Celebrating 35 years of Star Trek, this year's Creation Grand Slam convention in Pasadena promises to be one of, if not the biggest ever Star Trek convention. Commencing March 30th and running until April first, it promises not only to be a big weekend but one of firsts and fun.

Highlights for the weekend appear many and varied. Ricardo Montalban (Kahn) and Robert Wise, for example, will be both be among those making their first known convention appearances. Wise, director of 'Star Trek: The Motion' picture and winner of four academy awards, is currently overseeing the restoration of the movie as it comes to DVD for the first time in a new, much talked about special Directors Edition. The Director's Edition producer David C. Fein, restoration supervisor Michael Matessino and visual effects supervisor Daren R. Dochterman will be appearing alongside the director.

Montalban, on the other hand, the man considered by many to have portrayed the ultimate Trek villain, will not only be on stage for the first time, but will actually share some of it with the man who played his arch-enemy, William Shatner (Kirk). To commemerate this moment Shatner and Montalban have signed a very limited number (70 pieces worldwide) of full-colour glossy photos from the classic episode 'Space Seed', the original series episode which marked the first meeting of the two greats. Details on the plaques and how to order them can be found here.

Attendees should also be alert for news on both the new series and movie - Brannon Braga, one of the current driving forces behind Trek, will be appearing at the convention on Sunday. While normally tight-mouthed about what's to come for Star Trek, Braga may see the convention as the perfect opportunity to confirm or deny the various rumors about the next two big Trek projects. Meanwhile, Leonard Nimoy (Spock) and John de Lancie (Q) will be starring once more in 'SPOCK vs. Q': The Complete Show'. Including the new sequel, which will have its West Coast Premiere at this performance, the unique play is broken into two acts: the original and sequel. However, separate admission to the performance is required.

In another first, Voyager's Robert Picardo will finally be launching a CD compilation of his infamous song parodies. Entitled 'basic bob', it will feature 9 song parodies (details of which are, as yet, unknown) and will be on sale by his fan club, CARPE, in the dealers' room of the Grand Slam Friday and Saturday, at the Saturday evening cabaret and also in the autograph line at the actor's table on that Sunday. It's also worth remembering that 20% of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

William Shatner (Kirk) will also be getting in the act for charity - he'll be auctioning off several items from his own personal Star Trek collection. A number of items are reportedly already up for auction at E-Bay (details of which may be found here), while more items will be up for the highest bidder come the event itself. Among those items up for auction on the day is a non-speaking, walk on role in Series V.

Aside from the various Star Trekian cast and crew members, several fan organizations will get a good showing too. The Excelsior, or 'Bring Back Sulu' Campaign recently announced that a press-conference would be held in conjunction with George Takei (Sulu) and Creation. While other details are more or less unknown at this stage, the conference will be held one hour before the actor's Friday appearance at the convention. Members of the 'Bring Back Kirk' campaign will also be out in force, with BBK officials recently being given permission to screen their 2 minute 14 second trailer at various Creation conventions, though it's not certain wether it will make its debut this weekend or at a later date.

Some of the other highlights for the weekend include a special presentation on the two currently airing Roddenberry concepts, Tribunes's 'Earth: Final Conflict' and 'Andromeda', appearances by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, a cabaret evening featuring the talents of James Darren (Vic Fontaine), Chase Masterson (Leeta), Tim Russ (Tuvok), Robert Duncan McNeill (Paris) and Robert Picardo (the Doctor), the 'Ferengi Family Hour' and much more.

More information on the Grand Slam, including a full list of attendees and some more of major highlights, can be found at the Creation Website, www.creationent.com. To those already planning on attending, we'd love to recieve a report or two from the weekend.

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