PORT TOWNSEND — This weekend’s fourth annual Brass Screw Confederacy is drawing people from throughout the region — including both curiosity-seekers and those already passionate about the steampunk aesthetic.
“This is living theater that you make up as you go,” said Dottie Nelson of Port Townsend of steampunk.
Steampunk draws inspiration from a vintage era that runs roughly between 1840 and 1920, a period of technological progress that has a lot of similarities to modern times.
Since it’s an imaginary world, steampunk props can be anachronistic, with one person’s costume containing items from several different eras.
“Anything goes,” said Jack Pines of Renton.
“The aesthetic has a foundation, but after that, you can turn it into anything you like.”
Jennifer Grosman of Seattle, a longtime steampunk enthusiast, brought along two of her uninitiated friends.
“I like steampunk because it allows me to relive the sense of wonder and adventure of Victorian times without the imperialism, racism and sexism,” she said.
“It’s ‘keep out the bad stuff, keep in the good stuff.’”
“Some of the best vacations I have been on is when I followed someone else’s passion, seeing and experiencing things that I normally would not be interested in,” said Megan Levy, Grosman’s friend.
“It’s always a good way to try something else out.”
Brass Screw volunteer coordinator Irene Masters said it was impossible to provide an accurate number of attendees, as they were spread around eight locations.
But she estimated that “several hundred” people came to Port Townsend for the Brass Screw Confederacy festival, which ends today.
Today’s finale has these events:
■ “History for Writers,” 11 a.m. to noon, Bishop Victorian Hotel lower level.
■ Hangover Panel with Bands and Brass Screw Command, 11 a.m. to noon, Key City Public Theatre.
■ Brass Screw Tactical Croquet, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Memorial Field.
■ Cheapass Games, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whistle Stop Toys, 1005 Water St.
■ “Skill for Shipwrecked Sailors,” noon to 1 p.m., Key City Public Theatre.
■ “Steampunk for the Casual Fan,” noon to 1 p.m., Bishop Hotel lower level.
■ Scavenger Hunt, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Pope Marine Park.
■ “Airship Apprentice,” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Whistle Stop Toys.
■ “Victorian Machine Guns,” 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Key City Public Theatre.
■ Victorian Tea (reservations only), 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Fort Worden Commons.
■ The Frog Dies at the End, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Bishop Hotel lower level.
■ “Naval Landing Party,” 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Key City Public Theatre.
For more information about Brass Screw Confederacy, go to www.brass-screw.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
