Three speakers. Dozens of cheeky slides. A bar full of rowdy nerds who love special interest deep dives. This is Nerd Nite DC.
Nerd Nite DC has been DC’s favorite irreverent lecture series since 2009. This month, we’re bringing you themes of love, sex, and compassion for the most unique part of your Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Pal-entine’s weekend!
Your host this month is Nerd Nite DC producer and legend, Rae Pendergrass, joined by our three wildly entertaining and wickedly smart speakers with three must-see talks (in no particular order):
“Pigeons: The outdated cellphone of the animal world” by Bethany Brookshire
Pigeons are not rats with wings. They are our unfairly maligned former besties who we are now dissing in the group chat for their mere existence. Find out how they got that way and why they deserve a lot more love.
“Bonobos, Babes, and the Matriarchal Ape Escape: How Sex and Sisterhood Keep the Peace” by Laura Darby
Bonobos make love, not war—literally. This talk explores how our matriarchal ape cousins use sex and sisterhood to keep the peace, challenge dominance, and offer a surprisingly fun alternative to human hierarchy.
“Love: An (Often Queer) History of a Four-Letter Word” by Diva Darling
Authentic, liberated love is one of the most powerful acts of resistance humans have had throughout history. Let’s take a journey through time to explore the tension between state-sanctioned intimate relationships and the ungovernable ways that people actually love. Learn how the “Loneliness Epidemic” can be traced back to antiquity, and how the liberation of love can help us fight back against those who profit off our loneliness.
Doors open at 6, show at 6:30. Talks are 15 minutes with a 5 minute Q&A, and during the breaks, you can play along in our “alternate talk titles” competition to try to win a free drink on us. It’s rowdy, interactive, and the most fun you’ll have learning something all month.
The show is on the second floor of DC9 and is mostly standing room with limited seating available on a first-come, first served basis.
Nerd Nite DC is produced by Rae Pendergrass, navi, and Diva Darling.
Join us for the last Nerd Nite of the Season! Get ready to nerd out one last time before we hibernate for winter! This November, we’re diving into topics that are sure to leaf you laughing. Get ready to dive into the wild world of failed military projects that missed the mark in the most entertaining ways possible! Learn how to reach for the stars (or just some pretty cool photos) without getting too uplifted! Discover how Communist beavers skated their way into the annals of Federal Theater history!
Come for the drinks, stay for the knowledge! Bring your fellow nerds and let’s make this a night to remember before we fall into the off-season! 🤓
The show is on Saturday, November 16th @ DC9. Doors at 6:00 pm; show at 6:30pm.
Buy November Nerd Nite Tickets November Talks:
Communist roller-skating beavers helped destroy the Federal Theater by Alan Katz
Why does the American theater suck? Some people are saying it was communist beavers who did the deed, but I say it’s politicians with bad fashion sense.
How to take photos of space in 670 easy steps – High-Altitude Ballooning by Jimmy Acevedo
Join us to learn about the little-known field of scientific ballooning, which uses lighter-than-air platforms to carry payloads to altitudes exceeding 100,000 feet. These “near-space” flights help study the atmosphere, test actual spaceflight hardware, and can even record the lingering echoes of the Big Bang.
Failed Defense Projects – The Craziest ways the US Military spent your tax dollars by Brandon Ingram
We get it: not all inventions are successes. Tonight we’ll discuss some of the wackiest ideas that the U.S. military tried, but ultimately failed, to put into practice.
Vaccinations and masks are not required to enter, but are highly encouraged. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our COVID protocols, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at
Who’s talking?
Failed Defense Projects – The Craziest ways the US Military spent your tax dollars by Brandon Ingram
We get it: not all inventions are successes. Tonight we’ll discuss some of the wackiest ideas that the U.S. military tried, but ultimately failed, to put into practice.
How to take photos of space in 670 easy steps – High-Altitude Ballooning by Jimmy Acevedo
Join us to learn about the little-known field of scientific ballooning, which uses lighter-than-air platforms to carry payloads to altitudes exceeding 100,000 feet. These “near-space” flights help study the atmosphere, test actual spaceflight hardware, and can even record the lingering echoes of the Big Bang.
Communist roller-skating beavers helped destroy the Federal Theater by Alan Katz
Why does the American theater suck? Some people are saying it was communist beavers who did the deed, but I say it’s politicians with bad fashion sense.
Calling all ghouls, ghosts, and geeky creatures of the night! Join us at DC9 on Saturday, October 19th for the Halloween edition of Nerd Nite! Prepare for a night of frightful fun as we delve into spine-chilling topics that will tickle your brain and raise your spirits!
Discover why Dewey Decimal might just give you chills! Set sail with us to discover how very queer the ocean is! And dive deep into the mysteries of menstrual magic—because periods can be a scream!
“Library Call Numbers : What Do They Mean and Why Do They Have So Many Problems?” Andrea Schuba
“LGBTs of the seas” Jai Tiarks
“Balancing Horror-mones: A stumbling guide to understanding periods and using them to take back power” Amanda Matheis and Tiffany Atkinson
