Starship Cincinnati

Convention
Name:	Starship Cincinnati
Dates:	August 6-7, 1983
Frequency:	once
Location:	Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
Type:	fan run, celebrity guests
Focus:	Star Trek
Organization:
Founder:	Joy Baker? New Eye Studios?
Founding Date:
URL:
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flyer

Starship Cincinnati is a Star Trek TOS convention that was held in 1983 in Kentucky.

Guests were Walter Koenig, Mark Lenard, Bruce Hyde, John Winston, and Jean Lorrah.

It had a film room, an art show, a costume show, a trivia contest, a banquet, and fanzines for sale.

There was also a theatrical performance that required an extra fee to attend. It was open to the general public. This was a play by two of the guests of honor called Actors: From the flyer:

We are proud to announce that Walter Koenig and Mark Lenard will DEBUT their two-man show encompassing THE MANY FACETS OF STAR TREK.

Con Reports

"A Touch of Class":

A few short weeks ago this editor was lucky enough to attend Starship Cincinnati, a convention held in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky (a Cincinnati suburb). This was the first convention ever by Joy Baker and her friends. But I hope that it will certainly not be the last. During that very, very special weekend, we fans were treated to the type of convention I have never attended, but have always wished for.

It wasn't that the convention was small, although that aspect made the weekend even more enjoyable. It was the atmosphere which prevailed that (made the activities unique; furthermore, it was the way in which we fans were treated: as adults.

The convention was intellectually stimulating, as well as having all the familiar "trappings" of a convention that we enjoy. We were treated to the rare, unique, and extremely welcome chance of seeing our ST favorites doing something other than Star Trek. To see Walter, Bruce, Mark, and John as more than crewmembers of the Enterprise is something every fan should have the chance to experience. The talents of these people are many, and as we saw them as complete performers, we also had a glimpse into the people that these folks are.

Perhaps most delightful was the chance to see Walter Koenig and Mark Lenard in "Actors" on Friday night. I continue to be pleased and surprised at the depth of Walter as a person, and as an actor. Both he and Mark succeeded in every actors' quest: to touch the audience. In Walter's Chekov/Koenig debate, I again marveled at the sensitivity he portrayed. It took a lot of guts to get up in front of fans and really analyze the relationship between Koenig, the actor and Chekov, the character. And hilarious though it was, it touched on many truths that other ST actors would probably be less than honest about.

Delightful too was the chance to finally meet Mark Lenard. I was not disappointed in my expectations, for Mark fulfilled them and more. He is an extremely witty, charismatic person whose warmth lights up any room.

Both Bruce Hyde and John Winston have unique personalities and great talent. As a vocalist, Bruce is so impressive that I was stunned. I didn't believe he could sing that well!

Most important about the weekend is that Joy Baker and her crew let us see the performers in different light, and the performers also saw fans differently. They saw us as more than ST fanatics, but as people who can appreciate art, music, drama, and intellectual thinking. It was a rare time, a unique time, a convention with a distinct "Touch of Class".

STARSHIP CINCINNATI was held at the Drawbridge Inn, August 5-7. The place was very spread out and confusing. I tried to follow instructions, but after two times of being lost, I finally had to get help from some of the maids to find my room. I felt a bit better, though, when I saw some of the other guests wandering around, suitcases in hand.

After I had gotten settled a bit, I started to look around for some fellow Trekkers, and to see what was going on around the con rooms. I found the room where Walter Koenig and Mark Lenard, two of the guests, were to perform the play

"Actors." For the remainder of the late afternoon, I talked with several members of the con, and we said a quick, but friendly hello to Mark Lenard as he came out from rehearsing with Walter.

Walter's Chekov/Walter routine after "Actors" was really great, and funny, and has to be heard to be appreciated. Later we danced at the disco in the hotel.

We attended the lectures of Bruce Hyde, Mark Lenard, and of course, Walter. All were really great and interesting, with Walter starting his by reading an article to us from a newspaper, featuring all the news about the new movie. It was hard to believe that the movie would start shooting a week after the con.

I had met Walter at our con in St. Louis, and he remembered me, and signed my program. Walter seemed very tired, but was very pleasant, and gracious to everyone, as usual.

There was a banquet and party. The food and company were great, and the actors were very entertaining at the party.

John Winston (Kyle) performed material from "Man of LaMancha" and Bruce Hyde (Riley) sang country and western songs. Walter was the emcee.

The panel with all of the stars together was convened the next day. It was great fun and interesting.

Soon it was time for Walter and Mark to be taken to the airport, and we watched as they ran out the front door, waving as they left. We felt sort of sad, but remembering what a great time we had helped. We were not actors and fans, in a sense, at this con — we were all friends, and we will not soon forget the feeling of love and happiness, and togetherness we all had the whole weekend.

Quick! When is the next one?

For my vacation this year, I decided to take a trip to America (from England), and of course I had to attend a Star Trek convention while I was in the States.

As it was I chose to go to STARSHIP CINCINNATI, which was held at the Drawbridge Inn, Kentucky, August 5-7. It proved to be quite an amazing weekend.

Walter Koenig, Mark Lenard, Bruce Hyde, and John Winston were the guest speakers. I was looking forward to hearing each one of them talk; however, what I hadn’t expected was the wonderful treats these fine performers had in store for us.

I wrote about "Actors" in the next section of ConVoyages, but I also want to comment about the other surprises.

On Saturday, I discovered John Winston had a marvelous singing voice. He sang a selection of songs from the musical "Man of La Mancha," then lightened the mood by singing a selection of popular tunes. In a very short time he had the entire audience joining in and having a good time. Bruce Hyde also appeared Saturday and sang for us. I have heard Bruce sing before and it was no less a pleasure hearing him sing again. Bruce has a lovely voice but he is a songwriter, too, and some of the songs he performed for us were his own composition. His final song was "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," sung in Kevin Riley's particular style.

Captain Euston was also on this mission. He found everything shipshape. He reports,

"I saw the play 'Actors' with Rosemary on Friday night and I was impressed.. .but what really amazed me was Walter Koenig's Walter/Chekov debate. For about twenty minutes, Walter slipped in and out of the character Chekov and they talked to each other. It was tremendously funny and I'm sure a very difficult thing to do."

Captain Euston adds, "Rosemary is going to get married in September to a man she has known for twelve years...I'll let you know how it all turns out." (For any of you who don't know. Captain Euston is a Teddy Bear...)

The efforts of Mark, Walter, John, and Bruce made the con one to remember. These gentlemen confirmed a suspicion I had always had...they are all very talented and highly skilled people.