Susan de Guardiola is a social dance historian and teacher who researches and teaches vernacular social dance from the 16th to the 20th centuries in between teaching workshops across the United States and running Victorian balls.  She reviews F&SF, historical and paranormal romance, and historical fiction for Publishers Weekly and blogs about dance history at Capering and Kickery and historical fancy
dress (masquerade) costumes.

A newcomer to World’s Fair, Samara began bellydancing in the summer of 2006 and has never looked back. She blends her strong tribal background with a rich fusion of folkloric and gothic bellydance, hip-hop, breakdance, flamenco, classical and modern Indian dance, West African dance, steampunk aesthetics and sensuous musicality. In addition to studying and dancing with teachers Neylan and Tempest in Providence RI, Samara teaches the occasional class of her own. Also in 2006 she launched her professional living statue career, quickly becoming a regular sight at the Waterfire festival in Providence. Since then she has been spotted as a variety of enchantingly immobile characters at a broad range of events all over New England, both independently and as a performer for Ten31 Productions, a worldwide leader in living art installations. In what free time she has left she is earning a Master’s Degree in Theatre Education.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChudZhG1dX0

Brigid Ashwood‘s art could be described as Contemporary Figurative Mythic Surrealism. But the artist prefers to describe her work this way: “I paint steampunk bugs, clockwork dolls, fairytales & vinyl toys. I seek to reinterpret mythic and fairytale worlds and heroines for a modern audience.” A contemporary artist exploring classic themes through a Sci-Fi lens, Brigid’s influences and technique is well rooted in traditional mediums such as oil paint and silverpoint.  She also works in the luminous tones of the digital palette; merging the labored craft of portraiture with the flexibility of modern mediums. Brigid’s work is known globally and has been featured in exhibits around the country as well in books and international magazines. Her originals are collected by notable authors, musicians, actors and CEOs. Brigid’s images have been licensed for a variety of products sold worldwide. She resides in Maryland in a 246 year old house with her husband & daughter, and four aggravating yet lovable pets. In her spare time she writes for GeekMom.com and haunts Twitter under the handle Skwerlgrrl.

New Jersey’s favorite burlesque society, the White Elephant Burlesque Society, returns to the World’s Fair with gears galore and collaborates with Cosplay Burlesque!  WE intends to repeat last year’s success with Cosplay Burlesque and pack the audience to standing room only again! WEBS, headlined by Viktor Devonne and Femme Fae La Butche, are a staple of the Wicked Faire community and are amongst its longest running participants; and have been notable ecdysiasts for fetish, subculture, and cabaret events in NJ, NYC, Upstate NY, and Philadelphia areas since 2006. Cosplay Burlesque was founded in early 2008 by Victoria Belmont who saw the need for conventions to offer their adult patrons the pageantry of cosplaying and the spectacle that is burlesque.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X6lsi6-iio