Sci-fi auction to help Napier charity

Star Wars fans who step into Napier's Brewshack Bar and Grill in the hours leading up to the charity showing for the final Star Wars film will find themselves transported to a galaxy far, far away.
The Station Street bar, which adjoins the Reading Cinema where Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith opens at 12.01am on May 19, will be outfitted to resemble the Mos Eisley cantina seen in the original 1977 Star Wars film.
Deane Jessep, who is organising the Napier showing with friend Brynn Wood, said patrons visiting the bar in the hours leading up to the film would mingle with some of the aliens seen in the film.
The cantina, where the bulbous headed Figrin D'an and his band the Modal Nodes provided the entertainment, is where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker sought the services of Han Solo and his Wookiee sidekick Chewbacca.
As the Modal Nodes' jizz music wails from the bar Mr Jessep and Mr Wood will auction a raft of Star Wars memorabilia which they have had signed by actors Ray Park and Daniel Logan.
UK actor Park played arch-villain Darth Maul in the 1999 prequel Episode I: The Phantom Menace while kiwi actor Logan played the young bounty hunter, Boba Fett, in Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
The auction, expected to start at 11.15pm, should include everything from Lego sets to limited edition film posters and replica lightsabres.
"I don't want people to dodge the auction thinking it's going to be for hardcore fans only," Mr Jessep said.
"I am going to make sure there's stuff that's going for $5."
Mr Jessep, 25, and Mr Wood, are long-time Star Wars fans who thought the release of the sixth and final Star Wars film was a good opportunity to raise funds for the recently established Jessep Foundation.
Mr Jessep established the the charity to assist the terminally ill in honour of his father, Roger, who died four years ago aged 54.
"Help for terminally ill middle-aged people does not exist," Mr Jessep said.
"There's lots of help for terminally ill children, IHC and elderly people."
Tickets ($35) will go on sale on Wednesday for the 12.01am May 19 showing, and are available from both Reading Cinemas in Napier and Hastings, Hell Pizza outlets as well as Iconix in Heretaunga Street, Hastings.