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Boston Area Steampunk Gatherings presents:Steampunk Tea Potluck Party!
This Tea Party is intended to be free for everyone. The punks to the posh. We will all mingle together merrily... You do not need to know anything about steampunk to come have an enjoyable day with us.
If it is within your means however, please consider bringing some cash to donate towards paying for the expenses and pricey permit we purchased in order to use this beautiful park. The host would really appreciate help footing the bill.
You can also bring cash to donate at our monthly meetups: Boston's Monthly Steampunk Gathering. The third Saturday of every month from 6-9PM at Blackmoor Bar and Kitchen in Charlestown.
Decorations will be kept to a minimum but should be steampunk or tea party related. This gorgeous location has plenty of charm on its own. Our color scheme is Pink and Champagne.
We have a permit at Larz Anderson Park to use the Covered Picnic Area. This way, we have shelter from the elements.
This event description is broken down into sections so that you may choose which info is most relevant to you.
Our time schedule:
10AM= Opening Ceremony
11= Presentations
High Noon= Tea Duelling
12:30PM-ish= Bribing begins
1-ish= Teapot Racing
1:30-ish= Crazy Teacup Contest
2= Kite Flying
I suggest familiarizing yourself with the rules.
☕🍽️🫖 Tea Party ☕🍽️🫖
Bring anything Tea Party related.
This is thee perfect time to bring out your favorite teapot, cups, plates and dining ware.... Picnic baskets and blankets... Even tables, chairs and tablecloths if you'd like. So long as you can set them up without much interference with other guests. (Additional tables may not fit under the covered area.)These, you do not have to share with anyone other than you and your closest acquaintances. Let's see how fancy you can be!
Don't have any partea supplies? We'll make sure to have some things for you to use.
🥐🥨🍩 Potluck 🍓🥧🍰
This event is being held as a Potluck.
A potluck is when everyone,who is able to, brings enough food or drinks for themselves and then some extra to share with everyone else.
If you would like something to be present here, in terms of food or drinks, I suggest taking it upon yourself to bring it.
Examples of what to bring:
Tea
Iced Tea
Coffee
Iced coffee
Boba
Chai
Juice
Milk
Cream
Soy or almond milk/cream
Sugar
Raw Sugar
Sweeteners
Agave
Honey
Ice
Coolers
Cookies
Pastries
Cakes
Tea Cakes
Coffee Cakes
Brownies
Scones
Fruits
Vegetables
Cheese and crackers
Finger Foods
My only requests are that:
TRY NOT TO BRING FOODS THAT SPOIL EASILY... (We will be here for hours... There could be ants, flies, heat or rain.)
PLEASE DON'T BRING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF ANYTHING. (At the end, I do not want to be left with a ton of food to transport/store/eat.)
Keep in mind if you have specific eating conditions:
Gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian, vegan, etc... You might want to make extra sure you have food here that you can eat. In the midst of organizing and juggling various factors, I cannot guarantee anything specific will be here in terms of foods.
If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please be mindful what you choose to consume.
🦑⚗️🧟 Steampunk 🕰️🦾💏
Steampunk is the theme... Steampunk is a form of science fiction. Take the styles and aesthetics of the Victorian Era... (The 1800's). Street urchins to aristocrats... Then blend in advanced technology powered by steam engines... Pirate ships suspended by blimps, mechanical limbs, automatons... Add in elements of adventure, comedy, romance and/or horror to your liking.
While dressing up is definitely not required in order to attend, I highly encourage all of you to dress accordingly for this event.
Simplicity is sufficient... Things like, nice pants and a shirt or a dress... but if you feel most comfortable in sneakers, jeans and a hoodie, that's perfectly acceptable as well. Punk, Metal, Goth, Hippie... however you want up dress is fine.
Extravagant is right on par though... Top hats, corsets, vests, dresses, jackets, fun hats... Just imagine if everyone dressed to impress.
In the discussion section of this event page I have posted examples of steampunk attire but you are free to put your own spin on things of course.
🪁🫖🍪 Activities 🍪🫖🪁
There will be some amusing and entertaining activities... More may be added as planning proceeds and the date approaches.
The first of which will be...
🤏🍪😰 Tea Duelling! 🤏🍪⏳
Tea Duelling is a battle of grace, precision and intense focus!
Two opposing persons sit facing one another.
They each take a Cookie...
Using only two fingers...
When instructed, they both dunk their cookies into tea...
More than halfway...
At the count of 5...
They remove their cookies and hold them up.
The goal is to outlast your opponent.
The victor is the person whose Cookie crumbles last!
Our second activity will be...
🫖🫖🫖 Tea Pot Racing! 🫖💨🏁
Get yourself a battery powered remote control car... Modify it to resemble a Tea Pot... Manually operated vehicles will be their own class... Pulling it along on a string for example.
We will have an obstacle course set up.
The Tea Pot that Races through the obstacle course in the shortest amount of time wins!
Examples of these two activities will also be linked in the discussion section of this event page.
Rules:
Bribing the judges is not only allowed but gains you points!
The highest total points is the Grand Champion!
Teapot Racing Awards, Rules and Point System:
The 6 awards.
The Grand Champion will be the contestant with the highest point total.
Best Bribe will be the racer that won over the judges with their bribe.
Fastest Racer will be the shortest time through the obstacle course.
Fastest Manual Racer will be the shortest time through the obstacle course for racers that are motorless.
Best theme will be the most complete portrayal of their vehicle's theme.
Best sport! This will be up to the judge to deliberate and vote upon based on whatever they decide.
RULES:
#1: Your vehicle may be powered by anything other than a gas engine... Anything from electric motors to pulling it on a string is allowed. (No flying or teleporting permitted.)
#2 In order to participate in this race, the vehicle must be altered to look like either a teapot, kettle, teacup or other tea related vessel.
#3 Oversized vehicles may not be able to participate because the course is only so big... You are welcome to bring a giant teapot racer along... You just won't be able to race it.
(Keep in mind that this obstacle course will have ramps so your vehicle should be strong enough to go up a slope.)
#4 Three resets will be given to each racer. You may pick up your racer and put it right-side up only 3 times.
#5 To give everyone a chance to race, we will have a time limit of 3 minutes.
#6 If no racers finish, the racer that has progressed the furthest wins.
#7 Only one driver per vehicle will be permitted.
#8 Only one vehicle per driver will be permitted.
#9 The host will set the course with arrows to point the way. No one can "Try it" prior to the race.
Judges, such as your host... Will not be allowed to participate. We may run the course for fun though... You can race it afterwards for fun too.
#10 Should your vehicle stop moving permanently due to malfunction or a dead battery... or you're too winded... You will be marked as "DNF" did not finish.
POINTS SYSTEM:
The top 3 shortest times will receive points as follows...
30 for first place.
20 for second place.
10 for third place.
Additional Points will be awarded for...
Good Bribes...
There will be three judges... Bribes can be anything from grand to minor... From offering a hug or drawing or poem... a good joke or song... To candy or money or a car or a house haha... Yes, if you want to give me a car or a house, you will win the bribery portion automatically.
+20 points for best bribe...
+15 for second place...
+10 for third...
+5 for all bribing participants.
(Points will be allotted after the bribing ceremony.)
Finishing the course without a single reset.
+5 points.
Theme:
Does your vehicle's name match its theme... Does your vehicles name reflect the design? Does your attire match the theme?
+15 points for best theme.
+10 points for matching your costume to your Teapot.
+5 points for every vehicle that matches it's theme to it's name.
Points will be removed for...
Each reset: -5 points will be deducted.
Each broken obstacle will be -5 points deducted.
Confusing the judge will be -5 points deducted.
BRIBING BEGINS AT 12:30 After Tea Duelling.
RACING BEGINS once the bribing ceases.
Our third activity will be a...
☕☕☕ Crazy Teacup Contest ☕🧉🥇
The Craziest Teacup wins!
Contest rules include:
#1 Safety. Your cup must be safe to use. It cannot get you sick or hurt you. The cup itself cannot be plastic... Examples: glue anywhere near the rim... sharp edges... are not allowed.
#2 Useability. It must be able to be handled by one hand. So no giant mugs that require two people to lift.
#3 Modification. You must modify your cup in at least one noticeable way. This will keep everyone from simply buying the same kooky mug online.
Judges will be looking for these three factors.
Originality...
Ease of use...
Impressiveness...
🪁🐙🪁 Kite Flying! 🪁🛸🪁
If you have a special kite you'd like to show off, now is your chance!
Any and all kites are welcome from classic to classy!
📷🦢⛲ Photo Opportunities 📸💑🖼️
This park has an abundance of splendid photo opportunities as well...
Next to the picnic area is a pond with not one but TWO beautiful bridges, a fountain AND a classy gazebo right on the water...
Across the pond is a public garden...
Behind the gazebo is a classic automobile museum! The building itself is glorious...
There is also a Pergola at the top of the hill, by the additional parking.
If you are a photographer, please message the host! If you have a camera, bring it along!
The discussion section of this event page has pictures and videos of these elements to inspire you to join us.
🌳🦋🪻 Area Description 🛝🚻♿
We will be using the "Covered Picnic Area" of Larz Anderson Park to provide shelter from the elements... There are 8 Picnic Tables under it, 6 grills and wrap around benches on both ends for plenty of seating.
There are many more tables and grills surrounding the shelter... as well as a sink.
The parking lot is a short distance away, along a paved path for accessibility.
A nice playground and two ball fields are immediately next to our area. Children are welcome.
A small building houses accessible bathrooms.
Pics and vids are posted in the discussion section of this event page.
If anyone has any concerns or suggestions, please message the host.
🚸🚲🚌 Travel 🚀🚗🅿️
DRIVING?
The best address to use for directions is 325 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA. The parking lot is directly opposite from this address...
ADDITIONAL PARKING: can be found atop the neighboring hill... Along the same road as the Auto Museum. (9 Newton St, Brookline).
TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?
The closest MBTA bus route is the 51. The 51 bus travels between the two stations Reservoir and Forest Hills...
The closest stop is named "Clyde st. @ Whitney St.". It is a five minute walk away: .2 miles... (Reservoir Station is a stop along the D branch of the Green Line Trolley... Forest Hills Station is the last station at the end of the Orange Line Subway.)
I recommend utilizing the Trip Planner on the MBTA's website.
Perhaps some you'd like some maps?
In the Discussion section of this event page are both...
where to park/additional parking...
and how to use the MBTA Trip Planner/directions from the bus stop...
(PLEASE DO NOT PUT LARZ ANDERSON PARK AS YOUR DESTINATION... for the MBTA Trip Planner or Driving or Google maps... The results will get very lost, frustrated and vexed.)
🗣️👂👍 Rules 📜🚭🚮
1: Do not damage any park property.
(You will be held accountable.)
2: Clean up after yourselves. Do not leave your cups, plates or utensils for others to clean up!
Plenty of trash receptacles are available... and NOTHING HOT WILL BE PUT IN THEM. (e.g. cigarette butts, coals, incense, candles)...
3: No alcohol. No smoking permitted at the picnic area.
4: No music. Leave the music up to the host.
5: Respect each other. Be friendly, kind, courteous.
Refrain from swearing if children are nearby.
Do NOT talking politics or religion.
No "gatekeeping". We are not exclusive or elitist.
If someone mentions their pronouns, please do your best to adhere to them.
6: No pets.
7: Be mindful of your own allergies and dietary restrictions.
I doubt I will have to do so... but I do reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they cannot follow these simple rules.
🫵🗯️📰 You can help promote! 🤳📨📈
We hope you'll bring your friends and family and anybody else you meet while time-traveling.
Sharing this event page in your news feed, in groups and anywhere you can helps immensely.
An image that you can print and cut into flyers will be posted in the discussion section of this event page. Don't have a printer? The Public Library lets you print for free!!
Please remember to donate cash for the permit if possible.
💐🧺🎉 The Crecendo 🪄🎩🐇
This event is rain or shine. A thunderstorm may result in a random rescheduling... but hopefully not.
Join our Facebook group:
Boston Area Steampunk Gatherings for updates and more information.
Thank you for your interest in this....
Steampunk Tea Potluck Party!
RSVP and mark your calendars for June 29th 2024 and we'll see you there!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
325 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA 02445-7425, United States
