STV: LA ALERT: See 'Trekkies' director's new film on... Existence!

Well, here's a departure from the usual Spirit of Star Trek format.

And then again, not so much.

Roger Nygard was a popular SOST guest as the indie director behind Trekkies and its II sequel last winter—and now he returns this Sunday, May 23 with a special treat, FREE of course—not Star Trek, but just as provocative and entertaining: his latest globe-trotting piece, The Nature of Existence, and way before its opening June 18 NYC/July 2 in L.A. Guaranteed to be a hit with Trekfans or anyone else who loves a good mind-bending survey of "why we are here," from celebs and laymen, the officious and off-beat alike. ("Wrestlers?")

The basics: Join me Sunday, May 23 at 7 p.m. in First Presybterian BIGSCREEN hall at 4963 Balboa Blvd., south of the 101; calling Amber at 818-788-1147 to RSVP is always nice. Now, take a listen:

My how you've grown, Spirit of Star Trek!: Saturday's pics & lots more coming

Look at that Saturday front page! It was only a matter of time before the philosophy/ethics-rich "Spirit of Star Trek," the brainchild of my new friend Curtis Webster with my old friend Michael Westmore, finally hit critical mass and took off with some mainstream attention.

As you gentle readers know, I try to always shoot a vidchat blog for each session—where an actor or other Treklander notable screens one of their episodes with an apropos theme, followed by Q&A with Curtis, Mike and then the audience.

Now it is reporter Bob Strauss and the LA Daily News story that likely helped the turnout hit 60 this month—and that's with the first non-actor, non-Roddenberry guests ever: Roger Nygard, the Trekkies director (at left, below), and anthropology professor Daryl Frazetti (center), who teaches using Trek, Star Wars, Indy, Middle Earth, etc, themes, and now takes it on the con circuit.
And what an April for the Spirit of Star Trek gang:
—Curtis and Michael are doing a panel Friday, April 9 at "Monsterpalooza," the second-year Burbank convention for the film/stage monster art and make-up industry and its fans.
—A full-blown "Spirit" screening April 11 of Yesterday Was a Lie, the enigmatic sci-fi/film noir odyssey by September guests Chase Masterson and director James Kerwin, with Q&A afterward.
—A "Spirit" road show with Chase just prior, at Wondercon in San Francisco Saturday, April 3.
—A full-blown "Spirit" SNEAK PEEK early screening May 23 of Roger's new doc, the globe-trotting, non-Trek The Nature of Existence, with Q&A afterward.

And—finally scheduled!—Marina "Deanna Troi" Sirtis is coming April 25, with TNG's "The Child" and a theme about the alien in all of us.

So stay tuned—or better yet, get aboard. It's like no other Trek evening you've ever seen.

STV—LA ALERT!: Spirit of Star Trek Feb. 28 hosts TREKKIES director and "Professor Trek"

Did you miss it, SoCal fans?



For those who can get there in the LA area, "Spirit of Star Trek" returns from winter hiatus this Sunday in Encino with a break in the routine of "actors and their roles." Come have an equally thoughtful fun and FREE evening with Roger Nygard, the guy behind the infamous documentaries Trekkies and Trekkies II, and "Anthropology Trek Prof" convention speaker Daryl Frazetti, who also appeared in Trekkies (out of town when the video was shot). Mike Westmore is back as well to join Curtis as co-host. (Remember, RSVP to 818-788-1147 (--"47!!"--) if you can)!

STV: LA ALERT! Phlox's ethical headaches: LIVE with John Billingsley Nov. 8

"I'm an explicator, not a fist-fighter!" (7:15)

Well, that's certainly a new twist on Bones' old chestnut. But that's what we got on this little video preview here with our returning good Trekland buddy, John "Phlox" Billingsley.

This time, John is the next great guest for Curtis Webster and Mike "Mr. Makeup" Westmore at "Spirit of Star Trek." If you're in SoCal this is the chance for a free evening: "Dear Doctor" on the big screen and an hour of Q&A and interacting on ethics, morals, and behind-the-scenes hijinks.

The "Spirit" series looks at how Star Trek raises issues of the philosophy and morals of humanity via the lens of its aliens, especially, so this month it's Denobula's turn. And if you've never been—this ain't no glib, shallow convention stint: Curtis has already welcomed Armin, Max, Ethan, O'Reilly, Rod, and Bob Picardo—and this is the last session of the year til after the holidays. It's held in a church but decidedly not "churchy"—as a glance at the backgrounds and attitudes of past guests will tell you.

Last month was a record high turnout... spread the word.

STV: Bob Picardo is Oct. 11's free L.A. "Spirit of Trek" guest

If you're in SoCal and haven't seen a Treklander at one of the "Spirit of Star Trek" nights, what's your excuse? As an FYI:
(a) they are FREE
(b) you see names like Shimerman, Grodenchik, Phillips, Masterson, Roddenberry, O'Reilly,
(c) it's NOTHING like a typical glib con appearance, and
(d) forget being freaked by the church site thing. You get a relevant episode on big screen, then a discussion/Q&A with co-hosts Michael "Mr. Makeup" Westmore and Curtis Webster that's both funny and thoughtful: behind-the-scenes banter and some deeper thoughts on morals, ethics, and philosophy as seen in Star Trek, through its aliens' eyes.

Next up Sunday, Oct. 11: None other than Bob Picardo:

That's 7-9 p.m., First Presbyterian of Encino, 4963 Balboa Blvd., 91316— south of the 101 ... 818-788-1147 to RSVP, please!

And it's a double-doctor autumn: mark calendars now for Nov. 8 and John "Dr. Phlox" Billingsley!

STV / LA Alert! : See Chase THIS Sunday as next "Spirit" guest

Sorry for the short notice here but... SoCal'ers take note:

After four initial guests and a summer hiatus, "The Spirit of Star Trek" returns THIS Sunday, Sept. 20, with none other than Chase Masterson as the guest of co-hosts Curtis Webster and Mike Westmore. And per our custom, they were good enough to chat with us on camera about their "Spirit" plans (below).

"SOST" is the free, monthly screen-n-talk series that uses Trek's actors and its alien cultures as a lens unto our own ethics, morals and spirituality. Although held at Curtis' church, the tone and topic is anything but churchy—and a large media tech set-up makes it easy to screen an appropos Trek episode (this month, the title's a surprise). Chase will be joined by producer-director James Kerwin, her cohort for the wildly awarded indie film Yesterday Was a Lie, a real sci-fi noir event.

Here they are, talking about the 7-9 p.m. event THIS SUNDAY at First Presbyterian Church of Encino, 4963 Balboa Blvd—south of the 101, with lots of parking:

STV: Spirit of Trek III: Robert O'Reilly & Gowron's Clerics Crisis

Church-state relations among Klingons?

Yep, TNG's "Rightful Heir" and Robert "Gowron" O'Reilly can only mean one thing: It's already time for a another monthly chapter of "Spirit of Star Trek," the free live screen-n-talk series for those in or near the Los Angeles area.

Next up it's Sunday, April 26 from 7-9 p.m., co-hosted by makeup guru Michael Westmore and Curtis Webster, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Encino. But the evening is anything but "churchy," as you might guess—from the big-screen viewing of a relevant episode to the funny, probing or even personal dialogue among hosts. guests and audience on the spirituality, morals and yes great backstage stories of the various Star Treks, viewed through the alien lens. Here's Bob's take on it in a nice chat...


Before "Rightful Heir" aired late in TNG in 1993, we'd only seen Klingon warriors and the occasional spy or envoy—but clerics? And revered empire founder Kahless as a messianic figure vowing to "return"? And secular Gowron's deal to allow that cloned yet incredible "return" while holding on to the seat of power after all—any lessons for us as we grapple with the "separation of church and state" today? Those and more are sure to be topics for the night—a chat like no other you've seen at a convention, or Congress or church for that matter. A brief reception follows.

The event is free, but donations are welcome; the church is at 4963 Balboa, just south of the 101. Always best to RSVP: Call Amber at 818-788-1147.

STV: Ethan Phillips: Next up for "Spirit of Star Trek"

Ethan "Neelix" Phillips is the next to jump into the screen-n-talk series "Spirit of Star Trek" —an evening of fun and thoughtful talk on philosophy, ethics, and spirituality through Star Trek's varied alien lenses ... an event like none other you get at even the biggest convention. If in SoCal, save March 29 for 7-9 p.m.—a screening of Neelix's standout show about shaken beliefs, "Mortal Coil," and then the Q&A, with a short reception afterward.

Here's a sneak peek with Ethan and host Curtis Webster, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Encino that is home to the series, at 4963 Balboa just south of the 101. If the churchy thing seems a little scary, relax ... as you'll see it's a wide-open discussion—with even some Neelix insights ...

Curtis, of course, will again be joined by Star Trek's makeup guru Michael Westmore as co-host. The opener with Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik and "Prophet Motive" was a hit—and if you've ever seen Ethan at conventions you know he is always "on." Coming up: Robert O'Reilly and "Rightful Heir," April 26; Robert Picardo and "Latent Image," May 17; and Rod Roddenberry with a title TBA, June 28 ... with more to come in the fall.

To reserve a seat, they appreciate an RSVP; call Amber at 818-788-1147.

(Oh, and watch for Ethan's "protest shirt"....!)

A good "Spirit" was had by all

I counted right at 50 folks who turned out for the inaugural session of "Spirit of Star Trek" on Sunday—but the crowd should grow once word gets around. Those on hand got an earful and eyeful of the philosophy, ethics and spirituality—and fun— of the alien viewpoints of the Star Trek universe begun by Gene Roddenberry... and what all that really says about us. The location was the First Presbyterian Chruch of Encino, but the tone was anything but "churchy" as the first forum hosted by the Rev. Curtis Webster (right, above) focused on the Ferengi, a big-screen showing of DS9's "Prophet Motive" and guests (from left, above) Max "Rom" Grodenchik and Armin "Quark" Shimerman.

As co-host and Trek's makeup guru Mike Westmore noted, "It ain't your typical convention show"—you'd be hard-pressed to say where you've ever seen such a thoughtful and yet funny talk and audience interaction... and for free, or a donation. Highlights: Max's question about any "universal" ethics among cultures ... Armin's description of fan queries worldwide wondering if the Ferengi are supposed to represent the Jews ... the Irish... the Chinese—depending only on the home of the questioner and the "Other" in that culture ... Mike reassuring Armin that the director, not the actor, was responsible for the Ferengi coming off not as villains but as monkeys on TNG in their debut, his episode "The Last Outpost."

If you missed this one, look for a new one each month or so. Mark calendars now for Ethan "Neelix" Phillips on March 29 and Voyager's "Mortal Coil," your afterlife beliefs shattered; Bob "Gowron" O'Reilly and those spriritual Klingons of TNG's "Rightful Heir" on April 26; Bob "The Doctor" Picardo and the fatal humanity of a hologram in “Latent Image” on May 17; Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, Gene's son, with an episode TBA on June 14 – and more in the offing.... stay tuned!

STV: Quark, Rom, and a new free screen-n-talk series



It's a laid-back and fun look at the philosophy, ethics and, yes, sprirituality of Star Trek through its various incarnations and alien perspectives. If you are in the Los Angeles area March 1, don't miss The Spirit of Star Trek: Makeup maestro Michael Westmore co-hosts with his pastor, the Rev. Curtis Webster, after screening an apropos episode—and would you believe the kickoff edition is about the Ferengi, with "Prophet Motive" onscreen and Armin Shimerman and Max Grodenchik afterwards as guests? Yes, there's more to come: Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Robert O'Reilly and others are lined up for the monthly sessions.

The debut session is Sunday, March 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Encino, 4963 Balboa Boulevard just south of the 101 and Ventura Boulevard. Best of all, the thing is free—and don't be thrown by the church setting: this is obviously a nondenominational, free-flowing event and the discussion is open. If you don't believe me, take it from the Ferengi brothers themselves ... but better call to reserve, just in case: 818-788-1147.