Star Wars Tribute Events at Luskwood and the SLCS

By Bixyl Shuftan

Unless you've been on a deserted island, you've heard about the new "Star Wars" movie, "Episode Seven: The Force Awakens," having recently hit the theaters in December 18. It was descended upon by it's highly enthusiastical core fandom, and casual fans alike, giving it the biggest box office opening weekend of movie history.

Second Life had a few tribute events to celebrate the movie fans have been waiting years for. On Saturday December 19 at 6PM, Luskwood had a tribute event somewhere in space high above the Perry sim.

The place took on the look of an Imperial station's hangar, with it's dim lights and TIE fighters,"Oh we're in an imperial bay?" But there was no shortage of people dropping in.

DJ Dash (Shurikenangel) played the tunes for the event, "Let me know if you have any requests! Does not have to be just Star Wars!" Many were from the movies, such as the music from Jabba's den, "I dunno what George Lucas was smoking when he thought up this song." "This is a pretty nice wretched hive of scum and villainy, though." When it turned out that the music had been given the name "Jizz," it brought no shortage of snickers, "Pfffft!" "Unfortunate name." "Let's fill the room with jizz!" "Jizz Music... Damn you, George Lucas. (grin)"

But there were other tunes played, such as the theme to Mel Brooks sci-fi parody "Spaceballs." And when that started playing, so did the jokes, "I have a Mr Coffee/Mr Radar I can rez." "Y'know I work on security systems fairly often, and it's amazing how frequently the pin "1234" works (grin)." "Prepare ship for Ludicrous Speed! 

There was no shortage of Star Wars themed avatars, as well as outfits, such as this BB-8 droid avatar and Mandalorian armor.

Behind the DJ booth, Satch Flan had rezzed a few freebie Star Wars avatar and outfit vendors. Disney's owning of the trademark means no one else can legally make money off it without their okay, though fan-made items given out for free are another matter, "I always upvote protective gear."

One of the avatars was an "Imperial Critter," a mesh furry avatar in an Imperial uniform.  One vendor was for Stormtrooper armor, the folder in one's inventory simply called "Armor." A third was for a larger mesh furry avatar in modified Stormtrooper armor made for a digitgrade, the folder simply named "Trooper."

In the novels, the Empire was described as having a policy against non-humans due to the Emperor's prejudices. Though that didn't necessarily stop other races from serving in it's ranks, especially in lesser-known space, "Live long the Empire!"

Michi Lumin, pictured here, told everyone as the movie had just come out, anyone giving out spoilers would be booted out of the party, "Spoilers will get you kicked. I'm not joking." She did allow one Stat Wars spoiler to be shown, though. Satch joked, "Only thing I want to know, is Jar jar in the movie? And is he the Sith Lord (grin)."

A few came as Jedi with their trusty lightsabers, though since they couldn't actually cut anything here, "I guess I do have this goofy lightsabre glowstick."

Unlike some other sci-fi at it's start, "Star Wars" aliens were not just "humans with bumps." That's me in the center left as a Zehethbran smuggler, some interpretations of this race's appearance being skunklike. So the story universe fit quite nicely in mostly furred Luskwood. 

But the near humans weren't absent either, such as this T'welik lady.

With Trotsdale's close relationship with Luskwood, there were several ponies who showed up. One wondered how feasible it would be to make Stormtrooper armor for them. Someone joked they could always put white lacquer on a horse coat.

The next day on Sunday December 20, there was another Star Wars tribute event. This one was for the Relay for Life, organized by the Second Life Cheerleading Squad.

Jedis, Sith, Droids, Smugglers, and Bounty Hunters rejoice Star Wars is back. To honor this great occasion The SLCS Cheerleaders are having a Star Wars Party today to honor the opening of the Force Awakens. It will be a 12 hour concert with all sorts of Cantina Band Singers\ With a stellar presence, her voice sultry and smooth, Starrfish Ohmai is pure sweetness with a touch of fun.

The place high in space over the Cheertopia sim resembled a space station with a YT-1300 Correllian light freighter parked just outside. Though some cheerleaders joked to people dropping in, "Welcome to the Death Star."

The event would go on for several hours, with a number of DJs and live performers. The Newser has yet to find out how much has been raised, as I was at the event only briefly, but it was certainly in the thousands.

To core and casual Star Wars fans alike, "May the Force be with you."

Bixyl Shuftan

*Addition* Someone posted this link to a number of pictures also taken at the Luskwood party: http://imgur.com/a/Zq46P .