Never-Before-Seen ‘Star Wars’ Memorabilia Delights Sci-Fi Fans at Valobra Master Jewelers
May. 2, 2023
IT MAY BE hard for fans of The Mandalorian, a sci-fi western that just wrapped up its third season on Disney+, to imagine how thrilling it was to see the original, comparatively low-budget Star Wars on the big screen, in a movie theater, way back in 1977.
This was a film wide-eyed news anchors described as “cowboys in outer space,” with a story arc that mirrored the myth of the hero’s journey and characters who were as archetypal as they were just fun to watch and quote. (“May the force be with you.”) Beginning May 10, Valobra Master Jewelers brings some of that original light and magic back with an exhibit of original props, costumes, and artifacts used in the original 1977-1983 Star Wars Trilogy.
The never-before-seen, museum-quality collection is a treat for both fans of little Grogu as well as those of us old enough to remember queuing up for these films which, much like the Valobra Jewelry Atelier, have only grown in renown over the years.
The exhibit is drawn from a private, single-person collection, owned by a good friend of fourth-generation master jeweler Franco Valobra, who is a major fan of the Star Wars films. “I have great passion and admiration for movies showcasing great art and brilliance,” says Valobra. “Jewelry is a wearable masterpiece, as Star Wars is a viewable masterpiece.”
The props and costumes on display include the oldest, original surviving Darth Vader costume, the metal bikini worn by Princess Leia (played by the late great Carrie Fisher) while a prisoner of Jabba the Hut, and the original X-Wing starfighter helmet of Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hammill).
There is also a selection of masks worn by the menagerie of aliens seen in the famous Mos Eisley cantina scene, alongside rare, original Storm Trooper costume armor and weapons. Valobra will also show the original Panavision PSR 35 mm camera Star Wars writer and director George Lucas used to film the trilogy. (The camera was also used to film parts of Victor Fleming’s groundbreaking, cinematic masterpiece Gone With The Wind.) Only 29 were manufactured, and it is the second most expensive piece of auctioned Star Wars memorabilia.
Some special events timed with the exhibition include a visit from a few young MD Anderson patients and their families (who are staying at Ronald McDonald House) and a field trip to Valobra for middle school students and teachers with LEAD (Letting Everyone Achieve Dreams), a non-profit dedicated to providing young people with new educational experiences involving science, technology, and space exploration.
The Star Wars Trilogy Museum Exhibition will be on view to the public from May 10-13 from 11am to 5pm, with an invitation-only, VIP cocktail celebration on May 11 from 6-8 pm. Lucky partygoers will be greeted by actors in full Star Wars regalia and get a first look at Franco Valobra’s new Skywalker Diamond, an exceptionally rare and flawless diamond, and the equally special Darth Vader Black Diamond.
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WITH MOTHER’S DAY right around the corner, you may be thinking about a special treat for her — perhaps a festive place to entertain, with options for alfresco dining to enjoy the fine spring weather.
Hugo’s, in its striking hacienda-style space, sports a tucked-away patio and blockbuster weekend brunch. Moreover, this is not a place nor an event to skip dessert!
Still buzzing since 2002, the award-winning restaurant celebrates the authentic cuisine and culture of its namesake Hugo Ortega’s homeland of Mexico. Meticulously crafted desserts, the handiwork of Hugo’s brother, Executive Pastry Chef Ruben Ortega, are no exception and have received many awards and accolades.
Ruben recently curated a new dessert menu that brings together previous favorites as well as new creations, each representing one of the seven regions of Mexico. “The flavors and ingredients vary from region to region within Mexico, and I wanted to create a list that celebrated the diversity of these flavors,” he says.
“Just as our family and generations of Mexican families have done, everything is made from scratch as traditionally as possible, including our house made Mexican chocolate that starts by roasting and grinding cacao beans in the restaurant,” adds Ruben. You can’t miss the intoxicating chocolate fragrance wafting throughout the restaurant and you can certainly taste the difference in richness and freshness of the chocolate.
Pastel del Mole
Platanitos Flameados
Crepas con Cajeta
If you like the classics, try the churros rellenos from the Central region of Mexico. Beautifully piped churros are stuffed and garnished with dulce de leche and served with house-made chocolate ice cream and real Mexican hot chocolate.
Want more chocolate — and dark chocolate, too? Go for the Pastel De Mole from Pacifico Sur: a moist Mexican criollo chocolate and mole poblano cake with bright Mandarin sorbet and candied pumpkin seeds. Or cruise to the El Sur region for the Pirámide de Chocolate, a flourless criollo chocolate bizcocho with dulce de leche cream and wild prickly pear sauce. Ortega also serves a vegan chocolate cake with silk vegan chocolate frosting and macerated cherries.
If you’d rather skip dinner for dessert, tuck into Platanitos Flameados from El Golfo region. Mocambo Veracruz rum-flambéed lady finger bananas and cane sugar syrup are crowned with rompope créme fraiche. Optionally, its Crepas con Cajeta from Bajio stars caramel-filled crepes with dulce de leche ice cream, candied pecans, and mango. Nothing but real-deal ingredients here. “Authenticity and quality are our hallmarks,” says Ortega.
Other new desserts include a Mexican-style brioche bread pudding and a tequila-soaked baba cake (all desserts $10-$12). Of course, its famous full Sunday brunch buffet will be featured on Mother’s Day including an assortment of smaller desserts. The regular dinner menu will be available with the new desserts starting at 5pm. Feliz Dia de las Madres!
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