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Xena lives ... and you are there!

by
Christie Keith

Because Warrior Princesses never die, AfterEllen.com is going to the Xena: Warrior Princess convention in Burbank, CA this weekend.

I covered it last year, and interviewed lesbian icons and Hot 100 hotties Lucy Lawless (Xena) and Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle). I also live-blogged the entire convention on my own blog, and one day looked up from my little laptop in the convention hall to find that 10,000 Xena fans had dropped by to follow along.

In recognition of the undying Xena love, AfterEllen.com's going to let me live-blog it here this year — and yes, I'll also be interviewing Lucy and Renee, and yes, I'll have photographer KT Jorgensen with me. We'll be taking photos, interviewing fans, and hopefully getting a chance to talk to some of the creative folks behind the show about issues near and dear to our hearts. We'll also be at Lucy's sold-out concerts at Hollywood's legendary Roxy Theater, but alas — no wireless there. We'll recap it after the fact, instead.

Live-blogging will start here on the AfterEllen.com blog on Friday morning, January 25 and run through the afternoon of Sunday, January 27. If you have questions for any of the guests, feel free to post them in the comments section and if I get a chance, I'll ask them for you.

I've also told Lucy and Renee I'll be doing this, so who knows? Maybe I can get them to drop by, too.

And if you're going to be in Burbank, come say hi! I'll be the tall one with the laptop.

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    • Submitted by
    Christie Keith
    on January 24, 2008 - 4:01pm.
    TAGS :: 
    rvm8's picture

    Can't wait!!

    Submitted by
    Kiran_M (10 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 6:01pm.
    Lucky you.
    christiekeith's picture

    It's all about Xena...

    Submitted by
    Christie Keith (43 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 6:24pm.
    Yeah, I'm pretty much the luckiest girl alive. I can't deny it.
    XenaMuseum's picture

    Will there be more ... a detailed interview?

    Submitted by
    XenaMuseum (15 posts)
    on February 1, 2008 - 6:13am.

    Very terrific to meet and interview Lucy & Renee. Will we see more here about the interview? Unfortunately although I had intended to be there, it was not to be, so I am happily collecting info and pics from friends, fellow props collectors (including friends who put on the collecting forum at the con) and now here as well. Living vicariously.

    Well thanks again for all the reports.

    Christina at the Xena Museum 

    RenRiet's picture

    A question for each of you...and love you both :)

    Submitted by
    Renee (110 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 6:35pm.

    To Lucy:

    First of all...I think you are just such a beautiful person...such a refreshing light in an often shallow celebrity world. I wanted to you to know that I'm going to New Zealand on a solo backpacking tour for six weeks in March (live everyday to the fullest right?)...and I was wondering if there is one place in your home country that I HAVE to visit...what would it be?

    Also...you've been a battling warrior princess, a terrific dramatic actress and documentary host, and a singing sensation - what is next on your list of rockin' things to try/do?

    To Ren:

    First of all...I wanted you to know how truly impressed I was with "Diamonds and Guns"...I bought a copy on a whim...and it was extremely well done for an indie flick. I also think your comedic talents are seriously underrated! Thank you for being a beautiful and inspiring person...to someone like me who understands the need to be creative through film.

    My question for you is: As a documentary filmmaker myself, I was wondering if you have ever been interested in documentary film...either directing or being a part of one? PS...I love your name :)

    Thanks so much for your time ladies...best of luck singing and dancing up a storm this weekend. I'll be thinking of you both when I'm in New Zealand on Bethel's Beach. Thanks for over a decade of fun and inspiration.

    And thanks to Christie for doing this...not everyone is lucky enough to be anywhere near the conventions. I'll make it out someday...good on ya! 

    Cheers!!

    ~Renée R. from Ottawa, Canada 

    ryath's picture

    Home ...

    Submitted by
    Sarah in Chicago (83 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 7:26pm.

    Renee -

    I'm an ex-pat kiwi living in the states (Chicago specifically), having been here for quite a number of years now, and I can't begin to tell you how jealous I am of you being able to go home (hell, I am sitting in a Starbucks right now doing work and 'Six Months in a Leaky Boat' by 'Split Enz' suddenly came on and I just about bounced up and down in my chair). 

    Course, it's also in the single digits fahrenheit here right now, so at this moment I seriously wouldn't mind being on Bethel's Beach (actually not too far away from where I went to primary -elementary- school).

    As to one place in kiwiland that I would recommend? (if I may be so bold of course) ... well, that is kinda difficult because NZ really is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and so there is so much to see, but my personal taste would have to run to Queenstown and Fiordland National Park. That area will really take your breath away. Course, I also adore merely standing out on the beach by the Wellington Heads, staring out across the Pacific to the Southern Ocean where the blue immensity of the water merges with the blue of the sky ...

    Sorry, I do miss home a tad, even if my career calls me elsewhere ... 

    tetetar's picture

    Kia Ora Sarah

    Submitted by
    tetetar (21 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 11:21pm.
    Awwww... and home misses you too!!! NZ always misses it's kids when they go travelling. We (those of us here) feel the ache of Kiwi's abroad, but it is countered by our pride in your being abroad, sharing our culture, our uniqueness, our love for home. Take care, hope you get to come home for holidays from time to time :)
    ryath's picture

    Thanks!

    Submitted by
    Sarah in Chicago (83 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 7:47am.

    I am trying to make sure I represent NZ in not too an embarrassing manner! Although it is kinda easy to do, given how NZ just sells itself, and it is so easy to be proud of it!

    But no, I don't get the chance to get home that often. The last time I was back was just over two years ago, which blows. I would kill for some NZ-pizza, a kiwiburger, a filled-roll, a sausage-roll, or a mince-pie! Not to mention some V! And then there is simply missing other kiwis. 

    But us ex-pats do love our country, our home, beyond anything, have no doubt! Once a kiwi, ALWAYS a kiwi! 

    burg21's picture

    I am from chicago as well. i

    Submitted by
    marcia (23 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 12:51pm.
    I am from chicago as well. i really really want to go to New Zealand one day. I heard about this thing called " the kiwi experience tour" I'm trying to find out if i can afford to do that. I want to see this beautiful land I hear about so many time. It is the one place I would like to see in this world.
    RenRiet's picture

    NZ

    Submitted by
    Renee (110 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 1:28pm.

    Hi Marcia!

    Funny you should mention "Kiwi Experience" that's the thing I'm doing. It's a bus tour of sorts...but you can hop on and off whenever you want...and it's a really decent price. The most expensive part of travelling that far is the flights, by far. Then again I'm going to Australia too so that tacks some extra moolah on.

    Anyway...I hope you get to do it someday...I think it's going to be the trip of a lifetime for me!

    Cheers,
    ~Renée

    burg21's picture

    you are doing it

    Submitted by
    marcia (23 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 2:57pm.
    that is great. right now me and a friend is trying to work it out. I really want to go. a friend of my did it. she did a six month stay, traveling throught australia and new zealand. so, tell me what it is like. cost, acomidations, ect.
    ryath's picture

    Actually ...

    Submitted by
    Sarah in Chicago (83 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 1:44pm.

    I'm an anti-organised-tour kind of person, so take what I am saying with a large grain of salt :)

    What I would recommend are campervans, which a LOT of people use to travel around NZ, as they are so damn cheap:

    http://www.tuicampers.co.nz/trail-finder.html

    http://www.britz.co.nz/new-zealand-rv-rental

    There are ton of others, so look them up if you want ... I mean, it's all your travel requirements, plus accomodations, and you can go anywhere you want . Plus you can cook, so you're not having to eat out all the time and pay for that. Hell, back home my family used to do the larger versions of these all the time for ski-vacations.

    Course, if you like the sleep-with-everyone booze-fests that tend to be the tours in NZ, go for it, but I'd personally do the campervan thing. Loads of people do. YMMV.

    jeeo's picture

    YES!

    Submitted by
    jeeo (38 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 6:33pm.
    Now I won't feel so bad for not getting to go! I'm kind of a new Xenite, but I know how much the conventions rock.
    steffie_rox's picture

    Once upon a time

    Submitted by
    Stephanie (6 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 6:55pm.

    I loved Xena.

    Then years went by with no new Xena and I forgot about the show.

    then I discovered Netflix. and Re-Discovered Xena.

    Because of the decision to netflix season one of xena, I now own 5 seasons (will buy the sixth when I'm done watching every episode...) and am considering writing a Najara/Gabrielle fanfic (najara from "crusader" holygoodness is that woman amazing...)

    I am jealous of you and wish I knew about the convention's existence a while ago...although I need to save my money for a March conference....>__<

    http://rebelgrrrl.wordpress.com/

    happycricket05's picture

    I miss X:WP

    Submitted by
    happycricket05 (56 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 8:34pm.

    Oh how I miss Xena: Warrior Princess. I hated how it ended and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried many times during that last Episode. Once when Xena and Gabrielle sat down facing each other and Xena was teaching Gabrielle how to do pressure point thingy and she said that was how she wanted to die, staring in in Gab's eyes. Then when Xena died. And then When Xena couln't come back and Gabby was alone. My mother laughed at me cause I kept saying "XENA DIES and GRABRIELLE IS ALONE, HOW COULD THEY DO THIS!" lol anyway I'm so jealous of you.

     

    Shout-out to Renee and Lucy. Both of you guys are awesome.

    ch's picture

    **Xena Rocks**

    Submitted by
    Landed on a big.... (2 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 8:50pm.
    Xena is the unlimate...she is the biggest bad a**....im from Cali and never got to partake in the adventure.   But would now for sure if I had the chance........big divorces lead to great things.....
    XENAgurl's picture

    You lucky duck you...

    Submitted by
    XENAgurl (5 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 9:54pm.

    Damn, Xena is the epitome of kickassness. :D

    She even kicks the boys' asses on xbox live with me! ;)

    eengah's picture

    I'm seriously jealous. The

    Submitted by
    bec (19 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 10:11pm.
    I'm seriously jealous. The only questions I have are about the possibilities of a movie, which I'm sure will get brought up pleeeeeeeenty of times, and whether or not Renee O'Connor will marry me. Have fun!
    invisicoll's picture

    Count me in as another fan who was late to the party.

    Submitted by
    invisicoll (20 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 11:12pm.
    I had a massive Xena Netflix-a-thon a couple of months ago. It was the first time I had seen the show and loved every minute of it. I love that Lucy and Renee are still out there and talking about it. I can't wait to hear what they have to say.
    I couldnt care less's picture

    Chicago

    Submitted by
    I couldnt care less (20 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 2:31am.
    Had a blast at Xena-con in Chicago. It was quite endearing how much Lucy and Renee enjoyed each others' company. Worth every penny.
    jox's picture

    Dude!

    Submitted by
    Raven (17 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 5:00am.

    I used to love this show! It was one of my fave growing up... i never missed an episode. I really need to buy it on dvd. 

     P.S. Hudson Leick in Leather = the reason im gay! lol

    -BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE FREE-

    Volkova84's picture

    ehh..

    Submitted by
    Volkova84 (155 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 12:32pm.

    I miss this show!:S

     

    ___________

    "Can you tell me softly how you'll always haunt me..." t.A.T.u

    burg21's picture

    man, i love renee o'connor

    Submitted by
    marcia (23 posts)
    on January 25, 2008 - 1:31pm.
    I wish that I could be at the con and concert. I have never meet renee and would really like to meet her. so, please tell us everything she is doing. hehehe. I can't wait to read your blog. when does it all get started.
    CharisxX's picture

    So jealous!!!!!! AH!

    Submitted by
    CharisxX (10 posts)
    on January 26, 2008 - 2:33am.

    You are way too lucky, and I wish I was you! Lucy is a Goddess indeed! xX 

    Charis.xX

    "That's right--you can have arm pit hair, a roll of fat, stretch marks--they don't care. They're good for it all. They care what's in your heart." Lucy Lawless VII.XX.MMVII

    XenaMuseum's picture

    To all the fans who commented ...

    Submitted by
    XenaMuseum (15 posts)
    on February 1, 2008 - 6:26am.
    Xena lives on! At the cons and on the web ... the Xena Museum & Athenaeum was founded to preserve the memories for fans to enjoy worldwide. I hope you will all visit at www.xenamuseum.com and enjoy the prop and costume collection and link to fan collections as well.

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