TimeGate

Infobox Convention
name = TimeGate


caption =
status = Active
genre = Science fiction
venue = Holiday Inn Select
location = Atlanta, Georgia
country = United States
first = 2005
last =
organizer = Stargate Atlanta
Atlanta Gallifreyans
filing =
attendance =
website = http://www.timegatecon.org

TimeGate is an Atlanta-based convention dedicated to "Doctor Who" and "Stargate" fandom, though general SF/F interests are also represented.

History

TimeGate began life as a one-day mini-con held March 26 2005 at a local Elks Lodge. The Lodge had already been rented for another event, which fell through. Since the deposit on the Lodge was non-refundable, the presidents of Atlanta Gallifreyans and Stargate Atlanta made the decision to plan an alternate event, one dedicated to "Stargate" and "Doctor Who". Even with only two weeks to plan and promote the new event, 80 people attended.

That year, two additional TimeGates were held, in July and in November. Each time, a slight change to the formula was tried, while the basic 'ingredients' remained unchanged.

2006 saw only one TimeGate, but it drew record attendance and was the first to feature professional guests. The following year TimeGate V was the first to feature guests directly related to the two focus shows: Louis Robinson, a singer-songwriter who had been a film editor on "Doctor Who" in the 1970s, and Keith Adams, who designs special effects shots for the current "Stargate" shows.

With attendance having grown to the point where the original venue became too small, TimeGate has scheduled a move to a hotel location and a transition to a full-fledged full-weekend convention in 2008.

Past conventions

* TimeGate I - Held March 26, 2005 at the Elks Lodge #78 in Tucker, Georgia. By sheer coincidence, this was the same day that the first episode of the new "Doctor Who" series aired on BBC. Notable programming included "Stargate" panels, screenings of select "Stargate" episodes, a "Stargate" baby shower, "Doctor Who" panels, documentaries, and a screening of the first episode of the new "Doctor Who" series. The event also featured live music by Hyperdrive, a buffet, a costume contest, plus open and tournament gaming.
* TimeGate II - Held July 9, 2005 at the Elks Lodge. Programming expanded with more gaming, more videos, more panels, a Hyperdrive concert, and a group game of "Scene It."
* TimeGate III - Held November 19, 2005 at the Elks Lodge. Notable new programming included fannish "Jeopardy", a costume contest, and a Klingon feast.
* TimeGate IV - Held November 4, 2006 at the Elks Lodge. Notable programming included a performance by the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, a workshop on Dalek building, a LaserTag event, and a Team Trivia event.
* TimeGate V - Held July 14, 2007 at the Elks Lodge. Guests included Louis Robinson, former BBC Film Editor who'd worked on many shows including "Doctor Who", and Keith Adams, Visual Effects Designer for both "Stargate" series. Notable programming included Prof. Satyre's Sci-Fried Side Show.

Upcoming conventions

TimeGate VI is scheduled to be held May 23-May 26, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Select, Atlanta-Perimeter/Dunwoody. Guests scheduled to appear include "Stargate SG-1" actor Tony Amendola, Classic "Doctor Who" actor John Levene [http://www.john-levene.com/] , "Battlestar Galactica" and "Eureka" science advisor Dr. Kevin Grazier, PhD, Mad Norwegian Press publisher and author Lars Pearson ("Doctor Who" reference guides) [http://www.madnorwegian.com/] , former "Doctor Who" film editor Louis Robinson [http://www.louisrobinson.com/] , and fantasy/paranormal author Jana Oliver [http://www.janaoliver.com/] . Schedules performances include the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company [http://www.artc.org/] , the Mighty Rassilon Art Players [http://www.m-rap.org/] , and local rock cover band Hyperdrive [http://www.apogee-designs.com/hyperdrive/] .

In addition to standard con fare like panels, movies, dealers, and a con suite, programming will include Q&A sessions with Tony Amendola, John Levene and Kevin Grazier; Tony Amendola film festival; John Levene film festival; live video commentary on "Doctor Who" classic "The Dæmons" with John Levene and Louis Robinson; live video commentary on "Battlestar Galactica" episode "Flight of the Phoenix" with Kevin Grazier; "Harry Potter"-style "Wizards' Chess", rethemed to be "Doctor Who" vs. "Stargate"; skit contest; cabaret; dance; costume contest; and more.

External links

* [http://www.timegatecon.org TimeGate official website]
* [http://www.stargateatlanta.com/ Stargate Atlanta]
* [http://www.atlantagallifreyans.org/ Atlanta Gallifreyans]
* [http://www.veoh.com/series/TimegateV/ Timegate Videos]