[Flickr]

James Lavrakas sporting the Ghostbuster Steam Punk look at Edison's New Year's Eve party

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I never used to do anything special on New Year's Eve. That all changed the year I moved downtown. There always seems to be so much to do that if stay home I feel like I’m missing out on something unique.

This year proved my point, as a trip to the Edison ended up exposing me to the fascinating world of steam punk.

The Edison’s New Year’s eve Nautilist Ball was exactly where I wanted to ring in 2009. It had an open champagne bar, entertainment all night, tiny absinthe cocktails in apothecary bottles and dessert which meant I could snack away on their yummy mini cupcakes for hours. I was sold. The price tag, $175, was steep but it also meant the people who were there really wanted to be and weren’t just looking for some random place to get trashed.

What I didn’t expect was the all the trippy costumes. I later learned the style was called steam punk, which is a type of movement that takes modern day items and remakes them to look like they were created during the Victorian times. From Ghostbuster-like packs on the backs of vintage revelers (see picture) to shiny microphones made out brass and mahoghany, everything had a touch of steam punk which made for great people watching and fit in with the avant-garde circus entertainers, Lucent Dossier. Even the band was steam punk. Sure I could have stayed home watching Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN but why would I do that when I could be so entertained right in my own backyard.

Lately the Edison has been my favorite spot for really great entertainment with events like Radio Room (more on that in the future) and Lucent Dossier. If you haven't been there lately check it out and Happy New Year Downtown LA!