Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110084
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: IAN SPELLING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There were 30-plus ``Trek'' guests and more than 200 dealers selling every kind of ``Trek'' merchandise imaginable. There were Klingon babies in carriages. There was even a Vulcan-Bajoran wedding.
For three event-packed days in mid-March, nearly 15,000 Trekkers from all over America and the world converged at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, Calif., for Creation Entertainment's Grand Slam III, perhaps the largest ``Trek'' con ever.
Day One found Avery Brooks, smiling and playful, emerging through spacedock-like doors onto a stage to face 3,500 eager fans.
``This is only my third convention, and people ask, `Is that because you don't like the fans?''' the actor intones.
``That's not it,'' he explains.
```Because you don't like `Trek?'''
``That's not it, either,'' he continues. ``After all, [Paramount] signs the checks.
``I don't have the time. Really. That's why.''
Offstage, Brooks elaborates.
On this Trek Saturday, 5,000 people are enjoying the various sights and sounds, with many patiently standing in line for hours to greet and secure autographs from Marina Sirtis, John de Lancie and others. The big moment comes near day's end, when Kate Mulgrew encounters the raucous crowd.
At one point Mulgrew is startled by a fan who wanders on stage. She then expresses shock when the ``fan'' is revealed to be ``Voyager'' co-star Garrett Wang in disguise.
As her time ends, and just before she signs 1,000 autographs in less than 90 minutes, Mulgrew asks her 10-year-old son Alec to join her.
``I wasn't a Trekker before,'' Alec admits. ``But now that my mom's on it, I think it's pretty cool!''
Later, Mulgrew seems awed by the experience.
``It was fun, a surprise, a little like unconditional love,'' she says. ``The magnitude of facing 5,000 people was amazing.
``It was the fans' first chance to meet me and they expressed more interest in me than in Janeway, which made sense.
``I felt privileged and lucky, which is something I've felt since I got this job.''
Sunday brings appearances by William Shatner, Armin Shimerman and Rene Auberjonois together and, again, Mulgrew.
The highlight, however, is the wedding of Alexys Becerra and Toby Christensen, both 20 and from San Diego. The groom sports a Vulcan robe and pointy ears, while the henna-haired bride with the ridged nose stands resplendent in black sleeveless dress and Bajoran earrings.
After a Klingon processional, Alexys of Bajor and Toby of Vulcan are married by a Klingon who performs the ceremony from his wheelchair. The Klingon is James Koschmann, an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church in Modesto, Calif.
``It was ... unique,'' notes Bob Becerra, the bride's human father, after the nuptials. ``She was destined to do it this way.''
TREK SPECS
Heather Locklear will portray Grace Lee Whitney in a television movie based on her life. More details to come. ... Rick Berman and Paramount have signed on the dotted line, meaning Berman will produce and co-write the next ``Next Gen'' movie, expected in theaters in late 1996 . ... Look for Paul Dooley, best known as the father in ``16 Candles,'' as a Cardassian in the ``DS9'' episodes ``Improbable Cause'' and ``The Die Is Cast,'' airing April 24 and May 1, respectively. ... Michael Dorn's film, ``Timemaster'' opens on August 28, while Showtime will air ``Amanda and the Alien,'' co-starring Nicole Eggert and Stacy Keach, in early fall.
CON CALENDAR, APRIL 21-23
- Creation at the Genetti Center in Wilkes Barre, Pa., featuring Marina Sirtis. April 23 only. (Call 818-409-0960.)
TREK/SCI-FI ALERT
If you have Trek or science-fiction news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, care of The New York Times Syndicate, 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10168. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB