Dear Vendors, Creators, Makers, Builders, And Purveyors of Fine Cuisine:
Welcome to Wonderplace Alpha, a marketplace where Renaissance faire tradition meets steampunk flair in a historic barn and gorgeous outdoor campus with Wild West buildings and Fairy magic!
(We’re not kidding about the Fairy magic:)
We’re a team of dedicated organizers—perhaps a touch eccentric—who believe in creating a vibrant space for you to sell your unique goods, from leatherwork to clockwork, to an enthusiastic crowd. This guide outlines everything you need to join us in May 2025 and make your stall a success. Questions? Reach out to Jeff at mentat@wonderplacealpha.com.)
About Wonderplace Alpha
Wonderplace Alpha is a gathering of artisans, shoppers, and dreamers who revel in the handmade and the extraordinary. Our event blends the charm of a Renaissance faire with the ingenuity of steampunk, drawing folks eager to buy one-of-a-kind items. We’re here to support your business while fostering a community that celebrates creativity, even if we occasionally wink at the oddity of it all.
Booth Details
Cost: $150 for a 10’ x 10’ outdoor booth space. Pay through Ticket Tailor (find the link onwww.wonderplacealpha.com).
Refunds: Fees are non-refundable, but in rare cases (like unexpected misfortune), we may allow transfer to a future event. Contact Jeff to discuss.
Staff Passes: Your booth includes three weekend passes. Additional passes are $5 each.
Staffing: Keep your booth staffed during most sales hours. If you’ll be away for over 30 minutes, cover your items and leave a note with your return time. Unattended booths are at your own risk.
Schedule and Setup
NOTE ON CLOSING TIMES: We have a LOT of people coming and a LOT of performances. Some areas may choose to stay open significantly later.
Location: Details to be announced onwww.wonderplacealpha.com. Expect a rustic barn and fields suited for a lively market.
Check-In: Visit the vendor team upon arrival to locate your booth.
Schedule:
Thursday, May 1, 2025: Setup begins at 3:00 PM and runs until midnight.
Friday, May 2, 2025: Setup continues at 7:00 AM. Sales start at 3:00 PM and end at 10:00 PM or when everyone gets tired; the show ends at midnight.
Saturday, May 3, 2025: Setup from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Sales from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Sunday, May [TBD], 2025: Setup from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Sales from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Tear-Down: Clear your booth by Monday, May [TBD], 2025, at 12:00 PM, unless camping (see below).
Arrival/Departure: Notify Jeff at sarah@wonderplacealpha.com if you’ll arrive late or leave early. Unannounced late arrivals may be turned away without a refund, and failure to follow this rule could exclude you from future events.
Setting Up Your Booth
Space: You’ll have a 10’ x 10’ plot, marked by our team. Expanding requires Jeff’s approval one week in advance.
Equipment: Bring your own tables, chairs, tent, lighting, and outdoor-rated extension cords. Power is limited, so plan for minimal electricity.
Orientation: If your booth has a directional arrow, face that way to keep the market organized.
Safety: Secure your tent against wind. Ensure all electrical equipment is safe. Weapons for sale must be in locked display cases.
Neighbors: Don’t let your setup block or extend into adjacent booths. Displays may protrude one foot forward with your neighbor’s permission.
Selling Your Goods
Content: Keep visible items appropriate for all ages (PG-13). Adult-oriented goods (e.g., suggestive art or gory props) should be stored out of sight and shown only upon request.
Age-Restricted Items: If selling items like brewing kits, follow state and local laws and handle ID checks yourself.
Your Style: From steampunk gadgets to Renfaire cloaks, sell what reflects your craft. Our attendees love unique, handmade pieces.
Promoting Your Business
Materials: Leave flyers, business cards, or small promotional items at the check-in table or designated area. Ensure they’re professional and family-friendly.
Social Media: Share your participation online and tag us. We’ll promote you onwww.wonderplacealpha.com and our channels. #WonderplaceAlpha
Vehicles and Camping
Vehicles: Access the field only during setup and tear-down. For special access, email Jeff at jeff@wonderplacealpha.com (mailto:jeff@wonderplacealpha.com) (approvals are limited, and weather may restrict access).
Parking: Available near the barn or facilities—details closer to the event.
Camping: If camping in a vehicle or RV near your booth, let us know for proper placement. Electricity is scarce, so bring your own power source.
Market Etiquette
Respect: Avoid interfering with other vendors’ booths. We’re a community, not competitors.
Issues: Address concerns directly with Jeff at jeff@wonderplacealpha.com (mailto:jeff@wonderplacealpha.com). Public complaints or social media outbursts may lead to exclusion from future events.
Safety: You’re responsible for your booth’s security—tent, equipment, and goods. Keep everything safe to ensure a smooth market.
Why Vend Here?
Wonderplace Alpha offers a unique opportunity to:
Sell to a crowd that adores handmade, Renfaire, and steampunk treasures.
Connect with fellow artisans in a warm, creative setting.
Be part of an event that balances business with a dash of wonder, where every sale feels like a small triumph.
Confirm: Email Jeff at jeff@wonderplacealpha.com (mailto:jeff@wonderplacealpha.com) to secure your spot and share details about your booth.
Prepare: Arrive for setup on Thursday at 3:00 PM with your tent, goods, and enthusiasm.
We’re excited to see your booth bring a spark of the extraordinary to Wonderplace Alpha. Here’s to a weekend of trade, connection, and perhaps a fleeting moment where the world feels a little less ordinary.
Steampunk’s Pirate Legends Hit The East Coast’s Wonderplace Alpha
In the fantastical realm of steampunk—where Victorian elegance collides with brass gears and steam-powered spectacle—few names carry as much weight as Abney Park. Fronted by the enigmatic “Captain” Robert Brown, this Seattle-based band has charted a unique course for over three decades, fusing darkwave, Middle Eastern folk, and vintage flair into a sound as rich and strange as the genre itself Now, for the first time in years, they’re bringing theirinternational flair to East Coast Steampunk. Abney Park will headline Wonderplace Alpha, a multi-genre Renaissance Faire of music, mischief, and imagination in Lake George, New York, from May 2–4, 2025.
The Steampunk Standard-Bearers
Born in 1997 from the shadows of goth-industrial music, Abney Park underwent a metamorphosis by 2005. What emerged was more than a band—it was a mythos. “A Victorian sci-fi adventurer,” Brown once called it, “as if we just arrived by jet-powered zeppelin for a midnight dig outside Cairo.” With that, the band’s transformation into airship pirates aboard the HMS Ophelia was complete.
Since then, they’ve released 35 albums, three novels, a role-playing game, and even board games, building a fully-formed world that stretches from the echoing streets of steampunk London to the glowing edge of imagined timelines. Songs like the cinematic “Sleep Isabella” (featured on True Blood) and the rollicking “Airship Pirate” transport listeners to skies thick with danger and wonder. It’s not just music—it’s immersive world-building at its most evocative.
A Show Like No Other
Abney Park’s live shows are legendary: theatrical, high-octane performances where accordions, violas, and bouzoukis meet brass goggles and leather corsets. They’ve performed in vintage vaudeville theaters, gothic cathedrals, and even aboard real airships. Their fanbase spans the globe, with devotees traveling from as far as New Zealand, Spain, and Mexico City to be part of the experience.
This intimate show with Captain Robert and lead guitarist Fly promises to be an unmissable Steampunk music event.
Festival appearances have included Steamcon, DragonCon*, and Whitby Gothic Weekend, and their influence can be felt in every corner of the steampunk subculture. Media outlets from MTV to G4TV have hailed them as pioneers—and rightly so.
Wonderplace Alpha: An East Coast Goth / Renaissance / Steampunk Festival Unlike Any Other
Hosted at the massive Barn at French Mountain liminal event space, Wonderplace Alpha is what happens when a Halloween Steampunk Renaissance Faire and a time-traveling cabaret crash into each other at warp speed. With Abney Park’s only East Coast appearance of the year, this all-ages festival will feature a dazzling lineup of bands, magicians, professors, jugglers, and comedians, all steeped in the event’s signature blend of mischief and magic.
It’s not just a show—it’s an ecosystem. One where clockwork creatures, rogue airships, and tea-fueled rebels mingle in the forest and on the dance floor. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a looking glass into a better, weirder timeline, this is your portal.
The Sound of Steampunk’s Soul
Airship Piracy has been a part of Steampunk’s heart since at least Jules Vernes’ “Robur The Conqueror”
Abney Park is one of Steampunk’s great originators. Even the amazing Steam Powered Giraffe, beginning in San Diego’s Balboa Park, started many years after. From early tracks like “The Change Cage” and “Twisted and Broken,” which hinted at steampunk themes before the term had cultural traction, to later albums like Aether Shanties and The Sub Aquatic Opera, their work spans airship skirmishes, submarine ballads, and existential letters written across timelines. Their YouTube channel overflows with fan favorites—“Steampunk Revolution,” “Letters Between a Little Boy and Himself as an Adult”—each track a narrative unto itself.
They’ve also penned novels like The Wrath of Fate, chronicling the airship pirate saga, and launched the award-winning Airship Pirates RPG, letting fans step into the world they’ve helped conjure.
Why This Moment Matters
Steampunk has grown far beyond its literary roots in the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. It’s become a movement, a DIY-driven aesthetic playground for dreamers and makers. Abney Park didn’t just ride that wave—they helped shape it. Their artistic shift in 2005 paralleled steampunk’s mainstream emergence, and their relentless creativity has kept them at the helm ever since.
In the words of Captain Robert Brown: “I’m excited because I feel like for the first time, our appearances are starting to capture the same level of imagination and exotic tones the music and lyrics always have.” That vision takes full form at Wonderplace Alpha.
Chart Your Course
For East Coast fans, this is more than a concert. It’s a long-awaited encounter with steampunk royalty, a weekend drenched in whimsy, artistry, and airborne anthems. Whether you’re a devoted follower or a curious newcomer, May 2–4, 2025, is your chance to step aboard the HMS Ophelia and sail through soundscapes where cannons fire, tea flows, and time bends to the beat of the bouzouki.
Abney Park is coming. Wonderplace Alpha awaits. The skies are calling.
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Abney Park, Steampunk’s Musical Pirates, Return to the East Coast
A Legendary Voyage Docks at Wonderplace Alpha
In the annals of steampunk—a subgenre of science fiction where Victorian aesthetics collide with steam-powered innovation—few names resonate as powerfully as Abney Park. This Seattle-based band, helmed by the visionary “Captain” Robert Brown, has spent over three decades carving a singular path through the musical landscape, blending darkwave dance, Middle Eastern folk, and vintage 1920s-to-1940s vibes into a sound that’s as eclectic as it is unmistakable. Now, in a rare East Coast appearance, Abney Park is set to headline Wonderplace Alpha, a multi-genre festival in Lake George, New York, from May 2-4, 2025, promising a spectacle that’s equal parts concert, theater, and time-traveling adventure.
The Steampunk Pioneers
Abney Park’s journey began in 1997, when Robert Brown founded the project as a goth-industrial outfit. But by 2005, a transformation was underway. As Brown wrote in a LiveJournal post that year, the band evolved into “a sort of specialized variation on steampunk, sort of a Victorian sci-fi adventurer, as if we just arrived by jet-powered zeppelin for a midnight dig just outside of Cairo in the 1900s.” This shift wasn’t just musical—it was a full immersion into a fictional world where the band became airship pirates aboard the HMS Ophelia, a time-traveling dirigible born from Brown’s vivid imagination.
Since then, Abney Park has released an astonishing 35 albums, three novels, a role-playing game, and even board games, cementing their status as a creative juggernaut. Their catalog spans everything from the haunting “Sleep Isabella”—featured in HBO’s True Blood—to the rousing “Airship Pirate,” with lyrics like “Our fires high and the airbags tight / Food’s low but the skies are bright,” evoking the thrill of a rogue crew soaring above a dystopian landscape. This isn’t just music; it’s a narrative universe that’s captivated fans globally, from Moscow to Montana.
Their live performances are legendary—high-energy, theatrical affairs where steampunk instruments like the bouzouki, accordion, and viola meet brass goggles and Victorian finery. Having toured Russia, Spain, the UK, Australia, and beyond, Abney Park has played in venues as diverse as Victorian power plants and restored vaudevillian theaters. They’ve sold out shows on actual airships and graced stages at iconic festivals like Steamcon, Dragon*Con, and Whitby Gothic Weekend. In the steampunk community, their influence is seismic, their name synonymous with the genre’s adventurous spirit.
Wonderplace Alpha: A Steampunk Extravaganza on the East Coast
This May, Abney Park brings their unparalleled artistry to Wonderplace Alpha, a festival billed as “your ordinary, average Halloween Steampunk Renaissance Faire”—a tongue-in-cheek nod to its delightfully peculiar mashup of genres. Held at the Silver Bay YMCA in Lake George, New York, the event promises “a very rare East Coast acoustic performance” by Abney Park, alongside a dizzying array of bands, magicians, professors, jugglers, and comedians. It’s a celebration of the weird and wonderful, a gathering where steampunk’s retro-futuristic charm meets the eclectic energy of a Renaissance faire gone rogue.
For East Coast steampunk enthusiasts, this is a rare chance to witness Abney Park in their element. The band’s appearances stateside are often concentrated on the West Coast, making this trek to New York a significant event. “We feature Abney Park, Steampunk’s pirate monarchs,” the Wonderplace Alpha site declares, hinting at the reverence with which they’re regarded. The festival’s all-ages appeal ensures that seasoned fans and curious newcomers alike can revel in the spectacle, from the band’s signature sound to the steampunk-clad attendees who’ll no doubt turn out in droves.
The Sound of Steampunk’s Soul
What sets Abney Park apart is their ability to weave a tapestry of influences—industrial rock, world music, and atmospheric folk—into a sound that’s distinctly their own. Tracks like “The Change Cage” and “Twisted and Broken” from their early albums hinted at steampunk themes before the label even stuck, while later works like Aether Shanties and The Sub Aquatic Opera dive deep into pirate lore and submarine odysseys. Their YouTube channel brims with fan-favorite performances, from the rollicking “Steampunk Revolution” to the introspective “Letters Between a Little Boy and Himself as an Adult,” showcasing a versatility that’s kept them at the forefront of the genre.
Critics and fans alike have taken note. Highlighted by MTV and G4TV as a cornerstone of the steampunk musical scene, Abney Park’s media presence is matched by their grassroots impact—fans have traveled from New Zealand and Mexico City just to catch their shows. Their work extends beyond music into novels like The Wrath of Fate, which fleshes out their airship pirate saga, and the award-winning Airship Pirates RPG, a testament to their world-building prowess.
Why This Matters Now
Steampunk, born from the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, has grown from a literary niche into a vibrant subculture, blending 19th-century aesthetics with a DIY ethos. Abney Park didn’t just ride this wave—they helped shape it. Their transformation in 2005 coincided with steampunk’s broader rise, and their unrelenting creativity has kept them a guiding light for the movement. As Brown once said, “I’m excited because I feel like for the first time, our appearances are starting to capture the same level of imagination and exotic tones the music and lyrics always have.” That vision comes full circle at Wonderplace Alpha.
For the East Coast, where steampunk events often play second fiddle to larger West Coast gatherings like the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, this festival is a clarion call. Abney Park’s presence elevates it beyond a regional curiosity into a must-see event, a chance to experience steampunk’s most storied musical act in an intimate, acoustic setting. It’s a homecoming of sorts—not to their Seattle roots, but to a coast that’s long awaited their return.
Get Ready for the Adventure
Mark your calendars for May 2-4, 2025, and prepare to step aboard the HMS Ophelia, if only for a weekend. Wonderplace Alpha at Lake George isn’t just an event—it’s a portal to a world where steam powers dreams and pirates rule the skies. With Abney Park leading the charge, this East Coast steampunk happening promises to be unforgettable. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a newcomer lured by the promise of “jet-powered zeppelins” and “cannons up,” one thing is certain: Steampunk’s musical pirates are back, and they’re ready to make history once more.
Wonderplace Alpha Tote Bag – $6 A dash of magic, a pinch of mischief, and a whole lot of charm—our official Wonderplace Alpha tote is ready to carry your dreams, your potions, or just your snacks. Adorned with a delightfully spooky face, flying bat, and a top hat with jack-o’-lantern flair, it’s the perfect companion for market wanderings and late-night goblin misadventures.
At just $6, it’s enchantingly affordable. Grab yours before they vanish into the mist!
“You can do irrefutably impossible things with the right amount of planning and support from intelligent and hardworking people and pizza.” -Scott Gimple, producer, “The Walking Dead”
“Pizza makes me think that anything is possible. It’s a quick and easy clean-up meal. Everybody likes pizza! It’s a universal love language.” -Henry Rollins
Bab – Dew’s Wood-Fired Pizza offers authentic, artisanal Italian favorites with an Adirondack Flair! All of our creative cuisine is homemade and we pride ourselves on having something for everyone from vegan or gluten free to meat lovers. We serve traditional pizzas, specialty pies focused on seasonally available ingredients, apps and desserts.
Wolven Domain within NYC. I have Adopted Lyngvi, the island where wolves live in Norse Mythology as a gathering place for all Wolves and to be a Wolven Domain in (NYC). Yes, Gotham Halo is the domain of NYC , but that is a vampiric domain. When people hear Lyngvi I want them to know wolves reside here in Gotham Halo (NYC) as well. Yes, Lyngvi is the island where Fenrir was imprisoned, though also where Wolves live and where he breaks free to consume his imprisoned Odin. It now represents a place of power and freedom. It is described as looking like the crater of an extinct volcano in the sea and being covered in White Heather flowers that helps keep Fenris Wolf imprisoned, though now he has broken free it is the Haven of Lyngvi. Fenrir is said to eat the sun during Ragnarök, the end of the world. Which brings Forth Moon Side for Wolves. His and Larnvidia sons Sköll and Hati are said to chase the sun and moon, when caught will bring on Ragnarok. Fenrir being the most powerful wolf only makes sense for us to stick by his side. So we should live where he breaks free and together be unified. As I am Larnvidia, it is my responsibility to give wolves their own place to come together. There is no better place than Lyngvi.
Larnvidia Muspelhiem (Luna Diosa) I am Larnvidia Muspelheim, Alfa of Ulveskare Muspelheim, and Founder of Lyngvi. I am an Alpha of Wolves and Wolven within Lyngvi (GH/NYC). I have been known as Luna Diosa since I was eight years of age, it followed me all the way to GH when I was twenty two years of age. As I am a new alpha and coming back to NYC I have changed my name and started from scratch to bring you the Wolven community of Lyngvi. I have been in Gotham Halo for nearly five years actively. I have been an active alpha for nearly three of those years. I moved out of state taking a sabbatical and enjoying my time with my fiance and our two kids. We recently came back and I am now an alpha within gotham halo once again. This time being completely released by the one who brought me into the scene, the one who gave me my title as alpha, along with being recognized within GH as having a bloodline. Since then I have an ancient bloodline, the first and only in any domain. My bloodline name is Muspelheim, a glowing, fiery realm that has existed since the beginning of time. Now that I am back in NYC I am taking a very hands-on, direct approach for the betterment of the wolven community. Creating our own domain within (GH/NYC) but still connected to Gotham Halo. We as wolven will have our own packs in Lyngvi. I am also the founder of White Heather, Wolven Haven. My council of wolves is Amsvartnir which is where the lake Lyngvi resides surrounded by white heather flowers. I spoke about my pack which in the very beginning was made up of three members, my most loyal and supportive pack members who have seen me start, pause, and re-start up again and have not left my side. A great example of a pack and the unity I am bringing through Lyngvi.
Being as it is for wolves inside Gotham is not the best in regards to respect and honor it felt only right to give us our own place to be. I am not poaching, my pack and council is only open to those I see are a good fit. All are welcome into White Heather and all Wolven are welcome into the community Lyngvi. I am being passed a very old hope of bringing wolves their own domain and safe haven within NYC, which I take very seriously. I am opening my pack and Lyngvi to wolves/wolven who desire more out of life for their wolf side. I have teachings and I will mentor you in ways of connecting with your wolf side and guiding you through your journey as much as I can for you to become more successful within your life.
“Steampunk is dead. Totally dead. Very very sad. Yes, just leave the body with me. I want to get it inside before this, um…frightening thunderstorm…” -Dr. Victor “Two Hats” Frankenstein
Steampunk: a curious anachronism that refuses to rust away quietly. This panel dissects whether the genre—born of Victorian daydreams and brass-plated audacity—has sputtered out or merely recalibrated its gears. We’ll probe its persistence in literature, fashion, and the odd corners of maker culture, asking why enthusiasts still don corsets and monocles in a world of algorithms and anxiety. With a raised eyebrow and a touch of restraint, we’ll explore if steampunk is a relic, a rebellion, or simply too stubborn to die. Expect sharp insights, subtle jabs, and a nod to the absurd beauty of it all.
Questions and Subjects for Discussion:
The State of the Genre
Has steampunk’s output—novels, films, games—dwindled to a trickle, or are we just looking in the wrong places?
Do sales of top hats on Etsy or steampunk subreddit activity suggest a pulse, or are these mere echoes?
What separates a vibrant niche from a museum piece?
Aesthetic Endurance
Why does steampunk’s obsession with cogs and crinolines still charm in an era of sleek minimalism?
Is its appeal a quiet protest against disposable tech, or just a fondness for things that clank?
Can the classical world teach the modern world innovation?
The Maker’s Paradox
Why do steampunk enthusiasts insist on soldering their own pocket watches when Amazon exists?
Does the genre’s DIY ethos—blending 19th-century fantasy with 21st-century tools—keep it relevant, or is it just cosplay with extra steps?
Are makers innovating, or endlessly polishing the same brass?
Media and Mutation
Where does steampunk linger most convincingly: dog-eared novels, indie games, or that one Netflix series nobody finished?
Has it bled into other genres, or is it too busy polishing its goggles to notice?
Can steampunk’s retro charm survive in a media landscape chasing the next dystopian fad?
The Persistent Devotees
What compels someone to declare themselves a “steampunk” in 2025? Is it style, substance, or sheer contrariness?
Do conventions and online forums thrive on community or just mutual indulgence?
How do newcomers find steampunk, and are they rewriting its rules or reciting old lines?
The “Dead” Question
If steampunk is dead, was it the weight of its own clichés or a simple failure to compete with flashier genres?
If it lives, what’s its strongest vital sign—fan fiction, fashion, or something less tangible?
Could steampunk’s refusal to die be its most punk trait?
Technology and Tension
Does steampunk’s love for mechanical whimsy hold water in a world of quantum chips and neural implants?
Can it critique modern tech without sounding like a cranky Luddite in a waistcoat?
Are there whispers of a “new steampunk” that embraces today’s machines without losing its soul?
The Human Element
What personal stories do fans tell about stumbling into steampunk’s orbit? A book? A costume? A random convention panel?
Is steampunk a refuge for misfits, a canvas for creatives, or just a very specific costume party?
How does its community balance gatekeeping with growth?
Exploring Steampunk Solutions: Can the Past Inspire Our Future?
Creating Imaginary Places For Real People
“What IS Steampunk? …the eternal, inevitable panel.”
YenYorkCity Live
Scream Queens, Artists, Authors, Mad Scientists, and Other Odd Persons Collude: A Panel & Discussion
“Blueprints of the Beyond: Crafting Tomorrow’s Worlds in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Architecture”
Phlogiston’s Furnace: Smelting Sound from the Unseen Flame
Creating Peculiar Art In An Increasingly Surreal Universe
Stardust to Star Dustbin: An Odyssey Through the Overlooked Oceans of Otherworldly Offal
Guest of Honor Panel
VIP PANEL(s): I love premium content, but I always feel shy creating it.
Weird Worlds: A Symphony of Abductions, Hauntings, and Tales Beyond Reality
The Machinations of Mayhem: A Grand Conclave on the Governance, Gallantry, and Grand Larceny of Steampunk’s Splendidly Sinister Souls, Mad Scientists, and Airship Brigands
Why You Need To Support Authors And Purchase Their Books Or Else The Universe Will Explode Tomorrow
The Unseen Library: Imaginary Books and Their Influences
