January Geek About Town!
Happy New Year, readers! Here’s a list of geeky events for those of you in the Pacific Northwest to enjoy!
Saturday, January 3: Captain Royale Redux
From the press release: “The commanding burlesque showdown is back! We have all heard the impassioned, and sometimes very heated, arguments in geek circles. Who is the better captain; is it James T. Kirk or Jean Luc Picard? What about other captains found in television, books, and movies? We have ten captains to put to the test and we aim to settle that little score. And then some with your help. Who will you promote to commodore?”
Saturday, January 3: Nighttime Low Tide Beach Walk
From Seattle Aquarium: “Explore the beach during winter nighttime low tides with Beach Naturalist staff and volunteers. Discover what creatures we see on the beach at this time of year. Dress for the weather (bundle up!) and for tide pooling: boots, hats, gloves and a good flashlight are musts.”
Tuesday, January 6: Booklaunch Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
From U Bookstore: “An inspirational picture book biography, Laurie Ann Thompson’s new book for children tells the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a West African man born with a deformed leg who hopped to school, learned to play soccer, left home at thirteen to provide for his family, and inspired those near and far by bicycling across Ghana using only one leg. A vividly depicted tale of triumph over adversity with a powerful message for children that disability is not inability, the book is one we’re excited to share with others at this launch party with Thompson.
Laurie Thompson writes for children and young adults to help her readers—and herself—make better sense of the world we live in so we can contribute to making it a better place. She strives to write nonfiction that gives wings to active imaginations and fiction that taps into our universal human truths. Laurie has been a member of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) since 2005, was co-regional advisor for the SCBWI Western Washington region from 2009-2011, and continues to volunteer on the Advisory Committee as both Nonfiction Coordinator and Tech Coordinator.”
Tuesday, January 6: Queen Anne Science Cafe: “Patient Centered Outcomes Research: How You Can Advance Science By Participating In Research”
From the webpage: “The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI) is a U.S. non-government institute, created as part of the Affordable Care Act, to enhance high impact patient centered research (www.pcori.org). The purpose of PCORI is to help the public and caregivers make informed health decisions and allow their voices to be heard in determining the value of health care options. PCORI helps direct research dollars to areas that are important to patients, and helps us all answer important questions about our health. This talk with Cynthia M. Dougherty, ARNP, Ph.D. UW, School of Nursing will focus on how each person can become more involved in impacting their own health by participating in important research and patient advisory groups that support PCORI.
T.S. McHugh’s is located at 21 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109.”
Tuesday, January 6: Stories About Science
From TownHall Seattle: “Springer (one of the world’s largest scientific publishers) and The Story Collider (a New York-based storytelling cohort) brings actual scientists to the stage, as part of the Springer Storytellers series of events. These are stories about science, told by scientists, about their favorite scientific topics, from black holes to biology, with the message that science touches all aspects of life. This inaugural edition showcases five witty tales of stars, planets, and all things astronomy. The evening–featuring live stories from Kaspar von Braun, David Kipping, Chiara Mingarelli, Jay Pasachoff, and Gerrit Verschuur–will entertain and educate in equal measure.”
Saturday, January 10: Archaeology Day
From Burke Museum: “Have you ever wondered what’s under Seattle? At this year’s Archaeology Day, explore clues found underground—and under water—that tell us how humans lived on the shores of Puget Sound over the past 500 years.
Special programs:
See objects from the largest Coast Salish longhouse in Puget Sound
Become an archaeologist! Solve mysteries in our new game “Who Was That?” and identify the uses of buried objects
Dress up in underwater gear for your own “scuba selfie”
Hosted in partnership with the Society for Historical Archaeology, The Center for Wooden Boats, Edmonds Community College, the National Park Service, and the Suquamish Tribe.”
Monday, January 12: January Eastside Science Cafe
From the website: “High functioning healthcare teams produce better patient outcomes at a more efficient cost; however, health professional students (e.g. nurses, physicians, pharmacists) are currently educated and trained without the opportunity to practice as a member of a team. This talk with Brenda K Zierler, Ph.D., RN UW, School of Nursing will discuss national initiatives requiring a different approach to educate health professionals, competencies they must meet prior to graduation, and the rationale for team-based care. Local examples of how UW students are being trained differently will be presented.
Wilde Rover is located in downtown Kirkland at 111 Central Way.”
Tuesday, January 13: “Ancient Cities And Archaeological Science: A Lost City In Mexico”
From the website: “”Ancient Cities And Archaeological Science: A Lost City In Mexico”
6:30 p.m. – Swiss Restaurant & Pub
The discovery of a previously unknown city can be exciting, especially in a place like Mesoamerica where ancient peoples built pyramids and ball courts. But what really happens when archaeologists find “lost” cities? Discover some of the new techniques that scientists are using to study Angamuco, an ancient city in Michoacan, Mexico. With Anna Cohen, University of Washington.
The Swiss Restaurant & Pub is located at 1904 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402.”
Thursday, January 15: 2015 NSWA Annual Event
From the NSWA: “Curious about the brain-related technologies you keep hearing about on the news? You’ll learn a little bit more about this realm at our holiday party, while having fun at our always-great event. At this 2015 bash, you’ll hear from our hosts at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering and, if all goes as planned, other science-y neighbors in the building. There may even be some 3D printing involved, rumor has it. Join us for the usual camaraderie, passing-of-the-torch for the NSWA board, good food and beverages. Get your tickets early! We’ll cut sales off closer to the date.”
Friday, January 16: GeekGirlCon Board Game Night at Wayward Coffeehouse
From the Meetup page: “Do you love board games and enjoy teaching others how to play? Explore the board/card game hobby and meet folks happy to teach you their favorite board games! No pressure though, you can just come and play with folks who love playing games. And the best part about the GeekGirlCon game nights with our friends at Wayward? They are absolutely FREE with no cover charge!
Our group is inclusive and totally newbie-friendly. We play a wide range of modern board and card games as well as some classics. You might find King of Tokyo, Völuspá, Alien Frontiers, Locke & Key, Coup, Tokaido, The Resistance, Skull and Roses, Settlers of Catan, 7 Wonders, Toc Toc Woodman, FLUXX and many more!
Bring a game with you or just bring yourself. Join GeekGirlCon staffers, make some new friends, play some games, and enjoy some delicious organic, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee. There are also local pastries and vegetarian/vegan treats, if you get hungry during all that gameplay.”
Friday, January 16: There Is No Dana, Only Boobs
From the event page: “Sexy + Stupid + Ghostbusters = THERE IS NO DANA, ONLY BOOBS
There is No Dana, Only Boobs is a burlesque show starring the boobs, butts, and brains of:
Scarlett O’Hairdye
Sara Dipity
Maggie McMuffin
La Petit Mort, Kevin Incroyable, & Rocco
Flirty Sanchez
Hattie Hellkat & Tootsie Spangles
The Ball Master
& many more humans that have made excellent life choices!
Hosted by: The Shanghai Pearl and Peter Whimsy!
Dress up and win prizes in the Costume Contest!
Early Show starts at 6PM (Doors at 5:30PM)
Late Show starts at 7:30PM (Doors at 7:15PM)
21+
$18 presale, $20 at the door”
Friday, January 16 – Saturday, January 17: Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam Vol. 9
From the press release: “Ring in the New Year with an all new Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam! Coming off the success of a sold-out showing at Bumbershoot, the slam returns to our old home in the Theatre Off Jackson for our first ever 2 night run, January 16 & 17 at 8pm.
Seattle’s Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam is a cabaret-style puppet show for grown-ups. Each short piece — creative, quirky and often experimental — is created and performed by puppeteers from the Pacific Northwest (and beyond!) From the brand spanking new to the tried-and-true, every act is guaranteed to have one important thing in common: puppets.”
Saturday, January 24: Pretty Haute Machine
From the Facebook Event page: “Closer To Broads Productions in association with Theatre Off Jackson present
Pretty Haute Machine: A Burlesque Tribute to NINE INCH NAILS
8PM showtime, doors open at 7PM
Purchase tickets in advance.
At the Heart of it All, Lady Drew Blood, Seraphina Fiero and Iva Handfull are Closer to Broads Productions and plan to show you their Deep love for NIN.
We’re in This Together with the following performers to share All the Love in the World for NIN and the stage:
Bella Bijoux
Déjà Louve (Vancouver, BC)
Elsa Von Schmaltz
Maureen Dancer
Miss Elaine Yes
the Luminous Pariah
Our awesome host Flirty Sanchez
And of course the producers:
Lady Drew Blood
Seraphina Fiero
Iva Handfull
PRESALE TICKET PRICES
$20 General Admission
$30 Groupie Seats, includes one seat in the first two middle section rows, a VIP lanyard, and photo op with the cast after the show
DAY OF/DOOR TICKET PRICES
$30 General Admission
$40 Groupie Seats, includes one seat in the first two middle section rows, a VIP lanyard, and photo op with the cast after the show
This show will use a strobe light, smoke machine, and loud music.
21+ event (ID Required)
Venue is wheelchair accessible. Please message us to set up arrangements for the specific door to be unlocked for your arrival.”
Sunday, January 25:Intro to Puppetry and Beginning Stage Puppeteering
From the website: “Resolved to try something new in 2015? Vox Fabuli’s Winter Puppet classes may be just what you need. For the new year, we’re offering two easy ways to dip your toes into the wild, weird world of puppets:
What: Intro to Puppetry
Sunday, January 25
1 – 3PM
Cost: $50
In this fun, dynamic class, you’ll learn the foundations of good stage puppetry – focus, physical commitment and basic puppet operation.You’ll get hands-on time with professional puppets, plus a simple practice puppet to take home.
What: Beginning Stage Puppeteering
Sundays, January 25 – February 15
1 – 4PM
Cost: $200
Expand your Intro to Puppetry experience into a full blown workshop.
Over 4 weeks, students develop their grasp of puppeteering basics into solid skills as we explore the fundamentals of Muppet-style puppeteering in-depth through a combo of easy exercises, wicked challenges, and practical scene work.
*Classes recommended for ages 15 and up
*Class sizes limited to 8
About Vox Fabuli Puppets:
Rachel Jackson’s Vox Fabuli Puppets specializes in twisting the familiar into dark and humorous shapes. Rachel has been puppeteering on various Seattle stages since 2008, where her work has been called “mad and masterful” by The Seattle Times. The mind behind the hit “MANOS – The Hands of Felt”, she more recently brought her talented hands to “Team of Heroes: No More Heroes”, “Whedonesque Burlesque” and “Audrey & Nelson: a puppet sex musical”. She also co-produces Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam.”
Monday, January 26: Science on Tap
From the website: “Science on Tap is a place where anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed atmosphere. [It is a] forum for discussing science issues with local scientists, Science on Tap is based on Cafe Scientifique. We are committed to promoting public engagement with science and to making science accessible. Meetings usually last about one to two hours. The speaker gives a short talk about their area of interest, followed by a break to fill up on coffee and a time for small group discussions. Afterwards there will be a question and answer session and general discussion of the topic with the speaker and the audience at large. Monthly meetings take place the last Monday the month at the Ravenna Third Place Bookstore in Seattle at the corner of 20th Ave NE and NE 65th Street. Free parking is available.”
Wednesday, January 28: The YAMS Collective
From TownHall Seattle: “HOWDOYOUSAYYAMINAFRICAN? is an international art collective whose cinematic “Good Stock on the Dimension Floor: An Opera” focuses on the central question of “What happens to the black body when it is haunted by a ‘blackness’ outside of it?” Filmed in 34 parts, the film (which was withdrawn from the 2014 Whitney Biennial in protest) draws attention to global racial strife and the politics of being black. Following a screening of this avant-garde piece, a panel discussion with YAMS mentor Greg Tate, and members Christa Bell (of Seattle), Nana Adusei-Poku, Dawn Lundy Martin, and Sienna Shields will explore the ways being black is influenced by culture, people, and place.”
Friday, January 30: GeekGirlCon Board Game Night at Wayward Coffeehouse
From the Meetup page: “Do you love board games and enjoy teaching others how to play? Explore the board/card game hobby and meet folks happy to teach you their favorite board games! No pressure though, you can just come and play with folks who love playing games. And the best part about the GeekGirlCon game nights with our friends at Wayward? They are absolutely FREE with no cover charge!
Our group is inclusive and totally newbie-friendly. We play a wide range of modern board and card games as well as some classics. You might find King of Tokyo, Völuspá, Alien Frontiers, Locke & Key, Coup, Tokaido, The Resistance, Skull and Roses, Settlers of Catan, 7 Wonders, Toc Toc Woodman, FLUXX and many more!
Bring a game with you or just bring yourself. Join GeekGirlCon staffers, make some new friends, play some games, and enjoy some delicious organic, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee. There are also local pastries and vegetarian/vegan treats, if you get hungry during all that gameplay.”
If you have any geeky events you would like to see on Geek About Town, email shubz@geekgirlcon.com. Please note that we reserve the right to include or exclude events from our list.
