Ok, actually it is in Indianapolis, Indiana but that’s close isn’t it?
Indy is a great place for a con, but perhaps I am biased as I was born in Indiana and later dragged out screaming and kicking (well, screaming anyhow but I was only 3 months old!)
Earlier this year I was here for a horror con and, of course, Gen Con, my all around favorite.
Starbase Indy is a Science Fiction convention with a heavy emphasis on Star Trek but I think any Sci Fi fan would be comfortable here (much like an anime cosplayer seemed to fit in fine at the Scarefest horror convention when I was there in Lexington, Kentucky earlier this year, after all, they can always use victims at a horror con. I have also met lots of folks from Kentucky at Starbase Indy.)
The Masquerade/Cosplay was small, but it was a great masquerade. They had a set that was the most elaborate and amazing workmanship for a Masquerade that I have seen thus far.
It had a seat like a Captain’s in Star Trek, multiple consoles, and doors that split open in the middle.
It was run by the lovely ladies of the professional cosplay group And Sewing is Half the Battle who have MCed, run, or judged a number of masquerades including this year at ACEN, Collosal Con, Kollision Con, and Glass City Anime Con. Tonight they were shorted as Mark wasn’t there but Michelle, who sometimes fills in with the group, was in charge of the Masquerade and did an excellent Job.
The costumes were great and the skit that was, in effect, The Wrath of Khan in Nine Minutes, had me cracking up to the point my camera was shaking.
I just wish I had gotten video of it!
Star Trek wasn’t the only Sci Fi series that was in the masquerade as can be seen in this great Boba Fett costume.
Mara Jade, AKA Laura, who MCed the Masquerade, asked Santa for a Death Star for Christmas!.
In the spirit of Christmas Klingons and Federation folk were side by side though the Federation folk over the shoulder of this Klingon are actually members of the group Five Year Mission and this is John of the Klingon musicians Il Troubadore. There are many reasons to attend Starbase Indy, and one of the big reasons I decided I absolutely had to come was for the Filk Music (Filk is the folk music of the science fiction and fantasy genre) of these two groups which have now been added to The Weird Review’s music stream (Thanks guys!)
In addition to their battle of the bands with the Klingon canticles of Il Troubadore, the Five Year Mission filk musicians premiered songs from for the debut of their second album.
Due to a slow internet connection at my hotel I haven’t been able to get the Masquerade pics up but most of my walkaround pics are in my Starbase Indy photo album (if you are looking for something in particular and can’t find it let me know!)
John N. Collins is a writer, photographer, game & coloring book designer and a bad dancer.
Any resemblance to the King John character is merely a coincidence.
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You guys were hilarious!!!
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a comment!
Will you guys be at Gen Con next summer?
I was portraying Khan and Mark Williams was portraying Admiral Kirk. We had won 1st place for performance at the 2011 Starbase Indy Midwest Sci-Fi convention in Indianapolis Indiana.
Live long and prosper \\//,
ADM Gary Barclay
Chief Of Public Affairs Starfleet Command Q1 @ http://www.sfcq1.com
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