Category: Gala Fundraiser

Rancho Obi-Wan Fundraising Gala

Rancho Obi-Wan’s first huge party was in November, 2011. It was our “Grand-Reopening” after having been under construction for 18 months. We then had a large Gala fundraiser every year from 2013-2018. We’d like to share memories of past events and news of forthcoming ones!

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Thanks to all for your support in Seattle!

Rancho Obi-Wan would like to thank the following folks for their help with and support of our recent fundraiser at The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. It takes so many people to produce an event like this, we hope we haven’t forgotten anyone! The event raised $49,369.06, and when doubled by a generous match from Lisa Stevens & Vic Wertz, the total became $98,738.12! Funds raised are used for insurance, utilities, wildland fire defensible space, professional services, maintenance on the buildings, and protection and preservation of the collection.

This allows us to continue to use the collection to inspire–thank you for joining us in our mission! Your generosity makes it all possible.

Thank you to all our Attendees and Absentee Bidders–we love visiting with you!

Rancho Obi-Wan Board Members
Steve Sansweet
Anne Neumann
Gus Lopez
Duncan Jenkins
Rich Smolen
Michael Wistock
Dan Norgan
Pete Vilmur
Lisa Stevens

The Saga Museum Leadership Team
Steve Sansweet
Anne Neumann
Gus Lopez
Duncan Jenkins
Rich Smolen
Michael Wistock
Lisa Stevens
Vic Wertz

Host
Mark Daniel

Key Art Design
Curt Hanks

emroosh Productions
Mark Rusciano

 

 

 
Sponsors
Creative Fundraising Advisors
Hallmark
Joel & Debra Luker
Propstore
Skywalker Vineyards
Tony Clemens & Silvia Clemens

Patrons
Alex Cohn
Chad Giacomozzi
Daniel Uthman
Gail DeGiulio
George Lai
Kendall Gelner
Chickaphant
Nilmini Klur
Peter Arcuri
Warzers
William Magalio
Anonymous Donors

Guitar Exhibit
Gus Lopez
Steve Sansweet
Lisa Stevens
Vic Wertz
Jim Gibbons

Auction Donors
Amy Sjoberg
Brad Cook for ColinCantwell.com
Britt Lightning
Charmaine Cuddie
Curt Hanks
Duncan Jenkins
Funko
Gus Lopez
Hallmark
Jerry VanderStelt
JM Cellars
Jim Gibbons
Jody Plank
Lisa Stevens
Mark Raats
Michael O’Shields
Po Zu
Propstore
Russell Walks
San Francisco Giants Baseball Club
Spencer Brinkerhoff III
Stan Stice for Ralph McQuarrie Archives
Steve Sansweet
Surrell Restaurant
The Herbfarm Restaurant
Toby Todd
Tom Johnson for Skywalker Vineyards
Tom Spina Designs
Vic Wertz
Walt Crowley


Volunteers
Beto Lopez
Joseph Pedersen
Sarah Silverman-Pucci
Kevin Lam
Luke Yates
Paul Hoeffer
David Pucci
Mercedes Santaella-Lam
Tony Damata
Amy Sjoberg
Jim Gibbons
Mark Rusciano
Susan Rogers
Thomas Stewart
Michal Stewart
Curt Hanks
Anne Jenkins
Red Dodge Wistock
Lorena Gies
Devonna Dickey
Kim Buckley
Laura Roberts
Daniel Roberts
Jenny Morales
Tony Clemens
Silvia Clemens
Dwayne Smith
David Buckley
Yannik Morales
Aileen Sweeney


Friday Collection Tour Hosts
Gus Lopez & Pam Green
Lisa Stevens & Vic Wertz

Wine Tasting & Charcuterie
Earl Bergquist
Anne Neumann
Lorena Gies
Michal Stewart
Duncan Jenkins
Anne Jenkins
Jim Gibbons

Skywalker Ranch wine donated by Scott Magerfleisch
in loving memory of Melissa Magerfleisch

Drivers
Tom Stewart
Jim Gibbons

Publicity
Consetta Parker
David Perry & Assoc.

Creative Fundraising Advisors
Joanne Curry
Nico Gervasoni
Paul Johnson

Cinema Relics
The Saga Museum video
Dan Lanigan
Jason Henry
Jason Baffa
Carson Oyler

MoPOP Staff
Elisabeth Fleming-Prot
Ed Maloney
Mae Salizon
Stephanie Lansbery
Jacob McMurray
Briana Van Over

The Big Drive
Anne Neumann
Lorena Gies
Susan Rogers
Anastasia Lipske
Dwayne Smith

Emotional Support Humans
Tracy Kelly
Victoria Webb
Joanie Neumann
Pam Green
Bob Canning
Anne Jenkins
Red Wistock
Temple Smolen
Garet Jones

Photo Booth
Coachella Party

The Ballad of Rancho Obi-Wan
a parody of “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle”
in loving memory of Stewart Levy & Jerry Treiber

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Take a look at a few of the galactic Star Wars auction items for the Rancho Obi-Wan fundraiser Oct. 5th!

Take a look at a few of the galactic Star Wars auction items for the Rancho Obi-Wan fundraiser Oct. 5th in Seattle at The Museum of Pop Culture.  Can’t attend the fundraiser, but want to be able to bid and support Rancho Obi-Wan? We’re excited to now offer absentee bidder privileges for event auction items with ANY Patronage donation!

Live and silent auction items added daily including a custom Star Wars guitar, art pieces, rare memorabilia, vintage collectibles, props and prototypes!

 

 

 

All funds/donations go toward maintaining and preserving the thousands of items in the museum and history of Star Wars. (Insurance, building upkeep etc)- We want to make sure that future generations can enjoy the collection and be inspired as so many have since 1977. Thank you for your support!

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Fundraiser at Seattle’s MoPOP Set to Be a Galactic Event!

Rancho Obi-Wan’s Saturday October 5 Fundraiser at Seattle’s MoPOP
Set to Be a Galactic Event for Star Wars Fans

World’s Largest Collection of Star Wars Memorabilia
Set to Make Major Announcement at Event
Featuring Auction of Rare and Sought After Items

Acclaimed Comic, Influencer and “Super Fan” Mark Daniel to Emcee

12 September 2024 – San Francisco / Seattle: “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…..” Actually, not far away, and coming up on Saturday, October 5, fans of the Star Wars universe are gearing up for an out-of-this-world experience as the acclaimed nonprofit Rancho Obi-Wan home to the world’s largest Star Wars memorabilia collection as confirmed by Guinness World Records, hosts a special fundraiser at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). This rare one-night-only event includes food, drink, an exhibit of “Star Wars Inspired Guitars” and of course, opportunities to buy and bid at auction on rare Star Wars collectibles.  Special guest emcee for the evening is noted Star Wars Super Fan and online influencer Mark Daniel.  At the end of the evening, Rancho Obi-Wan will be making a major announcement about the future of the collection.

“The Force is strong with this event, and strong with our legions of fans from the light and dark side who support our mission,” said Steve Sansweet, who founded the nonprofit Rancho Obi-Wan in 2011. “Our mission is to inspire people by showcasing the collection and promoting a warm, joyous, inclusive environment for a fun, authentic fan experience, Rancho Obi-Wan presents collectibles and works of art, including fan-made pieces, to inspire others to be imaginative, creative, seek information and learn new crafts.”

The highly anticipated October 5 event at MoPOP marks a significant milestone—the first fundraiser held outside the museum’s Petaluma, California base.  Located just north of San Francisco, thousands of people have experienced the collection, which now comprises a fan base from 59 countries.

“Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture is the perfect spot for this event,” Sansweet continued. “Their collection which includes significant sci-fi elements is sure to delight our attendees. Plus, where else can you take a monorail to a party.”

The evening promises to be a true celebration of Star Wars fandom, with a variety of immersive experiences planned. Attendees will be treated to passed appetizers, a grazing bar, and a dessert bar, all while mingling among iconic Star Wars props and costumes in MoPOP’s extensive galleries. The event will also feature a special exhibit from Rancho Obi-Wan, showcasing Star Wars-themed guitars that are sure to strike a chord with fans of all ages.

“Rancho Obi-Wan is more than just a collection: It’s a celebration of the creativity and passion that Star Wars has inspired in millions of fans worldwide,” said special guest emcee Daniel, the energetic and beloved host of Star Wars Celebration events. “I’m thrilled to be part of an event that brings this incredible community together.”

The evening’s program includes both a live and silent auction, offering attendees the chance to take home rare and unique Star Wars collectibles. Sansweet emphasized the importance of this event in preserving the museum’s vast collection.

“Rancho Obi-Wan is a testament to the enduring legacy of Star Wars, and this fundraiser is crucial in helping us continue to share that legacy with fans for generations to come,” he said.  “This collection is, truly, a global treasure of galactic proportions.

Among the items being auctioned off are special “Rancho Obi-Wan Star Wars Experiences” such as: exclusive tours of private Star Wars collections, including those belonging to Rancho Obi-Wan’s Vice President, Gus Lopez, as well as longtime Star Wars collectors
Rancho Obi-Wan board member, Lisa Stevens, and Vic Wertz. These tours, paired with a Skywalker Vineyards wine tasting, offer a rare glimpse into the personal treasures of some of the most dedicated Star Wars collectors in the world. Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) known for its dedication to pop culture, provides the perfect venue for this galactic gathering.

“Our museum is dedicated to providing immersive experiences that inspire and connect diverse communities, which made hosting Rancho Obi-Wan’s fundraiser at MoPOP a natural fit,” said Jacob McMurray, MoPOP Chief Collections + Exhibitions Officer.  “We’re honored to partner with Rancho Obi-Wan on an evening showcasing the beloved Star Wars franchise and to raise money for an important cause.”

As guests explore the galleries and participate in the evening’s events, they will also have the opportunity to take photos with costumed Star Wars characters, ensuring that every moment of the evening is filled with memories to last a lifetime.

Tickets for the fundraiser are priced at $350, with a special rate of $300 for Rancho Obi-Wan members. For those looking to enhance their experience, add-on tickets for the exclusive collection tours are available for $550. All proceeds from the event will support Rancho Obi-Wan’s mission to preserve and share the world’s most comprehensive Star Wars collection. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit  https://ranchoobiwan.org/fundraiser2024/

media contact:   
DP&A, Inc: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

 

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A Message From Steve Sansweet About Change in Gala Plans for 2022

A Message from Steve Sansweet

Stuff does indeed happen. Despite our best intentions and plans, we have made the painful decision to cancel the Rancho Obi-Wan in-person 2022 Gala, which we had previously announced would be Aug. 20. Frankly, Star Wars Celebration sapped our energy, resources, and ability to arrange things in a timely or quality fashion.

But the good news is that we’re working to have something new and exciting online for mid-August. With the positive feedback from our joint four-collection display at Celebration, we’ve decided to provide an online look not only at usually hidden treasures of Rancho Obi-Wan, but also a virtual look at the collections of super collectors Gus Lopez, Duncan Jenkins, and Lisa Stevens & Vic Wertz.

We’ll be sending more detailed information closer to the date about how you can view the Rancho Obi-Wan Facebook Live presentation of Star Wars collectors’ heaven. It will be our gift to you, and we hope you’ll join us that day for the fun and information.

Steve Sansweet is owner and Executive Chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, former Head of Fan Relations at Lucasfilm and contributor to StarWars.com, and previously the longest-running Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal in Los Angeles.
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Watch Time Lapse Video of Rare Star Wars Billboard Sheets Put Together!

1977 Star Wars Billboard

We took a deep dive into the loft area during our Rancho Obi-Wan Virtual Fundraiser Gala in 2021, and discovered rare Star Wars Billboard sheets from 1977!
There were 24 sheets with the date of 11/18/77 and we handled each with great care.

Watch the time lapse video of our team putting together this beautiful piece of Star Wars history!

Continue reading “Watch Time Lapse Video of Rare Star Wars Billboard Sheets Put Together!”

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Virtual Gala October 23, 2021, 1-4pm Pacific Time

Join us here on the Virtual Museum to celebrate our 10th anniversary! Make sure you have a current subscription to the Virtual Museum in order to view the video stream.

  • If you joined us last year for the Virtual Gala you already have an account here, but you may need to add a Virtual Museum subscription. You can do that by first logging in to your account and then add a Virtual Museum subscription. Reset your password if needed to get in to your account.
  • If you have had a Virtual Museum subscription in the past and it is on pause or has been cancelled you can reinstate the Virtual Museum subscription from your account page.
  • If you did not join us for last year’s Virtual Gala and you do not have a Virtual Museum subscription, please sign up for a new account. You can pause or cancel anytime.

This year we’re going to spend a lot of time inside the museum showing you some of our favorite things. We’ll also show some typical behind-the-scenes projects.

Have a question? This week, please Tweet @RanchoObiWan your question using #askROW for a chance to have your question answered by the Rancho Obi-Wan team.

And let’s do a “reverse” scavenger hunt! Can Steve find it? This week, please Tweet @RanchoObiWan an item you would like Steve to find in the museum using #ScoutingWithSteve

There will be no auction this year, but we will have some merchandise available via CustomInk through November 1st.

Finally, this is a fundraiser and we really appreciate your help.
There are many ways to support us:

We’re super excited to share the museum with you. See you soon!

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So much news!

Save the date, hints, exhibits and deep dive tours.

Thank you!

On behalf of everyone at Rancho Obi-Wan, THANK YOU for coming to see us at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. It was great to see so many friends and make new ones. Your support there was integral to our continued operation. If you didn’t get to Chicago, we hope to see you at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, August 27-30, 2020 where our exhibit will take you back 40 years to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Continue reading “So much news!”
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Rancho Obi-Wan Gala Huge Success


With a record 205 attendees, Rancho Obi-Wan’s fundraising gala, celebrating 40 years of Star Wars collecting, was a huge success.

Rancho wants to thank all the attendees, volunteers, and absentee bidders who made the Gala an exciting event. In addition, we want to thank our gala sponsors including Entertainment Earth, Pop Minded by Hallmark, Sphero, Funko, Topps, Cartamundi and Kotobukiya. Kudos to donors who contributed everything from original art and prints for the silent and live auctions. Rousing entertainment was provided by DJ Elliot Hansen and MC Mark Daniel.

 

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