Thanks to our friends at Terra Mysterium for this heads up.  Local Chicago theatre troop The Bohemian Theatre Ensemble is doing a “steampunk” rendition of the French classic Tartuffe running at The Wit theater in Lakeview through Feb 12th.

To quote their website.

Using steampunk (a scifi subgenre that mixes Victorian history and aesthetic with futuristic steam-powered technology) as a backdrop, BoHo’s production mirrors the tumultuous societal landscape of 17th century France as a world that at once seems both familiar and alien, when old and new exist side by side. Without losing any of Molière’s wit, BoHo’s Tartuffe makes it obvious why a man would desperately believe the lies of a swindler over the word of his own family. Continuing our season-long exploration of the Bohemian pillars of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, Tartuffe explores the pillar of truth through the eyes of a liar.

Sounds fantastic!  Also, check out the trailer below!

For more information and to buy tickets to this show do visit their website HERE.

Some of our same friends who work on and are behind the phenomenon that is Theater Bizarre are at it with a new production “Wonderland” based on Lewis Caroll’s seminal novel.  The stage production and accompanying DVD is vehemently cabaret, burlesque and steampunk while remaining true to the Detroit ethos of taking something and making it, well, strange.

To quote the production’ website

“For those who missed it, Wonderland takes the basic concept of an
act-by-act variety show, combines it with the narrative story line
adapted from Lewis Caroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and
features a live score performed by our Wonderland band, The Glass
Orphans. With everything from break-dancing playing cards to a
mad tea party who’s sanity is literally hanging by the skin of it’s back,
Wonderland is a modern retelling of a classic tale through music and
burlesque.”

And what better way to celebrate a DVD release than a live stage show and party! If you happen to be able to make it to Detroit this Friday do join them at The Redford Theater. It will feature burlesque and sideshow performances by the actors of the DVD, as well as DJ sets by our own Lords & Ladies DJs on the Caroll-esque Fusion-O-Scope.

Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchased online or at Noir Leather in Royal Oak, MI.  Otherwise they can be purchased at the door for $20.  The show is at 9pm.

After stuffing my face with old-world dumplings and hefty European brews at Szalas and Klas in 2011, it’s time to make a New Year’s resolution to improve my physical fitness (and avoid the rich man’s disease: gout). Fortunately, Forteza Fitness in Ravenswood, Chicago will be offering just the program for the likes of me.

Forteza Fitness, Physical Culture and Martial Arts will be opening a 5000 square foot center at 4437 N. Ravenswood. The space will feature Indian clubs, medicine balls, an 1880s rowing machine and an upstairs gentlemens’ club and library. One must exercise the mind as well as the body.

February will feature fencing, fighting and self-defense.  A website is expected to arrive shortly.

To kick things off, Mr. Tony Wolf will lead a 6-week bartitsu course on January 22, 2012. This method of self-defense utilizes canes or umbrellas and was devised by Edward William Barton-Wright in 1899.  Sherlock Holmes was a (fictional) practitioner.  Make haste, as it has been filling up rapidly!

To busy during New Years Eve itself to party?  In the mood to see a circus act tonight?  Just like to read our blog (we like you best)?  Either way, tonight The Dead Man’s Carnival brings their hijinks to Reggie’s here in Chicago, replete with magic, balancing acts, live music, burlesque, freak-shows and, of course, people putting nails in their skulls.

The bill also includes Environmental Encroachment and our own house DJs, The Lords & Ladies, on our own Fusion-O-Scope. It’s also 18+ for those who’ve been missing out at our 21+ events.

Tickets can be bought in advance for $10 or at the door for $15.

On a side note – To celebrate the new year I’ve completed my first electro-swing single (it’s a bit more “techno-swing” I guess) called Track 1.  It can be downloaded for the next 36 hours.  You can find the link via Sepiachord’s Song of the Day blog post – thanks to Jordan Bodewell for the support!

See you there!

The Clockwork Vaudeville’s Carnivale Delirium II – This Friday!

A year ago this Friday, we here at Steampunk Chicago, decided to take a chance and produce the biggest show we’ve put together to date.  We brought in talent such as The Squidling Brothers, The Show Devils, Hayley Jane and local Chicago brass band Environmental Encroachment for a show that became truly something to remember.

A year later, we’ve returned to do it again!  This time we wanted to work more of a vaudeville angle, and thus we’ve booked Portland’s own Vagabond Opera to headline!  On top of that we’ll also be featuring Veronique Chevalier of Los Angeles, Eerie Twilight of DC, the Dead Man’s Carnival of Milwaukee and local acts Candy Town, White City Rippers, Lula Houp Garou and our own Lords & Ladies DJs!  To top it off we’ll have Glitter Guts to do photos and even a mustache contest with Jeremy of Do312.com and Ken of WeirdChicago.com!

The show promises to be a steampunk circus vaudeville extravaganza in the truest sense.  As always, many in the crowd will be dressed in their steampunk finest, as being part of the show is always part of the fun!   But don’t fear if you can’t think what to wear, we by no means is it require it, come as you are is the first rule of our events!

For more info or to buy tickets (highly suggested) check out our events page!

Theatre Bizarre – The Initiation – This Saturday!

One of the midwest’s great secrets, Theatre Bizarre (I believe now well over ten years running) a costume masquerade unlike any other, returns!  Though they have, unfortunately, not yet been able to return to their own space on Detroit’s north side.  They have taken over, and are poised to transform the Masonic Lodge of Detroit into something truly out of this world.

The gargantuan production features hours upon hours of every type of classic entertainment you can imagine.  From wandering brass bands to circus sideshow feats to burlesque to DJs to… just about everything!  What’s even more exciting than this?  The Lords & Ladies DJs are performing!

Though what will probably actually excite you are some of the acts, including our friends, The Squidling Brothers, Hayley Jane and Mary Fuego.   There will also be Nine Pound Hammer, DEADBOLT, Jawbone, Black Jack and the Carnies, Weird Sisters Circus and SO Much more!

The show is 21+, costumes are MANDATORY (yup) tickets are $65 – but well worth it!

Hope to see you Friday AND Saturday!  This is a weekend not to be missed!