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Official Star Trek convention beams back to Las Vegas

Star Trek convention beams back to Las Vegas
Posted at 7:06 PM, Jul 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-19 22:06:35-04

Star Trek fans from around the world will be beamed to Las Vegas on Aug. 1-5 for the galaxy’s largest annual Official Star Trek Convention. Organizers anticipate that over 15,000 attendees will convene at this decade-long Las Vegas tradition at The Rio Suites Hotel. This convention will be highlighted by special presentations including: 

  • Special panels, presentations, celebrity guests and a exhibit with costumes and props from the new hit Star Trek television series "Star Trek: Discovery."
  • In-person stage appearances by three Star Trek Captains -- William Shatner (classic Star Trek’s Captain Kirk, Saturday only); Jason Isaacs ("Star Trek: Discovery’s" Captain Gabriel Lorca, appearance day TBD); and Kate Mulgrew ("Star Trek: Voyager’s" Captain Janeway, Saturday only).
  • A salute to the 25th Anniversary of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" will include: a special reunion stage appearance of three cast members dressed as their characters Chase Masterson (Leeta), Max Grodenchik (Rom) and Aron Eisenberg (Nog); a special DS9 screening of “Far Beyond Our Stars” followed by a panel with the cast members from this episode; and a special inside look at the upcoming DS9 documentary "What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" with the co-directors Dave Zappone and Ira Steven Behr.

Other top celebrities set to appear include classic Star Trek’s George Takei (Sulu, Saturday and Sunday); Nichelle Nichols (Uhura, Wednesday-Friday); Walter Koenig (Chekov, Friday only); Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine in "Star Trek: Voyager," Thursday only); Brent Spiner (Data from "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Wednesday and Thursday); Rainn Wilson (Harry Mudd from "Star Trek: Discovery" and "The Office," (day TBA); Michael Welch (Artim from "Star Trek: Insurrection," on Wednesday); and many more.

In addition to celebrities, the show will include behind-the-scenes presentations, costume and trivia contests, no-minimum bid auctions of unique collectibles and one-of-a-kind items, and special fan-made music videos. The exhibit hall will boast major companies and distributors selling and displaying Star Trek and sci-fi collectibles from across the universe.

Along with nighttime Star Trek themed parties, the Star Trek Saturday Evening Gala Celebration will return with the Nevada Pops Orchestra Star Trek: Concert Live. This special night features Maestro Richard McGee and a 45-piece orchestra. Special quest conductors will include Michael Giacchino (“Star Trek Into Darkness, and Beyond Suite”), Jeff Russo (world premiere of a orchestral performance of his score “Star Trek: Discovery”), and Dennis McCarthy (The Deep Space Nine Suite). The concert will take place Aug. 4 at 9:30 p.m. (a separate ticket of $50 is required for general admission).

For cosplayers, Saturday is the day! The Costume Competition with celebrity judges, special on-stage costume panels, the annual Costume Parade throughout the convention, and a number of cosplayer meet ups are all scheduled. Garak’s Tailor and Repair will be returning to handle any emergency costume repairs for free throughout the weekend. Attendees can walk down the “Creation Promenade” and find talented craftspeople providing free souvenirs, as well as several surprising maximum-sized photo ops backdrops.

The exhibit hall will boast companies and distributors selling and displaying Star Trek and sci-fi collectibles from across the nebula.

General admission tickets are available in advance at www.creationent.com or at the door, and start at $50 for a single day. Show hours are Wednesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (times are tentative).