Las Vegas Weekly

August 5, 2010 · 3:05 PM

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart in L.V. for Star Trek

By Robin Leach

George "Sulu" Takei at Roy's Hawaiian Restaurant.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Captain’s log: star date Aug. 5, 2010. The Star Trek cult phenomenon still grows worldwide despite only having run three TV seasons back in 1966. Today, celebrities associated with the interstellar franchise head here for the official convention at the Las Vegas Hilton, and this year’s event is the ultimate winner. If you’re at the former home of Elvis and think you’ve wandered into a time warp of outer space, fear not. Join in the Star Trek fun.

Star Trek Capt. James T. Kirk will be on hand in the form of William Shatner, with Mr. Spock as portrayed by actor Leonard Nimoy and Capt. Jean-Luc Picard as played by actor Patrick Stewart. And that’s only the beginning. Star Trek veterans including George Takei (Sulu), Julie Newmar, Rene Auberjonois, Avery Brooks, James Darren, Walter Koenig, Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, Gary Lockwood, Sally Kellerman and Stephanie Beacham are just some of the 70 celebrities joining Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, representing the family of Gene Roddenberry, who created the series.

For the next four days, it’s an outer-space extravaganza that includes reunions, discussion panels, exhibits and a Sunday auction. Props, costumes, production artwork, concept drawings, model spaceships and set decor will all go on the auction block. The props and costumes used for the 11-year run of the Star Trek exhibit at the Hilton also will be up for bid, including Enterprise bridge furniture, Quarks Bar signs and an original Borg Queen costume. Among the lots is the only surviving translight panel from the Original Series bridge.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

George "Sulu" Takei with partner Brad Altman at Roy's Hawaiian Restaurant.

On Saturday morning, there will be a Guinness World Record attempt for the most Star Trek costumed people in one place. The record is 508, so go dressed as a Klingon, Vulcan or Romulan, and help grab the new record. Stay in costume for Saturday afternoon’s costume parade contest.

William and Leonard appear together Saturday and then Leonard will conduct a photography seminar Saturday night and show his video of his Secret Selves photo collection that will be featured this year at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

I’m told more than 15,000 Trekkies are expected for this convention, which will certainly be one for the history books. George, beloved as Sulu, was one of the early Las Vegas arrivals and posed for contributing photographer Scott Harrison at Roy’s Hawaiiian restaurant here. George also talked with our valued Vegas DeLuxe reader Richard Corey, who posted his video chat on YouTube:

Stephanie and Samantha Eggar team for one guest star panel today, and George and Walter are back together onstage for another. James partners with Rene tomorrow. There’s an autograph room for fans to meet their favorite episodic stars and a giant vendors room to purchase memorabilia and souvenirs.

Star Trek became the Next Generation and now heading into a fifth decade is back and still living large.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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