Patrick Stewart in London, George Takei in Japan, and a bunch of others in Atlanta ... Next weekend three different continents will be host to science fiction conventions where Star Trek and its fans and celebrities will be out in full force.

In the States, the largest multi-genre convention outside Comic-Con will take place in the deep south for four days starting Friday and going through Labor Day. Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the most popular gatherings of fans of science fiction, fantasy, comics, anime and you-name-it in pop culture, expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees. If you like to see an astonishing array of costumes, or you thrive on spontaneous parties, new friends and sudden outbreaks of filksinging, this is an affair you don't want to miss!

The convention events are organized through several dozen Programming Tracks, and the Star Trek agenda is handled through "TrekTrak" produced by Eric L. Watts. Now in its 15th year, TrekTrak will place special emphasis on Star Trek: The Next Generation for the show's 20th anniversary, with Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden and John de Lancie on hand for the celebration. Voyager's Robert Picardo will also be there, along with a number of Trek guest stars such as BarBara Luna, Ron Glass, Mark A. Sheppard and Lori Petty.

Nichelle Nichols is also on the Dragon*Con program, to introduce the world premiere of her independent suspense-comedy film "Lady Magdalene's." The screening will take place on Sunday, Sept. 2, in the 2,500-seat Centennial Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency, one of the three host hotels in downtown Atlanta.

TrekTrak does not limit itself to Trek celebrities only, however. Many of the Trek-themed panels includes stars from other sci-fi shows. For instance, there's a panel titled "Star Trek vs. the New Battlestar Galactica," which will pit Frakes, Spiner and McFadden against Jamie Bamber ("Apollo"), Aaron Douglas ("Tyrol") and Richard Hatch ("Zarek" and the original "Apollo"), among others. There are also panels with several Trek authors such as Peter David, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Josepha Sherman and others, along with a wide variety of discussions about canon, prequels, music, and other issues surrounding the Trek milieu. Plus, there's a "Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant" and much more. STARTREK.COM will be there to bring you coverage of the convention, and also participate in a few panels!

Visit DragonCon.org and TrekTrak.com for complete information. The dates again are Friday, August 31, through Monday, September 3.

Across the Atlantic, the London Film & Comic Con will also celebrate a wide range of science fiction with dozens of high-profiles guests, but one of its main headliners is homeboy Patrick Stewart. Also scheduled to appear are Diana Muldaur, Nana Visitor and Louise Fletcher. (Note: Fletcher cancelled her appearance at last month's Las Vegas convention, so be forewarned it could happen again.)

The London Film & Comic Con (no relation to the San Diego Comic-Con) takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2, at the Earls Court Convention Centre on Warwick Road. Visit www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com for details.

On the other side of the globe, George Takei will be in Japan next weekend for the 65th World Science Fiction Convention ("Worldcon"), the first time that traveling annual event has been in that country. "Nippon 2007," as this Worldcon is called, takes place over five days from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 in Yokohama. Takei will co-host the Hugo Award ceremony Saturday evening. The Hugo is the top award for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy, presented each year at Worldcon by the World Science Fiction Society.

At Worldcon Takei will also present "World Enough and Time," the episode he stars in for the independent Internet series Star Trek: New Voyages. That episode premiered this past Thursday at a special screening in Beverly Hills, and is now available for free download at the New Voyages site.

For complete information about Worldcon in Japan, visit www.Nippon2007.org.