Maybe I’m hypersensitive, or perhaps it’s just coincidence, but it seems to me as though the Star Wars saga has been in the zeitgeist a lot more than usual lately. Of course, it could have something to do with the fact that I live in Orlando, and recently this town has become a magnet for Star Wars-related events. Check it out:

First, there’s the exhibit “Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television,” which is wrapping up its stay at the Orange County Regional History Center this weekend. In addition to costumes (and props) from The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, Terminator 2, and other genre favorites, the exhibit also showcases several items from the original Star Wars trilogy, including Luke’s light saber (along with his severed hand from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!) and a complete Darth Vader costume. I especially appreciated the display text, which concisely explains how costumes can tell you a lot about the identity of a character and help to communicate and reinforce the characters’ mythic functions in a story.

This weekend also marks the arrival in Orlando of an epic touring event called Star Wars in Concert, with a single performance on Saturday, May 15 at Amway Arena. The multimedia extravaganza will feature the music of John Williams performed by a live orchestra accompanied by rock concert-grade lasers, lighting, and special effects synchronized to a specially edited montage of scenes from all six Star Wars movies. Oh yes—and Anthony Daniels (the voice of C3PO) will be providing the live narration. Judging from the preview website, it looks (and I’m sure it will sound) truly spectacular.

In August, the Orange County Convention Center will be hosting Star Wars Celebration V, which is billed as “…the official Lucasfilm event celebrating all things Star Wars, produced by fans for fans.” The event promises “…Star Wars parties, featuring cast and crew celebrities, fans, costumes, music, live entertainment, autographs, collectibles, and panels—but mainly friends who gather to have fun and celebrate their love for the saga.” Sounds like a blast, eh?

If you can’t wait until August to get your Force fix, you can swing by Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort any weekend from May 21 through June 13 as the theme park hosts its annual—and hugely popular—Star Wars Weekends. Then, on May 14, the same park will be the site for Last Tour to Endor party, which will mark the retirement of the Star Tours simulator ridefilm (to be replaced next year by Star Tours II, an all-new ridefilm experience that will send passengers on a wild “pod-racing” adventure over the parched desert landscape of Tatooine).

See what I mean? Oh, and did I mention that all this hullabaloo is in honor of a movie franchise that debuted 33 years ago (as of May 25)?

To what do we attribute the enduring popularity of the Star Wars saga? If you can’t guess where I stand on that question, just scroll back up to the top of this page and look at the name of my blog.

Just as “the Force is strong” in the members of the Skywalker family, mythic themes and archetypes are deeply embedded throughout the Star Wars universe. The author Mary Henderson does a superb job of exploring those themes and archetypes in her book Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, the companion volume to the eponymous exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum. The journalist Bill Moyers also delved into the mythic content of Star Wars with the mythologist Joseph Campbell in their celebrated 1987 PBS interview series The Power of Myth, which is beautifully documented in the printed companion volume. Moyers’ questions are probing and perceptive, and Campbell’s insights are priceless.

Also in keeping with the recent spate of Star Wars events…I recently learned of a History Channel show called “Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed” that ran a few months ago (thank you to Nate Naversen for the tip). Click the link below to watch an enlightening clip.

Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed - Part 1

Then scroll back up for a couple more History Channel clips.

Enjoy…and may the Force be with you!