In case you've managed to miss the endless memes on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter this morning, today is May the Fourth, which is also known as Star Wars Day. It's the perfect excuse to spout off lines of dialogue from the classic sci-fi films and finally get some use out of that Stormtrooper costume that’s been collecting dust in your closet. Many bars, restaurants and local businesses are also getting in on the unofficial holiday, with film screenings and cocktails that honor the galaxy far, far away. We used the Force and found some of the best celebrations happening this evening.
Sometimes you need to go back to the beginning to remember why you like something so much. Harding Tavern is taking that sentiment to heart with its screening of Star Wars: A New Hope, the first installment in George Lucas's original trilogy. The movie begins at 10pm and will be accompanied by free popcorn and $8 bottles of Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA.
The Wicker Park arcade bar is hosting a double feature to celebrate May the Fourth, beginning with a screening of the Mel Brooks sci-fi spoof Spaceballs and ending with the recent Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The films begin at 7pm, admission is free and Antique Taco will provide free popcorn to all attendees.
Since you can't actually travel to the Mos Eisley Cantina, this dance party at Beauty Bar might be the next best thing. The event kicks off with Star Wars trivia from 8–10pm, followed by a late-night DJ set from DJ BB8. The club will be showing Star Wars videos and the bar will serve up some galactic drinks, including Vodka Yoda, Darth Cider and Dark & Stormtrooper.
This small Logan Square gallery will be hosting a screening of Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam, a 1982 Turkish film that uses unauthorized clips from Star Wars. The low-budget movie rips off some other classic films, too—including soundtrack cues from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Battlestar Galactica and Planet of the Apes. See it for yourself beginning at 6pm this evening.
Grab your lightsaber (we know you have one), put on your Jedi robes and head for the Agora sculpture installation on the South end of Grant Park for this Jedi vs. Sith freeze mob. Don't come to battle—this event is all about striking your best Star Wars-inspired pose. The meet-up begins at 8:15pm and will move to the Museum Campus as more participants arrive. Organizers ask that nobody bring blasters or anything that could be mistaken for a gun.
Tear yourself away from the vector graphic Star Wars arcade cabinets and watch three Star Wars-ish films at this May the Fourth celebration. The bar will be screening Battle Beyond the Stars, Dünyayı Kurtaran Adam (better known as Turkish Star Wars) and The Star Wars Holiday Special—plus, they're serving free, vegan popcorn. The movies start at 6pm.