The Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention (WWWC) returns this weekend to Tucson, Arizona, with “Steampunk Halloween” as the theme.
Set for March 20-24 at the Casino Del Sol resort, it’s one of the largest steampunk conventions in the U.S., offering a program with multiple tracks of panels and workshops along with entertainment, gaming, a fashion show, dueling competitions, and lots more.
One highlight will be a concert featuring Marquis of Vaudeville, the theatrical “punk-cabaret” alt-rock band from Dallas, along with Madam Misfit. The concert, scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., requires a separate $45 ticket and is open to fans who are not attending the convention.
This will be the second U.S. appearance for Madam Misfit, the electro-swing chap hop performer from the U.K. (Her first appearance was last summer at the Key City Steampunk Convention in Pennsylvania.)
Other special guests include Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter, who will preside over compliment dueling, splendid teapot racing, and Western Territorial Tea Dueling.
Tea dueling sessions are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, culminating in the Grand Finale where winners from earlier matchups will compete in a final bout.
The tea ambassadors, as they are sometimes known, will also serve as MCs for the “Tricks & Treats” drag and burlesque show on Friday evening. This event will require a separate $20 ticket.
More Highlights
• The WWWC Fashion Show, 1 p.m. Saturday, with Count and Countess Chaos as MCs.
• Fire performances by Steampunk Xena, on Thursday and Saturday night in the lawn area by the pool.
• Nerf dueling with two different sets of rules: American rules on Saturday and OK Corral rules on Sunday.
• Western Territorial Parasol Dueling on Sunday, led by Danaus & Sidonne, the “Steampunk Lady Scientists.”
• Three classes on foam fabrication led by maker guest Charles Mason.
• Three classes led by celebrity cosplayer Sarah Spaceman, in her first-ever appearance at a steampunk convention.
• An author Q&A on Sunday with Jeremy Reynolds, David Lee Summers, Leanna Renee Hieber, and Charity Saraceni. Hieber will also discuss ghost stories and present a theatrical reading during a session on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
• The Crow Exchange, a new event in which participants trade tiny steampunk trinkets.
• A steampunk Swap Meet on Sunday at 8 a.m.
Other featured presenters include mixologist Calamity Dawn, artist/musician Thom Truelove, steampunk cosplayer A.S.G.A.R.D., and steampunk documentarian Kevin Steil, aka the Airship Ambassador.
Weekend passes cost $85 for adults and $10 for kids (ages 8-14). Day passes and VIP passes are also available.
Learn more on the WWWC website. It includes a downloadable version of the program guide.
