Overbury Ink

Steampunkcanada.ca

My family and friends know me as Lee Ann Farruga, but steampunks around the world know me as Countessa Lenora.





I first heard about steampunk over a year ago, when I noticed my husband Patrick and our mutual friend, Adam looking at images they were describing as “steampunk”. Once they explained this “steampunk” to me I was flabbergasted. “I have always loved that” I said, “I didn’t know it had a name!”


Adam and a few other people shortly after began the Toronto Steampunk Society. When Patrick bemoaned that there was nothing in Ottawa, Adam said “start your own”…and so we did…and Steampunk Ottawa was born.


We have organized many events over the past year in Ottawa including picnics, movie nights, museum visits, a trip to Carnivale Lune Bleue, workshops, pub nights and our First Anniversary celebration. We have many more upcoming this year, including a science fair, a murder mystery and an evening of absinthe tasting.

After a year of organizing local Ottawa events I realized that there was nowhere to find information on Canadian steampunks or steampunk events across Canada. I searched high and low and checked Google on a regular basis trying to find a site for Canadians. Since I could not find what I was looking for, I decided to put together Steampunk Canada. Steampunk Canada is an organization to bring together and represent all steampunks across the nation. It is a place for Canadian steampunks to find their local groups, events, artisans, articles and other fun and fascinating information.

Steampunk Canada has a lot to offer. In the Forum you will find a number of topics of interest to all steampunks, as well as topics important to Canadian steampunks specifically. You can see wonderful gadgets, outfits and locations in the Photo Gallery. You can find new friends in your area of Canada. The Calendar is great for finding events going on across Canada. We even have a webstore where you will find many great products bearing our Steampunk Canada logo designed by Chris Hudzieczko.





In the future we hope to help more steampunks find each other across Canada. As the steampunk community grows we hope to be there as a meeting place and a crossroads across the nation. We will be holding our first Steampunk Canada event this summer at the Steampunk Canada Meet & Greet in Toronto on the weekend of July 24, 2010. You can find out more information on our website, as well as Facebook and the Steampunk Empire.


You can look forward to our continued support of local Canadian groups, artisans, writers and movie makers and up to date announcements of their events and accomplishments.


If you would like more information on Steampunk Canada you can contact us at steampunkcanada@rogers.com

…and can also be found on Facebook
…and on the Steampunk Empire
…and on Twitter as Countessa Lenora

I aim to misbehave… but first: The Stars, the wrestlers, the Super Heros, the gear, the costumes, the fans, the gaming, the artists – all great reasons to come out to a ComicCon. I hit the floor at this year in Toronto – decked out in BlankMustDie gear, giving out cards and finding who is new and interesting in the comic and graphic novel world. Lots of representatives from indie publications, and quite a few that are publishing solely online.

Chris & Jeff of Dressed for Success comics – released every Wednesday on-line. Alex Corbett and Walter Andrewkowski, two guys thrown together by chance, now making their way in a crazy universe one adventure at a time. All the while trying to stay one step ahead of the mafia and with the hopes of turning a profit. Kinda India Jones adventure, but in space.



Sean Lefebvre and IanMaclean – writer and illustrator for Armitage Mills A story of 6 men and families who secretly run the town using their money, influence and power. Once you see the book, you MUST check the web site

Promises Promises by J.R. Faulkner – Promises Promises is a glib look at diet, fitness and all the struggles and successes that come with achieving a healthy lifestyle. Promises Fitness is the name of the posh suburban club staffed by Fiona and Trish, two well meaning and cheeky fitness professionals, doing their best to keep a very resistant membership in peek condition. It’s bright, witty and hits a very different market than most of the other show presenters.

Brian Evinou is the artist and writer for Don River. A 24 page tale of mysterious suicides surrounding an elusive young girl down by the river. Check out his Blog


Ken Turner, a Canadian film maker and animation artist put together a great indie book called: Eye Candy Volume 1: the Village Idioms. A gruesome look at common expressions, living up to it’s title of eye candy. Find him at his blog


One of my fav reads from this show is: the Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks written by Max Brooks and illustrated by Ibraim Roberson. In his book we follow the millennia of zombie attacks from prehistoric man, Ancient Egyptian mummies, Roman armies to the French Foreign Legion and modern California.



Also a special mention to the Rebel Legion whose Jedi representative made a huge impression on my 3 year old – so much that he picked up the courage to blast 4 Storm Troopers passing by.

and I also bravely stood with a towering Klingon from KAG Kanada

I even scored some props for being a Browncoat sympathizer – especially since Jewel Staite of Firefly was a special guest at the show. Jewel – as charming in person as she played on screen – and the Southern Ontario Browncoats (S.O.B.’s) blog is just starting up and were scoring photos from fans at the show. Hit their site and send them Big Dam S.O.B.’s some support- here

Found this great video of the Oxford Steampunk Expo -- great to hear from Art Donovan the curator and see more of the pieces at the show. If you’re in the Oxford area before February 21 -- it’s well worth checking out. Would love to hear from anyone who visited.

STEAMPUNK in a historic and palatial Victorian edifice, in the heart of the crumbling colonial capital of a windswept Pacific island.

Come join your fellow air pirates, burlesque performers, time travelers, mad scientists, ladies, gentlemen, madmen, tinkerers and enthusiasts of all things steampunk. There will be a display of working steam engines and period historical artifacts, along with books and merchandise for sale.

A Celebration and Exhibition of Steampunk Art & Culture

Where: Fairmont Empress, Victoria BC
When: May 22 & 23, 2010

GUEST OF HONOUR: Cherie Priest, author of Boneshaker
http://www.cheriepriest.com/

MUSICAL GUESTS: Unwoman
http://www.unwoman.com/

FILM GUESTS: Ryan Copple of RIESE the Series
http://www.riesetheseries.com/

STEAMPUNK FILM FESTIVAL including
“Whisps of Steam” Short Film Contest

ART EXHIBIT

COSTUME CONTESTS & PRIZES

TICKETS AVAILABLE: http://victoriasteamexpo.blogspot.com/

Dealers tables available; inquiries to jordan@jordanstratford.com