The convention was a blast. I couldn't begin to recall all the stories I witnessed and heard about, but I'll do my best to touch on the highlights from the weekend. The easiest way to tell the story is through photos. The high-tech bunch that we are, Kevin Atkins, Dennis Phillips, John Taylor and I took lots of shots with our digital cameras. Some of these are likely to be duplicated, but all are great. Have a peek. 

Starfest Day One Report - Starfest Day Two Report

Virginia Hey Getting to meet and talk with Ms. Hey was a real pleasure. On Farscape she plays a vegi-priestess - no, that's NOT vegetarian - she plays a plant-priestess. Virginia told everyone in her Q&A that she decided to leave Farscape due to health problems. She said she got sick from the body makeup that was required for her role. Even so, she certainly did not rule-out a return to the show. However, since she is currently trying to relocate to Los Angeles, it's doubtful she'll be on the show this coming season. Much like her portrayal onscreen, Virginia is a soft-spoken and thoughtful person. She made a great point of being kind to all the people that assisted her during her stay and made sure everyone received her heartfelt thanks for their assistance. Virginia Hey is a classy woman and we hope she finds great success in the US. We'll be happy to report to you on her progress and look forward to welcoming her back to Denver in the future. Stage shot #1 Stage shot #2 Behind stage shot

Surprise 2001 Guest It was very funny (to most people) when our surprise 2001 guest appeared before a full house on Saturday. Dave Coyle, who works as one of the convention talent wranglers, had build the big guy and provided his voice during the Q&A. Kevin and Dave had prepared a series of puns (jokes would be a real stretch) that had the audience groaning. Later, the Monolith was available for photo opportunities in the autograph room (here pictured with KathE and Gayle).

Starfest Model Show
Unfortunately, I only got a couple of shots in the Model Show before a crisis took me away. Once again, Vern did a great job pulling together a wonderful model show at this year's Starfest. I did manage to snap a photo of a great Buckaroo Banzai Jetcar and the convention's People's Choice Award Winner. All the the entries in the event showed incredible talent and patience and should be applauded. If anyone was at the show and snapped some shots of some of the other models, please forward them to me so everyone can appreciate the hard work and ingenuity that went into them.

Sorbo The Conqueror
Most people don't know that Starfest 2001 was Kevin Sorbo's second Denver appearance. His first address to the convention was via a short clip for his movie Kull the Conqueror. In the 1997 video message he said he was sorry he was not able to be at the convention in person. On April 21, 2001, however, he rectified that regret by gracing the stage in person. Greeted by thundering applause and cheers, Kevin proceeded to mesmerize the standing-room-only audience with an hour of personal attention.

Kevin showed great respect for the celebrity that his Hercules role brought him. He answered many questions about his time on the show and related that his co-star, Michael Hurst, will be appearing on an upcoming episode of Andromeda. When asked about Lucy Lawless, he candidly admitted that he didn't know her well, but that the occasions that they had met were pleasant. He explained that the work schedule on Hercules was very grueling and in spite of both shows sharing many of the same locations, they seldom met.

Obviously proud of his current show, Kevin related that being a producer on Andromeda allowed him to hand-pick the people he is working with. He is very happy that with such a large supporting cast, he doesn't have to be in every scene - as was the case in Hercules. He talked a bit about the internet and admitted to visiting a chat room or two as himself - of course, nobody believed he was himself. While he doesn't go online much, he said Brent Stait and Gordon Woolvett do a lot.

He spoke of the great respect he has for Laura Bertram and her continuing studies when he acknowledged that he had stopped 18 credits short of graduating college. He was quick to discourage anyone from following his life's path - unless they are 100% committed to acting. Kevin then added that perhaps, at some point in the future he may go back to school to finish his degree.

His current passion is golf. He arrived in Denver a day early to take in a round at the exclusive Cherry Hills course. He said he currently has a 6 handicap and was looking forward to playing in the Tiger Woods charity tournament the following week.

At the end of his Q&A, Kevin related how he had called Joe Boxer's to have a special edition of shorts made to give to his crew members at the conclusion of the first season of Andromeda. On the front of the shorts was the show's logo and printed on the back was the phrase "Have you seen my force lance?" The phrase relates to the phallic shape of Dylan Hunt's weapon and a line used on the show.

Kevin pulled out a pair of the shorts and proceeded to take bids on them for his charity, A World Fit For Kids!. When the bidding began to slow at around $600, Kevin slipped them on (over his pants) and craziness ensued. The winning bidder, Cindy McCarthy jumped onto the stage at the conclusion of the bidding battle to claim the shorts. In a most seductive manner she slid them from Kevin's body and excitedly exchanged hugs and pictures onstage. The final price you ask? $1500.00.

We wish to thank Colorado Limousine Service for their great help with Kevin's needs during his visit. They provided professional and courteous service to Mr. Sorbo and Virginia Hey during their visit to Denver.

Sorbo listening to a question.
A pensive Kevin.
Sorbo getting debriefed.
A luck fan getting a signature.

Planet of the Apes
This special presentation of props and headpieces from the movie was one of the greatest highlights from the show. 

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa who plays Krull in the movie was on hand to meet fans both Saturday and Sunday. Cary was extremely gracious and spent hours talking about his career and the new movie with everyone who stopped by. 

Also at the booth were Russell Bobbitt - the movie's prop master and Bart Mixon - of Cinovation, Rick Baker's effects house. It was really cool being able to talk to the guys who created all the great items on display!

We wish to thank Michael Broidy of Twentieth Century Fox for making the Planet of the Apes presentation possible. He's becoming a regular at Starfest, he came to last year's convention on behalf of Titan AE and The X-Men.

Enough talk, I've cropped and sized a bunch of shots of the display for viewing. Click on the links below to see the props and masks that were used in the making of Tim Burton's upcoming movie.

Ape Cello - KA
Ape Child Toys - SW
Bad Guy - SW
Black Ape - KA
Convention Ape with Movie Weapon - SW
Convention Ape with Fox rep in Human Catcher - SW
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Signing
View of display from the left - KA
Female chimp (Helena Bonham Carter) and Orangutan Masks - SW
Front Table Display - SW
Gun Display - SW
Human Branding Irons - SW
Left Side of Display - SW
Left Side of Display - KA
Fox rep with right side display of Masks and Weapons - SW
Survival Kit and Coins - SW

Chase's Charity Auction
I got lazy this year and didn't do an auction. Boy was that a mistake! Taking Kevin Sorbo's lead from the day before, The Ferrengi Family pulled all the stops out during their Q&A on Sunday. With Lolita Fatjo and Cecily Adams whipping the crowd into a frenzy, Chase enticed one of our own staff members into placing the high bid on her gold bikini top. The staff member (we'll call him "Ed") relished in his victory and obviously delighted taking the top off a very embarrassed Chase in front of a large, cheering audience. Did I mention? He paid $1000.00 for the privilege. Lest you get the wrong idea, Chase was still chaste, she had a top underneath her top.

Here's the whole show in pictures - all taken by Starfest's MC, Kevin Atkins.

On stage photo of the audience during the intro to the auction
Aron and Max having fun with the proceedings
Cecily driving the price up
"Ed" claiming victory on stage
Chase bent over for the deed
Red faced Chase
All in fun - and for a good cause
"Ed" holding the prize
Fashion prep with Chase and Cecily
Goofy Hat

More Pictures and commentary soon...

Photo credits SW-Stephen Walker, KA-Kevin Atkins, DP-Dennis Phillips, and JT-John Taylor.