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At Shore Leave, a sci-fi mind-meld
Everything out of this world will be in Hunt Valley this weekend at the annual convention
By Jennifer Choi | Sun reporter
July 10, 2008
Michael Schilling is tired of the bum rap sci-fi convention-goers have gotten from "Mundanes," those who think the fandom is only comprised of one type of human.
"On TV, they don't show the eloquent doctors or lawyers who attend these conventions," said Schilling, a member of the Star Trek Association of Towson. "They only show the pointy-eared guy."
Marilyn Mann, programming coordinator for Shore Leave, a local, fan-run science-fiction convention set for this weekend, said such events are similar to others that draw like-minded, if disparate, crowds: "On some levels, it's the same reason someone goes to a football game. It's fun to share something that you're interested in with other people that are excited by the same thing."
Shore Leave 30, which celebrates the convention's 30th anniversary, runs tomorrow through Sunday at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. Supporters say, as in past years, this year's event will be an educational, family-friendly and entertaining event that attracts people from all walks of life.
**snippage**
[George] Takei and fellow Heroes star McDowell share the celebrity roster with several other sci-fi thespians. The lineup includes veteran stage, film and TV actor William Morgan Sheppard, who has appeared in numerous Star Trek series; his son Mark Sheppard of Battlestar Galactica and Bionic Woman; Jewel Staite, David Hewlett and
his sister Kate Hewlett, all of Stargate: Atlantis.
Kate Hewlett believes that sci-fi draws so many people in because it resonates with them on numerous levels.
"It's a great way to escape. But it's not just entertaining," she said. "It can also be political, relevant and moving."
Shore Leave 30 runs tomorrow through Sunday. Hours are noon tomorrow-1 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Saturday-3 a.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Three-day admission is $75. One-day admission is $20 for tomorrow, $50 for Saturday and $40 for Sunday; $15 for children 5-12; free for children younger than 5. The hotel is at 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley. Call 410-496-4456 or go to
http://shore-leave.com/
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