Although it made its first public appearance on May 4, 1979, in the unlikely form of an advertisement celebrating the victory of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher (which read “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations”), May the 4th didn’t reach its full potential until the internet allowed fans to band together and celebrate it as “Star Wars Day.” (As its spelled out on starwars.com, “Say ‘May the 4th Be With You’ out loud and you’ll hear the pun that Star Wars fans worldwide have turned into a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga.”)
Although some might prefer to turn back the clock to revisit the early days, May the 4th in San Antonio this year is all about Rogue One. Billed as “the first of the Star Wars standalone films,” director Gareth Edwards’ foray into the franchise follows members of the Rebel Alliance as they plot to steal the plans for the Death Star. Starring Felicity Jones (as young renegade Jyn Erso), Diego Luna (as Rebel Alliance Captain Cassian Andor) and Ben Mendelsohn (as the Imperial Military’s weapons research director Orson Krennic), the 2016 film screens outdoors — courtesy of Slab Cinema — on May the 4th at both Northwest Vista College (3535 N. Ellison Drive) and Texas A&M-San Antonio (One University Way), with encore screenings on May 6 at Mission Marquee Plaza (3100 Roosevelt Ave.) and May 12 at Bulverde Community Park (29815 Bulverde Ln.).
Beyond Rogue One screenings, this Thursday boasts an array of Star Wars-themed offerings, including: Alright DrawNite and AIGA San Antonio’s intergalactic collaboration at Brick featuring the body-painted models of Beyond the Canvas, life drawing demos by Raquel Beechner and lights by the Bilo Effect, plus cosplay and vendors (“cantina” opens at 4:30pm, drawing starts at 7:30pm, 108 Blue Star); Bike Boozaroos Star Wars Bike Ride, which invites cyclists to “bring your lightsabers, droids and crew” for an eight-mile ride that begins at Groove Lounge (501 E. Crockett St.) and continues through town to hit up various May the 4th events; the Bitters and The Bridge locations of Big Hops’ Star Wars-themed pint night serving up No Label Brewing Co.’s lemony “Hop Solo” beer in collectible glasses while supplies last (free admission, 6pm, 226 W. Bitters Road & 306 Austin St.); Mellow Mushroom’s Star Wars Trivia challenge with $3 craft brews, a costume contest judged by Facebook likes and chances to win “fun Star Wars prizes” (free admission, 11am-10pm, 115 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 2100); and Industry’s Star Wars club night with themed photo ops, new wave/indie beats by Jacob Puente and Eddie Lopez, and accessories, artwork and vinyl for purchase from Sinfully Sweet, Dreadfully Dorothy’s Creepations, Rainbo’s Designs and Gino Sanchez, not to mention $1.50 wells all night (free, $10 for minors 18 and over, 8021 Pinebrook Drive).
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