STAR WARS VIEW

By Chris Murphy

By Chris Murphy

A long time ago, in a city in California. In 1977, the film industry changed forever. In Modesto, we celebrated with the premiere on July 1 at the Briggsmore Theatre. The sound of the Death Star exploding was the world of cinema, forever changed by technology, sound, story, and economics. Modestan George Lucas had made the film of his dreams, funded by a successful American Graffiti, a rite of passage movie about his hometown. On the new big screen, Luke Skywalker (formerly Starkiller in early script drafts) embarks on his own rite of passage from his hometown to destroy the evil empire. Notice any parallels here?

Fellow Modestans, we are the home of George Lucas and the home of Star Wars. While growing up, he loved comic books, created a neighborhood newspaper, and built backyard roller coasters and sets at Downey High. He raced cars, cruised, nearly died in a crash, studied at MJC, and left his hometown planet to go to film school. We are and should be proud. I feel a sense of personal pride in being a Modestan as I walk through Star Wars Land and feel the awe that something that came from the mind of a Modestan has conquered all of Hollywood and Disney. Simply amazing. Thank you, George Lucas.

With over a dozen full-length films, cartoons, spin-offs, and a whole world of merchandising, Star Wars is known by everyone the world over, so we look forward to the day when we can get together and celebrate on May the 4th in downtown Modesto. Bring your lightsaber, dress as your fave character, join your friends, and enjoy being the Home of Star Wars.

There will be drink specials all over Modesto, and everyone is encouraged to be their favorite Star Wars character at work, play, or wherever. There is a fantastic new mural at Never Boring on 14th Street that you need to visit. There are other murals in the Mural Alley off J Street.

Our celebration started on April 28 at the State Theatre with the original trilogy on the classic big screen. The Brenden Theatres will be show- ing the Return of the Jedi, and there will be a special premiere of another space blockbuster, Guardians of the Galaxy, at the Brenden. Middagh Goodwin, who hosts Modesto’s Graffiti-Con, has been the curator for Modesto things Star Wars and pop culture and has prepared a grand celebration each year. This free family event in 10th St Plaza from 5-9 pm will feature the 501st, the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, X Wing Fighter model will be available for photos. Feel the force and come dressed to celebrate.

If you don’t have your fill with a galaxy far, far away after this, grab your tickets to see Modesto Symphony Orchestra perform the music of John Williams as the Empire Strike Back is projected onto a massive screen at the Gallo Center for the Arts on June 3rd. You can check out C3PO and R2D2 models at the Graffiti USA Museum, 610 N 9th. Note: Carrie Fisher will be posthumously inducted at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May the 4th

Schedule of Events:

Daily – Return of the Jedi / Brenden Theatres

Daily – Star Wars Mural – Never Boring Designs 14th St.

Daily - Princess Leia Mural - Mural Alley

Daily - Star Wars Pasties - Mocha Magic

Daily- - Star Wars Cocktails – See Page 8

May the 4th Events

5:00 Street Closes for the festivities

5:30 Horizon Point

6:00 Death Star Pinata

6:30 Introduction of local officials

6:45 Reading of the May the 4th Proclamation

7:00 Parade of Characters

7:30 Lightsaber Battle (bring your lightsaber)

Check: @maythefourthmodesto for updated info.