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.