Steampunk Tauranga is holding its annual Blue Do fundraiser event this weekend to raise awareness and money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
This year's event is more than just the Saturday night Blue Do – as ‘Blue Steamtember' is taking place from Friday through to Sunday.
Starting with ‘Roll out the Barrel of Fun', from 5pm tonight, September 16, at The Barrel Room in Wharf St, Tauranga City, a meet, greet and eat is an opportunity for meeting other steampunkers and friends for great food, craft beers and awesome ‘cogtails'.
The fun and frolicking continues on Saturday, September 17, with ‘Op Shop til ya' Drop' from 9am.
'Tauranga boasts so many shops, we have them bunched in areas,” says group member Lindsey Morgan, aka ‘Lady Hannah'.
'Dress to impress and bag a bargain. We can supply you with addresses and opening times.”
The Buckle's Cog Toss will take place from 1pm-3pm Saturday afternoon at Memorial Park.
'Join us for giggles at the inaugural invitational, witness the sport of champions and admire the splendour of a good polished Cog. Be the first to hold the title of Head Tosser," says Lindsey.
Other activities may include parasol duelling and the odd teapot race, says Lindsey, although those are weather dependent.
The weekend's main event is The Blue Do on Saturday. With the theme of Aeronautica, this fun night is at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club, with doors opening 7pm.
Everyone attending is encouraged to dress in blue, or in a nautical theme; or if they really want to impress, in full steampunk regalia.
'Dress steampunk, dress blue, but dress to impress,” says Lindsey.
'As long as you dress splendidly to show your support for the cause. We're all about putting fun in fundraising.”
Ticket-holders will be able to dance the night away to local covers rock band Shabang, and food platters will be provided.
The Blue Do supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand and is as much about awareness as raising funds, says Lady Hannah.
'We do it for the men in our lives – the husbands, poppas, nephews, sons, uncles, colleagues and friends.
Two blokes
'Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Kiwi men. Two blokes die a day. We think that is two men too many.”
Black Chilli Design's Richard Parker has built some fun and impressive steampunk-themed props, which will provide a fabulous façade for posing for photos with Richard Hornell.
'And thanks to Brother, we have a splendid sewing machine to give away as a door prize.”
The weekend of blue steampunk events is capped off with ‘The Light Blue Breaky' from 10am Sunday at The Raft, Chapel St.
Tickets to the Blue Do event for Saturday night at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club are $35 can be purchased through Leone Turner at: slurps@kinect.co.nz