May the 4th be with you. Celebrate Star Wars Day in Michigan
May 4 is always a special day for fans of Star Wars and that's why on Sunday you will likely hear someone utter "May the 4th be with you."
The phrase comes from a line of dialogue in the 1977 film, "Star Wars," which gained the expanded title "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" as George Lucas' space opera saga expanded over the decades.
In the film, before the rebel fighters begin their assault on the Death Star, General Dodonna encourages them with the command: "Then man your ships! And may the Force be with you!"
"May the Force be with you" is a saying that, excuse the pun, flows through the Star Wars movies, TV series, books and comics. It's a saying used by Jedi Knights such as Obi-Wan Kenobi referencing the Force, a form of energy connecting the galaxy, which some Force-sensitive individuals can tap into and enhance their abilities. Saying, "May the Force be with you," is akin to wishing someone "Good Luck."
The Force is a mysterious energy that flows through all things and imbues the Jedi knights (the good guys) and the Sith (the bad guys) with their power to move objects, block laser blasts and influence those with weak minds.
The origins of the saying "May the 4th be with you," may be surprising.
While it was used in headlines for July 4 back to 1978, according to starwars.com, the first reported official use of the phrase came in May 1979, when Margaret Thatcher became the U.K.'s prime minister. To celebrate, the U.K. Conservative Party paid for a newspaper advertisement saying, 'May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!' wrote Steve Sansweet on starwars.com in 2013.
Over the years as the Star Wars universe grew with 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" through the prequel films and subsequent sequel trilogy, which included 2015's "The Force Awakens," the "May the 4th be with you" phenomenon grew into an unofficial "Star Wars Day" holiday with fans holding "Star Wars Day" parties or watching the movies in observance of the day.
The easiest way to celebrate is to stream some of the movies, all 11 of which are available on Disney+ (Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012).
Also on the streaming service is Season Two of "Andor," a series that is set before the events of 2016 film "Rogue One," which leads up to "Star Wars: A New Hope." The first six episodes of the series are available; six more are scheduled.
If you prefer to get out and mingle with other Star Wars fans, you're in luck.
Space Dive, 715 E. Milwaukee St. in Detroit, a two-weekend entertainment event, kicked off May 2 and continues through May 4, and then again May 9-10.
"The best dive bar in the galaxy. Immersive cantina. Costumes mandatory," the event's Facebook page announces.
The "event"ultimate immersive cantina" says costumes can be both elaborate and simple."You are your own character in a dive bar in a galaxy far, far away," the website says. "That could mean aliens or creatures of all species and sorts — smugglers, pilots, gangsters, bounty hunters, criminals, etc. Think vests, khaki jackets, ponchos, capes, straps, goggles, etc. A lot of looks you'd see in a Western would work. Wasteland gear works. Playa gear is perfect, and so on. A dash of face paint, an alien hair style. Earth-toned desert garb is simple, and a little goes a long way..."
Tickets for 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. (21-plus) event on May 4, 9 and 10 start at $52.50 and are available online. Family Day is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10.
"Kids are FREE, adults are only $10! Entry is paid at the gate the day of the event," the event says.
Not ready to hang out with galactic smugglers, thieves and rebel scum? The Grand Rapids Symphony is performing the music of Star Wars on May 4.
Watch the fourth episode in the Star Wars saga and hear the Grand Rapids Symphony perform John Williams' Oscar-winning score.
Set 30 years after "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," "Star Wars: A New Hope" returns to the desert planet of Tatooine in the fourth episode of the saga.
The symphony performs at 2 p.m. May 4 at Van Andel Arena. Tickets are available online, starting at $29.
Interested in becoming a stormtrooper? The Great Lakes Garrison's 501st Legion is appearing at a number of events in southeast Michigan on May 4.
Events listed on the garrison website include a visit to the Clarkson library, the Farmington crop walk, the Care Walk in Grand Rapids, Petoskey District Library Star Wars Day event, Michigan Panthers Star Wars Night, and a screening of "A New Hope" in Grand Rapids dubbed into Ojibwe.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: May the 4th be with you. Michigan Star Wars Day events: music, costumes, stormtroopers
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