The event honors Carrie Fisher with a theme of “rebel princess.”
Attention Star Wars fans: If you’re having trouble waiting another whole week for The Last Jedi, you’ll want to check out the cosplay dance party happening at The Barbary this Friday.
Hosted by G33kamania founder Mario Pina, who’s organized parties like this for each of the movies in the current trilogy, this year’s event has a theme of “Rebel Princess.” It’s an obvious tribute to Princess Leia actor Carrie Fisher, who died last December, combined with a tribute to David Bowie. But it’s also a call to action.
“In light of the political turmoil going on,” Pina explained, “I want to say that there’s a ‘rebel princess’ in all of us. That you can make a difference, that you can fight the ‘empire.’”
The event takes over both levels of the Fishtown club. The first floor is being turned into the Starkillers Base, with DJs spinning ‘70s and ’80s music, while the second story will be the Rebel Base, with hip hop and chiptunes. Popular Philly-based nerdcore rapper Mega Ran is slated to attend and perform an hour-long show.
Definitely break out your costumes for this one.
Pina estimates at least 70 percent of the 300 people expected to show up will be dressed for the occasion. “Anyone who just walks into The Barbary without knowing is going to be like ‘What in the world is going on here?’”
Pina’s working on getting food trucks to come by, and a “real-life” R2D2 will be in the house from for photo ops. He’s also organizing a possible Stormtrooper invasion at some point during the night, “like they’re breaking up an illegal meeting of the rebels.”
If you want even more Star Wars fun, mark down Thursday, Dec. 14, when Pina has organized a Last Jedi bar crawl down South Street. Themed cocktails will be offered at Copabanana, MilkBoy and Tattooed Mom, Smoke’s Poutinerie will have special “light side/dark side” snacks, Atomic City Comics will give prizes for best costumes and South Street Cinema is hosting a Star Wars Christmas night with trivia contests.
“Philly’s the nerdiest, geekiest city I’ve ever lived in,” said Pina, an Orlando native who moved north three years ago. “There are so many people doing fun, awesome stuff.”
The Barbary event runs from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Dec. 15. Admission is $10 or $8 if you’re in costume.
