James Darren ("Vic Fontaine" in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) will be performing in El Cajon, Calif. (15 miles east of San Diego), next Saturday, July 8, and Star Trek fans who call the box office and identify themselves as such will get a $5 discount. In addition, fans who attend in costume will have a shot at cash prizes and a chance to meet the crooner backstage.

Darren's concert, titled "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," will be held at the East County Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Main St., at 7:30 p.m. on the 8th. The Mayor Pro Tem of El Cajon, Jillian Hanson-Cox, is planning a Trek-themed costume contest to start an hour before the concert, in the courtyard outside the main entrance (for ticket-holders only). The four top costumes will earn cash prizes ranging from $50 to $250, plus the first- and second-place winners will receive two backstage passes each to meet Mr. Darren after the show. Other concert-goers will also have a chance to win backstage passes, along with autograph cards and gas cards, in a drawing just prior to show start.

Ticket prices are $30, $35 and $40. To get the $5 discount, call (619) 440-2277 and let them know you're a Star Trek fan. You can get more information at www.ecpaclive.com, but if you order tickets online you won't get the discount.

Weller Weds in Italy

IMDB.com reported this week that Peter Weller ("John Frederick Paxton" in "Demons" and "Terra Prime") married his longtime girlfriend Sheri Stowe last Saturday in Italy. The ceremony was held in the picturesque seaside town of Positano, on Italy's famous Amalfi coast, and was attended by 270 guests. (We have no confirmation of this, but we strongly suspect the guest list included Weller's good friend Manny Coto — who also got married in Italy, per Weller's recommendation.)

The couple got engaged a year ago after Stowe proposed to Weller. They wed in the centuries-old Santa Maria Assuna church and held the wedding dinner at La Conca del Sogno restaurant. The newlyweds, who have a home in the area, had a double reason to celebrate: Saturday was also Weller's 59th birthday.

Congratulations, Peter!

Shatner to Host Canadian Electronic Awards

Days after he celebrates Star Trek's 40th anniversary at conventions in Chicago and Sacramento, the ubiquitous William Shatner will return to his home country to help celebrate the video gaming and animation industry there. Shatner will host the first annual Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) taking place on Thursday, September 14, in Vancouver, B.C.

The gala event will honor Canadian achievements in talent development (new media and animation art schools), animation and video game development. According to an article posted yesterday on Game Industry News, award organizers polled members of the video game and animation industry on who should host the first ceremony, and Shatner was the predominant choice.

"We wanted Mr. Shatner as our host from the beginning and I cannot tell you how excited we are to learn today that he has accepted the role," said Holly Carinci, CAEAA producer. "We have all worked really hard to create a world-class awards show that reflects these remarkable industries and now we have a phenomenal host in Mr. Shatner that will guarantee a fun, exciting, and memorable evening for everyone."

Other Showbiz News: Alexander, Neuwirth, Stiers

Jason Alexander ("Kurros" in "Think Tank" and huge Star Trek fan) has been lauded for his direction of the Sam Shepard play "God of Hell," which opened Tuesday at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Calling it a "superb production," a review in Daily Variety comments, "Director Jason Alexander expertly mines the text for every ounce of humor, without sacrificing the show's ominous undertones." The play, a dark comedy that takes place in rural Wisconsin and satirizes the current political landscape, runs through July 30. Visit www.geffenplayhouse.com for more info.

Bebe Neuwirth ("Lanel" in the TNG episode "First Contact") has been cast in Disney's "The Game Plan," even though that movie has been delayed due to an injury to its star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ("The Champion" in "Tsunkatse") (related story). Neuwirth will play the agent to Johnson's character, a superstar quarterback, according to Variety.

David Ogden Stiers ("Dr. Timicin" in "Half a Life") reprises his voice role as "Dr. Jumba Jookiba" in the latest sequel to Disney's "Lilo & Stitch." "Leroy & Stitch" — which parodies the latest "Star Wars" trilogy — was released direct to DVD on Tuesday.