Rex Manning Day at 20: The Holiday and the People Who Celebrate It
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| "Mark" by Tim Beard |
It was 20 years ago today, that Rex Manning got his Day. April 8th, 1995 was the day portrayed in the movie Empire Records as the first Rex Manning Day. How do we know this? It's right there in the movie! While most of you probably knew that, it was very interesting to see so many people on social media today asking, "what is #RexManningDay?" Even more interesting though, were the new and clever ways the Rex Manning faithful have upped their game to celebrate the day where we mustn't despair!
While the plan was to publish my traditional post about "today, today" this morning, the groundswell of Rex Manning Day celebrations distracted me, in a very good way. The result was this piece, which couldn't have been done were it not for the interactions I had with Rex Manning Day fans on Twitter.
Starting before 5:30AM in the West, the Twitter alerts on my mobile started going off. Repeatedly. Each and every one of them were Rex Manning Day related. In my bleary eyed state I thought; this will be the year Rex Manning Day trends. And I was right. While the past couple years have each felt more and more like the day is becoming a thing, today really solidifies it.
BBQ Films, an event production company that "creates immersive cinematic experiences" in the real world, sold out three nights of an event featuring a "real" Empire Records, complete with a screening of the movie, live bands and a head shaving booth for Debra's funeral. Then there was the article from Time Magazine, which linked back to the Rex Manning Day countdown clock (Thank you for that!) But to me, the real excitement came from the unique ways which hardcore fans of Empire Records and Rex Manning Day express their fandom.
Twitter-friend @tbeardart created that awesome image of Mark up there. Then there was this amazing creation from Twitter user, Betty Turbo.
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| Photo credit: Agnes Barton-Sabo |
Yes, that is a Rex Manning pizza. Yes, Betty made it, and ate it. (Now I want pizza. Hold the purple sauerkraut, please.) Betty runs an etsy shop, where she has Empire Records-inspired items, along with other pop-culture iconography available. But things get even more intense when you consider the level this next pair of ladies have taken their fandom.
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| Photo credit: Jillian Dawson |
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| Photo credit: Meghan Buckman |
Yes, those are tattoos featuring Lucas' very Zen quote from Empire Records. I've known many people who like to emblazon their dedication to something via body art, but these are the first Rex Manning Day celebrants I've come across that have taken their fandom to the next level.
Also worth mentioning, this year we learned that there really is a Music Town! ("Welcome to Music Town, may I service you?" - Gina). Fortunately, it does appear that Music Town of Klein, Texas allows dancing. Music Town has been in business since 1979! As an ardent supporter of record stores, may I suggest if you find yourself in the greater Houston area to check them out!
Since beginning my efforts to build awareness and boost recognition of Rex Manning Day to a wider audience as a fun way to celebrate a day (any day, really!) it has become clear with each passing April 8th, that more and more people truly are getting into the spirit. Whether its wearing purple shirts, baking brownies or inking one's self with screenwriter Carol Heikkinen's words in Times New Roman, Rex Manning Day is a holiday that is here to stay. Better reset the clock!
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