The San Diego Space Society works toward creating a spacefaring civilization within our lifetimes by raising awareness and educating the general public to the benefits of space exploration and San Diego's role in it. More about us…
Posted by Chris Radcliff in Events, News on July 26, 2010
Last Friday, during the madness that was Comic-Con, the Space Travelers Emporium hosted a small performance by geek singer/songwriter Marian Call. We set it up at the last minute, to take advantage of having such an amazing (and venue-appropriate) singer in San Diego.
Even without advertising, the event attracted upwards of 40 people. That just about matched the number of seats we can fit in the Emporium, with a tiny space left over for Marian and her guitarist Scott Barkan. Gerry Williams set up excellent lighting for the event (thanks, Gerry!), and extra chairs were provided by the Women’s History Museum.
The audience was a mix of SD Space members (who also helped set up) and Browncoats (active fans of the TV series Firefly). Marian mixed both groups’ passions into her 90-minute set, featuring tunes like “Got To Fly” and “It’s Good To Have Jayne On Your Side”, plus an as-yet-unreleased song about the Moon that I think will be a big hit among the GLXP community.
If you aren’t familiar with Marian’s music, I strongly suggest you become so. Start with thesethreesongs, then get to know the rest on her website.
Bonus: An attendee posted some iPhone video of one of the songs, “I Wish I Were A Real Alaskan Girl”:
More than 300 excited space fans turned out for our Comic-Con panel today. The panel featured newspace companies, represented by John Hunter, Mark Street, and Molly McCormick, plus Dave Rankin from the Mars Society. Moderator Jeff Berkwits kept things lively with his questions, and we were also able to answer a few from the crowd as well.
At one point, during a discussion of FAA safety rules for private spacecraft and informed consent, I asked the crowd, “Who here would go anyway?” Nearly everyone in the room raised their hands.
Update: Attendees have already written a few articles about the panel, including ScriptPhD.com, Pajiba, and Science Not Fiction, a Discover Magazine blog. (Twice, in that case.)
The grand opening of the Space Travelers Emporium last Saturday was a smashing success. People from both our existing space community and our new South Park community came out in droves to see the new store and Space Activities Lab, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Even better, everyone seemed to have their own space stories to share. One common theme was, “I’ve loved space since I was little,” which we always enjoy hearing. We also talked to people who worked on Apollo, or for NASA, or with the military. Teachers, families, and even an Virgin Galactic space agent stopped by.
Of course, it helped that we got amazing media coverage over the last week, both for the grand opening and the screening of “Moon Beat”. (Thanks, Jeff!) A sampling:
Free SAN DIEGO VINTAGE SCI-FI Movie This Weekend: CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965)
Are you a fan of vintage SF (film and TV) of the ’30′s through early ’60′s? Would you like to get together with other local fans to watch & discuss your favorites?
This was the age of damsels in distress, pocket-change special effects, and those fabulous rubber monster suits. At the same time, such writers as Robert Heinlein, C.L. Moore, and Theodore Sturgeon crafted mature and contemplative screenplays for television and theater audiences. Come watch the best and worst from this era!
NEXT MEETING:
Saturday, July 10, 2010
7:00PM – 10:30PM (approx)
CRACK IN THE WORLD
(USA, 1965) 96 minutes
Dr. Steven Sorenson plans to tap the geothermal energy of the Earth’s interior by means of a thermonuclear device detonated deep within the Earth. Despite dire warnings by fellow scientist Ted Rampian, Dr. Sorenson proceeds with the experiment after secretly learning that he is terminally ill. This experiment causes a crack to form and grow within the earth’s crust, which threatens to split the earth in two if it is not stopped in time.
Also Showing:
BATMAN
1943 Serial, episode #13
(USA, 1943)
… and …
A vintage SUPERMAN cartoon
(USA, 1941-1943)
Location:
Studio 106 in the Art Union Building
2323 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92102
Please RSVP to Gerry Williams (filmist “-at-” mac.com) as seating is limited.
We’ll provide the popcorn. You can bring snacks or drinks to share.
For more information, please visit: http://sdvsf.org/
Location: Space Travelers Emporium (map) 1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
The San Diego Space Society is proud to announce the Grand Opening of the Space Travelers Emporium. The event coincides with the South Park Walkabout and the screening of the movie Moon Beat (seating is limited, so be sure to RSVP for the movie to confirm yours).
After a month and a half of hard work by many SD Space members, the Space Travelers Emporium will open for business. The Emporium is a storefront that provides both financial support for SD Space and outreach to the community. It’s also designed to be a classroom, project lab, and meeting place for local space enthusiasts.
The storefront will feature a blend of in-stock products (t-shirts, posters, patches), special order items (books, model rockets, electronics, actual space suits), and travel-agency-style ticketing (Zero-G flights, suborbital space flights, astronaut training).
Members and the public are invited to attend. For more information, email info@sdspace.org.
Last Friday, during the madness that was Comic-Con, the Space Travelers Emporium hosted a small performance by geek singer/songwriter Marian Call. We set it up at the last minute, to take advantage of having such an amazing (and venue-appropriate) singer in San Diego.
