We keep on learning and sharing! Last time around we learned about synths and how hobbits might be the gateway to sounds as well as just how weird medieval art could be. We are super excited to keep this nerd fest going with more fun topics!
Where: Tank Space (1110 East Eighth Street, Traverse City, MI)
When: Thursday, June 27th from 7 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
How: Purchase your $10 ticket via THIS LINK or at the door (cashless preferred)
Toad-ally Wicked: The Vilification of Frogs and Toads Throughout History By Sydney Giddings
Can you tell if that little, jumping amphibian is safe to touch or not? Neither can anyone else until it’s too late! Together, we will take a look at the history of knowledge about frogs and toads and how they became the customary companions of witches everywhere. Not only are they integral to the perfect potion, but they are also closely tied to medieval medicine, ecology, and feminism.
Sydney Giddings is an avid lover of all things cute and weird. She grew up in Maryland before going to school in Kalamazoo, Michigan for biology. Sydney now works in the Manistee National Forest and spends her days talking about Leave No Trace, the dangers of invasive species, and why women’s outdoor gear should have more pockets. Her passions include Dungeons and Dragons, coffee and lil’ guys.
To Bow or Not to Bow and How by Anna Beard
Social niceties are still present in everyday life whether it’s saying “Ope, lemme just slip right past ya there” when a grocery aisle is too narrow or holding the door open for someone. Back in the Tudor and Elizabethan eras, however, there were laundry lists of Do and Do Not that peppered the everyday social lives of those at court. We will be examining specifically what was expected surrounding the occasions of dancing. You might just doff your cap in a new way!
Anna is a Leelanau County native who is back and looking for fellow nerds. After a stint at the University of Michigan where she earned a BFA in Dance, she continued studying her craft while instructing many young people to wave their limbs in artistic ways. Since then she has lived in Austin where she became a historical swordfighter which only increased her already nerdy obsession with dance history. She resides in TC where she loves to safely hit her friends, dance at the drop of a hat, and eat all things cherries.
Calling All Bird Nerds! (and the bird curious) by Kirk Waterstripe
Why Birds? Why do people obsess about them, count them, chase them across continents? Because birds lead us into a world greater than ourselves. They teach us about relationships, they bring us together, and they’re just incredibly cool! Let’s talk about why you might want to take a small step into the world of birds, how we can help them, and how you can rise to the level of Bird Nerd!
From the early moments of watching a duck sit on a nest, Kirk has observed, studied, pursued, and written about birds. They have led him on journeys through geographical and metaphysical space. Currently, Kirk is the compiler of the Lake Leelanau Christmas Bird Count, and newsletter editor for the Grand Traverse Audubon Club. He also leads bird walks on Sunday mornings in spring and fall.
Our first night was SUCH a huge success and we were blown away! We are super pumped to keep it going and we have more fun talks lined up for you to enjoy. Join us for more friendly nerding out and having a drink or two.
Where: Tank Space (1110 East Eighth Street, Traverse City, MI)
When: Thursday, May 30th from 7 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:45 pm)
How: Purchase your $10 ticket via THIS LINK (Due to limited space, we will due digital sales ONLY)
Synthesizers and Their Sounds
by Josh Denby
Synthesizers have been important to music across a variety of genres for decades. Over the years, a bewildering variety of synthesis techniques and instruments have had their moment in the spotlight! We’ll check out two major forms of synthesis (subtractive and frequency modulation), talk about their differences, and then listen to some representative sounds with the help of three synths: the Roland SE-02, the Yamaha Reface DX, and the Korg Minilogue. Get ready to rock…synth style.
Josh Denby is a jack of five or fewer trades and is somehow still a master of none of them, but he loves working with books, music, and movies at the local library in the Sight and Sound department. When he’s not playing with synthesizers at the library, he’s probably swinging a sword, doing taijiquan, or playing synthesizers at home.
Swordfight Picture Book
by Anthony Buonomo
Have you ever seen medieval art? It isn’t exactly accurate. So how do we take these sometimes absolutely not representative of what the human body can (or can NOT do) and translate them into dynamic, functional movement? We will take a peek at some of the more hilarious images, explore how and when they got better, and explain how you can go from book to fight!
Anthony Buonomo is the founder Historical Weapons Guild, located in both Austin, Texas, and Traverse City. When anyone asks him why he started swordfighting, his answer is simply, “Because I’m a giant nerd.” So you can see why he’s perfect for this event. He started formally training in HEMA back in 2014 and has since then traveled the US as well as internationally to teach and compete even winning a medal or two. When not doing all things swords, you can find him climbing at Elev8 or obsessing over which 40k army is best. (it’s Tyranids)
The Language of Ballet: Sleeping Beauty or That Time a Drag Queen Ruined My Birthday
by Anna Beard
Once upon a time, going to the ballet or the opera was IT for the social outlets of society. While opera affords some understanding if you happen to speak the language, how do you consistently progress the plot in a movement based art form? How can you let people know that if a prince happens upon a sleeping princess that will solve everything? We will take a little jaunt through the language of ballet both funny and serious to decode the language unique to this art form.
Anna is a Leelanau County native who is back and looking for fellow nerds. After a stint at the University of Michigan where she earned a BFA in Dance, she continued studying her craft while instructing many young people to wave their limbs in artistic ways. Since then she has lived in Austin where she became a historical swordfighter which only increased her already nerdy obsession with dance history. She resides in TC where she loves to safely hit her friends, dance at the drop of a hat, and eat all things cherries.
Welcome to the very first Nerd Nite in Northern Michigan! We are super excited to get this nerdy ball rolling and find all our fellow nerds. How many more times can we say nerd? This first time out is going to cover some varied topics and ease you into the fun, informative experience that is Nerd Nite
Where: Tank Space (1110 East Eighth Street, Traverse City, MI)
When: Thursday, April 25th from 7 pm to 10:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
How: Purchase your $10 ticket via THIS LINK or at the door (cashless preferred)
Historical Dance: For Glory, Love & Fitness by Anna Beard
There are plenty of reasons why people danced long ago and some of them might surprise you. Explore how people stayed fit, found love, and influenced the world around them all through movement. Looking to hang out with the fellow courtier you fancy? Well, don’t expect to flirt on the tennis court where you might get hit in the face with a ball. And forget about trying to carry on a conversation while practice swords are breaking all over the place. The dance floor was THE place to see and be seen. As well as smell. No joke. Learn about how dance tied into the social structure of the Renaissance and how you could turn a head or two with fancy footwork.
Anna is a Leelanau County native who is back and looking for fellow nerds. After a stint at the University of Michigan where she earned a BFA in Dance, she continued studying her craft while instructing many young people to wave their limbs in artistic ways. Since then she has lived in Austin where she became a historical swordfighter which only increased her already nerdy obsession with dance history. She resides in TC where she loves to safely hit her friends, dance at the drop of a hat, and eat all things cherries.
I Love That Swordfight In <Insert move title here>, but How Real Is It? by Anthony Buonomo
Do you have a favorite fight scene from a movie? Maybe a little movie called The Princess Bride? Or even A Knight’s Tale! This will break down what’s real and what isn’t and explain why real swordfighting would be too boring for storytelling. Come ready with your questions and callouts of favorite scenes in this deep dive on Historical European Martial Arts along with some popular culture hits.
Anthony Buonomo is the founder Historical Weapons Guild, located in both Austin, Texas, and Traverse City. When anyone asks him why he started swordfighting, his answer is simply, “Because I’m a giant nerd.” So you can see why he’s perfect for this event. He started formally training in HEMA back in 2014 and has since then traveled the US as well as internationally to teach and compete even winning a medal or two. When not doing all things swords, you can find him climbing at Elev8 or obsessing over which 40k army is best. (it’s Tyranids)