Happy Galactic Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! July 4th of course marks the date of the battle of Endor, when the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star, and Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker killed the tyrannical Emperor along with his cruel enforcer, Darth Vader. This crippling blow to the Galactic Empire gave citizens everywhere the courage to join the fight for freedom and a return to inter-planetary democracy.

No Weekanerd this week, but for New Yorkers like myself who actually stayed in New York this holiday weekend, here's where you can watch the fireworks.

Last year, Gnerd celebrated July 4th with Independence from Space Aliens and this handy reminder of what went on in our non-fictional history.

Weekanerd NYC: Japanese Art, Hippie Art and Cheap Art

Friday, June 27

• A Conversation with Satoshi Kon
  
• $12 Student, $15 Public, 6:15pm @ Walter Reade Theater, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan

Is Satoshia Kon the second greatest Japanese animator working today? Zip over to the West Side to watch the visual orgasm that is Paprika and then hear the filmmaker (accompanied by onscreen clips from his works) describe his own genius.

Burning Man East and CHEEP COMIX after the jump!

Saturday, June 28

• Figment 2008
  
• FREE! All Day @ Governer's Island
  

There's so much crazy stuff going down at this festival I can't even begin to figure it all out. Singing, dancing, limbo, fake governers, silkscreening stations (BYOT), circus sideshows and a whole bunch more. People liken it to an East Coast Burning Man, without the nudity and probably less drugs. But don't let that dissuade you.

Sunday, June 29

• 70% Off Back Issue Sale
  
• All Day @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W. 33rd St, Manhattan
  

Jim Hanley's crazy back issue sale has come around again! Each day it goes on another 10% gets knocked off the top. Monday it's up to 80% of course, but it'll be a madhouse and the selection will be quite picked over. I went last year and got a HUGE box of comics for $20 that I still haven't finished reading. If you read comics you can't miss this!

Weekanerd NYC: Adventures of the Space, Consumer, and Steampunk Varieties

Friday, June 13

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
  
• $12, Midnight @ Sunshine Cinema, 143 East Houston Street, Manhattan

There are few films in existence that deserve to be seen on a big screen as much as Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. Tonight may be the best chance you'll ever have to see it in all its 35mm glory. Now when is some brave theater going to screen it in its original 70mm?

Steampunk adventures and consumer heaven after the jump!

Saturday, June 14

• Digital Downtown
  
• FREE!, 11am-4pm @ World Financial Center, Winter Garden, Manhattan

Don't bring your wallet, 'cause "nothing's for sale" here. It's just a chance to get your grubby paws all over a bunch of sweet electronic gear from the likes of Pioneer (they're pimping some sort of 360 degree entertainment immersion dome), Sharp, Panasonic, Philips, etc. Avoid the tidal wave of Blu-Ray players and head for Best Buy 's booth, where they'll be showcasing a mind-reading device (no joke!), a gesture-based video game controller and something that sounds like the computer from Minority Report.

Sunday, June 15

• The Telectroscope
  
• FREE, All Day? @ Fulton Ferry Landing, Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn

First of all, it's Father's Day, so call your dad. What's that? Your Dad is in London and he doesn't have a phone or any other way for you to contact him? Well you're lucky that they aren't closing the Telectroscope until Monday, because the steampunk pipeline connecting New York to London is the perfect way for you to interact with Daddy on his special day. Confused? Well, the link above will probably answer your questions.

Weekanerd NYC: Comic Book Parties and The World's Greatest Wii Tennis Tournie

Friday, June 6

• Jason's Pocket Full of Rain Release Party
  
• $FREE, 8pm @ Rocketship, 208 Smith Street, Brooklyn
  

I have to admit I don't know much about European cartoonist Jason, except that he did the cover for the new sweet new Penguin edition of The Dharma Bums. But he's been puzzlingly called the "Kafka and Keats of the comic world", and his new book's in English so now is as good a time as any to get on board. And since Rocketship parties tend to mean free booze, if you can cram yourself into the itty bitty store they'll be serving beer and wine.

Two of our favorite geek events of the year, after the jump...

Saturday, June 7

• Second Annual Wiimbledon Wii Tennis Tournament
  
• FREE, 10am @ Barcade, 388 Union Ave, Brooklyn
  

Did you know Geekanerd has been around for a year now? And our first major story was of Wiimbledon, a home-grown Wii Tennis Tournie with a hilarious name that shockingly became national news. Our own Albo took home second place honors in last year's inaugural tournament, and I was humiliatingly defeated 2/3 in my first match. But this is my year! Registration is over, but there's open bar from 12-3pm, and Wii Tennis is one of the spectator-friendly video games out there. It's worth checking out just to see the latest in Wii Sporting Apparel.

Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8

• MoCCA Art Festival
  
• $10/day, or $15 weekend pass, 11am @ The Puck Building, 293 Lafayette, Manhattan
  

How does the MoCCA festival match up to the bigger cons? Less cosplay and more chance to interact with your favorite indie comic artists. Click the title link for a full list of guest and panels.

Weekanerd NYC: Battlestar Classic, Film Geek Treasure, and The Best Movie Ever

Friday, May 30

• Battlestar Galactica
  
• $11.50, Midnight @ The IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave, Manhattan
  

Folks, we got a mystery on our hands here. MovieTickets.com says this is Battlestar Galactica (2004), but the girl at the IFC box office said all she knows is that it's a reel-to-reel copy from 1978, and it's two hours long. Soo, all signs point to the feature-length edit of Saga of a Star World, the original 1978 Battlestar pilot. So don't go if you're expecting Razor, but serious fans will probably want to brush up on their classics.

Bring me everyone. What do you mean, everyone? EVVVRRRYYYYYONNNNE!

Saturday, May 30

• The Central Park TV & Movie Locations Scavenger Hunt
  
• $26, 2pm @ Central Park, Manhattan (exact location comes with ticket purchase)
  

So Watson Adventures puts on these big relatively expensive scavenger hunts for adult nerds, and this is the most interesting one I've heard of so far. I'm not sure how much scavenging competition is involved, but at the very least you'll get indulge your film nerdism by visiting tons of film locations, including spots from Ghostbusters, Six Degrees of Separation, Fisher King, The Producers, and many other movies that unlike me, you probably like even more than those four (hit the link for a list). Photo ops, anyone?

Sunday, June 1

• Moviehouse Presents: Leon (The Professional) and Snatch
  
• $7/day, FREE!, 8pm @ Galapagos, 70 N. Sixth Street, Brooklyn
  

This screening series gives you a choice between two films, but HONESTLY, who is going to waste their time on an inferior Guy Ritchie film (and aren't they all?) when you could be watching Gary Oldman hamming it the fuck up as a psychotic, pill-popping DEA agent?! GIVE ME A BREAK. Plus you get free popcorn and locally produced shorts before the feature. So bring "EVERYONE" you know and enjoy.

*Animated Standfield GIF is the work of genius Jim Miles

Weekanerd NYC: Michel Gondry, Airbender, and College Classics

Friday, May 9

• An Evening with Michel Gondry
• $27, 7pm @ The Times Center, 242 West 41st Street, Manhattan
  

Is Michel Gondry ever NOT doing a public appearance in New York? Seriously, living in this city he's difficult to avoid. He'll be screening clips of his films, probably show some classic music vids, and talk about what it's like to be a famous French visionary. An acquaintance of mine who worked on one of his videos said that he witnessed Michel's brother Oliver directing the whole production, so maybe if you go you can get confrontational and ask him if he's just been hiding behind his brother's genius the whole time. Then again, this clip is a pretty strong indicator that he does in fact put the man-hours into his music videos...



Airbender and the best college movie ever, after the jump...


Saturday, May 10

• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• $10 Museum Admission, 2pm @ The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th Street, Manhattan
  

Kids love the Airbender! So do a lot of the 20-something guys I know. I have no idea what they'll be showing here, but the screening will be 90 minutes long.

Sunday, May 11

• Movie Night: PCU and Animal House
• FREE, 7pm @ Hugs, 108 North Sixth Street, Manhattan
  

You know, I can't vouch for Animal House, I've never seen it, a little before my time. PCU however, is great. Jeremey Piven's finest role, Entourage be damned. Also certainly Jon Favreau's best performance. Best use of David Spade ("Earth to tall bitch!"). Best cinematic use of the Parliament Funkadelic. Good times. Plus free popcorn.

Weekanerd NYC: Free Comic Book Day Edition - All Free, All Awesome

Friday, May 2

• Documentary Filmmakers Lounge
  
• $Free, 5pm @ DCTV, 87 Lafayette Street, Manhattan
  

Do you make documentary films? 99% of the people I know do, and I myself am the errant one percent. Well, whether you make docs, like docs, or simply want to eat free barbecue and get maxed out on Rockstar at the open bar, this open-to-the-public indie film schmoozefest is the place to be. The question you have to ask yourself is this; is your fear of networking greater than your desire for free food and booze? Did I mention the open bar also includes beer and vodka? Shit!

Free Comic Book Day and a crazy clip show, after the jump...

Saturday, May 3

• Free Comic Book Day
  
• $Free, All Day @ Comic Book Stores Nationwide
  

Happy Free Comic Book Day! It's the comic geek's only national holiday. Highlights include free offerings from Hellboy, All Star Superman, Tiny Titans, Maintenance, and my personal favorite, OWLY! Go ahead, laugh. That book's cuteness transcends all barriers, even cynicism.

Sunday, May 4

• Attack of the Fancy Clip Party
  
• $Free, 8pm @ 601 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
  

The internet has cut every living person's attention span in half, so perhaps the future of social entertainment (ie something that doesn't take place in front of your computer screen) is the Clip Party. Four solid hours of rare, culty, and otherwise captivating video clips, including old timey commercials, music videos from the likes of Joy Division, Desmond Dekker and Little Richard, and a sure-to-be-hilarious PSA titled "I Can't Believe It..." about sexually transmitted diseases. The future is curatorial. Come see what's on display.

Weekanerd NYC: Weird Musics, Wii Mario Kart, and 2001 at Tribeca

Hey Gnerd readers! We're thinking of making Weekanerd a weekend feature only. We'll still have daily event listings on the right-hand sidebar, but we'll only do write-ups for Friday through Sunday. Is that cool with you? Let us know at tips@geekanerdblog.com.


Friday, April 25

• The Bent Festival
• $10, 7pm @ DCTV, 87 Laffayette Street, Manhattan
  

"Circuit Bending" sounds kind of dirty, but it's not. It's the act of modifying electronic toys (getcha minds outta the gutta) to create all sorts of crazy audio, from symphonic melodies to R2D2esque doots and dweets. Tonight's concert includes seven performers from around the globe, plus Free Singha beer from 7pm to 7:30, which is important cause it seems like you might want to be just a leeetle bit altered in your perceptions to fully appreciate the festivities. Check out the website for full listings, including workshops on Saturday in case you want to bend some circuits of your own. If you know what I mean.

Mario Kart Wii and 2001 with the weirdest bunch of guests ever, after the jump...


Saturday, April 26

• Mario Kart Wii
• FREE, 2pm @ Nintendo World Store, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
  

Test drive the new game, see if those Wii Wheels are worth the cheap plastic their molded from, and get ready to learn how to do blue sparks all over again. Jason Priestly will be making a personal appearance, apparently he owns something called the Rubicon Race Team and well...I guess that's not keeping him too busy. All I want to know is if these guys will be there...


Sunday, April 27

• 2001: A Space Oddessy
• $25, 3pm @ Pace University, 3 Spruce Street, Manhattan
  

Before there was GLaDOS, there was HAL. Wait, 25 dollars?! Oh right, it's part of the Tribeca Film Festival. So in addition to the screening, you get a panel afterwards with this ragtag bunch: Buzz Aldrin(!), Contact screenwriter Ann Druyan, MIT Professor Marvin Minsky, Matthew Modine and Ira Flatow. Jeesh! Sounds like the cast of some nerd's fever dream.

Weekanerd NYC: Comic Signings, Text Messaging and Drunken Game Shows

Monday, April 14

• Signing w. Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction & Jen Grunwald
• FREE! 6:30-7:30pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W 33rd Street, Manhattan

The hottest writer in comics is joined by other big names for this quickie signing. A scheduling conflict came up last minute that keeps this event restricted to one hour, so get there early or you'll be crying all the way home with your un-scribbled upon comic books.

Text messages, drunken game shows and dolls for boys after the jump...

Tuesday, April 15

• Unprotected Text LIVE
  
• FREE! 2:30-10:30pm @ 42nd St b/w Times Sq and Broadway, Manhattan
  

Unprotected Text is a comedy performance troupe that collects text messages and then acts them out. Sounds like regular improv but without the yelping audience, right? Well maybe so, but they also have loftier goals, such as "conducting a video study of what role text messaging plays in participants lives." You want loftier? Something with more loft? Ok, how about "We want to explore the use and relations with have to technology that is already intergrated into our daily live." Throw about four [sic]s in there and you'll understand. If you're still unconvinced you can check out their YouTube channel, but I'm willing to bet it'll be more entertaining live so don't get discouraged.

Wednesday, April 16

• Dick Swizzle's Sudden Death Game Show
  
• FREE to watch/$5 to play, 8pm @ Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Brooklyn
  

This boozy Jeopardy-style game show is a significant upgrade to the standard bar trivia night. Buzzers, multimedia, all that jazz. The winners of each round get free shots; the finalist wins money; and the losers win a bottle of Budweiser and a special prize. Expect a sprinkle of raunch. Must be 21 or older, so stay away my young friends.

Thursday, April 17

• Captain Action Signing w. Fabian Nicieza and Mark Sporacio
  
• FREE! 6:30pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W 33rd Street, Manhattan

It's back to JHU for another signing tonight. Don't know who Captain Action is? Well, he's "the original super-hero action figure," created by the same guy that created G.I. Joe. You would buy the "default" figure and then clothe him in sold-separately outfits that would turn him into Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America and a slew of other heroes. He proved popular enough to get a comic book from DC, but they disappointingly dropped the "I can be anyone" gimmick and instead gave him some magical coins that granted him generic powers. Some big names worked on the five issue series, including Wally Wood, Jim Shooter and Gil Kane. Well anyway, Fabian Nicieza is resurrecting the franchise and he'll be on hand with the artist Mark Sporacio to sign issue #0.

Weekanerd NYC: Rap Geeks, Trash Geeks, and Guitar Heroes

Monday, April 7

• MC Chris is Dead Record Release Show
• $5, 11pm @ The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, 307 w. 26th, Manhattan

mc chris doesn't like being called nerdcore, and I think that's fine, because -core is surely the most pretentious of all suffixes. mc will perform his new album for the first time at this show, so if you're a fan of, erm, raps about predominately nerdy subject matter (good), you'll want to be able to say, "I was there."

Free trash talking and a Guitar Hero tournie, after the jump...

Tuesday, April 8

• Adult Education: Trash In The City
  
• FREE! 7:30 @ Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Brooklyn
  

Billed as a "useless lecture series", this monthly event is less expensive than Grad School and almost as likely to get you a job. Four nerds will talk about their experiences in waste managements, and no that's not a euphemism for the mafia. Expect to see some freegans wearing clothes made out of bottlecaps, and hope they play this song at least once:


Wednesday, April 9

• Guitar Hero III Tournament
  
• FREE! 7pm @ The Apple Store Soho, 103 Prince Street, Manhattan
  

Hey remember that game people used to play before Rock Band? Me neither. JUST KIDDING, Guitar Hero will always be Geekanerd's first love as far as pretend-guitar games go. Entrance to this tournie is first come first served, the prize is a gift card for five free songs at the iTunes Store. Wait, what? Are you serious? Apple, you can't shell out more than $5 dollars in prize money for your own in-store events? This is a bad sign people, dump your stock ASAP...

No Thursday this week! Know something good happening on April 10th? Leave it in the comments or use the email link in the sidebar.

Weekanerd Recession Edition: Free Booze, Ice Cream, Art and Anime

Friday, April 4

• The Star Street Screenings: Film, Free Beer
• $5, 8:30 @ Starr Street Space, 108 Starr Street, Brooklyn

Want to know what makes a good night out? Polish silent films from the 1920s with live brass band accompaniment. Want to know what makes a great night? Free Newcastle beer. Want to know what makes the greatest night of your life? FREE ICE CREAM. Holy shit.

More cheapanerd happenings after the jump...

Saturday, April 5

• Japanimated! Arts and Culture of Japan
  
• FREE! 5-11pm @ The Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
  

There's a crapload of programming going on at this event that's all about celebrating that "Japanese culture" skinny white guys talk about loving so much. There's a cosplay photo contest, a screening of Miyazaki's fantastic Kiki's Delivery Service, art lessons, rock music, a dance party... There isn't much that isn't happening tonight at the Brooklyn Museum, and it's all free thanks to corporate sponsor Target.

Sunday, April 6

• Gary Panter Exhibition
  
• FREE! April 4-May 10 @ Clementine Gallery, 623 W. 27th St, Manhattan
  

Did you enjoy Panter's guest art duties on Omega: The Unknown as much as we did? Well show up to the man's solo show and see what else he's capable of. For instance, did you know he was the head set designer for the surreal Pee Wee's Playhouse? Actually, I bet if you show up at the opening Friday night he'll probably be wandering about (not to mention there'll probably be free booze). Just let me know how loud he chuckles when you ask him to sign your Marvel funny book at his art opening.

Weekanerd NYC: Awesome Comics, Swag and Free Passes, and Dr. Zaius

Monday, March 31

Planet of the Apes
Various showtimes @ Ziegfeld Theatre, 141 West 54th Street, Manhattan

Sure, you could see the original movie, or you can just watch the video below, a screen adaptation of Stop The Planet of the Apes: I Want To Get Off...

The Ruins preview, Jonathan Lethem talks Omega, and crazy comic strip brilliance, after the jump...

Tuesday, April 1

• The Ruins Promotion
  
• 6pm @ Off the Wagon, 109 MacDougal St, Manhattan
  

The Ruins has a terrible poster. You'd think in this, the age of amputation pron, they could come up with a slightly creepier image than a person with leaves and twigs on their neck. Of course a bad ad campaign doesn't necessarily correlate to a bad film - April Fools! It almost always does. But seriously, from 6 - 8, there will be Ruins swag and free screening passes for a preview on April 3rd. Although the most worthwhile thing you will likely get out of the evening is the drink special; $2 Margaritas!

Wednesday, April 2

• An Omega the Unknown: Evening With Jonathan Lethem, Farel Dalrymple, Karl Rusnak, Gary Panter & Paul Hornschemeier
  
• 7pm @ Rocketship, 208 Smith Street, Brooklyn
  

If any comic on the stands deserves a Q&A it's this one; perhaps the creative team will help to decode a bit of the symbolism and straight-faced absurdity that characterizes this book. The talk starts at 7pm, with signing to follow, so bring yer books!

Thursday, April 3

• Ben Katchor: Reading With Projections
  
• 7pm @ Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, Manhattan
  

I was really excited when I saw this. Ben Katchor writes comics that get published in a number of places, including a San Francisco free weekly paper that I used to read. I LOVED reading his comic, but looking at his website, I have no idea which of his many comics I was reading- they all seem to be about hotels in one form or another. That may not sound exciting, but trust me, they're absurd and hilarious and the artwork is stunning. If you need to be convinced, check out this episode of Hotel and Farm about sleeping on beds of lettuce.

Weekanerd NYC: MySpace Politics, John Woo Anime, and Crazy Russian Sci and Animation

Monday, March 24

Morley Winograd & Michael Hais: Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube and the Future of American Politics
6:30@ Cooper Union, The Great Hall, 7 East 7th St, Manhattan

The future of American politics is MySpace? Are all the candidates trying to launch indie rock music careers? Winograd and Hais will lecture on how much the intra-net has effected the current campaigns, and will sign copies of their new book. How I long for the day Americans can use Wii votes for elections, and the long silent reclusive nerd voice will be heard.

Science Fiction Lounge, John Woo Anime, and Russian Animation...

Tuesday, March 25,

• Science Fiction Lounge Music: Aelita
  
• 10pm @ Monkey Town, 58 N 3rd St, Brooklyn
  

A weird 1920s Russian sci-fi movie with a live sound track by a "first class improviser's quartet". Hit the link to hear samples of the musicians. 10 bucks plus a $10 drink min, reservations are recommended.

Wednesday, March 26

• Appleseed Ex Machina
  
• 7pm (Doors at 6:15) @ The ImaginAsian, 239 East 59th Street, Manhattan
  

The original Appleseed movie was fun in a confusing, kind of boring way. But at the New York Anime Festival I saw a clip of the opening scene of this "upgraded" version of the film, produced by John Woo, and let's just say it featured flying birds and people shooting guns with two hands. IMPORTANT: RSVP at that link ASAP, you're supposed to do it by 12pm on Monday.

• Russia! Magazine Presents: Animator Aleksey Budovskiy
  
• 7:30 @ Freebird Books, 123 Columbia St, Brookln

Check out that animation - Miro, right? Budovskiy will talk about the past, present, and possibly future of Russian Animation. Though as far as I'm concerned, this is the last word in Russian animation...

Weekanerd NYC: Frank Cho, Little Ninjas and Pillowfights!

Friday, March 21

• Frank Cho Signing
  
• FREE, 6:00pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W. 33rd St, Manhattan
  

Been sad since Cho left The Mighty Avengers and left you suffering through Mark Bagley's childish scribbles? Show up, maybe slap him once for not being able to draw fast enough to keep a job, but then give him a great big bear hug and let him know you'll love him forever and ever.

Little ninjas and pillowfights after the jump!

Saturday, March 22

• New York City Pillowfight '08
  
• FREE, 3:00pm @ Union Square Park, Manhattan
  

What good is your Thundercats pillow case doing you at home? No good, that's what. Take it out for a night on the town and beat down children of all ages in the third annual NYC Pillowfight. Feathers are encouraged.

Sunday, March 23

• Tiny Ninja Theater Presents: Treasure Island
  
• $10, 1:30pm @ The Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, Manhattan
  

AHR checked this out last weekend and had lots of good things to say about it. Something about acting out Treasure Island with small objects and... I wasn't really listening to her but it sounded pretty awesome.

EDIT: Tiny Ninjas do not appear in this production. Ninjas do not perform pirate-based plays. This is a one-man show, good for kids, or anyone who loves pirates. - AHR, matey

Hong Kong Action, Comic Book Luminaries, and Better Living Through Theoretical Physics

Monday, March 17

• Hard Boiled vs. Hard Boiled
• 8:30@ Monkeytown, 58 N 3rd Street, Brooklyn

I'm not going to lie. I saw Hard Boiled in high school, and I thought it was kind of boring. But I'm not an action connoisseur, and I do appreciate the status this film holds among many film geeks, in particular fans of Hong Kong ultraviolence. And even if you don't have a particular affinity for Hard Boiled, this screening has a pretty awesome gimmick - the film will run on three screens simultaneously, one showing the new, remastered DVD edition and the other two running the rickety old version. This is like porn for spec nerds. Plus it's totally free, oh except for a $10 drink minimum, but dude, it's St. Patrick's Day.

Real life teleporters, and Greg Pak, after the jump ...

Tuesday, March 18,

• Lecture: Physics of the Impossible
  
• 6pm @ The New York Academy of Sciences, 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St. at Barclay St., 40th fl, Manhattan
  

For all our advances in this modern world, iPhones and DSes just don't make up for the glaring lack of teleporters, time travel, and invisible planes. Theoretical Physics expert Michio Kaku will lecture on issues discussed in his book, Physics of the Impossible, and will hopefully give us all reason to believe that the stuff seen on Star Trek may someday make it into real life. Also I want a Portal Gun. RSVP is required on the website, tickets are $25 for nonmembers, $15 for students, and $10 for members.

Wednesday, March 19

• Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Khoi Pham & Reilly Brown
  
• 6pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 West 33rd St., Manhattan
  

Got some Hulk-related fanboy questions for Greg Pak? Want to strike up a Socratic dialogue about Action Philosophers with author Fred Van Lente? Too bad, cause this discussion and signing is all about their work on Incredible Hercules, and how the book comes together from script to finished art. But you can probably sneak in some geeky questions about their other stuff too. Just make sure you bring a copy of Incredible Hercules #115 to get signed, so you don't look like a dick!

Weekaned NYC: Live Sci-Fi, The McFadden Code, and An Unexpected Return

Friday, March 14

• Fight Girl Battle World
  
• $18, 8:00pm @ Center Stage, 48 W. 21st St, Manhattan
  

This sci-fi stage show promises an exciting blend of stage combat, puppetry, and multi-media as the last human female in the universe has to blast through alien forces to find the last human male. Billed as "Star Wars meets Lara Croft," but I bet it's better than that.

Leprechaun hunts and sketchy amusement parks after the jump...

Saturday, March 15

• Hunt for the Leprechaun's Gold
  
• $35, Sometime, Somewhere in Manhattan
  

Ravenchase Adventures sets up elaborate Da Vinci Code-like quests around the world, and they're coming to New York to set you and your buds on the trail of some Leprechaun Gold. If the experience is as complex as their website would make you believe, $35 doesn't seem like too much to pay. We all remember what happened last time there was some Irish gold to be had here in the States...

Sunday, March 16

• Astroland Opening
  
• FREE! Noon @ Astroland, Coney Island
  

And they said it would be gone in 2008! Where else would Marvel's villains build secret lairs and hold hostages if the crazy time-warp amusement park were decommissioned? Come down for the (no rly this time) last season of Astroland as we know it. The day begins with Miss Cyclone 2008 smashing a bottle of chocolate egg cream on the front car of the Cyclone. The first 100 in line for the rickety old coaster ride for free!

Weekanerd NYC: David Lynch, Dodgeball, Comic Bloggers, and LOST

Monday, March 10

• Eraserhead w/ J. Hoberman
  
• 4:30, 6:50, 9:30 @ BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn

Film critic J. Hoberman is celebrating his 30th year at the Village Voice, so BAM is showcasing a number of films he memorably reviewed, or just plain liked a lot. Hoberman will introduce this screening of Eraserhead, who called it a "piece of post-nuclear guignol" in his original 1977 review.

Comic bloggers, Lost, and gym class flashbacks after the jump...

Tuesday, March 11

• Heidi MacDonald (PW Beat), Brian Heater (The Daily Cross-Hatch), Kiel Phegley (Wizard Universe), and John DiBello (Bully Says)
  
• 8pm @ The P.I.T., 154 W. 29th Street, Manhattan
  

Comic bloggers on parade! If you have any questions about where the comic industry is headed (or the comic blogging industry), this is the place to get your voice heard. Tickets are, as always, a mere $5.

Wednesday, March 12

• Drop-In Dodgeball
  
• 7pm @ Some Gym in Manhattan (you need to RSVP for the address)
  

Dodgeball may generally be associated with positive memories for geekanerds, but you're all grown up now and surely decades of playing first person shooters have sharpened up your hand eye co-ordination. Registration is $15, which guarantees you at least two games. Winners get two pitches and free Pizza at the Boss Tweed after party. Losers get to feel bad about themselves. The website says it's co-ed, friendly, and 22 and over.

Thursday, March 13

• Get Lost!
  
• 6:30 @ Professor Thom's, 219 2nd Avenue, Manhattan
  

Free jello shots whenever someone says "oceanic 6" or punches Ben. I don't even like Lost, and I know that's awesome. I passed by this place last week, they've got the show on a bunch of huge screens and the volume is cranked, if you're concerned about missing some valuable info in a public setting.

Weekanerd NYC: Secret Missions, Brawlin', and Wild Stallions

Friday, March 7

• Causing Scenes: Improv Everywhere Discussion and Presentation
• 7:30 @ The New Museum Theater, 235 Bowery, Manhattan

Improv Everywhere is gently subversive organization responsible for the No Pants Subway Ride and recent internet video sensation, Frozen Grand Central Station. In their seven year history, the group has executed over seventy missions full of frivolity and good natured mischief. They're like the bizzaro version of Anonymous. This event is $8, and will include screenings of some of their past missions and a talk with founder Charlie Todd (ATTEND THE TALE). You should show up with no pants on, I bet they'd think that was hilarious.


Serious brawls and bogus journeys after the jump...

Saturday, March 8

• Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament
• 5pm @ Best Buy, 622 Broadway, Manhattan

This is actually the grande finale of a four-state tour, and the winner of NYC's qualifying round will go directly into the finals, battling it out with winners from across the nation. Full rules are on the official page, but basically 256 people can sign up, and registration starts at 3pm....so if you want to play you better plan on making a day out of it. Brawls are one-on-one, which is total bullshit, but whatever. The grand prize is a crystal-coated Wii (oh America/Japan and your embarrassing decadence), a home theater system, and of course the game. There are three other prize packs, again, check the link.

Sunday, March 9

• Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey
  
• 7pm@ Hugs Drive-In Theater, 108 North 6th Street, Brooklyn

The myspace page is cryptic, but apparently this is free and you get free popcorn too. Presumably you don't need a car, but what do I know. I'll tell you what I do know...

...I used to watch this.

Weekanerd NYC: Six Comic Creators vs Paper Mache Dinosaurs (Dinos FTW)

Monday, March 3

• Shoot Her! Jurassic Park, The Play
  
• 9:30pm @ Market Hotel, 957 Broadway (at Myrtle), 2nd Fl, Brooklyn

I'm telling you people, low-fi recreations....they're reaching critical mass. This production promises to recreate live on stage, scene by scene, the entirety of Spielberg's finest work of cinema. How will they do it? Much paper mache is said to be involved, and probably no small amount of theatrical ingenuity. This event has been talked up quite a bit from the Village Voice to the NYTimes, so I know I'm getting there early.

UPDATE 3/4/08: If you missed this, we've got a full report.


Your chance to meet a whole bunch of comic creators, after the jump...

Tuesday, March 4

• Peter David and Jae Lee Midnight Signing
  
• Midnight @ Midtown Comics West, 200 W 40th Street, Manhattan
  

If you really want to stalk Peter David, you actually have two event options; at 8pm at Comic Book Club, Peter will talk nerd shop with the lads from The Stack, so if you go to that first you can have something to talk to him about during those all important 20 seconds when he's signing your copy of Dark Tower (or any of the other great books he's writing, for that matter).

Wednesday, March 5

• The Global Graphic Novel: Straight Out of Anguleme
  
• 7pm @ Housing Works Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, Manhattan
  

French comic-book creators Philippe Dupuy and Charles Berberian, the duo responsible for the award winning comic anthology Get A Life, will talk about "the global graphic novel", which sounds very grandiose and probably has something to do with Tin Tin.

Thursday, March 6

• Comic Signing with Danny Simmons & Floyd Hughes, Creators of '85
  
• 6:30 @ Forbidden Planet, 840 Broadway, Manhattan
  

Wow, so many comic artists are doing events this week! They must all be in town to see the Jurassic Park show. Adapted from the book Three Days as the Crow Flies, '85 is a graphic novel about NYC in a tumultuous time, with lots of drug addicts, artists, and other off-the-grid grittiness.

Weekanerd NYC: Supes Bday, David Bowie Fanart, and King Kong Classic

Friday, February 29

• Superman's Birthday: 50% Off All Superman Stuff
• All Day @Jim Hanley's Universe, both locations in Manhattan and Staten Island

Happy birthday Superman! Please note this is not some sort of lame publishing date sort of birthday, but Kal El's actual birthday, as cited by editor Julie Schwartz. Given that today is leap year, Kryptonian days are different than earth days, and a number of other crazy factors, this birthday thing is much more complicated than it seems, you can read about it here but it honestly it was too much even for me. THE POINT IS: 50% off all Superman merch at Jim Hanley's. This probably opens them up to lots of nerd arguments like, "Absolute Dark Knight: Hard Cover Edition is totally about Superman! He's in it, isn't he? He's an essential component of the story, he's in the last act!"

David Bowie sketch party and King Kong, after the jump...

Saturday, March 1

• David Bowie Tribute Night at Dr. Sketchy's
• @ 245 Grand St, Brooklyn

I hope you aren't sick of hearing about these David Bowie themed events, because I'm not sick of writing them. Dr. Sketchy's offers life-drawing sessions with a heavy emphasis on sexiness and geekiness, two things you so rarely see together. This month's event will feature the lovely Madame Rosebud in a variety of David Bowie guises, which promises to be all sorts of androgynous fun. Table reservations are all booked, so show up early ($10 at the door) if you want to grab a spot on the floor.

Sunday, March 2

• King Kong: 75th Anniversary
  
• 1pm & 4pm@ Film Forum, 209 W Houston, Manhattan

This is the absolute place to be this weekend if you have any interest in King Kong whatsoever. Come to the 1pm show to enter the Fay Wray Scream-Alike contest for a chance to win a year's Film Forum membership, a King Kong 2-Disc Collectors Edition DVD, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, and a chance to scream on the Today's Show! I promise you that is the most you will ever win for your ability to scream like a girl. Hit the link for a list of very respectable celebrity judges and more neat prizes.