Star Wars Day

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Mark your calendar for May the 4th, a day celebrated around the world as Star Wars Day!

The impact of the Star Wars universe on pop culture is astronomical, making it difficult to imagine a time when it didn't exist. While the inspiration for the franchise can be traced back to Frank Herbert's book Dune published in 1965, George Lucas took a risk by setting his story in outer space and producing a sci-fi movie in 1977 when the genre was considered dead in Hollywood. Despite being backed by only $9.5 million in production, Star Wars (later renamed Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope) exceeded expectations and achieved immense success with its limited theatre release. The film introduced the world to the Skywalker family saga, Han Solo, Yoda, Chewbacca and one of the most iconic villains in history, Darth Vader. It grossed over $100 million by the end of the summer, won six Academy Awards, and a Special Achievement Award for its groundbreaking use of special effects. George Lucas achieved this feat by creating advanced effects and impressive space sequences using small-scale figures and setups.

40 years later, the franchise continues to captivate audiences. The most recent instalment in the main film series, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, concluded the sequel trilogy that began with The Force Awakens and continued with The Last Jedi. As we approach May 4th, known as Star Wars Day, it's worth noting that the first organised celebration on record took place in Toronto, Canada in 2011. The event included a costume contest, a showing of fan-made tribute films, mash-ups, parodies and an Original Trilogy Trivia Game Show. Disney has officially recognised the holiday at their theme parks since purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012.

Fun Facts:

1. In 2018, Heathrow Airport in London got into the Star Wars Day spirit by displaying a cancelled flight to planet Alderaan. In the movies, planet Alderaan was famously destroyed by the "Death Star."
2. Star Wars fans in Edinburgh, Scotland marked the day with a massive lightsaber battle at the Meadows Park.
3. In 2018, a couple honoured Star Wars Day by naming their twins Luke and Leia after two of the main characters in the Star Wars movies.
4. According to the South China Morning Post, the Star Wars Saga franchise had a value of over $70 billion in 2022.
5. Many fans of the original Star Wars trilogy prefer the original editions, which are no longer commercially available. To address this, a fan project called the "despecialized" editions was created to remove all the changes made in later releases. The project, created by Petr "Harmy" Harmá& #269 ;ek and his team, is available for free download online, but the creators hope that people who download it have also purchased an official release. The legal copyright holders of Star Wars have never taken action against the project.
6. The first Star Wars movie had a production budget of $11 million and generated $775.4 million in revenue.

Local events in 2023:

Pinot & Picasso guided painting night: May the Force of Creativity be with you as you embark on this step-by-step art class that will guide you through creating a detailed masterpiece and becoming a master of creativity. As a Star Wars fan, you can't afford to miss out on this opportunity!

You'll be provided with all the necessary equipment, including a 16' x 20' blank canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, a table easel, a Pinot & Picasso apron, and glassware for your beverages. Our artists will provide guidance and assistance in unleashing your inner Picasso, and all you need to bring is your favourite bottle of vino, some nibbles, and your imagination.

Star Wars Macrame Plant Hangers: Free event at Hastings Library. In this event, young Padawans and their Master Jedi are taught how to create a macramé plant hanger with a Star Wars theme. The project involves making a square knot and a half square knot to form a spiral attack pattern, using fully supplied materials including a Star Wars Terrarium from the planet Tatooine. Attendees can customize the hanger to fit any planter size and select a favourite character mini fig to add to their Tatooine terrarium home. The event requires booking one ticket for one adult and one child, and attendees who are unable to attend are requested to inform the organizers to free up tickets for others. Young Padawans are encouraged to bring their Master Jedi to train in this art together.


Book Free Tickets for youth at your local library. The event organizers are inviting teenagers to celebrate everything Star Wars with a range of games and activities. Participants aged 12-18 can join in on the fun, which includes LEGO Star Wars on PS5, board games and badge making. These activities are exclusively designed for young Star Wars enthusiasts to enjoy.

The Future of Food: Book tickets to an upcoming food industry event is focused on exploring current and future trends in the Food and Beverage/FMCG & retail industries, with a focus on helping attendees navigate the uncertain economic climate, develop new brands and products, and understand the long-term future of food. The event is open to brands, suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, importers, exporters, and industry service providers. Key topics include emerging developments in food and beverage, the impact of technology on manufacturing businesses, and understanding current consumer sentiments and trends.


Staying in? Check out this article mocumentary on the Galactic Capital of Culture: Coruscant.

The Future of Star Wars: Lucasfilm's president Kathleen Kennedy announced during a studio showcase at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 that three new live-action Star Wars films are in the works. James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct the films, which will explore different eras in the Star Wars timeline. Mangold's film will delve into the origins of the Jedi, Filoni's will focus on the New Republic, and Obaid-Chinoy's will feature Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey and building a new Jedi Order after the events of Rise of Skywalker. Kennedy said that the films are part of an effort to expand the Star Wars timeline and work with passionate filmmakers to create rich stories that span the past, present, and future (starwars.com).

Don't miss out on this fun-filled day of Star Wars celebrations! Are there any that I missed? Share in the comments! May the 4th be with you!

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