When I brought Nerd Nite to Pittsburgh, the biggest change I wanted to make from other cities’ chapters was to do everything I could to help people meet each other at the event. Now that we have become one of the largest chapters and one of Pittsburgh’s most popular regularly running comedy shows, I want to try something new. So in January, we will host our first Nerd Nite house party called AN ACTUAL PARTY YOU CAN GO TO WITH HUMANS!
The best way to meet new people is through the people you already know. This is why house parties are the best place to do it. This party is to simulate all the benefits of a house party out at a bar with random strangers. It’s like going back to the good ol’ days when you could meet people in person!
PHASE ONE: From 6:30-8:00, we will run a crowd favorite at Nerd Nite: Speed Friending. If you come early for this portion of the night, your ticket will be free! Just arrive before 7:00 for a 10$ bar voucher. Speed Friending will rotate you around with other guests for 5-minute conversations with new people. One of the best reasons house parties are so great for meeting people is that, almost always, everyone either knows the host or is a friend of someone who knows the host. So you are sure to be only a few mutual connections away from everyone there, and those who connect the dots are also in attendance! With Speed Friending, our goal is to create an atmosphere with that same vibe.
PHASE TWO: From 8:00-2:00, the real party will start. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll do every activity we can think of under the umbrella of social games. There will be one area for party games like Telestrations, Codenames, or whatever you want to bring with you, in addition to board games sponsored by @CityOfPlay. We’ll set up a projector for Jackbox games. Tables for dice and card games, and another block of the room for beer pong, flip cup, rage cage, or anything you want to do with solo cups (with water for health reasons). And, of course, being at Spirit, there will be great pizza, drinks, and lots of extra space just to talk and hang out. Essentially the perfect party if you want it to be easy to talk to strangers.
See you there!
-Rorry (and Ralph too)