Nexus of Fandom: May 25th 2007

May 25th, 2007 will be a nexus, of sorts, for science fiction/fantasy fandom. The day is significant for several reasons:

• 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of Star Wars
• Opening night of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End"
• Towel Day, in honour of Douglas Adams.

In observance of the Star Wars release, Friday May 25 is the first full day at the Star Wars convention "Celebration IV" held in Las Angeles. The possibility of catching the the final instalment of the Pirate Trilogy in LA has not been overlooked by many fans planning on attending C4.

Set two weeks after his death, Towel Day is intended to be a wake in honour of the memory of Science Fiction author Douglas Adams, and his contribution to the geek canon with the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy. To mark Towel Day, one shows how much of a hoopy frood one is by proudly displaying a towel all day.

So if at the end of May you see someone in a feathered tricorne hat, polishing a lightsaber with a nice mauve towel, you will know the reason why.