Star Wars Celebration 2019
McCormick Place
2301 S King Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
April 11 through 15, 2019
Touring McCormick Place with droids, Ewoks, Mandalorians, stormtroopers, Jedi, Han, Luke, Leia, Vader, and, most importantly (for me), Grand Admiral Thrawn transported me back to 1977. I recall Jeff Marschke had figured out a system to secure entry for our impoverished gang into the Greenwood Mall cinemas on Indianapolis’s south side for the price of one. Yes, Jeff was the mastermind in securing us multiple “illegal” entries to see the original Star Wars: A New Hope over the course of that summer. We pooled loose change for Jeff to buy one admission. After collecting his ticket, Jeff would enter the theater, make his way to the back exit, and prop the emergency exit open (hyper sensitive alarms were nonexistent at that time) to the alley where his brother Brian, myself and my younger brothers Matt and Josh awaited anxiously. We quickly scurried into the cinema that was more frigid than Hoth. The coldness felt deliberate, as if the cinema’s management wanted to insure regular turnover of audience through creating sub-arctic temperatures. We pulled that stunt on numerous occasions and weathered the icy temps. These early adventures, that eye-opening film and memories still feel magical today.
Star Wars Celebration, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 2019
Held initially to revitalize the Star Wars universe properties via the launch of Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in 1999 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, Colorado, the gathering has grown from a tent event to become a mammoth international voice in entertainment and fandom. The Chicago iteration was the 13th to date, with the festival having visited numerous locals across the U.S., and tours abroad to London, England, Essen, Germany, and Chiba, Japan since inception. At McCormick this past weekend, having taken dinner with journalists from Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, and the Philippines, I can confidently say that this was the most diverse gathering of enthusiasts and media peeps I have encountered at any such event.
One initial item that drew immediate attention was the festivals creation of a “family friendly” atmosphere. Not surprising, but yes, conveyance of sex and sultry behavior take on a different role in the Disney-verse. Animal magnetism is present, yet it is carefully implied rather than glaringly visible. Flirtatious interaction, no matter how subtle is, in part, what draws crowds to these stories. The writers assigned to illustrate the Star Wars narrative are held to specific IP guidelines, not surprising. Whether you see this criteria as a form of censorship or obstacle is irrelevant. Nuances that convey love and ambiguity have been consistently played out in a humanist tone in the Star Wars films series. These universal definition is what draws the audience into the characters and story. Who cannot remember Leia shackled in the parlor of Jabba? Many readings (innocent, nefarious or otherwise) can be culled from this image, however you, the viewer, are responsible for unfolding interpretation. Present at this fair were lithe Aayla Securas, brawny Jango Fetts, and nubile Ahsokas, but here there was an emphasis on innocent portrayals. These varied characters made the floor feel exciting and healthy.
Chicago, Illinois, USA, 2019
There is a serious, and at times “cult-like”, aggregation that surfaces at these types of gatherings. One can only imagine what odd activities happened in the upper floors at our local hotels? Just so very weird and unfamiliar to consider the possibilities. Star Wars fandom is competitive and this passion was at fever pitch in mass. Throughout the weekend one encountered large parades of stormtroopers marching in sync, droid caravans touring the floor, and X-Wing pilots gathering for mass photos. There’s something remarkable in seeing these gatherings. In speaking with German journalist, Maikel Das, who writes for the country’s Star Wars publication I gathered that this is an opportunity for reconnecting with people who hold a common interest and love for Star Wars. Das indicated that this was his 7th Star Wars Celebration and he planned to connect with friends from around the U.S and abroad. Das noted that catching up with old friends is what keeps bringing him back.
There were a number of announcements that highlighted the direction of the upcoming films and games. The big drop was the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Standing in line I intently listened to Billy Dee Williams as he discussed his history with the films while holding comedic banter with JJ Abrams and other cast members. For me, John Boyega (Finn) stole the stage. The man, light on feet and adept in word, is a true talent and I hope his character continues to transcend to become a central voice in future narratives. Another announcement focused upon the upcoming video game, Star Wars – Fallen Order. Some anticipate this is to be along the lines to the highly successful Force Unleashed series (2008-2010). The materials illustrated a single person action-packed adventure set in the space epic. EA (Electronic Arts) put emphasis upon the fact that their game would not have the micro-transactions encountered in the Battlefront series. Taking EA’s prompt, I foresee myself doing some gameplay either via alpha, beta testing or casual play and beyond…
One last announcement that caught attention was that VR (virtual reality) game Star Wars – Vader Immortal. There must be something said in one standing in a vacant viewable space where thousands of people are passing by. No qualms, I got killed (one-shot) fairly swiftly in a light saber dual. I’m truly inept when it comes to wielding a light saber. The experience felt like an early Dark Souls moment, except I was in the 1st person at scale. The experience proved that I’m truly inept when it comes to wielding a light saber. The plus here was that I did not soil myself like I thought I would when playing Resident Evil 7: Biohazard in 2017. It’s clearly evident that I’m just not “OK” with UI characters randomly kicking my ass, crashing through walls or creating other random jump scares. The team creating Vader Immortal have the skills, tools, and content to fully advance VR. What remains is the financial commitment on the part of the game developer and locating ready consumers with the financial means to support this effort.
The next Star Wars Celebration is set for Anaheim, California, in 2020. I trust it will be a quality event. Please revisit the Windy! The idiots at the (FOTP) Friends for the Parks here made a huge error in not establishing the Lucas museum in the city. The lovely #13 proved to not be a hex, but a blessing. I spent most of the final two days playing board games with unfamiliar persons. Good stewards shepherd me through a Star Wars: Age of Rebellion campaign and introduced me to gameplay of the upcoming board game release of Outer Rim. I’ve not experienced this type of engagement since my days of playing D&D almost 40 years ago. This type of exchange appears to be a standard at such events, it reminded me of the need to explore unforeseen places with new entities. This in itself made me quite happy.
Jeff is now gone, that friend that opened the door to the Star Wars universe for me. I miss him, words cannot define his absence. He taught me to take chances. And in doing so, I remain secure in that decision to have entered that theater on the south side of Indy “illegally” and begin this exploration.
Additional images from Star Wars Celebration 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.
Photographs and writing by Chester Alamo-Costello
