Catching up on News

It’s a slow day today, so I’m working to catch up on some of the 501st stuff around the web. Here’s a couple of articles that came out over the past couple weeks:

Chewbacca: Welcome to Hoth, I mean West Michigan
UPDATED 12/8/08 WITH MORE PHOTOS
Chewbacca: Welcome to Hoth, I mean West Michigan

Yes, I’m a big Star Wars fan, but no I didn’t really say my headline “welcome to Hoth” … it just seems like it was fitting with our current sub-freezing temperatures and non-stop snow. But I did tell Peter Mayhew it was nice to meet him as I shook his hand.

The approximately 7′0″ British born actor best known for playing everyone’s favorite wookiee in 4 Star Wars movies visited Grand Rapids Saturday, and it couldn’t have been a better peak to my birthday weekend!!!

Seriously – this is the man who played Chewbacca – one of the most recognizable movie characters from the 1980s – and not only did I get to shake his giant hand and get an autograph – I also got to take a picture with him.

Mayhew may have been big and imposing on screen in the Chewbacca suit, but in real life Mayhew is quiet and reserved, and at the age of 64, his tall lanky build has him using a cane these days.

And yes, there was charge for an autograph – but that’s okay when you realize most stars on the convention circuit charge for autographs anyway – and this was without the cost of admission to a convention, Mayhew made a stop at Celebration! Cinema North… but bottomline: can you really put a price on a special link to a favorite childhood memory? It was totally worth it.

Special thanks to the 501st Legion, Great Lakes Garrison (a fan based costuming group that works mostly for charities) for bringing Mayhew here from his home in Texas.

And thanks again Peter Mayhew – it was nice to meet you after all these years!

Full article

Chewbacca in Grand Rapids Saturday
Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) makes a visit to Grand Rapids Saturday

The 6 foot 9 inch tall actor who portrayed the classic character in 4 Star Wars movies: Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars VI: Return Of The Jedi (1983) and Star Wars III: Revenge Of The Sith (2005) will be in Grand Rapids tomorrow.

Mayhew will be appearing in person at Celebration Cinema! North Saturday, December 6, 2008. He will be available for autographs and photos from 7:30 pm until 8:30 pm in the lobby of Celebration Cinema! North, located at 2121 Celebration Drive NE at the corner of Knapp and East Beltline.

Mayhew will also be in attendance with Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion, Great Lakes Garrison, a fan based costuming group.

Article

Darth Vader stops by Crossgates Mall
Updated: 12/06/2008 09:55 PM
By: Web Staff

Article

Star Wars Enthusiasts to Help Raise Money for Make-A-Wish Foundation
December 4, 2008

From NewsChannel 19:

Are you a Star Wars fan? Here’s your chance to get a really cool keepsake and help a great cause at the same time.

Head to Parkway Place this Saturday, December 6 between 9:00am and 3:00pm. You can meet members of the 501st Legion, which is a group of Star Wars costume enthusiasts who volunteer their time to the community. They’ll be downstairs at the mall near the Customer Service desk.

For $5, you can get your picture with members of the Legion. That money will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year, Legion members raised $2,200 in six hours for Make-A-Wish, and they hope to top that this year!

The Legion has members all across the world who dress up as Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Bounty Hunters, Sith Lords, Chewbacca and other characters from the Star Wars films.

Source

Local video game store to host charity event
Contributed by: Drew Paterson on 12/2/2008

GameXplosion, an Aurora located video game store is hosting its annual fund raising drive for Children’s Hospital on Dec. 6th, 2008 from noon to 4:00 PM.

At this time of year, particularly for children, and in these difficult economic times, the need is greater than ever.

GameExplosion, as a member of the Aurora area business community, is hosting its 2nd Annual Children’s Hospital fund raiser. Come on in and meet members of the 501st Mountain Garrison, a Colorado contingent of Star Wars characters. See Storm Troopers, Darth Nihilus, and Stealth Troopers.

Get 20% off all Used Games. Enter to win a FREE XBOX 360. And, while supplies last, every minimum purchase of $25 gets a FREE black GameXplosion T-shirt.

A portion of all sales for the day will be donated to Children’s Hospital. Let’s help Children’s help children!

Source

Star Wars stormtroopers to invade city for charity
A member of the Australian chapter of the 501st legion, a Star Wars group which takes part in charity events, he and his fellow stormtroopers will be volunteering at the Powerhouse Musem’s Star Wars: where science meets imagination exhibition.

This is the first time the exhibition has been to Australia, and it will include props, models, and costumes from all six films, and modern-day innovations that could one day make them a reality.

While Mr Feeney, who lives at Kirrawee, has seen all six Star Wars films, he is partial to the original trilogy.

“We see ourselves as purists,” he said.

“We’re fans of the ones released before the prequels. There’s a lot of stuff that we don’t like, especially some of the characters in the new movies like Jar Jar Binks he’s very annoying.”

Even with the introduction of annoying characters, Mr Feeney’s interest in the films shows no signs of waning.

An avid collector of Star Wars memorabilia, he has amassed more than 300 pieces. His rarest find was a prototype helmet that was never used in a film, and the priciest is his Storm Trooper suit which cost $2000.

“It’s a big part of my life, and no, I don’t think I’ll ever give it up,” he said.

The exhibition is on at the Powerhouse Museum, Harris Street, Ultimo from December 4 to April 26.

Full article & Video

Truce between warring enemies at Chapman Heights Elementary
By BILL BROWN
Staff Reporter

Enemies from a galaxy far, far away traveled to Chapman Heights Elementary School this past week and called a truce for the sake of the students. Biker Scouts and Storm Troupers came to do battle in the Chapman Heights area and to face the Rebel Legionnaires. However, two men from the school stepped up and held an event that compelled the warring parties to call a truce.

Erik Sahakian and Nathan Garza were not about to let the Star Wars battle turn their “book faire” at CHES into disorder and disarray.

The two men had organized the book faire with the help of parents, school staff and the Principal Andy Anderson. It seemed to be the thought that a war at the school site might make Anderson unhappy that helped bring about the truce.

Actually, the characters from the star wars trilogy were asked to come to the book faire. A group called the “501st Pathfinders” travel to charity events, school happenings and local community gatherings. They bring the Star Wars Trilogy to life in an enjoyable experience for all to see. Each realistic costume is worn by men and women who give of their time to make public events more interesting and unique.

For more information about this unique group or to request their participation at an event, contact them at: 501st.com or bikerscout.net.

Full Article

501st Caught on Camera

Here’s the latest group of pictures found on Flickr:

Trooping for Toys

TAG Troop

Skywalker Ranch Promo Troop

Clone at a Buddy Walk

2008 NYCC

Red Flannel Festival

Miracle Walk

Cool Picture of Badges

Walk Now For Autism, Ohio

501st on Camera

A lot of pictures over the past week and a half:

L.A. Galaxy Clone Wars Appearance

Lingering Dragoncon Parade

http://flickr.com/photos/aralani/2870505951/

Mountain Con

Library Appearance, Unknown garrison

Titan @ Puyallup Fair

Philly walk for Autism 2008

Big Robot Force Unleashed Party

Old Line Garrison Glenwood Library

Mountain Garrison, Star Fest

Force Unleashed, Unknown Garrison

Official San Francisco Force Unleashed Release Party

Escorting Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) From Star Wars (Carida)

Force Unleashed, New England Garrison

Lego Land

Sydney Trooper

John Williams Benefit Concert

Fairies, Superman and bunnies run Bridge to Brisbane

This in from the Terror Australis Garrison:

Fairies, Superman and bunnies run Bridge to Brisbane
Katrina Witham | September 7, 2008
From professional marathon runners to fairies, Superman, bunny rabbits and even Star Wars troopers – a record crowd turned out for this year’s Bridge to Brisbane fun run.

Beijing Olympic triathlete stars Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffatt, who took out the gold and silver at this year’s Games, were on hand to officially start the 10km race, which was won by Scott Westcott from New South Wales.

In its 11th year, organisers said this year was a huge success and went smoothly without any major dramas despite a new start and finish location.

“It was really festive…everyone was in really good spirit and it is spectacular to be apart of whether you are competing or just there to watch everyone running across the bridge,” Lisa Pringle, the event’s spokeswoman, said.

At least 250 volunteers helped make the day a success, which so far has raised more than $170,000 for Young Care, Brisbane Rotary Club and MacGregor Lion Club.

The majority of entrants signed up for the 10km run, with 10,000 participating in the 5km race.

Despite their heavy armour, the Red Back Star Wars Troopers from the 501st Legion, were able to complete the 10km run.

When asked how they trained for the event, one member joked ”by drinking beer”.

The troop are regulars at the event and were in the running for best-dressed.

Full Article

501st on Film

This week’s videos from the 501st. Lots of ones from Europe and overseas.
Redbacks Party

Clone Wars Premiere (Dune Sea)

501st GG Tischfußball Teil 3 von 3

2002 AOTC STAR WARS on IMAX Hunstville Alabama

Belgian Costume Division & 501st @ Kasteelfeesten Moerkerke

Official Clone Wars release Belgium in Kinepolis Liège

CLONE WARS Premiere Opening

501st Caught on Film

AP Armor Test

Star Wars Clone Wars 501st appearance

Gencon Australia: Dance Dance Rebellion

Toys R Us Midnight Madness 2008 Part 1- The 501st

Movie Park Jahrestreffen 501sT

501st. Gathering MoviePark 2008

501st Caught on Film

Here’s a bunch of pictures from flickr this past week:

Some troopers went to an Applebees:

Garrison Carida at Robot Bloc Party:

Celebration Japan!:

Random ComicCon:

UKG:

Removed by request

Grainsville parade:

A couple of troopers at Horray for Hollywood:

Midsouth Garrison and Weird Al:

Phone call:

Random troopers:

San Diego Comic Con:




Terror Australis Garrison at concert:

Someone trying out a TK:

Troopers in Tokyo:

501st Caught on Film

Here’s the latest videos featuring the 501st. Now that Weird Al is on tour, people are going to see a lot of us.

Weird Al Yankovic – The Saga Begins w/501st Legion (7/8/08)

SoCal Garrison : The Saga Begins (Weird Al 06/30/08)

FF Cosplay 08 – Dancing stormtroopers 1

Tega Cay Parade

Fun After the Tega Cay Parade

Outpost-42 At Auckland Armageddon 2007

501st Qtown ‘08

Star Wars @ Singapore Toy&Comic Convention 2008 Pics

501st Carolina Garrison, Hemby Children’s Hospital Visit

Puerto Rico Star Wars Fan Club at TV Show Club Sunshine

Roger Carel et la 501st

Puerto Rico Star Wars Fan Club, 501st & Rebel Legion Outpost

Darth Vader and his Stormtrooper

iPhone 3G

L’empire à la Japan expo 2008

Stormtrooper em Sampa

501st Caught on Camera

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve done this – things have been incredibly busy lately!

I need to showcase the Montpelier parade first with us and the fantastic walker:

Me!

Other 4th of July parades:

Camp Pendelton Family Day:



Dune Sea Garrison Event:

Biker Scout:

Terror Australis Garrison at GenCon Oz:

Clone at Japan Expo:

More 4th of July:

Star Wars Weekend wrapup:

Random Scout:
This one’s titled The Jedi Killed Oscar:

Random TK:
UK TK:

More next week. Weird Al pictures!

Space Classics

This is in from a couple days ago:

Space Classics | MSO Pops
Written by Jack Teiwes
Sunday, 22 June 2008

Having not been to an orchestral performance in quite some time and never to one of the “Pops” programmes, this collection of music with a celestial motif dubbed Space Classics was a delight.

Perhaps they should have called it “John Williams and Friends” though, since over half of the pieces they played were from Williams’ memorable film scores, and most of those in turn were from the Star Wars movies specifically. Actually, if there’s any criticism I could level at this rousing night of music it would be a mild conceptual fuzziness in its choice of works, using the theme of “space” to include scores from science fiction films and television (with the arguably tangential inclusion of Superman), some more classical material such as the pieces of Strauss used in Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as three movements from Gustav Holst’s astrologically-themed suite The Planets. In theory it might have been more tidy had the programme either been restricted to film scores (or music used in films, thus encompassing Strauss) or had more of a balance with the inclusion of further space-inspired classics… but why quibble? No one was complaining of the delightful final product, least of all myself. Still, it might have been nice to have brought in a few other great sci-fi movie scores in lieu of some of the less iconic Williams pieces from the Star Wars sequels, such as “Jabba the Hutt’s” leitmotif, for example.

The whole show was a tremendously jolly event from the moment of arrival. A half-dozen fully armoured Stormtroopers from the local Terror Australis Garrison of the 501st Legion (google them!) greeted the audience at the door of Hamer Hall, under the watchful eye of a resplendent and suitably towering Darth Vader. All these good sports were more than happy to pose for photos with the delighted crowd.

Once in the auditorium, proceedings were off to an excellent start in the hands of the affable and quite funny conductor/presenter Anthony Inglis, who guided the audience through the programme with disarmingly unaffected charm. Able to discuss the pieces with equal enthusiasm as both a musician and a genre fan, Inglis managed to air his Trekkie pride (etc.) endearingly without becoming embarrassing.

The performance itself was splendid. I have heard it said that sometimes this sort of event (perhaps not MSO Pops specifically) will have the orchestra perform backed by a screen upon which is projected silent clips of the film from which the music originated. Fortunately it was not the case here, as that would have merely been a distraction.

The sweeping power of some of the works was very moving and wonderfully brought to life, with excellent performances of the indelible main title piece from Star Wars, Strauss’ “Thus Spake Zarathustra: Sunrise” and Jerry Goldsmith’s main piece for the first Star Trek film were high points. The only performance which struck me as a little disappointing was that of Williams’ powerful “Duel of the Fates” from the first Star Wars prequel, the arrangement here somewhat drowned out the strings and simply couldn’t quite compensate for the lack of a choir.

There was some additional showmanship, with a relatively unobtrusive lightshow that worked to thematically match the music, such as an ominous red for the “Imperial March” of the evil Empire. Towards the end Inglis engaged in some further theatrics, such as gentle audience participation in getting us to launch Thunderbirds with the famous countdown, yelling “THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!” in unison. The final advertised item on the bill was Williams’ sublime theme from Superman in which our conductor half-heartedly tried to get the audience members to all enact the famous shirt-spreading moment of transition from secret identity to superhero, before declaring he’d show us “how it’s done” and, indeed, splitting his shirtfront to reveal the iconic S-symbol beneath, to much applause.

An encore was evidently anticipated, as after taking his bow and departing the stage, Inglis re-emerged a few moments later in full Jedi robes, brandishing a glowing lightsabre before ascending to his podium again and announcing that they would send us off with the full end-credits score to Star Wars. After a swelling phrase or two the audience chuckled with delight as a certain Dark Lord of the Sith made his reappearance, leading his squad of Stormtroopers down the isles in a processional march before taking up a perimeter at the foot of the stage. In what seemed an improvised moment, Vader turned around and pretended to conduct with his lightsabre for a few bars, much to the crowd’s amusement.

Finishing off with some small indoor fireworks, this thoroughly enjoyable evening had a very happy crowd spilling out into the foyers with many a grin to be seen.

Full Article