendly event, being held on May 31 in the Oamaru Victorian Precinct. This multitalented woman is also the frontperson of Tahu and the Takahes, who will be playing at the Indoor Street Party on June 2 as part of the Steampunk NZ Festival.