Major Kira, others beam down to Vegas

By Commodore Dave Mason

LAS VEGAS — Nana Visitor, forever known as Major Kira Nerys, stepped up to the microphone and sang parodies of “Star Trek” as part of the Rat Pack.

She wasn’t the only “Deep Space Nine” actress to perform music. Chase Masterson, who played Leeta, performed classic pop songs during happy hours at a convention called “ST-LV: Trek To Vegas.”

And Capt. Kirk himself – William Shatner – talked about recording his voice on a heavy metal album.

Music was again noteworthy at Creation Entertainment’s annual “Star Trek” convention in early August at the Rio in the Paradise community outside incorporated Las Vegas. Seven USS Angeles members — Janice Willcocks, Lisa Sobien, Amanda Payatt, E.J. Carpathia, Jackie Freeman, Ed Millner and I — beamed down to a sizzling hot Las Vegas, where we enjoyed the abundant air conditioning at a convention full of fans dressed as everything from the Borg to “Deep Space Nine” vedeks.

And fans kept approaching Amanda to take a photo of her — and for a good reason! The USS Angeles member was dressed like a giant Tribble in the dealers’ room and around the convention.

In the Leonard Nimoy Main Theater, “Star Trek” composers Jeff Russo, Cliff Eidelman and Nami Melumad answered questions on stage from Adam Malin, co-founder of Creation Entertainment, then later returned to conduct the Nevada Pops Orchestra performing their music in the same auditorium.

And members of the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” cast talked briefly about singing and dancing in the “Subspace Rhapsody” music episode. They also discussed their characters being turned into Muppets from the Jim Henson Creature Workshop during a recent episode.

The “Starfleet Academy” cast expressed its regret over news of being canceled after the yet-to-be aired second season.

On another panel, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner, aka Will Riker and Data of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” showed their quick humor and talked about their podcast. Frakes said he nearly loses his voice on the days they recorded for several hours.

During other panels, a couple of injustices were corrected.

A retired member of the U.S. Navy came on stage and gave overdue promotions to lieutenant j.g to Ensigns Harry Kim and Hoshi Sato. Garrett Wang and Linda Park accepted the pips on behalf of their characters. from “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Enterprise” respectively.

And during the question-and-answer periods with fans, a star was born.

“I am Ferdando of Brazil,” the young man at a microphone in a line with fans asking questions said at nearly every panel. Each time, he said, “I am Fernando of Brazil,” the crowd erupted into thunderous applaus.

Fernando A. D. Afonso, a lawyer who’s vice president of the Frota Brasil “Star Trek” club, became an instant celebrity whose popularity puzzled Shatner when the audience applauded like wild. Other fans told Shatner about the growing popularity of Fernando, who exchanged “Star Trek” business cards with me between panels.

Later, Creation Entertainment recruited Fernando to help with its end-of-convention auction of merchandise on the Las Vegas stage, where he shined in the spotlight.

“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” actress Nana Visitor, who played Major Kira Nerys, sings with the Rat Pack in August at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

USS Angeles member Amanda Payatt comes as a giant Tribble to the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.

Brent Spiner, left, and Jonathan Frakes, who played Data and Will Riker on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard,” answer fans’ questions at the “Creation Entertainment convention in Las Vegas.

From left, USS Angeles members Dave Mason, Lisa Sobien, Janice Willcocks and EJ Carpathia gather for dinner at the Palms casino during the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. (USS Angeles / Angels Flight photo)

“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” actress Chase Masterson sings with her band during happy hour concerts at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Angels Flight)

Connor Trinneer listens as Linda Park talks about playing Ensign Hoshi Sato on “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

Ed Millner of the USS Angeles wins the “non-JPLers” category of the costume contest at GeekFest at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Ed came as the manager of the Plexiglas factory in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” Ed wore the same costume when he attended the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.

William Shatner, 95 years young, answers fans’ questions at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas.

Fernando A.D. Afonso, vice president of a “Star Trek” club in Brazil, helps Creation with its auction. Every time Fernando went to the microphone to ask stars questions, he began with, “I’m Fernando of Brazil.” The audience each time erupted into thunderous applause.

Cast members from “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” goes on stage to thunderous applause at the “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas. From left are Christina Chong, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush and Martin Quinn.

“Star Trek” composers Jeff Russo and Nami Melumad talk about their scores for shows such as “Strange New Worlds” at the Las Vegas convention.