42 NOVEMBER 2018 By Anthony Wallace If you are driving past Eldorado Park in the evening, you may end up doing a double take. Has Star Wars come to life, or are those actually adults fighting with Lightsabers? This is Syndicate Saber United, a local Lightsaber Combat and Choreography group. Its impressively choreographed performances have been enjoyed by thousands at Chase Field, Jobing.com Arena and during Phoenix Comic Con. The group is serious about sword fighting, and their sabers aren’t cheap. They are combat grade, with polycarbonate blades, and cost upwards of $250. Their practice is based on Kendo, a traditional form of Japanese sword fighting with its roots in the Samurai. Unsurprisingly, hardcore Star Wars fandom is a common trait among the 40- 50 active members of the group. Their hour-long choreographed performances, offered up at children’s birthday parties, school functions and various “nerd events” depict creative, original stories drawing on their extensive knowledge of the fictional universe that binds them together. Each member has a favorite character, and there’s a lot of thought that goes into it. Shale, one of the group’s longtime members, favors the rebellious Quinlan Vos who’s known as a maverick, unafraid to bend the rules. Newcomer Josh’s favorite Jedi is Anakin’s apprentice Ahsoka Tano, who was “the rebellion before the rebellion existed.” Justin, a former journalist who works in nonprofit PR, calls Qui-Gon Jinn from Episode One his favorite. “I see him as the least dogmatic of the bunch,” said Justin. “He’s more concerned with the real world in front of him than some abstract concept of justice.” Syndicate Saber United works to create a true community feel. Each January, they rent out a cabin in snowy Greer for a long, 4-day weekend of cosplay photoshoots, laser tag, and lights-out hide and seek. When the first Disney Star Wars film, The Force Awakens came out a few years ago, a group of nearly 50 Syndicate members packed their favorite Scottsdale theater to watch together. At the end of each practice, the group forms a circle, lightsabers raised to the sky, and performs a call and response ritual. “What are we? Family! Who are we? Syndicate .” And with that they strike down with their sabers in synchrony. Syndicate Saber United is a thoughtful bunch, who operate with an admiration for a good rebel who refuses to conform. But at the end of the day, it’s not that complicated. “Honestly, it’s just plain fun,” said Josh. Syndicate Saber United combines dedicated fans and artistry The 40-50 active members of Syndicate Saber United, a local Lightsaber Combat and Choreography group, hold practices at Eldorado Park and perform all over the Valley. X AV I E R C O L L E G E P R E PA R AT O R Y FITZGERALD HALL X AV I E R C O L L E G E P R E PA R AT O R Y FITZGERALD HALL Xavier College Preparatory is a Catholic community that strives to prepare young women of faith with the knowledge, skills, and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner. 9th Grade Application for 2019 - 2020 Available online Nov 1 Xavier Entrance Exam Saturday, Jan. 12 or Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. Registration for exam and application information at xcp.org Affording a Xavier Education Financial Aid Workshops available to interested parents during the Entrance Exam Testing, Jan. 12 and Jan. 26

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