http://themanticoresociety.blogspot.com/
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Also, check out the Capt. pictures at http://madcalamity.zenfolio.com/
[again, everything within the [] brackets are my little 2 cents added, Capt. Wong Wei will edit this review at will and put the finished product with pictures on our blog & social networking outlets!]

The Manticore Society was on hand for the Leauge of S.T.E.A.M.�s latest installment of A Night with the Obscure, though Captain Wong Wei was delayed in his arrival, so I scouted ahead to give my account. This was my 2nd time at this establishment. [The 1st time being 3 years ago with the Capt. To see Abney Park. It was also my first steampunk event and I knew this was something I wanted to get into!]

This evening was hosted by one of Hollywood�s well-known alternative lifestyle night spots, Bar Sinister. It is a goth themed dance club/bar that caters to Hollywood�s darker desires, promoting their place as �A Hollywood dark decadence for AlternAttiVe PleaZures catering to the Artistic, CreatiVe & Futuristic Industrial Tendencies of a TurTured Soul in a Hollywood Mecca�. Entry was $5 all night with steampunk attire, a change from their usual strictly black/fetish dress code. [Since I was trying for goth/steampunk I was changed $10 for not being steampunk enough >.< Good price considering the charge for casual dress is $20!]

Merci Not-Quite-Steamy-Gothy Action Figure! I'm wearing the dress that I wore to my senior prom believe it or not! (if fits a lot better than it did back then, too O.O)

Fake eyes & extensions sold separately!

As you walked in, the open air entrance was decorated with some of the League�s invention blue prints alongside the comfortable ottomans and smoking patrons. The lovely Miss Sheyne, with Mr. Glenn, were at the corner booth at the end of the corridor commanding the merch booth and welcoming club goers, steampunk and otherwise, to the League of S.T.E.A.M.�s Evening with the Obscure. There was a closed off backstage area were many of the League members, with their inventions and creations, entered and exited. I first spotted J.R. and Crackitus Potts mingling with some in attendance, they are always a pleasure to talk to! They wondered where my usual partner in crime was, I informed them of his tardiness.

This event was not as intimate as the last held at Rene�s Courtyard Caf�. The venue was bigger but very crowded and loud. No matter, I pressed on despite my un-fondness for these types of clubs. [I have roots in the goth subculture and used to frequent bars and clubs such as this but was turned off by the elitism and all around discomfort with very large crowds and inability to hold conversations. Not to mention a lot of these clubs use strobe lights and I�m photosensitive. But for the League, I set aside these things and went out with the best mindset to have a good time! I am in no way saying that Bar Sinister is a bad place to be, I am say for myself personally it's a bit much for me.]

As I walked into the sage & bar area, there were already a mass of people huddled around the candle lit pit and crowed around the bar. The stage was roped off by garlic and crosses in preparation for the vampire belly dancers of Twisted Gypsy. A screen was set up off to the side and was used to showcase the League of S.T.E.A.M.�s video adventures hosted on YouTube.(see them all at http://www.youtube.com/user/LeagueOfSTEAM)

A few steps down into the second bar & dance area was becoming more crowded as people filed in, and there was my first sighting of the R.O.S.E. and what I think were a few ghostly apparitions that toyed with our senses and with the R.O.S.E., making her dance! Zombie Zed shuffled around the crowd unleashed most of the night, very frightening! Most of us veterans warned the newcomers to get out of the way should his collar�s timer sound off.

I re-entered the corner where the merch booth and found a fellow member, Liam, with a drawing he made of our beloved Zed if he were the Disney character Pluto! (For the rest of the League of S.T.E.A.M.�s drawings as Disney Characters, visit their Myspace and Facebook pages!) We met up with some new Manticore Society members and chatted, still waiting for the Captain. As midnight approached, most of us went back into the stage area for the premire of a new video, this of the League of S.T.E.A.M.�s very first ad in silent film style! I was amused by the whole production, which featured Crackitus, J.R. (double check), and Professor Jager in pancake make-up!

Some time in the night, the heavily guarded members of the League brought out the vampire troupe of Twisted Gypsy, wrapped in chains for our protection! These ladies were very lovely and mesmerizing, so much so we were advised NOT to look into their eyes for fear of being entranced and fall victim to their thirst! [I was, unfortunately, distracted for their first performance as a smoking club-goer kept discarding her ashes on my dress & shoes and there was a lot of pushing and shoving going about. As I left to get some air after that performance I was burned by a cigarette on my arm! Most unpleasant. For their second performance of the evening I was not distracted!] I had a great view point for their second performance and noticed a box that read something to the effect of �Tip your mistresses�. The ladies, donned in various vestments, tattoos and body paint, bared their fangs and their moves to the crowd! Despite the League�s best efforts, Crackitus was more than once put into a trance by one of these vixens and nearly bitten! Had it not been for his comrade�s swift actions, surly it would have been the end of Crackitus as a member of the League and the beginning of him being the subject of their experiments! The R.O.S.E. stood beside me as the ladies where dancing, doing her duties assisting the League in zombie control. A cute moment occurred as one of the League members standing guard saw R.O.S.E. with Zed�s chain in hand. She raised the chain in one hand and gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to the guard with the other!

While Liam and I spoke to a couple in the crowd, our not so punctual friend, Capt. Wong Wei, FINALLY showed up, camera in hand and looking his festive self with his feather donned flight cap. It was astounding/amusing to see people I�ve met in the past come up to me and tell me that they did not recognize me until the Capt. stood next to me! Haha, what a trip. (I admit I�m unrecognizable at times because I dress so differently with each event I attend.) After the performances, some demonstrations of different devices from the League were shown off. A lot of new connections were made through like interest and love for steampunk fantasy. I hope new members of the Manticore Society are reading this review!
Some local celebrity sightings took place at this wonderous event. A delightful meeting with a very �spirited� Professor CJ, who performs as the moustached limo driver in the Los Angeles Repo! The Genetic Opera shadowcast ATTAK, took place. He came up to the Capt. and I, commenting on how all the limo drivers where here at one place! Captain Wong Wei plays the limo driver, among other parts, in the San Diego Repo! shadowcast (Elective Surgery). And for ATTAK�s Halloween show last year I showed up dressed as the limo driver and took a picture with CJ! Who knew all of our paths would connect like this later?

I'm the one on the right...yeah, I am...

[CJ is also going to be guest starring as the orchestra leader for Elective Surgery�s first show, which is April 24th at the Ken in San Diego. Come watch the Captain in his many parts and myself as Blind Mag! (We�re also still looking for extras! For more info visit http://www.repo-electivesurgery.com/ and search us on Myspace and Facebook!)]

Capt. Wong Wei also came across the fantastique Veronique Chevalier, a wonderful burlesque performer who The Manticore Society love! I highly suggest you check out her talent and attend her next performance! http://weirdval.com/

A lot of our friends were feeling too crowded downstairs, so they made their way upstairs to the �Love Loft�, where some rather interesting�services�were being administered. (None illegal I assure you!) I was not daring enough to step up there but the capt. mingled upstairs with a few other Manticore Society members, so there on purpose and others who happened upon this by accident. Either way, there was a place to be with people.

I had to leave at around 1am as I had an early morning expedition the next morning. [and my car turns into some type of squash come around 3 or 4am] Mr. Liam was kind enough to escort me out to my car safely and I left having had a very lovely time and knowing everyone else had, too! [despite some of the rowdy drunken people and crowded, loud venue, though really I should be used to this atmosphere.] I am very glad to have made it to another League of S.T.E.A.M. evening and I know the Captian was, too! ;) He took some terrific photos, do check them out! [I did not bring my camera as I was under the impression that Bar Sinister�s strict �No Photography� rule was being implemented. It was lifted this night] I know a lot of those at Bar Sinister were not there for the evening�s festivities but I do hope that this may have sparked some interest and that we could see a few faces from there again!
From myself and Capt. Wong Wei,
Till the next steam thing!

http://themanticoresociety.blogspot.com/
http://madcalamity.zenfolio.com/
http://www.leagueofsteam.com/
http://www.barsinister.net/