Steampunk Halloween to make Maricopa debut

Mythical Gardens LLC is giving adults a reason to revel in the Halloween spirit.[quote_box_right]IF YOU GO
What: Copa Adult Steampunk Halloween
When: Oct. 26, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Raceway Bar & Grill, 49237 W. Papago Road
Who: MythicalGarden.com
Info: Facebook.com/SteampunkHalloweenEvent
Tickets: EventBrite.com (promotion code Hallow10)[/quote_box_right]

The local designer of custom cosplay clothing will host the inaugural Copa Adult Steampunk Halloween at Raceway Bar & Grill. The evening will include a costume contest, scavenger hunt, DJ music, dancing, Declan Shade Photography booth and lots of food.

What is steampunk?

Inspired by the Victorian science-fiction vision of the likes of Jules Verne and Edward S. Ellis, what is now called steampunk re-imagines the age of invention and even the “Wild West.” Cosplay costumes incorporate mechanisms and gadgetry of the time to transform even the most coquettish outfit into something audacious.

“It’s just a crossover from the Victorian era from the late 1800s and early 1900s to steam-engine days, but it’s gotten to be a crossover with Disney or sci-fi or anything they want. They mix everything up,” said Jenny Zarogoza, co-owner of Mythical Gardens. “There’s some people who use steampunk when they really want to keep it authentic between the 1800s and 1900s, but now you just mix it with everything, and it’s just fun. There’s no right or wrong for steampunk.”

Those who don’t want to go full steampunk but just want a taste of it for the evening will find a hat or a mask available from Mythical Gardens. Jenny and her sister Linda make custom costumes, but a limited number of outfits can be rented for the night, too.

“We will turn the patio into a big Halloween bash,” said Jenny Zarogoza. “We were doing it for local businesses so people could get to know some of the local businesses and have someplace where we could all get together as adults and have a great Halloween party.”

Rand DelCotto, owner of Raceway Grill, is creating the menu and will run a cash bar, and Uniquely Yours Cake Design will supply specialty cakes.

“It’s for something different, networking and to just have a good time and dress up, something they don’t get to do very often,” said Misty Newman, who operates Arizona Outdoor Adventures and is a sponsor of the event.

General admission is $40 per person. VIP seating is $65 and includes hats and masks. Sponsorships are available from $100 to $500. A portion of funds raised benefits two 501(c)(3) efforts – the Zarogozas’ weighted blankets for children with autism and Newman’s camping program for youth at AOA.

Mythical Gardens is also creating a Quilt of Remembrance to be auctioned off at the party. Zaragoza is asking anyone wishing to honor a fallen hero to create a 5-by-5 quilt block to be added to the quilt.

If you need a quilt block or if you would like to rent a steampunk costume, email [email protected] as soon as possible.

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This story appears in the October issue of InMaricopa.

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