Well, it’s only far away if you don’t live in the Klang Valley. But if you do, Jaya One, the family mall in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, is once again playing host to an event celebrating everything “Star Wars”.
Ever since “A New Hope” – or simply “Star Wars” at the time – was released in Malaysia in May 1978, the legion of local fans who worship George Lucas’ space opera has only grown in time. And with so many more films and series in existence or in production, the franchise continues to enchant new generations of lightsaber-loving fans.
If you fall into this category, or have a kid who does, head on over to The School today and/or tomorrow, where the Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC) is holding its “Mando Mayhem” event. Be sure to have your camera and your wallet at the ready!
This year, even four-legged fans are welcome, as there is a costume contest for your dearest pets. Today sees felines walking the runway, so expect Darth Meow to come out with blades swinging.
Tomorrow’s contest will be open to not just dogs but literally to any other pet you can imagine. Chew-bark-a, anyone? How about a RAT-RAT? Groan!
What else can you expect here? Well, how about kids running around in bathrobes, waving umbrellas or fluorescent-tube lights, pretending they are Jedi knights or Sith lords?
Actually, it’s not just children; plenty of cosplayers, of all ages, can be seen enjoying themselves in full costumed regalia. Heck, nobody ever said you had to be a kid to enjoy such whimsy!
These cosplayers have gone all out this year, and you shouldn’t feel shy about taking photos of and or with them. Just be sure to ask for permission first and, of course, don’t mess with their costumes, which can be quite delicate and/or pricey.
Have a giggle as you observe visitors letting out their inner child bashing lightsabers against each other. Just be careful not to lose a hand while you’re at it!
And hey, if you are so inclined and have the dosh to spend, why not get an actual lightsaber – or one that looks like it, at least? Making a return from last year’s event is a stall selling officially licensed lightsabers; truly a place for your inner fanboy to indulge.
Would you like to flail Darth Maul’s saberstaff around? Or perhaps you’d like Luke Skywalker’s old trusty? And there’s always his old dad’s lightsaber to sink your teeth into (not literally)!
Come one, come all and check out the many stalls selling merchandise, from shirts to collectible figurines. There’s no shortage of goodies to get your hands on.
Also here again this year is artist caricaturist Jon Tham, who will happily depict you as a “Star Wars” character for just RM20. Simply provide him with a self photograph, walk around for the next 10 to 20 minutes, and he’ll be done with an amusing caricature of you.
Other highlights include public viewings of the recently released animated series “Star Wars Visions”. Each episode has an independent story and different style of animation, all of which are not bound by the franchise’s canon.
So, if you wondered how “Star Wars” would look like in feudal Japan, this is definitely one show you will want to catch!
There will also be panels where you can discuss the latest “Star Wars” entries with fans, as well as quizzes where you can win prizes.
And if you find yourself humming to “The Imperial March” from time to time, be sure to check out performances from the one-man band on both days.
Speaking with FMT, SWMFC president Sanjiv Indran said this year’s exhibition is themed after “The Mandalorian”, with the motto “This is the Way” being the order of the day.
“We, the fans, want to show the world and Malaysia that ‘Star Wars’ is very much alive and that we’re here to stay,” he said, adding that the club has been organising such events since 2013.
And with Disney having announced several new “Star Wars” projects on the way, Sanjiv and his fellow fans certainly have much to look forward to in the coming years.
In the meantime, buckle your seatbelts and jump into hyperspace before 6pm today (Saturday, May 20) or between 11am and 6pm tomorrow (May 21) to reach Jaya One for an unforgettable experience!
Admission to ‘Mando Mayhem’ is free. Click here for more information, and also check out SWMFC’s Facebook profile.
Jaya One
72A, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz,
Seksyen 13,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor