Show of Force
Want to know how Luke Skywalker felt while hovering in his landspeeder? Or what it would be like to have robots walking among us? These days, Star Wars isn’t as out-of-this-world as you might think. Through May 4 at the Franklin Institute Science Museum, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination offers a modern-day dose of reality with levitating hovercraft, and task-oriented and humanoid robots. Kids of all ages can take science into their own hands as they build droids and test speeders in two engineering design labs. And don’t miss the 80-plus authentic costumes and props from the Star Wars films, including C-3PO, R2-D2, Jedi Master Yoda (pictured), Darth Vader, and scale models of X- and Y-wing starfighters and TIE fighters. Visitors also can explore the epic series’ unique worlds—Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Coruscant and Hoth—without ever leaving the museum. Freestanding displays meticulously re-create the planets’ harsh deserts, forests and underwater cities. And before you complete your voyage through the 21 interactive exhibits, be sure to navigate the galaxy in a full-size replica of Episode IV’s Millennium Falcon cockpit. (Sorry, fans. No masks or lightsabers permitted.) 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia. Call (215) 448-1200 or visit fi.edu. —Shannon Hallamyer
Spirited Song
Set aside an hour or so April 20 to marvel over the praiseworthy Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale at United Church of Christ at Valley Forge. Celebrating 40 years, the chorus of more than 70 boys and men will perform its rich 2008 repertoire of patriotic pieces, African-American spirituals and classical creations. Program highlights include “America the Beautiful,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. It’s the perfect finale for the church’s third annual “Music of Note” concert series. 4 p.m. $15/adults, $7/children under 12. 45 Walker Road, Wayne. Call (610) 688-8588 or visit uccvf.org. —S.H.
Big-Screen Main Line
Who wants to sift through YouTube in search of inventive short films? Not us. The Main Line Film Festival premieres April 26, offering an impressive lineup of quality local and international shorts at Clearview Cinemas’ Anthony Wayne Theater. The day will feature at least 20 independent narratives, documentaries, music videos, experimental works, comedies and horror films. Before the showings, stroll downtown Wayne or talk shop with the filmmakers in attendance, including festival founder Mark Kochanowicz of Malvern. Later, get the scoop on the top crowd-pleasers at the after-party. Showings at 4:30, 7 and 9:30 p.m. 109 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne. Call (215) 485-1817 or visit mainlinefilmfestival.com. —S.H.
For more upcoming events, see our Calendar.
