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TF01 3,Convention Reports - Part 2 4, The convention mayhem continues... CONTAGION '94 --------------- Holiday Inn, Glasgow, Scotland -------------------------------- Report by Edward Woo - Part Two! ---------------------------------- Richard Arnold took a back seat as George announced the arrival of Mr. Michael Dorn. The whole hall was full, by the way were the dealers rooms closed during his talk? I hope so. Michael walked up onto the stage and asked how many were here from yesterday. Practically the whole audience raised their hands. Michael was somewhat surprised as he half expected to do the same routine as yesterday. Instead he went into a question and answer session. Michael told us of his views of ST and they would seem to follow Gene's rules more so that Rick's and no doubt this would get back to the Paramount studios. For the role in STVI he played Worf's grandfather a completely different way and not as Worf. As to other television programmes, he said he has rarely seen Babylon 5 or Seaquest DSV because of work. But at least now he does not have to have the 1.5 hour make up before and 1.5 hours to remove it. He, Johnathan and Brent all dislike Marina's dog and everytime she brings it along they have fun with the microwave and going..... The role of Worf was demanding and he now has time to pursue a career in music and loves playing the guitar. He would have liked to have become a musician if acting was not his first choice. Michael didn't give much away about the movie but just to go and see it. He was asked about Worf's chair and he said it was a designer piece of furniture found in Hollywood. Some asked whether he could sing or speak Klingon. He was able to do a few words and in the meantime did some German to a lady in our audience who understood it. He described at one time trying to recite some Klingon and his teeth literally flew out to the great amusement of the other cast members. He hopes to do a play with Marina and a possible film with Jonathan. He loves being recognised in the street being an actor and one time in a hotel lift there was a convention going on in the hotel. One ignorant individual said it was a Star Trek convention and some actor's coming, the guy who plays the Klingon is coming and mentioned he hated that show and then realised Michael was standing next to him. Another time, again in the hotel, an individual asked who was the Star Trek actor coming and turned to Michael, he said Michael Dorn and then carried on to his friend talking. As it was coming to the end of his guest spot Michael did a couple of classic poses for the cameras and did find some difficulty in answering questions when he couldn't understand the question without a microphone or the accent. One lucky individual was able to come up on the stage and even ask his question. Michael is an excellent Star Trek guest and will be remembered for his humour and ST gossip and secrets as he wound up being told by George he left to a huge ovation. Karinn had just left to do her stewarding job and missed only a few minutes. In fact I got a second ticket for the autograph session and passed it onto Baggy so he could get Graham's portrait of Worf signed. Once again the hall emptied and was being redressed for the videos. In between popping to my room, the dealers room and everywhere else I can imagine, I got to speak to Mhairi who was shepherding two attendees, who were lucky to get in for a few hours to see what it was like. I told her she could have a rest next year from the committee work and actually enjoy a con as an attendee. Over the weekend there were a lot of on spec ST fans who tried to get into the con on the day but were disappointed as it was a sell out long before. Quite a few had travelled some distance. I'm sorry they were disappointed but pre-registration is now the norm these days. Back to our rooms for tea and biscuits - and Graham arrived too. I had intended to go and see The Wire but got persuaded to go to tea at the Blue Lagoon. In fact there were two of them on our exploits in the Scottish streets. I hadn't seen Graham since last year and we chatted about his paintings and piano rebuilding. He said his best commission was at Warp One. And the idea of drawing caricatures of convention attendees to which one or two dealers had done was an excellent souvenir of the convention. I know how many of them took the idea and did it including Dave but how long did you have to sit whilst you were being drawn? At the Blue Lagoon we had fish and chips. Harminder had steak. I had don't know what the others had but it was fun ie. two fishes. Baggy's favourite food is baked beans. I gave my cost all in change just to upset John for fun. Once fed we prepared ourselves for the walk back, mind the buses as the charity auction was the next event. Dave Simons was there but no sign of the German Hans, otherwise we would have had a three way bidding competition for ST press kits. For once the charity auction was well attended by an eager audience. Craig and Steven were after trading cards. Stephen, Baggy, myself, Simon, Gary and many others were after autographed photo's. Before it began we had the Queen video with TNG clips - it was the first item up for sale and reached £75 to the lucky owner. So Richard began the auction in earnest. Simon got Robin Curtis signed 10 x 8 for £20 and DeForest at £50 - bargain prices. Gary got the 10 x 8 of Spock for £90 and Baggy got a couple of 10 x 8 of Majel for £30-£40. Most of the early items were autographed trading cards by individuals from TNG, DS9 and Classic Trek. Prices ranged in the £20-£40's each. The more expensive ones where duo signatures of Kirk and Uhura (inter-racial kiss), Rom and Nog, Marina and Jonathan. A couple of Franklin Mint items went cheap compared to shop prices. There were some nice DS9 and Enterprise fan club posters that went for £10 each. The only script up for auction was Armegeddon Game signed by Siddig and Colm. Our resident Klingon bought the Tribble sweets. A set of SeaTrek photos of 1994 went for £100. Other items included ragdolls of three Trek characters, partial press kits, an alarm clock, STTMP mug, quite a few LP's which I had bought years ago, John DeLancie's surgical glove, a set of Christmas stamps signed by Patrick. Craig narrowly missed out on a set of 70 out of 79 original trading cards that only came with the videos by £5. Trading cards seem to be the current item to collect with Patrick and Brent's the most valuable. I don't know if Fran got anything for her bits but Baggy got his bits and pieces. So ended another day at the office. The bidding was not as fierce as I have seen it in the past but still very exciting to anyone who comes. For once there was no over run of time and we finished early and so began the collecting of items and in exchange for money. Again with time to spare back for another rest and to enter into the fray with my DS9 uniform, a mic of STIII, Future Imperfect and a science officer on DS9, the Karaoke Trek was delayed until the DJ and equipment arrived. Unfortunately it never arrived so in true Trek tradition it was improvised to a DiscoTrek. Ian seemed to have been orchestrating it all including one attendee who had birthday and was greeted by a group of Klingon and Federation fights on the disco floor as we had a great vantage point. I heard Donna did some singing and we were supposed to be her backup group. Giving her drinks all day to give her courage - was it good? Next door was the Next Generation game quiz which was less than successful due to the lack of microphone for the contestants Simon said. It will have to be done better next year. In between going from the groung floor and the eighth floor Stewards Party it was all fun. At the Stewards Party, Alison and Lorraine were serving tricks and snacks. Gaile was sitting comfortably to one side but would be in on the action later. I was introduced to Maria from Austria and more of Tarukas' friends and introduced her to Jean and so the new USS Unicorn is being formed out of Formby. With only a bag full of Tribbles, 70 in all, so began a Klingon Tribble fight. Lets say the fur was flying and I took cover behind a table, Tribbles flew everywhere, including wet Tribbles, snack eating Tribbles and highflying Tribbles. The phase of the tribble fight took a rest and when Lynn, Scott or other members of the committee came in to the room they were immediately rained down with Tribbles. Jean mentioned that these are stewards entrusted to run the videos and a convention! Unfortunately, one trek fan was hit in the eye - it's rather painful and later was okay despite me wanting to call a first aider to help her. In between snacks, lack of a bottle opener, diet coke, another Federation fight broke out. With another lull in proceedings came the next paper ball fight as all the Tribbles had disappeared down someones Federation uniform. A few more Tribbles were found all over the hotel. The next activity was paper planes flying out of the window down onto the streets below with Judith leading the flight. Frankie and Jean felt guilty about the litter below and spent half an hour picking up the paper planes and putting them in the bins. Back on the eighth floor, the Stewards Party was over and it was the big tidy up of food, drinks, funiture et cetera. Only a few tribbles were found. I wonder what we can do with several hundreds of tribbles? I returned to the Fray downstairs to find the rest of the gang watching the disco, a few drinks further and it all came to an end when we were told to leave the main hall because of a water leak. We were told it was a leak, not a leak in a sprinkler et cetera. So there I sat in uniform in the middle of the hallway with a few buckets around containing the drips from the toilets above. It's a pity the ground floor bar was closed at midnight just like last year. The other bar next to the foyer was still open for business. Seafood is enjoyable. Next location was our room so I could climb out of my uniform and I even did some late night packing. It would save time tomorrow. Upto the eighth floor I found Taruka stewarding Robocop the TV series. Me, I was two doors away and two hours later I signed in for the California Suite an hour earlier as I was taking over from Pearl and Gaile followed me. I saw Pegasus from the back followed by necessary evil and another but I can't remember the episode. Sitting on the floor is far better and at least you can doze. Simon arrived about 2.30 am and watched one more episode. Gaile arrived early with headache in hand and promptly crashed in her seat to steward from me. We were running behind but that's nothing. I found that sucking ice cubes is a good way to cooldown. At 3 am I left for the sack and was well away till the alarm sounded three hours later. Baggy was in fact a first aider overnight and even carried a pocket pincher. Myself, Simon and Jane did have the idea of getting reception to page him telling him to go to his own room but that would have been fun but silly as a misuse of emergency procedures. Monday - 7.45am came and Deanna would say we were all unfocused at that hour. It was the final day and it was even slower motion. Simon and Baggy were still in their pit whilst myself and Jane went to breakfast. As the main restaurant was full we got shunted to the other room, at least no waiting. Bumped into the group from Lust who were also breakfasting. There was a distinct lack of cereal and cooked breakfast bowls and plates respectively. Our final breakfast and the biggest as I find it difficult to have a full fryup because of the drink the night before. Jane went back to pack and catch some more videos whilst the two boys were up for breakfast. Did Simon have two breakfasts this time? Did my last rounds of the dealers table and found Philip also viewing. At 9.50 am we went to see the blooper reel, sitting on the left side of the hall, slowly moving towards the centre line. The bloopers are funny despite the malfunctioning projector. Maria sat in front of us with her Vulcan teddy bear. Philip told me he had raffle tickets and somehow I missed buying them but I had some for another club. The whole was ready for the closing ceremony. George came on stage and introduced the Contagion committee who are a shy group. The raffle prize winners were drawn next. Keith won a Star Trek videogame, the only thing he's ever won and was really happy at it. The finale arrived, first onto the stage was Richard Arnold, then our guest of honour, Michael Dorn approached the stage with a Scottish bagpipe player in front escorting him and we continued clapping till he finished. The final duties of the closing ceremony began. First the winners of the art, model, poetry and fiction competitions. Each going up to receive their certificates from either Richard or Michael. Taruka said later that her second prize was written in a couple of hours. George was unable to pronounce Taruka's surname but got by as she approached the stage. Next was to announce the big thank yous. First to the hotel staff with gifts of chocolates and drinks to their representative. I was able to talk to our chambermaid earlier that weekend and she said it was much more fun than the usual business conventions and I told her we'd be back next year and hoped we were not too untidy in our rooms. The most important item was the money raised for our charities - in total over £16,000 was made for the four charities and two of the representatives were there to accept their cheques with great thanks and applause from everyone. Michael jokingly enquired if there were any further funds left as he would be interested. As Richard is a regular guest he was first to receive his gift but this time he didn't open it. Just before Michael received his goodies, the Klingon Assault Group, KAG, came aboard to present him with a minature Bat'telh in a presentation box which he was highly suprised and delighted to get. Our guest received his box of presents and announced the convention was officially closed. Unfortunately my photo of Michael with his Bat'telh turned out slightly out of focus otherwise it would have been a good shot to have. The closing cermony broke up as the main hall was beginning to be turned into two video rooms again. It was time to say goodbyes to people who had trains. Keith was heading towards Newcastle whilst Fran had an hour to spare before heading to Edinburgh and then south again. In fact I had checked out but still had a key as 2 keys into 3 people don't go. I even got my parking ticket validated so there would be no parking fee to pay. My bags were left in the room as Simon was staying on till Tuesday morning like may others. Part of the Starbase committee had left yesterday and the other half were leaving today. Baggy was still packing with all those Trek items in hand. Again I wanted to see the wire but saying goodbye to friends is more important. Jane watched one more episode as she and John finally departed but gave me a great big hug before they went. I pointed out that Simon was at the front of the video hall for them to say goodbye. Jean was stewarding the main video hall and the sign in sheet was behind the door. Karinn was below me as I was sitting on the bar - real uncomfortable after awhile. Ian was senior stewarding. We saw Crossover (not as good as Mirror Mirror), Collaborator (I knew the ending before it began) and Tribunal. In between trying to work the video machine Jean and I got there in the end. I wish machines would use words instead of words. We kept good time according to Ian. Let's say there was one small child who was annoying and wanted the DS9 theme to be fast forwarded and wanted to know what the story was about and used his torch. Jean wanted to hit him and her being a teacher! I intervened but I could have throttled the kid myself. But I kept cool - he's only a young Trek fan. Popped briefly next door to find the dealers closing up. KAG had some new BT phonecards out that had ST pictures on them. Stephen wanted to know if Baggy had gone and I said yes but I'll tell him about the cards. As we had already seen The Jem Ha'dar and with the Galaxy class starship blown up, we went off to tea early in the evening. We did a circular route to find a Pizzaland recommended by Carol. Jean ordered a salad whilst I went for the ham and mushroom pizza plus 20% for attendees. Jean was flying home tomorrow on a standby and it would have been better tonight but it was too late to change she said. After chewing our way through, we were approaching the hotel with Ian going from something to eat. As I had a spare Pizza I gave it to him instead of the committee whom I had intended to give it - sorry folks, don't hold it against me please! In all the confusion of goodbyes, we again registered for next years convention, Conundrum. Baggy was ahead of us, in fact I was number 63 at the time of entry. Scott said the con would not be the same without you - thanks very much. Once Ian had finished his Pizza, we headed off to the bar. I was able to catch Moira to return a few of my unsold white Horta items, mainly videos and books. At least part of my hotels costs were paid by it. Tekwar was just beginning so I missed that. The bar was still busy with attendees and we chatted for an hour. It was coming upto 6pm and Babylon 5 was due on. Instead I excused myself as I wanted to see Firstborn in the main hall. Sat next to Helen and Margaret and fell asleep through part of it - guest what? It was a Klingon story, just like Rightful Heir last year when I fell asleep through that as well. Bloodlines and Emergence followed. Emergence was easy to follow and I know some others found it difficult - a Braga story. Karinn had crept in and in between breaks she said she had bought the Encyclopedia and enjoyed the con except for the mix up in accomodation which placed her at another hotel. Having seen Preemptive Strike on Friday, it was up to the eighth floor to catch the Larry King weekend and the Patrick Stewart interview. Avery Brooks is unusual in his talks with a shave head. Patrick has a slight moustache. We had crept in by a side entrance and watched the video from a most acute angle until it finished way past 2100 hours. As we broke up, the steward on duty was Maria from Austria and she only had a few days off and would be flying back home tomorrow I think - correct me if I am wrong. Down the stairs or was it the elevator to the the ground. Oh, it was back up to the 3rd floor for my luggage as Jean and Frankie helped me carry it to the car on the lower ground floor. I was all dumped in the boot and we again went back upstairs to the dying hours of a a con on Monday. Vicky's party was staying overnight as Judith's father was intending to pick them up and return them to Preston just as he delivered them on Friday, saving travelling costs. Quite a few regular con goers were staying overnight. I had considered it but I was expected somewhere else anyway and it was free. I said goodbye to members of the committee and got hugs plus I'm not a troublemaker. Found George in the bar and thanked him for the con, saying I'll send you the full con report and the one in IDIC but I shall return for the Away Team meetings. Jim was there and shook hands and to Harminder and one or two new faces. I got a hug from Karinn who was chatting. I'll keep in touch if I am in London and look you up. My last goodbye was to Frankie and Jean. Jean I'll no doubt see when I have more videos available over the forthcoming months, even at that Formby meeting. My final look at the hotel lobby. I had intended to pick up any spare flyers but they had been tided up. Made my way to the porter to ask for direction to the M8 again. It was down to the garage and waved to 2 committee members loading up their own car as I departed our of the car park and into the Glasgow night again asking for directions from the attendant. After attending Contagion and away team meetings I have finally nailed how to get onto the M8 now and it was 70mph all the way to Motherwell. Arrived a little early but Heather greeted me a she was watching Pegasus with her son. She gave me tea and biscuits as we watched All Good Things. I left about midnight to go to bed and then started reading a Starlog before finally falling asleep only to be woken at 7 am as Heather runs a guest house. Fell back asleep until 10am. Awoke fairly promptly and got breakfast of scrambled eggs and tea. Heather had only a breif look at the books and magazines and she enjoyed the videos that were coming on Sky soon anyway. At least she was ahead of her brother. It was time to say goodbye to Motherwell and loaded up the car. Heather said if I needed to stay overnight during my away team visits, I was welcome to. So off I went and headed south to Liverpool. It was going to be a 5 hour drive with an hours break. There was a few hold ups and junctions 32 and 26 but it didn't last long. As I was off work till Saturday I could sleep and write this overlong report con report. However, it was Thursday before I had recovered from the con and began a report of the events. -------------------------------- F O R T H C O M I N G C O N V E N T I O N S ------------------------------------------------ All the MAJOR guests will be highlighted in capitals so it's easier for those of you who choose your cons by guests to decide which to go to! THE NEUTRAL ZONE ---------------- Date: 10th - 12th March 1995 Place: Forte Crest Hotel, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Robert Llywellyn, Dave Prowse, Richard Arnold, Bjo Trimble Contact: The Neutral Zone, 16 Annandale, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL1 3QX, ENGLAND TIME WARP --------- Date: 11th - 12th March 1995 Place: The Grand Hotel, ,Malahide, IRELAND Price: Guests: MAJEL BARRETT-RODDENBERRY Contact: PO Box 4183, Dublin 16, EIRE TREK/DWARF ---------- Date: 17th - 19th March 1995 Place: The Holiday Inn, Leicester, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: 47 Marsham, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5RN, ENGLAND UNIFICATION ----------- Date: 14th - 17th April 1995 Place: Holiday Inn, Sheffield, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Bjo Trimble, Max Grodenchik, Aaron Eisenberg, Mark Shepherd Contact: Terry Elson, 8 Ennerdale Close, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 4TN, ENGLAND STAR TREK CON 1 --------------- Date: 15th - 16th April 1995 Place: Tisbury, Salisbury, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: STC1, 21 Queen Road, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wilts, SP3 6JW, ENGLAND SOL III '95 ----------- Date: 26th - 29th May 1995 Place: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, ENGLAND Price: £30 Guests: DWIGHT SCHULTZ Contact: Sol III, c/o Jean Barron, 39 Dersingham Avenue, Manor Park, London, E12 5QF, ENGLAND STARSHIP VOYAGES Date: 3rd - 10th June 1995 Place: Cruise to Norway!!! Price: Guests: JOHN DE LANCIE, GEORGE TAKEI, JONATHAN DEL ARCO, COLM MEANEY Contact: Starship Voyages, 5 Plough Rise, Cranham, Upminster, Essex, RM14 1XR, ENGLAND G-FORCE '95 ----------- Date: 8th July 1995 Place: Alton Towers, Staffs, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Shaun Brannigan, 7 Talbot Drive, Stapleford, Nottingham, NG9 8HG, ENGLAND CONUNDRUM --------- Date: 16th - 18th July 1995 Place: Hospitality Inn, Glasgow, SCOTLAND Price: Guests: MAJEL BARRETT-RODDENBERRY, Richard Arnold Contact: PO Box 1598, Rutherglen, Glasgow, G73 4HS, SCOTLAND D.E.S. O'CONN A --------------- Date: 25th - 28th August 1995 Place: Price: £19.98 Guest: Contact: Tina Lukas & Simon Hage, Voyager Enterprises, 43 Lodore Road, South Shore, Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2JL, ENGLAND LIGHTSPEED '95 -------------- Date: 1st - 3rd September 1995 Place: Leeds Hilton Hotel, Leeds, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Lightspeed Conventions, 16 Bramwell Street, Eastwood, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S65 1RZ, ENGLAND NE'A'DRIAR VII -------------- Date: 2nd - 3rd September 1995 Place: Shepperton Moat House, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Joan Foxley, 143 Northumberland Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 7RB, ENGLAND WOLF 359: THE GATHERING ----------------------- Date: 15th - 18th Spetember 1995 Place: Sacha's Hotel, Manchester, ENGLAND Price: Guests: MAJEL BARRETT-RODDENBERRY, MICHAEL O'HARE, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, George Marshall Contact: 141 Warden Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9BF, ENGLAND IRECON 5 -------- Date: 16th - 17th September 1995 Place: University College, Galway, IRELAND Price: Guests: Contact: Mairead King, c/o 4 Lisin, Tullyglass, Shannon, Co. Clare, IRELAND MIDCON 95 --------- Date: 6th - 8th October 1995 Place: Holiday Inn, Leicester, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Terry Elson, 8 Ennerdale Close, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 4TN, ENGLAND PHOENIX ------- Date: 27th - 29th October 1995 Place: Apollo Hotel, Birmingham, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: 112 The Normans, Wexham, Slough, SL2 5TU, ENGLAND STARFLEET ACADEMY WEEKEND '95 ----------------------------- Date: 27th - 30th October 1995 Place: Picadilly & Britannia Hotels, Manchester, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: SAWCON '95, 43 Lodore Road, South Shore, Blackpool, FY4 2JL, ENGLAND ASSIMILATION ------------ Date: 18th - 19th november 1995 Place: Friendly Hotel, Milton Keynes, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Stuart Banks, 77 Holyrood Avenue, South Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8UD, ENGLAND STARBASE '96 ------------ Date: 2nd - 4th February 1996 Place: Hilton Hotel, Leeds, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Carol Looby, 152 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS16 5JX, ENGLAND WARP TWO -------- Date: 2nd - 6th May 1996 Place: TBA Price: Guests: Contact: 69 Merlin Crescent, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6JB, ENGLAND CAMP KHITOMER '96 ----------------- Date: 24th - 27th May 1996 Place: Pontins Holiday Camp, Southport, ENGLAND Price: Guests: Contact: Camp Khitomer, 14 Norwood Avenue, Southport, PR9 7DT, ENGLAND -------------------------------- Send in your convention reports/photos (old and new), news or details of forthcoming cons to this address: The Final Frontier - Conventions P.O. Box 8966 Great Barr Birmingham B43 5ST ENGLAND Some convention details in this guide have been taken from the Fan Convention Diary, compiled by Anne Page.