Star Wars Premiere: Attack of the Costumers
What's a Larp? - Fantasy in the Woods
NYC Easter Parade- Costumery and Christianity
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More pics in the gallery's SF/Fantasy section
The waiting is finally over for millions of Star Wars fanatics. The Clones
have attacked. 
As a film, Attack of the Clones obviously trumped Episode One in plot, environment and excitement, and, despite the painfully irritating romance between Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, this flic kicked ass. More than just a movie, this production effectively transports the audience to a living, breathing universe with compelling characters, amazing visual elements and many surprises.
This Far, Far Away Galaxy is, in fact, the true star of every Star Wars production. Above all other sci-fi realms, this universe of strange creatures, power struggles and zen-like spirituality is a magical place that continues to inspire the imagination and creativity of millions of fans and costumers world-wide.
In
New York City, there were actually two opening days. On Sunday the 12th, there
were several sneak showings at the Tribeca Film Festival and the mass-market
opening was just after midnight on Thursday morning the 26th.
As part of Robert De Niro's efforts to breath life into lower Manhattan, this
year was the first annual Tribeca Film Festival and the highlight was the first
public showing of Star Wars II. Complete with red carpet, various muckety mucks
and a battalion of Star Wars costumers, the Tribeca Performing Arts Center was
ground zero for this most excellent day. 
Contributing to the excitement were several dozen Costumed Storm Troopers, Amidalas, Jango/Boba Fetts and others. The most organized were those affiliated with the Empire City Garrison, a New York area enthusiast club that requires each member own one or several Star Wars character costumes.
Under the leadership of an imposing 6'4"+ Darth Vader, this "Garrison" includes over one hundred creative souls who choose a favorite character and make their own costumes. Using artistic inventiveness and kits that allow for the molding and sizing of the more complicated plastic costumes, this group gathers together for social activities and costume conventions. With their impressive costumery and hi-tech gadgetry including in-helmet communications devices and light sabers made with the latest electro-luminescence technology, this is a most inspired group of folks.
For
the "official" opening night, the famous Ziegfeld Theater was the place to be.
The best theater in NYC for films with extreme visual elements, the Ziegfeld
has a massive screen, an amazing sound system and one of the few all-digital
screening systems in the industry. Since Star Wars II is the first major film
shot 100% digitally, the rowdy NY crowd combined with the state-of-the-art technology
made this, arguably, the best place on the planet for the premiere.
For this 12:01 am showing, a new film industry strategy meant to bolster first
day box office receipts, the crowd, some of whom had been camping out for days,
was primed for a big night. With the Empire City Garrison and other random costumers
all hamming it up and a video truck showing the original Star Wars film (now
called Episode IV, a New Hope), excitement was high. By 10 pm, the crowd was
admitted and much socializing, posing and light saber dueling played out throughout
the aisles and lobby.
As the film began, the audience continued to be part of the experience. Characters were applauded or hissed at (Jar-Jar Binks) as appropriate. Subtle humorous references brought uproarious laughter from this knowledgeable crowd and, without giving too much away, Yoda ultimately brought the house down.
By the end, the audience was gleefully exhausted as they streamed out of the theater. Not caring for the opinions of the pompous critic set, this crowd LOVED the film.
See it often... See it in costume.
For more on the Empire City Garrison check www.EmpireCityGarrison.com
or contact us. 
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More pics in the gallery's LARP section
What the heck is a LARP, you ask?
Well… It has to do with LARPing, of course, which is an activity for everyday folks who get together to escape reality and live the lives of fantasy heroes.
Throughout North America, UK and elsewhere, there are hundreds of Live Action Role-Playing gaming associations all offering interactive live gaming experiences. LARPing is Dungeons & Dragons taken to the extreme with gamers donning colorful costumes and assuming fictional roles. The most extreme brand of LARPing, "boffer" LARPs act out the game in the wilderness using padded weapons to "boff" each other.
To
investigate this growing phenomenon, the CN crew strapped on horns and fur and
headed out to join the LAIRE Gaming Guild of Northern NJ for a full-weekend
event. Once a month, this group transforms a wooded Boy Scout camp into a magical
world where gamers roam the woods in search of adventure, treasure and camaraderie.
Part game and part environmental theater, each gamer must stay in character
and go out into the world to make a name for themselves. Played on a 24-hour
basis Friday night through Sunday, gamers must stay up at nights or post guards
while they sleep.
This is a world where ordinary folks can assume any identity and participate
in a world full of friends, foes and monsters with the possibilities of fame,
riches or death. In this world of magic and imagination, anything can happen
and often does. To survive and prosper, characters must learn the ways of the
world, develop skills and pick a profession. Not always medieval in nature,
LARP worlds can also be sci-fi, spy, detective or vampire or adopt elements
of several. 
The game organizers craft basic plot lines, called "modules" and characters band together in a team to fulfill the given quest. If the team does well, they will profit, grow in strength and capabilities and live to play another day. If not, they must flee or die. If wounded or killed in this dangerous world, there are healers to help if the character has proven worthy. Directed by "game marshals" who roam the woods directing foes and monsters (Non-Player Characters), glory or death lurk around every corner.
Who are these LARPs, you ask???
Gamers range from kids to greying adults, from slackers to executives, from naughty to nice. No matter who they are in the real world, these are an imaginative, friendly bunch who share laughter, imagination and camaraderie in the woods.
Try it.
MORE pics in the gallery's LARP section.
Chartered by the Boy Scouts of America, the LAIRE Gaming Guild is a particularly
delightful group of folks who encourage anyone in the New York/New Jersey area
to drop by and experience the joys of the game. To find out more, visit www.LAIRE.com
or contact us. 
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Jesus is back from the dead… Apparently in a hat.
When
the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ turned into a fashion and
costume event is not clear, but the NYC Easter Parade is quickly becoming a
high society Halloween for the well heeled.
From 11am to 4pm every Easter Sunday, 5th Avenue closes down from 49th to 57th
Streets and the areas in front of St. Patrick's, St. Thomas's and 5th Avenue
Presbyterian are offered up to New York's most fashionable. More of a promenade
than a parade, this day involves an interesting mix of Christianity and random
theatrics. As the faithful pour in and out of the
churches, they are met by New York's usual cast of creative and strange characters
for a good-natured clash of costumery.
Fashions range from traditional "Sunday's finest" to a colorful range of bonnets
to full-blown ridiculum. The more traditional hats were decorated with a wild
array of flowers, eggs and stuffed bunnies. There were live plant hats, a real
bird fluttered about in a birdcage hat and still another had live lizards, wearing
hats, on her hat. Some oh-so-fashionable cross dressers made the scene and there
were many costumed animals including dogs, cats and ferrets.
A true family day, there was plenty of coordinated kin and highly fashionable children and babies. Easter bunnies hopped, flopped and clowned about. The most ambitious group theme was the Queen of Hearts, on stilts, accompanied by bonneted Easter eggs. One woman had a large model of Shea Stadium on her head.
Absent
from this particular part of midtown were any noticeable saints, disciples or
saviors. Not to worry, they, and you, are invited to participate again next
year.
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