You’re a nerd.

You’ve known it for a while, but haven’t been able to admit it just yet. You have always known you were different, but couldn’t put your finger on what it was. And now you know.

And now it’s finally out in the open and everyone knows. Doesn’t it feel better knowing that you can now get on with your life? And you’re in good company since Philly is a town overflowing with nerds and geeks of all types.

Need proof? Well, make sure you check out the return of Nerd Nite in Philadelphia on October 5th. Starting then and the first Wednesday of every month thereafter, nerds from all over the area will gather at MilkBoy Center City to meet, hear speakers and see some of the nerdiest entertainment around.

So make plans to get your nerd on and join in the fun. Because no one parties like a nerd! I think it may be because we don’t get out much, I’m not sure…

Nerd Nite Philly
Wednesday, October 5th
philadelphia.nerdnite.com

Milk Boy Center City
1100 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19103
www.milkboycoffee.com

Bad graphic design is the disease. Aaron Draplin is the cure.

Okay, that’s just a bad paraphrasing of the tagline for the Sylvester Stallone classic Cobra, but the point remains valid. You see, Draplin is the mastermind behind the Portland, Oregon-based Draplin Design Company, and he believes that America is undergoing a severe graphic design crisis (as detailed in this hilarious, insightful and amazingly profane so totally not SFW video).

Local freelance graphic designer Steve DeCusatis is a firm believer in Draplin’s teachings, so much so that he started a Kickstarter campaign to bring him to the City of Brotherly Love.

The online fundraiser was a huge success, and on Wednesday, September 28 the “Tall Tales from a Large Man” multimedia lecture will tell not only the story of how Draplin built up a successful design firm on his own terms, but continues to inspire anyone who gets chills up their spine whenever they see the Comic Sans font. The evening promises to be a fun and unpretentious look at what it means to be an independent designer and to do “whatever the fuck it takes to make it.” Whether you are in the industry or not, Draplin’s insights will certainly captivate you.

Wednesday, September 28, 6pm. First Unitarian Church. 2125 Chestnut St. $20 ($10 students). For tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Drive is a hyper-violent 80’s bubble gum dream. The film, directed Nicolas Winding Refn, sets a new standard for the thinking man’s action film and raises the bar for the heist film genre.

The film stars Ryan Gosling as a nameless Hollywood stunt driver, who also moonlights as one of the best getaway drivers money can buy.  Things get complicated for the driver when he falls for a woman whose husband owes money to the wrong people and he decides to try and help by aiding her husband with a simple heist… that of course turns out to be anything but.

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As anyone who has ever experienced the gastronomic delight known as The Schmitter will be quick to point out, the food at Citizen’s Bank Park is tremendous. I’d say it’s a home run, but if I did the cliché police would come after me.

Watching baseball whilst chomping down on a delicious/possibly artery hardening sandwich is every American’s birthright. Realizing this, Stroehmann Bakeries’ have started the Sandwich Slamm. Through September 30th, fans of the Fightins have the opportunity to get their Dagwood-Bumstead-on by creating elaborate sandwiches using Stroehmann bread then uploading pictures of the resulting culinary creations to the company’s Facebook page.

The contest has been running since last month, with a prize pack of four Phillies tickets being given out to a winner each week. A grand prize of tickets to see the Phillies’ spring training in Clearwater, Florida next March will be awarded at the end of the competition.

If the winners so far — including a jaw-dropping concoction that recreates the Phillie Phanatic in lettuce — are any indication, entrants have their work cut out for them.

This is a town that loves its food, so whaddya say Geekadelphians? Do you have what it takes to win it all? If so, grab yourself somebread, some meats, condiments aplenty and go to town Top Chef-style. Visit the company’s Facebook page for more information on how to enter.

Grandpa Stroehmann would have wanted it that way.

I have to admit, when I first heard that Pearl Jam was celebrating their twenty year anniversary with a biodoc, I fully expected a gaggle of self-indulgent garbage that would only interest hardcore fans. Director Cameron Crowe could have thrown together a lame tapestry of never-before-seen footage, essentially creating yet another Pearl Jam tour collectible for suburban moms and dads, and still hit huge ticket sales. Instead, Crowe manages to capture some truly candid moments and feelings in an era where they’re becoming increasingly harder to come by thanks to modern inventions like the internet and social media.

The film, which is opening at the Franklin Institute tomorrow, dedicates most of the first 30 minutes to the band Mother Love Bone, which was the outfit that PJ’ers Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament belonged to before the arrival of Eddie Vedder. But, the untimely and devastating death of frontman Andrew Wood from a heroin overdose left the band reeling just days before the release of their debut album. In a truly moving interview, a tearful Chris Cornell – leading man for fellow Seattle-ites Soundgarden – discusses the tragedy from his point of view. “Everyone said that when Kurt blew his head off, the innocence died. That’s not true. The innocence died when Andrew left us.”

Shortly thereafter, we’re treated to snippets of a very shy, nervous, and introverted young Vedder applying for the open position as lead singer through a demo tape Crowe managed to unearth. Vedder proves to be a charming interview, even in a few MTV spots from 1990 where he discusses being the “new kid” (Vedder was born in Illinois, and spent years in the SoCal music scene), while he tries to carve a niche for himself and honor the memory of Wood all at the same time. I could have watched 90 minutes of Young Vedder and left truly satisfied.

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Next week, the Doylestown Bookshop is hosting a seriously awesome night of bookish geekery, wrangling in celebrated authors Jeff Ryan and Stephen H. Segal.

Jeff Ryan, the author of Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America, will be speaking about his latest book, while Stephen H. Segal, a Philadelphia area author and editor, will chat with guests about his recent title, Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture.

Jeff’s title (which I was recently sent by Penguin), is an awesome non-fiction book that details Nintendo’s rise from 1981′s original Mario title (when he was just jumping over barrels to save the princess from Donkey Kong) to the legendary brand and innovator they are today.

Stephen’s book (full disclosure: I worked on this title at my day job), is a collection of 200 of the most important and powerful quotes from nerd culture, accompanied by insightful mini essays about each.

The event kicks off at 6pm and wraps up around 8. Come on out and hang out with two fabulous authors.

Geek Night @ the Doylestown Bookshop
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
www.doylestownbookshop.com/event/geeknight/092811

I’m sorry, Mann Center. I’m psyched to help host a giveaway. But your event is entitled Angel’s Bone… so, you’re getting a Flight of the Conchords song about angels doin’ it as your header image. Deal with it.

So yeah. Angel’s Bone.

The Mann Center was commissioned by the Philadelphia Music Project to put on an experimental show this Friday, September 23rd, entitled Angel’s Bone: An Imaginary Tale of Facts featuring Du Yun & International Contemporary Ensemble.

It’s a mixture of classical music, pop, cabaret, noise and visual art. According to the folks at the Mann, it’s all very fantasy and science fiction-esque, what with the story telling the “tale of captivity, bondage and eventual liberation of two heavenly angels from a family with a subversive secret.” The event incorporates a cool story and some neat technology, and I’ve got a pair of tickets to dish out.

So! Leave a comment about your favorite angel from literature, film, television, whatever… and I’ll pick one of you at random for a free set of tickets to this awesome event at the Mann Center.

For more information on the show, visit the Mann’s official website. And remember. There are angels. In the clouds. Doin’ it.

Angel’s Bone @ the Mann Center
Friday, September 23rd, 2011
www.manncenter.org/du-yun-angels-bone

Fun Fact: Philadelphia hosts the largest shell show in the Northeast… and we’re not exactly located next to the ocean. But hey, that’s not gonna stop the Academy of Natural Sciences from presenting the Philadelphia Shell Show & Festival next weekend.

According to a release from the museum, “thousands of exotic treasures of the sea will be on display and for sale at the annual event” with a number of fun events through the weekend. This includes an exhibit of competitive shell displays, a market featuring jewelery, shells, crafts and artwork… there even classes with artists who will teach you how to make sailor’s valentines.

And hey, bring the kids. Every year the Academy has a giant barrel FULL of free shells for the little ones. Or maybe pretend you have kids and take some home for them. That’s what I do.

The show and festival are free with museum admission, and its open from 10am to 5pm. Have fun!

Philadelphia Shell Show @ the Academy
October 1st & 2nd, 2011
www.ansp.org/shell/index.php

Look, it wouldn’t be Halloween without the Indy Hall / Geekadelphia team-up for our annual bash. So mark your calendars for Friday, October 28th.

This year’s theme is bold. Mustache Madness. Come dressed up as your favorite mustached person or character from history… or hell, just grow the raddest, madness mustache you possibly can. You’ve got nearly a month and a half to prepare those whiskers. So bring it on. And gals, don’t worry! Fake mustaches will win prizes too. Bonus points, EXTRA bonus points, for creative interpretations of the theme.

We’ll be announcing the prize categories soon, as well as drink specials (which will be themed and delicious). But for now, start your growin’.

Each year’s shindig has been better than the last, greatly in part to our gracious host Tattooed Mom. As always, thank you for having us. You can RSVP here with Anyvite to save the date and get updates.

Interested in sponsoring some prizes? Give us a shout. We’re always up for bringing more people on board.

Mustache Madness: Indy Hall & Geekadelphia Halloween Bash
Friday, October 28th, 2011
www.anyvite.com/21pa0vanqb

Halloween is just around the corner and Hollywood is starting the season up with the Daniel Craig haunted house thriller Dream House.  The film looks to put a different spin on the all too familiar story of family who recently moves into a house with a sordid past.

While I would normally scoff at the premise, after Insidious I think there still might be some room to tell a new story in this specific genre. Not too mention a $60 million budget and a cast that includes Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts, this doesn’t look like your run of the mill haunted house tale.

The film hits theaters Friday September 30th, and we have 30 admit two passes for a screening next Thursday, September 29th at 10pm at the Rave. Want to win a pass? Simply comment with you favorite haunted house film and why, and the top 30 by Wednesday September 28th will be checking the film out a day early!

In the meantime check out the trailer below.

If your senior prom was this cool, you might have gone!

This Saturday, September 24th, zombies invade the Trocadero for the annual Zombie Prom. As always, your hosts DJ Robert Drake, Dave Ghoul and Melissa Torre have quite the soiree in store for you!

This year’s entertainment includes 2 floors of awesome: DJ’s Dave Ghoul and Kiltboy will spin downstairs while The Mighty Mike Saga takes over the balcony. Later in the eve, live acts Live Not on Evil and the Young Werewolves will rock the stage. At 11pm there will even be a zombie king and queen crowned, so be sure to gear up with your best undead fashions! As always, makeup artists will be available to help you get your zombie on ($10+ fee, with all the money going directly to the artists!).

And you can get a FREE prom photo taken to remember this lovely night, taken off the dance floor next to the DJ booth!

Philadelphia is the city of zombie love so be sure to make it out to this deadly delight! For more details be sure to visit the official site here.

Philadelphia Zombie Prom
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
www.phillyzombiecrawl.com/prom_details.html

As the month of DC first issues rolls on, this week I review the new Red Lanterns series and the return of the Suicide Squad. Plus, after far too long of a time, we get blessed with a new issue of Optic Nerve. All in this week’s Comic Roundup!

Optic Nerve #12
By Adrian Tomine

Optic Nerve has always been a book that I will gladly wait the year or two in between issues for since Tomine’s work is that good and really worth the wait. I have never been disappointed in any issue of Optic Nerve and the recently arrived issue #12 has kept that steak alive quite admirably.

For issue #12, Tomine returns to the short story format he used so well in earlier issues. The opening story, “Hortisculpture”, is classic Tomine and tells the tale of a frustrated artist and coming to terms with your dreams when they don’t come true. “Amber Sweet” is the existential kind of tale that Tomine is so well known for, and will remind you of stories from earlier issues. But the story that really got to me was the two pager in the back that tells of Tomine’s own frustrations with the death of independent comic book “floppies” and how most indy comic creators now just work on graphic novels. It’s relevance in this age if digital comics and trades will get you thinking.

Tomine has gone with a simpler, almost cartoony art style for this new issue and I really like it. The art in older issues had an almost austere feeling to them where this seems more organic and fun.

On the whole, Optic Nerve #12 is another triumph from Tomine and well worth the time between issues. I just really, really hope I don’t have to wait another 2 plus years for issue #13.

Final Grade: A

Suicide Squad #1
By Adam Glass and Federico Dallocchio

Suicide Squad has always been a favorite title of mine. The original incarnation was a solid, deep series that always left you wanting more. Its spiritual successor, Secret Six, was also much loved and now sorely missed since it didn’t make the jump to DC’s New 52. This new version of the Squad seems to be trying to please both fan bases with mixed results.

The premise of Suicide Squad is still the same; convicted criminals are given a chance to work off prison time if they go on missions deemed to dangerous for regular super heroes. Deadshot is the only holdover from both previous series, except now he looks more like Isaac Clarke from Dead Space than Deadshot. The problem is that not much really happens in this first issue. We’re given a quick bio of each new member, a skinny Amanda Waller and that’s about it. Glass really seems to be courting the Secret Six crowd as this feels more like an issue of that series that any Suicide Squad I ever read. Dallocchio’s art is good, if a bit unexciting.

There is enough good stuff in this first issue to bring me back next month. But I just hope this starts to feel like the Suicide Squad soon, and not Secret Six 2.0, otherwise I may have to jump ship.

Final Grade: C+

Red Lanterns #1
By Peter Milligan and Ed Benes

I have never been a big Green Lantern reader as lately the series has taken on the trappings of the X-Men books of the 90’s where you had to read a bajillion books to get the story. I picked up Red Lanterns on the recommendation of the clerk at the comic shop though and, while not completely blown away, am still glad I bought it.

Like most of these New 52 first issues, Milligan spends most of the issue setting up shop and, in the wake of the War of the Green Lanterns, giving the Red Lanterns a new reason to exist. There is lots of dialogue and internal monologues by Atrocitus and a serious lack of action. However, this worked in my case since I knew almost nothing about the Red Lanterns before reading this comic. The pencils by Benes are good, if a bit on the simple side. But he draws a hell of an Atrocitus and his Bleez is sexy as all get out.

If you are a long time reader of the Green Lantern books, then you might find Red Lanterns #1 a bit boring and repetitive. But for a new reader like me, it’s an entertaining, if wordy, first issue that has me curious about what happens next.

Final Grade: B-