General Info

The IKV Bat'leth is a Hampton Roads area based Klingon fan club. With over 15 years in existence, the Bat'leth is the oldest Klingon fan club in the Hampton Roads area. Currently, we are also the only major organized group of Klingons in the area. Our membership and activities are centered on the cities of Hampton roads, we draw members and hold activities in cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach on the Southside, Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown and Gloucester on The Peninsula. We also draw members from the US Armed Forces.

The members of the Bat'leth are dedicated to having fun, using our interest in the Klingon race as our common element. We also work to increase familiarity with, and understanding of the Klingon culture. To these ends, the Klingon theme is prevalent through most of our activities. We have both costumed and non costumed events, although you don't have to have a costume to participate. Our events and displays are group events, primarily geared towards getting people together and just having fun. Such non costumed events include bowling and movie nights as well as picnics and cookouts, and even the occasional camping trip. We also have several annual non costumed events, such as our 'Trial by Water and Stone' a two or three mile water tubing trip down the James River, and trips to local theme parks, Busch Gardens and King's Dominion. Although most of our events have a casual non costumed environment, we do have several costumed events which do put members out front for all to see. These costumed events include sci-fi movie and book releases, as well as conventions, both local and out of state, such as Shore Leave and Farpoint, which are held in Maryland. Most often, members find these events to be rewarding, building self-confidence, social skills and the ability to interact with the public. They might also pick up a few trade skills useful to prop making, costuming, and even make up.