An otherworldly event

The Baltimore Sun

A masquerade featuring Klingons, Romulans, Stormtroopers, Jedi Knights, fairies, elves and aliens?

Yes, the traditional idea of a masquerade ball will take on a decidedly science-fiction bent at this weekend's Shore Leave 29. The three-day science-fiction convention, hosted by the Star Trek Association of Towson, takes place tomorrow through Sunday at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn.

"Science-fiction fans are very involved in their fantasy life," said Thomas Atkinson, the director of the Shore Leave 29 Masquerade who has previously dressed as Luke Skywalker, a Jedi master and Spaceman Spiff from the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. "They are very passionate about the fantasy world, and they want to inhabit that world and externalize it in at least some small way."

The Masquerade is just one of the many events taking place as part of the annual Shore Leave. On average, the Masquerade has 30 competition entries, but anywhere from 200 to 300 people come to see the costumes people have created.

Shore Leave, one of the oldest fan-run science-fiction conventions in the country, began in 1978 and over the years has grown into an immensely popular, major regional multimedia science-fiction convention that attracts people who have something in common: an obsession with fantasy and with the effect science can one day have on society. Attendance is expected to be between 1,500 and 1,700 people.

"Shore Leave prides itself on having a lot of choices," said Michael Schilling, director of publicity for Shore Leave 29. "There are so many different opportunities for activities in many different genres that people can attend while at the convention that, as a whole, the convention appeals to almost anyone. Everyone can find something they like and are interested in."

Each year brings a new array of costume trends, making each Masquerade completely different from the last.

"There were a lot of Klingon costumes for a while," said Atkinson, "but in recent years there has been a lot of renewed interest and costuming in the original Star Wars movie and the Star Trek TV show."

It is also not uncommon to see people dressed in costumes inspired by recent non-science-fiction characters, such as Capt. Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Many people begin preparing their costumes months in advance, doing research to "gain a deeper understanding of the costume and the world it comes from" before even beginning construction, Atkinson said.

He says the Masquerade is a way for science-fiction fans to live their dreams and show off their hard work.

"You find a character you identify with or a world that is intriguing, and you want to get a better understanding of that for yourself and to share some of what it means to you to the rest of the world, to the fandom," Atkinson said.

Masquerade awards include workmanship, best presentation, most humorous, most beautiful, most original, judge's choice, best first costume, best costume entirely created by a young fan and best in show.

The convention weekend features appearances by science-fiction celebrities including Paul McGillion from Stargate: Atlantis, Nichelle Nichols from the original Star Trek, Casey Biggs from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Claudia Christian from Babylon 5. There will be workshops on such topics as screenwriting and stargazing and discussions with scientists about cutting-edge space science activities and astronomical discoveries.

Shore Leave 29 attendees can also enjoy an art show, dances and gaming tournaments.

With the many activities at the convention, the Masquerade remains the focal point of the Shore Leave weekend - an event everyone loves because it is visual and because "everyone can understand somebody in costume," Atkinson said.

"Making a costume and wearing it is an instantly transformative experience," Atkinson said. "You put on the costume, and you become someone else."

dana.kinker@baltsun.com

Shore Leave 29 is tomorrow from noon to midnight, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley. Admission is $70 for the weekend, $20 for tomorrow, $45 for Saturday, $40 for Sunday, $15 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5 with a paying adult. Go to shore-leave.com for more information.

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