MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU: 10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE
10 ways to celebrate Star Wars, from 5ks to cosplay
Love for Star Wars seems like an inexhaustible resource, driven by the sci-fi brand’s frenzied fandom and its equally frenzied corporate marketing.
But this year’s May the 4th holiday, which celebrates all things Star Wars, feels re-energized by the crush of new projects arriving from a galaxy far, far away via Lucasfilm’s owners at Disney.
That includes not only a major new piece of narrative canon — “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” which wraps up the saga of Anakin, Luke and Rey on Dec. 20 — but also a new Disney theme park, new TV series and (you guessed it) a nearendless amount of new comics, books, toys and other merchandise.
There’s also the fact that Peter Mayhew, who played the original Chewbacca, died at the age of 74 on Thursday, which will likely ensure plenty of tributes to his sweet, lanky presence.
If you enjoy celebrating Star Wars in the company of others, May the 4th (as in: “May the 4th be with you”) is your day. Be warned, however, that you’ll be sharing it with revelers also celebrating Kentucky Derby Day, Cinco de Mayo weekend and
Free Comic Book Day.
Here are some metro-area events that will help you feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away. Or at least not at your house. Cantwell, the Boulder-based designer and model-builder of the original Star Wars ships (and an all-around unsung hero of sci-fi cinema and space flight), will appear at Englewood’s Vision Comics and Oddities from noon to 3 p.m., including a presentation of “rare footage” starting at 12:30 p.m. This guy’s the real deal, having played key roles in the original “Star Wars” (later retitled “Episode IV — A New Hope”) as well as Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and other films. The event is free but autographs will be on sale for $25. They’ll include a print of either Cantwell’s original 1974 Star Wars concept art or his 1975 photos of the first Star Wars models. 3958 S. Federal Blvd. 303-781-0299 May the 4th at Wings Over the Rockies. Colorado’s official air and space museum has a stronger connection to Star Wars than most, given that Harrison Ford is a vocal supporter, and that it’s hosted impressively detailed models of Star Wars ships. This year’s celebration includes activities such as Shoot-A-Trooper and Bounty Hunter Guild Scavenger Hunt alongside green-screen adventures, live music from the Fabulous Boogienauts, open cockpits, face-painting, Lego builds, trivia, screenings of fan films, sci-fi artist Jeff Carlisle, a cash bar, Star Wars characters and more. If you’re looking for an entirely legit May the 4th event, this may be as close as you get in Colorado. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $10 for kids; 3 and under free. wingsmuseum.org/event/ maythe4 May the 4th at Denver Public Library. Amid all the boozy brunches and beer runs, it’s encouraging to see a sober, all-ages May the 4th event this year. Denver Public Library’s Virginia Village branch will host free Star Wars-themed games and crafts from 2-4 p.m., including showing kids how to make lightsabers out of pool noodles (as if they needed to be shown that). Aimed at ages 5 to 12, accompanied by an adult. Free. 1500 S. Dahlia St. denverpubliclibrary.org
May the 4th Brew Run. “Social 5ks,” or themed runs where people only compete to have the most fun, are wildly popular in Colorado. That bodes well for this short course along Arvada’s Ralston Trail. Sponsored by Odyssey Beerwerks Brewery & Taproom, the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. event begins with physical exertion and ends with ice-cold brews, a food truck, live music and games. The best part? It’s both kid- and dog-friendly, with children under 12 getting in free (all are encouraged to wear costumes). The $35 ticket gets you entry to the 5k, participation in the “Beer Olympics,” an Odyssey brew and a pint glass. $35-$105. 5535 W. 56th Ave. odysseybeerwerks.com 4th Annual ArtWar Party. Whether you’re a visual artist, cosplayer or spectator, the fourth annual ArtWar Party will give you lots of things to take in. See dozens of pieces of Star Wars-themed art from local artists, enter the cosplay contest or simply dance your trash compactor off during the not-so-silent-disco. The 21-and-up event promises special galactic drinks The Dark Side and Rebel Alliance alongside artists’ prints and shirts for sale. 8 p.m.-midnight. $20 at the door. The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St. eventbrite.com Monkey Barrel’s Star Wars Brunch & Trivia. Most Star Wars fans I know would rather take a lightsaber to the brunch table than sit at it. But if being surrounded by other Jedis, stormtroopers and Mandalorians while spending a lot of time and money on breakfast is your thing, Monkey Barrel is your place. The Highland neighborhood eatery is holding a Star Wars Brunch that includes a costume contest and various giveaways, with teams (4-5 people) competing during Star Wars-themed trivia for prizes. Star Wars-themed dishes, drinks and specials will also be available. Sold out, but the bar and patio have open seating. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 4401 Tejon St. monkeybarrelbar.com
May the 4th Silent Disco. If you’ve never been to a silent disco, imagine scores of people dancing in silence while wearing headphones. Now imagine them dressed like Wookies, Ewoks and stormtroopers. The organizers at Big Little Sound are taking over Tilt Event Space in Louisville for a Star Wars-themed silent disco, featuring three disfrom tinct channels of music (Light Side, Dark Side and The Force), prizes for the best costume, Jedi cocktails and more. DJs Adamantium, Shindig and Wilder will spin a mix of house, rock ‘n’ roll, nu disco and hip-hop. $18-$22. 8-11 p.m. 640 Main St. in Louisville. biglittlesound.com
Star Wars Burlesque. With a fandom as strong and established as Star Wars, how could you not have a Star Wars Burlesque show? This one starts on May 3 and continues through May 4 at the Gold Room in Colorado Springs, where Slave Leia costumes won’t be the only skinteasing finery on display. The Star Wars-inspired performance will be emcee’d by performer BellzNWhistlez (dressed as C3PO, naturally). $15-$25. 21-andup. 9 p.m. both nights. 18 S. Nevada Ave. in Colorado Springs. eventbrite.com May the 4th Be With You Bar Crawl. This promises to be the most obnoxious of May the 4th events, although if you don’t mind joining human-trains of inebriation you’ll likely find lots to talk about with your fellow Jedi and Sith. The inaugural event kicks off at Larimer Beer Hall before winding its way to Giggling Grizzly, the Ginn Mill, Jackson’s, Howl at the Moon and finally the Tavern Downtown. Shot and drink specials, random encounters and catchphrases will abound. $15-$45. Costumes encouraged. 4 p.m. at 2012 Larimer St. eventbrite.com
Partio on the Patio. The Next Door restaurants — a spin-off of The Kitchen — will hold May the 4th celebrations on patios at all of its Colorado locations, including games, giveaways and a Star Wars costume contest in which participants can win gift cards of up to $100. This is certainly one of the lighter, more casual ways to celebrate May the 4th, but you’re still bound to see some impressive costumes, given the ubiquity of Star Wars love. With locations in Boulder, Longmont, Stapleton, Glendale, Highlands Ranch and at Union Station. Visit nextdooreatery.com for hours and addresses.