Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, a TED talk, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at !
Comedy Nite will feature 3 touring comics! This event will take place at the Rivers Club Downtown. The entrance to the Rivers Club is on the 4th floor of the Oxford Centre Garage. As you enter from the garage on level 4, a door marked ‘Rivers Club’ will be on your right. Go through that door and you will be in a marble lobby with a private elevator on your right. Take the elevator to Level 6.
April 27th will feature the following presentations:
The Hero With A Thousand Whiskers; Why Puss in Boots the Last Wish was A Joseph Campbell Wet Dream:
There’s no reason why the third installment of a spin-off Shrek sequel should be as good as it is. Why did it go so hard? Why was a children’s movie as deep and affecting as it was? By drawing upon universal themes and employing the “Hero’s Journey” narrative structure, the filmmakers gifted us something ancient yet brand new. (In other words, a classic.) Speaker Ronnie Fleming will take you through the film (warning: spoilers) following each stage of Joseph Campbell’s template for storytelling, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”
Ronnie was a screenwriting student, a New York City dog-walker, and is now a touring comedian always on the lookout for movies that inspire him like P in B 3 did.
Fairly innocuous: Are Diamonds really forever?:
In her talk, Brittany Alexis examines the prevalence of strong beliefs concerning engagement rings and their origins and connects that to larger concepts often heralded as fact or “history” such as why there are more states with Confederate Monuments than states that existed during the Civil War. She encourages you to come with an open mind and have fun questioning why you believe what you believe and if it’s fact or really good marketing.
Brittany Alexis is an up and coming comic in the Pittsburgh/Erie comedy scene. She began her comedy journey doing open mics at Hambones to get over her jitters about being a trial attorney but fell in love with the craft and she’s excited to be a part of this show because she’s a nerd at heart.
Fundamentals of Music OR Sound Over Time:
To many, MUSIC is a mystical enigma created by people with CRAZY hairstyles or EVEN WORSE…powdered WIGS! This may be true, but MUSIC is ALSO a system of creating and describing SOUND over TIME. MUSIC is composed of different elements that we can understand, talk about, notate, or even manipulate to CREATE OUR OWN MUSIC!
Musician and comedian, Paulie Stags, will introduce (or reintroduce) you to some of the most fundamental elements of music. There will most likely be audience participation. He may insult someone, but it will probably be a dead composer. Powdered wigs are highly encouraged, but not required.
Social game:
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flOg5cRkceg&list=PLcx6pXs_8CRUItElXY8Cvs5vhXtZN_j9w
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
With the first house party being a huge success we’re going to keep them going! Making a few minor changes to streamline things with one major change being the venue. This party will take place at Il Tetto, the rooftop bar at Sienna Mercato downtown, and this event will be 100% free! Doors will open at 5:00 to come in, pregame, and get registered for Speed Friending and then everything will proceed like our first event last month! Be sure to arrive early as our last event hit capacity around 8:30. If there’s a long line when you arrive, we suggest grabbing a drink at another downtown bar and we’ll keep you posted on our Instagram when we have space open up.
Pittsburgh Mixers:
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. Nerd Nite’s Pittsburgh Mixers are designed 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 more people randomly met out in the world!
PHASE ONE – 6:00-8:00: With 168 participants last time, we will once again run a crowd favorite at Nerd Nite: Speed Friending. You can begin to register for this starting at 6:00 and the first round will begin at 6:30. 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 – Starting at 8:00: The real mixer begins. We’ll keep the tunes at a medium volume so you can enjoy them and hear people easily. Additionally, we’ll have all the social games that you loved for the first party. We’ll be partnering once again with CityOfPlay to have a wide selection of party games such as Telestrations, Codenames, and Monikers, and all are welcome to bring their own from home! We’ll also have dice and cards for whatever you want to do with them, and two beer pong tables to re-live your college days. And, of course, there will be great food, 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)
P.S. This event is 21+ and requires ID, and for this free one registration does not guarantee admission, make sure to arrive early!
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at !
This event will be downstairs during renovations and is certain to sell out with the smaller capacity, get your tickets early before they’re all gone!
February 8th will show the following presentations:
Cup Stacking: Not Your Average Pyramid Scheme:
Drew Wilfahrt is a retired cup stacker and a former member of the U.S. National Sport Stacking team. Drew spent a decade of his childhood competing in cup stacking tournaments across the country. Most famously, Drew demonstrated his dedication to the sport by skipping his High School Prom to compete in the World Sport Stacking Championships (much to the dismay of his girlfriend at the time). Today, Drew is a card-carrying immunologist at the University of Pittsburgh, but he spends his days and nights dreaming of the glory days when stacking cups was all he lived for.
Data Science, World Records, and Why Michael Phelps Kept Changing His Bathing Suit:
Orly Olbum is a statistician by training, a data scientist by trade, and has been a swimmer since before she could walk. A natural-born nerd and conspiracy theorist, Orly has always been curious about the textile swimsuit phenomenon best known to land-people as one of the reasons Michael Phelps is really freaking fast. Combining her love for numbers and her love for Michael Phelps (no matter what bathing suit he is wearing), she will explore swimming world record trends before the textile suit ban and how the ban has affected world record trends since. When not in the pool, Orly runs the Data Science department at Inpleo and enjoys putting together Star Wars Lego kits.
The History of Punxsutawney Phil – Pennsylvania’s Immortal Rodent:
Ali Mazzotta leverages her degree in journalism once a year to annoy her Instagram followers with a live play-by-play of Groundhog’s day. Her Pulitzer-worthy storytelling includes the holiday’s history, the dignitaries that care for Punxsutawney Phil and the secret to Phil’s immortality. This year, she’s excited to be given the opportunity to talk about Phil twice in the same month. When she’s not preparing for February 2nd (Groundhog’s day) or researching other obscure interests, Ali is a product manager at Security Journey – an AppSec Education Platform.
Social game:
Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flOg5cRkceg&list=PLcx6pXs_8CRUItElXY8Cvs5vhXtZN_j9w
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
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.
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a social mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Social game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! December 8th will show the following presentations:
The Science of Holiday Meals: Rikki Rabbin is a registered dietitian nutritionist with degrees from the University of Maryland and the University of Pittsburgh. She attended her first Nerd Nite in Washington, DC in 2010, and presented in her chosen hometown of Pittsburgh in 2021. She loves food safety, but she’s not one to leave an M&M behind if it’s been less than 5 seconds, either. Join Rikki for a wild ride of food safety and to finally find out why you get so tired after Thanksgiving dinner. If you think it’s just tryptophan, you’re dreaming!
A Plaine and Simple Introduction to the Lute: Ever wondered what people were rocking out to in the Renaissance? For a while the lute was the “king of instruments”, and everyone from the countryside to the court wanted in. From 1400-1750, the lute was putting out hits left and right, but what happened? Where is the lute now? These questions answered and more in this spectacular presentation on the lute, featuring baroque bops, historical sad bois, and ye olde TikTok. Levon Ritter is somewhat of a renaissance man himself; a professional musician who does software engineering, sewing, and learning Krav Maga in his spare time. He studied lute with Scott Pauley of Chatham Baroque and has written a thesis on the lute the size of a small novel. He plays bass in the Pittsburgh-based metal band Wake of the Blade, as well as jazz and sacred music as the gigs come.
A Mystery Talk By Ralph Crewe With our third speaker unable to make it, Nerd Nite Boss and crowd favorite from previous talks, Ralph Crewe will step in to do talk about a surprise subject to wrap up the night.
Social game: Our social game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a networking mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional networking game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Networking game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! October 13th will show the following presentations:
“Re: Your Brains” The brain is the most important organ you have… according to the brain. And some of the things you think you know about the brain are complete bullshit – we only use 10%, you are either right or left brained, alcohol kills brain cells. Join Dr. Kym Young, neuroscientist and associate professor of psychiatry at U Pitt, as she busts some of the most popular brain myths and teaches you some fun facts about this 3 lb. wonder. When not studying how the brain works (or doesn’t work), Kym enjoys world travel, jigsaw puzzles, her 2 pawesome cats, and is a huge Disney nerd.
“New Shit Has Come to Light: The Big Lebowski and Historical Revisionism”
“Historical revisionism” and “revisionist history” have a bad rep, usually from people who don’t know what these terms mean. This talk uses The Dude’s insight that “new shit has come to light,” as the main reason why history needs to be revised and updated frequently. Dr. Coohill uses important examples from the past to show how our knowledge of them is only based on what was presented to us when we were young. Historians constantly discover new things in archives, come up with new methods of analysis, and explain the complicated “ins, outs, and what-have-you’s” of historical events that we think we already understand. After this talk, you’ll hear “historical revisionism” and “revisionist history” with an open and fresh mind. You’ll be “privy to all the new shit”!
Dr. Joseph Coohill is an Oxford-educated history professor and media personality who overturns widely-held, but incorrect, assumptions and beliefs about the past. The public knows him as the host and producer of the wildly popular Professor Buzzkill History Podcast. He has spoken at Nerd Nites in New York and Pittsburgh.
“An inside look at the world’s most ruggedly good looking and sexually dynamic sport: competitive facial hair”
Standing resolute against a bald-faced majority, men and women the world over have found community and solidarity in shared celebration of a hirsute lifestyle. Competing in over fifty categories spanning multiple categories, from the standard dad Stache (aka the chevron) to the crowd-favorite freestyle beard, competitors and enthusiasts have elevated this niche community into a worldwide phenomenon.
Adam Causgrove is the Chief Executive of the American Mustache Institute, 2012 Mustached American of the Year, and a recognized expert in all things facial hair. Featured in Time Magazine, Pitt Magazine, and countless publications in between, Causgrove will highlight the nuances and faces that have brought this frighteningly handsome pastime from the seedy underbelly of basement competitions to the bright lights of ESPN the Ocho and into the hearts and homes of people across the globe.
Networking game:
Our Networking game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our YouTube channel
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a networking mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional networking game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Networking game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! June 16th will show the following presentations:
“Maggot Therapy or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bugs”
What’s the most disgusting thing I see too often in the ER? Maggots. In this lecture, we explore the fascinating science and history of maggot infections and the surprising ways in which they may be just what the doctor ordered.
Avir Mitra is an ER doctor and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He moonlights as a contributing editor at Radiolab and has also written and produced stories for Vice, The Pulse and Here and Now.
“Laura Secord: What Canada’s Paul Revere taught me about Wikipedia and gender”
Raymond Bowman grew up in the Pittsburgh area, worked to become a licensed architect, and is now attempting to apply those skills to nonprofit community development. Lucky for you, he’s not here to talk about any of that. Back in 2015 (at a different nerdy night), Ray presented a humorous comparison between two historical figures with parallel stories, Paul Revere and a lesser-known Canadian woman named Laura Secord. Tonight, he’s here to revisit the story of Laura Secord and explore how gender bias on Wikipedia informs (and deforms) our knowledge and perception of female historical figures.
“Bird Out With Your Nerd Out, Rock Out With Your Squawk Out”
There’s more bird diversity around Pittsburgh than you might think. So embark on an avian adventure with local bird nerd Ralph Crewe as he dives into a few of the remarkable feathered friends you might encounter around the steel city. Learn how to talk to owls, identify every species of hummingbird in the area, and explore the horrors of duck reproduction!
Ralph Crewe is a Nerd Nite veteran, having delivered such talks as Bullshit in Space, and The Electric Bass Guitar in Baroque Saxony & Various Ensuing Milieus. He spent ten years as a science communicator at a major science museum, has worked for several nerdy YouTube channels, including his current role as script editor for Practical Engineering, works full-time at a local software development firm, and is a generally curious person.
Networking game:
Our Networking game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our YouTube channel
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a networking mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional networking game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Networking game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:30, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! June 16th will show the following presentations:
“Finding Galactic Supernova Remnants from the Couch” At the end of their lives, massive stars explode as supernovae, leaving behind glowing embers known as supernova remnants (SNRs). These SNRs are evidence for the chemical enrichment by high-mass stars that creates the elements necessary for life. Our Milky Way Galaxy should have over 1000 SNRs but so far most have evaded detection. Professor Loren Anderson will discuss his efforts to uncover a hidden population of Galactic SNRs, all while sitting on his couch. Dr. Anderson is an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at West Virginia University.
“Dr. Whiz Kid or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bladder” Not content with her own urine, Maria Jantz has decided to embark upon the world’s greatest pissing contest. Things people have said to Maria after hearing that she researches bladder control include: “Oh my gosh I had a UTI last month!” “I’m sorry but honestly that doesn’t sound that interesting.” “Peeing is ruined for me now.” You, too, can add to these consistently rave reviews. This talk will cover the neuroscience of the bladder, what we can do to fix it when things go catastrophically wrong, and an assortment of delightful bladder facts. Maria is a PhD candidate in Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. When she’s not studying the bladder, she can be found making neuron mugs, doing handstands, or baking cookies. Her childhood hero was Ms. Frizzle.
“The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Guide to Color Theory” Louisa Barrett, a former child, leverages her career in graphic design and software development to bring you a tale of turtles, color, and surprise. Color theory is a big topic to get your head around, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are just the heroes in a half-shell we need to make the nitty gritty of color a whole lot less confusing. COWABUNGA!
Networking game: Our Networking game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flOg5cRkceg&list=PLcx6pXs_8CRUItElXY8Cvs5vhXtZN_j9w
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
What’s up Nerds! This is the homepage for Nerd Nite Pittsburgh. We host two types of events. Nerd Nite Classic is a comedy show that’s a mix between stand up, TED talks, and a social mixer. Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional social game called Speed Friending. If you like comedy, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you!
Our second event is Pittsburgh Mixers. With the enormous success of Speed Friending at our classic events we realized there was a need in Pittsburgh for more events to meet new people face to face. Pittsburgh mixers are specifically designed to make that as easy as possible. We start out with another round of Speed Friending and then set you free to hang out at a bar with chill music volumes, all kinds of fun social games, drinks, food, and the vibes you need to make new connections.
The next, or most recent, event will be below and feel free to check out past events with the links in our menus. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram or sign up for our mailing list to get notified when new shows are coming up. If you’ve never been out before and you want to know what you’re getting yourself into, check our ourGuest FAQ, our Code of Conduct, and videos from past speakers on our YouTube page. If you’re worried you’re not nerdy enough to come out, check out our page addressing that concern we wrote just for you!
If you’re interested in being a speaker in the future please reach out at !! Info for that can be found on our Speaker FAQ page.
Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a TED talk, a comedy show, and a networking mixer! Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic! Audience members can ask questions, and beforehand there is an entirely optional networking game. If you like alcohol, learning about random and interesting things, and meeting other nerds this is for you! Networking game starts at 6:30, Doors open for the show at 7:25, show starts at 7:45. If you have a topic you are passionate about and you’d like to be a speaker at a later event get in touch at ! April 21st will show the following presentations:
“What I learned about dating apps (generally) after I spent five f**king years studying them for a PhD” Dr Nicolette Wong is nosy when it comes to people’s love lives, so she decided to make a career out of it. Trained at Oxford and UPitt, she embarked on a five-year project studying dating apps in China and the US for her PhD. All so she could fervently try to figure out why there are so many profiles with pictures of men holding large fish or women trying to make potential matches play Where’s Waldo (not really). Two-time TEDx speaker and a Nerd Nite regular, she enjoys public speaking, giving unsolicited relationship advice, and pretending to be an extrovert.
“An Aspie’s Take on Weight Loss: Y’all are Just Doing It Wrong” This talk combine’s the story of Jeremy Rochford’s (cPt, WLS, YES, CLC, cCFT, cCFS, CC, CL) successful 200-pound weight loss journey and his realization that he knows exactly where both of his children got their neuro-diversity from. In his talk, he’ll unpack the reason why diets fail, how intermittent fasting is a joke, and why body positivity might just be the truest secret in weight loss. While some get obsessed with Lego’s or Fantasy Football, Jeremy has turned his love of food back around into his love of food, but this time with the appropriate amount of butter. When not discussing weight loss or wellness, you can find him around town in used music stores trying to find those rare import CD’s because he’s just old enough to appreciate what they are.
“5g and the Birth of The Next Generation of Integrated Technology” What is 5g? Why Now? Why does it matter? What does it enable? Can it kill us or will it just be the robots that do that? These questions and many more will be discussed by speaker Mark Shimkets. Mark Shimkets is a Pittsburgh based Comedian that has a computer science degree and an intense level of nerdery. From acting in NYC to coaching a League of Legends team in Turkey Mark has experienced some weird stuff and is excited to share his knowledge with you all.
Networking game: Our Networking game will take place before the show from 6:30-7:30. Similar to ‘Speed Dating’ or ‘Speed Networking’ our game is ‘Speed Friending’! Whether you are new to the city and hoping to make friends, trying to expand your professional network with other nerds, or are single and looking to mingle, the game is just about meeting new people! We have a system in place to rotate everyone around to meet someone new every 5 minutes, then you can fill out an online form with which conversations you enjoyed and we’ll email you your matches! You are welcome to join late, but if you want to get the most of it arrive at 6:15 to register and the first round will start at 6:30.
If you haven’t been here before, check what this is about with videos from our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVl964vvbYrgRJaUCLifPgw
This event is 21+ and requires ID. The venue has limited space and there may not be door sales if we sell out, which happens regularly. Be sure to get a ticket before heading over.
