by R.C. Samo
Editor-in-Chief
August 9, 2012, Las Vegas, NV – This year marks the 25thAnniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) and the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino is playing host to Creation Entertainment’s Star Trek Convention.
Previous conventions had been held at the Las Vegas Hilton, but as of last year with the closing of the Star Trek Experience and Quark’s Bar, Trekkies/Trekkers had to find a new home house one of the largest events in Trek-Fandom.
“I love coming to Las Vegas but you need something to du during the day or it gets boring quick. Here, you will find my two favorite things, Star Trek and the nightlife,” said Michael Heath, a computer programmer.
The fans have been a buzz as Trek stars from all serious will be making an appearance, including William Shatner, George Takei and Walter Koenig. While virtually the entire cast of TNG is in attendence, notably Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LaVar Burton, Michael Dorn and John de Lancie, except for Sir Patrick Stewart, who will be at the February, 2013 convention in Los Angeles, CA.
Star Trek is the way society should progress. We are all mean spirited these days and it shows us how we should treat each other. Granted, it took an apocalypse and aliens landing to do it, but still, it gives us hope for society” said Rebekah Downs, an English Lit. major at Southern New Hampshire University.
The spirit of Star Trek is alive and well, transcending all ethnicities…even a few species. The desire for space exploration, advancement in technology and engineering far exceed those of just some random television show. If you don’t believe trekkies/trekkers, look down at your cell phone. That is proof that science fiction has now become science fact.
“I like it (Star Trek) for all the engineering possibilities. I enjoy figuring out how things work and the details that go along in making them,” said Amanda Garrison, a former Staff Sargent in the United States Air Force who is currently majoring in Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Another lover of technology and Star Trek, is Michael Lillie, an Academic Advisor for the University of Akron, in Ohio, who recently created, “A Trekkie’s Dream,” an application for Android, Blackberry, iPhone and iPad, turning all your icons into Trek themed ones.
“My wife said if I wasn’t a Trekkie, I would have never created an app about Star Trek,” said Lillie, who has turned the convention into a family vacation.
Friday night will have a “Captain’s Chair Celebration Party,” to be held in the chic Voodoo Lounge, which will feature the song styles of Chase Masterson (Leeta from Deep Space Nine). The party is an exclusive for the Captain’s Chair Patrons and for those who have bought tickets. Once the Voodoo Lounge is reopen to the public at midnight, who can party with the trekkies/trekkers.
Saturday evening at 6:40, there will be a panel about the new JJ Abrams Star Trek films and film editor, Anthony Pascale will be on-hand to lead the discussion for the upcoming 2012 sequel.
The world of Star Trek means so much to so many. One must not forget this one show led the way multiple spinoffs, over a dozen films, numerous novels, comic books and conventions. Four generations of scientists have been influence by one tv series that lasted a mere three seasons, 67 episodes (some will debate 68).
“I am starting my Ph.D in Biology, Dr. Beverly Crusher was my inspiration to go into the sciences. I even named my cat Dr. Beverly Crusher,” said Elizabeth Holmes, from the University of California, Riverside.
Tickets can be purchased at the box off for all subsequent events. There will be several auctions, parties, panels, music videos and an attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for most costumed attendees, which was made at last year’s Las Vegas Star Trek convention of 1040 costumed characters in one room, crushing the previous record of 691 attendees.
For more information visit Creation Entertainment at www.creationentertainment.com
Visit Michael Lillie’s “A Trekkie’s Dream” app on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Trekkies-Dream/215127905211372 with links to all your Android, Apple and Blackberry Markets.