The Stargate Convention --the "Final Journey" through the
Stargate (in Rosemont, Illinois).....
the headliner --this is the main attraction, the person who appears last
to speak on the stage, was Michael Shanks.
Always a pleasure. Other talent
appearing: Jewel Staite, Joe Flanagan, Christopher Judge, Paul McGillion,
Alaina Huffman, David Nykl, David Hewlett, Carmen Argenziano, Jamil Walker
Smith, David DeLuise, Dan Payne, Erick Avari, David Blue, Gary Jones, Peter
Kelamis, Rainbow Sun Francks. Thus covering
the entire Stargate franchise of programs:
Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and Stargate Universe.
Each
actor appeared on stage and talked or answered questions. Sometimes program specific, sometimes general
questions about random things, like: If
you could pick any one person to have a conversation with- who would you pick
and why..... or: have
you read any of the fan fiction related to your show/character, and if so, what
do you think...
There
was the traditional offering of breakfast with Dan Payne, sans Alex Zahara who
was unalbe to attend due to working on a play in Canada. This was fun and interesting, as we each get
to introduce ourselves and there is general random conversation, with Dan
leading the fun.
I got to
meet some new folks - a few that I never had contact with before, some that I
remembered from previous Stargate Conventions (2013, 2014, 2015), and some with
whom I have been friends on Facebook for a year or two. People from all over the world. The best thing about these conventions is
meeting new people, talking with friends, and sometimes just chatting with
people you will probably never see again.
.... It's always more fun when
people get talkative while waiting in line for a photo op or autograph. This is when you chat with people but don't
necessarily exchange names or other personal information. Depending on time constraints you may wait in
an autograph line for anywhere between 20 minutes to over an hour, so these
conversations do sometimes lead to friendships, and occasionally can be rather
educational.
This
year I am grateful that I got to have a meal with some friends: Allison, Melanie, and James. Allison and James drove from New Jersey, and
they picked up Melanie in Indiana on their way to the Con. We had a nice Italian dinner at a lovely
little restaurant in River Grove, Illinois on Grand Avenue just east of
Thatcher, where they have gluten free pasta.
(Alas, I cannot tell you the name because there is no Verizon cell service
where I am at the time of this writing, and I never get the name right without
looking it up. --south side of Grand Avenue, second restaurant from the west
end of the building...... parking lot right at the corner of Grand and
Thatcher, with no lined parking spaces.)
Anyway,
I would have to say that the highlight of this Stargate Convention, for me, was
meeting David DeLuise. He is the son of
the great and very funny Dom DeLuise, and it shows. David is warm, welcoming, funny, and
delightfully friendly. I can say enough
about what a delight it was to have a chance to talk with him. To share some memories of his father, and of
the many well known actors who spent time at the DeLuise home when David was
growing up. Truly an interesting and
talented man.
I had an
interesting conversation with Jamil Walker Smith, who appeared as Ronald Greer
in Stargate Universe. His portrayal of
Greer was so intense as to be disturbing.
A portrayal that made me, as a viewer, uncomfortable --what I consider
to be the mark of a great talent. I am
glad that I had the opportunity to express that to Jamil. Any time Greer appeared on Stargate Universe
I almost wanted to turn the television off, so disturbing was the vehemence and
intensity of his performance. That
uncomfortable feeling of wanting to turn away, yet being somehow spellbound by
the portrayal. A very fine actor, to be
sought out for further viewing pleasure.
(easy on the eyes too, if you get my meaning)
David
Blue (Stargate Universe) most notably almost has more fun meeting the fans as
we do meeting him! He was exuberant in 2015, and equally in 2016! He is as much a science fiction geek as any
of us. Pleasant, polite, and quite
delightful to meet.
As
always, it was a delight to visit with Dan Payne. Regrettably I somehow lost the one and only
selfie of myself with Dan this year. I
suspect that the darn phone did not snap the shot correctly and the person
holding the phone (actually neither Dan or I) did not realize that –and ONLY
gave it one try –I got 4 shots with everyone else.....). I think that Dan would agree that it was not
quite the same without the presence of Alex Zahara, who was unable to attend
this year –because
he was busy in a play in Canada. Alex –glad
that you were working on an exciting project, and sorry that we did not get to
enjoy your presence at the Final Stargate Convention.
Peter
Kelamis (Stargate Universe) was funny and delightful, as always. He stepped up and partnered with Dan Payne on
the MC duties, and shared photo-ops with Dan as well.
I was
great to see everyone, Dan Payne, David DeLuise, Allison, Melanie, Beth, Sally, Giuseppe....
If we didn't get to visit at the con, I am sorry that we did not see each other, or were both in a hurry.... and if you were unable to attend: my condolences, and may we meet again at a happy event -like a SciFi Con!
Note: the photos in the blog are my personal property, please do not copy or share them.
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