This Week in Geek 2011/10/02

Big Apple Circus (via saeru)

A showcase of this week's finest geek and geek related activities for the week. Mark your calendars.

Longer term

• General - Big Apple Circus - Dulles, VA - through 10/10
• ◦ This is the last full week of the Big Apple Circus. For me, circuses are equal parts awesome and terrifying. I think they provide story ideas and character backgrounds for RPGs like Changeling and Little Fears. If you don't share my coulrophobia, the circus is probably 100% awesome. The Big Apple Circus has a lot of wonderful community programs that'll make you feel good about going.
• Comedy - Tucker & Dale vs. Evil: Showing at the West End Cinema - Washington DC - 8:00pm and 10:00pm
• If you're as dedicated a browncoat as I am, you'll understand why this made my list. Anything with Alan Tudyk (or any former Firefly cast member) has instant geek appeal. The movie pits a pair of well-meaning hicks against a hoard of death-prone jocks and hot chicks. Currently, it as a 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Check out the trailer.
• Art - Puzzles of the Brain: An Artist's Journey through Amnesia - Baltimore, MD - through 12/11
• If you're looking for something more highbrow that combines science and art geekiness, check out this exhibit at the Walters Art Museum. Lonni Sue Johnson worked as an artist for The New Yorker until encephalitis destroyed part of her brain responsible for artistic creativity. "The Walters is partnering with the Cognitive Science Department of the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Science at The Johns Hopkins University to present a focus show of approximately 25 works exploring the impact of severe brain damage on the life and creativity of an artist."

Monday

• General - TV Party Tonight! at Black Cat - Washington, DC - 8:30pm
• Almost all of my early geeky referential humor came from The Simpsons. Most of the TV trivia buffs I know cut their teeth on the show. The same awesome people who bring you the Hellmouth Happy Hour each week are having a night of classic episodes and $10 pitchers of Red Room Ale.

Tuesday

• General - Night of the Living Gourd at the Jack Rose Dining Saloon - Washington, DC - 5:00pm
• As a beer geek, I tend to try to keep an eye out for funky events like this. Jack Rose is debuting the Flying Dog Brewery's Imperial Pumpkin Ale by serving it directly out of pumpkins. I don't know what a "beer themed" costume would be, but if you have one, you could win prizes for being the best. I agree with the Post on this one: Duffman cosplayers, your time has come once again.

Thursday

• Comedy - Matthew Inman (creator of The Oatmeal) Book Signing - Bethesda, MD - 7:00pm
• According to my studies, there are two types of people: Those who love The Oatmeal, and those who haven't read it yet. Inman has provided a concise way to explain why I'm a horrible cook. He's also providing a service to grammarians everywhere. Inman is hitting Bethesda, MD as the southernmost point on his book tour for 5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth (And Other Useful Guides). RSVP on Facebook.

Don't trust anything this adorable (via Steelmore)

Friday

• General - Archie Comics Literacy Tour - Washington, DC - 9:00am - 4:00pm
• The tour seeks to promote literacy and learning through comic books while celebrating 70 years of Archie Comics. The tour began back at San Diego Comic Con and makes one of its last stops here in DC. Archie is attempting to help schools encourage reluctant readers using comics. Great for geeks with kids.

Sunday

• Music - Jonah Knight @ Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Fest - Washington, DC - Noon
• Jonah Knight of Steampunk / Supernatural music fame is coming out to Caribou Coffee this Sunday as well.  Hopefully he'll be playing some music from his new cd Nobody Gets the Girl.

Remember, for geeks without kids (or with a babysitter), if you still want something vaguely educational to do with your Friday, there's always the Rock & Roll Spelling Buzz.

An exciting week! Get to it! Other weekly reoccurring events are listed on our website (such as Rocky, CCG tournaments, crazy themed happy hours). For more information, check out the calendars at DC Geeks.