Creation Entertainment's "Grand Slam" X convention is under way in Pasadena with more Star Trek stars, collectibles and most importantly, fans than you could shake a Bat'leth at. Taking place at the Pasadena Center, this is the tenth annual "Grand Slam" from Creation, with no end in sight. The convention began today and also runs tomorrow and Sunday, March 24.

 Things got rolling just after lunch on Friday, with the first celebrity appearance of the weekend in the Main Auditorium by Star Trek: The Next Generation star Gates McFadden ("Dr. Beverly Crusher"). Welcomed with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the fans, McFadden wore a black wool pantsuit on such a hot day because "it was clean," drawing laughter from the assembled fans.

McFadden immediately got the attention of the fans by talking about her just-completed work on the next Star Trek film. The mere mention by McFadden of "Star Trek: Nemesis" drew excited applause, as the fans present clearly anticipate the upcoming feature with great expectations. "I really think it (Nemesis) is going to be great. For me, it's the most enjoyable of the Star Trek films I've done so far."

It was just barely past lunchtime, but the TNG star had already been experiencing a long day. McFadden had come to convention following a school musical performance by her 10-year old son, who plays both trumpet and violin. The camaraderie between TNG cast members was apparent; as she noted that castmate Brent Spiner ("Data") had also gotten up early to join her at her son's performance.

 Throughout the convention in the Dealers Room, countless Star Trek collectibles and services were on display and on sale. At the StarTrek.net powered by EarthLink booth, a trio of sultry Dabo Girls greeted fans and tempted them with Star Trek Internet access, passing out CD's for the new themed Internet service and free T-Shirts for signing up. Fans could give the service a test-drive at several computers, which display a sampling of the exclusive content StarTrek.net has to offer, such as documentaries about landing an Intrepid-class starship, Klingon Coming-of-Age rituals or the life of Sarek of Vulcan.

 Also in the Dealer's Room is the Unobtainium Ltd. booth, featuring a wide array of original Star Trek memorabilia (see related story here). One humorous item rested next to one of Unobtainium Ltd.'s reproductions of the Original Series U.S.S. Enterprise shooting model: an empty model stand, with a placard that describes the item as the "original shooting model of the cloaked U.S.S. Enterprise," from the episode "The Enterprise Incident."

Later in the afternoon in the Main Auditorium came a dual appearance by two of Star Trek's legendary Original Series crew, Nichelle Nichols ("Uhura") and George Takei ("Hikaru Sulu"). The pair drew an extended standing ovation when they took the stage. The duo talked a bit about their experiences working on the show and on the feature films, with Takei joking that "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" also carried the secondary title "Captain Sulu to the Rescue."

Nichols and Takei both have Disney sequels in the works. Nichols spoke about her role in the hit film "Snow Dogs," playing Cuba Gooding Jr.'s mother and that work on the sequel is under way, with the next film taking place in New York City, and, she said, "This time, I understand, the dogs will talk." Takei's work for Disney will be on the upcoming "Mulan 2," where Takei will be providing voice talent.

Both stars talked up their own Web sites where fans can learn more about what's going on in their lives and careers, with Nichols' site being www.uhura.com and Takei's being www.georgetakei.com.

 Other Star Trek personalities taking the stage on Friday also include Nana Visitor ("Kira Nerys"), the trio of Casey Biggs ("Damar"), Jeffrey Combs ("Weyoun," among many roles Combs has played on various Star Trek series) and Marc Alaimo ("Gul Dukat") performing a live theatrical presentation entitled "What Shakespeare Left Behind." A special event on Friday evening called "Remembering Gene" is a tribute to Star Trek's creator Gene Roddenberry, featuring Majel Roddenberry, son Rod, Nichols, Takei, Walter Koenig ("Pavel Chekov") and many more guests.

The rest of the convention is equally as packed with events, stars and surprises, including the first-ever convention appearance by Joan Collins ("Edith Keeler" in the classic episode "The City on the Edge of Forever"), plus appearances by Enterprise Co-Executive Producer/Creator Brannon Braga, Jonathan Frakes ("William Riker"), William Shatner ("James T. Kirk"), Enterprise cast members Connor Trinneer ("Trip Tucker"), Dominic Keating ("Malcolm Reed"), Anthony Montgomery ("Travis Mayweather"), Linda Park ("Hoshi Sato") and John Billingsley ("Dr. Phlox"), and that's just a partial list of what's going on. For a more complete listing of all the myriad events and star appearances, visit the Creation Entertainment site below.

Creation Entertainment's "Grand Slam" X continues throughout the weekend, and StarTrek.com will have complete coverage, pictures and details next week.

Story by Paul Plunkett
Photos by Paul Plunkett & Sandy Stone