Author: JP Dean

The Countdown Begins!

Post author By JP Dean
Post date July 25, 2026

Huzzah! We are 46 weeks, approximately ten and a half months, away from the 2027 Chicago Steampunk Exposition!

So what’s new for 2027?

We are thrilled to announce some of our guests of honor who will be joining us next year, the first being Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, creators of the Steampunk series Girl Genius!

David D. Levine, author of the space steampunk Arabella series and many other novels, also joins us as a guest of honor.

More information about more guests of honor coming soon!

Program Updates

Work has begun on the 2027 schedule and Presenter Applications are now available for those interested in sharing engaging steampunk and Victoriana knowledge with our attendees. Priority will be given to program events that align with our theme of “Space 1893,” but we are always looking for a wide array of steampunk related topics.

New for the Exposition in 2027, we see the return of the Steampunk Olympiad! Many may remember it as the signature event of the Steampunk Symposium (2012-2023) in which attendees competed in a series of eccentric and whimsical contests as part of our charity fundraising efforts for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). The Steampunk Olympiad will incorporate many of our already existing contests such as Nerf Dueling, Tea Dueling, etc., but even more will be added. More information coming soon!

A few rooms have been rearranged to accommodate some changes. Unfortunately we no longer have our smaller gaming rooms, so the Sage hall will now be our new Gaming Room with a variety of RPGs and board games on the schedule. The afternoon tea is moving to the Sapphire Banquet Tent; the tent will continue to host our Saturday Masked Ball. Cyan, the former tea room, will now host a larger Crafting & Makers’ Space. Formerly known as The Midway Market, the Slate hall will be home to the Steampunk Olympiad Arena and a couple of other attractions such as the well-loved Clothing Exchange. Artists and Writers are moving to Mahogany 4, next door to the Main Stage, to form Printers’ Row.

Exposition Exhibitors

Between now and December we are accepting Exhibitor Applications for 2027.

We have four main exhibitor spaces:

The Underground Market (Sienna)
Printers Row (Mahogany 4)
Hallway Exhibitors (Atrium Lobby & Hallways)
The Arena (Slate)

Tickets & Hotel Rooms

Once we are just six months away from the Exposition, we shall shift to weekly updates; until then our summary updates will be monthly . . . and we have a LOT MORE exciting things to add!

Meanwhile, however, tickets are already selling and you can book your hotel stay at the Exposition.

Social Media

- LIKE the Chicago Steampunk Expo page on Facebook for regular updates!
- RSVP to our Facebook event page!
- JOIN the Chicago Steampunk Exposition Adventurers’ Club group of Facebook to make plans with other steampunks!
- Yes, it’s all Facebook, but when we start posting on other platforms, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.

On the Horizon . . .

The usual broken promises.

Program

Amy of Thalia Dance

Post author By JP Dean
Post date June 8, 2026

Amy is a member of Thalia Dance, a Fat Chance Belly Dance Style troupe in the Chicago suburbs. She’s performed at the Alley Art Festival in Aurora, Martini Room in Elgin, and the Elgin Pride Festival. Amy is also a cosplayer who guests at Chicago-area conventions as Amelia Craftypants.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Program

Randy Ingram

Post author By JP Dean
Post date June 8, 2026

Randy Ingram was born in Sheboygan, WI but has lived many years in Woodstock Illinois.

Music has always been a part of who I am and I have always found a way to make it part of my life.
I have been drumming since I was 9 when my grandma bought my first drum set.

My first drum teacher who was also Buttons the clown and one of the top teachers at the California clown college taught me many things. As I got older my second teacher JD Cultser continued my drumming lessons.

I have been playing music in front of audience since I was about 15 when I played in a polka band in agreement with Jimmy to earn my first real drum set .

Previously I could be found performing at hofflas around the area with dancers like Aziza and many others for about 3 years.

Today I am doing events such as playing music at the Bristol renaissance with Dan the bard, and have for about 18 years and helping run the Bristol drum jam.

I play piano at Senior Living centers in the Memory Care Unit, as it provides emotional and mental support to patients there.

And my newest adventure is playing with Chad Canfield and others in a group named Vardo .

If you wish to support my journey with bringing music to Senior citizen living centers, feel free to donate what your heart desires.

Follow your dreams and turn your dreams into your way of life.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Exposition Updates

One Week until the Exposition!

Post author By JP Dean
Post date June 6, 2026

There is only ONE week left to go before we once more open the interdimensional time portals from the future that neverwas to the lost exhibits of the 1893 Exposition and that time when the portals opened to Wonderland!

So what is new this week?

Program Updates

This week we added the following panels and presentations to the Schedule:

Making Wonderland Earrings and More!

Exposition Exhibitors

We have four main exhibitor spaces:

The Underground Market (Sienna) for Vendors.
The Midway Market (Slate) for Artists, Musicians, & Writers.
The Hall of Curiosities (Mahogany 4) for Displays.
Hallway Exhibitors (Atrium Lobby & Hallways) for Organizations and Fan Groups.

There are still Artist & Writer Tables available in The Midway Market; to apply, please fill out our Application for Exhibitors form

Social Media

- LIKE the Chicago Steampunk Expo page on Facebook for regular updates!
- RSVP to our Facebook event page!
- JOIN the Chicago Steampunk Exposition Adventurers’ Club group of Facebook to make plans with other steampunks!
- Yes, it’s all Facebook, but when we start posting on other platforms, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.

On the Horizon . . .

The 2026 schedule
Program updates
A new edition of Steam & Sorcery LARP game

Program

Making Wonderland Earrings and More!

Post author By JP Dean
Post date June 4, 2026

Presented by Nyx Grabe

$5 – $20 Session Materials Fee (payable to presenters)
30 – 40 Attendee Limit (sign ups outside craft room)
90 minutes

During this workshop, I offer an array of different Wonderland inspired charms, beads, faux leathers and gemstones so each participant can make their own unique keepsake from the other side of the Looking Glass! You can create a pair of earrings, a pin, a bracelet, a necklace, a barrette, a floating locket, a keychain or all of the above!

Workshops cost $5-$20, depending on what charms and stones desired to start your project. For example, a pin, keychain or barrette is $5, earrings $10 and $10-20 for a necklace or piece with larger charms like the walrus seen here. Beads can vary from colorful round plastic beads, wood, glass and coconut to those of coral, obsidian, malachite and other gemstone beads. I even have some glow in the dark beads for your adventures.

I will also have easy to make floating lockets for anyone who wants to make those for $5 in beautiful garden colors. They are available in necklace, bracelet and keychain form.

I do recommend thar you can bring your own pilers, glue or glue gun, scissors and/or a tray to work on if you are able. I have deep plates I can offer. I will have a couple vials of super glue for the barrettes and pins. Feel free to bring any charms or outside fixings to add to your creations as you wish. Parents please supervise your children while they create.

If you have any questions or want to prepay, insuring I can hold certain charms for you, my email is nyxgrabe@gmail.com

Nyx Grabe has been doing workshops at steampunk cons for the last 20 years. Mainly perfume, jewelry and tea construction. She has worked at Gaslight Gathering in San Diego, TeslaCon in Wisconsin and many others.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Exposition Updates

Two Weeks until the Exposition!

Post author By JP Dean
Post date May 30, 2026

There are only two weeks left to go before we once more open the interdimensional time portals from the future that neverwas to the lost exhibits of the 1893 Exposition and that time when the portals opened to Wonderland!

So what is new this week?

Program Updates

This week we added the following panels and presentations to the Schedule:

Exposition Exhibitors

We have four main exhibitor spaces:

The Underground Market (Sienna) for Vendors.
The Midway Market (Slate) for Artists, Musicians, & Writers.
The Hall of Curiosities (Mahogany 4) for Displays.
Hallway Exhibitors (Atrium Lobby & Hallways) for Organizations and Fan Groups.

There are still Artist & Writer Tables available in The Midway Market; to apply, please fill out our Application for Exhibitors form

Social Media

- LIKE the Chicago Steampunk Expo page on Facebook for regular updates!
- RSVP to our Facebook event page!
- JOIN the Chicago Steampunk Exposition Adventurers’ Club group of Facebook to make plans with other steampunks!
- Yes, it’s all Facebook, but when we start posting on other platforms, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.

On the Horizon . . .

The 2026 schedule
Program updates
A new edition of Steam & Sorcery LARP game

Program

Decorating Your Cookie Gears

Post author By JP Dean
Post date May 26, 2026

Presented by Sarah Liechty

$12 Session Materials Fee (payable to presenters)
20 Attendee Limit (sign ups outside craft room)
90 minutes

Come and decorate your own steampunk gear sugar cookies with us! You will be given a kit, which includes, three different sizes of gear shaped sugar cookies.

You will also be given three different colors of icing. Other toppings may be provided to enhance your cookies. Once you are finished, you may enjoy them right away or save them for later. Bring your friends or come alone. All are invited.

Each set of cookies and decorations will be for $12.00.

Sarah Liechty is a retired science teacher after 39 years. Sarah is also a manager for Kleptz Restaurant in Seelyville, Indiana. For many years, she provided handmade desserts that were on the menu. Examples of those would be a variety of cheesecakes, cobblers, cakes and much more. Sarah has always loved to bake and she is bringing those skills to the Chicago Steampunk Convention 2026. She will be providing a variety of desserts to purchase. She will also present one class for participants to decorate their own steampunk sugar cookie gears.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Program

Charity’s Felted Soap Make and Take

Post author By JP Dean
Post date May 25, 2026

Presented by Auntie Charity Hystamine

$5 Session Materials Fee (payable to presenters)

Felted Soap Make and Take. Felt your own hand made soap for a superior clean without the violence of most exfoliants. Also works as a soap saver for all of your adventures.

Charity aka Auntie Hystamine: Veteran ConMom and attendee of Steampunk and Book Cons across the country. Curator of Auntie Hystamine’s Kiki Room. Pop Culture and book connoisseur. I am very rarely an official volunteer, but the glory of my ConMom skills are legendary. Often seen helping guests and attendees with snacks and water whilst running through the halls for Quest Items.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Exposition Updates

Three Weeks until the Exposition!

Post author By JP Dean
Post date May 22, 2026

There are only three weeks left to go before we once more open the interdimensional time portals from the future that neverwas to the lost exhibits of the 1893 Exposition and that time when the portals opened to Wonderland!

2026 Chicago Steampunk Exposition SCHEDULE! Please note that a few changes and additions may occur over the remaining weeks, but for the most part we have the order of events mapped out for this June. A printable version of the schedule is coming soon.

Tea Tickets are still available for Saturday, June 13th

12:00PM – The Madhatter’s Tea Party!
3:00PM – The OTHER Madhatter’s Tea Party!

Additionally, there are still two VIP ticket opportunities left for Leanna Renee Hieber. VIP tickets include an exclusive cocktail party on Friday, VIP banquet on Saturday, and High Tea on Sunday, plus a number of other great advantages such as access to the VIP lounge.

So what else is new this week?

Program Updates

This week we added the following panels and presentations to the Schedule:

The Exposition is currently putting together the 2026 Program for your amusement and education. We list session descriptions as we countdown to June 12th, 2026, and should have the full schedule online next week!

Exposition Exhibitors

We have four main exhibitor spaces:

The Underground Market (Sienna) for Vendors.
The Midway Market (Slate) for Artists, Musicians, & Writers.
The Hall of Curiosities (Mahogany 4) for Displays.
Hallway Exhibitors (Atrium Lobby & Hallways) for Organizations and Fan Groups.

There are still Artist & Writer Tables available in The Midway Market; to apply, please fill out our Application for Exhibitors form

Social Media

- LIKE the Chicago Steampunk Expo page on Facebook for regular updates!
- RSVP to our Facebook event page!
- JOIN the Chicago Steampunk Exposition Adventurers’ Club group of Facebook to make plans with other steampunks!
- Yes, it’s all Facebook, but when we start posting on other platforms, we’ll be sure to add them to this list.

On the Horizon . . .

The 2026 schedule
Program updates
A new edition of Steam & Sorcery LARP game

Program

Silly Smut – A Dramatic Reading of Poorly Executed Romance

Post author By JP Dean
Post date May 21, 2026

Presented by Auntie Charity Hystamine

Dramatic Readings Of Poorly Executed Romance (DROPER) is a competitive expose of the best worst examples of the Bad Tropes in the Romance Genre. We’ve all read them and sighed. Now read them with all the flair you can muster! From the lip quivers and ellipses of Cartland, to boobs boobing boobily, to the Sir that is not anatomicaly possible, enjoy the drama and laughter of Dramatic Readings of Poorly Executed Romance (DROPER for a quickie).