Date: Saturday, August 17th Time: Doors at 6, show at 6:30 Where: DC9 Nightclub
“Sharks, lies, and videotape: dispatches from shark week’s biggest critic”by David Shiffman Talk Description: Nerd Nite veteran and shark conservation scientist Dr. David Shiffman breaks down why the Discovery Channel’s long-running documentary series Shark Week is a dumpster fire. Bio: Dr. David Shiffman is a marine conservation biologist who studies sharks and how to protect them. His writings have appeared in National Geographic, the Washington post, scientific American, and a monthly column with scuba diving magazine, and he is the author of “why sharks matter.” He’s given invited professional lectures on all seven continents, and invites you to follow him on social media @ whysharksmatter where he’s always happy to answer any questions anyone has about sharks.
“Let’s Make a Game! or Why Some Games Suck”by Sarah Clancy Talk Description: We all know what it’s like to be let down by an anticipated piece of media. Follow Sarah as she guides the audience down the winding path of why some video games fall short of expectations. Bio: Based out of Milwaukee, Sarah Clancy is a comedian, reader, and ne’er-do-well who is frequently held hostage by cats.
“That Time We Discovered The Proof for a Major Open Question in Mathematics in a 4chan Post About Anime from 2011”by Quill Nebeker Talk Description: What do three Computer Scientists with a combined 13,901 citations, two Von Neumann Prizes, and a literal asteroid named for one of them all have in common? None of them found the proof for a math problem they wrote 40 years ago. That was 4chan. Bio: Quill Nebeker used to produce theatricals in DC with The Arcanists like The Tarot Reading, The Internet: LIVE!! (with Rae Pendergrass) and SHRINES. Now, she’s at NC State studying mathematics. She just concluded a research program with Dr. Fulton Gonzalez at Tufts, studying waves on discrete graph structures. (They actually got something! Ask her about it if you’re into mathematical physics!) Otherwise can still see her whenever she gets roped into just one last job again, either by these nerds or by the classically-minded reprobates at Shakespeare in the Pub.
Date: Saturday, July 20th Time: Doors at 6, show at 6:30 Where: DC9 Nightclub
Get ready to dive into a world where glitter and geopolitical drama collide on stage, interstellar captains are secretly criminal masterminds of the cosmos, and a cryptic, fabulous maritime language sails back into the spotlight.
July Talks:
“Eurovision: United by Music, Glitter, Fire, and Geopolitical Machinations” by Kate Debelack Talk Description: Sure, you know that ABBA came from Eurovision. But what the hell IS Eurovision? This Eurovision 101 talk covers the beginnings, the rules, and some of the most glorious, cheesy, and gloriously cheesy entries of the last 68 years. Bio: Kate Debelack is a DC based theater artist and educator, and host of DC9’s annual Eurovision Watch Party. She loves a Eurovision competitor who knows who they are and commits to the bit.
“Captain Kirk: Intergalactic Wildlife Criminal” by Chris Parsons Talk Description: The illegal trade of wildlife is one of the major issues in wildlife conservation. This talk highlights the case of one Captain James Tiberius Kirk, intertemporal whale smuggler. Bio: Professor, scientist, podcaster, pirate, bunny-hugger, writer, sculptor, underwear model & dolphin savior. Slytherin. Smells like the sea with just a whiff of adventure.
“Polari: the lost secret sea language of the gays” by Caroline Carter Talk Description: Did you know there was a secret gay language spoken until the mid 20th century at sea? There is a rich, hidden history of queer folks on ships from the age of sail on, and a legacy of LGBTQ+ sailors that lives in today. Bio: Caroline is an actor, presenter, a sailor, and a semi-reluctant historian. With a degree in biology, you can now find her on Tall Ship Providence in Alexandria, VA in silly costumes teaching folks about history. She’s also a part of local sketch comedy group Grace and the Gang, so she’s putting that degree to good use.
Date: Saturday, June 15th Time: Doors at 6, show at 6:30 Where: DC9 Nightclub
This time around, we’re diving into the world of fungi, challenging WebMD’s doom-and-gloom diagnoses, and discovering why some worms are more hardcore than a heavy metal concert. Yes, you heard right: we’ve got fungi that could make your bread look suspicious, worms that would make a headbanger proud, and WebMD’s uncanny ability to convince you that a common cold is actually the plague. Because who doesn’t want to laugh while learning about their imminent doom??
So, join us, fellow nerdlings, for an evening of laughter and enlightenment, where you’ll find out just how many ways you might not die from fungi and worms (despite what WebMD says). Trust us, it’s going to be a wild, educational ride!
June Talks: “A Fungus Among Us” by Drew Drozynski Description: A whirlwind tour through the magical kingdom of fungi touching on its role in the environment, its impact on our daily lives, and how to not die if you try foraging for them yourself. Plus we’ll answer the age-old question, “Could The Last of Us really happen?”
“A Way with Worms: how are polychaete worms so small yet so heavy metal at the same time” by Kody Muhic Description: The aliens are below us. Here we dive to the bottom of the sea to examine some of the elongated, boneless weirdos who live there, from the aptly named bone-eating snot-flower worm, to the scifi horror creature that is the Bobbit worm. (Key words: death-jawed, sexually ambiguous, exceptionally phallic, death orgy, sci-fi nightmare fuel).
“Everything Hurts and I’m Dying: WebMD vs an actual pathologist in a game of Worst Case Scenarios” by Kali Holder and Rae Pendergrass Description: You know when you have some random mild symptom, search the internet to find out what it might be, and immediately regret it because you apparently have cancer, molybdenum toxicity, and/or network connectivity issues? That was a bad idea. This is a worse idea. This is what happens when a comedian asks a pathologist, “How bad could it be?”
