GGOrlando’s Guide to Away Mission: Orlando

What is it?

Away Mission: Orlando is a weekend-long event dedicated to science-fiction and, specifically, the Star Trek Universe of Gene Roddenberry.

Where is it?

The convention will be held at the Hilton Orlando Resort – Lake Buena Vista, across the street from Downtown Disney.

(Hint:  If you’re not staying at the hotel, parking is $13.  I recommend parking at Downtown Disney for free and then walking across the street to the hotel.)

How much does it cost?

Tickets will be $15 for tonight, $30 for tomorrow, and $20 for Sunday.  A weekend Bronze package can be had for $65.  Children under 12 are free with adult admission.

Who will be there?

This year’s celebrity guests are Avery Brooks (Capt. Benjamin Sisko, Star Trek: Deep Space 9) and Colin Ferguson (Sherriff Jack Carter, Eureka).  Other guests include A-Team stars Dwight Schultz and Dirk Benedict, and more.

What is there to do?

The itinerary holds a host of events surrounding the convention this weekend.  Here are some worth looking out for:

Friday

• Slacker and The Man Roast:  Roast of Dobbs (7:30pm – Palm 1)
  The cast of local geek podcast Slacker and The Man will be making a return appearance at this year’s event hosting a roast of one of their cast members.  This time, it’s co-host and Sci-Fried member Dobbs.  The dais will include El Ross, formerly of the Somacow podcast and currently of A Mediocre Time with Toma & Dan fame.
• AM/FM:  Away Mission Festival of Music (8pm – Palm 1)
  
  Schaffer the Darklord will be headlining a lineup of local geek rock icons as Away Mission hosts the first AM/FM music festival.  Local artists include MC Wreckshin, Marc with a C, and Sci-Fried.

Saturday

• Timey Wimey Stuff: Doctor Who & Torchwood (2pm – Palm 4)
  Can’t have a good sci-fi con without representation for the good Doctor and his blue police box.  The panel promises to be a discussion of the past, present, and future of the British series.
• Presentation: Avery Brooks (4pm – Palm 1)
  Captain Sisko, along with Master of Ceremonies Marc Lee, take the stage to talk about life as a Star Trek captain.  Stick around as, at 8pm, Brooks will return to the Palm 1 stage not as the captain of a Cardassian space station but as a musician.  Brooks is an accomplished jazz and blues singer and even performed as a the lead of an opera based on the life of Malcolm X.
• Trek Burlesque: The Next Generation (10pm – Palm 1)
  
  Closing out the evening will be Orlando’s own nerdy burlesque troop, Skill Focus: Burlesque, making their second appearance at the convention.  The show will include some favorites from “Damnit, Jim – It’s Trek Burlesque!”, which was performed at last year’s Away Mission and also made an appearance at this year’s Fringe Festival, as well as new performers and characters.  (Note:  This is an 18+ event.  Tickets are $10 – not included with your admission to the convention.)

Sunday

• Transformers: Toys to TV (11am – Palm 4)
  Fellow local blogger – also photographer and podcaster – will now add panel host as he talks on the history of the Transformers.  From the animated origins, toy lines, up to the blockbuster films.
• Grimm vs. Once Upon A Time (12pm – Palm 4)
  As a fan of both the NBC series Grimm as well as the ABC show Once Upon A Time, there’s a lot of parallels of the two shows with roots in the world of fairy tales.  While Grimm delves into the ancient tales and Once Upon A Time is based out of the world of the Disney animated films, each has a unique modern take on the classic stories.
• Presentation: Colin Ferguson (4pm – Palm 1)
  This time it’s Sherriff Carter’s turn to take the stage for a Q&A.  The Canadian actor has a lengthy list of credits to his name.  He’s currently working on the Canadian science-fiction series Primeval about creatures from the past warping to the modern day via time portals.