Space Trek
You may be looking for the Star Trek fan-created musical called Space Trek or the Star Trek: TOS and Science Fiction con Space-Con.
| Star Trek Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Space Trek (also often "Space-Trek") |
| Dates: | 1982-1984, 1986, 1988 |
| Frequency: | |
| Location: | St. Louis |
| Type: | fan con, celebrity guests |
| Focus: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | Phyllis Sutter and Linda Lakin |
| Founding Date: | 1982 |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Space Trek (Space-Trek) was a fan-run Star Trek convention held in St. Louis. Earlier cons didn't have any fan panels. There was a dealer's room, an art display, a film room, autograph sessions, a costume contest, a banquet and charity auction, and a trivia contest.
Space Trek 1 (1982)
It was held in April 23-25, 1982. At least one of the celebrity guests was DeForest Kelley.
A transcript of his speech there was printed in DFKIAS Yearbook 1982/1983.
Boldly Writing has a note about this con in regarding the zine Odyssey: "Among the many stories [in Odyssey] was a transcript of an interview with DeForest Kelley, recorded the previous year at a Space Trek convention in St. Louis. The editors asked the actor if he ever read any fan stories. DeForest Kelley replied, "Some of them I do. It's impossible to read them all.... There's some very good writing, you know. Some of the stories are better than the stories we did in the series."
Space Trek 2 (1983)
It was held June 24-26, 1983.
It was chaired by Phyllis Sutter, co-chair was Linda Lakin.
From Boldly Writing: "This also was a fan-run convention with celebrity guests including Leonard Nimoy and James Doohan. The convention was almost devoid of panel discussions, which constitute the overwhelming majority of activity at many fan-run conventions. Evening programming was also in short supply. On the other hand, there was a large fanzine room, and videos and movies, and places to gather to talk to other fans."
from TREKisM #32, artist is LaVena Kay Kidd
from TREKisM #32, artist is LaVena Kay Kidd
from TREKisM #32, artist is LaVena Kay Kidd
Space Trek 2: From the Program Book
Space Trek 2: Skit
There was a con skit called "The Planet Spock" which was a satirical musical spoof of "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" written by Melissa Lee, Jean Ann Hodge and Phyliss Sutter.
This skit was unique in that it had a printed program.
from the program book
as a separate printed program
as a separate printed program
as a separate printed program
as a separate printed program
Space Trek 2: Programming
The program book was 45 pages long.
Space Trek 2: Con Reports
This event took place at the Henry VIII at St. Louis. It was my first attendance at a con and my first plane flight, so I was unsure exactly what to expect. Did I enjoy it? Let's put it this way — I hope there is a Space-Trek III!!!
Leonard Nimoy gave two talks, each lasting over an hour.... When it came time for Mr. Nimoy to make an appearance, Security would not tell us by which door he would be entering. There were five doors to the ballroom, one on the right, two on the left and two in the back. Of course, all of us were straining our necks in an attempt to catch first sight of him. I was looking towards the back, when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door approximately fifteen feet away from me suddenly open. There he was! Security quickly hustled him to the podium.
I had my camera ready, but as he walked beside me (whew! only four feet away) I did not take a picture for two reasons. One, I thought it would be impolite to snap a flash right in his face.
Two...okay, okay, I admit it, I was experiencing something commonly referred to as shock. To see Leonard Nimoy for the very first time at this distance definitely has a startling effect on one's mental and emotional capabilities. My initial reaction was a whispered, "My God, he's real". Now, that probably sounds like a strange thing to say, but you have to realize that heretofore I had seen him only on television and in movies — three-dimensional in his acting but only two-dimensional in features. He was never quite a living, breathing person until that moment when he walked by me.
Mr. Nimoy talked of such things as how he got the role for STAR TREK, the manner in which the ears were developed, and how the neck pinch and Vulcan salute came into being. I am sure most of the audience had heard these stories before, but it didn't matter: he had our full and undivided attention throughout. There was only the sound of his voice and the soft clicking of the cameras. Every time the man smiled, so many cameras flashed that the temperature in the room shot up ten degrees.
After his talk, everyone lined up for autographs. I mean, THEY LINED UP ~ close to 1,000 people, cutting the hotel in half as the human snake wound its way through the lobby, the hallways, and back into the dealer's room towards the rear of the hotel. The dear man, along with an equally sweet Jimmy Doohan and Walter Koenig, sat there for over three hours cheerfully giving people a small part of themselves.
I had noticed that several people in front of me had photos and copies of Mr. Nimoy's book, I AM NOT SPOCK, which they wanted autographed. I felt very strongly about having him autograph one of his poetry books and had chosen one of my favorite poems from COME BE WITH ME (page 23).
I laid the much used book in front of him, open to that page. He looked down at it, up at me, then broke into a grin from ear to ear. Any fear or apprehension I had been feeling disappeared completely. You see, Leonard does not smile with only the mouth — his entire face lights up. There is a sudden gleam in his eyes, and the corners of his eyes crinkle. Some have found this smile quite disarming, almost devastating, but what I felt was a very great warmth. He had smiled quite often during his talk and for the others getting autographs, but this one was for me.
I did nothing to deserve it, but I'm glad he gave it to me. I was wearing my membership card which designated me as a member of the Leonard Nimoy Fan Club. Instead of asking me my name, he looked up, trying to read it on my card. Now I am about six feet tall in heels, and try as he might, he couldn't quite read the small type of the card. He looked at me and slowly asked, "Suzanna?" I smiled and said, "No, Rowena." He started to write, spelling aloud "R -0 - W - ...", drawing out the last letter. I finished the spelling for him, then he continued to write, "My love, Leonard Nimoy". Closing the book, I noticed, with great care, he handed it back to me. I thanked him, and he answered by saying, "Thank you".
Those two words hit me harder than anything else he had said. Leonard Nimoy has transformed me from a pessimist to an optimist; he has caused me to reach out to other people; he has forced me to broaden my horizons, and not only to understand, but also put into practice the meaning of IDIC. What have I given him in return? Absolutely nothing...and yet ... he said, "thank you".
I came away from that autograph table feeling an inner glow. Leonard Nimoy is an actor, director, photographer, and poet, but above all else, he is a teacher. At that convention he demonstrated to me, not in words but in action, the meaning of openness, kindness and humility. In one word, Leonard Nimoy is a "gentleman".[1]
Finally getting to see Leonard Nimoy in St. Louis was like a dream. It seemed an impossibility, since he was not doing cons any more. It seemed that I was always in the right place at the right time, yet I was not into fandom at that time, and so I never went to cons or knew that they existed.
This trip was especially exciting because I was to meet a pen pal for the first time. She drove here from New Mexico and we drove from here (Dallas) to St. Louis in one day (13 hrs ), We were too excited to stop anywhere.
The hotel was just lovely and they had our room available even though we were a day early. As we were checking in, a man strolled across the lobby; it was James Doohan, also an early arrival. He was quite personable, and we exchanged a few words. An auspicious beginning. We met another girl who had come from Charlotte, NC alone (24 hrs. on the bus) and she joined us for the rest of the weekend. We got up at 6:30 a.m. and hurried down to the room where all the guests were to speak. We decided that after all our efforts to get there that we really wanted to have good seats. We spent most of the next two days sitting in front row seats to see and hear Mr. Nimoy and the other guests. Since they make numerous appearances, I am sure that they were aware that a lot of excitement had been generated by the fact that Mr. Nimoy had not been accessible to the fans for many years, and we were all anxious to make the most of that opportunity. I had had a brainstorm on the way out, and we ended up renting video equipment when we arrived there and were able, thanks to the front row seats, to make a wonderful videotape of both of Mr. Nimoy's lectures. After all the waiting and excitement, it seemed over so fast that I am glad that we can look at the tape and relive the experience.
When at last the moment came when Mr. Nimoy actually stood before us, there was still a feeling of unreality about the whole thing. Was that really himl He looked so wonderful and seemed to enjoy the whole thing as much as we did. I have a lot of smiling and laughing photos to prove it. On the first day, he spoke about his experiences, past, present and hopefully future, with Star Trek. He put to rest any rumors that he does not want to play Spock, and teased us with tidbits about the new movie. On the second day, he spoke about some of his own personal experiences with psychic phenomena and some others that he had researched. He seemed to be quite interested in this subject. He spoke so well that the time just flew, and before we knew it, he had to stop. I could have listened to him for hours. Unfortunately, it was not possible. There were 2,000 people there who wanted autographs, and all the stars were extraordinarily patient, in complying.
It was a fantastic experience, one I won't soon forget. I still can't believe that I saw Leonard Nimoy in person, a fantasy fulfilled. I must also say that this was one of the best run cons that I have ever attended. Almost everything was on schedule; the dealer's room was wonderful; and I even got to see some new bloopers, for me anyway. If Mr. Nimoy appears anywhere else again, I would certainly plan to attend if humanly or Vulcanly possible.[2]
Space Trek 3 (1984)
Space Trek 3 was held on June 8-10, 1984. The celebrity guests were Majel Barrett, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, James Doohan, and Harve Bennett. Art in the program book was all by B.J. McCrary.
Joan Verba notes in Boldly Writing that several fans videotaped the presentations, a growing trend as hand-held video cameras became widely available.
DeForest Kelley's speech at this con was transcribed and printed in DFKIAS Yearbook 1984/85.
from the program, by B.J. McCrary
from the program, by B.J. McCrary
from the program, by B.J. McCrary (portrait of Harve Bennett)
from the program, by B.J. McCrary
photos taken by a fan
attendee badge
Space Trek 3: Con Reports
The following report on Space-Trek III in St.Louis was excerpted from Interstat. Harve Bennett said there would definitely be a ST IV and yes, he alone bears the responsibility for blowing up the Enterprise.
He recalled his days of combat in Korea, saying "When you walk away, and you've made it, you don't once think about the equipment, you think about staying alive." The major failure of ST-TMP, he said, was that it paid extravagant homage to the Enterprise as a machine while neglecting the story of the people aboard her. Bennett admits to going to the other extreme in ST III, but denies sitting down with malicious intent to blow up the starship. That he is a humanist and idealist, finding nothing higher in drama or life than human life, may have "unconsciously" guided his choices. As a writer, he admitted that he had painted himself into a corner and that the self-destruct sequence was "the only decision the character (Kirk) could have taken, given the circumstances".
He hinted strongly that the Enterprise would be rebuilt and that it would not resemble the Excelsior [his version of the Spruce Goose].
The inclusion of pon farr was both Roddenberry's and Nimoy's idea.
David Marcus death was a requirement for the ultimate test of James T. Kirk. He called it a "dramatic imperative" necessary so that the thematic statement regarding Kirk's encounter with death could be carried through. Roddenberry contributed the protomatter story device. David's use of protomatter in Genesis enhances certain ironies and the parallels of David's having, like his father, cheated.
Other tidbits: A poignant scene on Vulcan where a small Vulcan child tells the unconscious Spock to "Live long and prosper" was cut. ["Vulcan child" remains in closing credits] Also cut were several scenes dealing with the restoration of Spock's katra to either the Hall of Ancient Thought or to his body.
When asked what he would do to Kirk, Bennett replied: "I'd courtmartial his ass." [3]
Space Trek 4 (1986)
Space Trek 4 was held June 28-29, 1986 at the Clarion Hotel in St. Louis, MO.
The guests of honor were Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and Nichelle Nichols. Other guests were Caroline Kelley and Richard Arnold.
There was a display in the lobby area to commemorate the recent tragedy regarding the space shuttle "Challenger."
There was a raffle for a VCR. Tickets were $1. The VCR was an Emerson with "four heads, a wireless remote, slow motion, stop action, and lots of other features."
The creators of the zine, Lifestar, held a writing contest. The winner's story (in script form), "You Left WHAT on Board" by Cheryl Hendry, was read aloud on stage by Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley.
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
Space Trek 5
June 25, 1988 at the Henry VIII Hotel. Guests were Ron Perlman (Beauty and the Beast), George Takei and Nichelle Nichols. It included an art show, art auction, videos, panels, costume contest, writing contest, banquet and charity auction.
There are many accounts of this con, including interview transcripts, in Beauty and the Beast newsletters and letterzines. See Beauty and The Beast: The Newsletter and Passages.
Ron Perlman (one photo with a fan) from Once Upon a Time...Is Now #2
Howard Gordon from Once Upon a Time...Is Now #2
Space Trek 5: Con Reports
This was to be my first American Con, so little did I know what I was in for. The flight was long and tiring, but after checking into our Con Hotel we went [to see] 'In Search of Spock' - and what a film that turned out to be. The Con itself started on the Friday morning with registration, a party with filk singing; the Dealers rooms were also open for early perusal and a few items were snapped up eagerly. The Con proper got under way early Saturday morning with talks by George, Jimmy and Harve Bennett - who talked about ST3 and even ST4; but the highlight was the talk by DeForest Kelley later that morning. De looked absolutely great and he received a tremendous reception from the fans. He talked about his role in the film and there was a question and answer session. Then it was time for us to line up for the autograph session, but we were disappointed when the line was stopped half way; and that could have been a disappointing end to the Con, but Monday made up for it. As we were due to leave and stay with a friend for a few days, we decided to wait in reception to see her. There were four of us sat chatting to a pen friend and a Canadian fan, when suddenly my arm was shaken and we saw De and his wife corning towards us. The Committee chairman brought them over to see us, we shook hands and had our photo taken with De. What a great end to a fantastic first U.S. Con. Roll on the next one. I won't forget it... [4]
This was my first American Con, but it certainly won't be my last. What an experience! The flight to St Louis was long and tiring, and after checking into our Con hotel, my friend and I went [to see] In Search of Spock. And what a film it turned out to be! The Con itself started on the Friday with registration, and also the dealers rooms opened for business. A few items from the film were snapped up quickly.Jet lag then took over and an early night was indicated. Saturday dawned very warm and sunny. As there was to be an early start, George was due to talk at 9am, and De Kelley at 1,30pm so seats were taken quickly, so we would have a good view when De Kelley came on. I missed Jimmy's first talk as I wanted to look round the dealers but I heard he was good, as he always is. Soon it was time for the highlight of the day, seeing De Kelley for the first time. What a reception! The applause went on for ages and he was bombarded by flash cubes. He looked great and talked about his role in the film, and a general question and answer session. He was really great to listen to. Sunday came all too quickly, as it always does at Cons, and we were rushing for seats again. There was also an auction and a very good trivia quiz. During the second autograph line De had to stop signing because of a badly swollen hand, and it was disappointing not to have met him, but there was to be a surprise the next day. As we were to leave on the Monday with a penpal we hung around reception talking to friends when suddenly De and his wife came down the corridor and the committee member brought him over to meet us. We shook hands and had our photo taken with him. What an end to a memorable Con!
Roll on the next one! [5]
I just returned one week ago tonight from the Star Trek/B&TB convention in St. Louis. It was just wonderful. I had never been to a Con before although I knew a little about them because 1 have a good friend who is heavy into Star Trek and has been for years. I have heard her stories about the cons and fandom. So, I went knowing a little but wasn't prepared for such a good time.
Of course, the highlight was Ron Perlman. The look on his face when he entered the banquet room was great. I think he still must be somewhat awed by the popularity of the show and his character. If I had to describe him, I would say he is a very down to earth kind of guy. He has a wonderful sense of humor and was very open and kind to the fans. Several gave him gifts .. . drawings of himself, drawings of Vincent. One girl gave him a stained glass rose (beautiful) and a man gave him a ceramic statue of Vincent. These were not tacky gifts, these were beautiful works of art and Ron was very appreciative.
He was anxious to answer all his fans' questions and there were many of those. He did say that in December there would be a calendar out concerning B&TB, and they were in the process of putting together some tapes where he would be doing some readings - Shakespeare, etc. Also, he mentioned that the first and last episode of B&TB would be coming out on video tape soon. He spoke for one hour and then broke to begin the autographing session. There were a lot of people in line, but he was gracious enough to make sure we all got an autograph. I had my camera, of course, and took a lot of pictures which I just got back today and they turned out great. My "big" regret is that I did not know that video cameras are allowed and I could have taped his entire interview. Where was my camera???? At home in the closet. I guess I just figured that the studio would not allow the interview to be put on film. DARN! Oh well, I have learned my lesson. Many people there did have tape recorders and I didn't think of that either. But I will be prepared the next time.
Another enjoyable part of the Con was meeting other fans and getting to share experiences. All in all, it was just a lot of fun. [6]
Although the con was not a huge one (due to various difficulties such as the out clause that many actors have in appearance contracts, which is necessary for their work schedules but makes it difficult to do much advertising), it was a huge success in terms of enthusiasm. Aside from the anticipation of waiting to see Ron, there were several other things going on: a showing of the Cocteau film; a trivia contest (provided by yours truly); and an acting contest. This last turned out to be rather interesting; three couples were picked and asked to interpret a scene from "A Happy Life," and the couple who won consisted of two women, who were quite good!
One big bonus of the afternoon was getting to meet Ron Koslow, the creator of "Beauty and the Beast," who showed up In a sort of "anonymous" way at the door, apparently curious to see Just what was going on. (He's an extremely modest, not to mention shy man—he Intro duced himself at the registration table as being "with Ron Perlman."!)
I recognized him immediately and Introduced myself; I just had to shake his hand and thank him for this beautiful show he's given us. I tried to explain (though I was a little nervous and babbled slightly!) how much I appreciated the synchronicity, the emotional connections between the pilot and "A Happy Life," in particular the emphasis on the Idea of "aloneness" stressed In both of them, which shifts from being Vincent's condition in the pilot to being Catherine's state in "AHL." He actually seemed surprised and gratified that I had picked up on these connections (he doesn't know what we're like yet!) and thanked me very genuinely.
From there he went into the auditorium and sat in a row close to the back, probably assuming he wouldn't be noticed. Not a chance— within minutes there was a cluster of people around him. I did get one other chance to speak to him, and showed him a portrait of Vincent that my friend Pat Horowitz had done (with which he was definitely Impressed); I told him that he had given us a thing of such beauty and richness that we, as fans, couldn't help but respond, and that many of us, having been Star Trek fans for several years, felt that "Beauty and the Beast" was the first show on television since the original Star Trek series to have that same resonance and quality that appeals to people on such a basic but profound level. His eyes got really wide at that point — I had the feeling that he couldn't quite believe that he was being credited with having created a show of that sort of permanence and universality — and again he thanked me very warmly. Definitely a very nice man. I know that he has received lots of letters since the show began, but from his reactions to all the fans who spoke to him, I think he now has an idea.
[MUCH snipped about Perlman's one hour appearance]. [7]
References
- ^ from Renaissance: A Study of His Art #3
- ^ from Renaissance: A Study of His Art #3
- ^ paraphrased from an issue of Interstat, submitted to Usenet - Harve Bennett Comments by Alice Greene (Jul 12, 1984)
- ^ from Voyager #7
- ^ from Beta-Niobe August 1984
- ^ from Beauty and The Beast: The Newsletter #3
- ^ from Once Upon a Time...Is Now #2