As Guests are announced their photo and bio will appear below (although we really like the whole menagerie feel going on).
David Lee is an artist at Hatton Cross Steampunk, located in Gloucester Virginia. His art has been featured in numerous exhibits at conventions, festivals and art galleries throughout 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 is currently producing and staring in a new Steampunk maker TV show entitled “HCS Creates” (in production). 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 dedicated to publishing high quality, great stories. He is the author of the novel “Country in Ruin:1865", novella “The Tale of Harlesden Chessington” and short story in the HCS anthology “Steam & Steel: Thirteen Riveting Tales”. David is a contributing "DIY" author for many publications, has been featured in numerous books about Steampunk fashion and costuming.
Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, playwright, ghost tour guide, and award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 16 novels and non-fiction books. A licensed NYC tour guide working for Boroughs of the Dead, Leanna has been featured on TV shows like Mysteries at the Museum and Beyond the Unknown discussing Victorian Spiritualism. She gives lectures and theatrical presentations around the country at prestigious institutions such as New York University, Miami University, Morbid Anatomy and more, focusing on paranormal themes and 19th century women’s history.
Sharon Rose is a Pennsylvanian cosplayer, published author, artist, plus-size model, comics lover and all-around geek girl recognized for her award-winning EVA foam armor and paint detailing. Her work has been showcased in Marvel’s digital series Marvel Becoming: Captain Marvel, on the cover of Cosplay Culture magazine and in numerous geek culture media, including Marvel.com and SciFiNow. As a Plaid FX® product ambassador and an administrator for SheProp! (a safe-space prop and costuming forum for marginalized genders — female identifying, two-spirit, nonbinary and trans cosplayers, makers and artists), she loves to encourage creativity and teach others to find joy in crafting their fandoms.
Michael Parodi is the proprietor and master artist of Master Creations, Enterprises located in Hayes, Virginia. He and his team have received multiple accolades and awards for his costumes, props and vehicles at numerous conventions from across the United States. He is also a member of the Hatton Cross Steampunk family.
He retired from the Army after 30 years of military service. Now he spends much of his time on a variety of projects using several mediums from latex to metalwork as well as wood, material and plastic. He uses just about anything that comes to mind or within reach. His interests and techniques fluctuate depending on the project and the whims of his muse as well as the “needs” of the project he’s working on at the time. He usually work on multiple projects at a time. He’s a master at building electric and gas powered vehicles of every shape and size as well as large, complex costumes
He loves history and the perspective it gives us of the world we live in. He is especially drawn to Steampunk because the Victorian aesthetic engenders the fond memories he has watching the movies and reading the books he loved the most in his youth. He has traveled all over the world and immersed himself into various cultures. He believes that his experiences and knowledge allows him to bring an extraordinary level of inventive detail to his creations.
He also loves sharing my experience to help others achieve their visions as well. He loves to help people reach beyond what they see as their “limitations” whether they be physical or a belief that they could never do what he does. One of his mottos is: “If you think you can’t, you won’t” If you believe you can, you will.”
He retired from the Army after 30 years of military service. Now he spends much of his time on a variety of projects using several mediums from latex to metalwork as well as wood, material and plastic. He uses just about anything that comes to mind or within reach. His interests and techniques fluctuate depending on the project and the whims of his muse as well as the “needs” of the project he’s working on at the time. He usually work on multiple projects at a time. He’s a master at building electric and gas powered vehicles of every shape and size as well as large, complex costumes
He loves history and the perspective it gives us of the world we live in. He is especially drawn to Steampunk because the Victorian aesthetic engenders the fond memories he has watching the movies and reading the books he loved the most in his youth. He has traveled all over the world and immersed himself into various cultures. He believes that his experiences and knowledge allows him to bring an extraordinary level of inventive detail to his creations.
He also loves sharing my experience to help others achieve their visions as well. He loves to help people reach beyond what they see as their “limitations” whether they be physical or a belief that they could never do what he does. One of his mottos is: “If you think you can’t, you won’t” If you believe you can, you will.”
Those guards are going to be all sorts of pissed when they find out they've been following a bunny rabbit.
James Neathery is an artist, maker, and stand-up comedian from Nashville, TN. He began working on small leather projects as a hobby in early 2011, focusing on steampunk and dieselpunk. Since then, James has moved from small leather projects into other areas such as armor, electronics, metalwork, and fabrication, but he is probably best known for his hand crafted leather watches.
Calamity Dawn of Calamity Labs has been bartending professionally for over 10 years while presenting booze panels at events during most of her career. She has also been a regional finalist in over 15 competitions!! During her storied career Calamity Dawn has had the opportunity to serve drinks and share her joy of cocktail culture to some of the finest people in the world. She very much hopes to see all of you!
Tony is a modern day Renaissance man, a veritable Jack of all trades. His skills encompass a wide range from the athletic to the artistic, combining such activities as swordplay, martial arts, and archery with modeling, costuming, and theatre, both on stage and on screen.
Tony works diligently to promote authenticity and being true to one's self in all avenues of life. He encourages others to embrace their "inner geek" whether it be in Dungeons and Dragons, alternative relationships, or cosplay.
Tony is an avid traveler, tea specialist & gamer and is always on the search for new friends, experiences, and adventures.
Tony works diligently to promote authenticity and being true to one's self in all avenues of life. He encourages others to embrace their "inner geek" whether it be in Dungeons and Dragons, alternative relationships, or cosplay.
Tony is an avid traveler, tea specialist & gamer and is always on the search for new friends, experiences, and adventures.
Erik and Ré Teague are a dynamic duo armed with scissors and thread. Based in Alexandria, VA, this happily married Designer and Technician team create custom clothing and costume items for Theatre, Opera and Special Occasions. While their collective work spans multiple style genres, they both have a great love of Dark Victoriana and have found a stylistic home within the Steampunk community. Whether clad as glamourous Ravens, fantastical Cryptids, or militaristic Hussars, you have likely seen them previously haunting the halls of Key City Steampunk with their cosplay group The Gentlemonsters. Key City has been a yearly tradition and they are thrilled to bring more sartorial excitement to this year’s event. Their theatre work has been seen with such companies as The Glimmerglass Opera (NY), The Atlanta Opera (GA), The Washington National Opera (DC), Signature Theatre (DC), Arena Stage (DC) and many companies in between. Whether you have seen their work in person or on stage, they are a pair who are passionate about the art of all things costume.
Love is not love, without a violin playing goat.