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Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival 2025

Arts and Entertainment

February 16, 2025

From: Tell-Tale Steampunk Festival

Schedule of Events:

March 29, 2025

11:00 am: Telltale Steampunk Festival

Join us at the Telltale Steampunk Festival in Baltimore for a weekend of Victorian-inspired fun on March 29-30, 2025!

Welcome to the family-friendly Telltale Steampunk Festival in Baltimore, Maryland! Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where Victorian era meets futuristic technology. Join us on March 29-30, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North – Pikesville for a weekend filled with all things Steampunk.

Experience a variety of activities including workshops, panels, cosplay contests, and live performances from talented steampunk enthusiasts. Browse through the vendor booths to find unique steampunk fashion, accessories, and gadgets. This year’s theme is Mary Shelley vs Brahm Stoker – who do you think brought the most to fantasy/science fiction?

Whether you’re a seasoned steampunk aficionado or just curious about the genre, the Telltale Steampunk Festival is the perfect place to celebrate creativity, innovation, and community. Mark your calendars and join us for a weekend of fun and adventure!

11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Mary Shelley: The Intricate Riddle of Life

Mary Shelley was the daughter of social revolutionaries William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, wife of romantic poet Percy Shelly, and mother of Frankenstein and his monster. But beneath the sweeping romantic tale of love unbound by societal convention and a life of travel, is the truth of the life of Mary Shelley; abandoned, disowned, and betrayed, wounded by the deaths of husband and children, she was besieged by creditors and so-called friends. We call on Mary Shelley in the spring of 1848. Mary is financially secure at last, her most recent book has been well received, and her only living son is on the verge of marriage.

This performance is approximately 45 minutes in length and composed from Mary Shelley’s letters, journals, and published works. The performance is followed by a question and answer session.

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm:  Make Some Tea With CTT!

Join Kylene Roberts of Clockwise Tea Traders to make an ounce of your very own tea blend! Participants start with a base of black tea and add inclusions from the variety of selections available to complete their creation. Weigh, label, and seal it, and your tea blend is ready to enjoy at your leisure. Afterwards, stop back by the booth to peruse our blends on offer.

12:30 pm: Copper Bookmark Workshop

In this walk through style workshop, you’ll emboss your bookmark with poetry script before a dipping it in a sulphur bath to blacken it and shine the words back up. You’ll add a black tassel and choose from an array of themed charms including ravens, quills, and tell tale hearts.

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm: Make-believe Mineralogy: Steampunk Edition!

From the Arkenstone to Kyber Crystals, games and fiction are full of tempting, shiny objects mined out of the earth for power, glory, or adornment. Join jeweler and rockhound Meredith Bare on a romp through her collection to find out what’s real, what’s not, what’s somewhere in-between, and WHY WE DO NOT LICK THE ROCKS TO I.D. THEM (anymore). Hands-on items in the Steampunk Edition include Gem-grade Dinosaur Bone, Uranium Glass, Elephant Ivory, and other steampunk-adjacent oddities for fellow terminally curious bystanders.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Ultimate Werewolf-Trapped in Frankenstein’s Castle with Josh Widdowson

You and several others have made the trek to Frankenstein’s castle for various reasons, but not everything is as it seems. Game master Josh Widdowson will lead participants from the audience through a game of Ultimate Werewolf, as the participants tell a story of dread, horror and suspense through the machinations of the game. Will the innocent villagers be able to see the light of day and escape the castle, or will the werewolves devour them all? This is where OUR story begins!

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Miss Lala’s Perfectly Horrible Story Time

Children of all ages, Miss Lala implores you to attend her story time where she will read picture books of questionable repute, teach you how to do appalling tricks with your appendages, allow you to squish another person’s organs, and relate a tale so squeamish that it will be forevermore branded into your memory. But fear not, gentle reader! Miss Lala would never frighten the mild hearted, now would she? All of her gaieties meet the strict standards of the Obrenheim Society.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Bloody Good High Tea for Best Friends of Edgar

Grab your Best Friends of Edgar ticket and enjoy an exclusive perk: High Tea with the gracious hostess, Baroness Alexandria, and special guest Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker and an international best-selling co-author. Savor a selection of “bloody good” tea and delightful treats at this unforgettable event!

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm: Craft Your Own Leather Apothecary Cuff

Choose your remedy or poison and make a bold statement with your own custom apothecary cuff! Join expert leatherworker Donald Dodson in this hands-on workshop, where you’ll learn the art of crafting an essential steampunk accessory.

What to Expect:

-Guided assembly and crafting of your cuff.-
-Tips and tricks for leatherworking from a seasoned artisan.
-A unique accessory to complement your steampunk ensemble.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Art on playing cards

Unleash your creativity and turn an ordinary playing card into a tiny masterpiece! Using collage, paint, and stencils, you’ll transform a playing card into a one-of-a-kind work of art.

All supplies provided, including scissors.
Small supply fee required.

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm: Stoker on Stoker Multi Media Presentation

Dacre Stoker’s compelling and informative Keynote presentation, Stoker on Stoker, the Mysteries Behind the Research and Writing of Dracula, weaves together the details of Dracula’s history with Stoker family lore, and Bram Stoker’s life in Dublin and London, then separates fact from popular fiction, revealing the truth about all things Stoker and Dracula.  Stoker on Stoker has fascinated audiences around the world, exploring the issues behind the mysteries that have baffled Dracula scholars and fans since the book’s publication in 1897. Illustrated with Dacre’s collection of never before published, and seldom-seen historic images.

Including these topics:

-Bram Stokers notes for the writing of Dracula
-Books Bram used for his research from the London Library
-The Dracula Typescript
-Real locations Bram chose to include in Dracula
-The location of Bram’s fictional Castle Dracula and other sites mentioned in Transylvania
-Bram’s summer holiday in Whitby in 1890 how he incorporated real sites in chapters 6, 7, 8 if Dracula.
-Bram in Cruden Bay Scotland, where he wrote parts of Dracula
-Dr William Thornley Stoker functioned as Bram’s medical advisor to insure accuracy in his writing of Dracula.
-Bram’s connections to Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Fun With Electronics

Join Michael Lake for an introduction to essential electronic tools and techniques, including wiring, repurposing affordable toys and decorations, and sourcing materials to create fantastical and imaginative costumes, cosplay accessories, and decorative items.

6:15 pm - 7:15 pm: Pictionary Air-ship

Challenge your intellect and artistic flair! Join Louis Wolf (Unlockable Content) for a digital Pictionary game with a unique steampunk twist.

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: An Assembly of Monsters: The Unveiling

And the tradition lives on with another Forgotten Lore anthology! (Yes… it’s officially an annual event.) Following in the eerie footsteps of A Cast of Crows and A Cry of Hounds, we invite you to the grand unveiling of the latest collection—An Assembly of Monsters!

Meet the brilliant authors behind these haunting tales and hear their stories told in their own words. Savor light refreshments, enter to win fantastic prizes, and gather with fellow literary fiends for a delightfully macabre and unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this monstrous celebration of the written word

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Cons against Humanity

Join Unlockable Content for a convention-themed twist on the classic fill-in-the-blank game, where your awkward personality and lackluster social skills turn into pure fun and chaos!

8:00 pm - 9:15 pm: Ragtime to Riches: Pop Music Before the Radio

Pop music is often thought of as a modern affair, but with the rise of sheet music and the proliferation of pianos it was, in fact, a product of the late 1800s! Explore the origins and history of mass produced music, with sheet music clips and auditory examples of waltzes, opera, tango, ragtime, blues, and gospel music — the roots of Jazz, RnB, and Pop music as we came to know it.

8:30 pm - 9:45 pm: The Dracula Séance

Step into the eerie world of Transylvanian legend with The Dracula Séance, an immersive evening led by renowned paranormalist Vince Wilson. In this spine-chilling experience, Vince will guide guests in summoning the spirit of Vlad Tepes, the infamous ruler who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Centered around a black river rock taken from the historic Olt River, which flows through the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania, the séance blends ancient ritual, atmospheric candlelight, and spirit communication tools to connect with one of history’s most enigmatic figures. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the supernatural, where history and legend converge in a ritualistic exploration of the unknown.

9:30 pm - 10:30 pm: Night Watch Paradox

Set sail on a sonic adventure! The musical equivalent of reading Treasure Island, Night Watch Paradox takes you on an immersive journey filled with storytelling and song. Join them aboard their imaginary, steam-powered airship as they traverse time and space, blending music and adventure in a performance like no other.

Don’t miss this unforgettable experience—where the audience becomes part of the tale!

March 30, 2025

11:00 am: Telltale Steampunk Festival

Join us at the Telltale Steampunk Festival in Baltimore for a weekend of Victorian-inspired fun on March 29-30, 2025!

Welcome to the family-friendly Telltale Steampunk Festival in Baltimore, Maryland! Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where Victorian era meets futuristic technology. Join us on March 29-30, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North – Pikesville for a weekend filled with all things Steampunk.

Experience a variety of activities including workshops, panels, cosplay contests, and live performances from talented steampunk enthusiasts. Browse through the vendor booths to find unique steampunk fashion, accessories, and gadgets. This year’s theme is Mary Shelley vs Brahm Stoker – who do you think brought the most to fantasy/science fiction?

Whether you’re a seasoned steampunk aficionado or just curious about the genre, the Telltale Steampunk Festival is the perfect place to celebrate creativity, innovation, and community. Mark your calendars and join us for a weekend of fun and adventure!

12:30 pm: Copper Bookmark Workshop

In this walk through style workshop, you’ll emboss your bookmark with poetry script before a dipping it in a sulphur bath to blacken it and shine the words back up. You’ll add a black tassel and choose from an array of themed charms including ravens, quills, and tell tale hearts.

Supply fee $13

12:00 am - 1:00 pm: Unravel the Shadows in Dracula’s Descendant

Uncover the chilling truth in Vince Wilson’s Haunted Murder Mystery: Dracula’s Descendant! Among the unsuspecting guests lies the descendant of Dracula, harboring a dark and dangerous secret. As eerie events unfold and supernatural forces stir, it’s up to you to piece together the clues, expose the dhampir, and confront the haunting legacy of the world’s most infamous vampire. Will you unmask the heir to Dracula’s dark throne, or will the shadow of his bloodline claim its next victim? Immerse yourself in this thrilling evening of mystery, deception, and suspense!

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Beyond Frankenstein: The Further works of Mary Shelley

Join Debra Miller, actress and author of Historical Women of Letters for an overview of the subsequent novels written by the mother of science fiction. This one hour presentation will begin with a brief timeline of Mary Shelley’s life, her influences, and an overview of her published works, with an emphasis on her other six novels.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Bloody Good High Tea for Best Friends of Edgar – Sunday

Grab your Best Friends of Edgar ticket and enjoy an exclusive perk: High Tea with the gracious hostess, Baroness Alexandria, and special guest Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker and an international best-selling co-author. Savor a selection of “bloody good” tea and delightful treats at this unforgettable event!

2:15 pm - 3:45 pm: Dacre Stoker, Dissecting Dracula in 30 Documents an In Person hands on Workshop

Join Dacre Stoker, great grandnephew of Dracula author Bram Stoker,  as he facilitates an investigative session using copies of rare papers borrowed from libraries and archives around the world. Dacre will lead 20-30  attendees into a hands on 75 min session of discovery into his famous relatives life, his research and writing of Dracula in 30 documents.  As participants examine copies of these rare papers and offers their opinions, Dacre leads the group to better understand how each of these papers fit together like a puzzle. Results include revealing the missing first three chapters of Dracula as well as the deleted ending of the classic novel.

Date: March 29, 2025 - March 30, 2025

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North - 1726 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

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