Unwoman (AKA Erica Mulkey) performed at the first Chicago Steampunk Exposition back in 2019 and we are excited to see her return to the Exposition this June. She is a San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter. Layered with skillful cello, rich vocals, and beats, her music is a darkly futuristic homage to her classical training. Her song “The Heroine” was the weather in Welcome to Night Vale’s “Triptych” episode. Vintage Tomorrows, a feature documentary about steampunk, includes that song and other footage of Unwoman. Unwoman has performed solo at major steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events all over the United States. Most live solo shows use electric cello played standing up, and live-looping accompaniment. She has also collaborated with Amanda Palmer, Abney Park, Stripmall Architecture, Voltaire, Rasputina, Jill Tracy, Vernian Process, Caustic, Anthony Jones, Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, and Attrition.
If you are huge fan of Unwoman, you should consider purchasing the Unwoman VIP Ticket. A few VIP tickets remain available! Join Gail Carriger, Leanna Renee Hieber, or musical artist Unwoman for VIP cocktails on Friday, sit at their banquet table on Saturday, and share a spot of High Tea with them on Sunday, plus a number of other great advantages that come with the VIP packages.
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 and final schedule online by mid-April, 2026.
Exposition Exhibitors
This week we featured:
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
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- 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 . . .
- Our NEW newsletter!
- Exhibitor updates!
- Programming updates!
