May the Fourth be with you

Ever since “May the force be with you” was first spoken in “Star Wars: Episode IV,” it has become the catchphrase of the film franchise.

Star Wars fans made it the foundation of the pun “May the Fourth be with you,” when a grass-roots effort began to make May 4 known as Star Wars Day. Even though the fan day was not created by Lucasfilm, May Fourth celebrations grew quickly enough that Lucasfilm eventually embraced the celebration as well.

Local film fans don’t have to look to a galaxy far, far away to find events on Saturday. Here’s a local listing and, as Yoda would ask, “Ready are you?”

CINCO DE MAYO STAR WARS EDITION

› Where: Bitter Alibi, 825 Houston St.

› When: 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday

› Admission: $5 cover

› For more information: 423-362-5070

“Celebrate Cinco you will,” Yoda might say of this street party that is a mash-up of May 4 and May 5 holidays.

Mexican lagers and margaritas will flow like the Rio Grande, DJ MCPro will play dance music and the Star Wars’ cantina song will be playing on a loop.

There will be Star Wars trivia games with prizes, movie scenes projected on the building and live-action role-playing.

And if that doesn’t lure you to Houston Street, maybe the “largest game of UNO ever played” will.

MAY THE FOURTH AT GATE 11 DISTILLERY

› Where: Gate 11 Distillery and Cantina, Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.

› When: 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday

› Admission: Free

› For more information: 423-762-4763

Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character for movie-themed cocktails. Owner William Lee says there will be prizes for the best costumes and music by The Red Rogues. There’s no cover charge.

THE MUSIC OF STAR WARS

› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.

› When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

› Admission: $63 or $15 students

› For more information: chattanooga symphony.org

Bob Bernhardt conducts the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera in your favorite Star Wars pieces from Episodes 1 through 8 and “Rogue One.”

You’ll hear “The Imperial March,” “Parade of Ewoks,” “Cantina Band,” “The Flag Parade” and “Duel of the Fates,” to name some of the 17 numbers on the program.

The concert is close to being sold out, so don’t delay buying tickets. Samantha Teter, CSO executive director, said a couple hundred seats are left in the balcony, which are $63 or $15 for students with valid student ID.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

› Where: Infinity Flux, 3643 Hixson Pike

› When: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday

› Admission: Free

› For more information: 423-591-5689

Because the annual Free Comic Book Day falls on May 4 this year, local comic book shop Infinity Flux is celebrating with a Star Wars theme.

There will be photoops with costumed members of Chattooine and Con Nooga, and one guest will win a giveaway drawing for a pair of tickets to that night’s Music of Star Wars performance by the CSO.

Additionally, Comic Book Day offers once-ayear sales, door prizes and visits by comic writer and creator Richard Starkings, artist Alex Ogle and artist Tara Hamilton.

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