Author: JP Dean

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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

Categories
Program

Count Gregula’s Horror Movie Spooktacular (18+)

Presented by Count Gregula’s Crypt

Count Gregula’s Crypt presents Grave of the Vampire (1972), an American vampire film directed by John Hayes, and starring William Smith, Michael Pataki, and Lyn Peters.

Based on the novel The Still Life by David Chase, the film’s plot follows a vampire who sexually assaults a living woman, resulting in the birth of a child who feeds only on blood!

Count Gregula’s Crypt (#TeamGregula) is a major entertainment entity, press outlet, and horror brand. Founder Count Bela Gregula started the franchise in 1998, and it has been running strong for over 25 years and COUNTing. Insert evil laughter here. Bwahaha!!!

The brand became a TV horror host show also called “Count Gregula’s Crypt” that was seen on various cable channels and online outlets from 2005 to 2011. From 2014 to 2015, Count Sam Gregula was a recurring guest with Chicago radio personality Erich “Mancow” Muller. First appearing in 2014 during the “MANCOW!” show on My50 Chicago and then in 2015 during the “Mancow Morning Show” on The Loop 97.9 FM – Chicago’s Classic Rock Station. Most importantly, Count Gregula’s Crypt was well known during a 10 year span from 2012 to 2022 as an entertainment blog on ChicagoNow that was part of the Chicago Tribune Media Group.

Their current entertainment blog is linked to Count Gregula’s main site (www.Count-Gregula.com). Official Crypt Crew for 2025 includes Count Sam Gregula, Countess Lily Gregula, Deadly Dex, and Robert Dicke. New material added on a regular basis.

For more info about Count Gregula’s Crypt, visit their website at: https://count-gregula.com/count-gregulas-crypt/

See the Current 2025 Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Categories
Program

Mothership RPG “The Haunting of Ypsilon 14”

  • 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

During a routine cargo delivery to a remote station, your aethership crew learns that one of the workers has disappeared. No blood, no body, no records of anyone leaving. Just gone. And that’s not the only mystery either, What’s at the heart of this asteroid in the aether? What do the weird events around the base have to do with it? Who, if anyone can be trusted? And can your crew make it out alive?

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

Categories
Program

The Moonlit Fireplace Experience

PRESENTED BY: Wild Snowman’s Workshop LLC

An interactive storytelling experiences in an immersive environment. Experience a fully dressed, animated set as well as a gift shop with handmade art.

The Moonlit Fireplace Experience

  • A one-of-a-kind fantasy/science-fiction story with a timed interactive logic puzzle
  • Just under 10 minutes duration at $10 per group’s attempt.
  • Handmade animated fireplace (contains no real fire or smoke)
  • Contained within a 8’x8’x12′ tent
  • For all ages

Located near the Main Stage in the North Exhibitors Hallway.

See the Current Program

Buy Your Discount Exposition Tickets

Chicago Steampunk Exposition

Categories
Exposition Updates

Six Weeks until the Exposition!

Only SIX 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

This week 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 SIX 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 Three

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 . . .