Ohio sci-fi expo - Vulkon - Day 1

Duffster · July 14, 2007, 01:17:43 PM

Well my daughter and I just got back from day one of Vulkon here in Columbus, Oh. I was a little disappointed on the size of the con. I guess I should have expected that, since it was in Columbus, but it did seem to be lacking.

Unfortunately I am on quit a budget, so I couldn't afford the autographs with the stars, nor the photo ops. But it was quite cools seeing Jonathon Billingsley, Stephen Furst, Billy Mummie, and Andrea Thompson in person.

The first speaker was David Reddick who does The Trek Life at Star Trek .com. He was pretty funny. He also works on the Garfield comic, which I thought was pretty interesting.

Johnathon Billingsly was hilarious!! His wife was there and she ran through the audience getting questions. She also talked a lot, and reminded him of a lot of things. He told a great story of how much he hated the one show where him and Jolene Blalock were stuck in the decompression chamber while she was going through the Pon-Far. Whether it's true or not he said that Jolene was a very gassy lass.... and it was on purpose! So even though you think that would have been a great scene, the way he protrayed it, it was a very smelly scene. I have a great picture of when he took his last question, and he raced trough the audience to try and beat his wife to ask the question.. Again a really funny guy.

Tim Russ was good as well, he sang a few very funny songs about Voyager. On was to the Love Boat tune, and another to the Gilligans Island tune. He talked about what he is now doing, Of Gods and Men, and another thing called Plugged. He then showed about 4 minutes of film from Of Gods and Men, and then showed Plugged. Both were very good in my opinion.

Unfortunately I was able to stay and see Kate Mulgrew >:( >:(

Tomorrow is Avery Brooks, and the Babylon 5 people giving talks so I am looking forward to that.

I wll post some pictures when I can.

Later

Duffster

Rico · July 14, 2007, 03:21:04 PM

Can't wait to hear more and see the pictures. I've been to a couple of smaller cons in Ohio before. I kind of like the smaller, more intimate setting than the mega cons they seem to want to do these days. Have fun tomorrow!

Duffster · July 15, 2007, 04:24:13 AM

Here are a few pics from day one. I brought a camera we haven't used for a while, and am not happy at all with the quality of the pictures. I took a lot more, but these are all that were passable. I am bringing a better camera today, so hopefully the quality will be much better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73039074@N00/sets/72157600833308983/

Rico · July 15, 2007, 06:35:12 AM

Nice pics. Looks like a great con.

wso32 · July 15, 2007, 12:05:31 PM

Duffster, Thanks for posting the info and the pics. I'm from OH originally and have been to this convention the last 2-3 years. If I remember right it's been in Cleveland the last couple of years. I've always enjoyed the convention for the reasons Rico mentioned (smaller crowds, etc) so it's good to see some photos and see how it went. Hope it goes well today and look forward to seeing some more pics. Thanks again Duffster.
Walter

Duffster · July 15, 2007, 05:13:08 PM

Yep Walter it's the same convention, they just moved it to Col this year. It looks like they are going to try and keep in it Col as it is more central.

Day 2 was great. I am a huge Babylon 5 fan so it was great to hear Stephen Furst, Andrea Thompson, and Billy Mumy talk about some of their memories. Stephen Furst was really funny with a couple of his stories. The best one being how when he went to audition for the par t of Vir, he had know idea what it was. He had not seen the pilot. So when he walked in he say all the other people up for the part with the hair up. He was in a panic, so he went into the restroom and tried to put up his hair with the liquid soap, but it got in his eyes. So he went into the audtion, crying and trying to explain what had happened, and he was so sorry. They all looked at each other and pronounced.... WE FOUND VIR!!! Billy Mumy also had some great stories...man this dewd had done a lot of stuff in television. All in all a very cool panel.

Next up was Ciroc Lofton. Man has he grown up! He talked about how much he enjoyed being on DS9 all the years and some of his newer projects. When the subject of if he has girlfriend of not came up a very recognisable voice came on from off stage stating the he certainly did not have a girl firiend. Avery Brooks joined him on the stage at that point. I tell you what, you can definitely tell these two share a deep bond. Avery talked about how proud he was that Ciroc had turned out to be such an outstanding young man, and you could tell Ciroc respected Avery soomuch.

Avery talked a bit about some singing projects , and some of his other work. Some one asked him who would win in a fight... Hawk, or Sisko. Avery said it would be a draw... Hawk was tough, but Sisko had an entire army. At th e end Avery sang a bit, he has an incredible singing voice.

All in all it was a fun convention. I really enjoyed seeing some of the stars of these show I have enjoyed so much.

I have updated Flicr with the latests picture. These came out much better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73039074@N00/sets/72157600833308983/

cya

Duffster

jedijeff · July 15, 2007, 05:48:11 PM

Thanks for posting the pictures and what you saw at the con. You got to see some pretty cool guests, Avery Brooks was always a person I was hoping I would get to see at a con someday.

wso32 · July 16, 2007, 02:53:23 AM

Thanks again for the additional report and pics. That would be great if they kept the convention in Columbus. It's much closer for me.

Sounds like Stephen was a good guest. Great story. I've never seen B5 but am familiar with his work from Animal House and Dream Team.

I'll be back in the US next year and will most likely attend.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

moyer777 · July 16, 2007, 11:03:34 AM

Dufster, you a great addition to this forum. I love your podcast book reviews, your spirit and your report on the convention. I looked at all of your pictures. That must have been so cool. I would have my face hurting from smiling so much if I was there!

You rock.

Love,

moyer777

Rico · July 16, 2007, 11:40:02 AM

Great report and pictures you got. Sounds like some very cool guests and discussions. Didn't Andrea Thompson marry Gerry Doyle (Garabaldi) in real life at one time? I seem to recall that. Looks like you had a great time.

Duffster · July 16, 2007, 12:13:01 PM

Yes, they were married for awhile, but are since divorced. I did have a good time, although I lost my daughter after the fist day, and I think I may have mentally damaged by wife by making her go with me the second day. :blink :D :D

Thanks for the nice feedback all, and your right Moyer777... I had a huge smile on my face all weekend listening to all the guest talk about their memories.