by Ronda Payne
news@langleyadvance.com
Summer weekends are the perfect time to be in downtown 91原创. There鈥檚 no better time or place for science, sports and Jedi training.
Yes, Jedi training.
This year, young ones strong in the force will be called to learn Jedi skills from Obi-Wan Kenobi鈥檚 descendant, Jedi master Obi-Kai Kenobi (whose day-to-day name is Marty Carew).
Adding to the live-action training, those interested in being on the side of the Republic, rather than the Empire, have the ability to take part in a Star Wars-inspired painting. Local artist Freda Lombard will lead the special creative training between the live Jedi shows.
鈥淲e have about 10 to 12 different types of themed birthday parties and events and we do about 80 per cent Jedi, Star Wars birthday parties/events,鈥� Carew said. 鈥淚 just love everything magic, imagination鈥� using swords, lightsaber. I just find that so much fun and the kids love it.鈥�
At the Jedi training in McBurney Plaza kids will be doing the moves along with Carew (or is that Kenobi?) with their own foam stage-three training lightsaber which they get to keep after the show to continue their practice.
鈥淚 have done a lot of events in 91原创,鈥� he explained.
But it is the first time he is doing the Jedi training in 91原创, so kids wanting to experience the Jedi education will be in the first batch of students on July 15.
鈥淓xpect to be moving around. Expect to be engaged in your imagination. Expect to be able to use the force. Expect objects to be moving. Strange things happen with the force,鈥� he said
91原创鈥檚 Lombard has seen people in her painting sessions work within the Star Wars theme on their own, so she was excited to contribute to the Jedi training. While she admitted to having watched all the Star Wars movies several times, she also noted she doesn鈥檛 know every single character鈥檚 name.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how many Star Wars fans paint, but if you can make your own little piece of Star Wars to take home, I think it鈥檚 double the excitement,鈥� she said.
It took Lombard only a split second to agree to participate in the event when organizers contacted her about doing the paint workshops at the Jedi training.
鈥淚 kept reminding them that I want to be part of the summer series,鈥� she noted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great to see all these different activities available. I鈥檝e had so many people just in the last few weeks in my studio that take my flamingo painting and turn it into Star Wars鈥� I think it鈥檚 amazing.鈥�
She will be working with kids for 20 or 25 minutes on their paintings.
鈥淲e will have a different Star Wars theme for each session,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a quick session but it鈥檚 amazing what can be accomplished in a short period of time.鈥�
Lombard鈥檚 studio has always been based in downtown 91原创 and has been doing painting parties since 2012.
If learning the ways of the Jedi is on anyone鈥檚 to-do list, visiting McBurney Plaza on July 15 will be a highlight.
Summer fun for everyone
鈥� June 24 鈥� Science in the Plaza
Shows at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Other activities run noon to 3 p.m.
鈥� July 15 鈥� Jedi in the Plaza
Shows at 12:15 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Other activities run noon to 3 p.m.
鈥� July 29 鈥� Sports in the Plaza
Various sports teams, mascots and games from noon to 3 p.m.
鈥� Aug. 12 鈥� World Music in the Plaza
Music, dance and more from noon to 3 p.m.
鈥� Sept. 17 鈥� Create it in the Plaza
DIY ideas for everyone
Demonstrations run noon to 3 p.m.
A diverse range of activities
With so much going on, it takes teamwork to pull the Summer Series together.
Event coordinator Laura Warren works hand-in-hand with Teri James, the executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, to ensure everything happens without a hitch and crowds are entertained.
鈥淭his is the third year for the McBurney Plaza Summer Series,鈥� Warren said. 鈥淸It] had an immediate positive response from the community and attendance continues to grow with each event.鈥�
Every summer series event has its own theme to keep things fresh and ensure attendees see something different each time they visit the downtown core for a summer Saturday.
鈥淥ur event staff consistently hear from attendees that while they came for the event, they ended up also discovering a restaurant or shop that would have them returning to the area in the near future,鈥� she noted. 鈥淭hanks to the generous support of the City of 91原创 and the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, these fun, family-friendly events are completely free to attend.鈥�
All the performers in the series are local to the Lower Mainland, some from the 91原创s and some from a little further, but all close enough to easily enjoy at another event soon.
鈥淲e try to focus on supporting businesses and entertainers local to 91原创, wherever possible,鈥� said Warren.
She also noted that with Science in the Plaza coming up this Saturday, it鈥檚 an opportunity to have hands-on fun while enjoying 鈥渟pectacular and engaging live shows.鈥�
Embrace the inner science nerd for Science in the Plaza (experience electricity, energy and flying rubber chickens) and bring out all the other creative and fun parts to this year鈥檚 McBurney Plaza Summer Series.
