Lina Lecaro
Star Wars Day is this week! Star Wars as a culture is not only enduringly popular, it keeps growing in new ways thanks to Disney, and mostly, thanks to those who want more from the iconic franchise. Fans are keeping the force alive, and it goes beyond nostalgia. It’s about the dress-up, the stories and the message that good can triumph against evil. The “holiday” known as May the 4th (be with you) and the weekend that follows is, as always, full of exciting sci-flavored events in L.A. Here’s our picks and (Jedi Mind) tricks.
The Return of Star Girls should be out of this world. In settings both big and small, Courtney Cruz’s Star Girls has made nerding out about The Empire sexy. Often imitated, but never duplicated, the show returns for one night on Star Wars Day to celebrate alluring character cosplay and themed performance. Devils Playground Burlesque put the (eye) pop in pop culture strip tease with sultry stormtroopers, luscious Leia’s and jiggly Jedis. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars hero and meet the performers after the show. At the The Virgil, 4519 Santa Monica Blvd. 10 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/star-girls-burlesque-may-the-fourth-be-with-you-special-event-tickets
The 10th Annual Das Bunker Star Wars Night offers four rooms of Force-full fun featuring DJs spinning “EBM, industrial, and rhythmic noise” plus intergalactic props, costumes, themed cocktails, a photobooth, and more – all with a dark gothy twist. This remains one of our favorite Star Wars Day events in nightlife for a decade now. 9 p.m.; over 18. At Catch One, 4067 Pico Blvd. dasbunker.org
Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland (Star Foreman)
Disneyland has declared May Star Wars Month and Disneyland After Dark’s Star Wars Nite, aka “Twin Moons Eclipse Day on Batuu” is the ultimate fan experience in the ultimate environment. Join the Empire or the Resistance (and Mickey Mouse) on May 4, 8 & 11. Availability is limited. 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim. disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disneyland/after-dark-star-wars-nite.
Read our 2019 story about the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland here.
Star Wars: Visions – Episode “The Pit,” written/directed by Pasadena International Film Festival Alumnus LeAndre Thomas, kicks off PIFF with a surprise screening. Co-directed by Justin Ridge and presented by Lucasfilm Ltd. and D’ART Studio, it tells the story of a young prisoner, forced to dig for Kyber by the Empire. The PIFF Opening Day event will also feature a Q & A with Thomas (part of the franchise studio team at Lucasfilm Ltd. working on recent titles such as “Light & Magic,” “The Mandalorian,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi). At NoHo 7, 5240 Lankershim Blvd. More info at pasadenafilmfestival.org
Stay home and watch Disney+ for the full Star Wars saga and its offshoot shows, then check out something new: set 200 years before The Phantom Menace, during the High Republic era, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures follows Jedi kids as they study the ways of the Force. Produced by Lucasfilm in collaboration with Wild Canary for Disney+ and Disney Junior, the fresh animated take on the franchise debuts on Disney+ and Disney Junior on May 4, 2023. ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/star-wars-young-jedi-adventures
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