not just a 'solo' exhibition

Must-see Star Wars exhibition of ultra-rare artifacts, costumes, and more lands at River Oaks luxury jewelry boutique

To rephrase a wildly popular line from the Star Wars trilogy: we've got a good feeling about this.

River Oaks luxury jeweler Franco Valobra — owner of the esteemed Valobra Master Jewelers — has unearthed a treasure trove of Star Wars memorabilia and artifacts that may have every bounty hunter in the galaxy setting coordinates to his chic boutique.

Just in time for May the Fourth Day (which is somehow isn't a federal holiday), Valobra is unveiling a vast collection of what he calls “museum quality,” never-seen-by-the-public, original props, costumes, and artifacts.

Star Wars diehards wont' have to travel to a galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars showcase of trilogy-era (1977 to 1983 pieces) will be on view at his elegant store ((2150 Westheimer Rd.) from May 10 to May 13.

For artisan, curator, tastemaker Valobra, the exhibition is as much artistic as it is feel-good for lifelong fans. “My personal connection and commitment is through the artistry of fine jewelry and the experience it gives others,” he tells CultureMap. “George Lucas and other industry geniuses revolutionized the artistry of film. Lucas especially through the creation of the original Star Wars trilogy starting in 1977.”

Darth Vader and Leia's bikini in the house

Valobra's collection boasts what he says is one of the world’s greatest — outside of Star Wars creator George Lucas’ own collection. Viewers and fans can expect original costumes and props of the main characters in the original trilogy.

That means what he calls the oldest, original, surviving Darth Vader costume and the Princess Leia’s metal bikini “slave costume” — which caused a galactic gasp when star Carrie Fisher donned it in 1983's Return of the Jedi. (Many a young fan grew immediately upon seeing the princess in that revealing getup forced on her by big blob Jabba the Hutt.)

More must-view memorabilia includes a Luke Skywalker X-Wing helmet (worn by the star Mark Hamill), among many other rare and one-of-a-kind pieces. The unforgettable Mos Eisley cantina from the 1977 Star Wars film comes alive thanks to original alien masks made for especially for the scene.

Would-be rebel pilots can check out a rare X-Wing model used in the first movie, while Imperial types can gaze upon extremely rare Storm Troopers’ uniforms, armors, and even weapons.

“Movies are experienced by viewing, as jewelry is experienced by wearing,” Valobra says of the connection with film craft and jewelry. “I personally have great passion and admiration for movies showcasing great art and brilliance, as I do for handcrafted, custom jewelry, as well and antique and heirloom jewelry which create an emotion. A comparison of the two is jewelry is a wearable masterpiece, as Star Wars is a viewable masterpiece.”

Speaking of masterpieces, Valobra's show will also feature a total must-see for diehard fans: extremely rare and never-before-seen documents and artwork Lucas crafted and used to illustrate and pitch his groundbreaking concepts to 20th Century Fox executives and other film studios.

The art of Star Wars

A household name for serious fans, noted illustrator Ralph McQuarrie gets his own exhibition with his first character drawings and mockups. Aficionados can also see Carrier Fisher's original personal script that reveals handwritten notes showcasing the development and final selection of the film’s most iconic dialogues.

Adding a bit of immersive fun to the show, the original C-3PO and R2-D2 droids will greet visitors (no word if R2 will serve drinks, as he did in Return of the Jedi) via actors and animatronics. Resist the urge to take off down Westheimer — as Luke Skywalker's original land speeder — used to promote the 1977 Star Wars film — will be parked outside.

Dazzling and dark lord diamonds

Fittingly for a master jeweler, Valobra will present the Skywalker Diamond, what Valobra calls “exceptionally rare and flawless,” and the Sith-worthy Darth Vader Black Diamond.

“Jewelry is art. Art is culture. Culture is movies,” Valobra reflects of why he's bringing the show to Houston. “My history, family, and legacy values the importance and the appreciation for our culture and how we experience it.”

Clearly, The Force is strong with this one.

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The Star Wars memorabilia showcase runs from Wednesday, May 10 through Saturday, May 13 at Valobra Master Jewelers (2150 Westheimer Rd.).

star wars c3PO concept art ralph mcquarrie

Photo courtesy of Valobra Master Jewelers

Legendary illustrator Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art — used to pitch to studios — will be on view.

Sister act

Meet Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush at special book-launch celebration in Houston

Bush sisters, Jenna Bush Hager, Barbara Bush

Photo courtesy of Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation

Their latest book, Love Comes First, will be released November 7.

American first sisters-turned-best-selling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush have a new children's book called Love Comes First in the works, and they're bringing it to Houston for a special event before it's released to the public.

On Sunday, November 5, the two will appear at a special event here at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (11612 Memorial Dr.)

Individual tickets to the event co-produced by Blue Willow Bookshop are $22 (find them here). Each ticket includes admission and a pre-signed copy of the Bush sisters' new picture book.

Importantly, there will not be a signing line at the church event.

Local fans of the Bush sisters and family may recall that the sisters were last in Houston as headliners of The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's annual A Celebration of Reading. A 28-year Bush family tradition, the event honors the beloved first lady's commitment to fostering childhood literacy and is hosted by Neil and Maria Bush, who co-founded the organization.

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush will also appear at an early-release celebration at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas on Saturday, November 4. The authors' book tour that also includes Texas stops in Midland, Lubbock, and Waco (November 2-4) before the Houston visit,.

Love Comes First(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $19.99) officially goes on sale November 7.

Its description reads: "As two sisters watch their friends’ families grow, they wish on a star for a sibling of their own… and a younger brother and a baby cousin arrive! The new family members aren’t exactly what the sisters expected, but with time and patience, the group soon becomes fabulously four – and lets their imaginations soar! Together they can be anything, and no matter what, they will always remember that love comes first."

The book is inspired by Jenna and Barbara’s own families, the publisher says, and is a companion to their No. 1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First, "a tender story about the way our hearts can always make room for more."

It features illustrations by Ramona Kaulitzki, who also illustrated Sisters First.

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, the twin daughters of President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, grew up in Dallas, where their parents now call home. The two were frequently seen visiting their grandparents at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, where Former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush called home.

Jenna is a host of NBC’s TODAYwith Hoda & Jenna and the founder of "TODAY’s Read with Jenna" book club. Barbara is cofounder of Global Health Corps, an organization that works to solve some of the world’s biggest global health challenges.

The women appear regularly as guest speakers at fundraising events, but public events together are rare.

In an Instagram post, Jenna expressed excitement about going on a book tour with her "sissy" this fall.

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A post shared by Jenna Bush Hager (@jennabhager)

They'll also hit towns in New York, Mississippi, and Birmingham, and will wrap up in a place with special meaning to the Bush family — Kennebunk, Maine.

Bush sisters SMU book tour books celebrities