Please note that for all events at the Assembly Rooms participants will require a Weekend or Saturday festival wristband. Wristbands will be available for collection or purchase from Event Control situated in Castle Square. Wristbands also give access to the public areas of the Castle (to which you can also gain access by buying a Castle entrance ticket) as well as the marquees, Men's Prison and Heritage Centre. Events in the Westgate School playground are open to all. The tea parties require a separate ticket to be purchased in advance from the Assembly Rooms. 

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10:00 - 11:00

The Castle Bandstand

The Steampunk Choir of Notorious Excellence (S.C.O.N.E.)

Come and listen to the fabulous S.C.O.N.E. on the bandstand. Last year they were singing as the gates to the castle opened and created the perfect beginning to an amazing day. What should you expect from S.C.O.N.E? Expect neo-Victorian choir tomfoolery, with copious references to tea, gin, airships and even the war hippo cavalry. As S.C.O.N.E. say themselves "We've got it all and refuse to give it back!"

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10:30 - 11:30

The Heritage Centre

Becoming Strange

Come and meet Andy Arbon and find out exactly how he made his award-winning 'Mr Strange' outfit based on the song 'Mr Strange' by Alice Strange (if that's Strange enough for you)... 

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11:00 - 12:00

The Castle Bandstand/Banjo area

Belly Fusion Dance Collective

The Belly Fusion Dance Collective are a fun-filled vibrant dance group with their roots in tribal belly dance. They have developed their own unique style of theatrical fusion which is fabulous in every way - but with just a slight hint of madness. 

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11:00 - 11:30

The County Assembly Rooms

The Old Curiosity Swap

A new feature for Asylum XIII, the 'OCS' is an opportunity for participants to swap items with each other, such as trinkets, badges, patches or whatever else they wish to bring along. The principal rule is that no money must exchange hands - this is purely for swapping items. You are of course free to take part in the trading of treasures at any time over the weekend but we have designated several times and locations over the weekend when people wishing to take part in this fun activity can find each other more easily.

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11:30 - 12:30

The County Assembly Rooms

Movement, Posing and Dance Workshop

Have you every wanted to go to the Ball? Well now you can! Come to P.O.S.E (the Position Of Sophisticated Extravagance) to strut, wheel or shuffle your way down the catwalk. Show off those posing skills and let’s find out which of us hail from royalty. All abilities and disabilities are welcome. The idea for this workshop comes from the Ballroom Scene in Queer cultures which embraces fashion, beauty, freedom and fun. At the end of the workshop there will be a runway walk for all who wish to take part and perhaps even a very friendly competition.

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11:30 - 12:30

Westgate School playground

The Steampunk Sallys

The great army of the Steampunk Sallys burst upon the Steampunk scene at Asylum 2022 and have become a truly unstoppable force. Come to cast your gaze on their outfits, delight in their rendition of well known tunes and marvel at the sheer inventiveness of the sisters (all of whom are called Anna, just to keep it simple). Their mission is to convert one soul at a time, and you might just be the next to fall under their spell!

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12:00 - 12:30

The Castle Bandstand

Alice Strange

Come and hear Alice perform at the Castle Bandstand. The heavenly voice of Steampunk. If you missed her performance at the Fashion show on Friday night you definitely need to come and hear her on the Castle Bandstand. Alice never fails to deliver a performance that is 'not to be missed'. 

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12:00 - 13:00

The Heritage Centre

Making Teapot Racers

Keith Harper, teapot maker and racer extraordinaire will tell you everything you need to know about making successful racing teapots. If you come to Keith's talk you should leave knowing enough about racing teapots to go away and build your own and then join in the fun. 

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12:00 - 12:30 [British Summer Time]

The Castle Men's Prison Exercise Yard

The High Noon Shoot-Out

For insurance reasons this has to be a strictly age 18+ feature. 

Come and see if you have the nerve of steel required to succeed in this wild-west style nerf gun shoot-out. You are welcome to bring your own nerf guns if you feel brave enough. There can only be one winner of this nail-biting and popular feature, but on a brighter note that just could be you and you could end up taking home a Ministry of Steampunk medal! Just make sure you don't come at 12 noon Greenwich Mean Time.

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12:30 - 13:30

The County Assembly Rooms
Steampunk Dr Who Meet-Up and Quiz

In honour of Dr Who's 60th birthday this year, anyone interested in the Time Lord is invited along to the inaugural meeting of a new Steampunk Dr Who inspired group. Like the Steam Wars and Steampunk Superheroes & Villains groups we very much expect that a Steampunk Dr Who feature will become a regular and popular event. For the very first event we will also be having a Dr Who themed quiz, so set your TARDIS for 12:30 at The Assembly Rooms on Saturday 26 August 2023.

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12:30 - 13:30

The Castle Marquee

Alice Strange meet and merch.

Following straight on from her performance on the Castle Bandstand, come to the marquee to meet Alice in person and see what merchandise she has brought along for your delectation and delight.

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12:30 - 13:00

The Castle Banjo

Minimal Altitude Display Team (M.A.D.T.)

Come along to the Castle banjo to see the gravity-defying feats of daring of the M.A.D.T. Quite how they don't crash down to the ground is simply beyond human understanding and challenges the laws of physics on which our very lives depend. Prepare to hold your breath as they perform their daredevil tricks with such precision that it's hard to believe they don't have their feet planted firmly on the ground. Astounding. 

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13:00 - 13:30

The Castle Banjo

The British Aeronautical Piloting School (B.A.P.S.)

Come and join the frankly unhinged Madam Misfit as she teaches basic aeronautical skills to pilots of all ages. This is a family-fun activity sure to blow away any cobwebs that might be lingering from yesterday.

But be warned. There has been hushed talk of some sort of cooperation between M.A.D.T and B.A.P.S. You have been warned. 

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13:00 - 14:00

The Men's Prison Car Park

Teapot Racing

Another opportunity to see or take part in this wonderful activity combining the magnificence of splendidly adorned teapots with the thrill of a race. You are welcome to bring your own racing teapot along, but if you don't have one with you there are likely to be one or two teapots that can be driven by visitors who have arrived 'unarmed'. Medals will be awarded each day for the fastest times, and a Ministry of Steampunk medal will be awarded for the fastest time over the whole weekend. Also at the closing ceremony on Monday the 'Tea Cosy of Doom' will be awarded for the slowest overall time.

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13:00 - 14:00

The Heritage Centre
Some You Win, Some Zulus!

Join Colin Mathieson for a talk on the making of his ZULU: Water Cart Rescue Graphic Novel inspired by the Michael Caine movie and Clash of British and Zulu Empires, hear about the creative journey and real dangers encountered when exploring the battlefields and forgotten outposts of Zululand.

 

13:00 - 14:00

Westgate School carpark

Belly Fusion Dance Collective

Belly Fusion are a vibrant belly dance group with a theatrical mix of colour, personality and a touch of elegant madness. They also always wear the most fabulous costumes. Their performances are always a wonderful spectacle and they never fail to draw a crowd.

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13:30 - 15:00

The County Assembly Rooms Edwardian Tea Room
(at the back of the building - access is through an inside corridor to the right of the main room) 

Tea Party with Frenchy & the Punk, Victor and the Bully #1

Come and enjoy a wonderful English afternoon tea in the splendid company of not only New York based Frenchy & the Punk but also UK steampunk favourites Victor and the Bully. This tea party will be a unique opportunity to meet all of these wonderful artists who will be co-headlining the Time Travellers gig on Sunday evening. And there will be tea. And cake.

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13:30 - 14:30

The County Assembly Rooms

Steamstress Squadron Fabric Swap

It's time to clear out all the sewing bits you aren’t sure what to do with and come and swap for some new inspiration! Even if you haven’t got anything to swap you can still join in by giving a £1 donation which will be going to this years’ charity MIND.

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13:30 - 14:30

The Castle Bandstand

Sing Sea Shanties with Storm Petrel

Come and join the crew of M/V Storm Petrel at the Castle Bandstand to raise the roof off the castle with some sing-along sea shanties. All welcome. 

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14:00 - 15:00

The Heritage Centre

Meet The Makers Panel

The clue here is very much in the title. Whether you are an experienced maker, a novice or just curious about what makes the mind of the Steampunk maker (of often frankly very weird stuff) tick, then this is the session for you. May contain eccentricity. 

 

14:30 - 15:30

The County Assembly Rooms

The Asylum Tea Duelling Championship

Do you have nerves of steel? Do you have what it takes to resist eating your dunked biscuit until the very last moment before it collapses in a mess? If the answer it yes then you might be in with a chance to be crowned the Asylum XIII champion in this most Steampunk of extreme sports. The winner will automatically be entered into the World (yes World!!) championship on Monday and will also go home with a Ministry of Steampunk medal. 

 

14:30 - 15:30

The Castle Bandstand

Adult Costume Competitions

At Asylum XIII we will be awarding medals for the best adult scratch-built outfit and the best adult curated outfit (put together from purchased items). If you would like to enter your outfit into the competition, please come to the Bandstand at 14:15, bringing a card with your name, character name if wanted, and a brief description of your outfit (in up to 100 words) to be read out on the day. 

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14:30 - 15:00

Westgate School playground

The Old Curiosity Swap

See details above for the similar 11:00 feature. This is an opportunity for participants who want to swap trinkets, badges, patches, etc. with others to meet up. 

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15:00 - 16:00

The Heritage Centre

The Bear Necessities

Come and meet Sue Streete of Streete Bears and discover the history of the Teddy Bear (in his 121st year). Sue will also be explaining all you need to know about making and assembling Teddy Bears and will be bringing along some of her work in progress. Sue is also a Teddy Bear Doctor, so if you have any poorly Teddies or furry friends in your families, she will be happy to talk to you about them. 

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15:30 - 17:00

The County Assembly Rooms Edwardian Tea Room
(at the back of the building - access is through an inside corridor to the right of the main room) 

Tea Party with Frenchy & the Punk, Victor and the Bully #2

Another chance to come and enjoy a wonderful English afternoon tea in the splendid company of not only New York based Frenchy & the Punk but also UK steampunk favourites Victor and the Bully. This tea party will be a unique opportunity to meet all of these wonderful artists who will be co-headlining the Time Travellers gig on Sunday evening. And there will be cake. And tea.

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15:30 - 16:30

The County Assembly Rooms

The Steampunk Choir of Notorious Excellence (S.C.O.N.E.)

This will be your final time to come and hear the fabulous S.C.O.N.E. at Asylum XIII. As with their earlier performance you can expect neo-Victorian choir tomfoolery, with copious references to tea, gin, airships and even the war hippo cavalry, but on this occasion you will be able to hear them in a very different acoustic setting - in the magnificent County Assembly Rooms. 

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15:30 - 16:30

The Castle Banjo

Belly Fusion Dance Collective

Another chance to see the ladies of Belly Fusion who have a shared quirky style of tribal belly dance, mixed with a fusion of styles and theatrical costumes, choreography, props and improvisation. All together the mixture makes for a wonderful chaos! (Belly Fusion's words - not mine - Ed.)

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