Here are four cool ways \u201cStar Wars\u201d fans can celebrate May the 4th \u2014 aka, Star Wars Day \u2014 in the Bay Area. And we\u2019re ranking them in order of coolness.<\/p>\n
1. \u201cStar Wars\u201d classics in Orinda<\/p>\n
Our top pick for celebrating Star Wars Day is to take in a three-movie marathon being shown on both May 3 and 4 at the historic Orinda Theatre. Grab some popcorn and a Diet Coke \u2014 because, well, salty snacks, caffeine and movie marathons go hand-in-hand-in-hand \u2014 and enjoy these classic films on the big screen.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, the movie marathon consists solely of the original trilogy \u2014 \u201cStar Wars,\u201d \u201cThe Empire Strikes Back\u201d and \u201cReturn of the Jedi\u201d \u2014 which, let\u2019s face it, are still the only three you really need to see.<\/p>\n
Take note, however, that this is not a traditional movie marathon \u2014 where one ticket gets you a spot for all the films being shown. Rather, you\u2019ll need to buy a ticket for each of the flicks. That\u2019s nice if indeed you just want to see one or two, rather than all three.<\/p>\n
Details: \u201cStar Wars\u201d (1977) screens at 1 p.m., followed by \u201cThe Empire Strikes Back\u201d (1980) at 4 p.m. and \u201cReturn of the Jedi\u201d (1983) at 7 p.m. on May 3 and then repeats, on the exact same schedule, on May 4. Per-movie admission is $11-$13, orindamovies.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. C-3PO in, um, person<\/p>\n The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival winds to a close in highly appropriate fashion on May the 4th with a screening of \u201cThe Empire Strikes Back\u201d at the recently (and wonderfully) restored Castro Theatre in San Francisco.<\/p>\n This special Star Wars Day screening will feature a conversation with actor Anthony Daniels, who portrayed the beloved droid C-3PO in the \u201cStar Wars\u201d films.<\/p>\n Daniels will be in conversation with Lucasfilm veteran Howard Roffman, who is also the SFFILM board vice president.<\/p>\n Details: Showtime is 7 p.m. on May 4, and tickets are $42-$45, sffilm.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3. Star Wars Trivia Night<\/p>\n How much do you really know about the \u201cStar Wars\u201d movies? Well, you can test your knowledge about a \u201cgalaxy far, far away\u201d by attending the May the 4th Star Wars Trivia Night at Dr. Funk<\/a> in downtown San Jose.<\/p>\n Organizers plan 40 questions all about the Skywalker Saga. There will also be a \u201cStar Wars\u201d costume contest \u2014 with prizes on the line for the best outfits.<\/p>\n Details: Event starts at 7:30 p.m. May 4, and admission is free, drfunksj.com<\/a>. Ages 18 and over welcome.<\/p>\n 4. Stormtroopers in Oakland?<\/p>\n Turn out to Oakland Library\u2019s Rockridge branch for an afternoon of Star Wars Day-themed fun on May the 4th. Stormtroopers and other members of the Galactic Empire will be on hand \u2014 thanks to volunteers of the Golden Gate Garrison<\/a>, a Bay Area organization that re-creates the movies\u2019 costumes \u2014 to take pictures and hang out with kids of all ages. There will also be Star Wars-themed craft activities for the young ones in attendance.<\/p>\n