If Star Trek fans can find the strength to separate themselves from their new “Star Trek” DVDs, Thanksgiving weekend holds an event designed specifically for them.
Starbase Indy, a holiday tradition, returns to Indianapolis again this year. A one-day, fan-supported convention last year, Starbase Indy will once again follow a three-day format, running Nov. 27-29 at the Indianapolis Marriott East.
The science fiction convention was started in 1988 by a group of fans and draws sci-fi lovers from across the Midwest.
While primarily a Star Trek convention, Starbase Indy is expanding its guest list to include other genre guests and events.
This year’s headliner is Garrett Wang, better known to Trek fans as the serious and glum Ensign Harry Kim on “Star Trek: Voyager.” Wang spent some of his formative years in Indiana, in addition to Bermuda and Tennessee.
William Morgan Sheppard, who has played many characters in the Star Trek franchise, will also put in some face time with fans at Starbase Indy. Sheppard’s numerous contributions to the Trek pantheon include roles as the Vulcan Science Minister in J.J Abrams’ “Star Trek,” a Klingon Commander in “Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country,” Dr. Ira Graves in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the alien Qatai in “Star Trek: Voyager.”
Other guests for the weekend: Jeff Rector, a sci-fi, fantasy and horror mainstay; David Reddick, a former cartoonist for The Herald Bulletin and the creator of the comic strip “The Trek Life” on the official Star Trek Web site; and Deborah Downey, an Indiana native who appeared in the original STAR TREK episode “The Way To Eden,” in which she sang to Spock in what is affectionately know as “The Hippie Episode.”
Plenty of activities are planned for the weekend. This year’s Starbase Indy will include a 1980s arcade room, featuring Tron, Dig Dug, Star Wars and Super PacMan. Fans can also learn to speak Klingon, enter the costume contest, watch a showing of Rector’s film “Revamped,” browse the dealers room for the missing pieces of their Star Trek collection, participate in Q&As; with the guests and try “Yoga for Geeks.”
Hours are 2 to 11 p.m. Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Nov. 28 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29. Pre-registration cost for the weekend is $25 or $35 at the door. Children ages 12 and younger are free. For more information, call (317) 513-8651 or visit www.starbaseindy.com.
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Two suggestions if you’re looking for something to do this weekend.
First, get out to a movie theater and see “The Blind Side,” starring Sandra Bullock and based on the true story of Baltimore Ravens’ starting rookie tackle Michael Oher.
Oher (portrayed by newcomer Quinton Aaron) is living on the streets when Leigh Ann Tuohy (Bullock) spots him one cold night. Upon learning he is the classmate of her daughter, she invites him into their home for the night. This gesture of kindness becomes something more as Oher becomes part of the family and finds success on the football field.
If you’ve seen the trailers, you know this will be a tearjerker from beginning to end. But at least we know there will be a happy ending.
You can also catch local actor Jim Dougherty in the SyFy channel’s “Fire Down Below,” premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. Dougherty has a role in the beginning of the film and worked as a gaffer for the portions of the film shot in southern Indiana.
Contact Heather Bremer, who is taking an entire box of tissues to “The Blind Side,” at 640-4867 or heather.bremer@herald bulletin.com
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