Adapted by Mark Brown from the classic novel by science fiction pioneer Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days follows the tale of proper London gentleman Phileas Fogg, who strikes a wager with fellow members of the Reform Club that he can travel around the world in a mere 80 days—a mighty feat in 1872. With him goes his trusty French servant, Passepartout, while tenacious Detective Fix – who has mistaken Fogg for a fugitive bank robber – shadows him every step of the way. On his journey, Fogg encounters romance, adventure and a host of colorful characters who both help and hinder his progress. Will Fogg make it back in time to win the wager?

January 6 - February 8, 2009

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229

VISIT:  www.LagunaPlayhouse.com

MOULTON THEATRE:   606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California

Blanket Magazine has a short piece of Steampunk on the web this month, but that is mainly just the excuse I used to post.  Blanket magazine is:

. . . is a free PDF online magazine that is aimed at uncovering art + design + photography from the talented people who create it.

The name blanket came from the simple idea that we wanted to ‘cover’ all the areas of art, design and photography and bring them together in one magazine.

I've only skimmed the rest of the content so far but the images and graphics are absolutely gorgeous!  Download the PDF by clicking on the image above.  (Found via Mechanis)

From http://www.nimbyspace.org/ :

The outpouring of support for NIMBY in the past week has been inspiring.  Excitement is building in the final countdown to taking possession of the new space.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far.  NIMBY is well on its way to making through a transition that would typically spell the end for most spaces.  It is you, NIMBY supporters, who have made this possible.  If you have been waiting to show your support - now is the time.

NIMBY must raise another $14,700 by December 15th

Do your part to keep NIMBY going and donate.  We can’t wait to thank you all from the new space.

If you want to help in other ways here is our moving wish list:

• bodies to help moving December 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th

• trucks to haul all sizes and shapes of junk (contact snook@nimbyspace.org in advance)

• pizza, beer and chocolate to keep other helpers going

For more ways to help contact rachael@nimbyspace.org with an email describing your skills or interests.

Click through to the NIMBY site to donate via the PayPal button (upper right).

I have legions of minions (both cybernetic and meatiform) so if you say 'steampunk' anywhere on the interwebs I'm liable to pop up in UR LJ or UR Flickr within hours.  Such was the case this morning when I discovered this marvellous machine built by banjo player Will Segerman for a musical group aptly named The Clockwork Quartet.

Will's Flickr stream is here (be sure to check out the Blunderbuss and Transparent Armour!) and if I were you I would sign up to the Clockwork Quartet's Facebook page. If these folks musicianship match Will's craftsmanship - they are going to be awesome indeed!

More pics after the cut!

TechnOccult inteviews wunderkammer artist AlexCF:

I guess it all started with this little box, called “The Vampire Legacy Case” about a 14th century aristocratic vampire, the last rites and possessions of this vampiric lord. I had the idea of creating an alternative past, creating characters and species with which to fabricate my own world in which all these things existed. So I started making, and the rest is history!

The Clockwork Hand by deviantart user Astalo is lovely in it's craftsmanship. It is, however, a strange cross between cyborg upgrade and flirtatious torture device- wear it for super strength or make someone else wear it, turn the crank, forcibly making the 'come hither' motion , over and over and over. 'Who, me?'- I would say, blushing- 'I do declare, I thought you would never ask..but oh, Mr. Wingspatersonton, however will you dance, tied to that chair?'

I want it.

The long awaited (release has been pushed back several times) cover art book for Fables has come out today. It compiles all the amazing and moving covers that James Jean has done for the series, issues 1-75.  The cherry on top that is really making me squeal with happiness- each and every one is accompanied by sketches and progress shots. Yoyza.

Every Wednesday since I've been traveling, I've searched out the local comic book purveyor to see if this book had come out, and the wait has been more than worth it. James Jean is a jewel of an artist- creepily beautiful, deadly sexy, and intriguingly surreal; his art knocks my socks off every time.

For some reason, Amazon has the release date as next week, but your comic book shop should have it now.

This morning I was telling my daughter about the creatures called "Cattails" that Larry Niven invented for World out of Time. 

I remember enjoying that book a lot but more than anything the description of the genetically modified cat/snake hybrid stuck with me.  It had the head of a cat and a fur covered snake body with cat paw leather on its underside.  There's a picture of one on the cover of the book.

She then told me about a piece she saw at the Decordova Museum in Concord, MA by Ria Brodell that featured Wormbunnies.

Wormbunnies!

Well, I just had to track those Wormbunnies down for you and you will find them here!

Cal Lane is quite a lady. Oxy-acetalyne torch in hand, she intracately carves out lace-like patterns out of shovels, wheelbarows, cars, and most impresively- full sized I-beams. Just looking at her work, I wish i was able to experience it first hand- These formidable, unwieldy, solid hunks of steel transformed into objects that look as light as a feather. It's both industry and craft. She has quite a bit of work on her unfortunately flash-crippled site.

The Romanian publication EgoPhobia has just released it's Steampunk Experiment.  It's really a wonderful take on the movment and includes a  great interview with artist Sean Orlando (© photo by John Curley)

I think that there are a lot of people out there who are simply dissatisfied with throwaway bottle-fed art and consumption artifacts that have been forced upon us by sheer repetition and rote consumption. So, as an antidote, we look to a time when care, design and artistry were applied to the everyday life in a more lasting way. We are appealing to a different non-dominant ideology.

But Sean's interview is just the icing on the cake!  The edition is chock full of interviews with artists that you have not heard of (yet!) and represents a different take on Steampunk then we're use to - and one I find really exciting and interesting!

Go now and and Read!