Movies

Carrie Fisher memorials continue in Downtown Disney, at Alamo Drafthouse and with a tribute parade in New Orleans

Jay Cotton Jr., 4, of Whittier, sits on his father Jay Cotton’s shoulders during a lightsaber vigil for “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher held in Downtown Disney. ( Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Memorials for Carrie Fisher -- who died on Tuesday -- are ramping up as Downtown Disney in Anaheim hosted a lightsaber vigil, screenings are planned at multiple Alamo Drafthouse theaters and a tribute parade is in the works in New Orleans. 

The Downtown Disney event drew about 100 people who, with lightsabers raised, honored the memory of Fisher.  The 501st Legion of “Star Wars” fans is already working to put on a big demostration at Star Wars Celebration in April, with other events in the early stages of planning. 

Other lightsaber vigils and screenings of Fisher’s non-“Star Wars” hits -- “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Blues Brothers” and even “The ‘Burbs” -- will take place in multiple locations for Drafthouse denizens in Texas, Virginia and Nebraska.  The first of which is Wednesday night at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin and numerous other locations in Texas.  There is a list below of the places and screenings. 

On Friday, the Leijorettes, a squad of more than 100 costumed Princess Leias, are expected to lead the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus Carnival marching group in a tribute parade in New Orleans honoring Fisher.  Chewbacchus, one of the fastest-growing Mardi Gras organizations, was inspired by the “Star Wars” franchise.  The gathering is still finalizing permits for the march, and a Facebook page has been set up to get further details about the event. 

Other Drafthouse locations and activities:

-- Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (Austin, Texas) is holding a lightsaber vigil Wednesday, which started at 6:30 p.m. (you can read more about what that will entail here). 

-- The Winchester Alamo Drafthouse (Winchester, Va.) will hold a screening of “When Harry Met Sally” Saturday at 10 p.m., and a memorial event will be launched that screening. 

-- The Drafthouse in Omaha will be holding two in memoriam screenings: “The Burbs” (Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m.) and “When Harry Met Sally” (Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.).  Tickets to both of those screenings will be on sale soon. 

-- Non-Austin Drafthouse locations in Texas (New Braunfels, Stone Oak, Park North, Westlakes, and Laredo) are holding lightsaber vigils Wednesday that started at 6:30 p.m. Houston’s Mason Park location will hold a lightsaber vigil at 6:45 p.m. Friday, and the Lubbock location will be holding its lightsaber vigil Friday as well, at 7 p.m.

-- Additionally, Park North (San Antonio), Laredo and Market Place (New Braunfels) locations will be holding free memorial screenings of “The Blues Brothers” throughout the weekend.  These theaters will be accepting donations before and after the show to DBSA San Antonio, a nonprofit support group for people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression (learn more about DBSA at www.dbsalliance.org). 

UPDATE: Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, mother of Carrie Fisher, passes away the day after her daughter