Saturday, January 22^nd marked Seattle’s second celebration of the Steampunk Exhibition Ball, a benefit for the Center for Sex Positive Culture. If you’ve never heard of the Center, their goal is to promote an environment where willing adults can safely engage in whatever erotic activities they desire without fear of ridicule or persecution. Drop in to one of their free orientations some time: it’s a lot of fun.

The Ball was half performance and half costume party. Speaking of costumes; every lady and gentleman present was well dressed for the evening. I’ve never been an avid people watcher, but at one point in the evening I just sat by the absinthe bar and took in the view. Oh, did I mention there was an absinthe bar?

If the costumes were a treasure trove, the hats were the crown jewels. Never before and I suspect never again (until next year anyway) have I seen such a display of cranium adornment. Choosing my favorite would be impossible. Some hats sported model ships atop them, while others glowed with unearthly light. My own entry for the evening was not unremarkable either (right).

Even if there had been no performances, the Ball would have been worth attending, but performances there were. The first set of burlesque and belly dancing was a little slow; and it wasn’t helped by the absence of chairs in the main stage room. However, as we got comfortable on the floor, the second half of the show really took off.

In particular, there were three acts that personified the spirit of the evening. The first was a ropes demonstration by the Twisted Monk and La Petite Mort. Ms. Mort was suspended up by a intricate series of knots and spun around to the audience’s delight. This sort of act requires exceptional skill by both parties, and I salute them.

Next was a classic burlesque strip by Jesse Belle-Jones. Her elaborate gown really matched the Ball’s steampunk aesthetic, and her heavy emphasis on tease brought in a needed sense of class. Finally, there was Jacqueline Hyde’s strip/rendition of Bring on the Men. Ms. Hyde finished the evening on such a high note that even the ball ending at 1:00am couldn’t bring my spirits down.

If Seattle is fortunate, the Steampunk Exhibition Ball will become a yearly event. It’s a great way to spend the evening and the profits go to a good cause. At its heart, the Ball was a celebration of Seattle’s exotic, sensual side, and the beautiful fact that we don’t have to hide that part of our city behind closed doors.