Atlanta Steampunk Exposition Returns This Weekend With “Atlantis” Theme

The Atlanta Steampunk Exposition (ASE) will be back this weekend after a hiatus of nearly two-and-a-half years, and a host of steampunk personalities will help lead the festivities, including some who are new to the convention. This is the fourth edition of the event, which will have a “Steampunk Atlantis” theme.

Featured guests include Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter along with David Lee, Wheeler Stone, Tobias McCurry, Paige Gardner, Brian and Sheila Fadrosh, and comic book publisher InSymmetry Creations. They’ll join other speakers and performers in a program that includes panels, gaming, tea dueling, a costume contest, a design competition, and make-and-take workshops.

Among the highlights:

• A Georges Méliès mini film festival with live musical accompaniment by gothic metal duo Valentine Wolfe. They’ll also present a Saturday evening concert.

• Panels on costuming, prop making, leather craft, history, literature, steampunk culture, and other topics.

• The “Treasures of the Deep” formal ball on Friday night.

• A Saturday night dance party with DJ Spider.

• A “Youth Academy” with programming geared toward kids.

• “ASE After Dark,” with content for mature audiences.

The full schedule is posted on the website.

Atlantean Theme

The “Steampunk Atlantis” theme continues a storyline from earlier gatherings. “Queen Victoria, in her wisdom, decided for nefarious reasons to have a base in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean—an undersea dome—and then a Kraken came along and damaged the dome,” explains convention director Bill Harrison. The dome covers the lost city of Atlantis.

The story will be presented during the opening ceremonies and prior to the costume contest on Saturday afternoon. “We have some surprises in store,” Harrison promises.

Attendees can help protect the dome by designing a Kraken neutralization device. “Her Royal Majesty’s Kraken Neutralization Competition” is open to handmade devices that can be operated by a single person in long-range combat with the sea monster.

“With respect for our host hotel (and a desire to be asked back next year), we understand it would be rather difficult to fully recreate a device capable of traveling nautical meters, and ask that you rely on storytelling to describe how your weapon works,” the rules state.

Covid Precautions

The organizers are offering free rapid Covid tests on-site, and a negative test result—or proof of your own recent negative test result—will be required for entry. Proof of vaccination is not required, but the organizers are still encouraging attendees to be vaccinated. Masks will be required unless you’re seated to eat or drink.

See the convention’s Covid-19 policy for details.

Tickets and Location

It all takes place Feb. 11-13 at the Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody on the city’s northern outskirts. Adult weekend passes cost $65. Day passes cost $25 for Friday, $40 for Saturday, and $30 for Sunday. Access to the vendor area is free, but patrons will still be required to take the Covid test.

Previous conventions were held in the fall, but Harrison expects the move to February to be permanent. That’s due in part to the demise of AnachroCon, an Atlanta-area fan convention traditionally held around this time. “They have graciously folded over into us,” he says. “We have their blessing to be on their dates.”

One advantage, he says, is that the convention calendar tends to be less crowded in February.

Learn more on the website and Facebook page.