The Moonshine Affair: A Retrospective
On March 26, 2022, the satellite vessel known as The Orbit Room embarked on its centennial chronotour, a sold-out event. Over 30 chronotourists joined the crew of The Orbit Room in traveling back in time to March 26, 1922, where the ship camouflaged itself as a speakeasy. The crew welcomed to the stage Clara Lee and the Mercury Melodies, a trio of Prohibition-era Bloomingtonians, so that chronotourists could immerse themselves in the Jazz Age from the comfort and safety of a 21st-century vessel.
While they enjoyed a live jazz performance, passengers perused a menu of three specialty items: the Hot Diggity Dog, an Indiana beef hot dog with basil rainbow pepper relish, charred garlic whipped feta and goat cheese, and parmesan aioli; the Cosmonaut, a cocktail with Pedro Ximénez sherry, cranberry juice, and lime cordial; and the Space Flight 75, a cocktail with Pineau des Charentes, sparkling Cava, and lemon cordial.
A blaring alarm interrupted the festivities, warning of unauthorized access and navigational error. Jack, the ship’s security officer, soon confirmed to the captain that a virus had been introduced into The Orbit Room’s operating system. If these problems weren’t corrected in time, the ship would never return to 2022!
Those chronotourists who were willing to help get the tour back on track split into groups. Some helped Jack regain access to the operating system, run antivirus software, and identify the user who introduced the virus; some helped Sophie, the ship’s engineer, to complete a manual reset of the ship’s control console; some helped Mason, the ship’s historian, search the ship for clues; and still others distracted Clara Lee from the crisis at hand. Ultimately, the chronotourists saved the day, enjoying one last number from Clara Lee and the Mercury Melodies before traveling back to 2022 to confront the saboteur.
Here’s what chronotourists had to say about the experience:
“Loved the pick your own adventure option, with music, theme, and acting—so fun!” — Bianca G.
“The energy at the event was amazing and the task at hand was so much fun to solve!” — Alexis P.
Cast and crew
Kate Colvin - Captain Brielle, creative director (IU alumna)
Holly Colvin - Security Officer Jack, art director (IU alumna)
Kenzie Colvin - Engineering Officer Sophie, communications director (IU alumna)
Catherine Barker - Clara Lee (IU student)
Devin May - Mason Holloway, historian (IU alumnus)
Jin Sook Kwak - Mercury Melodies pianist (IU alumna)
Ben Lopilato - Mercury Melodies bassist (IU student)
Ben Tucker - woodworker/builder of The Orbit Room console box
Jessi Tucker - assistant woodworker/builder of The Orbit Room console box
Will Wallace - videographer
