Our Values
Yes, we're all about fashion. Our emphasis is on creativity, aesthetics, refinement, authenticity - in the sense that our sartorial impressions are real, believable, not simply costumes and acting - and to recreate the Victorian Era’s romanticism of science and art.
But it's not just playing dress-up.
We support the artists, makers, writers, cooks, couturiers, and anachronauts in our community, in order to better support the creators and expand the culture.
We promote hospitality and education.
We embrace inclusivity and diversity in our community, critically examining issues of historic colonialization and contemporary marginalization of diverse peoples.
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The Denver Victorian & Steampunk Society invites all Discerning…
… ladies and Gentlefolk, elegant adventurers, aesthetes and epicures, learned Scientists of ambivalent morality and Tinkerers of dubious intent, aviators, femmes fatale, genteel aristocrats and fashionable courtesans, suffragettes and social reformers, and anyone else who eschews modern mundanity for the Romance of a current Victorian age.
What is Steampunk?
Steampunk began as literary style, a genre of Science Fiction that combines nineteenth-century technology and especially steam power, the Victorian era’s romantic view of science and art, and the material culture of the Industrial Revolution.
As such, our aesthetics rely on Victorian culture, although Steampunk set in places other than Britain or the United States can draw from the native culture.
A wide range of material culture and visual and functional art, dance, and film have Steampunk vibes. Steampunk music is being composed and performed, and many members of the Steampunk community are making clothing and dress accessories. We have our own culturally significant rituals such as Afternoon Tea, and unique activities like Tea Dueling.
Elaborate, please.
Steampunk is best – and briefly - described as “retro-futurism” - a current imagining of how technology and aesthetics might have evolved if steam-powered technology dominated over the development of electricity.
In practice, that means that Steampunk is an alternate timeline starting in the Victorian era - a world based on anachronistic technologies, in which the inhabitants conserve Victorian behaviors while using advanced technology to perform normal “modern” tasks. Analog computers and airships replace digital technology and airplane travel, and cogs and gears make the world go ‘round.
Why “Punk”?
In short, we are somewhat countercultural – and for many of us, Steampunk is a philosophy for living.
A straight line can be drawn from the “punk” culture of the late 20th century to many of the beliefs that we hold today; both are maker cultures, anti-consumerist, and non-conformist. Steampunks make rather than buy mass-produced, or we buy from makers, or buy locally; have a respect for traditional skills and materials; we repurpose rather than buy new; we enthusiastically express ourselves in clothing and material goods that are different from the dominant culture. We love functionality, good design, and a romantic execution of objects in our environment.
Like those Punks from the 70’s, we promote victimless individual freedom, freedom of expression, and a right for everyone to exist in our spaces with dignity.
Membership
DVSS membership is entirely voluntary, and is not required for attending our events. Members are entitled to benefits such as discounts on “private” events, and voting in elections for the Board of Directors. Members also are subscribed to our mailing list.
Individual Membership - $20/year
Family Membership - $35/year (applies to all residents at one address)
To become a member, please remit to our PayPal account at dvssmain@gmail.com. Use “membership” in the comment