BeatRoute Magazine [AB] print e-edition - [April 2018]

ARTS
Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo
501st LEGION OF VADER’S FIST BADLANDS GARRISON
game of clones
Originally assembled in 2004, southern Alberta’s contingent
of the 501st Legion of Vader’s Fist, a battalion of Star
Wars Stormtroopers who perform charitable acts, started
out as a Troop, grew to a Squad (10+ members) within the
greater Canadian Garrison, and eventually became their own
Badlands Garrison (25+ members) in 2005. Since that time,
the union of hobbyists and humanitarians has expanded to
include groups throughout western Canada. According to
Badlands Garrison Alberta Public Relations Officer, Teresa
Nuthall (a.k.a. TK-41307 SoulArt), the Badlands Garrison
continues its mission to mentor those members in their aspirations
of achieving Squad and Garrison status.
From granting special visits to hospitals to providing
back-up dancers for Weird Al Yankovic concerts, Alberta is
fortunate to have such a devoted division of Star Wars fans
standing by to save the day. Or, at least make it a lot more
visually interesting!
BeatRoute: How many people do you estimate are involved
with the 501st on an ongoing basis?
501st Badlands Garrison: The Legion has a presence in 61
countries and currently claims almost 20,000 members, of
which 12,428 are actively out Trooping worldwide, while here
in Alberta our own Garrison has 126 members.
BR: What makes the 501st a great organization to be a part of?
501st BG: The ability to make people smile and help people
forget their pain, if even just for a second. There’s something
magical, unique and recognizable about being able to see and
interact with characters from Star Wars. It touches the inner-child
of adults, because it’s been around for decades. It’s volunteerism
done in an extremely cool way, as it combines hobbies, creativity,
superb costuming and giving of oneself.
BR: How are you coordinated and governed as an organization?
501st BG: We have a Legion Charter and Operations Protocol
that governs our activity. Commanding and Executive Officers
from Outposts and Garrisons all over the world make up the
governing Legion Council. We hold annual elections where
members vote for our Commanding Officers at the Legion level,
Detachment level, as well as leaders within our own Garrisons,
Outposts and Squads.
BR: How did you arrive at your Legion identity?
501st BG: As a new member, you select a series of numbers that
mean something to you and this becomes your Legion ID for
eternity. You also choose a forum name/call sign, which is a name
that others know you by. I’m TK 41307/ SoulArt (TK is prefix for a
Stormtrooper). I’m an original Stormtrooper, Captain Phasma, from
The Force Awakens and Director of Intelligence, Ysanne Isard.
BR: How do people decide what kind of costume they are
going to wear?
501st BG: It’s a personal choice, really. Try searching the official
Costume Reference Library (CRL) and seeing which costume
resonates with you. Often, an interested member has an idea
of what they’d like though, sometimes, they have several. There
really is very minimal customization involved, as each costume is
created to be as seen in each of the Star Wars universe. We try to
honour the original costumes by following its set guidelines and
replicating them as closely as we can. Generally speaking, each
costume has different levels of approval: 1 through 3. A member
can join at the basic approval, then decide if they wish to carry it
further to the higher echelons of costume accuracy.
BR: What are the basic building blocks required to begin
constructing a costume?
501st BG: That depends on how hands-on you want to be.
There’s more accessible product available these days, one can
purchase a pretty much ready-made costume. Of course, there
are steps people can take to find a builder, or costumer, to create
a custom outfit for them. Or, they can buy kits and construct
on their own. Although, a lot of the scratch stuff is hard to get
approved. Again, it’s entirely dependent on the costume you
choose to create.
BR: How do you come together to work on costumes and
share your knowledge?
501st BG: Each costume has a designated Detachment that is
responsible for overseeing those specific costumes. They have all
of the ‘How To’ information, and CRL specifications, anyone
BY CHRISTINE LEONARD
would need for that particular costume. Our forums are
another wonderful resource, as they support and encourage
members to log ‘build threads’ of their costumes online for
all members, or their respective Detachments, to read. These
threads allow members to share their expertise, ask questions
and conduct research. Wherever you may be in the world,
there’s someone to help you. We also host ‘Armour Parties,’
where members in each Garrison get together and physically
build their projects and exchange tips and advice.
BR: What are some of the charitable activities the 501st
Badlands Garrison has been involved in over the years?
501st BG: We enjoy, and are extremely proud of, any and all
contact with the Make a Wish Foundation. As well as, helping
Jedi Addison within his own fundraising success. Other highlights
include, Alberta Children’s and Stollery Hospital visits,
Kids with Cancer visits, inducting our younglings Declan
and Lucas into the Garrison as honourary members, Ronald
McDonald House in-house visits and block parties. And,
don’t forget the Canada Day 150 parade. Looking at dollars
donated, this past year alone, we have directly raised $23,341
and indirectly raised $258,983. I’m very proud of our Garrison
and all the good these ‘bad guys’ do.
BR: Speaking of parades. How does the 501st Badlands
Garrison prepare for their tour de Force at the Calgary
Comic and Entertainment Expo’s annual Parade of Wonders?
501st BG: We’ve been a part of the POW right from the very
start. It’s SO exciting getting ready! Emotions are already high,
and we’re full of energy, when we begin meeting up. All of
us change into costumes at once, usually at the Expo, and
then make our way together to the parade site. I’ve gotta say,
walking to and riding the C-Train as a Garrison, with our sister
groups (Rebels, Mercs), is a sight to behold. Once lined-up in
our groups by order, the excitement builds as we wait for the
POW to start. You’d better believe that we are grinning from
ear-to-ear inside our helmets as we strut our stuff for the
spectators. Then we make our way back to Expo to prepare
for the rest of our weekend and shifts at our booth.
BR: That does sound amazing. But can anyone do it? What
about that old height restriction?
501st BG: Bahahaha! You mean, “Aren’t you a little short for
a Stormtrooper?” It’s a great joke that surfaces always. Along
with remarks on our ability to miss everything we shoot at…
Anyone over the age of 18 can be a member, regardless of
gender, race, religion, shape, size... the Legion has no room
for discrimination. Upon joining, you very soon discover that
you have a huge, loving, accepting, new family.
See the 501st Badlands Garrison on the march at the Calgary
Comic and Entertainment Expo’s annual Parade of Wonders at
10:30am on April 27 (downtown Calgary). Calgary Expo runs
April 26-29 at Stampede Park (Calgary)
8 | APRIL 2018 • BEATROUTE
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