
RECENTLY ADDED
GuestS










Featured Guests ★ Artists ★ Authors ★ Vendors ★ Performers ★ In-House
Cancellations


Featured GuestS
CALAMITY DAWN
mixologist • (she/her)
Calamity Dawn is a beloved staple of the Midwest Steampunk scene. As a bartender and mixologist with over a decade of experience "slinging drinks," Calamity has earned the title Master Elixir Mixer. Her brand of wit and humor, flare for history, and devious skill at concocting beverages of the adult variety make her a true delight at any event. Whether you have encountered her at her homebase D20 : A Bar With Characters, or at events such as Teslacon, the International Steampunk Symposium, or our last ASE, you will agree this fine and felicitous maven of the beverage arts is always ready to entertain.
TATTOOED SANTA
maker, cosplayer • (he/him/Santa)
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus... Stephen Taylor (AKA: The Tattooed Santa) is a father of 12 (9 by adoption), and has been crafting armor from leather, chain maille, and scale maille for 15+ years. This master artist has taught courses at Tandy Leather and been a favorite guest at other Southeastern conventions such as Dragon Con. His meticulous eye for detail and his warm heart shows in everything he does, which makes him a wonderful teacher for both old and young (and young at heart). Whether you are being awed by his amazing costumery or warmed by his mischievous giggle, it is always a singular pleasure being in the presence of this convention titan.
DAVE LEE
maker, author • (he/him)
Dave Lee is an artist at Hatton Cross Steampunk, located in Mathews Virginia. His art has been featured in numerous exhibits at conventions, festivals and art galleries in the US, Europe and New Zealand. A highlight for David has been to play the Steampunk Darth Vader in “Trial of the Mask” and “Mask of Vengeance”, two Steampunk Star Wars fan films from Unruly Mile Films. He manages the YouTube channel “HCS Creates” where he has been known to build a thing or two and eat a gross thing or two. He has played a supporting role and prop maker for the TV series (in production) “Paradox City”. David is most recognized for his large props and Steampunk vehicles. He is the founder and owner of HCS Publishing, a non-profit publishing house. He is the author of the novel “Country in Ruin:1865", novella “The Tale of Harlesden Chessington” and several short stories. David is a contributing "DIY" author for many publications and has been featured in numerous books about Steampunk fashion and costuming. He once spent a year in silence just to better understand the sound of a whisper.

COMING SOON...
next guest announcement 1/02!
More guest announcements are forthcoming – keep checking back for the latest to join us at "Steampunks in Spaaace!"
MICHAEL PARODI
maker, author • (he/him)
Michael Parodi is a true to life airship commander. Countless hours of Michael’s youth were spent watching classic movies like “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, and “The Time Machine.” When not engrossed with the small black and white screen, he was enthralled with the novels and short stories of HG Wells, Jules Verne, Frank Herbert and others. These great works fostered Michael with a vivid imagination, and he discovered at an early age that he also had a talent for costuming. Now, after over 50 years of passion and dedication, he has become an aficionado of fantasy and science fiction. Michael’s interests and techniques fluctuate depending on the project and the whims of his muse. Drawing on his experiences traveling around the world, and immersing himself in various cultures - he brings an extraordinary level of inventive detail to his creations. He is the proprietor and master artist of Master Creations Enterprises, Inc. located in Hayes, Virginia. He is also a member of the Hatton Cross Steampunk family. He has published multiple short stories, completed two novels and is currently working on a third. As always, he continues to create wondrous contraptions and marvelous costumes.
In-House PresenterS
CAPTAIN BILLBILL
con chair • (he/him)
As a young nerd, Captain Billbill was drawn to the crowds at Dragon Con. A volunteer for many years, he always enjoyed the costumes, and when the first Steampunk group appeared on the back deck of the Hyatt hotel they blew him away. Joined by his wife, a skilled costumer, their creative minds got to work. Bedecked in her glorious costumes, Captain Billbill created the Venusian Airship Pirate Trading Company, transforming toy guns into steampunk creations (as of this date he has made over 1400). Bill has traveled and vended at conventions such as Dragon Con, Chattacon, the International Steampunk Symposium in Cincinatti, and Teslacon. This will be his 5th year running ASE (7th including the years lost to COVID).
ALETA PARDALIS
costuming • (she/they)
Aleta Pardalis has been designing and creating costumes for over 20 years. She has been a guest and panelist for the last decade at events around the country and helped organize panels and workshops for events. In addition, she has recently put on a baking hat and apron to start Aleta's Alchemy in Florida where she sells gourmet cookies.

GABBY ISABEL
vice chair • (she/her)
Gabby Isabel has been performing, presenting, and volunteering at various conventions and community events for nearly a decade. As a craftswoman and artist, she established Grey Street Magpie in 2011 as a seller of fine leather goods, jewelry, armor (including chain maille and plate metal), and various and sundry costume and functional apparel. She has performed as a singer at conventions such as Dragon Con, frequently MCs events across the country, and has taught workshops and classes for all age ranges. Gabby's passion is building community spaces, and as a volunteer and community leader she always puts a focus on safety and accessibility in all her presentations.
JASON MERRILL
programming director • (he/him)
Jason R. Merrill is a Sr. Software Engineer by day who somehow also finds the time to run Blackbird Finery (A purveyor of Vintage Gentlemen's Accessories). A fixture of the Atlanta convention scene for over 30 years, he's been making it a much better dressed one for over 20 of them. He has hosted formal events at conventions like Anime Weekend Atlanta, Dragon Con, & The Atlanta Steampunk Expo. He's been featured on podcasts such as "Stuff You Missed in History Class" and spoken at events like TeslaCon, Wild Wild West Con, 221BCon, and COGS Expo. His presentations include talks on historical men's fashion, period etiquette, antique and vintage accessories, as well as his latest obsession, one hundred year old soda fountain formulas. He is the host of the Gothic Heroine Book Club which has now had meetings in Georgia, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania and is expanding all the time.
DIANNA VALDEZ
fabrication • (she/her)
Dianna Valdez is a maker, designer and cosplayer that specializes in machine assisted design. From 3D printing to laser engraving and CNC milling she uses her self learned skills with machines to develop fantastical creations that span all genres and fandoms and into the practical world. Her skills also extend into electronic design and creation to add lights, sound and movement to wearable props and inventions. She has 23 years of experience in the costuming world as well as experience educating at events and online. Now an LGBTQ+ inclusive business owner, she runs her own 3D fabrication lab and Audio Video company.
THE CHAMELEON
lifestyles programming • (they/them)
Hailing from a background as multifaceted as their name, The Chameleon spins it all together for performing and teaching. They have been in the books, behind the scenes, and on the boards for over 30 years. Twenty of those years have been devoted to their “wife,” Burlesque. They have taught workshops and hosted panels on the pin-up lifestyle, compassionate cosplay, and their 7 Virtues of Burlesque philosophy, toured the US & Canada, performed at DragonCon as a part of the burlesque shows and with The Last Dance, was Creative Loafing's People's Choice Best Burlesque Performer in '06, and chosen in '07 as an alternate for the Burlesque Hall of Fame's Best Debut category as the well-known fan dancer, Diamond Ice. They are a founding member of Angel Action Atlanta, now the executive director and DeathWalker who is spearheading their queer dying and death care outreach program, Your Legacy project.