▶ STAR TREK
viewing of props, costumes andart.
On Friday evening, the 30th anniversary of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” will be celebrated with a reunion panel featuring the series’ cast members.
Three “Star Trek” captains are scheduled to appear during the event: William Shatner on Saturday, Patrick Stewart on Friday and Saturday, and Kate Mulgrew on Saturday. Among other celebrities scheduled to appear are Karl Urban, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, who also appeared in a “Star Trek: The Next Generation” episode.
The late Leonard Nimoy will be remembered via a celebration of his lifeandlegacybyson,
Adam; a documentary, “Remembering Leonard Nimoy,” produced and directed by daughter,
Julie, and son-in-law
David Knight; and a video presentation of Nimoy’s final convention appearance in 2011 in Chicago.
A cosplay competition and costume parade are scheduled for Saturday — organizers expect more than 2,000 guests to arrive in costume — and the convention will include a variety of presentations and panel discussions, trivia contests, collectible auctions and merchants who will offerfansmerchandiseand collectibles.
A “Star Trek Saturday Evening Gala Celebration,” scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Saturday, will feature Emmy- and Grammynominated composer Ron Jones and his Influence
Jazz Orchestra, with guest performers James Darren, Robert Picardo,
Tim Russ, Camille Saviola, Max Grodenchik, Chase Masterson, J.G. Hertzler and Robert O’reilly.
The original “Star Trek” series premiered on Sept. 8, 1966, and since has spawned more than a dozen feature films, an animated series, four more liveaction series (not including the upcoming “Star Trek: Discovery”)andaslewof novels, games and allied
products.
Conventions offer fans of this sprawling universe “a chance to catch up with people you only see once a year,” says Paul Walker, admiral and a founder of the USS Las Vegas, a “Star Trek” fan club.
The event, produced by Creation Entertainment, draws fans “from every corner of the planet,” he adds. “We’ve got people who plan for this all year.”
For the USS Las Vegas, the convention also offers membersachanceto “introduce yourself to new fans who just moved to Las Vegas,” says Walker, who describes the USS Las Vegas as “Nevada’s largest and most active independent ‘Star Trek’ fan club.”
The USS Las Vegas (usslasvegas.org), founded in 2005, has more than 100 members, Walker says. In addition to enjoying the convention themselves, members will staff a booth attheevent.
USS Las Vegas members also will serve as “goodwill ambassadors,” Walker says. “We want people to know, if you’re a visitor from out oftownandwanttoknow where’s the closest Smith’s or Walgreens or Walmart, come stop by the USS Las Vegas booth and we’ll help you out.”
For a full schedule of events, visit creationent. com/cal/st_lasvegas.html.
Contact John Przybys at reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280. Follow @Jjprzybys on Twitter.