Author: JP Dean

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Exposition Updates

Two More Weeks until the Exposition!

“The Curse of Cthulhu”

These past six months, the first four chapters of “The Curse of Cthulhu” have unfolded in “A Scream of Ice and Fire,” “The Compasses of Columbus,” “Whispers in the Dark,” and “The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter.” Each chapter brought clues to be deciphered to find the codes that will unlock the first clues of the final chapter, the endgame of the story that will be played out from May 30th to June 1st at the convention.

Below are four (of eight) Lovecraftian monsters for which the clues potentially spell out their name as a secret password to clues that will be hidden around the Exposition hotel. We will share the next four monsters next weekend.

Each year there is a mystery to be solved at the Exposition as part of our Steam & Sorcery LARP Game; this time around it began with a fire . . . from ice? Every week between now and the end of May 2025, we shall release another Clue Card to help you solve the mystery game that begins during Opening Ceremonies on Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Save these Clue Cards to a folder on your phone and prepare your investigation into our “Curse of Cthulhu” LARP Game.

Click Here to see all of the

“Curse of Cthulhu” clue cards.

The Schedule

Exhibitor Updates

Exhibitors at the Exposition are divided into three main locations: The Underground Market (Sienna), The Palace of Fine Arts (Slate), and The Midway Plaisance (Atrium Lobby).

In the Atrium Lobby and South Hallway, there will be several fan group and organization tables, including:

Tickets

Click on the Box Office image below to purchase your tickets today! Please note that for 2025 we will be printing your name (in a fancy font) on the badge, so include “badge names” in the “Order Notes” section of the check out form. In addition to your name, badges will also be labeled with your order number for reference in case lost badges get turned into Registration; that said, however, please remember that lost badges that are not turned in can not be replaced and a new purchase will be required.


Social Media

On the Horizon . . .

  • Something slightly out of focus . . .

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Exposition Updates

Three Weeks until the Exposition!

The Deadline for all pre-reg tickets is May 25th, 2025.

Only THREE more weeks remain until the portals of time and space open to July 1893 and dimensions of the Chicago World’s Fair that only ever made it into a handful of history books that have long since been forgotten. Some say it never happened, some say the universe was ripped asunder; we shall find out soon enough . . .

  • We conclude the fourth chapter of “The Curse of Cthulhu” mystery game as we draw closer to being immersed in the final chapter during the actual convention.
  • New and exciting presentations and workshops have been added to the weekend’s program, and the first draft of the schedule is now live!
  • ALL THE DETAILS BELOW . . .  

“The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter” – Part Six

We conclude “The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter“ chapter of the Curse of Cthulhu storyline with investigation reports from Ruby Carter, an undercover police woman on a mission to infiltrate a criminal gang, known as the Tarts with Hearts, and see how far the corruption goes to the top!

Each year there is a mystery to be solved at the Exposition as part of our Steam & Sorcery LARP Game; this time around it began with a fire . . . from ice? Every week between now and the end of May 2025, we shall release another Clue Card to help you solve the mystery game that begins during Opening Ceremonies on Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Save these Clue Cards to a folder on your phone and prepare your investigation into our “Curse of Cthulhu” LARP Game.

Click Here to see all of the

“Curse of Cthulhu” clue cards thus far.

Program Updates

Here are some details about presentations that will be part of the program this month.

Exhibitor Updates

Exhibitors at the Exposition are divided into three main locations: The Underground Market (Sienna), The Palace of Fine Arts (Slate), and The Midway Plaisance (Atrium Lobby).

In the Atrium Lobby and South Hallway, there will be several fan group and organization tables, including:

Tickets

Click on the Box Office image below to purchase your tickets today! Please note that for 2025 we will be printing your name (in a fancy font) on the badge, so include “badge names” in the “Order Notes” section of the check out form. In addition to your name, badges will also be labeled with your order number for reference in case lost badges get turned into Registration; that said, however, please remember that lost badges that are not turned in can not be replaced and a new purchase will be required.


Social Media

On the Horizon . . .

  • Something slightly out of focus . . .

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Program

Scrying without (hopefully) the Cosmic Horror (18+)

Presented by Jeffrey S. Kupperman & The Order of the Ruby Ankh

The Order of the Ruby Ankh presents: Scrying without (hopefully) the cosmic horror. ORCA counts to Chicago Steam!

Join us for scrying in theory and practice. Scrying is the art of seeing what is far away or what cannot be seen with the eye alone. Come learn the theories and basic practices of the art and, most importantly, how to practice it safely.

Jeffrey S. Kupperman (he/him) is a scholar, artist, teacher, and practitioner. Jeffrey has a master’s degree in religious studies from Lancaster University and, having studied religion at Liverpool Hope University, has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Liverpool. He has studied religion, mythology, and magic for over thirty years and has taught college courses in religious studies, theology, philosophy, and anthropology. His esoteric studies and practices range from Freemasonry to Neoplatonism, tarot and traditional astrology, Victorian and Edwardian occultism, and beyond.

He was the founder and publisher of the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition (jwmt.org). He has contributed several papers on kabbalah, tarot, Hermeticism, alchemy, and theurgy and chapters to books on practical occultism and Freemasonry. His first two books, Living Theurgy and A Theurgist’s Book of Hours (Avalonia Books), focus on the philosophy and theurgy of Iamblichus of Chalcis and the religious Platonic revival.

When not hip-deep in research, Jeffrey can be found in pursuit of an ever-revolving series of hobbies, special interests, and hyper-fixations. These include icon painting, creating illuminated certificates, martial arts, bookbinding, D&D, designing coloring books, and so on. An avid member of the steampunk community, he can be found at presenting at conventions. He can be found presenting on a diversity of topics from necromancy, crossroad curses, talismanry, angel- and demonology, and just about anything from the 6,000 years of religious and occult history he has crammed in his head. He currently resides in central Wisconsin with his children.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition

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Program

Breaking Your Bonds Liberation Ritual (18+)

Presented by Catherine Carr

We all have something we would like to leave behind. Come join traveling sorceress Catherine Carr to do real magic and liberate yourself from the burdens of your past.

This community cord-cutting ritual will be preceded by a talk and Q&A about the history of magic as a revolutionary tool, best practices for consent in magic, divine allies, and spirits of revolution before attendees are invited to cut the cords and liberate themselves to create the future of their choosing.

Catherine Carr is an author, transformation coach, and Pagan theologian with a background in neuroscience and clinical research. She teaches classes and facilitates rituals nationwide at events like Greater Chicagoland Pagan Pride and the Parliament of World Religions.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

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Exposition Updates

Four Weeks until the Exposition!

This is the LAST WEEK for room bookings, speciality tickets, and merchandise!

Only FOUR more weeks remain until the portals of time and space open to July 1893 and dimensions of the Chicago World’s Fair that only ever made it into a handful of history books that have long since been forgotten. Some say it never happened, some say the universe was ripped asunder; we shall find out soon enough . . .

  • The deadline for booking your rooms at the Exposition looms ever closer; the convention block closes Thursday May 8th.
  • VIP upgrade tickets continue to sell; get yours before they are gone.
  • We continue the fourth chapter of “The Curse of Cthulhu” mystery game as we draw closer to being immersed in the final chapter during the actual convention.
  • New and exciting presentations and workshops have been added to the weekend’s program, and the first draft of the schedule is now live!
  • ALL THE DETAILS BELOW . . .  

The Exposition VIP Experience

This is the last week to sign up for the 2025 Exposition VIP Experience! Limited to just 24 ticket upgrades (several of which have already sold), VIP tickets include the following:

  • “Curse of Cthulhu” VIP Badge
  • Cocktail Party with our Guests of Honor (Friday)
  • Early entry to the Underground Market & the Palace of Fine Arts (Friday)
  • Banquet with with selected Guests of Honor (Saturday – see menu options below)
  • Exclusive “What does Steampunk Mean to You?” Panel with our Guests of Honor (Sunday).
  • “Curse of Cthulhu” t-shirt
  • Front row reserved seats for presentations and events.

Click HERE to learn more about
the Exposition VIP Experience!

Hotel Rooms

We are now just FOUR WEEKS away from the Exposition, but we have managed to extend the discount room block booking deadline to Thursday MAY 8th. Click HERE or the image below to learn more about rooms and make your booking.

“The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter” – Part Five

We continue the penultimate episode of “The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter“ chapter of the Curse of Cthulhu storyline with investigation reports from Ruby Carter, an undercover police woman on a mission to infiltrate a criminal gang, known as the Tarts with Hearts, and see how far the corruption goes to the top!

Each year there is a mystery to be solved at the Exposition as part of our Steam & Sorcery LARP Game; this time around it began with a fire . . . from ice? Every week between now and the end of May 2025, we shall release another Clue Card to help you solve the mystery game that begins during Opening Ceremonies on Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Save these Clue Cards to a folder on your phone and prepare your investigation into our “Curse of Cthulhu” LARP Game.

Click Here to see all of the

“Curse of Cthulhu” clue cards thus far.

Program Updates

Here are some details about presentations that will be part of the program this month.

Exhibitor Updates

Exhibitors at the Exposition are divided into three main locations: The Underground Market (Sienna), The Palace of Fine Arts (Slate), and The Midway Plaisance (Atrium Lobby).

In the Atrium Lobby and South Hallway, there will be several fan group and organization tables, including:

Tickets

Click on the Box Office image below to purchase your tickets today! Please note that for 2025 we will be printing your name (in a fancy font) on the badge, so include “badge names” in the “Order Notes” section of the check out form. In addition to your name, badges will also be labeled with your order number for reference in case lost badges get turned into Registration; that said, however, please remember that lost badges that are not turned in can not be replaced and a new purchase will be required.


Social Media

On the Horizon . . .

  • Something slightly out of focus . . .

Categories
Program

The Problems with Lovecraft: Separating the Mythos from the Man

Presented by Jeffrey S. Kupperman & Dr. Bee

Lovecraft has become a standard of modern horror and urban fantasy. His presence looms, while his mythos has moved beyond him into new exporations of social relations and realities.

In this panel discussion, Lovecraft’s historic context and personal biases are discussed alongside ways in which his open-access mythos has grown beyond him to investigate and challenge some of these ideas in games and media alike.

Jeffrey S. Kupperman (he/him) is a scholar, artist, teacher, and practitioner. Jeffrey has a master’s degree in religious studies from Lancaster University and, having studied religion at Liverpool Hope University, has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Liverpool. He has studied religion, mythology, and magic for over thirty years and has taught college courses in religious studies, theology, philosophy, and anthropology. His esoteric studies and practices range from Freemasonry to Neoplatonism, tarot and traditional astrology, Victorian and Edwardian occultism, and beyond.

He was the founder and publisher of the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition (jwmt.org). He has contributed several papers on kabbalah, tarot, Hermeticism, alchemy, and theurgy and chapters to books on practical occultism and Freemasonry. His first two books, Living Theurgy and A Theurgist’s Book of Hours (Avalonia Books), focus on the philosophy and theurgy of Iamblichus of Chalcis and the religious Platonic revival.

When not hip-deep in research, Jeffrey can be found in pursuit of an ever-revolving series of hobbies, special interests, and hyper-fixations. These include icon painting, creating illuminated certificates, martial arts, bookbinding, D&D, designing coloring books, and so on. An avid member of the steampunk community, he can be found at presenting at conventions. He can be found presenting on a diversity of topics from necromancy, crossroad curses, talismanry, angel- and demonology, and just about anything from the 6,000 years of religious and occult history he has crammed in his head. He currently resides in central Wisconsin with his children.

Dr. Bee (bio coming soon)

 

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition

Categories
Program

High Magic in the Age of Steam: A Reading and Discussion of Steampunk, Magic, and Social Subversion

Presented by Jeffrey S. Kupperman

Join the author in a Reading and discussion of High Magic in the Age of Steam, encompassing intersection of steampunk, magic and the occult, and social subversion and justice.

Jeffrey S. Kupperman (he/him) is a scholar, artist, teacher, and practitioner. Jeffrey has a master’s degree in religious studies from Lancaster University and, having studied religion at Liverpool Hope University, has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Liverpool. He has studied religion, mythology, and magic for over thirty years and has taught college courses in religious studies, theology, philosophy, and anthropology. His esoteric studies and practices range from Freemasonry to Neoplatonism, tarot and traditional astrology, Victorian and Edwardian occultism, and beyond.

He was the founder and publisher of the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition (jwmt.org). He has contributed several papers on kabbalah, tarot, Hermeticism, alchemy, and theurgy and chapters to books on practical occultism and Freemasonry. His first two books, Living Theurgy and A Theurgist’s Book of Hours (Avalonia Books), focus on the philosophy and theurgy of Iamblichus of Chalcis and the religious Platonic revival.

When not hip-deep in research, Jeffrey can be found in pursuit of an ever-revolving series of hobbies, special interests, and hyper-fixations. These include icon painting, creating illuminated certificates, martial arts, bookbinding, D&D, designing coloring books, and so on. An avid member of the steampunk community, he can be found at presenting at conventions. He can be found presenting on a diversity of topics from necromancy, crossroad curses, talismanry, angel- and demonology, and just about anything from the 6,000 years of religious and occult history he has crammed in his head. He currently resides in central Wisconsin with his children.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition

Categories
Program

Western Territorial Parasol Dueling

Presented by the Steampunk Lady Scientists (AKA Danaus, Sidonne, & Bobbin Beth)

Learn the steampunk art of parasol dueling. It’s Rock, Paper, Scissors with parasols! We’ll follow the Western Territorial Rules where we use small street dueling parasols and things may get a little “Rowdy and Howdy.” No physical contact shall be made in this duel, but a victor shall be declared!

Danaus and Sidonne delight in the advancement of knowledge as steampunk lady scientists. When they’re not busy adventuring in pursuit of scientific inquiry, they enjoy sharing their love of making with others in workshops and panels. They are also the creators of the Western Territorial Variant of Parasol Dueling. While they may get a little Rowdy and Howdy at times, they are always at the ready to act as Deputies to assist in settling matters of honor with their message of dueling for all.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition

Categories
Exposition Updates

One Month until the Exposition!

Only FIVE more weeks remain until the portals of time and space open to July 1893 and dimensions of the Chicago World’s Fair that only ever made it into a handful of history books that have long since been forgotten. Some say it never happened, some say the universe was ripped asunder; we shall find out soon enough . . .

  • The deadline for booking your rooms at the Exposition looms ever closer; the convention block closes at the end of April.
  • VIP upgrade tickets continue to sell; get yours before they are gone.
  • We continue the fourth chapter of “The Curse of Cthulhu” mystery game as we draw closer to being immersed in the final chapter during the actual convention.
  • New and exciting presentations and workshops have been added to the weekend’s program, and the first draft of the schedule is now live!
  • ALL THE DETAILS BELOW . . .  

The Exposition VIP Experience

Recently we unveiled the Exposition VIP Experience! Limited to just 24 ticket upgrades (several of which have already sold), VIP tickets include the following:

  • “Curse of Cthulhu” VIP Badge
  • Cocktail Party with our Guests of Honor (Friday)
  • Early entry to the Underground Market & the Palace of Fine Arts (Friday)
  • Banquet with with selected Guests of Honor (Saturday – see menu options below)
  • Exclusive “What does Steampunk Mean to You?” Panel with our Guests of Honor (Sunday).
  • “Curse of Cthulhu” t-shirt
  • “Curse of Cthulhu” pin
  • Front row reserved seats for presentations and events.

Click HERE to learn more about
the Exposition VIP Experience!

Hotel Rooms

We are now just FIVE WEEKS away from the Exposition, which means that there is only THIS MONTH left to book rooms. Click HERE or the image below to learn more about rooms and make your booking.

“The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter” – Part Four

We continue the “The Unknown Dreams of Ruby Carter“ chapter of the Curse of Cthulhu storyline with investigation reports from Ruby Carter, an undercover police woman on a mission to infiltrate a criminal gang, known as the Tarts with Hearts, and see how far the corruption goes to the top!

Each year there is a mystery to be solved at the Exposition as part of our Steam & Sorcery LARP Game; this time around it began with a fire . . . from ice? Every week between now and the end of May 2025, we shall release another Clue Card to help you solve the mystery game that begins during Opening Ceremonies on Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Save these Clue Cards to a folder on your phone and prepare your investigation into our “Curse of Cthulhu” LARP Game.

Click Here to see all of the

“Curse of Cthulhu” clue cards thus far.

Program Updates

Here are some details about presentations that will be part of the program in May 2025.

Exhibitor Updates

Exhibitors at the Exposition are divided into three main locations: The Underground Market (Sienna), The Palace of Fine Arts (Slate), and The Midway Plaisance (Atrium Lobby).

This week we featured the following exhibitors:

 

Tickets

Click on the Box Office image below to purchase your tickets today! Please note that for 2025 we will be printing your name (in a fancy font) on the badge, so include “badge names” in the “Order Notes” section of the check out form. In addition to your name, badges will also be labeled with your order number for reference in case lost badges get turned into Registration; that said, however, please remember that lost badges that are not turned in can not be replaced and a new purchase will be required.

Get Involved!

We are looking for Presenters, Performers, Games Masters, and other people to run sessions for the 2025 Chicago Steampunk Exposition program. Applications are now live; please click on the appropriate image to access the form.

Social Media

On the Horizon . . .

  • Something slightly out of focus . . .

Categories
Program

Mothership “Chromatic Transference”

  • Games Master: Father Henry Astur & Arachne
  • Gaming System: Mothership
  • Players: 2-6
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Sign Up at the main Registration Desk in the Atrium Lobby

The secret Ukweli Research Laboratory was built to study a strange meteorite, the inside of which contained something never seen before by human eyes. Due to an accident, the original scientists have long since died leaving the facility an empty tomb. Are you brave enough to find out more?

Dice, writing implements, and character sheets will be provided.

Kody Raslawski has been running games for a little over ten years now. With a preference for science fiction and horror, he loves bringing stories and worlds to life with his players. He looks forward to working with all the players at the Exposition to create a welcoming and entertaining table to share.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition