BabelCon

• By LAURA LARKIN
• Special to Fun
• Published: Jul 18, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

“BabelCon is one of the best cons I’ve ever attended,” snarled Klingon Commander Ri’Par sutai-boraS. “The atmosphere is more relaxed and you don’t feel that they are just out to take your latinum.”

The annual sci-fi convention, which is this weekend, July 18-20, will fill seven conference rooms at the Holiday Inn Select on Constitution Ave.

BabelCon is more than just an opportunity to be entertained and buy those Mr. Spock ears you’ve secretly always wanted.
One of BabelCon’s primary objectives is to get children interested in science. Many of the con’s shows, panel discussions, demonstrations, and other presentations are related to science and history.

Sydney LeJeune, one of the BabelCon organizers, explained, “There has been a dramatic drop in the number of kids and young adults signing up to take science and engineering. If you look at NASA, most of the people who work there got into it because of sci-fi, Star Trek and Star Wars. It inspired them to get into science.

“You don’t have to be a hardcore sci-fi fan. Just come soak up the atmosphere, see lots of people in costume, and have a good time. There’s a little bit of everything for everybody.”

This year’s convention is two jam-packed days full of sci-fi, paranormal, Japanese anime, Renaissance fair-style activities, 24-hour gaming, fun children’s activities, and even a costume contest and a ball lasting  until the wee hours.

BabelCon is named for a Star Trek diplomatic gathering on a planet named Babel. In the episode, Babel was pronounced “bay-bul” rather than the Biblical pronunciation “bah-bul.”

Some very cool science fiction stars will be turning out to meet fans at BabelCon.

Hunky Richard Hatch was the object of many teenage girls’ dreams back in 1979. He played daring Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica and now appears as Tom Zarek in the Sci-Fi Channel’s popular reimagining of the show. Hatch is also the author of five Battlestar Galactica novels. He’ll hold a question and answer session and present an acting class that the public can attend. Space is limited, so sign up soon.

“I’m really looking forward to my first visit to Louisiana,” said Hatch. “The opportunity to talk to some people about my upcoming projects, and conduct a little mini acting seminar, is a great way for me to help the Louisiana film and television industry continue to grow by the leaps and bounds it has enjoyed over the past few years.”

Emcee for the main room is Bob May, who played the iconic character The Robot in the 1950’s TV series Lost in Space. Danger, Will Robinson!

“Bob is our original guest from our first convention,” said LeJeune. “He is so entertaining. He goes back to the days of vaudeville. His dad and uncle used to do an act at one of the hotels in New Orleans. Put a microphone in his hand and he could entertain you for hours at a time. He’s also been a big help to us in making contact with other guests.”

Klingon Commander Ri’Par sutai-boraS’s group will be serving as honor guard for actor J.G. Hertzler, whose most popular role is Chancellor Martok on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Hertzler is one of only five actors to play seven or more characters in the Star Trek franchise.