Steampunks Set to “Save the Future”

Queen Victoria, or a reasonable facsimile, is “Coming from the Past to Save the Future” at the third Atlanta Steampunk Expo, scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody. Her appearance will be part of a back story in which she has traveled to a post-apocalyptic future with a group of steampunks in an effort rebuild civilization.

Joining the festivities will be Literary Guest of Honor K.W. Jeter, the author who coined the term “steampunk” in 1987. Other guests include makers Thomas Willeford, Dave Lee, and Stephen Chapman; and cosplay expert Paige Gardner. Valentine Wolfe and DJ Spyder will provide musical entertainment.

Most of the action happens on Saturday, with concurrent presentations in four meeting rooms. Some will be tied to the post-apocalyptic theme, including “Surviving the Apocalypse,” “Living in a Post-Apocalyptic World,” and “High Fashion in the Wastelands.” Other panels will focus on Victorian culture, steampunk costuming, maker techniques, and literary topics. On Saturday night, the program will take a racier turn with “After Dark” sessions on “Victorian Vulgarities,” “Post-Apocalyptic Lingerie,” “Leaving Victorian Morality Behind,” and more.

The schedule also includes tea dueling, parasol dueling, teapot racing, a costume contest, a birthday ball for the Queen, and “Hamster Wars” featuring mechanical hamsters in steampunk outfits.

Valentine Wolfe will present two musical performances: Their standard show on Friday night, followed by a set inspired by Edgar Allan Poe on Saturday.

The expo runs from Friday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $50 for a full weekend pass and $40 for a day pass. Weekend passes can be purchased at the door or through Brown Paper Tickets. Day passes will be available only at the door.

It all takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. It’s on the city’s northern perimeter.

See the Facebook page for updates, including links to the full schedule.

Update: This article originally listed Aela Badiana as one of the scheduled guests. She will be unable to attend.