The Official Star Wars Blog

Archive for ‘events’

Darth Maul Puck for Tampa Bay Lightning Fans

February 3, 2012

It’s Star Wars Episode I 3D night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Thursday, February 16, when the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team takes on the San Jose Sharks! Select ticket-holders will sit in a special Star Wars seating section, have photo-ops with costumed characters from the 501st Legion, and receive a limited edition Phantom Menace Lightning puck (pictured above)!

The puck comes as part of a “Star Wars Prequel VIP Pack,” which also includes a terrace endzone seat, a “stadium favorites” menu, and a selection of beverages. Click the image below for an expanded view of the event flyer and ticket information.

2 Comments » | Collecting, events | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars Day

December 15, 2011

Words/Photo By Bonnie Burton

Last year to show support for a little girl named Katie who was bullied for liking Star Wars, fans everyone wore their Star Wars shirts to show support for “May The Force Be With Katie Day.”

This year, on Dec. 16, Katie’s mom urges fans to show off their Star Wars pride by wearing a Star Wars shirt — but to also consider donating a Star Wars gift to toy drives with the condition that it can go to a boy OR a girl, not just a boy! This helps spread the word that Star Wars is for both girls and boys!

Read more about this special event here:
Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars Day

Carrie Goldman (Katie’s mom) writes:

Please join us in the second annual Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars event on December 16, 2011. Celebrate this day of geek pride and anti-bullying by wearing something Star Wars or science fiction-related.
Since it is the holiday season, please also celebrate the day by donating a Star Wars or science fiction toy to a child in need (but be sure to put a post-it note on the new, unwrapped toy specifying that it can go to a girl or a boy; otherwise, these traditional “boy toys” will be given only to boys!)
You can bring the toy to a hospital, a shelter, or drop it off with any organization collecting toys. Feel free to host a similar toy drive at your child’s school, although you could call it “Proud To Be Me Day,” like Katie’s school does, so that the reach goes beyond science fiction.
Here’s our goal: let’s get Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars to spread to as many people as possible! Every time you read or write a blog post about the event or upload a photo of what you’ll be wearing, share it on Twitter with the hashtag #WearStarWarsShareStarWars.

If you are on Facebook, you can join the event here.

16 Comments » | events, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

San Francisco Builds Giant LEGO Yoda Santa

November 21, 2011

Photo by transbay.

This weekend, Star Wars fans in San Francisco gathered in Union Square to help LEGO Master Builders construct a 12-foot tall LEGO Yoda Santa from about 250,000 bricks!

Wired reports:

Contributing some brick building to an undertaking like this is a strangely satisfying thing. Participants create large ‘bricks’ which are used to scale up from a model. Because the whole thing builds so quickly, you really feel like you’re part of making a LEGO creation. The crowds of adults and kids getting involved today were all having a wonderful time building, chatting and sharing hints.

Read more here:
Help Build a 12-Foot Tall Lego Yoda Santa, You May
(via Geek Dad on Wired)

Yes, Leia, there is a Yoda Santa — made of LEGOs (via CNET)

Be sure to check out the upcoming LEGO Santa Yoda website – www.LEGOsantayoda.com – for Star Wars online greeting cards. LEGO will donate toys to United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program for each card sent.

1 Comment » | LEGO, events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Rancho Obi-Wan’s Grand Re-Opening!

November 10, 2011

By Pete Vilmur

If you’re a fan who frequents any number of Star Wars collecting forums, Facebook pages or twitterfeeds, you probably picked up some heightened chatter starting last Saturday around 4:00pm PST. No, George wasn’t announcing the release of a seventh Star Wars episode, and no, a Blu-ray release of the Holiday Special (which looks bad in any resolution) isn’t imminent – rather, it was the grand re-opening of Rancho Obi-Wan, an enormous museum celebrating the merchandising legacy and fandom inspired by our favorite space saga. Its original — and far quieter — opening occurred way back in 1998, and has since served as a resource and spectacle for those lucky fans who have received a tour.

Around 200 guests file in to the new Rancho Obi-Wan (photo by Victoria Webb)

Rancho Obi-Wan – which houses the personal collection of Star Wars super-collector Steve Sansweet – was unveiling a spacious new addition to display Sansweet’s ever-expanding collection of Star Wars goodies, including full-size arcade games, bicycles, life-size droids, and fan-created artwork. What’s more, Steve announced Rancho Obi-Wan’s new nonprofit corporation status, which will “serve the public through the collection, conservation, exhibition and interpretation of Star Wars memorabilia and artifacts” (check out ranchoobiwan.org and Rancho’s official Facebook page ).
(more…)

4 Comments » | Celebrities, Collecting, events | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Star Wars at New York Comic-Con!

October 12, 2011

Hey Star Wars fans, get ready to invade New York Comic-Con, Oct 13-16! Whether you’re in the Big Apple to check out the latest Star Wars news or to add some cool swag to your collection, there’s something for everyone!

Here’s all the fun Star Wars events and panels planned for NYCC!

STAR WARS EVENTS/PANELS:

FRIDAY

Star Wars: The Blueprints by J.W. Rinzler
Date: Friday, October 14
10:45-11:45 am
Location: 1A03
New York Times best-selling author and Lucasfilm Executive Editor J.W. Rinzler (author of The Making of Star Wars) discusses his latest book–about the unsung heroes of the Star Wars movies: the production designers, set dressers, and draftsmen in UK art departments. Rinzler will show how they designed the iconic sets of the original trilogy and show exclusive photos–from Star Wars: The Blueprints. Special guest: Les Dilley, Academy Award winning art director of Star Wars.

Star Wars Collectibles with Chris Spitale
Date: Friday, October 14
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Location: 1A15
Lucas Licensing’s Senior Manager of Global Product Development, Chris Spitale, moderates a Star Wars collectibles panel, previewing the latest offerings from eFX, Gentle Giant Studios, Kotobukiya, and Sideshow Collectibles.

Dark Horse Presents: 25 Years of Publishing and Beyond
Date: Friday, October 14
1:30-2:30 pm
Location: Room 1A15
Join Dark Horse’s senior managing editor, Scott Allie, and director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, for a look at all that the publisher has on tap for the coming year. In addition to news about all of the hot new fall titles, like Orchid, The Strain, and House of Night, we look to 2012 for a sneak peek at what fans can expect in not only the company’s flagship anthology Dark Horse Presents, but also Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more! Guests include Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Orchid), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, The Massive), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny X-Force, The Punisher), Jerome Opea (Fear Agent, The Punisher), Tony Moore (Fear Agent, The Walking Dead), and more.

Star Wars: The Old Republic Main Panel
Date: Friday, October 14
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: MTV Theater, 1A10
Check online guide for further details on this panel.

Robot Chicken Signing
Date: Friday October 14
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Room 1E07
Featuring: Seth Green (co-creator), Matt Senreich (co-creator),
Zeb Wells (writer) and Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer)

Star Wars Crafts with Bonnie Burton
Date: Friday, October 14
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: 1B03
Give in to the power of the crafty side! Find out how to turn felt and googly eyes into a Jedi Master with this fun hands-on bag puppet tutorial. The Star Wars Craft Book (Del Rey/LucasBooks) author Bonnie Burton shows fans of all ages how to make Star Wars bag puppets from her new book. Bonnie is also the author of You Can Draw Star Wars (DK Publishing) and Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Klutz Books).

Star Wars Trivia Contest
Date: Friday, October 14
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Location: Hasbro Stage
Come and compete for great Star Wars prizes in New York Comic Con’s Star Wars Trivia Contest. This last person standing contest is open to all and will be hosted by Star Wars artist Kevin Liell. So brush-up on your Star Wars knowledge and get ready for the biggest trivia contest in the galaxy!

Hasbro Star Wars Action Figure Panel
Date: Friday, October 14
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: 1A23
Join members of Hasbro’s Star Wars Marketing and Design team as they discuss current and upcoming toys and action figures and reveal some never before seen upcoming figures!

Adult Swim: Robot Chicken
Date: Friday, October 14
5:15 – 6:00 pm
Location: IGN Theater
Seth Green (co-creator), Matthew Senreich (co-creator), Zeb Wells (writer), and Doug Goldstein (head writer and co-producer) discuss their incredibly-popular and award-winning series Robot Chicken and provide a sneak peek of season 5.5, premiering Oct. 23 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Adult Swim.

Star Wars: The Old Republic — Q&A Panel with MMORPG.com
Date: Friday, October 14
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: American Airlines Theater, 1A06

Mark Hamill Spotlight
Date: Friday, October 14
7:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: MTV Theater, 1A10
While most known for his lead role in the classic Star Wars Trilogy, Mark is also a prolific voice actor who has lent his voice to hundreds of cartoons including Batman: The Animated Series, The Simpsons, Samurai Jack and Powerpuff Girls. Also, an avid comic book collector and writer, Hamill created his own comic book anti-hero, The Black Pearl, for Dark Horse Comics. Meet Mark Hamill in the spotlight panel!

(more…)

No Comments » | events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Washington Square Park Lightsaber Flash Mob!

October 3, 2011

words: Bonnie Burton

On Saturday, September 24, Star Wars fans in New York City invaded Washington Square Park for a massive lightsaber flash mob organized by Newmindspace.

StarWars.com chats with New Yorker Lisa Reid about her experience as a Jedi for the night at the Washington Square Park Lightsaber Flash Mob event.

How did you find out about the lightsaber flash mob?

I’ve lived in the Washington Square Park area for about 7 years now. Back in 2008, I came across this — pretty much a bunch of college kids in the park with lightsabers, dueling amongst themselves. A few weeks ago, I saw an event posted on Facebook for a lightsaber duel in Washington Square Park and I was like, “There is no way I’m going to miss this!”

Who organized it and why?

I don’t know too much about Newmindspace — the guys who organized the event. I do know they’re the same guys who organize the huge pillow fight in Union Square every year. The lightsaber battle is more my speed.

Did people bring lightsabers or did they give them out?

A lot of people brought their own, but the organizers did make lightsabers available for sale — reserve them prior to the event, pick them up at the event, and if you didn’t, they sold them first come, first serve. The girl next to me had a one of those retractable/antenna lightsabers that you can get at Toys ‘R Us for $10.

Have you ever been involved in a flash mob before?

Of course! Via YouTube, like 99.5% of people out there.

Describe what it was like seeing all those lit lightsabers waving in the air?

It was cool. You really have to hand it to all of the people who made it out that night. I’m guessing there were about 500 to 600 people wielding lightsabers on Saturday night. I mean, you see a lot of things in the park. But it was really nice to see all of that positivity — people just out to have a fun time.

What was the best costume you saw?

I’m so sad! I saw Twitpics of some pretty cool costumes but unfortunately none of them were near me so I didn’t get any pics of them! Most of the people around me were decked out in robes — I think one of the sponsors was giving them out. My kid flirted with a Princess Leia, so I guess she gets best costume in my book.

Why do you think Star Wars fans rock?

Star Wars fans are awesome. There was a grand mix of college kids, young kids, people with kids, kids at heart. I fall into the People with Kids camp. When the Star Wars fans were touching their lightsabers in the air together, one guy was sweet enough to give a lightsaber to my one-year-old son to hold up. Made his night.

3 Comments » | events, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

The “As You Wish” Charity Project Announced

September 27, 2011

The official Celebration VI site just posted an announcement for the “As You Wish” charity art helmet project, which will present scores of artist-designed Boba Fett and Stormtrooper helmets to be auctioned off online after the show.

Art Andrews from The Dented Helmet costuming group, and Chris Romines from the 501st Legion are heading up the effort with support from eFx.

“Some of the artists involved in this project include Joe Johnston (the original designer/painter for Boba Fett and the director of Captain America); Weta Workshop (New Zealand FX Studio: Lord of the Rings and District 9); and Jim Lee (DC Comic Artist),” says Andrews.

Check out the full announcement at the CVI site and get updates on the project at Facebook.

No Comments » | Collecting, The 501st Legion, charity, conventions, events | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

UK Celebrates Star Wars Blu-Ray Release

September 14, 2011

As the UK becomes the first country in the world to release Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray, London will feel the Force like never before as droids, Stormtroopers, Jedi and the Sith invade the city in a week-long Star Wars spectacular culminating in the galactic transformation of the BT Tower into the World’s Largest Lightsaber.

The week commenced with a rude awakening from the Dark Side, as Darth Vader and a sinister fleet of Stormtroopers took to the streets in an Imperial March that will sent shivers down the spines of Londoners. The march began at St. James’ Park where they joined Changing of the Guards activities, before proceeding to HMV on Oxford Street to meet shoppers as they queued to get their hands on the highly anticipated Blu-ray release.

Star Wars actor Anthony Daniels (C-3PO in all six episodes) provided a lighter touch on Tuesday 13 September as he met fans at the grand opening of the HMV at the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, signing copies of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.

On Thursday 15 September, from inside the exclusive star-studded launch party at the top of the BT Tower, Daniels will press a button lighting up the London skyline for one night only as it morphs into a Jedi Knight’s elegant weapon of choice, projecting a giant ‘blue ray’ of light from the top of the tower.

In the words of Darth Vader himself, “This will be a day long remembered” by Star Wars fans in the UK and across the world.

Be sure to follow more international news on the UK Facebook Page.

3 Comments » | events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Special Star Wars Blu-ray Events!

September 14, 2011

Want to see your favorite Star Wars characters and get cool collectible swag as you pick up the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray? Check out these fun events in the United States below!

SEPT 15, 2011
Best Buy Star Wars Midnight Madness
Various Best Buy Stores -11:30 PM

Meet and take pictures with your favorite Star Wars characters as you celebrate the release of the Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray at this midnight release event at the following Best Buy stores:

Best Buy Union Square — 52 E 14th St. #64, New York, NY
Best Buy North Avenue — 1000 W North Ave., Chicago, IL
Best Buy West LA — 11301 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Receive a free Best Buy-exclusive t-shirt with purchase of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray (while supplies last) and as an added bonus, the first 25 people in line receive a $10 Best Buy gift card!

SEPT 16, 2011
Wal-Mart Star Wars Midnight Madness
Your Local Wal-Mart Store – 12:00 AM

Come in costume and enjoy Star Wars-themed cupcakes as you celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray at your local Wal-Mart store. As an added bonus, an exclusive collector’s poster will be available to the first 50 customers to purchase any of the Star Wars Blu-ray sets.

SEPT 17, 2011
Sam’s Club Star Wars Blu-ray Party
Various Sam’s Club Stores (see below) 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray with costumed characters and more at a special event at the following Sam’s Club stores around the U.S.:

3500 S.E. Club Blvd., Bentonville, AR
3081 N. Highway 112, Fayetteville, AR
12920 Foothill Blvd., San Fernando, CA
2601 Skypark Dr., Torrance, CA
2151 Shepard Rd., Normal, IL
3415 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS
3900 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA
4240 Winterville Pkwy., Winterville, NC
4900 N. 27th St., Lincoln, NE
600 N. Springdale Rd., Waukesha, WI

6 Comments » | events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Star Wars Invades Milan Fashion Week

June 20, 2011

Fashion designer Thom Browne’s spring and summer 2012 collaboration with Moncler Gamme Bleu took inspiration from Star Wars as it hit the runway at Milan Fashion Week.

WATCH VIDEO: Moncler Gamme Bleu S/S 2012
(via Wallpaper)

Adam Tschorn, reporting from Milan:

When the lights came down and the strains of John Williams’Star Wars soundtrack started to fill the room, I knew my fear had been misplaced; Browne had wrapped in elements of the George Lucas mythology -– the faceless drones behind the fencing masks became the stormtroopers, there were fair-haired Lukes (although no Leias) and even a few dark-garbed Darth Vader types — one with a camera taped to his chest to simulate the Darth Vader gadgetry, and a second one, with a long, flowing, black cape in athletic mesh that kept getting stuck in the metal floor used for fencing matches.
That the juxtaposition of fencing and Star Wars provided so much entertainment was a good thing because this collection seemed to serve up less in the way of wearable wardrobe pieces than any Moncler Gamme Bleu to date. (Then again, maybe I was just preoccupied with trying to figure out which guy was supposed to be Grand Moff Tarkin.)

See more of the Moncler Gamme Bleu fashions here:
Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring 2012 – Milan Fashion Week
(via The Fashionisto Blog)

2 Comments » | events, in the media | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl