On the 2-year anniversary of the first Nerd Nite in Orlando, I hosted a special event at the Church Street Exchange building to celebrate this momentous occasion.
The day featured 6 presentations, Pi Day trivia, a dry t-shirt contest, interactive game setups by IndieNomicon and Cherry Pie Games, a Pie Baking Contest judged by Bungalower, and prizes by our sponsor, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Thank you to the speakers (Chris Castro, Amy & Nathan Selikoff, Bobby Wesley, Max Jackson, Beth Phillips, and Nick Paul) who delivered incredibly nerdy talks; and congratulations to Barbara Madvin, Lisa Melegari, and Kristine Thomas for winning our Pie Contest.
I’d also like to thank representatives from IDEAS For Us, Fleet Farming, and The Hive for joining us to share how they are helping to advance Orlando; and Thomas “Thor” Thorspecken and Amanda Wegmann who donated original art as items for the silent auction.
Lastly, a special thank you to the Church Street District for giving us a warm welcome to the #DTO neighborhood and offering all the #PiDay attendees $10 off the door entry for the Downtown Brew.
Join us on April 9th as we return to the second Thursday of every month at a new location… The Geek Easy!
Join us for our 26th consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando at the Geek Easy!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 15-20 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
EVENT IS FREE!
EVENT INFO:
Thursday, April 9th
Talks: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Location: The Geek Easy (behind A Comic Shop)
114 S Semoran Blvd Suite 6, Winter Park, Florida 32792
PRESENTATIONS:
FIRST TALK: “Who Are We Anyway?: Using MMORPG’s As A Lens for Understanding Our Reality.” by Daniel Kaufmann
Talk Description:
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are one of the quickest growing forms of entertainment since the turn-of-the-century. Much of the media and countless healthcare professionals have spent years trying to understand the exact way in which a player becomes immersed in these interactive virtual worlds which range from Azeroth, Middle Earth, a galaxy far far away, and many, many more. Certain concepts in the field of psychology have been used to reach a better understanding of the person, all the way from understanding the nuance of in game roles, virtual communities, and even ways we project ourselves into the game when we create avatars. This talk will provide the audience with insight into how the positive experience of the game can result in greater understanding of concepts such as personality theory, motivation to play, and the context of what happens when we play games in an online capacity.
Speaker Bio: Daniel Kaufmann is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida, and is pursuing his PhD at Barry University. He is currently preparing to conduct his dissertation research on the topic of personality theory and motivational connections involved in the play of MMO games, and really hopes to finish before Episode VII comes out.
SECOND TALK: “Next Gen Interactive Theater: Merging Video Games, Architecture, and Theater” by Sarah Elger
Talk Description: What’s next in interactive theater and video games? Why is interactive theater important? What would happen if we took the idea of gaming into reality and challenged the players in a more real world situation? Sarah is creating an experience which will take interactive theater to the next level that will Beta test with Orlando Fringe in May. She’s created this type of experience by studying architecture, especially the works of Archigram, video games, namely the game play of World of Warcraft, and endless theatrical elements. How do you design a real world experience that empowers players to push themselves and engage in the designed world around them?
Speaker Bio: Sarah is an Associate Attraction Designer with Universal Creative with a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and BA in Sculpture from Bard College. She has always been interested in pushing the arts into a new realm, into something innovative and inspiring. After working on numerous plays, seeing how architecture can influence a user, and playing endless World of Warcraft, Sarah wanted to create an experience that pushed people to think and take the audience out of their seats and into the action of a production. She wants the audience to feel like they are the stars of their own play and get to make decisions that affect their play.
THIRD TALK: “How Not To Die On This Fucking Rock: Using Ecologically Inspired Sustainable Systems To Allow Extraterrestrial Human Habitation.” by Griffin Lunn
Talk Description: Being a single planet species is for chumps. However, Space is a cruel bitch and Mars WILL CUT YOU. Our local regenerable life support systems expert Griffin Lunn will break down the strategies on how to live outside our comfy little biosphere and in HOSTILE TERRITORY. With biomimicry hybrid physical/chemical life support systems and In-Situ Reutilization techniques we should be able to tame these inhospitable shitholes. And once we do hopefully we won’t trash it like we did with our last place (the Earth and/or your first apartment; pick whatever one makes the most sense).
Speaker Bio: Griffin is a Sustainable Systems Engineer at Kennedy Space Center, working on the Engineering Services Contract. He currently works on thermofluid analysis for ground support systems on the Space Launch System, but also maintains a sustainable systems lab that works primarily on bioreactor design/operation and nutrient recovery for closed-loop Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). Somehow Florida Tech awarded him a couple degrees in chemical engineering and Biotechnology. Griffin enjoys (when outside government property when they somehow let him leave/escape) beverage formulation and waking up in strange new places, and usually in that order.
Nerd Nite Orlando’s 2-Year Anniversary Pi Day Celebration Presented by Canvs & Nerd Nite Orlando
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for up to 20 minutes, each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a 5-10 minute Q&A with the audience.
To coincide with Pi Day and the 2-year anniversary of the very first Nerd Nite in Orlando, we will be co-hosting a special event with Canvs on Saturday, March 14th at the Church Street Exchange. The afternoon/evening will compile a diverse group of classic nerd nite talks along with new presentations and additional programming that includes trivia, a drunk science nerd-off, and a dry t-shirt contest; along with music, games, pies, a magic show and of course drinks!
EVENT INFO:
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2015
Time: 3pm – 9pm
Location: Church Street Exchange, 101 South Garland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Tickets: $10 (Presale) $15 (Door)
If you would like to participate in the Pie Baking Contest, bring in your homemade pies to the event, we’ll collect them and at the end of the night, we will have our judges pick the best and the winner will be given a prize.
All Pi Day attendees get $10 off the door entry for the Downtown Brewfest, hosted by the Church Street District and Real Radio 104.1 (Brewfest is a craft beer sampling event that will be happening next door on Church Street from 4-8pm.)
SPEAKERS:
Chris Castro 3:15-3:45
Amy & Nathan Selikoff 3:55-4:25
Bobby Wesley 4:35-5:05
Max Jackson 5:45-6:15
Beth Philips 6:25-6:55
Nick Paul 7:05-7:35
PROGRAMMING:
● Nerd Nite talks
● Trivia
● Console games
● Dry T-Shirt Contest
● Drunk Science/Nerd Off
● Nerdcore Music
● Pie Baking Contest (sponsored by Bungalower)
PRESENTATION INFO: “The Clean Energy Revolution: How Citizens are Re-energizing our Future” by Chris Castro
Talk Description: The clean energy economy is one of the most exciting industries for new economic development and job creation opportunities, not to mention its potential to help save the planet from the greatest challenge facing humanity. Leaders in Central Florida are working on ways to drive efficiency, and re-energize our future by working on ways to unlock the clean energy economy through community engagement and creative new policies that could change the game for energy in the Sunshine State and beyond.
Bio: Chris is an emerging social eco-preneur, community organizer, public speaker, Global Shaper, and practitioner in the sustainability movement with a passion for accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy. Chris currently is the Sustainability Program Manager and Senior Energy Adviser for the City of Orlando. He holds a B.S. degree in ‘Environmental Studies’ and ‘Energy & Sustainability’ from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Through his years as an undergrad, he co-founded IDEAS For Us, an international 501c3 nonprofit and UN-accredited NGO, building a movement of people around the World working to advance environmental solutions and sustainability. In 2012, Chris also partnered with professionals to create a clean energy consulting firm – Citizen Energy – that is implementing energy efficiency + renewable energy solutions in commercial buildings in Washington DC.
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“Digital Mapmaking: You Are Here” by Nathan & Amy Selikoff
Talk Description: Why does Google Maps use the Mercator projection? Does it matter? Maps have power, and are a fascinating intersection of data visualization, mathematics, design, geopolitics, and history. The data and tools we now have at our fingertips (for free!) allow us all to get our feet wet in cartography. We can create maps that tell stories, explore our place in the world, or help us see our city differently. Join Nathan and Amy as they explore digital mapmaking in the 21st century.
Bio: Nathan Selikoff is an artist and programmer inspired by systems, science, nature and music. Selikoff fuses these interests into interactive artistic installations and unique objects that provoke community engagement and inspire new ways of thinking about the world we live in.
Amy Selikoff has taught 7th grade social studies for the past 10 years in Orange County. She loves her job. A lifelong geography nerd, Amy majored in history and journalism at the University of Florida. Amy has been married to her wonderful husband Nathan for 8 years. They love traveling the world, playing music, and pursuing justice together.
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“Bowties are cool: Geek Chic, Identity and a Thin Strip of Cloth” by Bobby Wesley
Talk Description: Bowties are popular. Well, kinda. And right now so are “geek chic” and nerd culture. But what we wear has a history; it says something about who we are or want to be. Through the knot of bow ties, we’ll tie together the history and roles of fashion, identity formation, popular culture, hipsters, nerds and Dr. Who. Also puns and jokes. Can you tie a bow tie? Are clip-ons ever acceptable? Will the Eleventh Doctor be in attendance?! All this will be answered and more!
Bio: Bobby Wesley is a marketing guy, writer, recovering politico and often tells jokes at bars. He’s also pretty dapper. He has taught every one of his adult male friends (and quite a few ladies) how to tie bow ties. He likes nice suits and hipster shit. Despite his best efforts, you may know him as “the bow tie guy.” Which is fine.
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“Programming on the Mind” by Max Jackson
Talk Description: For those of us in the West, digital technology has become an effortless part of our day-to-day existence. Actions such as sending an email or watching Netflix occur to us naturally, without challenge and without really catching our attention (unless something goes wrong). In addition to being effortless, digital technology is also uniquely and excitingly *rewarding* of our efforts – putting attention and time into learning how it works produces extraordinary benefits for the individual who does so. This talk will explore the ways in which programming makes a difference in the lives of everyday people and the ways it will continue to do so in the future, and in doing so will show that the brain-machine interfacing revolution is already well underway.
Bio: Max Jackson is a graduate student in Bioinformatics at the University of Central Florida. He helps to develop ‘Brains-on-a-chip’, focusing on analyzing their neurotransmission on both the network and the nano level. Through the Orlando Hackerspace FamiLAB he works with OpenBCI, an open-source Brain-Computer Interface group out of New York City.
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“A Professional Liar: Fake Magic is Real Art” by Nick Paul
Talk Description: Magician Nick Paul has been lying to people for over 13 years. He has a fascination with honest deception and why magic works. His brand of “fake magic” is intended to entertain and confuse. Nick will explain why magicians who claim to have magical powers are creepy, and why magic is an art form no different from stand up comedy or music.
Bio: Nick Paul has been performing professionally for over a decade. He has been seen internationally and performs for colleges, theaters and fortune 500 companies all over the US. He is a graduate of the theater department at Columbia College Chicago, as well as the Second City Conservatory. In 2006 he was given the award for “Best Magician….in His Family”.
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“Robot Intimacy: The Inevitable Leap to Love and Sex with Robots” by Beth Phillips
Talk Description: Robots are undergoing a transformation in society, from fulfilling roles as dissociative tools to roles as our partners and collaborators. Drawing on what we know about the current direction of robotic design as well as human attachment, it’s easy to predict that one day we will have loving, intimate relationships with our mechanical friends. Join us for a discussion on the future of human-robot relations and why envisioning a world in which people fall in love with artificial beings is not as far-fetched as it may seem.
Bio: Beth Phillips is a doctoral candidate in Applied Experimental & Human Factors Psychology at UCF. She studies human interaction with robots to better understand how to foster teamwork between humans and robots of the future. She’s also passionate about saxophone, space, sustainability, people and creating. Check out “about.me/elizabeth.phillips” for more information about Beth and her work.
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For questions or more information, contact Ricardo Williams [at]
Join us for our 24th consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando with a special Valentine’s Day theme featuring NERDY SPEED DATING!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 15-20 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Quench your curiosity! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
SPEED DATING: $5 PRESENTATIONS: Free.
EVENT INFO:
Thursday, February 12th
Talks 7:00 – 9:00pm
Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
“They Might Be Giants: Brooklyn’s Ambassadors of Love” by Ed Petersen
If you’ve enjoyed the alternative rock musicians of the past thirty years, there’s a good chance you know about the unique worldview of Brooklyn’s TMBG. Their pop music is injected with a heavy dose of absurdism, nerdy references, and off-beat musicianship. They’ve written music for kids, provided soundtracks to TV shows, movies & commercials, and played well over 1,000 shows to promote their one-of-a-kind vision. They’ve even won two Grammys for their efforts. Join us as Ed takes on a magical, musical ride through their discography!
Ed Petersen holds B.A. in Economics from U.C.F. and currently works for the City of Orlando’s Planning Division. Perhaps unexpectedly, Ed is a “giant” alternative music nerd, having attended shows by R.E.M., They Might Be Giants, Weird Al Yankovic, Indigo Girls, Interpol, Paula Cole, and many others. He can even list the entire TMBG discography in exact order!
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“Roses are Red, Orange Lilies Mean I Hate You: Exploring the Symbology of Flowers” by Emily Dovydaitis
Although most flowers lack tu-lips, they often “say” more than most people realize. During the Victorian era, the clandestine language of flowers provided a way for society to communicate emotions in a more respectable manner. Lovers, charmers and boothangs alike should ask themselves one simple question before this Valentine’s Day: what sort of message are you actually sending with that bouquet?
Emily Dovydaitis is a tree-hugging enthusiast, as well as an undergraduate in Biology and Cultural Anthropology at UCF. She fancies ethnobotany. Her dream is to one day travel to the Amazon to study native, plant-derived medicines. When she’s not drowning in organic chemistry, Emily enjoys rattling off plant binomials and drinking tea. She also secretly envies the fact that plants make their own food, which means they don’t need to clean dishes.
Join us for our 23nd consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando and the first of 2015.
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 15-20 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Quench your curiosity! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
TALKS:
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“DNA Nanotechnology: A Breakthrough For Us All” by Felix Sosa
Description: The talk is about the history, development, and possible future of the great breakthrough known as DNA nanotechnology. We’ll briefly go over the history and development, the exciting research being conducted here in Orlando, as well as by all others around the world. Then finish by discussing the astounding effects this new technology may have on our lives. Witness a revolution in medicine, computing, and more in our lifetime with this advent!
Biography: Felix is an undergraduate researcher at UCF working towards a Bachelor’s degree in both chemistry and computer science. He currently is a part of a large-scale research effort between the Chemistry Department, NanoScience Technology Center and Physics Department at UCF designing, simulating and synthesizing DNA architectures that have vast applications from medicines to computational machines. To be more straight-forward: he is a goof, a serious nerd and sometimes thinks he can sing. Felix loves the idea of making something that benefits us all and is a member of the maker community in Orlando helping others and myself accomplish just that.
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“Trash to Treasure: Hoarding Demystified” by Heather Grove
Description: If you are a hoarder, have friends or family who hoard, or just know about it from the Discovery channel, you know it is a serious, life-threatening disease. With 1 in 30 Americans afflicted by the not so uncommon disorder, Heather hopes to shed some light on the science behind collecting shit.
Biography: Since a wee one, Heather has found value in what most might consider valueless. From rocks to wine cork collections, Heather has been an avid acquirer of things, but with an extreme hoarder in the family, she has fought the genetic proclivity to collect stuff by understanding the science and specifics of the disease…she hopes to help others transform their habits from hoarding to helping repurpose waste and keep it from landfills. By day, Heather turns wasteful lawns into food-growing gardens and she is co-creator of East End Market (where she helped incorporate reclaimed materials and salvaged doors from Henry Flagler’s historic railroad station).
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“The Cosmetology Cosmologist” by Derek Demeter
Description: Join the cosmological hairstylist Kelvin Boson as he cuts the fabric of space time on a journey through the history of our universe, all while cutting some hair too.
Biography: Derek has been Planetarium Director at Seminole State College of Florida since 2007. He writes and produces new shows that explore the astronomy and history of numerous cultures from around the world. He serves as Vice President of the Central Florida Astronomical Society and sets up telescopes at local shopping centers to give the public a truly “out-of-this world” experience.
Nerd Nite Orlando XXII: Water Harvesting, Mountaineering Methods, and Ideas in Motion!
Join us for our 22nd Nerd Nite in Orlando to learn how to collect rain in the sunshine state, explore a system engineer’s approach to scaling mountains, and witness the invisible art of video editing.
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 15-20 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Quench your curiosity! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
“Water Harvesting: Collecting Rain in the Sunshine State” by Banks Helfrich
Banks Helfrich’s talk is about how he became a water harvester, from using Youtube to imagination to trial and error to designing his new home. This four year journey of capturing, guttering, filtering, storing and transporting water opened his mind to how water can efficiently be utilized in the home.
Banks Helfrich. Human, filmmaker, compulsive flosser, Orlando resident, former professional triathlete circus clown, Harpo Marx look-alike, David Letterman’s the Ball Guy from “Is this Anything?” and loofah grower.
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“Mountaineering Methods: A System Engineer’s Approach to Scaling Mountains” by Howard Kanner, Ph.D
Howard has summited Mt. Rainier in Seattle, Washington, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Imja Tse in Nepal, as well as explored the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru. Howard shares his experience, methodically laid out as would be expected from an engineer, for planning, execution and post-trip analysis, from his most recent adventure to Nepal, reaching altitudes of over 20,300 ft.
Howard Kanner is a Systems Engineer at Kennedy Space Center. Crunching data and making colorful presentations by day but using his analytical skills to plan and explore the world by night. Howard has a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from The George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
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“Ideas in Motion: The Invisible Art of Video Editing” by Karen Avizur
The work of an editor can be infuriating, hilarious, gut-wrenching, and wonderful. From rendering footage to working with producers to the way editors manipulate emotion, Karen Avizur will take you through the daily work of a video editor!
Karen Avizur has been working as a professional video editor for over four years. She lived and worked in LA freelance for three years for a huge variety of clients before moving back to Orlando and currently works mostly editing weddings. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading urban fantasy and nonfiction, writing, seeing the latest movies and watching the latest Doctor Who episodes.
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If you have any questions about Nerd Nite Orlando or are interested in being a future presenter, email us at
Join us for our 21st Nerd Nite in Orlando to learn about how NASA will travel farther into space than any human has gone before and what they are doing in preparation to pioneer Mars!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.Following the presentations is a brief Q&A with the audience.
Quench your curiosity! Come meet up, drink, and learn something
EVENT IS FREE!
EVENT INFO: Thursday, November 13th Talks 7:00 – 9:00pm Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
TALKS:
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“Intrasteller: NASA’s Journey to Mars” by Jason Hopkins
Jason Hopkins is the Flight Test Integration Manager for the Orion Program and the Multi-Use Manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Program, both at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In his Orion capacity, he is supporting Orion Operations in preparation for the launch of Exploration Flight Test-1 this December. For GSDO, he works to develop partnerships within the space industry to enable commercial space. He previously served as a NASA Fellow for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, providing the Senator with technical advice in support of developing science and space legislation. He has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an M.S. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.
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“NASA Swamp Works: Back to the Future – in Space” by Rob Mueller
Rob Mueller is a Senior Technologist for Advanced Projects Development at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the Engineering & Technology Directorate and co-founder of the KSC Swamp Works. Rob is the chairman of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Aerospace Division, and the Committee for Regolith Operations, Mobility and Robotics, and he is also a member of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Resources Technical Committee. Rob has recently been leading the development of technologies required for the utilization of resources on target bodies such as Asteroids, the Moon, Mars moons and Mars. He earned a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Miami, an M.S. in Space Systems Engineering from the Technical University of Delft, in the Netherlands, and an M.B.A. from Florida Institute of Technology.
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“Total Recall: The Simulated Martian” by Anne Caraccio
Anne Caraccio is a chemical engineer on several projects that support deep space exploration at Kennedy Space Center. As a crew member of the 2014 HI-SEAS Mars analog simulation, she supported a 120 day psychological study and performed various research projects while living in an isolated Mars-like habitat with an international crew. She is from Long Island, New York and earned her B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan College. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of South Florida.
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If you have any questions about Nerd Nite Orlando or are interested in being a future presenter, email us at
Join us for the 20th consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.Following the presentations is a brief Q&A with the audience.
It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
EVENT INFO: Thursday, October 9th Talks 7:00 – 9:00pm Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
EVENT IS FREE!
NERDY COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED.
“Alluring Illusions: Magic Is Fake and That’s OK” by Nick Paul
The popular perception of a magician is usually Criss Angel or David Blaine, and Nick Paul wants to tell you why that’s wrong. Magic is meant to be seen as engaging well rehearsed entertainment, not some creepy guy trying to gross you out. Deeply rooted in the science of perception, there is certainly more to “magic” than meets the eye – but that is by design.
Nick Paul has been performing professionally as a magician for over 13 years. He can be seen regularly at Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk as well as various corporate events, colleges and theaters all over the US. In 2004 he was given the award for “Least Athletic” from his high school gym class Team Sports for Boys.
“Auto-Self-Destruct: Living With Autoimmune Diseases” by Emma Krygowski
What is life like when your body’s own immune system is the enemy? Who gets these diseases? Why? Can they be treated? How do they affect people? And what do Storm Troopers have to do with any of this? Join us for a talk about the ins-and-outs of humanity’s most complicated subset of disease, knowledge culled in part from Emma’s own experiences!
Emma Krygowski was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of twelve. After years of dealing with doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and loads of drugs, she’s pretty well versed in the subject. Aside from being knowledgeable about diseases, Emma also is a Business Analyst with an IT firm, an artist, a comic book fanatic, bookworm, and generally nerdy girl. She was also one of the winners of our first ever Nerdy Speed Dating event!
“Cosplay : The Art of Dressing Up” by Elizabeth Ling
Costumes are not just for holidays, movies and the stage, they are also the basis of an artistic hobby that celebrates Fandom by turning the 2-D into 3-D. Where can you meet others with a flair for Cosplay? What does it entail, exactly? Why would a grown man with a magnificent beard want to dress up as a female superhero in a mini skirt? Come learn the who, what, why, where, and how of Cosplay!
Elizabeth Ling grew up in the Midwest and started Cosplaying in 2007 at the insistence of a friend. Since that time she’s happily invested time and money into becoming “one of those nerds wearing a costume” (a hobby that has also helped her make friends from all over the country). She also has a love of role play, reading, and visual media to help her cosplay wish list continue growing. Liz and Emma are best friends in real life!
**NERDY COSTUME CONTEST**
By audience approval, the Top 3 Nerdy Costumes will win gift certificates to The Geek Easy at A Comic Shop!
Join us for the 19th consecutive Nerd Nite in Orlando and our first ever Nerd Nite Trivia! We will also create the future from the past and get nerdy birdy about plumage, sex, and social selection!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.Following the presentations is a brief Q&A with the audience.
It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
DETAILS: ———– “Nerd Nite Trivia!” with Ricardo Williams
Join us for a special evening of Nerd Nite Trivia. Bring a team of up to 4 people and compete against other smarty pantses from across the city. As always, winners get special prizes!
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“Steampunk: Creating the Future out of the Past!” by Richard Young
Steampunk: A combination of Victorian Aesthetics with Science Fiction Technology. Speaker Richard Young takes a look at this Sub-Genre of Science Fiction . Including it’s history, it’s effects on modern culture, and his own experiences exploring this strange and beautiful world.
Richard Young has been a member of the Central Florida Steampunk Association for over two years. He spends most of the time at work staring at computer screens, and a lot of time outside of work looking for things to do that do not involve staring at computer screens.
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“Bird Nerd: Plumage, Sex, and Social Selection!” by Angela Tringali
The plumage of birds isn’t just beautiful, it serves a function. To determine if the plumage of Florida scrub-jay juveniles had a function I changed it, and their social behavior changed too. Join me for a story about bird color, coloring on birds, and a bird found only in Florida. This nerd nite is a bird nerd nite.
Angela Tringali is a conservation biologist and behavioral ecologist. She earned her PhD in 2013. When Angela isn’t chasing birds she is thinking about it. Some people say she has a one-track mind.
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If you have any questions about Nerd Nite Orlando or are interested in being a future presenter, email us at
Join us for another nerdy nite as we discuss why every font is a work of art worth appreciating, take a trip to the end of America, and learn about ancient gods in a modern world!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. Speakers present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.Following the presentations is a brief Q&A with the audience.
It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
“Highway to Helvetica: Why Every Font is a Work of Art Worth Appreciating” by Daniel Koster
Mona Lisa. Bach’s Concertos. Times New Roman? Fonts are the sets of letters that appear in a list on our word processors. Some fonts are good for setting specific tones, and some don’t seem to be good for much of anything. But how do these letters get on our computers? Who are the shadowy figures designing them? And what’s the deal with Comic Sans? Join us as we discover the human stories behind the fonts we use every day. Explore the surprisingly complex anatomy of a letter, see what happens when type goes horribly wrong, and learn how a font won the presidency… twice! It will be nerdy, and yes, it will be bold.
Daniel Koster is too young to remember a time without computers. Most of the school papers, posters, and love letters he has composed have used type. Over time, curiosity got the best of Daniel, and he went on to learn everything he could about fonts. He is a second-year at UCF, where the official font is Gotham. When he is not typing, he is out saving the world from theocracy.
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“West of West: The End of America” by Robin Cowie
Think you know US geography? Ever thought about where might be the most isolated place in the country, or maybe even the world? While researching a script about a pandemic, Rob Cowie discovered an underground military base in Adak, Alaska — the furthest place you can go in the western United States. Once home to 150,000 people, today there are roughly 50 inhabitants making Adak one of the largest ghost towns on the planet. This will not be your typical history or geography lecture. Join us on a trip back to Adak to hear the story of what Rob discovered while investigating there.
Robin Cowie is a feature film and television producer with 8 films and 2 TV series behind him. He is currently the Creative Director for the Dr. Phillips Center with several projects in development.
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“The Orisha Pantheon: Ancient Gods in a Modern World” by Danielle McKinley
Move over Zeus! There are some new gods in town….well, not exactly. The Orisha pantheon of West Africa predates Christianity and the African Diaspora. Despite the impacts of slavery, religious infusion, and geographical distance, the Ifa religion has survived centuries of change and continues to grow throughout the modern world. This Nerd Nite talk will introduce you to a new yet ancient pantheon of bad-ass gods and goddesses who refuse to die, in a historical and anthropological context.
Danielle McKinley is a self-proclaimed grassroots anthropologist, dedicated Ifa practitioner, and avid nerd. When she’s not huddled over a text on African theology, she models, acts, and actively blogs at YouAreTheTruth.com. Did we also mention that she’s an actual priestess?
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