Xanadu Convention caters to sci-fi, horror, fantasy fans

Per the proverb: The geeks shall inherit the Earth.

Or at least the Plaza.

"You should take pride in your geekiness," says Alan White, head programmer for the inaugural Xanadu Las Vegas convention, reveling in all things sci-fi/horror/fantasy. "You're in your fortress of solitude, which in this case is the Plaza Hotel," he says. (If you don't know that's a Superman reference, you'll stick out here like a glowing slab of kryptonite.)

"If you think you can come out of the closet as Superman, then just put on your Superman costume and wear it around the convention. Nobody will laugh. You can be whoever you want to be, in a comfortable atmosphere where the jocks aren't going to beat you up."

Jocks won't flock to Xanadu, but organizers expect up to a thousand proudly dorky devotees -- and we mean that with genuine affection and respect -- to gorge themselves on this three-day fan feast of speakers, exhibits, vendors, novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, anime, costumes, board games, collectibles, panel discussions and parties for an absolutely geek-tastic good time.

"People are proud to be geeks now," says convention director Scott Anderson, who supervised similar events in Chicago and decided Vegas needed its own nerd nirvana for local geeks and tourist dorks. "With the 'Wolverine' movie, the new 'Star Trek' movie, 'X-Men,' the 'Watchmen,' 'Batman' and before that 'The Lord of the Rings,' it's more mainstream and has brought out people who have been afraid to say, 'Yes, I do like this and I'm not just a "Star Trek" geek with the ears.' "

May a Romulan general wring his Federation neck if he's dissing iconic Vulcan Mr. Spock -- that would be, as the entire Geek Universe knows, highly illogical -- but Anderson is hoping to feed the hunger of fans both committed and casual with a sci-fi/horror/fantasy smorgasbord.

Marquee speakers booked to address the faithful at Xanadu are Joe Viskocil, billed as the "Oscar-winning pyromaniac" whose knack for making things go kaboom lit up "The Terminator," "True Lies" and "Independence Day"; single-monikered gothic artist Brom; and author Robert J. Sawyer, whose books include "Flash Forward," the basis for a potential new ABC series.

Also among the 20-plus guests are fetching actress Chase Masterson, who appeared as Leeta, the Bajoran saloon sexpot on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and as the "green Orion girl" (few people wear green skin with such panache) in the fan-produced online series, "Star Trek: Of Gods & Men," which makes its Las Vegas premiere at Xanadu; Director James Kerwin, whose film "Yesterday Was a Lie" will be screened, along with other independent movies; and stuntman Michael Papajohn.

Panel discussion subjects include "Voiceovers, Violence and Videos," "Collaborative Writing in Science Fiction," "Cartoon Spectacular," "A Romp Through the Galaxy: Set Your Phasers to Fun" with local actor/"Star Trek" guest star Lawrence Montaigne, and Viskocil's "Blow Me Up, Blow Me Down."

Futuristic fashionistas can ogle the couture of the cosmos at a 43-model fashion show Anderson describes as showcasing custom-designed corsets and fetish-wear. (Sounds like something those alien babes wore when charmed by that all-species seducer, Capt. Kink ... uh, Kirk.) As the fantasy femmes strut, circus acts, including a contortionist and a sword-swallower, perform around them. As child-enticing as the big-top acts might be, Anderson advises parents to keep the kiddies occupied elsewhere, such as at board-game tournaments and collectible exhibitions.

"No matter who you are, you can come to this event and find something to do," Anderson says. "We have so many things planned that it crosses every age imaginable."

And every interest, White adds. "The older fans appreciate more of the literary conceits and artistic things," he says. "But most of our fans are into the motion pictures, the TV shows, the special effects. We've even got some of the 'scream queens' that are popular today."

All of which advances the cause of what might be dubbed the Geek Pride Movement. Though it may not pack political clout, its cultural cachet is unquestioned, as is the exquisite irony. "When I was in high school, the geek was the guy with the pocket protector, but now they're the guys who own the companies, do the computer design, the ones we call to fix our networks," White says.

"And all the guys that laughed at them are delivering their pizzas."

Revenge doesn't taste any sweeter. ... Or at least any cheesier.

Contact reporter Steve Bornfeld at sbornfeld@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0256.