Not attending Vul-Con 2019 after all...

The following post I made on the ‘Pop Culture Pub’ group on Facebook 

Vul-Con 2019???

Vulcan is a town in the prairies of southern Alberta, Canada, within Vulcan County. It is located on Highway 23, midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge. The town has been recognized by CBS (whom owns 'Star Trek') as the 'Star Trek Capital of Canada'. AND Vul-Con is an annual 'Star Trek' convention organized by Vulcan tourism. The original convention coincided with the annual town fair called 'Spock Days' and was held in June. But in 2016 the Star Trek convention was moved from 'Spock Days' to its own weekend in July and rebranded 'Vul-Con'. This was due in large part because 'Spock Days' was already a big fair with most of the locals attending fair activities and a large slow-pitch ball tournament. With the fair, ball tournament AND a 'Star Trek' convention occurring on the same weekend things got crowded and accommodations were scarce and campgrounds were at capacity.

 

I have been going to Vul-Con (Spock Days convention) since 2013 and I am not impressed with the organization of the con these last 2 years. I know there have been some reorganizational changes within Vulcan Tourism with new people running things, so it can be a confusing and daunting task going in new and organizing a convention. But this convention is a boost to the local economy every year it is successful and would grow based on its success. Once word gets out this convention is not to the high standards they achieved 2013 through 2017 people are going to stay away and go elsewhere for their holidays and that money they would have brought and spent in Vulcan will go elsewhere. Last year was TERRIBLE and so far things are not looking any better. I liked going when there was actual show stars, guest stars (of significance) and behind the scenes crew people that actually played big parts in making the shows (like Rick Sternbach and Ira Steven Behr). I really don’t care if I meet the guy who was in the Gorn costume in TOS (he might be a great guy and all but not on my fanboy list of people to meet), or a guy from Germany who looks like Spock. And to make matters worse currently the tickets for the convention are not available for purchase online yet...

I plan my summer holiday around this event and when I’m down there I spend a lot of money in the local economy (room, food, vendors, stores, etc). If  I am to come to Vulcan and invest my time and money as a tourist it needs to be worth my while. A lot of my friends who have attended in years past also share my concerns. I know the next guest being announced is Tracee Cocco, who was a background actress/ stunt woman on TNG and the TNG films (but I don’t think she had any lines except maybe “Aye sir”). There is a fourth guest being announced on the 15th of May. If it’s an actual cast regular or producer I might still go... depending on who it is. 

Tracee Cocco

It’s just sad to see how the quality of this con has declined so quickly. Plus according to the convention event poster releases on line you now have to buy a VIP ticket to attend the Q&A’s... that would be a deal breaker right there for me. Q&A’s should be available for everyone who pays for a ticket, with the VIP’s getting front row seating (as it’s always been). 

Hopefully things turn around. It would be a damn shame to see this convention turn into a mere shadow of its former self. In the years I've been going they have had Odo, Kira, The Doctor (Robert Picardo), Neelix, Chakotay, Garek, Gowron, Jake Sisko (just to name a few)... and now we are getting the guy who wore the Gorn costume? We are getting a guy from Germany who is a Spock look-a-like?

 

 

A LITTLE CATCH-UP

So I've been away for the summer, busy with work and holidays and now I'm back to do some blogging. so here goes:

Ant Man & The Wasp
I watched this Marvel film shortly after its release and I liked it. It definitely had some big shoes to fill with 'Avengers Infinity War' being as incredible s it was back in May. Paul Rudd is great in any film he's in and he was the perfect choice to play Scott Lang (Ant Man) and he was just as great in this film. After all the heavy stuff in 'Infinity War' it was nice to have a more light hearted film as this one takes place prior to 'War'.

3.5 out of 5
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As I mentioned in a previous blog post I attended a Star Trek convention in Canada's Star Trek Capital: Vulcan Alberta.

This will be the 6th time I have attended this convention. The reason I make this pilgrimage every year is because of the town, the people who live there and attend the con, and the organizers. I'm not a big fan of line ups or large crowds of people so this convention is a perfect fit for me.

This year was a little different. New organizers, a lot of my friends who attend did not this year and the guest list was not very stellar. In years past I have met The Doctor from Voyager, Neelix, Odo, Kira, Jake Sisko, Gowron, Kurn (Worfs brother), Rick Sternbach (TNG/DS9/Voyager technical consultant), Chakotay, Ensign Kim, Lieutenant Reed, Leeta...and the list goes on. But this year they had some C-Listers, no one to get excited about. And I suspect that may be the reason for the low attendance this year. Also the vendors market was missing quite a few vendors compared to other years.

Next year I'm sure it will be better. My good friend Tyler will be back for next year and he always makes conventions more lively.
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I am an Elvis Presley fan. I've always loved his music but I will be the first to admit I am not the biggest fan. I have never watched any of his movies and was shocked to learn he made 31 films!!! But I do love his music and for the past 10 years there has been something called 'The Blue Suede Music Festival' being held in Busby Alberta, which as luck would have it is about a 35 minute drive from my place.

Busby attracts a lot of Elvis 'Tribute Artists' every year. Saturday night they had a live band called the 'Cadillac Kings' to play with the artists. Unfortunately the BC wild fire smoke, hornets and rain did put a damper on the day but it was still a load of fun and I will be attending in years to come.

Check out my pics on the Blue Suede Festival on my Twitter and Instagram @chrisloc1701

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Still on the fence about getting back into podcasting...will keep you informed.

Attending Vul-Con 2018

As usual for me I will be attending Vul-Con this year in Vulcan Alberta. It is a Star Trek Convention that occurs in the 'Star Trek Capital of Canada' (which is sanctioned by Star Trek's owners: CBS).

This will be my first official convention of 2018. I have been attending the convention in Vulcan since 2013 and it is my favorite by far. The small town atmosphere is awesome and it is far less restricting than the big conventions.

It will be occurring July 27-29. if you are in the area I highly recommend it if you are a Trekkie.

And I will be attending the Edmonton Expo September 21-23 in Edmonton Alberta.