OctopodiCon 2012

To be a Visiting Professor (sorry, all the Distinguished Visiting Professor positions are filled for 2012):

• you must receive an application.  Either we send it to you out of the blue, or you request it from octopodiconchair @ gmail.com.
• Fill out and return the application.  We are looking for people with strong steampunk connections and skills.  You do not have to be a published author or a professional artist.  Teachers, passionate artisans, skilled amateur craftsmen, dedicated hobby historians can qualify.
•  If you pass the application process, we will send you a contract.
• Read the contract.
• If you agree with it, sign it and send it back.  If you disagree with it, talk to us.  We’ll negotiate.
• Once we have your signed contract back,
• you are a Visiting Professor, and we will list you on our website.

It’s that simple.

The following people have followed this process and are our Visiting Professors:

Distinguished Visiting Professors:

Our Master of Ceremonies is Peter Pixie!

Peter Pixie, Seated

The Short Biography of Peter Pixie, Professional Master of Ceremonies

Peter Pixie has been seen over the last 10 years as the Master of Ceremonies for events such as:

• Anime Festival Wichita (1-7)
• Tokyo in Tulsa
• The Difference Engine
• Drakecon
• Feast of Horrors
• 8 Films to Die For (Wichita)
• Warren Summer Midnight Movie Festival
• Rocky Horror Experience

And many others

In 2011, he has been MC for Oklahoma Steampunk Exposition, The Difference Engine One Day Summit, Anime Festival Wichita, and Tokyo in Tulsa. He will be appearing at Glitchcon in September 2011 and many other events are in the works!

Along with his long time friend, El Secreto, Peter also helped create and co-host Hour 42, a weekly podcast about the business of the super hero genre that broadcast for over 100 episodes.

In addition to being an MC he is also known for panels:

• How to create your own Podcast
• How to start your own convention

Peter’s wife, The Ornament, makes all of his costumes.

If you would like to keep in contact with Peter:

On the web: Peter Pixie

On twitter: thepeterpixie

On Facebook: Peter Pixie

Email: thepeterpixie – at – yahoo – dot – com

Professor Elemental

Our Distinguished Professor of Performance is Professor Elemental.  His photo and bio are coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy him in these locations until you can enjoy his wit and skill in person:

• Professor Elemental
• Cup of Brown Joy
• Fighting Trousers
• An Interview with the Professor at Guerrilla Geek

Our Distinguished Professor of Steampunk Multiculturalism is Ay-Leen the Peacemaker.

Ay-Leen the Peacemaker - photo cred to Rachel Klingburg

Ay-leen the Peacemaker is the founding editor of Beyond Victoriana, an award-winning blog about multicultural steampunk. Ay-leen has been involved with the steampunk communities in the New York metro area and New England as a convention speaker and general rabble-rouser for several years and presented at several major conventions including Steampunk World’s Fair, Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition, International Steampunk City, Anime Boston, WisCon 35, and Dragon*Con. Her upcoming published work will be included in the fashion anthology Fashion Talks: Undressing the Power of Style from SUNY Press in 2012. She has also been interviewed about steampunk and its evolving subculture for many steampunk, pop culture, and sci-fi media platforms such as Tor.com, Racialicious, BBC America, HGTV, The Steampunk Workshop and for the books The Steampunk Bible (Abrams Image, May 2011) and Steampunk: Reloaded (Tachyon Publications, 2010). Ay-leen currently lives and works in New York City as a blogger for Tor.com Steampunk. You can also follow her academic work on Academia.edu.

 Professor Leanna Renee Hieber

Prof. Leanna Renee Hieber

Author, actress and playwright Leanna Renee Hieber grew up in rural Ohio inventing ghost stories. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Miami University, a focus in the Victorian Era and a scholarship to study in London. She adapted works of 19th Century literature for the stage and her one-act plays and adaptations have been produced around the country. Her novella Dark Nest won the 2009 Prism Award for excellence in the genre of Futuristic, Fantasy, or Paranormal Romance.  Her debut novel, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, first in her Strangely Beautiful series, landed on Barnes & Noble’s bestseller lists, was named a favourite of 2009 by 14 genre  blogs, won two 2010 Prism Awards (Best Fantasy, Best First Book), the 2010 Orange County Book Buyer’s Best Award (Young Adult crossover category) and is currently in development as a musical theatre production with a team that includes Broadway talent. DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul, first in Leanna’s Gothic Historical Paranormal trilogy for teens (Sourcebooks Fire), made the Kid’s/YA INDIE NEXT LIST as a recommended title by the American Booksellers Association. Seventeen Magazine said of DARKER STILL: “This chilling tale will draw you in and keep you guessing until the very last page!” DARKER STILL has been praised by Shelf Awareness, The Chicago Tribune, Pixie Magazine and has been selected for distribution via SCHOLASTIC. Leanna’s short fiction has been featured in anthologies Candle In the Attic Window (Innsmouth Press) and the upcoming Wilful Impropriety: Tales of Society and Scandal (Constable & Robinson / Running Press) and the upcoming Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells: Tales of Gaslight Fantasy (TOR Books). A member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and International Thriller Writers (ITW), Leanna is proud to be a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon Reading Series in New York and was named the 2010 RWA NYC Chapter Author of the Year. A member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Leanna works often in film and television. When not writing or on set, she’s a devotee of ghost stories and Goth clubs, adventuring about her adopted hometown of New York City, where she resides with her real-life hero and their beloved rescued lab rabbit.

Visit her at http://leannareneehieber.com and she tweets at http://twitter.com/leannarenee

Check back as we will be adding more Distinguished Visiting Professors!

Visiting Professors:

Author Bill Allen will be attending OctopodiCon along with his lovely wife, Sally.

Prof. Bev Hale

Bev Hale - photo by Noddy Brothers

Author Bev Hale is a multi-talented woman – she is a member of our ConCom, an author and an artist.  Check out her awesome steampunk fashion accessories in the Art Gallery and meet her in the Scriptorium or join her in her panels.

..

 Dr. Fear

Dr. Fear, photo cred to Candice Loy

Author and horror specialist Dr. Fear:  Brian Young is an artist, TV and radio host, Humanities professor and writer from Oklahoma. Born and raised in the state, he has lived a life of creativity and imagination his whole life channeling it into various mediums since the age of four. He has a BA in History from NWOSU (2001) and a Masters in Arthurian Studies from the University of Wales Lampeter (2007) with plans to earn a PhD in Celtic Studies soon. He has an education and knowledge of the Celtic languages, past and present, and seeks to see them further promoted and aided for the future. He illustrated and wrote the first tri-lingual Celtic book ‘Lyver-Lywans Bukkyas Keltek’ in 1998.

A self professed ‘King of the Nerds’; his hobbies include role-playing games, video games, convention appearances and too much to list here. His greatest influences are from music and owns a massive collection of the most unusual, imaginative and diverse range of music, it is from such a collection his greatest ideas are derived.

Creator, director and producer of Oklahoma’s only presently airing horror TV show, ‘The Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear’, he and his cast play old classic films with a large touch of camp and cheese. They also produce live each week the longest running Gothic, horror and Halloween themed radio show, ‘The Mysterious Hours of Dr. Fear’ every Sunday night. This show can be heard online every week and is done so by a global audience.

‘De Civitate Sanguino’ (City of the Bloodthirsty) is the first book in a series of Steampunk Horror stories in the ‘Silent War’. The series is an action filled historical set of adventures through the 19th Century in which the ‘Shadow Society of Vampire Hunters’ fights an age old secret battle against the Vampires.

He and his assistant, Mr. Grimly, are Professors in CephaloPod.

The Right Reverend Cormac Albion McCormac

The Right Reverend Cormac Albion McCormac

Carlos McDaniel
Standing on the shoulders of (steam powered) giants

Carlos McDaniel (or The Right Reverend Cormac Albion McCormac) is a studio artist
specializing in oils, watercolors, pen-and-ink, pottery and dabbling in a number of other media as well. Mr. McDaniel teaches Art at Woodlawn Leadership Academy in Shreveport, LA; where his students and colleagues, upon discovering the number of books in Mr. McDaniel’s classroom and the depth and breadth of their subject matter, are often heard to wonder aloud, “Does he teach Art, History, Philosophy, Science, or Literature!?!” Mr. McDaniel’s answer is simply, “yes.”

In addition to his Art certification, Mr. McDaniel is certified to teach English Literature and Composition. He has enough hours to teach Philosophy and History, but was told by his university advisor when pursuing certification, “Don’t be an over-achiever: we need to leave something for the coaches to teach.”

Mr. McDaniel was Steampunk “when Steampunk wasn’t cool.” He discovered the genre
during its early days when it was just considered Science Fiction. His first exposure came through the works of Harry Harrison, Michael Moorcock and others. Then in 1991, a friend told him about a bizarre new book he was reading: The Difference Engine. Having been a fan of William Gibson’s Cyberpunk works, Mr. McDaniel was at first confused. He then borrowed the aforementioned tome and was transported back to those halcyon days when fantasy and science melded in Vernian Victorian bliss.

Mr. McDaniel (Carlos, to his friends; and you are all his friends) was into Steampunk
Literature for years before he realized that there was a Steampunk neo-Victorian cosplay sub-culture. His reaction to the discovery was, “People actually dress up and run around with converted Nerf guns??? How cool is that!?!” He lives in Shreveport with his lovely wife in a ridiculously small house with 3 of their 6 children, 2 dogs, too many cats, and so many books that the books are looking for a bigger house of their own.

At Octopodicon 2012, he will be presenting a class in which participants will make their own Steampunk Autograph Book, two lectures on the history (and future) of Steampunk Literature, and participating on a panel discussion about “the great ‘what if?’ where history and alternate history diverge.”

Prof. Cassie McDaniel (Cassia)

Prof. Cassie McDaniel (Cassia)

Cassie McDaniel is a Middle-Eastern dancer and certified fitness instructor, belly dance instructor and belly dance choreographer. She is the Dance Co-Captain for the Gems of Cairo, a folkloric and cabaret dance troupe in Shreveport, Louisiana. The troupe operates out of Lotus Studios where Mrs. McDaniel teaches Belly Dance classes. She has choreographed solo, ensemble and troupe dances and performed at venues large and small for over twenty years.

Her statement of purpose is to introduce people to the beauty of the artform of Middle-Eastern dance and encourage women of all ages, body types and abilities to discover their own inherent beauty.

Cassie lives in Shreveport where she is the “prime mover and defender against entropy” in the home she shares with her doting husband, 3 of their 6 above-average children, numerous cats and two dachshunds who all worship her in their own way.

Cassia, her wayward alter ego, is a world traveler who spent her childhood in the family library reading about “faraway places with strange sounding names.” She determined to explore one of them by secretly slipping away from the manse to the streets of London. A series of rather ridiculous misunderstandings led to Cassia’s placement among a group of “free-thinking” young women who were being transported to Australia as punishment for their nefarious crimes.

The ship was set upon by brigands and Cassia fell from the frying pan into the fire as she was captured and traded by the pirates to the Seraglio of the Sultan in Constantinople. (She no doubt brought a high price due to her fair skin and fiery disposition.) There she learned the art of the dance from the ladies of the harem and continues to refine her skills even after being liberated during an airship attack against the palace. Cassia now travels the world where ever the aether and whim may take her, seeking beauty where it may be found.

Prof. Belinda Beatrice Pinhiero

Belinda Beatrice Pinhiero

Feminist geographer and explorer Belinda Beatrice Pinheiro: Belinda’s traveled to most of the nation including the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii, while reading the adventures of Isabella Bird. She’s also explored parts of Canada, England, France, Italy and Mexico. She holds a degree from the University of Denver and a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Pinheiro teaches at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College. She’s written for Norman Living Magazine, Sooner Kids, and the Norman Transcript, also Belinda has manuscripts pending for journal publication. Belinda’s maternal grandfather came to The New World from the Açores Islands. This volcanic paradise was conquered by the Portuguese in the 15^th century within Aviz, the Second Dynasty. Her ancestors emigrated after the fall of the first global/colonial empire, the Portuguese Overseas Empire, in the late 1800’s. The motto of the Açores is taken from their coat of arms, “Rather die as free men than be enslaved in peace”. Professor Pinheiro also moonlights at the Hogwarts satellite campus Pioneer Library System’s Mugglefest Charms classes. ‘Belinda’, meaning beautiful snake, is a proud member of Slytherin House.

Academia

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Professor Amelia Anne McAlden

Professor Ameia Anne McAlden

Barb’ra-Anne Carter (aka Anne-Amelia McAlden) started out as an actor. As a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City her parents’ money was put to good use when she got her first professional role in children’s theatre as “Burp” a pile of dirty laundry that sang, danced and made rude noises on stage. While doing children’s theatre she enrolled at the City University of New York at Hunter College to pursue a theatre degree. Quite accidentally she stumbled into the anthropology department and decided to stay. Today, Barb’ra holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in geography both from California State University in Los Angeles. She teaches geography at OSU/OKC. Barb’ra-Anne has taught classes on Ancient Egypt for GATE, Enrichment and College for Kids. At libraries, birthday parties and communities events she can be seen as “Auntie Bop®.” Along with her friend “The Plaid Camel®” she tells stories that introduce kids to literature, different cultures, and using their imagination. Each program always has a project and quite often a take home surprise! She’s also taught the Historical Geography of Ancient Egypt at OU but they didn’t get the excitement of a mummy unwrapping. Barb’ra-Anne is a member of the American Association of Geographers, Gamma Theta Upsilon, the Southwestern Anthropological Association, The Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Society, The Society for California Archaeology and even the Auto Club. She is on the performers list with the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles and MLS library systems. She’s traveled the world and lived in China. Once spent a month backpacking around Egypt that she paid for with saved change! Academia

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Professor Melia Newman

Prof. Melia Newman

My first attempts to create art were not much appreciated. I am not sure if it was the use of lipstick or the fact that that first mural was painted on my mother’s bedroom wall. I then went on to paint every toy I owned in nail polish. It didn’t take too long before I was kept supplied with appropriate art tools and things to paint on. After art school I developed an obsession with crazy quilting and Victorian culture. When I had to give up my sewing room to a new baby, I went back to creating on canvas and paper, which I have been doing for more years that we really need to count now. These days I will paint fairy wings on pretty much anything. And to satisfy my obsession for Victorian arts and crafts, I add a little dash of Art Nouveau and Steampunk.

My work is licensed for a variety of products such as rubber stamps, fabric blocks, and cross stitch patterns.

Roscoe and Rose Red

Roscoe and Rose Red

For 15 years so far, the Notorious ROSCOE from Biloxi has performed magic and music for the crowned heads of Europe, potentates of the Far and Near East, chieftains in the darkest jungles of Africa and the Amazon, and titans of American industry and has entertained appreciative audiences on every earthly continent except Antarctica, where the penguins wouldn’t understand his amazing feats of prestidigitation anyway. Impossible illusions of brass, steel, rope, and chains will mystify and astonish you. And then ROSCOE will hammer not one but TWO solid steel spikes directly into his head. Delightful.

Additionally, ROSCOE’s hilarious three-shell and fast-and-loose con games, performed for entertainment purposes only, and his close-up coin magic provide lighthearted distractions for tourists and conventioneers in busy streets, convention hallways, and other pedestrian-traffic areas.

Best of all, NO CARD TRICKS!

And then, there’s that banjo and our new, amazing percussionist, Rose Red Beaumont. Original Steampunk-themed and old timey songs including rousing sea and airship chanties.

Pounding out mystical African and Middle Eastern rhythms on ethnic drums, Rose Red drives the music – and the comedy — in such ROSCOE and Rose Red originals as “I Want My Monsters Ugly,” “The Chanty of the Devil’s Blight,” and “Smokin’ Hot Steampunk Momma.”

Rose Red’s passion for performing arises from her original and still favorite specialty venues: faires, festivals, conventions, and Goth clubs. As a leader in alternative belly dance forms, she has brought Victorian belly dance to the forefront of the Midwest belly dance community and lights up many annual Steampunk conventions with intricate, exciting belly dance shows.

Dancing for audiences coast-to-coast with swords, daggers, staves, flags, fan veil, and traditional Middle Eastern props, Rose Red charms, thrills, and when appropriate terrifies street and stage audiences with dance as performance art: American Cabaret and gothic belly dance styles, the fiery dances of the Rromani [ethnically correct spelling] people and West African polyrhythmic dances.

Known in traditional belly dance circles as Jadzia Asima, Rose Red is the founder and troupe director of the Mysfit Toyz of Wichita, Kansas, and Woc Rakasat Hefennu and Rromani Yog in Winfield, Kansas. She teaches dance at Amira Dance Productions in Wichita, at area recreation centers, and in private instruction.

Cutie Carney Variety Circus
Cutie Carney Variety Circus (aka C.C.V.C.) is a sideshow & circus infused show featuring the founders of the show, Hexi Lee Voodoo & Darkkitty Quinn. Both ladies have a long past of multi-skills that they plan to bring to the show all wrapped up in beauty & glamour. The show will showcase everything from traditional sideshow & circus acts on down to comedy, dance, music and more!

Oklahoma Paranormal Research and Investigation Team One of the oldest and most respected teams in Oklahoma, OKPRI was founded in 2000 and continues its endeavors to answer the question mankind has sought to answer over the ages: “Is there Truly Life After Death? OKPRI members are comprised of serious-minded individuals who dedicate their time and efforts to paranormal research and investigations, helping those who are experiencing paranormal activity all over the state of Oklahoma and in surroundings areas.  

Other Visiting Professors:

Dr. DeLaughter

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Brad Sinor

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Sue Sinor

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Dennis Victor

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Julie Barrett

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Mel. White

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Lynn Yates

Bio and picture coming soon

Prof. Glen Adam Garcia

Bio and picture coming soon

Institutions Assisting with OctopodiCon Programming

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is working with us to present some Victorian Era western heritage information.

The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library and the OKC Museum of Art are partnering with us for some exciting programming throughout the year and during OctopodiCon. Check back as we are finalizing some exciting programming with other local institutions!