Fun event for the whole family

Next weekend the Fayette County Public Library will host a 30-year anniversary celebration of the film “Star Wars.”

Professional magician Evan Reynolds, authentically dressed for battle as Imperial Stormtrooper TK830, accompanied by his real mechanical droid R2-Q5, will perform exciting magical feats to demonstrate the power of ‘The Force.’ This spectacle for all ages will be followed by a talk by Georgia Tech professor Dr. Rodney Hill about the Star Wars cultural phenomenon: the mythic origins of the film and the subsequent “Star Wars” pop-culture explosion. The celebration takes place at the Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, on Saturday, May 12, from 1 - 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

To kick off the festivities at 1 p.m. there will be a “Star Wars” costume competition. Everyone is invited to dress up in their best and most unique Empire or Rebel Forces attire and enter this competition. Prizes will be presented at the event.

Who doesn’t remember back to when Luke Skywalker leaves his home planet, teams up with the other rebels and tries to save Princess Leia from the evil clutches of Darth Vader– with the memorable voice of James Earl Jones sending chills up the spine. The original “Star Wars” film by George Lucas was first released on May 25, 1977. It won six Oscars and numerous other awards, and is viewed by many as the greatest cinematic epic of all time. In celebration of this landmark film, the Fayette library brings to the community an exciting afternoon of “Star Wars.”

Magician Evan Reynolds takes us back for a visit, with his “Star Wars” magic show. He notes, “In my ‘Star Wars’ show, R2-Q5, an astromech Droid, which I built to scale, will stand on display. His head turns and lights up, and he talks - all under remote control. Stormtrooper TK830 (Reynolds in ‘full Stormtrooper armor of durasteel issued by the Imperial Navy’) will give a recruitment speech for the Empire, and talk about the current war against the Rebels. Questions will be taken, followed by my demonstration of Imperial techniques and the use of the Force, in a 45-minute magic show.”

Prepare to be amazed and, for a time, taken into the world of the Empire. The show will begin at 2 p.m. At the close of the program, Reynolds will casually chat about his show and his magic books – which will be available. For more info on Reynolds, visit www.evan.org/magic.

A stimulating and insightful talk about the making of the “Star Wars” film and its ongoing affect on society will be the focus of Dr. Rodney Hill’s presentation for teens and adults at 3 p.m., following the magic show. “George Lucas took his lead from Joseph Campbell, a leading scholar, about mythological hero figures and worked it into a contemporary, cinematic mythology – ‘Star Wars.’ He was influenced by other film sources such as the famous Japanese movie ‘The Hidden Fortress,’ by the notable Akira Kurosawa,” said Hill. “The cultural influence has gone beyond the movie, the sequels, with massive merchandising, toys and the phenomenon of fan fiction, people have an obsession with ‘Star Wars.’”

Asked why this expansiveness of involvement and attention has occurred, Hill said, “It is fundamental to our nature to want to enact, to be told the hero story over and over again, and to deal with the human condition. We want to immerse ourselves as the character.”

Concurrently with Hill’s presentation, Sherry Turner, children’s librarian, is hosting games and crafts related to “Star Wars,” with various activities suited for the younger set. Don’t be surprised if you run into fully costumed characters from the “Star Wars” universe, wandering around the library throughout the afternoon.

Both Hill and Reynolds have varied academic backgrounds and numerous degrees. Hill has a bachelor of arts degree in film and video from Georgia State University; a master in arts degree in communications arts (film) from University of Wisconsin; and a doctorate in film studies from the University of Kansas. Reynolds has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a bachelor’s degree in computer science, both from the University of Mary Washington, and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Tennessee Space Institute.

The entire event is sponsored by the Fayette County Public Library and the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library. A reception with light refreshments will follow to meet and greet Dr. Hill.

The Fayette County Public Library is located behind the Fayette County administration complex in downtown Fayetteville, at the southwest corner of Ga. highways 85 and 54. For additional information, please contact the library at 770-461-8841.

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