Spring is here, the blossoms are blooming, and so is your brain! This month you will learn everything you never knew you wanted to know about male mice. Plus badass Black librarians who fought censorship and improved libraries forever, and what actually happens in your brain when you read. And Von will explain that “Allamaraine!” thing everyone is always yelling.
April 10th, 2025 doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
Male mice have a tough life. They have to travel extensively to find food, patrol their territory, find mates, and avoid predators. In addition, they have to fight other males to control territories and gain opportunities to reproduce. However, many of the anatomical traits that make a mouse good at running or fighting directly conflict with each other, leading to trade-offs between these important behaviors. In this talk, you’ll learn about these trade-offs and how they interact with ever-changing environmental factors, leading to an evolutionary scenario for which there is no ideal solution.
Dr. Jeremy Morris is an evolutionary biologist and professor at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His research focuses on anatomy and physiology related to animal performance. Dr. Morris is also very interested in public engagement in science and has brought science and conservation projects to public audiences in prisons, museums, and other venues. Dr. Morris is an avid traveler and has spent several years traveling abroad and spends much of his free time trail running, rock climbing, skiing, and pursuing other adventures.
Zoe Bergmire-Sweat
How Black Librarians Fought Censorship (and Improved Your Life)
Librarians have been subverting censorship efforts for centuries! And yet, over the span of 50 years, librarians’ efforts and the effects of their work rippled beyond library walls into American society. Their names and identities did not. 5 female black librarians of the 20th century decolonized library shelves, preserved black history, spoke truth to power, set the standards for library collections, and created a brand new library service. How they managed to do all of that is instrumental in standing up to censorship efforts today!
Zoe is a current Youth Services librarian at Buncombe County Public Libraries. She has been paid for working in libraries for 8 years, but she has been in libraries for over two decades! She has a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies, and an undergraduate in creative writing. When she’s not surrounded by literature, or attending Nerd Nites she can be found with a crafting group which meets at Purl’s Yarn Emporium to work on their creations while watching nerdy shows. IG: @pistachio_poet BlueSky: @zoeelizab-s.bsky.social
Jess McLean
Reading and the Brain
Ever wonder what your brain actually does when you read? This talk will break down the science of reading, revealing how four brain processors work together to turn squiggles on a page into meaning. We’ll explore why learning letter sounds (phonics!) is essential for cracking the alphabetic code—and why the literacy crisis in the U.S. is a problem we can’t afford to ignore.
Jess is an Asheville native and Nerd Nite superfan. As Co-Executive Director of Read 2 Succeed Asheville/Buncombe (R2S), Jess has spent years studying the science of reading and applying that knowledge as a reading instructor and education advocate. When not at the office, you can probably find Jess watching Star Trek with her husband, gardening, cooking a delicious vegetarian meal, or texting everyone she knows about getting tickets for the next Nerd Nite! https://www.r2sasheville.org/
With your host, Von
This month’s Star Trek mini-feature: Allamaraine!?
You’ve heard it at every show. You’ve maybe even yelled it yourself. Now you will get to see the origin… the legend… the iconic episode of Deep Space Nine that gave us our rallying cry, Move Along Home. An episode so infamous that it has Star Trek fans debating whether it is one of the best or worst episodes of all time. (Spoiler: it’s both.) Allamaraine!
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @nerdniteAVL)
Be there and be square!
Want to present at Nerd Nite Asheville? Check out our presenter info page, or email !
Have you felt lately as though we’re living the plot of some absurdist novel? Well, you’re not alone, and this month, our presenters will take you from preserving history to analyzing the absurdity of it, to protecting yourself from the all-seeing eyes of dystopian surveillance. Buckle up, because this month’s show is a trip!
March 13th, 2025 doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
Archives are how we create and preserve the events that unfold around us every day, but the work that goes into archiving what will be referred to as historical events in the future is largely invisible. In this talk you’ll learn about how 21st century archivists work alongside community members to ensure that we build a robust and diverse archive of materials that will help us understand the past and plan for a better future, and how archivists are documenting and preserving the events around Helene.
Katherine is an aggressively enthusiastic public historian and Asheville native (Yes! We exist!) currently managing the Buncombe County Special Collections library in Downtown Asheville. Almost nothing brings her more joy than engaging folks with the past and helping them to realize that history is more than dates and “important people” – it’s the foundation of our collective memory and a roadmap for our future. @yunz.are.sumthinelse ; @AVLHistory Website: Specialcollections.buncombecounty.org
Ashley Allen
Our Current Reality is Multimodal Post-Modernist Literature
Join Ashley as she draws parallels between our current lived experiences and the literary subgenre of multimodal Postmodernist Literature. Is it the next big Literary Theory? A social commentary? Or the next iteration of simulation conspiracy theories? Who knows, but buckle up! Taking a closer look at the genre tenets of Postmodernist literature and its representation through multiple modalities, this presentation will hopefully entertain and inform in equal measure.
Ashley Allen (she/her) is an advocate for literacy, both personally as an avid reader and professionally as the Co-Executive Director of local nonprofit Read 2 Succeed. When not nerding out on all things literary, Ashley enjoys rollerblading, diamond art, learning about reptile husbandry, and a good D&D Campaign. Check out R2S’ website here- https://www.r2sasheville.org/
Nicole Lopez
Surveillance Self-Defense for the Current Panopticon
We live in a constant state of surveillance. We carry tiny computers with cameras and microphones around in our pockets that ping cell towers and join wifi networks while the apps we use track and sell our personal data. We trade in our privacy for convenience, personalized advertisements, and perceived wins in public safety. This talk will provide an overview of the current state of surveillance from creepy adtech to law enforcement surveillance to more advanced threats of spyware. Surveillance can be scary, especially in this moment of political upheaval, but fear not! We’ll cover the tools at our disposal to take back our privacy, so that everybody leaves feeling more informed and less powerless to the panopticon!
Nicole Lopez (she/her) is Director of Technology at Midwest Access Coalition, a practical support abortion fund supporting people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest to access abortion care, where she straddles software development, IT management, and digital security. A seasoned digital security trainer, she previously worked at Digital Defense Fund, which specializes in digital security and tech support for the abortion access movement. Nicole is also a co-organizer for two communities of techies, Code with Asheville and Techies for Reproductive Justice. When not nerding out about tech, you can find her petting one of her cats, salsa dancing, or playing classical piano works by women and people of color ignored by the classical music canon.
With your host, Von
This month’s Star Trek mini-feature: Captain Kathryn F*king Janeway
What makes Captain Janeway an incredible Starfleet captain? Her bravery, self-sacrifice, diplomacy, love for science and ability to keep her crew united while isolated in the Delta Quadrant?
Think again.
Coffee, murder, and triggering the self destruct on her ship like it’s a fetish. This month you’ll see why Janeway is a not just a brilliant leader, but a goddamned menace. Janeway pi one one zero, motherf*ckers!
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @nerdniteAVL)
Be there and be square!
Want to present at Nerd Nite Asheville? Check out our presenter info page, or email !
It’s time to fall in love… with learning! Join us this month to learn about Asheville’s tuberculosis sanitarium boom era, everything you’ve ever wanted to know about signs, and the rich cultural background of Hip Hop.
February 13th, 2025 doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
Asheville’s rapid growth and wealth prior to the Great Depression was based on its reputation as a wellness destination that began in 1870. The very lucrative Tuberculosis Sanitarium Era was followed by vigorous efforts to promote Asheville as a healthy place for healthy people that were led by the Vanderbilts and Grove. Many current buildings, such as BPR, sit on the locations of former TB sanitaria. Efforts to control spitting in the early 1900’s were comical.
David O. Freedman, MD, originally from Montreal, Canada, birthplace of William Shatner, is a recently retired Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama (UAB). He has spent his career traveling around the world in search of new infectious diseases organisms and how travelers spread them. He remains as an Editor of CDC’s Health Information for International Travel (the Yellow Book). He is thrilled to have moved to Asheville in 2023 after vacationing frequently here for over 25 years.
Super Rob
The Super Signguy Presents the Science of Signs
This engaging presentation dives into how shapes, colors, and fonts influence our decisions and behavior, from navigating traffic to choosing a product. With fun anecdotes, interactive elements, and surprising insights, you’ll discover the power of signs in shaping our daily lives and the future of branding and design.
With over 30 years in the sign industry, I’ve learned signage isn’t just about trends—it’s a science. My career started in Chicago, took me to Florida, and eventually landed me in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where the scenery hooked me, and the people made me stay. I jokingly call what I do “advanced kindergarten” because signage is a basic business need that’s often overlooked, but my superpower is making it simple, effective, and affordable. When I’m not creating super solutions, you’ll find me and my superhero crew in parades, hosting 12V rallies, or out in the community helping local businesses shine. FB/IG: @thesupersignguy http://thesupersignguy.com/
Nex Millen
The Elements and Principles of Hip Hop Culture
Hip Hop is a distinctly American art form birthed from the ingenuity of Black youth in the 1970s. Today, the cultural roots of Hip Hop have been obscured by stereotypes, corporate greed, and a preoccupation with image. In this presentation, we will learn the eight elements of Hip Hop and seven principles of the culture, how they worked in harmony together in the golden era, and the disconnect created by corporate control today.
Nex Millen is a Hip Hop Scholar and Cultural Curator from Philadelphia. He is also a music producer whose career spans three decades. In Asheville, Nex is on the board of directors for the YMI Cultural Center, the oldest operating Black Cultural Center in the country. He also leads a successful lifestyle and cultural arts brand called OG Synergy. OG Synergy, along with music business consulting, nightlife curating, creates middle school to collegiate level lectures, workshops and activities to bring awareness to the culture of Hip Hop. IG: @nexmillen
With your host, Von
This month’s Star Trek mini-feature: Far Beyond the Stars
Deep Space Nine, the second series of the 80s-90s Star Trek revival era, gave us many fun, campy episodes (including the episode that gave Nerd Nite Asheville its rallying cry–Allamaraine!). But in its sixth season, it delivered possibly the most moving episode in Star Trek history, Far Beyond the Stars, which turns Captain Benjamin Sisko, Star Trek’s first Black captain, into a segregation-era science fiction writer who dreams up the story of Deep Space Nine.
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @nerdniteAVL)
Be there and be square!
Want to present at Nerd Nite Asheville? Check out our presenter info page, or email !
Pushing the Limits of Creativity with Rapid Prototyping
The exponential growth and complexity of technology has been a defining force in our modern societal landscape. The increasing accessibility and lessening cost of small electronic devices and microcontrollers has made tech development and prototyping accessible for the hobbyist! No longer do we creators rely on a university, corporation, or defense agency to fund our endeavors. In this way, the creation of new tech is becoming democratized. Join me as we learn about how ANYONE can develop IoT (Internet of Things) devices and robotics technology in their free time with minimal code knowledge and how this bolsters the burgeoning tech landscape with fresh ideas and creations.
Colonel Panic is a hacker, musician, malware researcher, and a robotics and iot developer working as a lead threat researcher in the cybersecurity industry. His interests are transhumanism, futurism, biohacking, ai, tech, malware, philosophy, physics, sci-fi mythology, music, art, and the ineffable spirit of the hacker mindset.
Russell Pirkle
Investigating Common Word Crimes
Is talking good important to you? In this presentation Russell will explore some common grammar and language pet peeves, how they came about, and other things we say which are equally “wrong” but don’t bother us for some reason. From literally to aks to fewer vs. less, Russell will explore all the greatest hits of grammar school teachers.
Russell is an English second language teacher and speech language pathologist currently teaching at AB Tech Community College and completing SLP clinical rotations. Russell also hosts a podcast about music and language called Getting Down & Wordy and just generally spends a lot of time obsessing over words. IG/tiktok: @gettingdownandwordy podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-down-wordy/id1581316249
Tavi
The Kingdom of Hawaii
In 1959, Hawaii officially became the 50th American State. But before Western contact, Hawaii was a thriving society with its own culture, governance, and traditions. Its history transitioned from warring tribes to an independent kingdom, followed by American occupation, designation as a U.S. territory, and eventually statehood. Despite its significance, this history is often overlooked or ignored. Tavi will share Hawaii’s incredible history, along with some live cultural demonstrations you won’t want to miss!
Raised in Western North Carolina, Tavi didn’t learn of his Māori Heritage until he was 17. This discovery led him to the decision to move to Hawaii to go to school and learn of his culture. In 2015, Tavi started training, dancing and performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center. His extensive training included multiple Pacific Cultures ans the Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Dance.) While performing at the PCC at night, Tavi attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii where he received a Degree in Mathematics and a minor in Pacific Island Studies. He now lives in Asheville, NC and continues to perform and train all over this area of thr country. Tavi is now a Math & Science Teacher at Odyssey School located right here in Asheville. On top of a first year of teaching, he runs a small 3D Printing Business, and just had a newborn in September. IG: @tavi.does.stuff
With your host, Von
This month’s Star Trek mini-feature: New Year, Strange New Worlds
The very first episode of Star Trek was a pilot called The Cage, which featured a different crew from the crew you know from the original series. Instead of Captain Kirk, there was Captain Pike and his first officer, the original “Number One”, Una Chin-Riley. While the world wasn’t ready for that story in the 1960s, we’re now getting to know Pike and Number One–along with a younger Uhura and Spock, and a motley crew of other talented oddballs–through Strange New Worlds. This month, Von will give you an introduction to SNW, a show that is currently airing, and which is currently the best place to start on a Star Trek journey for the first time.
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @nerdniteAVL)
Be there and be square!
Want to present at Nerd Nite Asheville? Check out our presenter info page, or email !
Asheville was chosen to be the destination of the 2024 Nerd Nite Boss retreat, and so we will be hosting 20 bosses from other Nerd Nite cities! Our September show will be a Boss-stravaganza on a Saturday night, instead of our usual Thursday show.
Saturday, September 28th, 2024. Doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a stark reality: we cannot solely rely on the government to come to our rescue in times of crisis, especially when it comes to food. This realization has sparked a growing need for self-sufficiency. In urban environments, it may be challenging to envision agricultural possibilities, especially when we’re far removed from traditional food production. However, there is hope. This presentation will explore various ways you can become a farmer, even without access to a conventional farm.
Von Barnes (@FarmerVonSaid) is the founder of Kentuckiana Backyard Farms (@KentuckianaBF), a micro urban demonstration farm in the Louisville metro area. On that farm he has managed goat, chicken, duck, quail, rabbit, and BSF (black soldier flies). He serves on the steering committee for Food In Neighborhoods, a city network that has been doing food justice work. He is one of the co-leads for Louisville Urban League Project Kilimo. Most notably was the Ted Talk that was presented in early 2023 on solving food insecurity in Kentucky with micro gardens.
He earned his B.S. in Mass Communication from the University of South Florida., and plans to enroll in a master program in agriculture.
Cat Aboudara
The Rabble Rousing Mary Dyer
Cat was gobsmacked when she came across Winona Ryder portraying her ancestor Mary Dyer on Drunk History. But of course, there were creative licenses taken in the portrayal. Let’s untangle fact from fiction while enjoying the poetic comedy that is Drunk History. Hopefully, you’ll understand after this talk why Mary Dyer has statues erected in her honor at the Boston Commons and downtown Philly: because she is a beloved, bad-ass boss bitch.
Cat Aboudara has overseen adult programs that posit learning through play for over two decades in museums and science centers across the country and has had such fun working with scientists, astronauts, inventors, octopi, jungle cats, comedians, and robots. She also moonlighted as the Nerd Nite DC Boss even though she had to trek down from Philly for over a year to do it! She has retired from bossing in DC (and the commute) and is now full-time at an Arts + Culture CoWorking Hub in Philly.
Matt Wasowski
Weird and Potentially Breakable World Records
While none of you can grow the world’s longest fingernails in the next few days or become the shortest living adult, there are actually a few recent world records that are potentially within reach. And also plenty of weirdo ones as well. Enjoy a quick overview of some of the strangest world records set over the last couple of years and take a crack at breaking two of them. Note: your butt may be needed.
Matt is the Big Boss of Nerd Nite and is genuinely surprised, albeit pleasantly, that it has remained a thing for 21 years.
With very special guest Extra Lives
Extra Lives is the world’s first Audience RPG: a fully narrated, inclusive choose-your-own-adventure game where you are the main character. Plunge into an exciting story with visuals, music, sound effects and footage drawn from the legendary console games of the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s… and a live score provided by the lovable nerds of Extra Lives. At key junctures you’ll get to vote on how the character proceeds, leading to special story branches. With multiple endings and 60+ possible variations depending on the audience’s in-game choices, this immersive feast for the imagination will transport you back to your childhood. To the next level!
Michael Kohl is a touring musician, root beer enthusiast and bonafide Nerd Nite fanboy from Milwaukee. Last week he gave his first-ever Nerd Nite talk–a highly researched defense of the common street pigeon–in Los Angeles, CA. Tonight Michael will run a solo version of Extra Lives, an interactive video game concert experience that collaborates with Nerd Nite chapters around the world. IG: @michaelmaxkohl @extralivesmusic extralives.bandhttps://vimeo.com/826516705
And your host, Von
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
Even though Asheville is in the mountains of North Carolina, we still experience extreme heat in the summertime. It might not get as hot as Charlotte or Atlanta, but it gets warm enough to cause problems, especially for our underserved communities. Come and learn about the latest research on heat and what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is (or isn’t) doing when talking about heat in Western North Carolina.
Jared Rennie (he/him) is a research meteorologist for NOAA who sits on a treasure trove of data. Originally from Boston, he moved to Asheville in 2010 to perform climate research, primarily focusing on heat waves. Recently, he has shifted efforts towards science communication, bridging the gap between climate extremes and vulnerable communities. Threads: @jjrenniewx. BlueSky/Twitter: @jjrennie
Lee Johnson
It’s About Vacuum Tubes!
This tubular presentation will give an introduction to vacuum tubes and their pivotal role in launching the electronic age of radios, televisions, and computers. The presentation will cover how these remarkable devices work, their various applications, and the ways they revolutionized communication and entertainment. Samples of different types of vacuum tubes will be passed around, allowing participants to see and touch these historic components firsthand. And some eager participants will even have the chance to take home a vacuum tube as a souvenir!
Professor Johnson is retired from IBM (20 years) and retired from teaching at A-B Tech and UNCA (20+ years) teaching computer science. He is an officer in the Asheville Radio Museum (https://www.avlradiomuseum.org/) and is active in ham radio there. Lee loves photography using film cameras and practices Zen regularly.
Colonel Panic
Malwars
While Microsoft rules enterprise computing, linux runs the Internet. The nature of the internet and the connectivity it offers provides a large attack surface for malicious actors. In this presentation we explore what real malware looks like in the wild and the motivations behind the threat actors that disseminate it.
Colonel Panic is a hacker, musician, malware researcher, and a robotics and iot developer working as a lead threat researcher in the cybersecurity industry. His interests are transhumanism, futurism, biohacking, ai, tech, malware, philosplophy, physics, sci-fi mythology, music, art, and the ineffable spirit of the hacker mindset.
With your host, Von
Von’s Star Trek mini feature:
Celebrating Nerd Nite Asheville’s One Year Anniversary
What do cartoon voices, superpowers, beer, cryptids, Moana, telescope lenses and genital piercings have in common? Nerd Nite Asheville! Take a look back on our wild first year as we celebrate our anniversary.
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
Ever been curious about the brilliant bioluminescent fireflies lighting up the night sky? Come be enlightened and learn about their crazy worlds filled with sex, deceit, cannibalism, and pure magic!
Sara Rivera (they/she) is a Masters student at Western Carolina University studying tropical fireflies. Out of the lab, they perform nerdy drag as Rubella Werk (@rubella.werk) and Syd Phyllis (@syd.phyllis). They also have a science communication organization called THEM in STEM (@them.instem) with Science Storytimes and local firefly walks in Sylva.
Anna Diemer
The Science of Gender Affirming Voice Training
Gender-affirming care is vital to the wellness of transgender people, and having a voice that aligns with one’s gender presentation can be a significant part of that care. Trans voice teacher Anna Diemer is here to explain the science behind why we perceive voices the way we do and the how-tos of voice training. And yes, we will be making sounds together!
Anna Diemer (they/them) is a voice teacher, Singing Voice Specialist, PAVA-Recognized Vocologist, and professional soprano based in Asheville, NC. Their private studio consists primarily of avocational adult singers, many of whom present with a vocal pathology, and members of the LGBTQ+ community training their voices in times of transition. When they’re not in the voice studio, Anna enjoys cooking, reading fantasy novels, and gaming on their Switch. Insta and Facebook: @diemervoicestudio Website: diemervoicestudio.com
James L. Fuller
Infanticide and the Weirder Side of Natural Selection
Fact: baby monkeys are frickin’ adorable. Also Fact: adaptive behaviors are shaped by natural selection, which requires passing genes on to the next generation. So … why is infanticide (killing young of one’s own species) a thing? We’ll take a look at the not-so-cute side of primate behavior and learn how an evolutionary perspective can make sense of some very odd things.* * NOTE: Though this topic might be a bit unsettling, the presentation will not be gruesome or graphic (just good ol’ fashioned science!).
Dr. Fuller is an evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist, specializing in African primates. For nearly three decades, he has researched the social, mating, and communication systems of great apes and monkeys, with long term field studies in Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. He is a member of the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and also Mars Hill University, and is profoundly mediocre at playing the ukulele.
With your host, Von
Von’s Star Trek mini feature:
Welcome to Risa: The Star Trek Pleasure Planet
It’s vacation season, and time for you to learn about the Star Trek universe’s favorite retreat, Risa. With technologically climate controlled weather calibrated to perfection, and scantily clad locals offering Jamaharon, it’s the perfect destination for relaxation–for everyone except Worf, who briefly joined a terrorist group on Risa to protest his girlfriend having fun. But the water was still warm, and the air still smelled sweet. All that is ours is yours!
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
Awkward Social and Sexual Interactions in One Handy Chart
Have you ever had a social interaction that you just couldn’t get the vibe right for? Or maybe you were really wanting to have some sexy time with someone and the chemistry was good, but you just couldn’t seem to be on the right wavelength? Fellow nerds, I’ve got a chart for you to help understand when this happens and how to avoid it!
Heather Edwards (she/they), author of June Full Moon (2023), is a nationally certified sex counselor and educator as well as a pelvic physical therapist. They utilize erotica and art as an extension of her inclusive sex ed mission. They founded Vino & Vulvas (sex-ed-in-a-bar) in 2015. They co-teach, along with Dr. Uchenna Ossai, medical sexuality counseling to provide comprehensive, inclusive sexual health care internationally. www.vinoandvulvas.com IG: @vinoandvulvas
Amanda Wray
“The Cage,” Hookups at the Grove Arcade
Built in the early 1920s, The Grove Arcade was considered one of the earliest shopping malls. Repurposed during WWII for war efforts, it became the Federal Building, and from 1951 to 1995 it was home to the National Weather Records. By day, that is. By night, this area of town was called “the cage,” a cruising spot for people (mostly gay men) that also became in the late 1990s and early 2000s a hotspot for harm reduction and AIDS prevention.
Amanda Wray earned a PhD in Rhetoric from the University of Arizona before moving to Asheville in 2011 to begin a career in higher education. In 2019, she launched the Blue Ridge Pride LGBTQIA+ Archive, which is a physical artifacts and oral history repository dedicated to LGBTQ+ history of the South. IG: @wnc_lgbtqia See our oral histories: https://specialcollections.unca.edu/collections/oral-histories/296-2/549-2/
Von Infinity
Ketamine Infusion Therapy and The Higgs Boson (in drag!)
About six years ago, Von spent $8000 on a relatively new medical treatment called Ketamine Infusion Therapy: a highly unregulated treatment purported to help with a variety of psychological and neurological symptoms. This presentation will give a patient’s perspective on being a guinea pig for the procedure, and a psychedelic retelling of Von’s experience listening to audiobooks about the Higgs Boson particle, rogue planets and other astronomical phenomena while in a medically induced K hole–featuring a performance the world’s first and probably only Ketamine Infusion Therapy and Higgs Boson themed drag number.
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
Are you ever curious about what a honey bee does during her day? What excitement awaits her the moment the sun rises until she rests her tiny head on her waxed comb pillow at night? We will discuss the many adventures that await a honey bee forager throughout the year. Focusing primarily on specific pollinator plants that attract honey bees throughout the seasons; we will explore the very short, yet full life of a Western Honey Bee living in Western North Carolina. Beeware! Bee puns await.
Knox (he/him) is the hive and store manager at Honey & the Hive in Weaverville, NC. Knox is the steward of the store apiary and is responsible for inspecting over 300 deep nucleus colonies in the early spring. He has been keeping bees for over 4 years. Beyond being found huddled over observing honey bees or collecting honey, Knox enjoys opening portals with his small collection of jaw harps and loves writing music on guitar and mandolin. IG: @honeyandthehivenc
Douglas Yuhan Rao
Help wanted! Seeing Plant Stress from the Sky
Have you used Google Maps to plan for your hiking trips in the mountains? Then you have used satellite data! With satellite data from more than five decades, we can monitor the stress signals sent by plants caused by drought and human activities like logging. Come learn how we can use satellite data (including some spy satellite data too) to intervene to support ecosystem health!
Douglas is a research scientist with the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies. His education in applied mathematics, statistics, and cartography (aka how to make maps) earns him major nerd bragging rights. His daytime job mostly involves (sometimes boring) virtual meetings and exciting computer programming. When he is not working, he enjoys good beer, fun hikes, relaxing birding, and delicious food!
Tavi
Cultural References in Disney’s Moana
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month! At this panel, Tavi will play and pause scenes and clips from Disney’s Moana, explaining the cultural aspects and inspirations of the film. Explanations include demonstrations of dance, playing of drums and other instruments, and presenting of various costumes and implements. What culture does Moana’s costume come from? What dances are they performing in their village? What are all the legends that Maui refers to during his song? All these questions and more will be answered at Cultural References in Disney’s Moana. And as a special bonus, Tavi will be performing the Siva Afi fire dance after the show!
Raised in Western North Carolina, Tavi didn’t learn of his Māori Heritage until he was 17. This discovery led him to the decision to move to Hawaii to go to school and learn of his culture. In 2015, Tavi started training, dancing and performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center. His extensive training included multiple Pacific Cultures such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand, the home of the Māori) and the Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Dance.) While performing at the PCC at night, Tavi attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii where he received a Degree in Mathematics and a minor in Pacific Island Studies. He now lives in Asheville, NC and continues to perform and train all over the South including; North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia under the name ‘NCFireknife’. He also volunteers his time during Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month to present at various Public Schools and teach Students about Pacific Culture. IG: @tavi.does.stuff
With your host, Von
Von’s Star Trek mini feature:
SAVE LOWER DECKS!
Did you know that J.J. Abrams, director of the Star Trek reboot movies of the 2010s, proudly proclaimed on the interview circuit that he never liked Star Trek? Well, it showed. The reboot movies had very little Star Trek in them for actual fans to enjoy. By contrast, Lower Decks is Star Trek written by fans and made for fans. But it’s so much more than fan service. It is a comedic love letter to the entire breadth of the franchise (except those reboot movies), full of callbacks and inside jokes paying homage to 60 years of Star Trek history along with new storylines and characters, and it’s being cancelled. Paramount also cancelled its other animated series, Prodigy, but it was rescued by demand from the fans. We’re hoping to do the same for this animated comedic masterpiece. LOWER DECKS! LOWER DECKS! LOWER DECKS!
Von (they/them) is a local performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
April 11th, 2024 doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
RED ALERT! OUR ENTRY FEE IS CHANGING!
We are thrilled that our shows have started reaching capacity! This means that we now need to know how many people will be attending, and to do that, we need pre-sale tickets.
Pre-sale tickets will still be $10 (plus obnoxious but non optional ticketing fee of $1.83), but the door cover will be increasing to $15. So save money and guarantee entry* by getting your tickets at: https://events.humanitix.com/nerd-nite-asheville-april
(*Please arrive before the show begins. Late arrivals may be standing room only.)
I hate ticketing fees with a passion. Last month, I tried to absorb the ticketing fees for our pre-sale tickets, thinking we would make up for those fees with the increased door cover. Well, we sold out the pre-sale tickets, which is awesome! Thank you! It also meant that absorbing the fees cost nearly 20% of our revenue. So unfortunately, absorbing the ticket fees is not sustainable. The silver lining is that Humantix donates the profit from their fees to charity. So, ticket fees still suck, but at least it’s not Ticketmaster.
Meet your presenters for April’s Nerd Nite:
Tavi Does Stuff
How to Become a Mandalorian with 3D Printing
Learn the basics of 3D printing and what it takes to make a Mandalorian Cosplay! Does making a Mandalorian Cosplay seem intimidating? Don’t worry! Tavi is here to help! With enough filament, anyone can take the Creed!
My name is Tavi, and I like to do Stuff!! Top favorite things to include Polynesian and Fire Performance and 3D Printed Cosplay! Tavi is an Award Winning Cosplayer, loves Star Wars and is an Ally AF! “Love is Love, This is the Way!”
IG: @tavi.does.stuff Etsy: TaviTaonga
Sarah Daniels
Raccoon Shenanigans
Hate ’em in your trash, but love ’em in your internet videos, raccoons are legendary for their hijinks. Sarah will take you through some of what we know about raccoon intelligence and behavior, interesting findings from her Master’s research on raccoon problem solving, and (of course) show you cute pics/videos of those wily trash pandas.
Sarah is a psychology enthusiast. After studying psychology in undergrad, she worked as a research assistant in a cognitive aging lab. While working there, she found the incredible world of animal cognition and animal behavior. Pivoting from humans to animals for a while was a fun and rewarding interlude. She studied zoology, specifically animal behavior, at the University of Wyoming where she worked with raccoons to earn her MS. While in WY, she also worked in the University of Wyoming Museum of Vertebrates, preserving specimens for long term scientific study. When she realized academia was not for her, she took another pivot back to the human side of things, and now works at Headspace providing guidance and content for mental health coaching. In addition to these nerdy pursuits, she also loves Neil Gaiman, witchy shit, and board games.
Jared Rennie
What NOAA is Doing in Asheville
Ever wonder what’s going on in that federal building in downtown Asheville? You see the NOAA logo, but don’t know why NOAA is here, or maybe even what NOAA stands for (it’s either National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or Nerdy Order who Annunciate Allamaraine). It may come as a surprise that we are the world’s largest archive of environmental data, from the bottom of the ocean floor to the surface of the sun. Come learn more about the types of data we have, what we do with it, and how hope is not all lost in the climate crisis.
Jared Rennie (he/him) is a research meteorologist for NOAA who sits on a treasure trove of data. Originally from Boston, he moved to Asheville in 2010 to perform climate research, primarily focusing on heat waves. Recently, he has shifted efforts towards science communication, bridging the gap between climate extremes and vulnerable communities. Threads: @jjrenniewx BlueSky/Twitter: @jjrennie
With your host, Von
Von’s Star Trek mini feature: Plot or Not
Star Trek has explored some of the most profound questions imaginable: What does it mean to be a person? Is it ethical to intervene in other cultures’ wars? Can diplomacy conquer all, or is violence an inevitability?
It also had a bunch of wacky shit that you probably wouldn’t believe if you haven’t seen it. This month, Von will present a series of hilarious premises and ask, is this a real Star Trek plot or not?
Von (they/them) is a local drag performer known for their radioactive style, political commentary, and inability to shut up about Star Trek. A lifelong nerd of both science and theater, they were an avid lover of Nerd Nite in Los Angeles before moving to Asheville and starting the local Nerd Nite Chapter.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @von.infinity)
