Steamboats and Paddlewheelers in New Orleans!

Summer time and the livin' is easy on a Steamboat or Paddlewheeler in New Orleans!

Summer is a great time to get away. Airship Crimson Steamers has a fabulously steamy plan!  See our three competing companies for a unique vacation idea!  These are a day's drive away & tickets start at $22 per ticket for adults.

AMERICAN QUEEN

http://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/Destination/lower-mississippi/

Memory flows deep and sentiment eddies and swirls along the Lower Mississippi River on these river cruises. Once divided by these very waters, when cotton was king and the plantation lifestyle was at its zenith, the North and South were at war, each armed with conflicting visions of what was worth dying for. Look back as each battlefield and grave marker has a story to tell. Then celebrate the living, breathing places where southern culture continues to enjoy a modern-day renaissance.

STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ

http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/

The New Orleans Steamboat Company locally owns and operates the last authentic Steamboat on the Mighty Mississippi River:

• The Steamboat NATCHEZ Dinner Jazz and Daytime jazz cruises … run daily, year round, in the style of authentic steamboats in New Orleans for centuries! 
• Steam Engine Room visitation, calliope, live jazz and optional Creole food and local beverages.

CREOLE QUEEN PADDLEWHEELER

http://www.creolequeen.com/

Join us aboard the authentic & award winning paddlewheeler Creole Queen for the best seat in the house.  Tickets start at $22/person for adults.  Kids under 5 are free!  Some cruises offer food and drinks.

T R A I N S! {you know you luv 'em}

Oklahoma City Railway Museum  http://www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/

Come spend an afternoon at the Oklahoma Railway Museum. There’s something for everyone! Come see freight cars, passenger cars, and even a real steam engine on display.   Our museum is open every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 9:00 to 5:00. Admission to the museum is free. Trains operate first and third Saturdays – April to August.

Heartland Flyer can take you antiquing in Purcell & back home again!

Great antiques and collectables are found in Purcell, OK!  Ride with a friend or read a book while you travel.  The train picks up in Norman about 8:45am and returns from Purcell about 8:45pm, so make a day of it! "When you feel the need for a pleasant pause from life’s frantic pace, escape to Purcell located in the middle of Oklahoma. Drop in and spend a laid-back day exploring Purcell’s Main Street antique stores, full of elegant and eclectic collectibles – pretty things you remember from childhood or visits to your grandparents.

Start at Butler’s Antiques, tucked inside the historic Hotel Love building.  This beautiful building with a large covered porch is the former home of a hotel built in 1895, which has now been meticulously restored. Be sure to peruse the treasures at Auntie Mae’s Antiques and Grapevine Antiques as well. When you’re ready for a break from shopping, take a hearty appetite to the Krystle Spur Steakhouse, where you'll find mouthwatering steaks served alongside hearty sides. Save room for a decadent homemade dessert at this unique steakhouse."

Ft. Smith/Van Buren Vacation Ideas

Drive east on I40 to find trolleys, trains, Savers, and excellent restaurants; yes, Arkansas, the Natural State, is surprising!

Check out a Victorian treasure in Ft. Smith and Van Buren.  http://www.fstm.org/

Train reservations are made online & an excellent way to see fall foliage; however, get tickets well in advance.  They fill up fast!  http://www.vanburen.org/attractions/ride-the-train/  

"Begin your afternoon adventure at The Old Frisco Station, a Van Buren landmark and welcome center for over   a century. Settle in to the plush grandeur of the comfortable passenger cars and hold your breath as the tracks take you over the Arkansas River, through a quarter mile tunnel and over a series of trestles overlooking the rugged and spectacular forestland. Laugh and wonder with the conductor, who will share his tales of lore and his knowledge of this beautiful and bountiful part of the world."

Explore America's railroads and other engineering marvels on the PBS Engineering Map: www.pbs.org/engineeringmap

Train rides to [almost] Tulsa coming soon!

Sapulpa to Midwest City Rail http://www.passengerrailok.org/

Corrupted Cog in Austin

Head to Austin for The Corrupted Cog! {after finals}

The Corrupted Cog would like to announce another 2015 Guests of Honor, Sarah Hunter . Ms. Hunter is a professional model, actress, performer, and cosplayer, and proprietress of Lady Clankington’s Cabinet of Carnal Curiosities. Her modeling work has been published in dozens of books and magazines , and she has appeared on several television shows, including Castle (for which she was also a styling consultant).
So come meet Sarah Hunter at The Corrupted Cog - The Con with Teeth.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Corrupted-Cog/1575984262615248

Catch the Steampunk Express in TX in April!

Three day Steampunk event April 24-26, 2015 sponsored by The Texas State Railroad

https://www.texasstaterr.com/events.php

Friday, April 24 - Wine Tasting& Photo Train – Enjoy a sampling of East Texas wines. Photo opportunities for those in costume in front of a working 1917 steam engine at the Palestine Depot and at the historic 1890’s turntable in Maydelle. Also, photo opportunities (including in the cab) with the 1927 #610. This locomotive is famous for having pulled The Freedom Train across Texas in 1976.

Saturday, April 25 – High Tea & Whiskey Tasting – The High Tea features traditional Victorian teas plus sandwiches, pastries and desserts or partake of the whiskey tasting, featuring five types of whiskey.

Saturday, April 25 – Victorian Dinner Train & Absinthe Tasting – Dine in style on a traditional Victorian dinner or hang out in the vintage Café Observation Car and experience a traditional absinthe tasting with a variety of offerings.

Saturday, April 25 – Steampunk Festival – day-long festival at the Palestine Depot features steampunk vendors, entertainment, costume contest and photo backdrops for those in costume!

Saturday, April 25 – Steampunk Performance – (details TBA) This show will take place after the Victorian Dinner Train returns to the station.

Sunday, April 26 – Victorian Brunch Train.

Phone Business Office (Monday–Friday 8-5) 903-683-2561 Reservations or Directions 903-683-3451 or 1-877-726-7245 (toll-free)

Iron Thistle!

If you cannot make the train event in TX, then try some haggis at the OK Iron Thistle!

https://www.facebook.com/events/342550282613494

March is busy! Irish Fest, Medieval Fair & Steampunk in CO!

North Texas Irish Festival 

http://www.ntif.org/performers/index.html

From Scottish Clans to a Celtic Village, traditional music to chalk artists. There is never a dull moment at NTIF. So, while you are walking between stages or relaxing after a lunch of Irish Stew and Guinness, stop by and visit one of the many attractions at NTIF.

2015 Dates & Times

Friday, March 6th  6:00-11:00pm

Saturday, March 7th   10:30am-11:30pm

Sunday, March 8th   11:30am-7:30pm

Location  Fair Park, Dallas, TX

 

 

Ye 'ole Medieval Fair of Norman!

https://www.facebook.com/MedievalFairhttps://www.facebook.com/MedievalFair

AnamolyCon in Denver ~ March 27th to 29th

Photos and contribution by Richard Spears

March 27 - 29 is AnomalyCon! It is the coolest Steampunk con in Colorado. I go to a lot of different cons, but this is by far my favorite! I am so excited for this year! It looks like it is going to be the biggest one yet. The one thing I love is everyone is so laid back - and they are there to meet other people. It makes you feel like you know everyone and they all want to talk to you. In fact this year I am going with friends I actually met at last years AnomalyCon. I love the way everyone's costumes are just an extension of themselves. I love to meet the hidden personality when they let go for three days. I would love to extend my personal invitation to 2015 AnomalyCon March 27-29 - Denver, Colorado!
For more info, check out https://www.anomalycon.com/

 

Thanks to the Steampunk Punisher, Richard Spears, for writing for us!  Although Rich is from CO, his family is from Tulsa & he's a HUGE OU fan, so he's an honorary member of the Airship Crimson Steamers.

OU's COLLEGECON is back!

The event will begin at 7 p.m. | Feb. 27 in the Union Ballroom

Join us Feb. 27th for speakers, video game tournaments, vendors, cosplay contests and your chance to WIN an Xbox One prize pack!
Check out Brent’s youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/brentalfloss
The following groups will be at CollegeCon this year:
- Brentalfloss
- Impact Props
- Arashi Taiko
- League of Legends - Boomer League
- GHQ
- Ubisoft
- The Royal Manticorian Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association
- Vintage Stock
- Tokyo In Tulsa
- Action Figure Toy Museum
- Quidditch Team
- Sooner Smash Brothers
- Jedi OKC
- DZ Games and Comics
- Animation Society
- Wizards Asylum
- One Stop Anime
https://www.facebook.com/events/342550282613494

Fabulous February Fandom Frivolity!

We have Fabulous February Fandom Frivolity!

Dallas Comic Con FAN DAYS! Feb. 7th

http://dallas.culturemap.com/eventdetail/dallas-comic-con-fan-days-2015/

Visitors can meet their film and TV stars, shop aisles packed with all the latest geek gear, hunt for that elusive classic comic book, take pictures with fans dressed as favorite characters, listen to Q&A sessions with celebs and see sketch duels.

Special guests will include: John Barrowman (Arrow, Doctor Who), Stephen Amell (Arrow), Katie Cassidy (Arrow), Melissa McBride (The Walking Dead), Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek), Terry Farrell (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Emma Caulfield (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas), Ken Page (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Colin Baker (Doctor Who) and Billie Piper (Doctor Who).

ConDFW is a science fiction and fantasy convention featuring writing/publishing based programming, science programming, an excellent collection of guests, art show, rooms of board gaming, a charity book swap and auction, a short story contest, a costume contest, and a slew of non-traditional activities such as the Sci-Fi Spelling Bee. We welcome one and all to show up, hang out, meet old friends, make new ones, and have an excellent time!  February 13-15, 2015 Location: Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, Dallas, TX

Birthday Hullabaloo featuring Abney Park

Friday, February 20, 2015 Doors open at 6pm & show is 8pm to 11pm

Tulsa, OK

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

http://www.jazzhalltickets.com/ 

Watch for Guest Blogger Steampunk-Punisher Rich Spears from CO in March!

Rich is a steampunk artisan who transforms Nerf into vintage steampunk and diesel punk weaponry for play and for show.  He'll also share his favorite event photos from AnamolyCon.

The North Texas Irish Festival is also in March!

This event is sure to please.  Many friends and families drive south to enjoy great music, unique Celtic art, and most of all indulge in fine foods and ales.  Check back for 411