Beam Me Over There

You remember George Takei — he’s the guy who was parodied on the Soup for nearly all of 2008 simply for having a nice baritone and a limitless laugh. He was also Mr. Sulu, celebrated around these parts as the first openly gay former helmsman of the USS Enterprise under James T. Kirk and NBC. Today, however, he presides over the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, a party fit for the Khitomer Accords (great reference!), and we couldn’t ask for a better grand marshal. Takei is a national treasure, whether he’s serving as the spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project, appearing on Heroes, or laughing too long after he turns a phrase. The festival, spanning two weekends, features much that would make any helmsman proud — martial arts, sword performances, Taiko drumming, a full slate of traditional dance — along with stuff to divert any citizen, such as the Sailor Moon musical, Anime Costume Contest, and the Karaoke Song Festival.
Saturdays, Sundays, 11 a.m. Starts: April 11. Continues through April 19, 2009