Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Sept. 19, 1996, edition 1 / Page 5
Part of University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
September 19, 1996 The Blue Banner To boldly go where no sane person has gone before Jay Malinoski Staff Writer On Sept. 7 and 8 the Huntsville, Alabama Civic Center became home to the 30th anniver sary Star Trek convention. Spearheaded by the entire cast from both the 1960s series and the first six “Star Trek” films, the entire weekend became a massive celebration in the name of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry. Within the two-day convention, well over 10,000 people made their way to the gala, which featured such trekkie icons as William Shatner (Capt. Kirk), Deforest Kelley (Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), GeorgeTakei (Sulu), NichelleNichols (Uhuru), James Doohan (Scotty), and Walter Koenig (Chekov). Even the next generation of stars from the “Star Trek”spin-offs made appearances: “The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” and “Star Trek Voyager” got into the act, more notably with the weekend’s two hosts John de Lancie of the vaunted “Q”, and Robert Picardo, the holographic doctor from “Voyager.” Among the others to make appearances were Kate Mulgrew (Capt. Janeway of “Voyager”), and Armin Shimerman (the Ferengi bartender Quark of “Deep Space Nine”). Michael Dorn (the Klingon officer Worf of the “Next Generation”), Majel Barrett- Roddenberry (Gene Roddenberry’s wife who incidentally plays Counselor Troy’s mother on the “Next Generation”), and Ethan Phillips (the alien Neelix from “Voyager”) wrapped up the all star cast of the entire convention. The festivities began early on Saturday with, among other things, a mass of screaming V ulcan wannabes of lines attempting to get into the Civic Center around 10 a.m. Once everyone had passed the initial gates, at about 1 p.m., the entire Civic Center became the stomping ground for thousands of Star Trek fans. Throughout the day, people could be seen either in the main arena, listening to Mulgrew and de Lancie recount their niany adventures in the making of “Star Trek,” visiting the Promenade,” an exhibition of every type of "Sooner would I cross the PLO or the IRA than the TREKKIE. , . These people are flat out obsessed with a TELEVISION SHOW. Not political unrest, not ideo logical oppression, but a spaceship." Star Trek paraphernalia ever envisioned, or in the Interactive Bridge, where could be found an impressive array of computer displays and make-up stands for those who absolutely had to be made over like Klingons. There was even a mock space station, com plete with toilets, shower, and a VCR to com memorate the forthcoming joint space station between the United States and Russia. Hunts ville is “Spacetown U.S.A.” after all. Didn’t you know they filmed “Spacecamp” there? At 7 p.m. on Saturday night the arena became packed for the main show. A tribute to “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, hosted by Dorn, Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley forced the crowd into a crazed frenzy. Guest appearances were even made by NASA astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Fred Haise, Ed Mitchell, Alan Bean, Alan Shepherd, and Charles Duke. When the gospel singers came out singing praises to Roddenberry during the climax, however, I thought I was going to vomit. Sunday, the festivities were a bit more relaxed, with autograph signings and live discussions with both old and new cast members. Try though I did, sneaking around to the VIP section of the building did me no good as far as finding Kirk and Spock. The whole procession ended around 6 p.m. on Sunday with a fond farewell by the next genera tion stars. O.K., let’s talk trekkies. These are some of the most disturbing people I have ever seen. You see, there exists a very big, BIG line between fans and “trekkies.” Fans are those like myself. I like Star Trek. It is a cool concept and a cool show with lots more cool movies and even cooler spin-offs. Trekkies, however, are frightening. These are the people (and they WERE there) who took it upon themselves to dress in official “Federation” uniforms and shave their heads in concordance with Captain Jean-Luc Picard. There was even a big Klingon with platform shoes. This guy had more latex plastic on ins lace than Michael Jackson. You don’t mess with these people. They huddled in packs. They carried huge bags from the gift shop with such trinkets in them like those little communicator pins you see on the “Next Gen eration,” and had this look in their eye as if they might snap and stab you with them at any minute. Sooner would I cross the PLO or the IRA than the TREKKIE. Popular conception has it that these people, though “nerd-esque” by nature, are but harmless fanatics with a lust for the Enterprise. No, no, no. These people are flat out obsessed with a TELEVISION SHOW. Not political unrest, not ideological oppression, but a spaceship. How do you approach someone like this? These people are a couple of fries short of a Happy Meal. But that’s just the way I see it. Fame is vapor; popularity an accident; the only earthly certainty is oblivion. ■Mark Twain Leftover Salmon will play at Be Here Now on Sept. 30. Wl academic notices Undergraduate Research Program Deadline - Soars Grant Applications and Fall Research Grant Applications due • 9/20 films "Four Rooms", 9 p.m., HC Lounge • 9/27 (all - star comedy featuring Tim Roth, Antonio Banderas, Madonna, Quentin Tarantino, and RuPaul) athletics (ext. 6459) • Men's Soccer vs. East Carolina, 4 p.m., JC • 9/20 • Women's Soccer vs. UMBC, 2 p.m., JC • 9/21 concerts/live entertainment lectures "Lxind for Peace - a Military Perspective" by Dr. Robert Yearout, 12:15- 1:15 p.m., DH Private Dining Room (sponsored by UNCA Center for Jewish Studies) (ext. 6669) • 9/26 Lewis McGehee, blues/rock guitarist, 9 p.m., HC Lounge (ext. 6244), free coffee / free admission • 9/20 organizations/special programs UNCA FYI is pulished each Thursday. Deadline to submit information is Friday at noon, for the following • week's publication. Next deadline: Sept.20 for the Sept. 26 issue. Send copy with basic information to the ■Blue Banner, c/o Wendy McKinney, CH 208 A. Charlotte Observer newspaper now available outside HC, Movie tickets - cheap - $3 to all United Artists Cinemas, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)HC 27 (Some Restrictions) (ext. 6584) Flu Vaccine available in Health Center, $7 students and faculty • call for an appt. (ext. 6520) • starting 9/ 23 Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing (weather permitting), 9-11:30 p.m.. Soccer Field (sponsored by Physics Dept., Society of Physics Students, WCQS) (ext. 6442) • 9/26 Opening Doors: A Dialogue on Racism, Monday eveninigs, 6 - 8 p.m. starting 9/30 - 11/18 (ext. Ml 1) for registration and class credit - see Ed Katz, KH 217 Richard Merritt Exhibition, Owen Gallery, 1 st floor (ext. 6559) • thru 10/1 Rhett Thompson Exhibition, Owen Gallery, 2nd floor (ext. 6559)* thru 10/1 Hurricane Relief Package - donations of non - perishable items (sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega) Bring items to HC Information Desk Graduate School Forum (Get Prepared), 5 p.m., DH Private Dining Room (sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa) • 9/24 outdoor activities/recreation • Kayak Rolling Instruction, 7 - 9:45 p.m., JC, Free (ext. 6001) • every Wednesday night • The Wilderness Gourmet - lesson on advanced cooking, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. dinner included, $5 (ext. 6001) • 9/26 • Climbing and camping - Looking Glass Rock, sign ups in Outdoor Education Office, HC, $20 (ext. 6001) • 9/28 - 9/29 1
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 19, 1996, edition 1
5
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75