Soul Bites Turning into a “Mos Eisely” style Cantina on May 4th for Nonprofit Fundraiser

The “Galactic Fringers” are throwing an all-ages intergalactic extravaganza called “Star Wars Cantina Celebration: Renegades, Rebels, and Rogues” to raise funds for local nonprofits New Hope Creative Alliance and Olive Crest’s Hope Refuge campus.

Entertainers from a galaxy far, far away will descend upon Soul Bites in Santa Barbara and transform it into a Star Wars style cantina on Saturday, May 4th. The Galactic Fringers, a local sci-fi and fantasy performance and costuming group, has created an evening of live music, dance, comedy and lightsaber performances, a droid DJ, audience interaction events, a costume contest, food, drink, and more. The event is a fundraiser for new local nonprofit New Hope Creative Alliance, which was formed in 2023 to formalize and expand the community outreach efforts that “Galactic Fringers” group members have participated in for the past decade. As part of its mission, New Hope Creative Alliance provides costumed performances and themed entertainment to support other nonprofits, local businesses, schools, and other organizations to help raise funds and enhance local events. The group, through its support of international nonprofit “Shimmy Mob,” selected Olive Crest’s Hope Refuge campus to sponsor this spring as part of the May 4th event. Hope Refuge is a safe haven in the region for teenagers victimized by human trafficking. 

New Hope Creative Alliance members have supported other Star Wars themed events in the past, for example by providing lightsaber academies at the Santa Barbara Zoo and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. “We created virtual `May the Fourth’ variety shows in 2021 and 2022, bringing together performers from across the United States and Canada, and we’ve dreamed about creating a live event since then, where we could bring the Cantinas and clubs from our favorite sci-fi franchise to life. I’m beyond thrilled that it has become a reality this year,” said Mike Whitney, New Hope Creative Alliance Board President. 

The Cantina Celebration will feature three bands: Cuddlefish, Ulysses Jasz Goes Hanna, and Trout Club. In addition, there will be themed dance performances from local studios and professionals including The Dance Network, Galaxeum, Black Dragon Tribal, Nilay Engin, and Melissa Nunes; comedy performances from Lauren Watson and others; a force-sensitive fortune teller, an interactive spy thriller story, a silent auction, a costume contest, and much more fun. In addition, Soul Bites is offering a buffet of their delicious fried chicken and sides as part of the ticket package. 

The event is all-ages. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and performances start at 7pm, with the event projected to last until midnight. General Admission tickets are $40 and VIP tickets (which include an exclusive t-shirt and costume accessory) are $77. Buffet tickets are available for pre-purchase only for an additional $25. Tickets are available now through the Galactic Fringers website (GalacticFringers.com) or at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/new-hope-creative-alliance/a-star-wars-cantina-celebration-renegades-rebels-rogues. 

Find a commercial for the Star Wars Cantina Celebration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlwtbPx-UfU

For More Information:

https://linktr.ee/galacticfringers

https://www.galacticfringers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/galacticfringers?locale=ms_MY

https://www.instagram.com/galactic_fringers/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTkhQ58LGHb6Y5D38qsGpIA