Talk Nerdy to Me – a free annual convention celebrating all types of nerdiness and fun will be held at Preston’s Harris Library, Museum and Art Gallery on Friday 13th May, from 5.00 to 10.00pm.
The Talk Nerdy to Me III ‘nerdycon’ offers attractions for fans of all kinds, from ranging from Doctor Who to Rocky Horror, and Star Wars to superheroes. This year’s event will have a horror theme and provides an opportunity to indulge existing passions, while also trying new ones.
As well as stalls hosted by indie vendors and big chain names, events at Nerdycon this year include talks titled “When Artificial Intelligence Turns Evil” and “Behind The Crime Scene – and Professor Derek Ward-Thompson, who is currently President of the UK Society for Popular Astronomy, will offer his views on the planet Tatooine – the science behind the fiction!
“One of the most iconic movie images of the 1970s is of Luke Skywalker gazing at a double sunset on Tatooine, wishing he could escape to the stars. But how ‘feasible’ is it that a planet could exist around a double star?” asks the Professor, who teaches at the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute of Maths, Physics and Astronomy, part of the University of Central Lancashire. “I discuss current theories of the formation of planets and their host stars, and discuss the conditions for life to exist on planets in different scenarios, such as around double stars. This is an important question for the likelihood of life elsewhere, since roughly two-thirds of Sun-like stars are double stars.”
“The annual nerdycon is a great North West event and will showcase local experts and speakers,” says Lancashire County Council’s head of libraries, museums, culture and registrar’s service, Julie Bell.
“Last year’s event was a great success and attracted around 500 visitors. We’re hoping that this year’s convention with a horror theme will prove to be as popular.
“There will be a wide range of activities including a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening, with the props and subtitles supplied so that everyone can join in; drone flying, and talks by experts from UCLan.
“The Haberdash are bringing a Circus of Horrors, there is a fanfiction competition, and as always, cosplay is expected.”
Also at the event will be artist Dan Charnley and copsplayers Daydreams and Wishes.
The event will be run by staff at the Harris Library, Museum and Art Gallery, along with youth forum Hijack the Library – a small group of committed people with a passion to involve more young people with libraries, and make them a venue accessible to everyone; and Preston’s Ham and Jam Coffee Shop will be catering to your nerdy tastes on the night!
Booking isn’t required.
• To find out more phone 01772 538313 or email harris.library@lancashire.gov.uk | More information at www.facebook.com/talknerdy1
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Star Wars