This Week in Geek: Spam, Spam, Space and Spam

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

Yuri Gagarin in Sweden
(image from Wikimedia Commons)

Friday

• Yay Space! - Yuri’s Night - Global Event - Times vary by location
• To honor Yuri Gagarin’s first manned space flight in 1961, events are held in celebration every year. The site boasts 241 parties, in 40 countries, across 6 continents. Yuri's Night DC keeps track of those that are close to us. Right now it looks like the best bet is the Science Club - unsurprising, right?
• Dr Who - Blink at Black Cat - Washington, DC - 7:00PM
• I try not to belabor the themed Happy Hours, but with this episode, I’m making an exception. I am not a Who fan (yet), but this is the episode I hear about most and see the most cosplay of. So I thought l should let you all know it’s up this week.

"Sakura of Fukushima-e"
(image from Wikimedia Commons)

Saturday

• Japanese Culture - Sakura Matsuri - Washington, DC - 10:30AM to 6:00PM
• I’m going, you’re [likely] going, everyone is going! Meetups include the NoVA Geek Club, Chantilly’s Anime ConGoers, the Baltimore Genshiken, and Hampton Anime Club. Seriously, if you don’t feel like schlepping up to the tidal basin for the now fully bloomed flowers, still go to the street fair. Great food, amazing crafts, and tons and tons of people.

Sunday

• Gaming - Star Wars LCG Regionals - Chantilly, VA - 11:00AM
• Pretty straight-up tourney at Game Parlor this weekend. Star Wars LCG Regionals are going on this sunday and sign up starts at 11:00AM (tourney starts at 11:30). So, Virginians, turn off those targeting computers and show a little love for our local shop.

Next Monday

• Big Data - The Folly of Technological Solutionism - Washington, DC - 9:30AM
• This discussion examines the way that “smart” tech and big data’s ramifications in politics, culture, and life will begin to manifest in more obvious and potentially insidious ways. In geekdom, it’s tempting to assume that a bigger, better, smarter tech can always serve and ease human life - but is that a little naive? Evgeny Morozov, the author of To Save Everything, Click Here, will be presenting on the morality and responsibility of technological developments.

1969 BBC Promotional image of Monty Python
(image from Wikimedia Commons) 

Longer Term

• Theater - Spamalot - Washington, DC - Wednesday through Sunday
• Heh, “I am a leaf on the wind.” Well, now all you Browncoats are sad, but it’s nothing that a little surrealist humor can’t fix - or a bunny with great big long teeth. You know the music, so as always remember to lip sync rather than truly sing along for the sake of those sitting next to you. Also, hunt down anyone in your social circle that’s unfamiliar with Monty Python and make sure to save them a seat.

Did we miss something? If you have an event you’d like to promote that isn’t on this list, leave a comment or email us. Other weekly recurring 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.