I know poetry and Broadway musicals may not be everybody’s thing, so I thought today I might turn to something more generally popular…like Star Wars! Who doesn’t like Star Wars?
Although the designation of May 4th as Star Wars Day began shortly after the first film appeared (a pun on the phrase “May the Force be with you”), the first official gathering of Star Wars fans on that date occurred in 2011 at the Toronto Underground Cinema. Since then, people have celebrated by getting together for costume contest, trivia games, celebrity book signings or talks, and to watch the movies on the big screen.
Of course, those things are not really good ideas during this time of social distancing. Does that mean that the Coronavirus is going to bring down yet another of our beloved rituals and traditions?
OF COURSE NOT! Come on, this is the Star Wars community! If they can envision the defeat of an intergalactic evil empire, they can certainly create something wonderful within the confines of stay-at-home orders.
An organization called ReedPop, which seems to be a coalition of various Comic Cons organizations in different cities, is sponsoring TWO days of what they call an “Online Revelry” of Star Wars. On May 4th, there is “May The Fourth Be With You” day, apparently run mainly by Emerald City Comic Con and New York Comic Con. The focus on that day is watching the original three movies (episodes IV, V, and VI) and live tweeting comments to the group. ReedPop is not streaming the movies, but suggest people join the Disney+ channel to watching in time with the organizers (charges apply after a 7 day free trial). They will also be live tweeting while watching the finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. There are also some live streaming events with actors and writers from the Star Wars world.
The following day will be “The Revenge of the Fifth,” which is a pun based on Episode III’s title: The Revenge of the Sith. The second day is centered more around the Sith and other villains from the series instead of the Jedi. It is being run by Florida Supercon and will include live tweeting about Episodes III (duh) and IX: The Rise of Skywalker, along with other live programming. Of course, both days participants are encouraged to take online quizzes and trivia contests and to post pictures of their at home celebrations to #maythefourth, #revengeofthefifth, and #supercon.
So there are plenty of ways to continue your connection with the Star Wars community for the next two days without jeopardizing anyone’s health.
BlissFullU 