Shortly after arriving at Dorian’s Parlor on Saturday night, we had the chance to chat with one of the founders, Gil Cnaan, who described the event as catering to “anachronauts – people who travel between times that never existed.” That pretty well sums up what we saw there, as we chatted with people dressed in everything from medieval capes and jerkins, to tails and waistcoats, corsets and fishnet stocking, wings, silver contact lenses, and sometimes fangs.
Everybody was fascinating. This was a highly intelligent crowd, with interests in history, science, music, art, literature, and clothing. Vendors displayed artwork, jewelry, steampunk accessories, hats, corsets, and even some replica 19th century surgical equipment: “For when it absolutely, positively HAS to come off in the next 30 seconds!”
The organizers kindly allowed my daughters to sit at my booth, outside the main ballroom. I worried that some of the attendees might be unhappy with their presence, but everybody took it in stride. “I approve of your minions!” said one gentleman, eyeing them up through his steampunk eyegear. And one of the vendors offered Gabbey a discount on a hairpiece she liked, just because she was wearing a Zelda hat.
One of the highlights of the evening for me was when I met Kyle Cassidy and Trillian Stars, who brought their copy of High Spirits, the original version of We Hear the Dead. Turns out Kyle is an aficionado of Elisha Kent Kane, and we had a grand time dishing about Elisha and Maggie, bashing Elisha’s mother, and speculating on whether he would have ultimately manned-up and done the right thing if you-know-what hadn’t happened.
I was so busy talking to people, I didn’t get to see much of the show, but there was a fan dancer, an opera singer, Katie Kat, a showing of the animated short The Tesla Experiment, and performances by Ego Likeness. Oh yeah, I was part of the entertainment, too. They showed my book trailer, and I did a brief reading.
A gentleman came up to me towards the end of the evening to get a book from me. He said he was sorry he’d missed my reading, since he got in late at the airport. But he’d caught it on the webcast. I just blinked at him. “What webcast?” Turns out, the whole event was broadcast live on the Dorian’s website. I’m really glad I didn’t know that at the time!
Overall, this was a blast, and I really want to go again! I was eyeing up the costumes, getting some ideas, and I know my husband was, too. I think I might be an anachronaut at heart, too!
I just love that you’ve shared all of this. Great photos!!
Hi Dianne 🙂
I love the clothes!
Thanks for sharing the pictures & post.
I think I am a closet “anachronaut”.
All the best,
RKCharron
More pics–love them! And I adore the term “anachroaut.” Thanks for sharing this experience with us. 🙂
Wow, this was great! I’m not a bog fan of huge social events anymore but this sounds like a lot of fun – a cool intelligent costume party for adults who never quite grew all the way up. yeah, that would be me 🙂
thanks Dianne.
Sounds like a great time. I love events where you’re supposed to dress up in costume. 🙂
Aww man, you were webcast and I missed it?
heartbroken 🙁
Let us know if it happens again, k?
~bru
YAY for the great photos–sounds like a blast!
I have been dying to see these photos! LOVE! I’m glad it went so well. Looks like it was so much fun.
That last photo of you is fab! It looks like you are soaking in someones comment and just about to say something brilliant in response. It is just how you come across on the blog and at TPR: a combination of intelligent listening and pithy reply.
hi miss dianne! wow more neat pictures! i could tell you had soooo much fun. now for sure youre a anachronaut. but i gotta ask is it the time that didnt ever exist or the people that didnt ever exist? i hope you could do it again and tell us so we could see it on that webcast. that could be really neat.
…hugs from lenny
Let us know if you’re going back. For sure.
Really enjoying the book! 🙂