A Glorious Victory for the Klingon Empire

Konra, the glorious victor of Dragon Con's 2015 Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant, is a Klingon opera singer. You heard me right...a Klingon opera singer! 

Minus forehead ridges and horns, the magnificent Hannah Hoyt is a North Carolina-based composer who just so happens to also posses a phenomenal operatic voice. She's performed opera professionally, but I think this might be a Dragon Con-only kind of performance...but if she takes it on the road, I'm first in the ticket line!

Miss Star Trek Universe - Konora | Hannah Hoyt | Dragon Con 2015

Hannah Hoyt's rendition of an aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" (you'll know it when you hear it) was splendid...and in Klingon! You don't hear that every day.

As usual, all of the contestants (11 this year) were fantastic! But sitting there, hearing Konra perform, I knew immediately that she must win! The audience's reaction was thunderous AND we were treated to an encore immediately after she was crowned! 

Miss Star Trek Universe - Konora | Hannah Hoyt | Dragon Con 2015

This was the 6th Annual Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant, part of Dragon Con's Trek Track. We've had the great fortune of having Garrett Wang (Harry Kim in Star Trek: Voyager, my favorite series in the franchise) as the Trek Track Director. I think they should promote him to Trek Track Admiral...the man is amazing! 

This is a 2.5 hour event that includes an audience participation "Kahless Says" game (It's like the Simon Says game you played as a kid, but in this version there are no survivors); three segments of the pageant (introductions/costume, talent, and Q&A); and while the judges are deliberating, Garrett divides the audience into eight segments assigning each a sound, phrase or song. After a couple of practice runs he conducts one of the more unique performances I've ever heard...doors swooshing, "Kaaaaahn!", "Shut up, Wesley!" and the TOS fight song were a few of the elements this year. It's great audience-participation fun!

This year's panel of judges was again awesome. It included Emily Cook, Miss Georgia 2009; Terry Farrell (Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine); Gil Gerard (Buck Rogers in the 25th Century); Jamie Higgins (2014 Miss Star Trek Universe, as Mother Horta); and other prestigious personalities. We're grateful for their time and the fun they bring to the pageant.

Read more about the pageant in Debbie Yutko's awesome article on Hannah Hoyt's crowning as Miss Star Trek Universe! I'll post more photos from the Con soon...

Dragon Con Celebrities

The celebrity lineup at Dragon*Con 2013 was fantastic! And I got to meet many of the ones I really wanted to. Here's a little about that experience...

DragonCon 2013, George Takei

At the very top of my list of celebrities to see this year was George Takei, Sulu of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Wow! What an incredible human being! The morning of the day I met him, I went to an hour-long panel session where he was the keynote. The session was moderated by Garrett Wang, another favorite actor of mine known for his role as Ensign Harry Kim of Star Trek: Voyager. Garrett does a brilliant, "Oh Myyyyyyy!" impression, so you can imagine the fun they had with that!

George is funny, passionate about his activist work for gay rights and Japanese-American relations, he's incredibly active, he's so very grateful for the life he's lived and is living, he's compassionate, and he's hopeful for our future. I was in awe...and I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to meet George.

Dragon*Con 2013, Lindsay Wagner

I knew envy would ensue when Tommy, one of the kindest people I've ever known and a dear friend who lives in Washington, DC, found out that Lindsay Wagner was going to be at Dragon*Con. So, it's needless to say that there was a lot of texting between us when hearing her keynote talk and getting to meet her.

Lindsay is such a wonderfully sweet, kind-hearted, and grateful person. I know they're all actors, but I've learned over the years that at the Cons, you're really seeing the real person. I think they learn very early on that they can't fool fans...especially not fans of the caliber of Dragon*Con.

I had the great opportunity to hear Lindsay speak on a solo panel, although in the Walk of Fame—where celebrities are gathered for autographs and photos—Lee Majors, The Six Million Dollar Man, was right there beside her. Very cool to see him, too.

Dragon*Con 2013, Tahmoh Penikett

They grow them big in Canada! I was beyond star-struck to meet Tahmoh Penikett, who played "Helo" on the reboot of Battlestar Galactica. What a super nice guy, in a manly kind of way, and he happens to be Canadian. 

It amazes me how focused and attentive most of these actors are...they give each visitor their undivided attention and they hear what's being said. I wish I had that kind of focus and I really appreciate that actors like Tahmoh give it so generously.

Battlestar Galactica was a favorite show of mine in the 1970s—I loved that show! Richard Hatch (Apollo) and Herbert Jefferson Jr. (Boomer) were there from the original Battlestar—and both were in the Dragon*Con Parade! From the new Battlestar Galactica—the BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION—were Tahmoh Penikett (Helo), Kandyse McClure (Dee), and Edward James Olmos (Adama). 

Dragon*Con 2013, Travis and Tahmoh Penikett

I look worse than star-struck in this photo...I look outright goofy. But, even for a brief moment, I was pals with Tahmoh, so I don't care how I looked...I do wish I had his arms though.

"Thank you, Tahmoh", for being so great with your fans! Those experiences really make the Con a fantastic and memorable event, at least for me they do.

Dragon*Con 2013, John de Lancie

Meeting John de Lancie, who played the omnipotent "Q" on more than one television series of Star Trek, was a little more of a sterile experience. Perhaps it was a rough day. He comes across as incredibly smart—and he is a brilliant actor—but I didn't get the feeling that he was thrilled to be there. 

When I saw him fist-bump the person in front of me in line, I had a flashback to when I met Brent Spiner, and sure enough, it was a similar experience. That's not to say it was a bad experience...he's certainly a nice enough guy and I do love his "Q" character, so it was great to meet him.

Dragon*Con 2013, Terry Farrell

Have I saved the best for last? Well, let me just say that Terry Farrell, who played Jadzia Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is even more beautiful in person than she is on television. And she's a beautiful human being on the inside, too!

As a matter of fact, the first words out of my mouth when I met her were, "I'm sure you hear it all the time, but  you're even more beautiful in person!" I really wanted to say something original, but her beauty demanded commenting. 

She told me that she doesn't hear that very often, to which I replied, "Well, you should!" 

What a sweet and charming person she is! I was beyond impressed with her warmth, her charm, and how she makes you feel like you're the only person in the room—when there are actually hundreds and hundreds of other people there. What a great experience it was to meet Terry Farrell.

Also there this year from the Star Trek universe, in addition to George Takei, Garrett Wang, and John de Lancie, were William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Avery Brooks (Captain Sisko), Michael Dorn (Worf), Dominic Keating (Malcolm Reed), Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko), Brent Spiner (Data), and Marina Sirtis (Counselor Troi). 

I absolutely adore Marina Sirtis! She was the first celebrity I met at Dragon*Con back in 2010 and she made such a wonderful impression, that today I can't imagine missing the Con or any opportunity to meet celebrities I admire. "Thank you, Marina"...it's always great to see you.

I would be remiss if I didn't note what was for me the biggest surprise of Dragon*Con 2013. In two words...William Shatner!

For whatever reason, I had in my mind that he was miserable and a washed up has-been. That couldn't be farther from the truth. The man is brilliant! Brilliant, I tell you! 

If I hadn't already very quickly changed my mind when listening to him during his solo panel, it would have been when he answered a particular fan question—"What's a role that you wish you could have or still want to play that you haven't yet?"

His answer is that there is no such role. He went on to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude for everything that got him to where he is...he shared his appreciation for his health, his family, his career, and for his fans. It was very moving. 

I left that hour of sharing, with a smile on my face and a warmer heart. "Thank you, Bill," for everything you've given entertainment, television, and cinema...I'll be a fan forever.

Well, those are the highlights of the celebrities I saw and met, but there are many, many more and I'd love to note all of them, but alas...

Top 11 Celebrities to See at Dragon*Con

Approaching at trans-warp speed, the 2013 Dragon*Con has a guest list that's growing more and more impressive each week. I've been giving a lot of thought about which celebrities are at the top of my "must-see" list and thought I'd share the list with you. 

You'll notice that my list is Star Trek heavy, but that's because I've been watching the show since I was very young child. You'll also notice--and deduct that since I've not met these celebrities--that the photos are not mine. The photos all belong to Dragon*Con, and each link to the Dragon*Con website.

Alright, here we go...

George Takei

George Takei

With 4.3 million Facebook fans, a LOT of people know George Takei. I was a fan of George's decades before there was such a thing as Facebook. Even if you never watched Star Trek: The Original Series, it's likely you've seen scenes of Sulu here and there over the years.

George was also brilliant in the NBC television series "Heroes"...and he has quite the entertainment resume--Star Trek, of course, including six Star Trek feature films, other television and film, and stage and radio performances.

George has my highest respect for his work as an activist. Having spent his boyhood in Japanese internment camps with his family during World War II, George today fights prejudice, injustice and fights for equal rights.

Lindsay Wagner

Lindsay Wagner (and Lee Majors)

When I saw that the bionic woman was on the guest list, she immediately went on my must-see list! I loved that show!

I remember like it was yesterday the scene where she was back in the classroom after her bionic implants and rips through a telephone book!

Lindsay was also considered for the role of my favorite Star Trek character--Captain Kathryn Janeway! Yes, I do believe it's true...six degrees of separation can apply to Star Trek, too.

Lindsay is also an activist who fights child abuse and neglect...admirable.

John Barrowman

John Barrowman

John Barrowman is the only celebrity on this list that I've see live, although I've not yet met him and would love to!

Being the sci-fi fan that I am, many of my friends are quite surprised to learn that I've never watched Dr. Who. But when I watched, with a friend, a movie based on the BBC television series "Torchwood"--a spinoff of Dr. Who--I was totally hooked...I've been a John Barrowman fan since! Gareth David Lloyd and Eve Myles, both also of Torchwood, will both be attending this year's Con.

He was also a panel judge on Andrew Lloyd Weber's BBC show "Any Dream Will Do"...and the most entertaining on the panel he was!

I got to see John on a panel at last year's Dragon*Con and the man is hilarious! And it turns out that he's close with his family. In fact, his sister, Carole Barrowman, will also be at this year's Con!

Terry Farrell

Terry Farrell

Jadzia Dax! Do I have to say anything else?

Oh, alright. For those not so familiar with the world of Star Trek, Terry Farrell played Jadzia Dax, a 300 year old Trill on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...and even as an alien, she was stunningly gorgeous!

In preparation for meeting Terry, I've been re-watching DS9. Of all the Star Trek series, that's the only one that I've not seen every single episode of, so while embarrassing to admit that I've not seen every episode, it's exciting that I'll be seeing Star Trek episodes for the very first time!

Edward James Olmos

Edward James Olmos

Olmos played Commander William Adama on the television resurrection of Battlestar Galactica--and it was the BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION!

There are few television shows that I absolutely had to see live when they were on the air...that was the case with the 2004-2009 Battlestar Galactica. As great a job as Lorne Greene did back in the late 70s, Olmos was brilliant!

He's also one of the few Latin actors in the U.S. to perform in a leading role in such a successful television show...a great role model for Latins across the country.

Some of his former loves--potential career paths--included baseball and rock & roll. I hope he still gets to enjoy those, but I'm so glad that he became an actor...I can't imagine anyone else playing Adama as well as he did.

Michael Dorn

Michael Dorn

Some of the most fun Worf moments on Star Trek: The Next Generation were the ones that included Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Deana Troi played by Marina Sirtis who was the first autograph I got at my first Dragon*Con in 2010. 

Michael Dorn--who played Worf, a Klingon raised by human parents--had the unique distinction of being the one cast member who spent more time having his costume and makeup applied than anyone else--for seven years!

Dorn also joined Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after a couple of years and ended up with the distinction of having appeared as the same character in more hours of Star Trek than any other actor. Pretty cool, huh?

William Shatner

William Shatner

Who wouldn't want to meet the first Captain of the Star Trek franchise?! 

Shatner has had quite the career, too. From appearing on Twilight Zone in October 1963, a few years before Star Trek, to the funny travel commercials we've all seen.

It'll be interesting to see how popular Shatner is...the original series has a very devout following. 

Avery Brooks

Avery Brooks

Avery will be the third of the five Star Trek television series Captain I will have met. He did a great job as Captain Benjamin Sisco on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

He also was the first African American to play a Star Trek Captain on franchise series...a role model for generations of kids!

And speaking of kids, Cirroc Lofton--who played Sisco's son on the series--will also be at this year's Con.

John de Lancie

Q...what a brilliant Star Trek character...and a character that transcended series. John de Lancie--who played the omnipotent character Q--originally appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation and later appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

I have a cassette tape somewhere of a stage performance by John de Lancie and Leonard Nimoy--"Spock vs. Q". It was a brilliant and I listened to it numerous times in the car on the way to here and there.

The 6' 4" actor has quite the impressive resume...you'll be impressed!

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless

How could you not want to meet Xena the Warrior Princess? Really, how could you not?!

AND, she also was a character on Battlestar Galactica, so that's a double plus for me!

Although it seems that Lucy has been type cast, I have to assume that she enjoys the roles that she plays...if nothing else, they keep her in phenomenal shape! And she's great at those roles.

I think meeting Lucy Lawless will require being in line very early or committing a significant amount of time for waiting in line...either way, totally worth it!

Tahmoh Penikett

Tahmoh Penikett

Kickboxer Tahmoh Penikett was also Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon on the Peabody Award-winning Battlestar Galactica. 

Everyone on this list has an impressive resume and Tahmoh is no exception. He's been on a wind range of shows and movies, including Smallville and this year's Man of Steel.

Turns out, Tahmoh's character wasn't supposed to be a regular character, but he was so well received by the show's fans that they created a subplot and kept him on the show. I can't imagine the show without him, actually.

So, this is my current list of my favorites so far, but there are so many others who will be there that will make it difficult to not spend the entire Con collecting autographs. And the list will continue to grow up to the opening of the Con.

I would like to offer a few honorable mentions...Traci Lords, whose music I've listened to for years; Billy Dee Williams of Star Wars; and Lips Down on Dixie who does a brilliant rendition of The Rocky Horror Show here in Atlanta at Plaza Theatre.

Check out the Dragon*Con website and follow them on their Social Media channels, of course to keep up on who's coming to Dragon*Con 2013, and I'll see you this Labor Day Weekend!