Just to give y’all a taste of the wonders in store for you in a matter of hours (panic setting in, must breathe) here’s one of the workshops I’m certainly not missing:

Saturday, 12:40-2:10: Building Goggles from Found Objects with David Nutty
Join master propmaker David Nutty for hands-on goggle making. Using found objects (which you may bring) or kits (which you may buy), you’ll go step-by-step through the entire design and construction process. Shop fee: $30 if you need a kit.

In response to the overwhelming need

of the people of Sendai, Japan…

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Nova Albion will be donating a percentage of profits from our ticket sales to assist with relief efforts – by purchasing an Exhibition ticket, you’re also helping people in great need.

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Starting at Nova Albion and going on through Labor Day weekend, Ay-leen the Peacemaker will be selling cute little buttons designed by Button Me Up at all the steampunk events and conventions she will be attending, in an effort to support and raise money for the relief effort. The store will also be selling these buttons online.

You can read more details about the fundraising initiative here: http://beyondvictoriana.com/2011/03/20/buy-a-button-buy-a-shelterbox-help-raise-money-for-japan/.

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Variety Children’s Charity will also be on-site, in our Mezzanine Vendor Hall. They are collecting donations to assist Children in Need here in the Bay Area and also at their location in Japan, where they are already working with kids in the affected disaster area. More information is available at the Variety table and online at: http://www.usvariety.org/

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Our hearts go out to everyone whose lives have been affected by this disaster. We hope, in our small way, to contribute to the healing and rebuilding that is underway and that you will join us in these efforts as you are able.

As we pull into the final stretch (it is next weekend, after all), we thought you’d like to see what we have in store for y’all and the best way to do this, we figured, was to show you the program (which, umm, explains this post’s title, I guess). Here it is in glorious pdf-o-vision.

2011 Nova Albion Program

Do note that this file is almost 3 mb, so if you’re on dial-up or, I don’t know, carrier pigeon, you might as well get comfortable. Perhaps a cup of tea would be nice. Treat yourself. You deserve it.

Once more – with feeling!

Lee Presson, our Airship Home Companion’s fearless Master of Ceremonies, (and of course the bandleader for Lee Presson and the Nails), was interviewed recently by Jonny B. Goode for Dieselpunks.org – and we’ve got the scoop right here!

MC - Lee Presson

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“Modern swing artists have different ways of ‘punking’ the basic sound of swing and making it their very own, blending it with everything from jump blues to ska to rockabilly. And then there’s Lee Presson and the Nails. Dubbed “Goth Swing” by the San Francisco Chronicle, this swing band takes a left turn into the Twilight Zone with their “sinister” appearance and wacky stage antics. LPN has been together (with a brief hiatus) since 1994 and have 5 CDs to their credit, including their brand new downloadable album, Balls in Your Face, a compendium of ballroom music in true LPN style!” – Jonny B. Goode

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That’s how it starts – you’ll have to check it out for yourself to see how it ends (and for everything in-between)!

Further your explorations!

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The annual BRICKS BY THE BAY convention will be on-site at the Hyatt at the same time as Nova Albion!

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photo by The Traveler's Steampunk Blog

Bricks by the Bay is a 3-day event hosted by the Bay Area Lego Users Group, and running from Friday March 25th through Sunday March 27th at the Hyatt, alongside the Steampunk Exhibition.

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There are a number of talks, discussions, games, contests, and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday for attendees, as well as a large exhibit hall where they can display their LEGO models for one another and for the Public Day on Sunday. There is no age limit, but those under 18 are required to have an adult also registered, and those under 16 must be accompanied by that adult at all times.

Nova Albion has worked out a reciprocal pass deal with the LEGO event organizers -

for just $10 you can get a pass (ask at the Registration Desk) that will let you in to all the BBtB daytime programming, displays and vendor hall. It has been suggested that Steampunk Exhibition participants should check out the panels and exhibits on Friday and Saturday, as Sunday will be open to the general public and may be very crowded.