Sipping Streams Tea Company

The Steampunk community is making itself known in Fairbanks this Saturday, February 6th with "A Steampunk Tea" presented by the Queen's Arctic Expeditionary League at the Sipping Stream Tea Tea House.

And just what is "Steampunk"? Steampunk is the future as imagined through the eyes of the past. It is mechanical gears and boilers, dirtiness mixed with shininess of brass and copper with the deep red of cherrywood. It is a time for tea and gadgets, airships and ether. Steampunk is a trip to the moon through the barrel of a cannon. It is progeny of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells finding their voice in fiction, fashion and music. Steampunk is all of these things, none of them and more. Steampunk is "punk". One doesn't need to go to the store to buy Steampunk. The do-it-yourself mentality reigns freely. Steampunk is what you make it, but you might want to bring some brass goggles along for the ride.

Steampunk has begun to pop up in small groups seemingly out of nowhere but the 1800's in underground tea shops and places around the country. Right here in Fairbanks, the Queen's Arctic Expeditionary League meets weekly and shares their creations, dreams, music, costumes and a cup of tea. This coming Saturday, the club is presenting their first public Steampunk Tea, with proceeds going to benefit the Literary Council of Alaska.

The event, with tickets available at Sipping Streams Tea Company ($15 advance, $20 at the door) will include a full Victorian style afternoon tea with tea sandwiches, petite pastries, fruit, scones, tarts and other delictables with live music, games, kinetic sculptures and more. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume, but it is not required. The event takes place Saturday, February 6th from 1pm - 4pm. Tickets are limited. Please call 457-1660 for more information.