Miss Star Trek Universe Goes to the Romulans!

There would have been many disappointed Ferengi at this year's Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant...there were several contenders any of who could have taken the crown. Fortunately for one Romulan in particular, there wasn't a cloaking device in sight! Her (seemingly) Irish jig was seen by everyone!

Dragon Con 2013, Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

The competition, immediately preceded by a Klingon-led series of games (I think he'd been nipping the blood wine), was fierce. Many of the contestants had obviously worked on their uniforms and routines for many, many months—if not the entire year—and others were solely relying on their womanly ways and lots of skin!

Dragon Con 2013, Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

Each and every person who took to the stage—as well as all the folks behind-the-scenes—deserve a standing ovation for putting on a fantastic performance! This is one session that I always attend and will wait in line for an unrealistic measure of time to get a great seat!

Dragon Con 2013, Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

This trio of Andorians graciously served as stage hands during the pre-show act...well, they got to light into gamers with Bat'leths, so it couldn't have been too horrible. They were pretty damned good, actually.

Dragon Con 2013, Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

No, Scotty was not a contestant at this year's Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant...I can't believe you'd ask that! Actually, this event brings probably the largest number of Star Trek costumes of the Con, so it's a fantastic time to snap a few shots of Starfleet officers and others from around the known Universe.

Dragon Con 2013, Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant

This year's distinguished panel of judges included a very special local guest...Emily Cook, Miss Georgia 2009. She graciously posed for photos after the Pageant when I learned that you can't just give your camera to someone else who is holding a camera and assume they know how to use it. 

Fortunately, Emily looks gorgeous in the Star Trek dress that her mother made for her. Both her parents were at the Con. Garrett Wang, the Trek Track Chair and Harry Kim from Star Trek: Voyager, told us that he'd been trying to get her to the Pageant since he first took over the Track in 2010. He and everyone else there was grateful for her participation...especially a few guys probably could have used a whiff or two of oxygen.

Also on the judges panel were Dominic Keating, Cirroc Lofton, and Terry Farrell. All in all, it was another brilliant Miss Star Trek Universe Pageant! Looking forward to the next one!

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...

Dragon Con Cosplay 2013

Wow! I can't believe it's been more than a week since I've posted, but my friends get it. My followers know that last weekend I was in a total immersion Dragon*Con experience...and the week since has been a recovery process. You know what I mean when I say fun can be much more exhausting than work!

Dragon*Con 2013

I've also been editing photos...lots and lots of photos! One day, the day of the Dragon*Con Parade, I shot 1,226 pictures! That's a lot by most standards, but not so many compared to some Dragon*Con conventioneers. 

I made so many photos that I'll be making 3-4 posts to cover this year's Con...but the bulk of photos will be the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page. There are some really fun ones and some that evoke a jaw-dropping "What in the world?!"

Dragon*Con 2013

This year's costumes were nothing less than remarkable...and more fun than a Risa vacation. At least the word on the street is that there's an element of Risa-esque fun at Dragon*Con. Who could blame anyone...a lot of the costumes are just plain hot!

These gorgeous dandelions were phenomenal and fortunately the Con was wind-free. In that vein, I'm blown away every year (this was my fourth Dragon*Con) by the time, artistry, and fun that goes into the Con's cosplay...truly blown away!

Dragon*Con 2013

At Dragon*Con, cosplay is head-to-toe and covers media from cinema to comic books, gaming to history...it's too the point that you almost feel embarrassed for the folks who didn't know and opted for a drug store Halloween costume. But, bless their hearts, the most important thing at Dragon*Con is to have fun and everyone I saw was doing exactly that.

Dragon*Con 2013

This year's Dragon*Con footprint covered five host hotels, two floors at Americas Mart, 4,000 hours of panel programming, an Atlanta Braves and Georgia Aquarium events, and of course the take-over-downtown Parade. Actually, there was way more than even all that!

There are various costume contests throughout the Con, but some of the best cosplay viewing is in the hotel lobbies. And these folks are some of the nicest you'll ever meet! They're every one friendly, smiling, and wiling to pose for photos or make photos with conventioneers, as well as passersby when traveling between hotels.

I understand the coolness of being asked for those photos...when I dressed as a Vulcan a few years ago, I was asked to pose for quite a few photos and that was so much fun!

Dragon*Con 2013

Steampunk Tigger...need I say anything more? Soooooooo much fun!

Dragon*Con 2013

With Disney's buying Star Wars, Star Wars was huge this year. There were more light sabers than you've ever seen in a single gathering in Atlanta...more even than at your local department store during the holidays, on a new film year!

The Star Wars Costume Contest was great fun this year. The grand prize winner was "Disney Princess Leia" and one of my favorite winners of a category was "Darth Waiter"—hilarious! 

Dragon*Con 2013

Watching the mingling of themes is brilliant! "The Fifth Element" with Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich (love her!) and features "Ruby Rodd!" (Chris Tucker) who was at the Con with a flight attendant, is a favorite film. Then there was the cast of Cats...who were compelled to, upon sight, immediately create a fantastic photo op. Do you think the leopard print catsuit was the catalyst?

Dragon*Con 2013

Alright...the comic book characters, cinemas favorites, and zombies are all brilliant, but there's even more. Dragon*Con has a damned impressive science track (and other fan tracks)...and why wouldn't that run over into the Con's cosplay? The costumes are brilliant, I tell you...brilliant. And some of them are real artifacts!

Dragon*Con 2013

And to all those who call Dragon*Con a "geeks and freaks show"...have another look. It's also damned sexy! Now I bet you wish you'd not sounded so much like a self-esteem-challenged bully and actually went to the Con and just had some fun with the rest of us. Just sayin'.

Dragon*Con 2013

I think what impresses me most about the cosplay at Dragon*Con is that the most brilliant costumes are handmade. There's a LOT of talent at this Con. I'm ecstatic that Dragon*Con is growing in popularity, but I do hope that it'll retain its wonderful uniqueness. We're 27 years in...and I can hardly wait to see what next year and the 30th anniversary bring!

Okay, maybe the best part is that you get to attend a convention and not have to report anything to the boss when you get back to the office. That's actually a great thing! Just sayin'.

Alright, consider my exhaustion dissipated and recovery complete. Now, you head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page to see dozens more fantastic photos! And keep an eye out for posts on celebrity-spotting and the Dragon*Con Parade.

Imaginary Worlds Revisited

It's been a while since I've posted anything about the "Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life" exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It's not been for lack of anything to say...that they're all living plants, they change every week—sometimes every day! 

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

Even with all the rain, visitation at the Garden is up considerably from last year. And they've already started installing "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights", which last winter brought in record numbers. There's sooooo much going on at the Garden!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Garden is brilliant at creating opportunities for "everyone" to be able to see its exhibitions, from children's tours that are aligned with public school curriculum to the "Lucky Dog Deal" that gives everyone the opportunity, via Social Media, to see Imaginary Worlds for only $10 during "Cocktails in the Garden" on Thursdays in August. Very generous!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And have you seen the Imaginary Worlds competition? There are some brilliant entries! This isn't one of the entries...just one of the photos I made recently. She's amazing, isn't she? She's 25 feet tall!!!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And then there are the cute little bunnies! There are quite a few of them. Some of the 19 sculptures in Imaginary Worlds are in groupings...two fish, three berries, and a whole bunch of bunnies!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The trio of berries are in the Edible Garden, of course, which present a wonderful educational opportunity for visiting kids, as does the entirety of the Edible Garden.

I'm very impressed with all the programming the Garden has for children. The Children's Garden alone is two acres. It has a bee hive, a tree fort, Wednesday morning storytelling, and so much more!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The two butterflies, just outside the Visitor Center, are the introduction of Imaginary Worlds to unsuspecting visitors. And they're pretty amazing. The first time I saw a real butterfly on the butterflies, I was ecstatic.

And I've had other visitors tell me that they've seen hummingbirds on them!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

At the most recent Cocktails in the Garden, which is summer Thursday nights, the Atlanta Ballet gave seven performances in three different areas of the Garden. Sexy, sleek, stunning...the Atlanta Ballet is obviously LOVED by Atlantans based on the number of visitors who came out last Thursday just to see them! And Imaginary Worlds, of course.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

This was not the first time that the Atlanta Ballet has performed at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, but it was just as amazing every other time they've performed here...this time I particularly enjoy, actually. When you have the opportunity to see the Atlanta Ballet live, don't hold back...go see them!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

So, surely people are wondering what's the most photographed sculpture in Imaginary Worlds, right? I don't know that answer, but I can offer an educated guess. Earth Goddess is photograph-able from lots of vistas, so my guess is that she's most-photographed.

BUT, I'm guessing that the most photographs with one of the sculptures is either the Cobras—which may be difficult given their 18-feet height—or it could be the Ogre, which is much easier to pose beside...and he's pretty cool, even if not in the best of moods.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And did you know that during Cocktails in the Garden, the sculptures are dramatically lit? That's right. Even if you're there at 9:59 p.m., you'll get to see the sculptures...in all their majesty.

And, if you're interested in the "how" Imaginary Worlds came into being—as many visitors are—there's a display in the Orchid Center gallery that gives a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the exhibition, as well as a time-lapse video of the installation of Earth Goddess.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life" is here only through October. Make sure you see it!

Road to Tara Unveils the Civil War

I recently received an hospitable invitation back to the Road to Tara Museum for a preview of their newest exhibits, which open to the public this weekend.

The two exhibits, which share the same space, are "The Battle of Atlanta" and "The Battle of Jonesboro", highly appropriate given that Road to Tara Museum is in historic downtown Jonesboro.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

As you probably know, the Road to Tara Museum's primary focus is on the Gone With the Wind book and film, which makes the new exhibits perfect companions—given Gone With the Wind is set in the US Civil War.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

The exhibit features photographs, drawings, paintings, maps, uniforms, books, models, and other artifacts that range from a sword to a wooden canteen, and a whole lot more!

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I had the pleasure of talking with Danielle Conroy, Director of Marketing and Management for the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the importance of the new exhibits to Gone With the Wind and Jonesboro.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

Noting that some of the global success of Gone With the Wind has been attributed to author Margaret Mitchell's being told stories of the Civil War by veterans of that war, I asked Danielle why is it important for museums like Road to Tara Museum to retell local history through exhibits like the "The Battle of Jonesboro" and the "The Battle of Atlanta"? 

Danielle said, "Gone With The Wind would have been a different story if Margaret Mitchell hadn't grown up hearing her family's stories. It's important to document and display what happened locally to the people involved and the town so the history of the smaller battles and personal accounts aren't lost."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I wholeheartedly agree with Danielle that the stories have to be retold so that they're not lost. History is riddled with lost knowledge and it breaks my heart every time I head one of those stories. So, with that, the Museum gains my admiration for adding these exhibits—that they're done well is a bonus!

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

There's a lot going on in conjunction with the launch of the new exhibits. I asked Danielle what's "the one can't-miss event," to which she shared, "We are hosting a year of events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Gone With The Wind and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The event you don't want to miss is our kickoff event, 'Rhett and Scarlett Reunited…For the Evening.' Tickets are $25 and advance tickets are required. You can get tickets by calling (800) 662-7829. Ticket holders will enjoy a VIP Reception, commemorative gifts and a photo opportunity with Rhett and Scarlett."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I'd be remiss if I didn't interject how wonderful the Museum staff are. I've been there twice just in the last month and was treated with the greatest hospitality and courteousness. Road to Tara has afforded me a greater appreciation for Gone With the Wind, the Civil War, and Jonesboro itself. 

Danielle was also the one who told me about "Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era—Movies Connecting the Past and Future" exhibition at Arts Clayton Gallery, which is just a block from Road to Tara.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I had to ask the question, "What's the greatest 'surprise' visitors can expect to see in the new exhibits at Road to Tara?" Danielle decidedly noted, "The Battle of Jonesboro, even though small compared to others, was a decisive battle. With Jonesboro's supply rail lines being cut, it eventually led to the fall of Atlanta."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

The Battle of Jonesboro was a two-day battle and Confederate losses were great. The Battle of Jonesboro exhibit notes a number of nearby places that have important ties to the US Civil War, including a Confederate cemetery.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

While there, I ran into a couple of locals—who had just come from the Southern Belles & Whistles Tour, which starts and finishes at Road to Tara—who commented that they recognized lots of the places noted in the exhibit.

Without hesitation, I highly recommend a visit to Road to Tara Museum, and  be sure you catch the new Civil War exhibits...you're going to enjoy it all!

Arts Clayton Movie Posters

Danielle over at the Road to Tara Museum told me about the "Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era—Movies Connecting the Past and Future" exhibition at Arts Clayton Gallery. Sounds interesting, right? 

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

The exhibition is brilliant! It's a private collection of hand-painted movie posters, from the 1920s through the 1940s, that were painted and displayed at the Loew's Grand Theatre, where Gone With the Wind premiered on December 15, 1939.

The above poster features Joan Crawford, Hollywood legend who made more than 70 films. The first film I saw featuring Joan was Mildred Pierce (1945)—it was showing at a series titled "Great Female Screen Legends" in the late 80s at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library—for which she won an Oscar.

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

The Loew's Grand has a long and distinguished history, from its originally being an opera house to its bricks after demolition being used to build Houston's Restaurant on Peachtree Street in Buckhead.

This poster features Merle Oberon and Melvyn Douglas in That Uncertain Feeling, 1941. I really like this particular poster for its being obvious that it's a painting...see the unfinished parts?

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

Greeting visitors entering the exhibition is this "single seat" from the Loew's Grand Theatre. This seat was unique in that it could slide from the bottom so that the seat occupant could make room for latecomers without having to get up.

In the background is Barbara Stanwyck movie poster.

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

Barbara Stanwyck had a prolific acting career, which included the film Lady of Burlesque, the subject of this movie poster. I remember watching her on television in The Big Valley when I was a kid. She had quite the presence.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was a Loew's-owned studio, thus many MGM films had their Atlanta premiere at the Loew's Grand Theatre.

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

This poster of Renée Adorée, star of The Big Parade (1925), is a prime example of the rarity of this collection. Very little is known of Adoree's early life—very little.

And during this era of movie-going, films were changed out weekly and rarely re-ran. Can you imagine a world of no reruns? 

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

During the period of time that this poster collection comes from, the Loew's Grand Theatre employed two artists who painted the frequently changed movie posters. Sid Smith and Charles Reese Collier were those painters and when you see these posters live, you'll know how incredible their work truly was...you can see the brushstrokes, the colors come alive...they beg you to buy a ticket to see the film on the big screen!

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

Many of the posters feature not only a two-dimensional painting of the film's actors, some of them include three-dimensional elements, as well. 

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

This poster features Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. Having seen Auntie Mame—the Rosalind Russell version—many times, I absolutely adore her!

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

This 1943 film's poster features Bataan starring Robert Taylor. Now, imagine seeing this film in the 1940s AND owning the original hand-painted poster today. 

That's just the case. Noted movie memorabilia collector Herb Bridges as a teenager worked as an usher at the Loew's Grand Theatre. How cool is that?! You'll have the opportunity to meet Mr. Bridges at the Gallery on Saturday, September 7.

Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era, Arts Clayton Gallery

Back to the rarity of this collection...

I doubt many of us can say we saw the first run of Clark Gable in the 1941 Honky Tonk, let alone be able to remember the hand-painted movie poster. 

Remember I told you that back in this time, movies changed out weekly? Well, so did the posters. And the artists would often discard the previous week's poster or re-purpose it for a new one. So, calling the collection "rare" is beyond accurate.

Head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for a few more photos and then get yourself to Arts Clayton Gallery and see these marvelous posters in person!