May 25, 2016
The Morris Arboretum will host the 2016 Steampunk Expo on June 12, with a full day of events throughout the garden. An aerial dance performance, a suffragette-era self-defense class and an antique technology exhibit are only a few of the scheduled activities.
Steampunk, which started as a subgenre of science fiction, is a creative movement that has been growing in popularity. Retro-futuristic is one way to describe the aesthetic.
Victorian Britain or the American Wild West is used as inspiration, then made futuristic or post-apocalyptic. Reimagined 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery inspires literature, fashion, music and engineering in the steampunk community.
Dress up in a real-world representation of the clothing found in steampunk literature and prepare for a day of performances and demonstrations at the expo, along with a chance to win a fashion contest.
The day's events begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Look out for The Museum of Interesting Things, a traveling exhibition of antique technology, that will be on site and spontaneous aerial shows throughout the day from Secret Circus.
Attendees can also stroll between four different locations in the arboretum's Victorian Gardens for different performances or take a Victorian self-defense class.
Check Morris Arboretum's website for the full schedule of events. The expo is free with general admission to the arboretum.
