New Kids at the Con — Every year dozens of bands send demo tapes to DragonCon directors. This year, the convention gaveMcFly, a band that features Eighties’ covers and original material, the opportunity to headline the con’s first Thursday night concert program. (Photo by Nate King)Jamming for L. Ron — Jazz legend Chick Corea (left) and Kill Bill star David Carradine staged an impromptu concert at their September 3 press conference at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Corea came to DragonCon to premiere a jazz suite inspired by the L. Ron Hubbard novel To the Stars. Carradine confessed he attended the convention “Because they pay me.” (Photo by Jean Marie Ward)Pastel Magician — DragonCon 2004 marked pastel virtuoso Anne Sudworth’s first exhibition at an American convention. Two of Sudworth’s paintings grace the first day covers of the British Lord of the Rings stamps issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the trilogy’s publication. (Photo by Jean Marie Ward)Klingon Warbird, DragonCon Style — Klingons charged to the head of the 2004 DragonCon parade on Saturday, September 4. Their warbird, however, seemed strangely changed from the Star Trek movies most of us remember. (Photo by Nate King)Netherworld Fashion Plate — The denizens of Atlanta’s Netherworld Haunted House like to make their presence known at the DragonCon parade. Some of the onlookers, however, might wish they didn’t get quite so up close and personal. (Photo by Pam Flora)Big Green — Size does matter, especially when you want to impress a crowd. This Netherworld centerpiece smiles as if it knows onlookers cannot look away. (Photo by Nate King)Men of Gondor — Fans of The Lord of the Rings made an impressive parade showing. Rings-inspired costumes also numbered among the most popular “hall costumes” — costumes worn by the fans throughout the con. (Photo by Nate King)Ents and Balrogs, Together at Last — Nothing brings legendary enemies together like a parade. Must be the way the crowd cheers the bad guys as loudly as the heroes. (Photo by Nate King)Playing to the Crowd — Actor Lorenzo Lamas, and Playboy centerfold and champion ballroom dancer Barbara Moore enjoy the view from the backseat of a Chrysler Sebring. Each year’s parade features a different model of convertible loaned by Atlanta’s new car dealers. (Photo by Pam Flora)Pirates on Parade — The number of pirate costumes walking the decks of DragonCon 2004 testifies to the enduring popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean. Who knows how many there will be in the wake of the planned sequel? (Photo by Pam Flora)Vader’s Fist — The traditional culmination of the DragonCon parade, the 501st Legion of Imperial Stormtroopers calls itself the Web’s definitive imperial costuming club and includes members from around the world. The 501st contingent in the 2004 DragonCon parade stretched the length of a city block. (Photo by Jean Marie Ward)
