Category Archives: SF Ball

Conventions and Events, SF Ball

Sci-Fi Ball 26 – Review

We have been trying to think how many SFBalls we have now attended. It must be at least five now. We like the Ball for it's relaxed laid back nature. It's not a signing show or a convention. The guest list is small and the event can best be described as intimate. It's local to us too which makes a difference. But best of all, it raises money for the Teenage Cancer Trust which makes a huge impact on young people who have cancer.

Marina Sirtis
Marina Sirtis Sci-Fi Ball

We couldn't be more excited to attend this year to see Marina Sirtis (Star Trek's Counsellor Troi). Any fan who has seen her in a panel knows why she is a favourite at events. She is funny, entertaining and can go from unfiltered what-you-see-is-what-you-get to loving queen … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, Interviews, SF Ball

Sci-Fi Ball 25 – Review

We are back from another incredible weekend at the Sci-Fi Ball Southampton. The guests included Robert Duncan McNeill (Tom Paris, ST Voyager), Sean Pertwee, Andrew Lee Potts, Gigi Edgley, Dino Fetscher, Lucy Carless and Terry Malloy .

Now, being exclusively Star Trek bloggers, we wouldn't normally attend an event with so few Trek actors but we made an exception for the Sci-Fi Ball for several reasons. Most importantly because we want to support this particular event. It's primary mission is to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and over the weekend we heard from young people who had received invaluable support from this charity.

Secondly, we love all the people who work tirelessly to organise this event and everyone who attends. But also because we just have such good fun! We love conventions which are jam packed … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball

Sci-Fi Ball 25 – 8th – 10th February Southampton

Our next away mission is days away. It's one of our favourites, it's the Sci-Fi Ball! Now in it's 25th year it is marking this anniversary with a weekend of special events including the UK premiere of the film Hashtag, produced by Los Angeles-based Runic Films and Little Empire Productions, will screen at the 25th Sci-Fi Ball held at the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton.

This year has another amazing guest lineup. For us Trekkies we have the return of Robert Duncan McNeill (Tom Paris, ST Voyager). Other guests include Sean Pertwee, Andrew Lee Potts, Gigi Edgley, Dino Fetscher, Lucy Carless and Terry Malloy .

The Ball is a unique convention in the UK, it's by no means small. It takes over an entire hotel however it is intimate and personal. Everyone feels like a friend. There is much … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball

Sci-Fi Ball – Day Two

Day two of the Sci-if Ball and after a nice big fry up breakfast we settled into the main hall to listen to our favourite guests.

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Gary Graham

The day started with a talk by Gary Graham who is best known (to us!) for his role as Ambassador Soval in Enterprise.

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Gary spoke about how he got the part of Soval and thought he was going to be a one-off appearance in the pilot episode.

He also spoke to Rick Berman for a briefing on how Vulcans think, feel and behave.

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Highlight: Gary has a great sense of humour and is a complete contrast to Soval. So it was extra delightful when he went full on Vulcan at the end of the talk and give us the customary Vulcan greeting.

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Weird bit:

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Vic Mignogna and Chris Doohan

For those unfamiliar with the fan series Star Trek Continues, we highly recommend you give … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball, Uncategorized

Sci-Fi Ball 24 – Day One

 

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It's the 24th Sci-Fi Ball at the Grand Harbour Hotel Southampton which once again has an incredible line up. Representing Star Trek are Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax, DS9), vic Mignogna (Captain Kirk, ST: Continues), Chris Doohan (ST 09, Into Darkness and St Continues) and Gary Graham (Ambassador Soval, ENT).

The event is on all weekend and we highly suggest you drop all your plans and join us.

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We spent the afternoon interviewing the guests asking them about their time in Star Trek. Be sure to check back early next week when these will be posted.

The hotel has been assimilated and includes the fantastic Star Trek sets from the USS Riker's Beard which you are free to enjoy and take your photo with.

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The opening ceremony was like a warp core explosion of energy with all guests taking the stage. Followed by a … Continue Reading ››

Interviews, SF Ball, vBlogs

SF BALL 23 – Review, Gates McFadden, Patti Yasutake and Larry Nemecek Interviews

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This year we were delighted to experience a bit more of what the SF Ball has to offer. Having previously only been able to attend for a day, new ticket options meant we were able to experience the much talked about Saturday night cabaret.

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It also allowed us to immerse ourselves in a different type of convention. We are admittedly more accustom to large scale events and some purely fan led events. We feel the SF Ball sits in it's own special category. As the Borg would say "It is unique". The organisers are clearly fans, of that, there is no doubt. But there is a professionalism and reputation (from both customers and the talent) which has made this event last for over two decades. There's a passion for the event's success, it's value and for the charity it seeks to raise money for - The Teenage Cancer … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball, Uncategorized

SF Ball 3-5 Feb Southampton with Gates McFadden, Patti Yasutake and Larry Nemecek

It's approaching February which means time for the fabulous SF Ball! Despite being right in our backyard - The Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton 3-5th February -  it's always the hardest for us to attend!

But this year will be there on the Sunday (Carole and Sarah for sure. Sam, if she hasn't left on her away mission!)

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And with a Trektastic lineup it's not one we want to miss.

We were sold when they announced Gates McFadden (Dr Beverley Crusher) but then they announced her number one Patti Yasutake (Nurse Alyssa Ogawa).

Then for added Trek-goodness our friend Larry Nemecek (Trek Continues, Trekland, Portal 47, Trek know-it-all) is also in attendance. He is a must see for for enthusiasts who enjoy hearing all about behind-the-scenes stories.

If you're a fan of the new Star Trek films you'll want to meet Dave Freeman who is the Concept artist for … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball, Trekkies In Training, Uncategorized

SFBall 2016

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The weekend 5th-7th February 2016 marked the 22nd SF Ball at the familiar venue of the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton. Guests of "Trek interest” were Casey Biggs and Vaughn Armstrong of the incredible Enterprise Blues Band, and Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer of Enterprise fame.

Unfortunately we were a Trekkie Girl down as Sam had been hospitalised with suspected appendicitis! But the show had to go on, so Carole and I hot-footed it over to Southampton!

A beautiful sight to behold, the ever-expanding bridge of the USS Riker’s Beard welcomed us aboard – we even met their Captain – as well as the lovely guys from the Manchester based USS Phoenix.

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As ever the atmosphere was electric, and the costumes were top-notch! In particular the three Daleks were absolutely faultless and quite frankly scared the bejeezus out of me! Clearly Carole … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, SF Ball, Uncategorized

SF Ball Southampton -New Lineup

With just under two weeks to go until the hotly anticipated SF Ball at the Grand Harbour hotel Southampton, some changes have been made to the lineup. We were starting to get slightly optimistic that Jonathan Frakes might actually attend but it wasn't to be. Instead the hilarious and gorgeous Dominic Keating and Conner Trinneer from Star Trek Enterprise have stepped up to add to this Trektastic lineup that also includes Casey Biggs and Vaughn Armstrong.

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Casey Biggs has spoken to organisers at SFB towers and said;

“We are very excited to be able to attend and perform for everyone at the Ball this year. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is still so strong in the minds of Star Trek fans that it's always rewarding to be able to meet and chat about the magical world of Star Trek.”

Casey Biggs will be attending the entire … Continue Reading ››

Conventions and Events, Destination Star Trek, London Film and Comic Con, SF Ball, Star Trek 50th Anniversary, Star Trek Beyond, Star Trek Discovery, Uncategorized

Happy New Year and the big 5-0!

We wish you a Trektastic 2016 and what a year we have ahead of us. It's astonishing to think this TV and movie series has gripped our planets attention for half a century. It makes us feel so young!

We were going to write up a review about 2015 but like our spandex loving crewmates, we can't help but look forward into the future.

Instead, here is what we have planned and our looking forward to in 2016.

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Trek guests include Jonathan Frakes, Vaughn Armstrong and  Casey 'For Cardassia' Biggs. If you haven't already it worked it out.... That means the Enterprise Blues Band will also be performing! (Wonder if Frakes can actually play the Trombone?)

Star Trek Beyond - 22nd July

Like we did before with Star Trek … Continue Reading ››