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Act 1. The Orchestra introduced itself:
Music into an known frontier. These are the continuing experiences of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Their ongoing endeavours. To explore strange new classical music and to seek out new life forms to play to. To boldly play what no other orchestra has played before…

The performance kicked off without pause with Sunrise from the 2001: A Space Odyssey by Thus Spake Zarathustra.  An absolute classic for all things sci-fi. As the music played a video screen above the orchestra showed the scenes when the Enterprise travels into the interior of ‘The Machine’ during the first ST movie ‘ Star Trek – The Motion Picture’. It was a good introduction to the evening’s performance.
This was followed by ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’ by Johann Strauss. Although various Star Trek video clips where played during the piece, I think that it would have been more appropriate for the original Space Odyssey experience of weightlessness on the Pan-Am flight into the emptiness of space which should have been screened. Just my thoughts.

The conductor Guy Noble then took the Orchestra into ‘Mars, The Bringer Of War” from Planets by Gustav Holst. What he was trying to do was to demonstrate how the music set the mood of the action being played out on screen. It was very compelling with a lot of the battle scenes from ‘The Motion Picture’, ‘The Wrath of Khan’ and ‘The Undiscovered Country’ playing out over head.
To finish the first section of the performance the arrival of the transformers onto earth was played out. It was a nice piece but I felt that it was just too out of character with the theme of the show. Lets be fair – this was Star Trek for trekkers.

Intermission: This time gave us a chance to enjoy the views that the Sydney Opera House had of the harbour. The comment from my date was that we were looking at the view and the view was looking at us. My date for the evening by the way, was my eldest daughter. She of coarse has endured my obsession for Star Trek over the last 22 years so this was a treat for her.

Act 2. The conductor strutted out onto the dais dressed in a tidy little ST uniform. And about time.  Our conductor for the evening was Guy Noble. Apparently he has also been known to appear conducting the orchestra dressed as Darth Vader and even cooked pasta one time with TV Chef Stefano de Pieri. He said that he had watched the odd Star Trek episode but I believe Guy knew a little too much at how to present himself as the captain of the star ship NCC1 Sydney Symphony. I think that Guy is possibly a closet trekker in disguise.

And engage. The orchestra began to play the Trek motion picture music proper. From The first motion picture through to the latest 2009 Reboot covering more than 40 years of Trek music. I have to admit the theme has changed little but is still so recognisably inspiring.

Star Trek The Motion Picture. The New Enterprise. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kkan (1982). The Main Title. Music written by James Horner.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Stealing the Enterprise. Music written by James Horner.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). The End Credits. Music written by Leonard Rosenman.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). The End Credits. Music written by Cliff Eidelman
Star Trek Generations (1994). The Overture. Music written by Dennis McCarthy
Star Trek: First Contact (1996). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). A New Ending. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Reboot (2009). The End Titles. Music written by Michael Giacchino.

And all of this played out to the movie clips on the giant video screen above.
Trekkie Heaven

Who said the Borg came from another part of the galaxy. We are taking the first steps to assimilate ourselves into our own collective. And it is all being done in the name of science. Doesn’t Star Trek teach us not to play with implants?

A ‘telepathy’ chip that allows people to control computers, televisions and light switches by the power of thought is being developed by British scientists. The tiny sensor would sit on the surface of the brain, picking up the electrical activity of nerve cells and passing the signal wirelessly to a receiver on the skull. The signal would then be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, operate electronic gadgets or steer an electric wheelchair.

The chip is the brainchild of Dr Jon Spratley, 28, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who developed a prototype during his PhD at Birmingham University. ‘We are just trying to help people with severe communication problems or motor neurone disease – like Dr Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve,’ he said. ‘What we have designed would allow them to control a computer with their thoughts. If they imagine their muscles moving, that could flick a light switch for example. ‘It’s an area that is being heavily researched in America but so far all the tests have involved wired sensors. This prototype uses wireless technology to remove the risk of infection and that’s the real drive of our work. ‘The eventual aim would be to see these systems fully working so they are available to help patients communicate. That’s the future.’ The 1.3mm ‘multi-contact brain probe’ has yet to be tested on a living person or animal. However, tests on brain slices in a laboratory have been promising.

Dr Spratley’s invention is a tiny sensor designed to be injected by needle into the brain. The chip has 50 ‘contact spikes’ that connect to nerve cells in the brain. As the needle is withdrawn, four coil antennae – each just 1mm across – are unfurled on the surface of the brain. These communicate wirelessly with a ‘base station’ – a 16mm diameter receiver that is permanently placed in the hole left by the needle.

The device picks up neural signals from the brain’s motor cortex and transmits the impulses via the base station to a receiver connected to a computer. Dr Spratley said just seven unique ‘thought commands’ are needed to provide mouse-like controls for a computer. He believes implanting the chips will require minimal invasive surgery – yet could change the life of a quadriplegic or motor neurone disease sufferer. ‘It began as an investigation into what signals paralysed people can generate,’ he said. ‘If they can imagine using a limb, even if they can’t move it, you can tap into that signal. ‘Then you just have to imagine moving the muscle and the leg will move, the brain will train itself.

Dr Spratley, who now works for Cambridgeshire-based company 42 Technology, says the wireless chip is safer. ‘My work was only ever going to be the tip of the iceberg and I hope eventually it will help people. I am glad they are taking it forward.’

He is now looking for funding to start human trials.

- From Prophecy News Watch

Heads up all you Kiwi Trekkers. MGM on Sky are rolling out a few of the earlier movies. It might not be a ST movie marathon and we have had a bit of a drought since the hype of Star Trek – The Reboot died down, so those with sky – enjoy
Thanks Leah

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) Friday 28 August, 8.30pm
The original crew of the Starship Enterprise from the 1960s TV show is reunited in this dramatic, science fiction epic, the very first Star Trek feature film. A mysterious cloud-like object is heading for Earth and destroying everything in its path. The only ship in range is the newly refurbished USS Enterprise, so Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), formerly a captain, is called upon to collect his old crewmates in order to intercept the enemy and save the world. When the original television series was cancelled in 1969, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry lobbied Paramount to continue the franchise through a feature film. The success of the series in syndication convinced the studio to begin work on a feature film in 1975. Paramount was disappointed with the scripts they were delivered so they scrapped the project in 1977. However, the box office success of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars convinced Paramount to revisit the idea of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and in 1978, Paramount assembled the largest press conference held at the studio since the 1950s to announce that Oscar–winning director Robert Wise (West Side Story, Star!, The Andromeda Strain, The Hindenburg) would helm the $15 million film. Nominated for three Oscars (Best Art-Set Direction, Visual Effects, Original Score) and a Golden Globe (Score). Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols. “With excellent special effects and witty nods to the old series, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE set a new standard in sci-fi films–and paved the way for a host of excellent sequels.” – Rotten Tomatoes

STAR TREK: THE WRATH OF KHAN( 1982) Friday 4 September, 8.30pm
The second Trek movie sees Admiral Kirk’s midlife crisis interrupted by the return of Khan, an old enemy. Khan and Kirk battle for control of the Genesis device, a powerful new weapon. Director Bryan Singer cited Khan as an influence on his film X2. Khan is also a favorite of director J. J. Abrams, producer Damon Lindelof and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the creative team behind the franchise relaunch film, Star Trek (2009). Khan was a huge critical and commercial success. It earned US$97 million worldwide and set a world record for first-day box office gross. Director: Nicholas Meyer (Time After Time, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country). Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Kirstie Alley. “Strong character interaction, a credible science fiction future, and intelligent plotting.” — BBC “Even without the words “Star Trek,” the film would still be a space adventure of the highest order.” – The AV Club (First Time on MGM)

STAR TREK: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (1984) Friday 11 September, 8.30pm
After the tragic events of the previous Trek film, The Wrath of Khan, the crew of the USS Enterprise returns to Earth after losing their friend Spock, who died from radiation poisoning. However, Captain Kirk discovers that Spock will not rest in peace until Spock’s remains are brought to planet Vulcan. Kirk and his crew steal the Enterprise against orders and set out on a mission to collect Spock’s remains from Genesis and lay him to rest in Vulcan. Upon release, the film broke the opening weekend gross box office records that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom set just a week before. Director: Leonard Nimoy. Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Christopher Lloyd. “Writer-Producer Harve Bennett knows where the gold is buried in this galaxy, and always hustles back to that lode of entertaining verities that have for so long sustained Star Trek.” – Time Magazine “The humanity of the Star Trek series, unexpected as it is in a sci-fi setting, remains the series’ best feature.” – New York Times

On the 20^th July 1969 man finally touched down on another terrestrial body, namely the moon. It is one of those ‘where were you when’ moments in a persons life that you will always remember. At the time I was at primary school and we were all glued to the public address system listening to the preparation of Neil doing his one giant leap for all mankind. I have to admit that most of my fellow students were more interested in getting some free time away from their schoolwork but me and my nerdy mates were captivated. It was actually going to happen. We were going to set foot onto another world – even though it was just our moon.

There have been all sorts of conspirators theories about did it actually happen. Did they really go to the moon or was it just a hoax movie. But you always get that from a minority that love to look for something that might be missing. I think the biggest conspiracy of the time was actually the early cancellation of the original series of Star Trek on the 3^rd June 1969. That was just 47 days before the moon landing. If you add 4+7 you get 11 (Apollo 11). What did I tell you? Just to prove anyone can have a theory. You could now link Paramount to the hoax moon-landing movie. ‘Yeah Right’

 Any how just for a bit of fun, I had a look around to see what else was happening in the world that, the moon landing over shadowed. I found some very interesting tit bits. In June, July and August of 1969 a lot of memorable stuff was going down.

 Jun 3. The last episode of Star Trek aired on NBC which was Turnabout Intruder. This was a tragedy.

Jul 7. The first U.S. troops withdrew from South Vietnam left Saigon. Remember the Vietnam War?

Jul 11. David Bowie released his single “Space Oddity,”. It was supposed to be in conjunction with the July 20 Apollo 11 moon landing. Fact or fiction

Jul 18. A car driven by Senator Edward M. Kennedy plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. His passenger, 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne died in the accident. There was a scandal about why he ran from the scene.

Aug 5. The space probe Mariner 7 flew by Mars, sending back 127 photographs and scientific data.

Aug 8. In England Iain MacMillan took pictures of the Beatles as they crossed Abbey Road for the cover of their “Abbey Road” album.

Aug 9. Actress Sharon Tate and four other people were found brutally murdered in her Los Angeles home by the cult leader Charles Manson and some of his disciples.

Aug 15 to 18. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in the Bethel hamlet of White Lake, New York.  400,000 young people attended it.

 So you can see 1969 was a very hot year. Where were you on the 20^th July 1969?

Date of Birth: 14th February 1970
Star Sign: Aquarius
Nick Name: The Peggster
Born: Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Height: 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)

Best known roles:

• Shaun, the unhappy appliance man, in 2004’s zombie comedy “Shaun of the Dead”
• Insecure ex-boyfriend Dennis Doyle in 2007’s “Run Fatboy Run”
• Disillusioned writer Sydney Young in 2008’s “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.”

Known for British comedies such as”Spaced”,  ”Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” Pegg was the main contender for the role of Scotty.

Simon Pegg didn’t jump at the chance to play the “can do” engineer first time around. But he revealed that  didn’t want to do an impression of “James Doohan”, because he considers him as a legend. Instead Pegg wanted to make it a tribute to James.

Pegg was so overwhelmed by Abrams’ offer that he emailed the director saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do it. It’s too big.’” He emailed a second time saying, “Hang on, let me think about it.”

His road to “Star Trek” indecision began in 1993, when the sharp wit moved to London to become a stand-up comic.

In 1995 Pegg’s acclaimed one-man show attracted the interest of TV producers. That break lead to appearances on hit Brit shows like “Asylum” and “Six Pairs of Pants.”

Pegg’s sitcom “Spaced” (1998 to 2004), which he co-created and co-wrote with Jessica Stevenson, earned him a nomination for a British Comedy Award.

TV fame lead to Pegg’s film debut in the 1999 comedy, “Guest House Paradiso.” He later appeared in 2005’s “Mission Impossible III” and 2007’s “Run Fatboy Run.”

Peg’s youthful Scotty is galaxies far away from the great engineer he’ll become. But his portrayal should have Trekkies toasting him with their best Saurian Brandy!

So In the words of the Peggster – “Okey dokey then. Hope you guys boldly go this weekend and if you do, I hope you enjoy it. I’m very proud of this movie and of everybody involved with it. It’s a hell of a ride, so in the words of one James Tiberius Kirk … buckle up.”

Source for this article is CTV

Date of Birth: 26th August 1980
Star Sign: Virgo
Nick Names: Peenè, Pinewood or Piney
Born: Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)

Best known roles:

• Hunky Nicholas Devereaux in “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)
• Neo-Nazi skinhead Darwin Tremor in “Smokin’ Aces” (2006)
• Music manager Jake Hardin in the Lindsay Lohan flick, “Just My Luck” (2006)

Who ever thought that playing a sappy love interest for Anne Hathaway in “The Princess Diaries 2″ would lead Chris Pine to James T. Kirk, the smart-ass star cruiser of all time.

Dubbed by Variety magazine as one of 2008’s “Top Ten Actors” to watch, Pine defeated “Cloverfield’s” Mike Vogel to land this coveted role.

Early “Star Trek” clips show Pine to be an indomitable, rough-and-tumble Starfleet hero even Captain Kirk would envy.

It’s a career-altering break for the University of California English graduate who landed his first acting gig in a 2003’s episode of “ER.”

But acting is in Pine’s blood. His father, mother and late maternal grandmother were all actors. Pine’s granny, Anne Gwynne, co-starred in 1940’s sci-fi hit “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.” His dad, Robert Pine, counts a 1996 episode of “Star Trek Voyager” in his credits.

From his Romulan smackdowns to the icy determination in Pine’s blue eyes, this actor’s intergalactic fame is a no brainer after “Star Trek” blasts off.

He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s Brad Pitt but better. Warp speed ahead Mr. Pine. Live long and prosper!

Source for this article is CTV

Date of Birth: 2nd June 1977
Star Sign: Gemini
Nick Name: Zach
Born: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)

Best known TV roles:

• Computer expert Adam Kaufman on “24″ (Season 3, 2003)
• Sasan, Tori Spelling’s haughty Persian-American pal, on “So noTORIous” (2006)
• Serial killer Sylar on “Heroes” (2006 – present)

Zachary who? Moviegoers won’t ponder that one after the credits wrap on “Star Trek.”

Making his feature film debut, Quinto plays Mr. Spock – one of the most iconic sci-fi characters of the last 60 years.

That’s a jump of several light years for this 1999 drama school graduate from Carnegie Mellon University. But it’s no surprise to Quinto.

In 2006, the half-Irish, half-Italian actor told an American interviewer that he felt he bore a strong resemblance to Leonard Nimoy, the original Mr. Spock. Lucky for Quinto, J.J. Abrams felt the same way.

In 2000, long shot Quinto made his TV debut in the short-lived series “The Others.” Subsequent, short-lived roles followed on “CSI,” “Six Feet Under” and “Lizzie McGuire.”

But in a cast bravely stacked with little-known actors, Quinto’s thoughtful exterior and rumbling inner emotions fit the bill for director Abrams and Nimoy.

In a recent SPACE interview Quinto credited Nimoy, his new best friend, for mentoring him on the many nuances in Spock’s character. The end result? A spot-on performance poised to make Quinto a huge star – with or without the pointy Vulcan ears.

Source for this article is CTV

Date of Birth: 19th June 1978
Star Sign: Gemini
Nick Name: None
Born: New Jersey, USA
Height: 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)

Best known roles:

• The feisty pirate Anamaria in 2003’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”

We always knew Uhura was a total babe on the 1960s’ “Star Trek” series. But even her brainy beauty is ramped up by American actress Zoe Saldana.

As “Star Trek’s” leggy, fresh-faced communications officer, Saldana will have ensigns swooning faster than she can decode Romulan spy messages.

In fact, Saldana wanted to play Uhura because in a cabin full of men she was the only woman with a high rank.

Born in New Jersey and raised in Queens, New York, Saldana moved to the Dominican Republic at age 10 after her father’s death. There she studied at the ECOS Espacio de Danza Dance Academy, one of country’s most prestigious dance schools.

Returning to the U.S. at 17, Saldana made her film debut in the 2000 dance drama “Centre Stage.” That lead to roles in Britney Spears’ 2000 flick “Crossroads,” 2002’s “Drumline” and Tom Hanks’ 2004 drama “The Terminal.”

Yet it was slapping Johnny Depp in 2003’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel that scored Saldana serious Hollywood attention – particularly from J.J. Abrams.

Smart, ballsy and unimpressed by smooth-talking flyboys like James T. Kirk, the steely-nerved Saldana should help make “Star Trek” a stunning ride.

Source for this article is CTV

Date of Birth: 7th June 1972
Star Sign: Gemini
Nick Name: None
Born: Wellington, New Zealand
Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)

Best known roles:

• Shortland Street in the 1992 season
• Eomer, King of Rohan in the second and third instalments of “The Lord of the Rings”
• Russian assassin Kirill in 2004’s “The Bourne Supremacy”
• Necromonger Commander Vaako in 2004’s “The Chronicles of Riddick”

An acclaimed television actor in New Zealand, Urban landed his first serious acting role in 1993 in the TV series “Shortland Street.” He played a paramedic. Call it a fateful foreshadowing of a future medical role: “Star Trek’s” Dr. McCoy.

It’s a gamble by Hollywood’s standards. Yet in Urban J.J. Abrams found his youthful incarnation of the curmudgeonly Starfleet doctor who loathes space travel but can’t live without it.

Seen on the internationally syndicated American TV series “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess,” Urban got his big Hollywood break in 2002 in the horror film “Ghost Ship.”

Good reviews scored Urban parts in “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Chronicles of Riddick.”

Reportedly considered to play James Bond in the 2006 remake of “Casino Royale,” the little-known actor lost out to Daniel Craig.

No worries Karl. After “Star Trek” blasts off, your days of losing to Daniel Craig are over.

Source for this article is CTV

Date of Birth: 16th June 1972
Star Sign: Gemini
Nick Name: None Yet
Born: Seoul, South Korea
Height: 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)

Best known roles:

• John, the guy who coined the expression “MILF” (Mother I’d Like F**k) in 1999’s “American Pie”
• Investment banker Harold Lee in 2004’s “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”

In a recent interview on SPACE John Cho described working with George Takei, “Star Trek’s” original Mr. Sulu. Takei encouraged the nervous actor with these words: “Don’t worry about…soon they’ll be calling me the old John Cho.”

Playing the famed “Star Trek” helmsman was a dream come true for Cho, particularly since Asian-Americans considered Takei a hero for representing their ethnic group so positively on TV.

Fencing, top-notch piloting skills, advanced physics…Cho does it all as Sulu, the biggest role of his career.

It’s a far cry from Cho’s early days as a teen model for Korean magazines – something he did after he and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1978.

Launching his acting career in local theatre, this 1996 English graduate from the University of Berkeley scored his first big-screen success with 1999’s “American Pie.”

Cho followed that comic hit with 2004’s “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.”

Named one of People magazine’s sexiest men alive in 2006, Cho’s sleek presence and deadly way with a fencing blade should help “Star Trek” kill at the summer box office.

Source for this article is CTV