The Philly Auto Show is not the domain solely for the petrol-head. Geeks like cars too. In fact, without geeks and boffins, some of that sweet tech you have in your new car may never have made it there at all. Satellite navigation, radar-guided cruise control, infrared night vision, and launch control all sound like things we might want in our Fifth Element hover taxi, but they are only a small part of amazing tech that can be found in the new, green, and exotic cars you’ll find at the Philly Auto Show.

From Jan 28th to Feb 5th, get (insert motoring pun here) for some of the sleekest and most cutting edge cars to ever hit The Pennsylvania Convention Center floor. Cars large and small will be there for you to oogle, sit in, push every button on the dashboard, and pretend you are belting around the Nürburgring at 170 mph. There is also sure to be a man with a rag over by the Ferraris waiting to sop up your puddles of drool.

In honor of the upcoming show, we have a short list (in no particular order) of some of the geekiest cars from film and real life. If there’s any one you think we should add to the list, drop us a message in the comments section below.

The Ecto-1: Who seriously didn’t want to ride round NYC to bust ghosts in this glorious bit of geek transport. Little known fact: It looks even cooler covered in slime.

The Back to the Future DMC Delorean: The Delorean may have been a complete failure in real life, but when Doc Brown got his hands on it to turn it into a flying time machine, it cruised easily into the hearts of every movie geek.

Peel P50: Small cars are geeky. The Peel P50 holds the record for being the smallest production car ever made. Never mind that it was hopelessly impractical and didn’t have a reverse gear, it was so awesomely small that you could easily drive it around your office building.

BMW Concept Car: No list of geeky cars would be complete without some iteration of the Batmobile. But this is a little something different. BMW created a concept car that’s able to change the shape of it’s fabric outer shell. You can even open and close the headlights to make it look like it’s blinking. It’s very ffective for winking at pretty girls on the sidewalk.

Reliant Robin: Because of it’s three wheel configuration, the reliant robin spent more time crashing than going around corners. But, since you only needed a motorcycle license to drive it, geeks loved turning it into all sorts of incredible things.

Undoubtedly, none of these cars will be at the Philly Auto Show, but like looking at a Lamborghini’s that will be there, it’s still fun to dream.

Philadelphia Auto Show
Jan 28 – Feb 5th, 2012
www.phillyautoshow.com

The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19107

 The Whitest Kids U’ Know may have ended their television run back in June on IFC, but as promised they are back. The Kids are now touring the US with their own brand of live twisted sketch comedy and they will be stopping in Philly at our very own Trocadero on Saturday, February 11th.

Tickets for 21+ show are a mere $16 and can be purchased here.

The great folks over at the Troc were nice enough to give us a pair of tickets to give away for free to one lucky reader.  Want to check the show out for free?  Simply comment with your favorite sketch by The Whitest Kids U’ Know and one lucky reader will be picked at random sometime next week. Good luck!

While Geekadelphia’s Jo absolutely adores the BBC’s Doctor Who (as you’ve likely noticed from her frequent giveaways and smokin’ TARDIS dress) I’m a big fan of the BBC’s underdog series, Primeval.

The premise behind the show is pretty ridiculous, even for BBC standards, but undeniably entertaining. Glimmering portals (known as Anomalies), are opening through out England, letting prehistoric (and sometimes mythical) creatures into our time. A ragtag group of scientists, soldiers, government officials and students are assembled to lead the charge against the time altering threat, with dramatic and action packed results.

I’ve been subscriber to the show since it popped up for sale on iTunes, and was thrilled when the BBC sent me Volume 3 of Primeval on Blu-ray to scope out and giveaway.

Trailer for Season 1, so you have an idea

I’d dish out details on the plot, but for those of you new to the series… well, spoilers! So let’s just talk about the release.

Volume 3 of Primeval isn’t packaged the way you might think, giving you all of season 3. Nope, instead, you’re getting all of season 4 and 5, thirteen action packed episodes in total. The digital transfer is fantastic. As someone who’s used to watching the series in standard definition via iTunes, the HD Blu-ray quality looks just great. And the special features are nice too, giving you a great making-of entitled New Dawn: Making the New Primeval.

All in all, this is a great box set for fans of the show. High resolution, excellent making of documentary, and two full seasons in one nice package. And hey, if you’ve never seen the program, enter in the giveaway and catch up on the show. You’ll love it, promise.

So about that giveaway! I’m giving away Volume 3 of Primeval on Blu-ray to one lucky commenter. Leave a comment about your favorite prehistoric creature, I’ll choose one of you at random and send you your copy. Good luck!

As almost everyone knows, geeks really don’t do the “sports” thing. Sure, when the Phillies won the World Series in ’08 we celebrated with everyone else and we’ll jump on the bandwagon of whatever team is hot at the time, but for the most part sports aren’t our cup of tea.

The exception to that rule is the Super Bowl. Everyone gets excited for the Big Game and everyone, even the geekiest geek, loves a good Super Bowl party.

Well, get a foam finger and get ready to party because on Sunday, Feb. 5 the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League (or GPFFL) will present the Big Game Event II to benefit ActionAIDS. Activities are going to include food, drinks, an open bar, a silent auction, raffles and dessert. And last but definitely not least, the “Big Game on the Big Screen” at International House’s 350-seat Ibrahim Theater, located at 3701 Chestnut Street.

And the best part? All the donations benefit ActionAIDS. This organization provides an array of services to more than 5,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Philadelphia area. You get to watch the game of the big screen and help those in need? Winning!

Tickets start at $40 and go up to $125 (which includes the VIP reception and other cool swag) and can be purchased at here. So get your game on and watch the Super Bowl in style.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

ActionAIDS
actionaids.org

Robert Drake is a prominent figure in Philadelphia. He DJ’s at several places around Philly such as Club Fluid and The Bike Stop in addition to opening up for almost every 80’s act that breezes through town (think OMD or the B-52’s). He has a monthly DJ’ing gig on WXPN radio entitled “Land of the Lost” where he shares is New Wave gems.

He is a co-founder of the Zombie Crawl, Zombie Prom and Zombie Beach Party. Amidst all this awesome, he finds time to be on the Board of Directors for the South Street Headhouse District where he is a member as well as serving as Vice-Chair through 2011.

How long have you been DJ’ing? Have you always been most interested in the 80′s music scene?

Robert Drake: I started my DJ stint back in the early 80s with occasional gigs at some of Philly’s underground clubs of the day; Hot Club, Kennel Club and even a guest stint at NYC’s Danceteria. As with most people, you always have a soft spot for the soundtrack of your youth – so do I. Plus, I always felt the 80s got a bum rap in the look-back machine and I made it my mission to celebrate New Wave for those that loved it and those that never really got to explore it before.

How did the Zombie Crawl movement get started here in Philly?

Robert Drake: The Philly Zombie Crawl began over beer at Tattooed Mom several years ago. We were discussing the idea of hosting a party on Easter to celebrate the world’s most-famous zombie on His big day. One thing led to another and the birth of the first Philly Zombie Crawl had happened! It was held Easter 2006 along South Street. After a couple years, the zombies groaned for more – so the Philly Zombie Prom was created to start the Halloween Season in Philadelphia.

Held the final Saturday of September at The Trocadero, the Zombie Prom has become THE event of the Halloween season with over 1,100 zombies gathering in full prom or costume attire. We’ve also created the Zombie Beach Party to start off the summer season – and we are always exploring other creative ways to celebrate the undead all year long.

Awesome! The Zombie Invasion at Dorney Park was also a great success this summer! What are some of your regular Philly haunts?

Robert Drake: Well, I mentioned one – my home away from home, Tattooed Mom on South Street. I also am a huge fan of one of the best dive bars in Center City – but uncharted by many – The Bike Stop. Located on Quince Street; an alley behind The Forrest Theatre; the Bike Stop started as a gay leather bar, which it still proudly is – - however, they have grown to welcome people from all walks of life; especially

Friday happy hours (which I DJ along with my partner John Stanley) … it’s a mix of retro rock and new wave nuggets, cheap drinks and a great cross-section of Philly.

For food – I’m always satisfied at The Latest Dish on 4th Street between South and Bainbridge; also The Perch Pub at the corner of Broad and Locust (overlooking Avenue of the Arts) – a great gastropub; and recently John and I have fallen in love with Circles Newbold – great Asian cuisine.

Geekadelphia loves Tattooed Mom – AGREED! What else do you geek out to?

Robert Drake: Easy: FRINGE.

Who’s your favorite character on Fringe?

Robert Drake: Although I am fond of Dr. Walter Bishop and his quirks, my partner John seems to have the hots for Agent Olivia Dunham. I think it’s her ‘tomboy nature’ that attracts him – HA! The show is just wonderfully written and reminds me of the excitement I had when I first watched such classics as Twin Peaks or X-Files back in the day.

Alright, picking up chocolates and sweets for your beau on Valentine’s Day is cute and all, but why not give that special someone an evening of desserts they will truly remember?

Our good friends over at Whipped Bakeshop, who we adore for their frequently geektastic creations (see Battlestar Galactica cake, Master Chief and Star Wars cookies), will be hosting a series of special couple’s cake decorating workshops in February.

It’s only $55 per couple and they’ll provide a 6″ cake (your choice of chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet) for you and your date to decorate together.

Sessions run Thursday, February 9th, 11th, and 14th, each from 7pm to 9pm. Space is limited, so call soon to save your spot. For contact information, visit their official website.

Whipped Bakeshop
www.whippedbakeshop.com

The saddest thing about all the recent press for Red Tails are the bitter fanboys who seem to be using it as a chance to rage against George Lucas for the recent Star Wars Blu-ray release, rather than talk about what is a very important film.

Yes, Red Tails happens to be the long-in-gestation passion project produced by the creator of Star Wars. But like The Tuskegee Airmen it portrays, George Lucas also faced great adversity… in Hollywood, to the tune of paying for the $58 million film out of pocket.

The film is a pulpy look back at the 332nd Fighter Group in World War 2, The Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the Red Tails due the distinctive paint on the tails of their planes. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. This film focuses on a very specific period in the history of the Airmen to give audiences the most bang for its buck.

Continue Reading…

Philadelphia is proud to be participating in its third Global Game Jam this year. The Philly Chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) will be hosting two locations to Jam in – one in IndyHall in Old City, and the other at Camden county College in Blackwood, New Jersey. It will run from Friday, January 27 at 5pm until Sunday, January 29 at 5pm.

Global Game Jam is the world’s largest Game Jam, with the Philly and South Jersey sites being just two of over 220 locations this year. The Jam is open to anyone who is interested in making games – video, board, or card games – no matter their skill level or experience.

Whether you’re a programmer, a musician, or an avid board gamer, you’re welcome to come team up and make a game. Who knows? Maybe you could be like last year’s Jammers who created LangGuini, whose Kickstarter campaign just successfully ended.

Interested? More information and registration info can be found at the IGDA Philadelphia page  as well as the Global Game Jam site.

Center City Location
Hosted by IndyHall
22 North 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

South Jersey Location
Hosted by Camden County College
311 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08021

If Starship Troopers has taught me anything, it is ‘know your enemy’. Let’s face it, bugs are out to destroy us all so we better learn as much as we can about them before their flesh eating giant alien cousins come visit us.

The Academy of Natural Sciences is the perfect place to learn about creepy crawly insects. Entomology Curatorial Assistant, Greg Cowper, and Live Invertebrate Specialist, Karen Verderame, explain why they collect bugs and butterflies at the Academy, how to treat different kinds of insect specimens, and the uses of the specimens in research and education.

Learn how to pin a specimen and take it home. Freak out your roommate. Scare random girls on the street. It’s good to instill some fear for the impending invasion. Or you could just start your own insect collection.

For more information, visit the Academy of Natural Sciences’ official website.

Pinning & Preserving @ the Academy of Natural Sciences
Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 6:30–9:30 pm
Teachers can earn three Act 48 credits
www.ansp.org/adult-programs/workshops.php

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Jennifer Hall, who many of you might know as that cute girl from Whipped Bakeshop with the R2D2 bike helmet, is at it again… this time, crafting some seriously adorable Stormtrooper leggings. How’d she make these? Check out the details on her blog.

I designed the stamp and printed the leggings, but I didn’t use the proper fabric paint. Instead, I used acrylic paint with some corn starch mixed in to increase its opacity. I think fabric paint would have been better; they have a little bit of a hand-printed rustic look (which I actually love), but we’ll see if the fabric paint brings more awesomeness to the table.

It does Jenn. So much awesomeness. You can scope out a ton of photos on her blog, and I highly recommend you do.

Oh and Jenn, if you’re reading this… please stop. Our nerdy hearts can’t take much more. *sigh*

Stormtrooper Leggings @ Philly Rawr Blog

For this week’s Roundup we read and review the new issues of the Avengers and Uncanny X-Men from Marvel and Red Hood & the Outlaws from DC. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Red Hood & the Outlaws #5
By Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort

One of the few “second tier” New 52 titles I’m still reading, Red Hood & the Outlaws thus far has been an entertaining, if somewhat shallow, book. Lobdell seems to be taking his time setting up what this series is going to be about and has given no clues in the first 4 issues. My love for the Red Hood and Rocafort’s amazing art is what has kept me around this long, but with issue #5 I might finally be getting the payoff. Continue Reading…

Sometimes, life throws you a curve ball. Sometimes the hits just keep on coming.  It can be tough on all of us, but kids especially. You and me, maybe we  play a couple rounds on Blood Gulch or memorize the internal schematics of an AT-AT. When you’re younger though, where are you going to turn? Maybe to your pet tiger Hobbes… Or in the case of this week’s Kickstarter, to Einat, your slightly monstrous, armored imaginary friend:

Cody’s parents are getting divorced. His mother Rachel, who got pregnant and married young, has felt the weight of the world on her shoulders for years. Being coupled by a failing romance with Cody’s father, Ryan, things are beginning to spiral downward, and fast. Ryan, riddled with depression after being laid off and unable to get his writing published has lost his way, making him disengage from his family. It’s only a matter of time before things reach the point of no return for their  marriage.

Anxious, confused, and feeling like he’s running out of time, Cody looks to his imaginary friend Einat to help save his family. Einat deftly acts as protector and confidante to Cody. In return, Cody gets caught up in the emotional aspect of the friendship, which only gets him in trouble in the end, causing even more tension and reason for his parents to fight.

Whether amicable or not, children see divorce through a very different prism than the adults involved. As a filmmaker, what I’m attempting to do with these characters is revisit and explore the innocence and vulnerability of childhood, and highlight the guilt and responsibility that children of divorce often feel. Ultimately, Cody invents Einat as a way to introduce harmony and balance to his life and the lives of his parents. Will his attempts work?

It isn’t often that we feature a project attempting to tackle such profound issues, but watch the video above and I think you’ll see that not only is Cody & Einat a worthy feature, but Ali has plenty of  geek in her as well. Check out the project page and continue to help us  support local Kickstarters.

The Project: Cody & Einat, an “imaginative” short film

Creator: Ali Petre

The Sweet Spot: $10 will get you a digital copy of the short once it’s been produced, but you can join the handful of folks who have donated $100 and the creators will dream up your own completely original imaginary friend and reveal it to you via personalized video message. Not bad.

Funding Deadline: February 3rd, 2012

More Info: Hit the main project page, Ali’s twitter profile, or the P Dish Productions (get it?!) tumblr.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com