nerdnite - Austin

Day: 84
High Temp: 79F
Job Status: Unemployed

Be there and be square. That is the motto given to nerdnite - Austin, a highly enjoyable monthly occurance at an unlikely spot on Austin's popular 6th street. 6th street is probably not the first place you would think of for a night of nerdy revelry, but on the first Thursday of every month, geeks from all over the city converge on Buffalo Billiards to hear their fellow dorks talk on subjects ranging from WWII era aircraft to the history and evolution of Guy Fawkes Night (the British holiday).

Tom and I attended our first nerdnite last Thursday and had a really great time. We had been to Buffalo Billiards before, to play shuffle board and drink beers when my parents were here a few months ago. Knowing how packed this place can get with lame frat boys and drunk co-eds on the weekend, I was curious to see how nerdnite would fit in with the atmosphere of this absolutely cavernous nightspot.

Good news, it works perfectly. BB has a large upstairs space that serves as a private room for the nerdnite festivities. There is a stage and some a/v set up at the back of the room, and the attending nerds are invited to pull up a chair and enjoy the festivities. The aforementioned festivities are simply a program of a few speakers who present mini-lectures on the topic of their expertise. While most of the experts come off as more of enthusiasts, than experts, it is a wonderful show case of all the weird and dorky things people are interested in learning about. And it is a guarantee that you will learn something odd, funny or downright enlightening. Throw in a special on domestic drafts, and plenty of beer breaks, and what you get is a hilarious and informative geeky gathering.

We met up at nerdnite with a large group of UT Theatre and Dance grad students who were all there to support of one of their fellow MFAs Steve Moulds, who was to present a discussion on "how directing plays taught me the ease of manipulating people." Steve was hilarious, and purposefully or not, his presentation actually ended up being one of the most incisive guides on how to manage difficult personalities in any work place (be it the stage or elsewhere). Other highlights of the evening included a middle-aged Texan who is the aforementioned WWII aircraft enthusiast. This gentleman presented a revisionists take on the infamous Spruce Goose, and managed to work in what is now my new favorite phrase "prettier than a punchbowl of titties." He brought the house down.

Truth be told, I cant wait to attend more of these nerdnite events. I heard there will be a talk next month about the history and evolution of marching bands... I love marching bands!

There are nerdnites starting to pop up all over the country, and abroad. Check out the nerdnite website for details.