Canada's stars gather here for Primedia at Stage West

It seems that Canada's major media stars don't get the kind of widespread recognition experienced by their U.S. counterparts.

Primedia, a media convention run by Canuck volunteers, is working to change all that.

The sixth annual Primedia conference will be held this weekend at Stage West All Suite Hotel & Theatre Restaurant on Dixie Rd. It's a chance for the public to get an up-close-and-personal look at their favorite Canadian television, film, literature and music luminaries.

Friday through Sunday, media stars including MuchMusic host Bill Welychka and Chris Owens (Agent Spender on the hit television series The X-Files) will make appearances, sign autographs and speak at seminars on Saturday and Sunday.

Other featured guests include Michael Lennick, who did the visual effects on the movie, Dick, Jayne Heitmeyer (the new female lead in Earth: Final Conflict), horror writer Ado [sic] Van Belkom, composer Maribeth Solomon [Earth: Final Conflict] and the members of the independent rock group Neva.

The focus in all this, says Primedia publicist Colleen Hillerup, is Canadian content in the media.

"We want to explain the Canadian media and promote the people involved," Hillerup said. "We don't celebrate our people enough."

Friday evening, an opening reception will include a performance by Neva.

Saturday morning, Hillerup will present a drama workshop.

There will also be a charity auction with all proceeds going to Gems of Hope, a Toronto-based agency that helps Third World countries.

Meanwhile, a number of authors will introduce their new books at the Primedia conference. Participating writers include Janet Heatherington [sic], Stephanie Bedwell-Grimes [sic] and Julie Czerneda.

A costume contest and a dance are also on the agenda.

Primedia, a small group of 10 volunteers, is slowly generating increased interest in the convention. About 150 people attended the first year. Last year, that figure doubled to about 300.

"This came out of the science fiction tradition, like those Star Trek conventions," said Hillerup.

Hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets will be sold at the door. Admission costs $20 for Friday and Saturday and $30 for Sunday. A ticket good for all three days costs $40. Register on the second floor.

For information, call 820-3844.

By Tom Michibata, The Mississauga News