Shore Leave (US convention)/2006
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Shore Leave (US convention) |
| Dates: | 2006 |
| Frequency: | |
| Location: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Type: | |
| Focus: | multi-fandom |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Shore Leave is an annual fan-run convention that takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
It was founded by the Star Trek Association of Towson which continues to run it. The first convention took place in 1979; the con was still running as of 2025.
The con's focus was initially on Star Trek, but it has since broadened to include other science fiction media.
2006: Shore Leave 28
Some guests: Ann Crispin, Kevin Summers) Nicole deBoer and Cirroc Lofton (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Teryl Rothery and Michael Welch (Stargate SG-1), Mercedes McNab and Brian Thompson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel), Greg Evigan, Thom Christopher, Manu Intiraymi (Icheb of Star Trek: Voyager), and Clint Howard.
2006: Programming
- Showcase: Con Skit: Opening sketch: “A Faerie Home Companion," Episode MST-ed: TOS: “A Private Little War” by Mystery Trekkie Theater (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
- other unknown
2006: Con Reports
STAR TREK, STARGATE & THE COLLECTIVEAs you walk down the main corridor leading to the convention Halls you are overwhelmed by the fact that you are also walking into the bridge of a Star Fleet Patrol Cruiser; the U.S.S. Sovereign NCC-7500 in fact and are pleasantly greeted by the officer of the day, Jay from Philadelphia. He explained that the Sovereign is a fan club out of Philadelphia, PA, who brings this complete entire bridge set down to the Con along with the Captain's ready room and a Borg alcove. All this effort is put in for a Charity back in Philadelphia: The Children's Chapter of Saint Christopher's. "People can come up and have their pictures taken either with their own camera," Jay offers, "or we'll do them professionally here and have them printed out for them to take home. All monies go to our charity, we raffle off a chocolate basket, we have a DVD player, DVDs to go along with that." He explains their involvement with the Con and their organization, "We come down here to have fun with a 17-foot U-Haul truck every year. This entire set went through a world wind tour from Norfolk Virginia, Philadelphia, Buffalo, New York via Regal Cinemas and Paramount on the "Nemesis" tour when Star Trek: Nemesis came out back in 2000." Jay went on to talk about the extent of the Star Trek fandom, "We have 25-members in our group in Philadelphia, overall in Starfleet is close to 4,500. We're one of the largest clubs in the world; Starfleet is literally documented in the Guinness Book of Work Records as the largest Sci-fi fan club." And Jay proves that the dedication involved goes fan deep for each and everyone of them, "This is the only convention I get to go to now, I used to go to all of them when they were back up in Philadelphia, I've been doing this since 1991, so this is almost 15-years."
[...]
HEROES AND VILLAINS
Nicole deBoer (Sarah) of "The Dead Zone" A highlight of every convention is the featured Q&A panels with the VIP Guests, and although Shore Leave is definitely geared towards the Sci-fi, two ladies who filled the halls to capacity were Teryl Rothery of Stargate SG-1, whose character was killed off last season to the great disappointment of many Gate fans, and Nicole deBoer who is currently on The Dead Zone, but is more familiar to Trekkies as Ezri Dax from Deep Space Nine. But Angel fans got the chance to experience a delightful 2-day panel with Harmony herself, Mercedes McNab, and humorous and insightful panels with Buffy cohort, Brian Thompson. A favorite at any convention, Brian can typically be found in the autograph area singing for the fans but this weekend, everyone got a chance to talk to this very sensitive and family-oriented man who has played almost every character on the face of the planet and beyond from series as the X-Files, Star Treks' Deep Space Nine, Alien Nation, to NYPD Blue, including James Cameron's The Terminator and he has a great story to go along with them all. As you'll read later, Brian had a little bit of fun at Mercedes expense but in his panel following hers, Brian explained how he landed his second role on Buffy.
[...]
When fans were not attending the talk sessions they could easily wonder the floor and find their favorite guests signing autographs. The great thing about smaller conversions, though this was by no means small, is the quality time you can spend with the guests; being able to chat with them for a few minutes while they sign a photo or your piece of memorabilia. A few of the actors present brought back some great memories of classic television shows or just reminded you of how much work they have done over the course of their careers, while others just starting out in the business showed their professionalism and sincere appreciation for the attention given them by the Con-goers. Actors Greg Evigan of B.J. and the Bear and My Two Days treated fans to a surprise impromptu performance of his musical talents with an vocal selection as well as hitting the ivories (if you were lucky enough to be in the lounge) late Friday night. Recently, Greg is most proud of his originally composed scores recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the famous Beatles' Abbey Road Studios in London. Clint Howard, younger brother to Ron, has been in television or film since the age of two and fits in perfectly at SL-26 having appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Grandy and as the Ferengi, Muk on Enterprise. Along with his Sci-fi work, Clint stared in some of the biggest films of the last two decades including, The Missing, the Austin Powers films, and My Dog Skip. On the other end of the spectrum, young Michael Welch, better know to non-Sci-fiers from Joan of Arcadia was a surprise hit as fans flocked to his table, but this young man's resume packs quite an impressive punch. Michael's appeared on Judging Amy, CSI, The X-Files, Chicago Hope, 7th Heaven and Stargate SG-1 where he played the regressed Col. O'Neill to amazing perfection! Michael was very gracious and happy to pose for photos with all the fans proving size doesn't matter!
Besides all the VIP action, there were interests outside the celebrity circles for every age group as well. A Gaming section was available for every enthusiast from Dungeons & Dragons to an impressive demonstration of War Hammer 40,000 (that's 40,000 years into the future) where Imperial good guys vs. Alien bad guys for control of the future of the world. Here teams battle each other in an ongoing game that took up a 10-foot table and then some, complete with buildings and multiply forces of good and evil. An Art room was made available for those inspired to bring they favorite characters to life via the pencil and pen, and there were quite a few talented fans doing their actor counterparts justice. The Dealer's Floor was very impressive and provided fans with more than just the usual posters, t-shirts, photos and trading cards, although they were in great abundance as well. Other vendors were on hand to show their wares such as Dream Works Custom Leather providing all your Renaissance needs as well as Star Trek and fantasy costuming plus Civil War period pieces. Lightspeed Fine Arts, Inc. has an array of lithographs and original production pieces of beautiful Star Trek and Stargate renditions as well as portraits of many of the series leading actors. Plus a variety of spacescapes to make any alien miss his home world. GreatWizards.com provided a table of original fantasy artwork while J&J Enterprises of Baltimore, who attends SL-26 every year, offered jewelry and weaponry of world class caliber custom work.
The most impressive event of Shore Leave had to be their Masquerade with an exceptional pool of talent to make any Hollywood costume designer. Not only are the costumes themselves impression, and of film quality, but the people behind them are just as remarkable! Besides their obvious devotion to the theme or character involved, most if not all of the fans share their talent for local and nationwide Charity organizations such as a rather infamous group of Klingons who have been invited on the original Enterprise navel ship (not set). (Photo: Jeff Kesler and Mike Broome from Maryland, Lisa Jackson from North Carolina and Sally Arkulari from Pennsylvania travel along the east coast to attend conventions, but in their home states will get together for various fundraises and hospital visits. In the case of the characters from Star Wars, not to be left out of this convention as there were several Storm Troopers about, Bryan and Samantha White from Baltimore spend their time attending Cons in Philadelphia and Virginia. Bryan told us this Vadar costume can cost up to $1,000-1,500 to make from a kit costume, but the hours that go into these original outfits prove that the Force extends far beyond the professional wardrobe department at Paramount. [1]
References
- ^ Kristy Bratton for CityofAngel.com, About the Town Happenings; archive link