Savior:

Would Army of Darkness be considered steam punk?

Army of Darkness is REALLY not steampunk. More pulp, with one teeny, tiny steampunk element.  

So, does every one dress up for the dance?  Does it have to follow that particular theme?  I was in to punk and had a mohawk but never heard of steam punk... I looked at costume examples but is there any other sites?  Any suggestions would be helpful.  I am a gal but have male friends going and need suggestions for thier costumes too.  Thanks

You definately do NOT need to dress up, nor follow the exact theme. Heck I found a nice dress for 20 bucks that I'm wearing and it's so not SteamPunk but I'm going to have fun. I don't get to dress up very often :-)

What are people's thoughts about the dance this year?

The venue was amazing; the Station is a gorgeous hall.  Having an actual dance floor was wonderful this year, even if it was too sticky and too small.  I thought the DJ did a great job, playing a variety of music throughout the evening and crafting moods as well (many props to him for having the guts to start out with swing music!), though I'd have liked a couple more slow songs.

The costumes people came up with were gorgeous and, in some cases, truly inspired.  I was delighted to see most people were willing to take risks and get out on the floor and try dancing.  The dance circles showcased some truly impressive moves, even if they went on for a bit long.  Best of all, everyone seemed to have fun.

What parts did you like?  What would you like to see different next year?

I enjoyed the dance, my husband doesn't dance. But it was nice to be there both of us in costume. I occansionlly got him to sway, so I would say I'm a step closer to getting him onto the dance floor. :-)

But everyone seemed to have a blast and all the costumes it was amazing!!! Truely!! I can't wait for next year. I hope we have another theme that we can work with again. Hopefully earlier in the year, my costume was very last minute and missing a top hat but that's okay. 

I thought it was a blast.  I was celebrating my birthday that evening and the bartender very quietly set me up with a little VIP arrangement.  It was a very sweet thing to do and I hope he knows how much I appreciated it.

The music mix was pretty decent even though I'm a diehard rocker.  Obviously that doesn't work well when people are expected to actually dance.  Still, the only really cringeworthy thing I heard was that dance mix with Van Halen's Jump (I despise that song with a flaming passion).  I also thought it was a little odd that even though it was a Steampunk theme the DJ claimed not to have any Abney Park.

I think the best part of the night was when my daughter, her boyfriend and I were talking to DJ Helsing from Gaia early in the evening and he was telling us how it would be so much better once the "old folks" gave up and went to bed and left the younger crowd to liven things up.  Looked to me like most of us "old folks"  hung in there quite nicely till the very last song.  

The kids and I were talking about fun themes for next year and they seem to think Rocky Horror or Gangster/Swing theme would be fun.  I agree.  Plus the costuming would be a hoot.  I'd also like to see it run maybe 1 hour later.  Since the kids and I didn't have any parties to go to after, and it would have been wrong for me to send them back to the room and hit the bar...it was kind of an early ending to our night.  Looked that way for a few others too.

BTW if anyone has pics of the little lady with black hair and the flight cap, her very long haired boyfriend in the derby and vest, and/or mama in the black corset, maroon jacket and fancy hat with feathers...can ya possibly share?  We had a camera malfunction.

 Venue was fantastic.  Costumes were great.  The DJ played a nice variety of groovy tunes.  Everything one could expect of a quality dance.

Stormy1:

The kids and I were talking about fun themes for next year and they seem to think Rocky Horror or Gangster/Swing theme would be fun.

Second gangster/swing!  Pinstripes and fedoras for all!  I cannot express how happy this theme would make me.

Not so much with the Rocky Horror.  After several years in that scene I can assure you it doesn't afford nearly as much creativity as one would hope (somewhat ironic once one begins analyzing the show).

Being a steampunk fan, I was really psyched for this year's dance!  My friends all got caught up in a Deadlands game and decided to bail at the last minute.  I however, didn't want to let my outfit I picked out for this occasion go to waste, so I went by myself.  I saw a lot of amazing costumes and had my picture taken a bunch of times (I was the girl in the black bustle skirt with pink hair and a khaki newsboy hat).  I started chatting with a group of gentlemen who provided me with fun conversation and beer!

 I thought the venue was perfect, but I wasn't much a fan of the DJ's music selections.  I kinda felt like I was at a wedding or the prom.

I would like to see a "masquerade ball" as a theme for next year.  The idea of over the top hats and masks makes me giddy.  =D

The dance was fun though I spent most of my time downstairs drinking with my friends and playing 80's era alternative music trivia (what band did Tanya Donnely of Belly play in with her older sister?  Throwing Muses of course!).  The music upstairs did seem a bit 5 years ago but the costumes were top notch.  In particular my friends and I liked the one worn by the blue skinned girl with pink hair wearing the long dress.

I had a BLAST at the Dance, as I do every year *grin* I can't dance well, but I don't care. "Nobody cares if you can dance, as long as you get up and dance".. that saying was on the Jimmy John's wall this year, and I totally agree :) I dance and had fun, that's important. My husband and I are considering taking Ballroom Dance classes, or something like that. It's good exercise and low impact, mostly. I bruise easily, so I wouldn't be doing any crazy stuff ;)

I didn't really go Steampunkish, but I had on goggles with a "promish" dress. It was last minutes and only cost 20 bucks. Next year, maybe I'll go with the actual them ;)  

 The dance was a lot of fun, even though I barely danced at all!   Here are a few pics I took (I'm the steampunk jedi).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29678638@N06/sets/72157606811181117/

I really liked the dance.  I didn't have a costume this year...wore one the night before for the 7th Sea larp and thought jeans and a t-shirt would be more comfortable, although I totally plan on sewing something for the ball next year, depending on the theme.  The music was alright - too much rave for my tastes - but it was certainly better than the Eve/White Wolf party that we also went to that night.

I had a blast again at the dance this year, even though I wound up leaving pretty early (my fiance was absolutely exhausted, and even though he told me to stay after he left, it just wasn't as much fun). 

 I think a masquerade theme would be a lot of fun next year - cheap and easy to do if you don't want to get elaborate, but with enough room to really get into it. 

As for themes next year, I like a 20's theme which would really take advantage of that incredible station architecture.  Of course I'm a fan of such games as Call of Cthulhu and Gangbusters so there you have it. 

 I hope all the pictures from the dance are up soon, there were a lot of people taking pictures this year and I would love to see all that were taken. :-)

Stormy1:

The music mix was pretty decent even though I'm a diehard rocker.  Obviously that doesn't work well when people are expected to actually dance.

Might I make a suggestion?  Take ballroom lessons.  It's amazing how many of the different ballroom dances fit into most styles of music.  My boyfriend and I were foxtroting to "Chop Suey" (yes, one can ballroom to metal, and it is quite an amazing experience), tangoing to "Hungry Like A Wolf", and polka'ing to "Girls" (or whatever Beastie Boys song was playing...pretty sure it was "Girls", though I could be wrong). 

LarpPrincess:

My husband and I are considering taking Ballroom Dance classes, or something like that. It's good exercise and low impact, mostly. I bruise easily, so I wouldn't be doing any crazy stuff ;)

I would say definitely give it a shot!  I have been taking lessons since October and it has changed my life for the better.  It's low impact, fun, and a great way to spend a night out and meet new friends. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn within the first few lessons.

I saw quite a few pictures from the Dance and it looked like a good time.  I liked the costumes and also think the Station is an excellent place for the dance.  Love the structure of the building and it fit well with the theme.