Star Wars Archives | Page 8 Of 16

There’s Sid-Nerdary by the Sea Starting This Month!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

During the month of May to June, the township of Sidney, BC will be the destination for many a superhero and fans hoping for a sighting. From fun activities to exhibits to guest lectures, no stone is going to be left unturned, and most of the work is being done without the assistance from the Incredible Hulk. Both Marvel and DC heroes are represented in a look at close to 80 years of comic book history. The Sidney Museum is leading the charge with an exhibit that will span the two months. Most of the township is involved, and the following calendar shows where events will take place.

Up, Up and Away!
Comic Books & Our Culture
Sidney Museum
2423 Beacon Ave
May 3 – June 27
10pm-4pm

This exhibit promises to show a history of the medium with displays of classic works and show the evolution of many of today’s favourite heroes. The big three from DC will certainly be there, but will there be more? Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are the trailblazers from this company, but for Marvel Comics, is it just Spider-Man? Or has Wolverine finally been put out to pasture because of this year’s movie, Logan? Hard to say, but maybe this exhibit might offer clues as to who the next generation of heroes will be.

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Remembering Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds & How You Can Help Bring Awareness to Mental Health

For support outside of the island and beyond, all you have to do is offer your time by volunteering at a mental health clinic.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The final week of 2016 has been difficult for Star Wars fans and people with mental health issues. Not only did Carrie Fisher pass away, but also her mother Debbie Reynolds — best known for her role as Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) — the following day. Both left lasting legacies. Fisher will always be known as Princess Leia from Star Wars, and Reynolds is a legend in musical theatre. She was a tour de force.

The news of their passing had Hollywood and myself reeling.

The Star Wars world has seen at least two memorable performers pass — Michael Sheard (Admiral Ozzel) and Kenny Baker (R2D2). With Fisher, she will always be this Galaxy’s Princess. As an advocate of mental health and addiction issues, Carrie has always been very vocal to bring awareness to it. She has bipolar disorder, and that has never stopped her for being who she is. When I first heard of this, I thought I can relate. I admit to having my sour days too, and it never stopped me to be who I am. She was my role model; to see her indomitable attitude and scrappiness that helped lift my spirits. Without Gary, her registered therapy French bulldog to give her that loving support, she might have been in a different place.

I became a fan when I saw her in The Blues Brothers. Here, she was a force of nature. There was a quiet ferocity as she was out to get Jake Blues. She hated the fact he ditched her at the wedding altar, as friends and families gathered. Though they sort of made peace, she was quick to cut loose again when he (physically) dropped her yet again.

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Just How Ripping is Star Wars: Rogue One?

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

* Spoiler Alert

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a film worth seeing not once, but at least twice, joke notwithstanding. There’s a lot to take in, and the beginning is a touch rushed to introduce everyone that’s important and relevant to the plot at hand. Technical criticisms simply boil down to the fact director Gareth Edwards and cinematographer Greig Fraser were not depending on too much heavy technical special effects wizardry to make their tale come alive.

This movie has a lot of expectations, especially when nearly everyone is aware it will lead into the movie that started a massive franchise.

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A Nerdy Christmas Shoppers Guide to Victoria, BC

This Nerdy Christmas Shoppers Guide is old, but updated to reflect moves and has a special page that’s even more updated.

December is upon us and holiday shopping is in the air! Twelve days remain to find that special item for the nerd in the family and what I offer is a Nerdy Christmas Shoppers Guide to Victoria, BC. (updated Dec 2022).

This guide is not restricted to the season either. Everyone has a birthday, and if that collector must have more FUNKO Pop figures for that collection, going to EB Games is not the definitive place to be. Operations like Toys R’ Us and Walmart have their place for finding toys and current movie tie-in products, but let’s consider the local operations before going corporate.

For any other outlet that’s not listed, please submit by commenting and this guide will be updated and made its own permenant page, a Nerd’s Guide to Shopping on Vancouver Island, after the new year.

DOWNTOWN VICTORIA (NERD ROW)

Cherry Bomb Toys

Used Comics, Vinyl Records, Videos (anime), LEGO, Toys (Barbie, Star Wars, Transformers, GI Joe & Many More!)

1410 Broad Street
(250) 385-8697

This operation specializes in carrying a diverse range of product for everyone of all ages. From products for young girls, like Barbie, to collectible products (like original packaging G.I. Joe), if you name it, it might be hiding here!

Curious Comics

Comic Supplies, Comics, FUNKO Pop!, Graphic Novels,
Illustration Books, Models, T-shirts, Toys

631 Johnson Street (Victoria-location)
(250) 384-1656

844 Goldstream Avenue (Langford location)
(250) 592-1656

3200 Unit 6 Island Highway (Nanaimo BC location)
(250) 756-2157

With three locations to serve most of Vancouver Island, Curious Comics makes up the heart of Nerd Row in Victoria, BC. Stepping in here is a paradise of goodies. From CGC certified comics to Walking Dead merchandise, a lot of nerd culture franchised out properties can be found here.

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[Victoria, BC] Charles Ross One Man Mega-Hit Marathon (Star Wars, LotR, Batman)

Charles Ross will be taking part in University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre’s celebration of 50 glorious years of creating great theatre.

Charles Ross presenting One Man Lord of the Rings

Charles Ross will be taking part in University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre’s celebration of 50 glorious years of creating great theatre. During this alumni festivity, he will be performing an exhaustive “One Man” Marathon (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Batman). The fun begins on October 11 and ends on the 17th. There are other shows taking place too, but I’m sure the nerds of Victoria, BC will be there for Ross.

For those who have not seen these shows, I heavily recommend to readers nearby to consider making a trip over to the south-eastern tip of Vancouver Island. Not many people realize this garden city is his home; for those who do not know what this part of the world is like, its beautiful for much of the year because of its varied (mostly British) architectural heritage, temperate climate and laid-back attitude.

To adventure here will imitate part of the hero’s journey Ross often puts across in his shows. To discover what that means requires attending a performance.

To learn more about this man and his works, including a look into how he approached developing each of these One Man shows, please look at these past interviews and look at his current works in progress:

(Otaku no Culture) Charles Ross’ One Man Star Wars & Lord of the Rings

(Two Hungry Blokes) One Man Star Wars Does the Dark Knight Trilogy

(Two Hungry Blokes) Will There Be Further Adventures of Ape Man and Fish Boy?

To purchase tickets, please visit the Phoenix Theatre’s web page here. Matinee shows are offered for Star Wars and Batman over the weekend.

Star Wars: Floats of Future Galaxy Far, Far Away Too Modern for Nebuta Festival

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

In a land such as Japan where licensed characters are everywhere, from 66 Doraemon figures on display in Roppongi to the 18-metre tall Gundam in front of Diver City Tokyo, there are still places where licensed characters are still forbidden. In a posted YouTube video it was an empire built by a mouse that found its ears ringing after they asked to take part in a long-standing festival.

During last year’s Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, known for its lantern floats, The Walt Disney Company had created three floats, each float represented a Star Wars movie trilogy. According to the YouTube poster Ronin Dave, the Organizers of the Nebuta Matsuri denied Disney parade status because the floats were not traditional. With no privileges to take part in the festivities, Disney was still allowed to display their floats on the grounds of the local museum.

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