By JUNE SULLIVAN
Local sci-fi enthusiasts, then, should boldly go to Hofstra University this holiday season, on Dec. 9 and 10, and enjoy the comradeship of Creation's 30th Anniverary Sci-Fi Convention. Serious enthusiasts will enjoy the convention's trivia contests and costume competitions as well as celebrity guests. However, even casual channel flippers to the Sci-Fi Channel will enjoy the opportunity to buy some holiday gifts of their favorite memorabilia. And while not the usual holiday fare, the convention's message of goodwill toward Klingons does connect well with the spirit of the holiday season."Fans of the original 'Star Trek' came about at a time in our nation's history when we were still dealing with a lot of conflicts around the world," said Creation's Richard Arnold, a one-time assistant to Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek's creative genius. "World War II and the Korean War were not too far past in the 60's, and we were in the middle of the Vietnam War," Mr. Arnold continued. "Star Trek spoke about a future where we had resolved these things ... that the earth survived without exploding in a ball of nuclear fire ... that the world had done away with racism, poverty and hunger, and as a united planet we were sending out explorers to share our humanity."In fact, sci-fi conventions attract a real mix of people, he explained. "We draw from ages 7 to 70. We've even seen babies dressed in uniforms as well as some octogenarians. I've been impressed with the cross-section of humanity, of every age and description that attends these conventions."Sci-fi conventions, according to Mr. Arnold, began in the 30's and were made up primarily of those interested in the occult and horror stories, as well as what we commonly think of today as science-fiction. And it was only 1972, at the Statler Hilton in Manhattan, that the first "Star Trek" convention was held."They found they had to separate out 'Star Trek' from regular sci-fi conventions because they were overshadowing the other genres." Early on, Mr. Arnold said, the news media seemed to focus on the exaggerated costume efforts, but sci-fi conventions have grown steadily in status. It is reported, for example, that even the British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is a Trekker. It is also reported that this Lucasian professor of mathematics at Cambridge - a post once held by Isaac Newton - even appeared in a "Star Trek: Voyager" episode. Hofstra's sci-fi convention will be for more than Trekkers, however. Celebrity guests include, on Saturday: Michael Dorn, Worf on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"; Robert Picardo, Doctor on "Star Trek: Voyager"; Chase Masterson, Leeta from "Deep Space Nine"; William B. Davis, Cigarette Smoking Man of "The X-Files"; Chris Owens, Agent Spender of "The X-Files;" and June Lockhart, from "Lost in Space."On Sunday, expect to see: Michael Dorn; Terry Farrell, Dax from "Deep Space Nine"; Victoria Pratt, Sarge of "Cleopatra 2525" and Cyane of "Xena: Warrior Princess"; Robert Trebor, Salmoneous of "Xena"; Paris Jefferson, Athena of "Xena;" and June Lockhart.So beam on over from a reindeer and sleigh, Borg cube or Bird of Prey to Hofstra's Physical Fitness Center, noon to 6 P.M. Dec. 9 and 10. Go as yourself, or captains Kirk or Picard, a Ferengi, Romulan or "X-Files" special agent. And bring along those little warrior Klingons and Xenas. Tickets are available for $17 in advance through Ticketmaster, or at the door for $20 each day. General-admission tickets for children 7-12 are $10. Children 6 and under will be admitted without charge. Besides celebrity speakers, at 9 P.M. Saturday there will be a cabaret featuring the music of Robert Picardo, Chase Masterson and Robert Trebor. The Hofstra Physical Fitness Center is at the North Campus of the university just off Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead. For information, call (818) 409-0960 or go to www.creationent.com on the Internet.
