Sierra Nevada Anime Fans Unite!

SNAFU Con is marking it’s third year at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno Nevada and Trek Radio will be there to bring you all the behind the scenes anime news you crave.

Join our very own DJ Haku as he performs live on the main stage throughout the three day weekend with a special Haku’s Hostile Takeover live Sunday at 10PM PDT / 1AM EDT / 6AM BST.

Don’t miss a moment of the action! The doors open at noon on Friday, September 28th and don’t shut until 6PM on Sunday, September 30th! There will be special guests, cosplay, anime viewing, a tabletop gaming area, a video gaming area, panels, improv, late-night programming, and much more! Go to www.snafucon.com for more info!

Harmless Content Season 2 Premiere

This Sunday, September 30th at 10pm EDT, and Wednesday, October 3rd, 12pm EDT, DJ Atomos and the crew of the U.S.S. Watchtower will kick off Season II of the Harmless Content Transmission.

Launched January 9, 2011 on Trek Radio, the Harmless Content Transmission introduced the audience to a wide variety of different music and included a storyline that revolved around the captain and crew of the Galaxy-class starship, U.S.S. Watchtower. From the beginning fans of Star Trek recognized this Trek adventure was a little different than the usual.

Set in the Star Trek Online universe, the main storyline revolves around a cryptic, liberated Borg captain and his crew of malcontents. As the story progresses, the audience finds out the crew is given the opportunity to have their sentences reduced under one condition: they must volunteer to join the Watchtower in a secret project known only as “Delinquent Starship.” This project launches as an attempt by Starfleet to hold off the brutal advances of the Klingon Empire during the war of 2409. Unknown to many of the crew, the U.S.S. Watchtower is not meant to return from the frontlines. Set with this impossible mission, the Federation misfits manage to elude almost certain destruction at every turn.

Throughout Season I, the audience learns that Captain Atomos is on a secondary mission. This classified undertaking involves the recovery of counterculture music, art, and literature, originally banned by the Khan Empire during the Eugenics Wars of the 1990’s. The material that is broadcast on the Harmless Content Transmission is that very data.

Harmless Content features a wide range of material including punk, ska, classic rock, hip hop, jazz, poetry, classical, comedy, and just about anything you can imagine. The music reflects the innovative storyline that explores the counterculture, and boldly takes you to places no one has gone before.

From the Bridge – Andy Milne LIVE

Toronto native and iconic musician Andy Milne will be LIVE in studio this Sunday, September 16th at 8pm EDT!

Andy Milne draws inspiration from various forms of music, politics, philosophy, comedy, and science fiction. Some of his musical influences include Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Herbie Nichols, Bela Bartok, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder. A recipient of the New Works commission and the French-America Jazz Exchange grants from Chamber Music America in 2006, and voted “Rising Star Keyboardist” by Down Beat Magazine in 2004, Milne is one of the most important and respected voices in jazz today. His highly recognizable group Dapp Theory blends funk, hip-hop and jazz with seamless precision. Their current release, Layers of Chance [ObliqSound/Contrology – 2008], features fresh compositions by Milne that blend various instrumental textures, infectious grooves, layered with lush harmonies and poignant lyrics. A life-long Star Trek fan, Milne will be releasing the critically acclaimed soundtrack to the William Shatner documentary “The Captains” on September 18th. Tune into “The Jazz Lounge” with DJ Rockwell for a special sneak peak and what’s sure to be a great discussion about Trek, jazz, music, and sound.

When: Sunday, September 16th, 5pm PDT/8pm EDT/1am GMT
If you’d like to ask a question, you can do so by emailing questions@trekradio.net or join the IRC chatroom to ask your question in person. We hope to see you there!

Koenig Star Celebration

At 11:30am Pacific/2:30pm Eastern Time (US) Walter Koenig became the final “Star Trek” original series cast member to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is the 2,479th star to be added on the Walk of Fame located on Hollywood Boulevard near Las Palmas Avenue. Walter’s star is near that of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and castmate George Takei. When the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Walter Koenig had at last been chosen to be one of the recipients for a stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mr. Koenig had this reaction,

“This is something that you hope and wish for, dream about, but something you never expect to really happen…It’s a joyous occasion and I am deeply honored.”

While all of them have their handprints and signatures in cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Walter is the last of the main seven cast members of “Star Trek: The Original Series” to be awarded a star. Walter has been nominated yearly since 2006 and fans had been constantly rallying to impress upon the committee why they thought Walter should receive a star.

His qualifications include a television career spanning over 51 years – starting with the pilot episode for “General Hospital”, and the creation of not one, but two iconic characters: “Pavel Chekov” in “Star Trek” and “Alfred Bester” in “Babylon 5” – for which he was submitted for Emmy consideration. His community involvement has included grassroots work to restore community theatres, work on behalf of two American Indian communities, organizations committed to animal rights, a charity assisting teens living on the streets, and an on-going commitment to help bring an end to the human rights violations in Myanmar. (Source: Walter Koenig’s Star Fund)

Watch Walter’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony, live! (Source: Walk Of Fame)

Walter has been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of his friends and fans in raising the $30,000 in expenses to make the installment possible, including a donation from Rod Roddenberry.

“In a very real way Gene Roddenberry helped launch my career. In another very real way Roddenberry Entertainment and Rod Rodenberry in particular have put punctuation on that career with their generosity.”Forever in your debt.”

For more pictures of this very special day, check out the coverage from our friends at Planet Xpo and Trek News!

46 Years of Star Trek

It speaks to some basic human needs, that there is a tomorrow — it’s not all going to be over in a big flash and a bomb, that the human race is improving, that we have things to be proud of as humans. No, ancient astronauts did not build the pyramids — human beings built them because they’re clever and they work hard. And Star Trek is about those things.
–GENE RODDENBERRY

Today marks the 46th Anniversary of Star Trek. All those many years ago a small group of people decided to create an epic depiction of Man’s future. Amidst all of the turmoil and uncertainty of the 1960’s Star Trek emerged as a beacon of hope to an unsteady populace. Star Trek was not about the misuse and exploitation of science, nuclear war, famine, pestilence, or any other man-made folly that would forever doom our future. No, Star Trek was about what we as a society could achieve.

The Crew of the Starship Enterprise were altruistic, noble, and selfless. They were a multiracial, multinational mix of characters all working together. There was a Russian on the bridge… and a woman. An African American woman at that who had all of the same rights and standing of any of the men. It was a revolution veiled in science fiction and thanks to Desilu Studios it became a television show on September 8th, 1966 and the world was never the same again.

When Star Trek began its run it depicted technology which was fanciful for the time. Communicators, handheld computers, tricorders, and hyposprays to name a few. All technologies that have been realized in some form less than half a century later. Now, it’s no stretch of the imagination… it’s no chicken or the egg conundrum. Generations of scientists and visionaries grew up watching Gene Roddenberry’s “Wagon Train to the Stars.” It molded and shaped them to the point of it being rare when someone working at Motorola, JPL, or NASA doesn’t cite Star Trek as a major influence in their career choice. I am writing this on a wireless touch screen device while I am sitting outside on a park bench enjoying the last remnants of Summer. When I’m done I will beam the article up to our server where it will be free to be instantly disseminated to people all over the world. It’s a level of connectivity previously only imagined in science fiction. Star Trek has indeed changed the world, but don’t take my word for it…

The media is ALL over Star Trek’s birthday. Resident Trekipedia Larry Nemecek talks about this on his latest blog entry over at Trekland. He mentions how even Google beamed aboard for the celebration with its Google Doodle original series adventure, with special guest star Bobby “The Gorn” Clark in a recreation of one of the most iconic moments in television. From Google to news services all around the world, Star Trek is on the mind of millions. The franchise has boldly gone where no man has gone before… and thankfully shows no signs of stopping. Live long and prosper.

Ronald D Moore & Brent Spiner to appear at Star Trek London 2012

Emmy Award winning producer and screenwriter Ronald D Moore of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager series, and Brent Spiner, who played the android Data in The Next Generation, have today joined the star studded cast as honourable guests at the inaugural DESTINATION STAR TREK LONDON event, running from the 19^th – 21^st October 2012 at London’s ExCeL Centre.

Spiner and Moore will complete one of the largest collection of actors, producers and screenwriters from Star Trek’s 45+ years of television series and films in the first ever DESTINATION STAR TREK LONDON, offering fans a rare opportunity to be amongst some of their favourite, legendary stars in one place. This year’s Line-up now includes: Rene Auberjonois, Nana Visitor, , JG Hertzler, Robert O’Reilly, Gwynth Walsh, Tricia O’Neil, Sean Kenney, Walter Koenig, Arlene Martel, Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating, Chase Masterson, Robin Curtis, Jeffrey Combs, Casey Biggs, John de Lancie, Denise Crosby, Martha Hackett, Marc Alaimo, Alice Krige, Eddie Paskey and Manu Intriraymi.

DSTL will also be the first event in Europe to see all five legendary captains together, in one place! William Shatner (Captain Kirk – Star Trek: The Original Series) will be joined by the UK’s Sir Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard – Star Trek: The Next Generation), Avery Brooks (Captain Sisko – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway – Star Trek: Voyager) and Scott Bakula (Captain Archer – Star Trek: Enterprise) will be present for the duration of the event.

Ronald D Moore will also apear in the Behind the Scenes Theatre, where he will  discuss his work on Star Trek and answer those all-important questions from fans alongside fellow Producers  Ira Steven Behr (TNG/ DS9) and Brannon Braga (TNG/ DS9/ ST ENT) to. All three producers will be on stage daily throughout the event*.

The captains will also be participating in an Opening Ceremony talk which will give fans the opportunity to ask them questions. Each of them will also have individual Q&A talks on Saturday and Sunday, along with autograph and photo shoot sessions with fans.

Other exciting features at the event include: autograph opportunities, photo shoots with the stars, guest talks, replica sets, a unique Star Trek Museum, stunt demonstrations, costume displays and lots more!

Two exclusive parties are also planned for the Friday and Saturday nights, taking place at the ExCeL with entertainment included so there’s something for everyone who attends. The Klingon Monster Ball (Friday 19^th Oct) will feature live music with JG Hertzler and Robert O’Reilly, blood wine and a host of Klingons to celebrate the first day of the event.

Saturday night’s party will mark the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation.  The party will feature Chase Masterson (Barjoran Dabo Leeta – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and her all-star cabaret!

With all of this and more, ‘DESTINATION STAR TREK LONDON’ will be an unmissable event for both hardcore fans of the show and for people who are curious about the Star Trek universe!

 Follow Destination Star Trek London on Twitter @StarTrek_London

 Seats for the Behind the Scenes Theatre will be first come first served (schedules for this theatre will be available on the DSTL website, logon for more information and tickets: www.startreklondon.com.

The Essentials

Ticket prices:

Tickets start from £29 standard entry up to Silver, Gold, Platinum and VIP packages.

For further ticket info visit www.startreklondon.com/ticket-info

 Opening Times:

• Friday 19^th Oct – 2pm – 9pm
• Saturday 20^th Oct – 9am – 7pm
• Sunday 21^st Oct – 9am – 6pm

Parties:

• The Klingon Monster Ball – Friday 19^thOct – 8.30pm til late
  • Tickets: £25 tickets available in advance or on the door
  • Dress Code: Klingon Battle Dress/Alien/Other or Casual
  • GOLD, PLATINUM & VIP Have tickets for this party included in their package

• The 25th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation! – Saturday 20^th October – 7.30pm til late
  • Tickets: £25 tickets available in advance or on the door
  • Dress Code: Starfleet Uniforms/Similar or Casual
  • PLATINUM & VIP Have tickets for this party included in their package

For more information and tickets visit www.startreklondon.com