Shore Leave (US convention)/1986
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Shore Leave (US convention) |
| Dates: | July 18-20, 1986 |
| Frequency: | |
| Location: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Type: | |
| Focus: | multi-fandom |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Shore Leave is an annual fan-run convention that takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
It was founded by the Star Trek Association of Towson which continues to run it. The first convention took place in 1979; the con was still running as of 2025.
The con's focus was initially on Star Trek, but it has since broadened to include other science fiction media.
1986: Shore Leave 8
It was held July 18-20, 1986 at Omni International Hotel.
This con was dedicated to the crew of the Space Shuttle "Challenger."
The guests were Majel Barrett, Robin Curtis, Judson Scott, Howard Weinstein, Bob Greenberger, Jean Lorrah, A.C. Crispin, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, J.M. Dillard.
1986: Programming
- Show Case: Con Skit: Star Trek: The Musical (aka "Cole Porter: The Search for Star Trek III") (first performed at MediaWest*Con #5) (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
- Showcase: an unknown play by Con Artists ("Con Artists will be performing an original production by Suzanne Elmore. They have performed at previous SHORE LEAVE and CLIPPERCON conventions in the Baltimore area.")
- Show Case: Con Skit: The Star Trek Shuffle ("based on "The Superbowl Shuffle" written by Claire Maier and graciously loaned for performance at Shore Leave VIII.") (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
- Panel: 50 Ways to Lose Subscribers
- Panel: Dwight Eaves Stamps in Space
- Panel: Sherlock Holmes
- Panel: Judson Scott Fan Club
- Panel: 20 Years of Trek
- Panel: L-5 Society
- Panel: Characters in Star Trek
- Panel: Proposed Star Trek Fandom Awards
- Panel: Blake's 7
- Panel: Dumplings in the Plomeek Soup
- Panels: Pro Writers
- Panel: Star Trek - A Reflection of Its Time
- Panel: B-Mast
- Panel: Ja-SFA - Japanese Animation (Japanese Animation Science Fiction Association)
- Music: Boogie Knights, Kobayashi Maru Glee Club, Omicron Ceti III, Technical Difficulties, filking
- Temple of Trek Revival
- Presentation: Howie & His Star Trek Retrospective
- Presentation: What's New in Fanzines
- Games: Wheel of Fandom, Mad-Libs, Star Trek Trivial Pursuit
- Blooper Reel
- Howie & Bob Show
1986: Gallery of Ephemera and Samples from the Program Book
from the 1986 program book, which had a theme of a high school yearbook
from the 1986 program book
from the 1986 program book
1986: Con Reports
This is the big fanzine con of the summer, and I was a sort-of guest. I say sort-of because I wasn't asked to do anything... they just gave me a free table and turned me loose on the Con! Two of the "big stars" conked out... Roger C. Carmel got a better (acting) job... and not one knows where Judson Scott or his agent was, too drunk to answer the phone! Performance filk featured groups: Denebian Slime Devils, Kobyashi Maru Glee Club, and a Canadian group that sang barbershop style... really neat stuff. Query: are these groups strictly an East Coast phenomenon? And why?
Best part of the Con for filkers was the performance by Technical Difficulties, which is the name of Sheila Willis, T.J. Burnside and Linda Melnick have for their trio. They're also doing a tape... GET IT! They do close harmony, they are all good singers, and their repertoire includes songs by Fish, Ecklar, and themselves. They are also resetting my lyrics to "The Ship," since they can't record anything that's already under copyright.
The Round Robin filk was a modified disaster... the damned Con. committee couldn't find a room for the filking, so we had to moved farther and farther down the hall until no one can find us... Greg Baker will tell you the rest of this tale himself, since he was the one most affected by it. [1]
It was a beautiful morning as my shuttlecraft de parted the docking bay on its way to Cokeysville, MD. Yet even if there had been an ion storm it would have been a beautiful day because I was on my way to a convention. But not just any convention. This convention was to be extra special, for Nichelle was a guest.At 1PM, I arrived at the Hunt Valley Harriot which is the original site of the Shore Leave Conventions. Driving through the parking lot I took note of all the STAR TREK license plates, window signs, and bumper stickers that adorned the cars.
After checking into the hotel I picked up my convention badge from Con Registration. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of attending a Shore Leave Convention, I want to tell you not to miss the next one. It is one of the best run conventions I have ever attended.
Later in the evening I attended the filksing. For all you filkers out there, this is the convention for you. Such well-known performers as Omicron Ceti III, Boogie Knights, Roberta Rogow, and Julia Ecklar performed many beautiful filks. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings 1 was up bright and early to make sure I had a good seat for Nichelle's talks, where a wide range of topics was discussed. First of all, Nichelle told us about her recent appearance on the STAR TREK cruise to the Bahamas, where she said she never had such a good time and met many nice people. Saturday evening she sang two full shows aboard ship. Then on Sunday evening during a private island beach party she took part in judging the "Mr, Sexy/Hairy Legs" contest.
Nichelle went on to tell us about how she started in act ing and how she came to be a part of the STAR TREK family. She also discussed her position as spokesperson for NASA. Then she talked about her recent album, "Uhura Sings". Both days she answered questions from the audience. In response to the question,"Which of the STAR TREK movies is your favorite?," she explained that she loves all of the movies, but considers ST:II and ST:III her favorites. As for ST:IV, she holds it dear too, saying as wonderful as it was to watch, it was just as wonderful to make. Nichelle then told us a story about the filming of the scene in ST:IV where the Bird of Prey lands in the water.
As for future STAR TREK projects, she does not want to direct, but would like to see the characters get settled and would like a script that focuses on the human side of the characters.
As for the series, her most memorable episode is "Plato's Stepchildren". Filming that episode took strict dedication. Neither Nichelle nor Bill objected to doing thirty-six takes of the kiss scene between Uhura and Kirk...to get it just right!
After her talks both days, an autograph session was held. Saturday evening the Costume Contest was held. During inter mission the Surak awards were given out to honor those in fandom who had made outstanding achievements in the areas of zines, art, filks, etc.
On Sunday morning I attended my first FONN club meeting and it was delightful. Approximately twenty-two members were present. We all enjoyed meeting and talking with each other. Of course it goes without saying how much we enjoyed this special time spent with Nichelle.
This was a wonderful weekend which I will remember and cherish always.
In closing, I just want to say I think we all owe Florence Butler a 'thank you' for all her hard work and dedication which has made this club what it is. [2]
References
- ^ from Roberta Rogow in APA-Filk (August 1986). See it archived here.
- ^ report by Nancy Borden in Nyota #6