Check out this great video of stormtroopers from the 501st Carolina Garrison practicing a cheerleading routine backstage at the Weird Al concert where they escorted the iconic nerdy singer on stage. The real cheerleaders didn’t show up to dance for Weird Al’s song “Smells Like Nirvana” so they were asked to fill in. Bring it on!

VIDEO: Troopers Cheer for Weird Al

Also on that same tour, Weird Al asked another group from the 501st Legion — Empire City Garrison — to escort the singer on stage.
Read all about it here:
Stormtroopers Invade Weird Al Concert

Anyone want to suggest a few cheers?

2-4-6-8
Who do we appreciate?
Vader! Vader!
Go Darth Vader!

Wired magazine takes an in-depth look at the movie Fanboys — which has had a bit of controversy lately from fans wanting the original cut (and not the Cancer-free plot) to be released in theaters.

The magazine chats with Fanboys screenwriter Ernie Cline, who’s proudly been a Star Wars fan since childhood. Cline reveals not only his love for the saga, but also his very personal reasons for making the original plot of Fanboys have a more deeper meaning than just geek boys on a quest to see The Phantom Menace before everyone else.

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(Photo by Bonnie Burton)

Our Starwars.com ShoWest coverage of the Warner Bros. “Big Picture” presentation ended on an exciting note as filmmaker George Lucas took to the stage escorted by six Clone troopers from the 501st Legion.

Before airing a clip from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucas addressed the audience comprised of motion picture distributors and marketers, fellow directors, producers and actors about his decision to make another feature and TV series that takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

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Today, legendary Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie was presented honorary membership in the 501st Legion in a small ceremony conducted in front of the Yoda fountain at Lucasfilm’s Presidio complex.

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So many panels and events at Wondercon, so little time. But we’re here to help! The Starwars.com team will be at Wondercon reporting about the latest news, toys, comics, celeb sightings and more. Be sure to check back here on the Official Starwars.com Blog and the Official Starwars.com Flickr Photo Blog for ongoing WonderCon 2008 coverage!

Check out this handy link for the full list of WonderCon programs and panels. But to get you started, here’s a listing of our picks of things not to be missed!

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Report from Gizmodo.com:

SANTA’S FACTORY, North Pole (Agencies) - An Imperial Stormtrooper commando broke into Santa’s Factory in the North Pole yesterday evening, killing an undetermined number of elves, arresting the owner and confiscating his sled. Joe Kwazansky, local spokesman for the Evil Galactic Empire in Los Angeles, appeared in a press conference this morning confirming the rumors of an Imperial takeover of Christmas’ celebrations. “The Emperor wants to assure His subjects that Xmas will continue as planned. The pug-nosed fatso, however, will pay for his crimes,” Mr. Kwazansky said amidst the palpable shock in the press corps. Apparently, the arrest has occurred in connection with earlier reports on the manufacturing and stealth placement of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Read full story here:
Imperial Stormtroopers Arrest Santa, Emperor to Take Over Xmas

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SOURCES:
Gizmodo, Club Jade

(Photo from The Daily Telegraph)

Stormtroopers from the Terror Australis 501st Garrison posed outside the Sydney Opera House with two violinists ahead of concerts featuring the work of Star Wars music composer John Williams.

Science fiction met classical tradition as violinists Alex Mitchell and Emma West proved they have more than one string to their bow when they braved hordes of tourists.

Read all about it here.

And learn all about the 501st Garrison in Australia:
Know A Legion: Terror Australis Garrison

Every year the 501st Legion’s New England Garrison marches in the Woburn, MA Halloween parade. Last year their float featured Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader re-enacting The Empire Strikes Back “I am your father” duel. This year it’s Jabba’s palace, featuring a full sized Jabba the Hutt puppet!

Check out the video here.

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SOURCE: ClubJade.net

Throughout the last 30 years Dolby and Star Wars have formed a strong symbiotic bond in providing the ultimate entertainment experience. So it was no surprise when Dolby teamed up with the 501st Legion’s Japanese Garrison to attract conference attendees to its booth at CEATEC Japan — one of the largest Consumer Electronics shows in the Asia Pacific region which took place from October 2-6. Darth Vader, accompanied by the Emperor’s Royal Guard and stormtroopers, was on hand to patrol the Dolby booth and attract conference attendees to Dolby demonstrations at the show.

The Force was strong with Dolby and the 501st Legion as thousands of attendees witnessed Dolby unveil its latest entertainment technologies. These included Dolby 3D Digital Cinema for movie theaters, Dolby Vision and Dolby Contrast to improve LCD TVs with LED backlighting as well as Dolby Volume.

Check out the photos from the event here.

In honor of the launch of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron and the Sony Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack, Sony and LucasArts threw a launch party at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco.

Check out the photos here:
Renegade Squadron Launch Party