Polaris 26- Toronto’s premiere sci-fi convention goes out with a bang!

Hey all,

Kat Curtis recovering from a wonderful weekend at Polaris 26, the long-running sci-fi con formerly known as Toronto Trek.  The con started for me on Friday night, where Nerds With Guitars rocked the opening ceremonies.  Shortly after that was the Constellation Awards, hosted by the incredibly charming and adorable Robin Dunne of Sanctuary.  I wish I had the chance to actually sit back and WATCH the awards- which was what I was SUPPOSED to do.  However, the long-time trophy girl of the Constellations couldn’t make it, so I was tasked by the head of the committee to find another lady.  Due to a series of unfortunate events, including a complete misreading of the date on my part, the lovely lady I found couldn’t make it, so I had to step in as the “awards distribution expert” for the evening. (My caveat for stepping in was that I was NOT to be called a trophy girl.  Not that I think I’m too good to be a lowly trophy girl or anything, it’s just that…well…I’m too damned good to be a lowly trophy girl.)   The awards were…well, not your typical awards show.  However, they were definitely entertaining- even from backstage.

Highlights included:

-A diminutive Spider-Man getting bodyslammed by one of the dudes from Geek Hard.

-Battlefield Earth’s Andrew Jackson going completely off-book and talking about some Polar Bear charity for 20 minutes, culminating in an impromptu charity auction- which had all of us backstage going like this:

– Robin Dunne FINALLY winning an award, running around the auditorium with glee, and then giving me a big hug ( I’m not kidding about the “him being really cute” thing.)

The afterparty was apparently bangin’, but I had to head home and do that thing where I sleep, so I missed out on the fun.

Saturday, I threw on this number:

…and I headed back to the con with my son (and the Wesley Crusher sweater my friend Emma made said wonderful son!) and got in line to meet Wil Wheaton himself.  Anyone who tells you that Wheaton is the raddest guy ever is not steering you wrong- he was kind enough to break his “no touching” rule long enough to hold my little guy for a picture, and we talked parenting- he agreed with me on the “Batman is the best name for a kid EVER” thing.

I wish I would have had more time.  I missed both the masquerade and a ton of panels I would have loved to attend, and UI didn’t get to hit up any of the legendary room parties.

Sadly, this is the last year of Polaris in its current incarnation.  According to some sources that attended the big Town Hall meeting at the end of the day on Sunday, Polaris as we know it is over.  I’ve heard it’s going to live on in another form, but the fact that this wonderful convention, with its intimate atmosphere, fan-run panels, and incredible guests might never be the same…well, it sucks.

…Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to remove some leftover latex glue from my ears.

Live long and prosper,

Kat