Trek Long Island: Star Trek convention returns to Hauppauge

Lon Cohen, of Rocky Point, was born a Trekkie. His sci-fi fan mom raised him watching reruns of the original “Star Trek” series and it instantly became his favorite show.

“It was a good experience to get into this world, which was so much different than anything on TV at the time,” Cohen, 55, says. “I love the concept of exploring and discovering new things. The search for knowledge and understanding in the universe is what I took away from it.”

Cohen annually attends Trek Long Island, a “Star Trek”-themed convention, which returns to the Hyatt Regency Long Island in Hauppauge on June 12-14 for its fourth year. The franchise is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

“What attracted me to ‘Star Trek’ was the positivity. Every plot was full of hope,” event runner and founder Stefanie Gangone, 50, of North Babylon says. “The focus was looking toward a bright future. Today we have shows about the zombie apocalypse and all these disastrous things happening. ‘Star Trek’ is something upbeat and positive that helped us get stronger and become better.”

Gangone, a school librarian in Copiague who raises funds for children’s literacy with the event, likes the way Trek fans connect.

“Because we cover all the different series, our attendees range from little kids all the way through older adults. There’s a spot for everybody at Trek Long Island,” she says. “There’s nobody looking at anybody with ageism. Everybody is one here because they all have the same interests.”

This year’s theme is escaping to the “Star Trek” vacation planet of Risa, where people go to do what they love.

“When attendees show up, they’re no longer on Earth, they’re on holiday at Risa,” Gangone says. “People need to get away from reality sometimes and that’s what we try to achieve.”

Over the three-day event there’s a multitude of activities to beam into.

MEET AND GREET SPECIAL GUESTS

“Trek” fans will get a rare opportunity to meet 19 actors from a variety of “Star Trek” series including “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” as well as the original 1966 series, “Star Trek.” Each one will sell 8 by 10 autograph photos and take selfies ($30-$90).

Jeffrey Combs has played multiple characters in the “Star Trek” universe. In “Star Trek: Enterprise” he portrayed Commander Shran as well as Krem and in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” he took on the roles of Weyoun, Brunt and Tiron. Combs did a one-episode stint as Penk on “Star Trek: Voyager” as well as voicing AGIMUS for three episodes on the animated series, “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”

“From the very beginning, I think ‘Star Trek’ has always examined human nature,” Combs, 71, says. “Our strengths, our weaknesses and our sense of adventure. ‘To boldly go where no man has gone before…’ is a human quest that resonates with people.” (photo op: 1:30 p.m. June 13, 11:30 a.m. June 14)

Nana Visitor is best known as Major (later Colonel) Kira Nerys on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993-1999) and also voiced the same character in “Star Trek: Lower Decks” in 2022.

“Even though she was an alien from the planet Bajor, she was the most human character I’ve ever portrayed,” Visitor, 68, says. “It was the biggest playground I had been given throughout my acting career. Kira has grit but we see her learn flexibility and how to negotiate. Throughout the show she develops to become more emotionally mature.” (photo op:1:15 p.m. June 13, 11:15 a.m. June 14)

Canadian actress Nicole de Boer embodied a Trill named Ezri Dax on the final season of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" from 1998 to 1999.

“This was an opportunity to not be a typical Starfleet officer, but someone with vulnerability,” de Boer, 55, says. “I like doing something like that and putting it out there in the hopes it might help people.” (photo op:1:45 p.m. June 13, 11:45 a.m. June 14)

“ENGAGE!” IN ACTIVITIES

Get a sneak peek at Off-Broadway hit, “Khan!!! The Musical!,” a parody of the 1982 film “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan,” on the main stage on at 6 p.m. June 12. Meet the cast and see show writer Brent “brentalfloss” Black as he presents songs and other material.

Fans of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” can head to the main stage at 1 p.m. June 13  to catch “Beyond The Bridge: Strange New Worlds Spotlight” with actors Celia Rose Gooding (Nyota Uhura), Dan Jeannotte (Lieutenant George Samuel "Sam" Kirk) and Chris Myers (Ensign Gamble), hosted by Strange New Pod.

Get some girl power happening on the main stage at 3 p.m. June 13 during "Women of Trek: The Many Generations" featuring actresses Musetta Vander (“Star Trek: Voyager”), Louise Sorel (“Star Trek” the original series), Carolyn McCormick (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Sachi Parker (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and Stephanie Czajkowski (“Star Trek: Picard”) in conversation with Laurie Ulster from TrekMovie.com.

Ever get the urge to throw a Tribble? Kids can take part in the 4th annual Tribble Tossing  at 4 p.m. June 14 in the children’s programming room 208.

GO TO A DRAG SHOW

On June 13  at 7:30 p.m., hit up a “Star Trek”-themed drag show on the main stage, “Live Loud and Prosper” with To Proudly Go featuring drag queens like Heather Wood who portrays Major Kira Nerys and Kailee Rose who does Kai Winn Adami, both from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Watch Godiva Romance bring the house down in their role as Nyota Uhura from "Star Trek.”

“What I love about drag is we get to kind of turn things on its head,” says chief executive officer/board chair Michael Agnew, who doubles as drag performer  Wood. “In the show, we don’t typically tell a linear story as it is on the TV screen. We try to add in humor, song, dance and props. There’s a lot of silliness. We even use confetti cannons.”