The Internet Society (ISOC) is hosting a conference on Maintaining Trust: The Future of Internet Security and Privacy on October 5, right here in Philadelphia.

The ISOC, who brought us World IPv6 Day, is a non-profit group that provides leadership in Internet related standards, education and policy. They work to further discussion and action to help protect the future of the internet.

Whether you like it or not, information about you is everywhere on the Internet. Any time you sign up for a website or buy something online, you trust that site to keep your information safe and secure from security breaches. Even non-online transactions like heath records that are stored within the internal networks of companies can be vulnerable to outside attack.

The conference will address some of these risks, and key topics of the day include Data Security, System Security, Customer Data Management, and Protecting Information in the Cloud.

So while this post isn’t about comic books or celebrity interviews like we normal cover, the event is a great opportunity to learn about Internet security and connect with leaders in the field of information risk-management.

Maintaining Trust: The Future of Internet Security and Privacy
Hosted by The Internet Society (ISOC)
October 5, 2011

Sheraton Philadelphia
201 N. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society’s Annual conference, Philcon, will celebrate 75 years this November. That’s 75 years of a lot of geeks getting together to talk about their favorite science fiction while dressing up in costume and just generally geeking out.

This year’s principal speaker is Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing and author of such amazing works as Little Brother, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Science Fiction, and Overclocked: Stories of the Future Present. The artist guests of honor are Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, and the special musical guest is S.J. “Sooj” Tucker.

The conference will be held from November 18th to the 20th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ. The early bird price is $40 for a three-day pass ($25 for both students and active military with identification), so if you want to go, get your tickets now, before they go up.

The conference spans many aspects of science fiction – from books, to art, anime, comics, and video games. There’s also a Time-Traveler’s Masquerade Ball that Saturday night. To purchase tickets or make hotel reservations, check out their website.

Philcon
November 18th – 20th, 2011
2011.philcon.org

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

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

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

I LOVE me some flea markets. In fact, just this past weekend I was busy rummaging around Eastern State Penitentiary, thanks to the bi-weekly Center City flea markets. Nothing like scouring bins of junk to hunt down rare treasures.

This Saturday, head over to FDR Park to browse through the American Swedish Historical Museum’s 2nd Annual Flea Market and Museum Open House. The market runs from 9am to 2pm, and during the market, you can visit the museum for free.

You can also look forward to fresh baked goods, food, beverages, etc. So swing by and rummage. I’ll see you there.

2nd Annual Flea Market and Open House @ ASHM
Saturday, September 17th, 2011 9AM – 2PM
www.americanswedish.org

They only meet in the cover of darkness. Lies. Deception. This clandestine group gathers each month in carefully-guarded secret locations. Cover stories pass from person to person. It’s dangerous business, this game.

And it’s not what you think.

Each month, the Underground Rebel Bingo Club meets in cities across the world – London, Madrid, New York, LA – for a raucous night of dancing, drinking and the extremely exciting game of marking down numbers in little boxes. The rules are a bit vague (and it seems heavy drinking and skimpy costumes are encouraged), but one thing’s for certain: this isn’t the normal church basement type of Bingo.

“People come to drink, dance, scream and shout – but above all – to play hardcore Rebel Bingo and win weird prizes,” organizers say.

And now, they’re in Philly for one night only. This Saturday, these crazy BINGO players are meeting at a secret location somewhere in the city, to fulfill their addiction to this rebellious underground game (our sources tell us it’s at a certain popular music venue on South Street).

Get your cover story straight and buy tickets on the club’s website. Entrance is $7 for now, but gets more expensive as the game draws closer. Doors open at 9, but the party lasts until 2 a.m.

Want tickets? We’re giving some away. To enter, leave a comment below about your favorite BINGO letter/number combination. We’ll choose at random and notify the winner tomorrow morning!

Already planning to hit up National Mechanics tonight? Great! Because the popular geek haven is hosting a special food-centric Science on Tap this evening.

Entitled Chile Peppers: Heat and History, this session will be led by Joseph Rucker, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development at Integral Molecular, Inc. Here’s the details from the Academy’s press release.

In this spicy illustrated talk, biochemist Joseph Rucker will share his personal interest in the history and science of chile peppers.

Chile peppers are one of the most notable gifts of the New World to the Old. The global spread of chile peppers altered world cuisine, giving us everything from moles to masalas. Just as important, the “heat” of chile peppers provides a window for understanding the sensations of pain and temperature.

This month’s Science on Tap is being presented by the APS museum. I’ll see you there, geeks!

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, September 12th at 6 pm
www.nationalmechanics.com

Those 10pm screenings of familiar favorites are coming back to the Ritz at the Bourse starting September 9th.

This years series includes not only  the familiar favorites (like one of my all time favorites, Jurassic Park), but the premier of what looks to be one of the most controversial films of the year… The Human Centipede II: Full Sequence.

Have a peek at the schedule below. Definitely looks to be a lot of fun for film buffs looking to see some of their favorites on the big screen. I’ll probably be checking out at least 5 or 6 of them myself.  See you there!

• Sept 9th & 10th : Jurassic Park
• Sept 16th & 17th : Back to the Future
• Sept 23rd & 24th : Clue
• Sept 30th & Oct 1st : Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
• Oct  7th & 8th : The Human Centipede II: Full Sequence
• Oct 14th & 15th : The Princess Bride
• Oct 21th & 22th : Zombie
• Oct 28th & 29th : Shaun of the Dead

Pic lovingly stolen from Affentod’s flickr via Cinedelphia

Over the past couple of weeks, Philadelphians have had to endure an earthquake, seemingly endless rain and the debut of the latest season of Jersey Shore. So it’s understandable if you feel like the end is near.

But what if I told your fears were misguided? My friends, I’m happy to report that it’s not the apocalypse that’s just around the corner, but the Kochalkalypse! You see, indie comics sensation James Kochalka – of Johnny Boo, Monkey vs. Robot and American Elf fame — will be coming to Philly this weekend for two days of cartooning and music.

Kicking things off with be an appearance at Brave New Worlds this Friday that serves both as a signing event for the debut issue of his Fungus comic (released on the new Retrofit imprint) and an art show of Kochalka-inspired work from members of the Philly Comix Jam. Brave New Worlds First Friday events are always worth checking out, but this month’s even more so given that Kochalka is a rising talent in the industry. Fortunately, the kooky Kochalka antics don’t stop there.

On Saturday he’ll be joined by nerd core great MC Blackwolf at South Philly’s Cha-Cha’Razzi venue for a night of 8-bit music. You can put aside any fears you may have that Kochalka is the drawing equivalent of the Rock Bottom Remainders. He’s actually an accomplished musician whose songs have been featured on Nickelodeon and Fox. His tunes tend to be just as smart and whimsical as his art, so paying a visit to his world should prove to be both the coolest and geekiest way for y’all to spend your weekend.

James Kochalka Signing/Philly Comix Jam Art Show
Friday, September 2. 6pm. Free.
Brave New Worlds: 45 N. 2nd Street

James Kochalka with MC Blackwolf
Saturday, September 3. 5pm. Free.
Cha-Cha’Razzi. 1918 S. Bancroft St.