PORT TOWNSEND — The word “Victorian” often conjures up impressions of ornate architecture, ruffled clothing, fancy manners and quilting.
An upcoming festival in Port Townsend is aimed at the other side of that 19th century era.
“The Victorian Festival which has been going on for 16 years is a reflection of what people thought of Victoriana 20 years ago,” said Nathan Barnett, one of the organizers of the Brass Screw Confederacy (A Steampunk Hootenanny) scheduled this Friday through Sunday.
“Steampunk provides a different view,” Barnett said.
“It’s more playful and has a greater sense of whimsy.”
And while Port Townsend is full of people who defy the age stereotypes, the new festival is geared toward a younger demographic than the quilting crowd.
The festival, which will be able to accommodate 600 people, has sold little more than 100 tickets so far, according to Dominic Svornich, who is the event’s liaison with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
“The Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Network was looking to create an opportunity for the small businesses, artists and sole proprietors that make Port Townsend special,” Svornich said of the impetus behind the festival.
“We also wanted to create more entertainment options for young people in Port Townsend,” Svornich said.
According to the event’s web page, it’s “the perfect commingling of beautiful 19th century architecture and eccentricity.”
Barnett said the event is a part of a national movement that celebrates the ingenuity and inventiveness of the Victorian era, with elements of science fiction and fantasy that create a perception of those times.
“The idea is to get away from the gross consumerism that we have today when people made things out of brass and wood instead of plastics,” Barnett said.
“And they would really talk to each other instead of just dialing in.”
Barnett is a technical writer who moved to Port Townsend earlier this year after purchasing the Old Consulate Inn.
“I like the 19th century aesthetic but I also like my cellphone,” he said.
Barnett said he doesn’t seek to romanticize the Victorian era or travel back in time.
“There were some disgusting things back then — they hadn’t cured polio and there was rampant piracy and all kinds of disease,” he said.
“But people are always looking back at other times to learn about them.
“The Romans looked back to the Greeks, and there are lots of movies and books that re-create the era.”
As for its diversity, Barnett points out that the 19th century hosted both Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austin.
A “Bazaar of the Bizarre” takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, including vendors and artists, while a craft show takes place simultaneously outside the hall.
Both events are free.
Also free on Saturday, the Potable Port Townsend Cabaret will take place all day at the Key City Public Theatre, including readings by Neal Stephenson from what is described as a “NeoVictorian cyberpunk novel,” called “Diamond Age.”
Also at the theater is a flea circus and a presentation about steampunk costuming.
The main event takes place from 7:30 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday at the Legion Hall with a vaudeville show featuring The Crow Quill Night Owls and Artis the Spoonman, among other performers.
A full pass which includes general admission to the entire event costs $35.
A Friday-only ticket costs $10 while Saturday admission, which includes a vaudeville show with music, dance, magic, aerialists and more, is $25.
The final night features a “Zombie Apocalypse” in which participants (who pay $10) will hunt zombies in the wilds of Fort Worden State Park in basically a supernatural reinvention of “Capture the Flag”.
Half of the proceeds will be divided among Port Townsend school system’s science and art programs and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network, with the other half earmarked to help finance next year’s event.
“Port Townsend has a great history of holding these whimsical events so we thought we’d tap into some of that history and have some fun at the same time,” Svornich said.
Festival sponsors are actively seeking volunteers for the event.
Especially needed are licensed alcohol servers as well as ticketing, cashiering, security and general “hang around so we can ask you to do stuff as it comes up” jobs, according to Svornich,
Discount tickets are available for volunteers, with some shifts earning discounts for up to four friends and family.
To volunteer, write info@brass-screw.org.
For more information go to www.brass-screw.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
