C13 Peek-tures, or what happens when you mix Red and Green
Finally, photos are edited, so here's what I did with most of the rest of May (ie, Convergence prep, attendance, and recovery). It was my first time attending and though the event itself was fun enough, I have to say the people I got to see (carpe_jugulum) and those I got to meet for the first time (nathan_fhtagn and magpie_ratt) pushed it to best vacation I've had in about, oh, ever.
Jason and I got in on Thurs afternoon to immediately rendezvous with Nathan and Libby for a round of margaritas. I'd never been to Portland before, but it has the feel of being an overgrown small town and everyone was really friendly. We got many inquiries and compliments on our "creativity" in dress/haircolor whenever we wandered out for food. We wandered out to the show Thurs night, but soon abandoned the overcrowded and dense venue in favor of chilling and chatting back in our room.
Friday we wandered out for breakfast and wound up spending most of the day prowling through vintage shops. We went in one rather upscale place called Torso where the shopkeeper seemed very skeptical of us at first, but soon warmed up and started telling us stories about the various dresses in the place once it became apparent we knew something about vintage clothing. Apparently they have a much larger location in SF that I may have to visit - but given that they work to clothe stars like Lenny Kravitz on appointment only, I doubt I could afford anything in there. On her recommendation, we wandered through a couple other vintage stores before heading over to the renegade fashion show being staged by Kambriel and co. separate from the main event. It was really well done and very creative - I loved the way Kambriel set her models up in various scenes rather than just having them parade down a runway and really made use of the music. And they had an opera singer to open - such a nice touch. There were many interesting and well-done takes on Victorian and tailored garb among all the collections - plus a see-through lace dress with a train that Libby was threatening to buy me. (Hey, I wouldn't say no.)
Oh, and we also found Voodoo Donuts - home of the vegan donut, cock-and-balls and maple-bacon bar.
While Libby and Nathan headed back to the hotel to rest a bit before the evening, Jason and I stayed out to explore a bit further. We'd heard rumors of a vegan cafe in the area and decided to seek it out, only to find that they closed at 4 pm. The owner of Veganopolis was nice enough to come out and make some recommendations to us when she saw us perusing the menu though, and we found out that they were the ones catering Skinny Puppy that night. We did make it back later in the weekend for their all-vegan breakfast spread, which was teh yum.
Saturday Libby, Jason and I ventured onto the Goth Bus for the organized shopping excursion (no lie - they had a giant yellow school bus driven by an eccentric elderly gentleman in a top hat to ferry the gawth kidz around to the various events). The first shop they took us to was awesome - a piercing/clothing/music place where I found a black and red tulle skirt to wear with my corset - but after that, the tour kinda fizzled out. We wound up abandoning the bus to have bubble tea in a cool little teahouse about the main storefronts until the tour was over. At which point we managed to convince the driver to drop us off at another couple of shops we found that weren't on the tour, taking half the bus with us in the process.
I guess the other important part of Saturday was that I finally got sucked into the Cult Of Delicious Stink (aka, BPAL) after having successfully resisted for over a year. What can I say - they had a booth and bottles were only $15? So yeah...now I can join in on the scent reporting. Jason even got some.
Sat night Abney Park played, and while I enjoyed seeing Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly, there are some bands where you see them play live and you are moved from fan to adherent. This was one of those shows. Aside from the music being fantasic, I love the fact that the group has carefully cultivated a look down to the details on their modified equipment that they all maintain on and off-stage. It's not just creating music, but creating a world that you step into when you meet them. Which obviously resonates with my inner costume whore. Ironically, I think I spent most of the time at the goth gathering learning more about Steampunk philosophy, fashion and artistry - between hanging out with Libby, seeing AP and meeting Magpie - and a lot of it really fascinates me, as a practical and an artistic way of life. I think the manifesto in the first issue of Steampunk Magazine may be getting pulled out in art crits this semester as it fairly eloquently describes my own obsession with the handmade in the face of concept and efficiency. More thoughts on that later - at the moment though, my sewing table is brimming with plots and prototypes for Steampunk bellydance gear.
Since Libby was called to be hairdresser/photographer for AP Sat eve, Jason and I wandered about on our own. We met a lovely couple from San Jose, Craig and Melinda, whom we got together with last weekend for dinner while they were in the city. We had a great time talking with them - Melinda does fake hair and Craig makes cyber wear as creative outlets from their daytime tech jobs. His clothing can been seen on his site - pretty amazing stuff, esp. considering he taught himself to sew.
Sunday morning, as Libby mentioned in her journal, we ventured outdoors for some improvised bellydance busking (pictured above and below). Of course, we picked the one cold day of the weekend, but we pressed on. It was really interesting improvising to accordion and violin - I wished I'd taken more notes at Le Serpent Rouge, because those kinds of moves would have been perfect in this situation. Ah well, the next time. It was really wonderful to get to shake tassels with such fine musicians though - any time I get the chance to dance to live music is a real treat.
These came out a bit blurry, but you get the idea. Photography by Jason, editing by me.
Nathan, Magpie, and Paul rocking it.
I spent most of my time wandering back and forth in front of the group.
At one point we lost Paul to the Tea Party, so we continued on in his absence. I believe this is the point where Magpie busted out his "Die, Die, Die!" refrain and Nathan and I busted up laughing.
Libby did neglect to mention that she got in on the booty-shaking action...
Yeah, this is what happens when you put us together.
Messing around with the drummer (whose name I sadly didn't catch), while the others break to grope/hawk merch.
Finally it was deemed too cold to continue, so we all wandered off for breakfast.
Sunday night Jason and I met up with fioreditalia and her Jason for a drink before heading to the show. We met in a bar downtown that had motorcycles hanging from the ceiling and wound up hanging out and chatting for a good couple hours. It was very good to see Sara again, and plots have been made for visits back and forth at some point. They were kind enough to give us a lift to the show, which was amazing. I had heard Jill Tracy before, but never seen her live - wow. She's such a wonderful entertainer and has a beautiful voice. Following that we crept up close to the stage for Faith and the Muse - yet another show where if I didn't already adore the group, I do now. Fantastic set in which we were treated to the talents of Paul Mercer and Zoe Keating in the encore - words don't really describe how cool it was. And of course through all of it, part of my brain was busily analyzing the medieval dress with peacock-esque sleeves and train the lead singer was wearing. (I can't help it - the outfit was fabulous.)
Sadly, I don't have as many pictures of the amazing costumes that I saw at the various events as I would have liked, but as the venue was quite dark and my camera does not do so well in low light, I guess it can't be helped. But there were some of the most decadent period costumes I have seen in real life, as well as interesting takes on goth from the deathrocker to cyberwear.
Monday morning it was time to say adieu. Jason and I saw off Libby and Nathan, but since our flight didn't leave until 5, we had some time to wander up to Powell's before heading out to the airport. It definitely earned it's title as the city of books...I think I could be happy taking a sleeping bag and just camping in there for a week. We didn't make it to the technical bookstore, which is a shame - but maybe next trip.
Fin.