Club Jade

Paul Bussiere’s R2-D2 is a regular visitor to the children’s hospital in Bangor, Maine

So in the midst of real life and other such horrors, I missed a great deal of Celebration V news. First off, you should know that we are now 99 days out from the event, a fact which strikes me with terror because I haven’t done a damn thing to prepare. (Yes, I really need to stop moving in Celebration years.) But onto the news:

• We’ve had two sets of t-shirt reveals: The first, some standard logos. (I suppose if one must have Boba Fett, sticking him something appropriately Miami Vicesque takes some of the fanboy stench off.) The second set is much more palatable, even if it involves hot pink, and the Han/Leia shirt combo is rather adorable.

• Jay Laga’aia is returning as celebrity host, which is A-OK by me, because Jay Laga’aia is awesome. Really, no snark here. He just is.
• Also hosting (at the Behind-the-Scenes Stage) is Internet Rockstar Pablo Hidalgo and LucasArts’ David Collins (on the Digital Stage.) Alas, this crushes my secret hope for a Pablo-staffed continuity-counseling booth (mockup at right) but it is more likely to keep him from running like a madman into the night.
• The R2-D2 Builders will be there in force, promising “a bigger and more encompassing experience for our visitors that will not only include tons of droids, but also re-creations of some of the most iconic scenes from The Empire Strikes Back.”

Or death? Cake Wrecks went on a Star Wars twofer last week. First the bad cakes, then the good ones. At right, one of the more disturbing cakes, which I’m pretty sure is what happens when Yoda mates with a certain fertility idol.

• Events: R2-D2 Builders and more at Texas Build Off 2009. Meanwhile, last weekend Star Wars LEGO fans took over San Diego’s LEGOland. Get started on those pics at The Brothers Brick.

• Humor: If villains used internet forums.
• T-shirts: Bow-Tie Fighter. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

$10K to make one? Wow.

Watch an Artoo being constructed – complete with an iPhone-controlled dome, above – at Glenn’s Astromech Weblog. (via)

• Nothing at all like dusting crops: Will Arnett plays dressup as Han Solo in the new issue of Vanity Fair.

• Conventions: More WonderCon fallout at StarWars.com, including Costumes, Celebrities and R2 Builders
• Comic: Adam McCauley’s Other Darths.

To celebrate their new line of Star Wars bedding and accessories, Pottery Barn Kids will be holding in-store events in 78 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada on Saturday, September 13th. They’re even donating $15,600 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of the 501st, Rebel Legion, Jedi Assembly and the R2 Builders.

Artoo gets down with the kids at Maker Faire 2008. See another clip on the StarWars.com blog, or learn more about this particular (ribbon-earning!) model at Gizmodo.

All the stuff that got spaced

• Allies in The Clone Wars: TV show is a global production.

• Family Guy: Blue Harvest concept art
• A Sithly go-round for the classic circus poster.
• Know A Legion: Bloodfin Garrison
• Bonnie urges R2 Builders to join the space race.
• Are Artoo and Threepio robo-wimps?

Hyperspace

• Source Archive’s NewsNet Week

• Bantha Tracks covers summer celebrations.

Two-inch pewter medallion featuring classic figures will be given away during random collecting panels at Celebration. They’re limited to only 350 of each.

Meanwhile, fans at Celebration Europe can expect the R2-D2 Builders.