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.

Spock Days 2013: Vulcan, Alberta June 7-9

So my wife Crystal and I made the journey down to Vulcan, Alberta to attend 'Spock Days' for the first time. Big "Thank you" to my wife for agreeing to go along with this trip as she is not a Trek fan at all. For those who do not know, Vulcan is a small town in rural Alberta, south of Calgary. The town is celebrating it's 100 year anniversary this year, so their name predates the original Trek series. But Vulcan tourism came up with the brilliant marketing ploy to capitalize on their name and associate it with Star Trek. For 21 years they have had their town fair as 'Spock Days'. Spock days is essentially a town fair and Star Trek convention rolled into one. And Vulcan is officially recognized by CBS Studios (which owns the rights to Trek) as the 'Star Trek Capital of Canada'! Very cool, well cool if you are a Trek fan that lives in Alberta. 

Back in February I purchased my 'Captains Tickets' and I was ready to go. Star Trek: Voyager actors Robert Picardo (the Doctor) and Ethan Philips (Neelix) were there along with Trek illustrator Rick Sternbach. 

Ethan Philips & Robert Picardo

Rick Sternbach & Chris

Friday night they had a 'Meet & Greet' with the Admiral & Captain ticket holders at the Vulcan Legion Hall. We got to mix and mingle with the celebrity guests. Crystal and I got to meet the actors agents as they sat at our table. Rick Sternbach eventually sat beside me at our table and we had a good Trek conversation. 

I shook hand with Ethan Philips and he asked me about my Toronto Blue Jays hat. We then had a quick conversation about baseball and his fondness for the Jays. I got to shake Robert Picardo's hand and listen to him tell stories about his acting career. He was drinking a Kokanee beer!! 

Saturday Crystal and I got to see the actors again as they were staying at our hotel in High River. When we got back to Vulcan we attended the parade which was awesome with a lot of cool parade floats and great Trek cosplay. Robert, Ethan and Rick were also part of the parade riding on convertibles. 

Vulcan was to open their official 'Trek Museum', but unfortunately due to issues with CBS they were unable to open this weekend. Much to the disappointment of fans. 

Crystal

At the school was the 'Dealers room' and photo-ops and autographs with the guests. Robert Picardo & Ethan Philips performed a funny comedic stage play prior to the dinner that evening. I also won free 'Captains tickets' for the 2014 'Spock Days', so yes I will be returning. 

Overall 'Spock Days' was a great experience, I had a great time and met some great people. 

This & That: 'Spock Days'

Hey there friend this is your old pal Chrisloc1701 with an announcement to make. I will be attending my first 'Spock Days' this year. 'Spock Days' take place in Vulcan Alberta, The Star Trek Capital of Canada. This will be my first time attending this event. The event runs June 8-10 2012, but I will only be at the event the 9th and 10th. 

Among the many events taking place what I am looking forward to is meeting and getting my photo with Walter Koenig (TOS's Pavel Chekov), Conner Trinneer (Trip from 'Enterprise'), Arlene Martel (on TOS she played Spock's Wife) and Garrett Wang (Ensign Kim from 'Voyager'). Even though I am not a Voyager fan I am looking forward to meeting Garrett Wang as he was a blast to see at the TNG EXPOsed show in Calgary last weekend. Also there will be a Saturday Night Cabaret featuring Canadian Alternative Band '54-40'!!! Very excited to make the road trip to Vulcan to take in this event. 

Also I will be attending the 'Edmonton Pop Culture Fair' September 23/12 @ The Alberta Aviation Museum.