WWWC Returns to Tucson as New Event Launches in Louisiana

The Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention (WWWC) returns to Tucson, Arizona this weekend with a “Steampunk Roaring 20’s” theme and a guest roster that includes K.W. Jeter – the author who coined the term “steampunk” – as well as steampunk artist Bruce Rosenbaum and many others. Meanwhile, the first-ever Louisiana World Steampunk Exposition is also happening in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The WWWC is one of the largest paid-attendance steampunk gatherings in the U.S. This year’s edition will offer an extensive program with panels, workshops, meet-and-greets, a fashion show, costume contest, drag and burlesque show, film festival, teapot racing, and more.

Panels will cover a diverse range of topics including cosplay, maker techniques, writing techniques, history, and pop culture.

Attendees will also have opportunities to demonstrate their competitive skills in Western Territorial Tea Dueling, Western Territorial Parasol Dueling, Compliment Dueling, British Rules Nerf Dueling, and Wild West Nerf Dueling. Madam Askew and The Grand Arbiter will lead tea dueling and compliment dueling along with the Cog Match Game, in which attendees try to match the answers of a panel of steampunk personalities.

Jeter and Rosenbaum will each take part in meet and greet sessions. Other special guests include Wheeler Stone, Lord and Lady Towers, Tayliss Forge, Brian and Sheila Fadrosh, Tobias McCurry, Charles Mason, Chief Hazzard, The Necrofessor, M.J. Kammueller, Karianne Gottschalk, Leah Blaydon, and J.W. Kinsey, all of whom will also be available for meet and greets.

The full program is posted on the website.

The convention is scheduled for March 9-12 at the Casino Del Sol resort in Tucson. This will be the second WWWC held away from its traditional home at Old Tucson, a theme park and movie studio that was a major draw for previous events.

The facility recently re-opened after being closed for two years, but the convention organizers said they were unable book the event there.

“This year we were excited to possibly return to Old Tucson Studios, and we did a lot of work to get back there,” they wrote last September in a statement on the website and their Facebook page. “Unfortunately for a variety of reasons, we’re not going to be able to make it happen for 2023. While we would love to return there, it’s not in the cards right now.”

See the website and Facebook page for updates.

New Gathering in Louisiana

This weekend will also feature the inaugural Louisiana World Steampunk Exposition, with a program including panels, tea dueling, a costume contest, and facial hair competition. The theme is “The Curse of the Phantom.”

Panels will include sessions in which producers Diana and Brittany Sellers discuss their films Dagon: Troll World Chronicles and Blood Brothers Life Harvest. The former is an animated dark fantasy with a voice cast that includes Tim Curry.

In addition to vendors, the event will feature The Writers’ Block, an area where attendees can meet authors and have books signed. Scheduled authors include C.V. Walter, Kelly Grayson, Mike Stewart, and Loretta Smith.

Stewart, a designer of role-playing games, is also Gaming Special Guest. Lady Luna Loveless will be the Cosplay Special Guest.

Saturday night’s main event is the Steampunk Cabaret & Ball featuring a Phantom of the Opera theme. The New Orleans Steamcog Orchestra will provide musical entertainment with the Shakshuka belly dance troupe also taking the stage.

Convention passes cost $50 for the weekend. Tickets for the Steampunk Cabaret & Ball cost $35, or you can get a VIP pass that includes both for $75. Day passes are also available.

It’s scheduled for March 10-12 at the Home2Suites Parc Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana. The city is about 50 miles west of Baton Rouge. Learn more on the website.