'Mandalorian' actor Katee Sackhoff headlines Sioux Falls cancer benefit in July

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Fans of "The Mandalorian" have the opportunity next summer to meet Katee Sackhoff, the actor who portrays Bo-Katan.

Sackhoff will headline the Voices Against Cancer Initiative event on July 15, 2023, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

This will be the second edition of the event, which features actors and voice talent from science fiction and superhero genres. It’s similar to other comic conventions, with autographs, photo opportunities and musical performances, except all the proceeds are donated to charities related to childhood cancer.

The first edition attracted more than 2,000 attendees at the Washington Pavilion and donated $32,000 to The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Ian’s Thumbs Up FUNd.

“Having Katee with us to help us further Voices Against Cancer’s mission to raise funds for childhood cancer research and raise awareness for the fight against childhood cancer will be extremely meaningful,” said Dr. Lou George, the group’s founder and president.

St. Baldrick’s provides funding for childhood cancer research around the country. Ian’s Thumbs Up FUNd provides financial assistance to families at Avera’s Children’s hospital.

Sackhoff is just the first of several celebrity guests to be announced.

"The Mandalorian" was a hit spin-off of the Star Wars franchise created by producer and actor Jon Favreau for the Disney+ streaming service.

The Bo-Katan character is a Mandalorian, a cultural group bound by a common creed and code with links to the planet Mandalore. In Star Wars mythology, they are legendary as fierce warriors and mercenaries. Bo-Katan is a member of a terrorist faction which wants to restore the ancient warrior ways of Mandalore.

Sackhoff also was the voice of the same character in the animated series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels."

She is also well known in science fiction circles for portraying Kara "Starbuck" Thrace in "Battlestar Galactica." Sackhoff has a long list of television and movie appearances, including "Longmire," "Another Life" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Tickets are on sale on the Voices Against Cancer website at voicesagainstcancer.org.