Maker Faire Detroit 2012

photo courtesy of Angelariel

by: Angelariel

Where can you find not only robots of all shapes and sizes (including a few very familiar astromechs), a life-sized Mousetrap game, vehicles that were steam powered before Steampunk was cool, wild customized cycles to carry one rider…or six, handmade food and jewelry and gifts, music made by mixing instruments with 8-bit videogame soundtracks, and of course a plethora of Star Wars characters and that’s just the start? At Maker Faire Detroit of course.

Maker Faire, the annual festival of all things handmade, hacked, imagined then brought to life is the brainchild of Make magazine and held in several cities across the country through the year.  This year’s Detroit Faire is held at The Henry Museum in Dearborn. Michigan -- the weekend of July 28-29.

Members of the Great Lakes Base along with the Great Lakes Garrison, Mandalorian Mercs, the R2-D2 Builders Club, and the debut of the Great Lakes Gonk Builders turned out in “force” to put on an excellent display of the handmade spirit that Maker Faire is based upon. 

photo courtesy of Andrew Miller

Over the course of the weekend approximately 20,000 people were in attendance with a considerable number of them stopping by the fantastic display that the participating groups put together.  They learned how Stormtrooper armor is made, Tusken Raiders put their clothing together to protect themselves from the heat and sand on Tatooine, leather is turned into accessories for the well-dressed Jedi to wear, astromech droids are built, Gamorrean Guard heads are painstakingly sculpted, and how cool it is to replicate the bits and pieces of your favorite childhood films with your own two hands.  They also got to vote on their favorite Gonk droid with Star Wars prizes going to a random voter and the awarding of the Gold Gonk to Rob Miller (aka "Tubby Tusken" ) for his lovely Princess Gonk.

They also learned about all the wonderful volunteer work the groups do locally and worldwide throughout the year.

GLB Maker Faire Detroit "Mission Photos"

When not busy answering questions, several members of the groups were in costume to the delight of the attendees and other exhibitors, young and old.  And through the sale of toy lightsabers (which were sold out way before the end of the first day) $850.00 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Next year we will be sure to stock up to raise even more.  We also made some potential new recruits along with countless smiles.

The group was one of the hits of the entire Faire earning three Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbons from Make Magazine and had become a favorite event of ours to participate in and next year we have even bigger plans. If you have a Maker Faire near you I cannot recommend highly enough to attend or even better, get your local base involved as a volunteer exhibitor.  

Hudson Library

photo courtesy of Snips92

This weekend, Great Lakes Base and Mando Mercs visited a pair of libraries; not 5 miles apart from each other.  My day started at Hudson Library and Historical Society, which from the outside, you wouldn’t think this place is a library.  However, once you step inside, this place is amazing!

For those of you planning future Star Wars library events, as someone who has been to more “Jedi Archives” then Obi-Wan Kenobi over the years, may I offer one piece of advise: TURN UP THE AIR CONDITIONING… if only for the first 10 mins or so!  I’m not just saying this for my own personal comfort (this pilot was built for Hoth) but also for the benefit of both the costumers and the general public.  One of the most common questions we get is, “those costumes must be warm?” -- and the answer is, “YES”… especially in closed room with 200-300 parents and kids.  Thankfully, the staff at Hudson library were able to dial down the A/C and “carbonite freeze” us just a little bit more.

One of the things I love about trooping at different libraries is to sit back and observe the creativity the staff uses in coming up with games and activities for the kids.  First, you can NEVER go wrong with “Wookiee Cookies” and “Yoda Soda” for guest and Star Wars characters to snack on.  Second, there’s nothing better to keeps kids’ interest then traversing a Mustafar obstacle course – made from construction paper “lava” and rocks for the kids to jump through.  Then came the activity that strikes fear into the hearts of Jedi and Sith costumers everywhere -- the dreaded “build your own lightsaber” craft activity!  Imagine 20-30 kids, hopped up on Yoda Soda and Wookiee Cookies… with their own arsenal of balloon lightsabers (better then the cardboard tubing/duct tape) and you’re the only adult dressed as a jedi in the room?  I’ll take my chances with “Order 66” thank you very much! Lastly, came my personal favorite: kids coloring to create their own custom X-Wings!

This one is going up
on the fridge at home!

Some of us (older) kids may have some new ideas for the next run of Shadow Squadron X-Wings! ;)

Honestly, the kids were GREAT… some of the nicest/well behaved I’ve ever encountered.  Not only that, but they were so thrilled to see us -- our guys could do nothing but sign autographs and pose for pictures for like and hour and a half NON-STOP!  One of the things I often do, while playing a Rebel Pilot, is draw a little sketch of a Y-Wing along with my call-sign “KRASH” … I have never drawn so many Y-Wings as I did today!

I like the story my sister (Snips92) told me on the way home: she was paired up next to Kathleen, the Padme (working on recruiting her) librarian from our Brunswick troop back on FREE Comic Book day.  Kathleen noticed that Snips likes to put a little heart next to her name, when she plays one of Padme’s TPM handmaidens (Sabe) – so when Kathleen asked if she should do the same thing, Snips jokingly responded with “hey, that’s MY schtick… get your own!” I love how our guys find little ways to make whatever character they cosplay as unique for themselves.

GLB Hudson Library "Mission Photos"

As I mentioned before, while this was going on in Hudson… bounthunterq was leading another team of Mercs and GLB rebels at a nearby library event.  Q promised me a recap of that library’s event in the next couple days, so stay tuned…

Armstrong Air and Space Museum

photo courtesy of Snips92

Even as the Make-A-Wish walk was going on, I'd mentioned the need to turn around and plot the “navi-computer” for Wapakoneta, OH. -- home of the Armstrong Air and Space Museum -- which had invited Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison to participate in their "Summer Moon Festival" weekend.

In case you were wondering, Wapakoneta, Neil Armstrong’s birthplace, is a small town in western Ohio along I-75; about 15 miles away from Lima -- the fictional home of the cast of “Glee.”  For the record, we drove past Lima and didn’t hear any high school kids singing. ;)

Maybe it’s because I grew up in Cleveland, where we’ve had NASA Glenn and the visitor center, but as a kid who grew up (in theory) dreaming of being an astronaut, would you believe that I never knew there was a Neil Armstrong museum in Ohio?  As a kid, astronauts like John Glenn and Neil Armstrong were my heroes -- not only because of what they did during early years of NASA, but because (like me) they were from Ohio!

We have LIFTOFF!

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum is AMAZING!  While most people know Armstrong as the first to walk on the moon, the museum is filled with items from his Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 missions. One of the best parts about trooping events like this -- personally -- is the chance to tour around the museum and explore every exhibit and display case, in between posing for pictures and making the day even more fun for the guests.  I’m pretty sure our decision to walk over and watch the model rockets helped draw a few more people over to watch the presentation. The local model rocket group put on a great show!  Some of us took a test flight in a Wright Flyer simulator -- I’ll stick with my Y-Wing, thank you very much! ;)  Later, we watched a movie about Armstrong’s mission in space that included footage and facts that even I’d never heard about.

GLB "Summer Moon Festival" - mission photos

One of the main highlights of this year’s Summer Moon Festival was a visit by NASA astronaut Gregory Johnson.  Unfortunately, we didn’t arrive in time to meet him -- I guess we’ll just have to come back someday!

You can learn more about the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum by visiting: http://www.armstrongmuseum.org/

P.S. - If you're looking for a great place to go eat afterwards... may I suggest "Woody's" -- an Ohio State themed restaurant down the road -- maybe the BEST burger I've ever had!

Walk for Wishes

photo courtesy of Snips92

By now, most of you know that the Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.  Great Lakes Base has a long history of offering our services to the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. So, when they contacted us about participating in the 20th Annual Medical Mutual “Walk for Wishes” event… we didn’t hesitate to say yes!

The Walk for Wishes event was held this past Saturday at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; on what turned out to be a beautiful Ohio summer morning!  More then 1,700 walkers, sponsors and volunteer kicked off the 3 mile course around the zoo.  And for our part, members of Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and Mando Mercs -- along with some of our family and NCS friends joined the walkers.  Unfortunately, I had to leave earlier then expected -- more on that in my next blog post -- but that didn’t stop GLB clonetrooper obejuan, his wife and two sons (dressed as jedi) as well as our newest Mando Merc from walking the entire length of the course -- in full armor!

Make-A-Wish "Walk for Wishes" - mission photos

Ohio has more then 500 “wishes” pending -- that is over 500 kids waiting to have their wish come true.  Therefore, the local Make-A-Wish chapter is looking to raise $180,000 in 2012 and there is still time to donate to the Walk for Wishes campaign.  For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to get more involved, contact the Northeast Ohio Regional Office at 1-888-272-WISH or visit http://www.makeawishohio.org/

Generic Rebels - Heroes Made Here!

Over the years, I’ve listened to people question WHY anyone would want to join The Rebel Legion as a “generic” character?  They don’t seem to understand why someone would chose NOT to costume as one of the well known “face” characters from the Star Wars universe.  What makes this even more confusing is that, unlike the 501^st – where a group of TKs are instantly recognizable, Rebel Legion focuses more on the individual costumer.  As a result, the term “generic” has been branded with a negative image.

Recently, I have been asking Rebel Legion members, who portray generic characters, what inspires them to “rebel” against this belief.  One person in particular --  dankelzaga – posted something so true and well spoken, that I’m going to do what any good wingman would: move out of the way and let him take the shot!

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

― George S. Patton Jr.

"A Rebel Pilot, Dad… Really? But why don't you want to be someone really cool? You could be anything you wanted. Nobody even knows who you are"

These are the words I first heard when talking to my youngest son about my goal towards becoming a member of The Rebel Legion in the role of a "generic" Rebel Pilot.  It's a bit difficult to explain the thought process behind choosing a specific role when it comes costuming. I believe everyone is drawn to a certain costume or look from the very beginning of their fascination with a movie/film/interest.  Who hasn't had the "that is just so cool" moment upon viewing something some particular scene from some particular movie?

In my case, it was always a fascination with the pilots of the Rebel Alliance.  Of course, there are the named pilots we've come to know and love, names like: Luke, Wedge, Biggs, and Porkins… but what of the others?  Surely there were many other brave pilots fighting against the tyranny of the Evil Empire.  The bright orange flight suit, gadgets aplenty, and a battle-worn decorated helmet; how can one not be drawn to the costume?  Personally, the concepts of flight, aircraft, and space have always been things I've been fascinated with.  I remember reading of the bravery of WWI and WWII pilots as a youngster.  Many a childhood day was spent pretending to fly a Corsair around the yard like my hero -- Pappy Boyington and the rest of Black Sheep Squadron.  A part of this fascination is what led me to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.  My wife often jokes that I simply traded my USMC uniform for a new one in regards to my Rebel Pilot costume.

Rebel Pilots are certainly not the flashiest of costumes, but I've yet to go unrecognized at an event.  The Rebel Pilot costume also allows me to easily enjoy any type of event; in just about any condition.  It is fairly easy to suit up and provides for a very good degree of situational awareness and movement.  The costume also allows my face to be seen.  It is this freedom that allows me to truly mingle with both fans and children.  A welcoming smile to an apprehensive child is often the single thing needed to change their attitudes towards the costumer and experience.  As I'm not restricted to acting a certain way or repeating specific lines, I have a great deal of freedom relative to the way in which I can mingle with fans.  The freedom of movement allows me to dance on dugouts, kneel to be at a youngster’s level, become a "human hockey puck", or assist other less flexible characters while they mingle with fans.

Another benefit to being a Rebel Pilot is that there are no restrictions relative to gender or race.  An entire squadron of pilots can be represented at an event.  While their costumes may all be uniform in appearance, their distinct helmet designs and individual characteristics allow for a true melting pot of "good guys/gals" ready to take on the Evil Empire.  Despite the source of our material being fantasy, groupings of multiple characters in similar uniforms tend to lend credibility to the fantasy/costumes in the eyes of a child.  The galactic civil war would most certainly have involved numerous "un-named" combatants.  Even children understand this concept both with soldiers of the Rebel Alliance and with the Stormtroopers of the Empire.  Seeing a large gathering of either group tends to produce many an "ahh" and "ohhh" during events.

I am very proud to be a part of the Rebel Legion.  While I certainly don't gain the attention of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, or Boba Fett -- ultimately, a smile, along with the previously mentioned "oohs" and "ahhs" are what make everything worthwhile.  I have spent a lot of time working on my costume, while ensuring things are as accurate as possible.  Every minute was absolutely worth it.  I feel that regardless of the costume, I will always be happiest in a "generic" role.  I am extremely proud to be a Rebel Pilot and even prouder to be a part of the Rebel Legion.  So, in the immortal words of Davish "Pops" Krail (Gold Five) and Nat King Cole…

“Stay on Target” and “Straighten up and fly right!”

Lt. Daan Kelzaga (Dan Hench)

Shadow 6

Shadow Squadron

Great Lakes Base

Rebel Legion

McMath Library's Annual Jedi Party

by: Z'Rissa

June 2, 2012

This is the fourth year that Kessel Base has joined Arkansas Crimson Nova Squad (Star Garrison) and a lot of kids at Sidney McMath Library in Little Rock, Arkansas for an afternoon learning a bit about the Force and lightsabers.  Not to mention eating "Wookiee Cookies" and drinking "Yoda Soda." McMath staffers tell us that this is one of their most popular events.  Every year, they have calls asking when the Academy will be on.

photo courtesy of Z'Rissa

We filtered into the room a few at a time as the slideshow on lightsabers began.   As usual, my son "Revan" was along, the lone Jedi, and happened to be one of the first of the costumers to enter.  His Master Replicas weapon, loaned by Dad, got a lot of attention.  I joined him a few minutes later in my pilot gear.  I got right into things, answering the host's question, "What is a lightsaber?" with the classic "An elegant weapon, not clumsy or random like a blaster."  Across the room, TB9612 noted ruefully, "We don't like them at all." 

Next up was the Force trainer gadget, another traditional favorite.  No, I didn't try it.  The line was too long and I wanted to make sure all the kids got a chance.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

At the same time, the kids got to their favorite part:  making their own lightsabers and playing Jedi & Sith with them.  Don't worry!  McMath 'sabers are made of foam, not power cells, emitters, Adegan crystals, etc.  Here's the construction, as taught by McMath's Jedi Archivists:  An adult Jedi Knight cuts a foam swimming pool noodle into several pieces.  The Padawan wraps a strip of duct tape around the end of 1 piece to from the hilt, and then sticks 2 round price dots (like people use on yard sale items) on the tape for the controls.  Then the Padawans have a ball with them.  I discussed with one of the Archivists how amazing it was that some kids could show up with 'sabers they'd made the year before when--if they were like my teens--they probably couldn't find yesterday's homework.

Revan, the Squad and I had a great time with the kids.  Several troopers allowed the kids to bop them over and over with the noodle-sabers, one even "cowering" in a corner.  All of us posed for pictures with the children and each other.  Revan was great about letting the youngsters hold his lightsaber in pictures. TK3630 (a joint RL member) coached Revan on placing his lightsaber blade between the trooper's armored arm and body for a realistic "Jedi stabs Stormtrooper" pose.  Just like his Dad (RL member Lon Mark) has done at some events. 

Before we left, several of us went through the library proper and Revan and I got some good shots of troopers, the Jedi and biker scouts looking at books and DVDs, which I will provide to McMath.  TB9612 posed with a books about space and the Moon while quipping about the latter... what else? 

"That's no moon--that's a space station!"

This event is was the first of 7 library visits we'll be doing in Central Arkansas this year.  Wow! Last year we only had two of these gigs.  I can't wait for July when we'll have 4 visits, all in conjunction with summer reading programs.

In fact, as a result of this mission, I had to edit the above paragraph -- because we added an event!  One of the families attending happened to be the "biggest Star Wars fans" at the Terry Library branch.  And the mother had already been asked to arrange Terry's Star Wars Extravaganza in early July.  So she was delighted to discover the Legions at McMath.  She found Kessel Base's Facebook page, with my posts about the upcoming library events and asked me to arrange an appearance at Terry.

Help us Omir-Wan Kenobi!!!

Tigers "Star Wars Night" 2012

Last fall, you may remember Lucasfilm partnered with Major League Baseball for a series of promotional events at MLB parks across the country to celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu Ray.  The Detroit Tigers hosted a “Star Wars Night” game at Comerica Park with over 70 characters – possibly the largest turnout from the MLB/LFL promotion -- representing Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison.  This season, the Tigers asked us back to bring the power of "The Force" back to the ballpark!

“I go to Michigan a few times a year to watch the wolverines play football,” admits Legion – who drove up all the way from Columbus to attend this particular event; not bad considering he’s a Reds fan at heart.  And while he may not know many of the northern Ohio and Michigan members who frequently troop together, he says that everyone made him feel at home – which is one of the greatest things Great Lakes Base has going for itself. “It was very fun to troop outside of Ohio,” said Legion.

In fact, it is that sense of being part of a much larger team team, along with a great partnership with Great Lakes Garrison that allows us to draw together over 60 Star Wars characters for major events like this. This year’s “Star Wars Night” with the Detroit Tigers was also the 9th largest crowd in Comerica Park history!

"Let the Wookiee win!"

Lumpy (dressed as Chewbacca) and several of the guys got to meet Quinten Berry during the pregame parade of Star Wars characters around the warning track at Comerica Park.  Meanwhile, members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra treated the crowd with live Star Wars music.  The National Anthem for tonight’s game as performed by the legendary Four Tops, which according to Lumpy, “being on the field for that was really a neat thing!!!”  Darth Vader then threw out the first pitch, accompanied by a pair of TKs along with G-Man and dankelzaga from Shadow Squadron!

Footage of the Star Wars character parade and first pitch were shown on the nationally televised FOX Sports broadcast.

You can see clips of Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison from the FOX Sports Tigers/Yankees broadcast HERE.

*All video courtesy of Major League Baseball and FOX Sports

photo courtesy of dankelzaga 

Early in the game, there was a 30 min. rain delay, during which time -- some of the boys dropped in on Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in the FOX Sports broadcast booth to have some fun.  In fact, our teams of Star Wars characters put in some "extra innings" of our own to keep fans entertained, while they waited for the weather to clear and the game to resume.

Detroit Tigers "Star Wars Night" - Mission Photos

Once the game got back underway, things were NOT looking good for the Tigers as the “Evil Empire” Yankees had taken the lead and were looking to crush “Star Wars Night” like a formation of AT-AT Walkers.  Then Omir Santos' game-winning sacrifice fly, in the bottom of the ninth gave the Tigers a dramatic 4-3 win!

HEY YANKEES… that's what you get for taking over our locker room! Hope you boys enjoyed the smell of 30+ armor bins and wet Wookiee fur! ;)