5 Things To Do This Weekend In Geek Arizona [WE 05/15]
This weekend, Geek Arizona recoils in horror at “It!”, overdoses on video games, crushes on Harry Potter, and builds lanterns for Japan.
Seems like most of the action this weekend bounces back and forth between two specific locations. It’s weird how that happens. I have a theory that if you plotted out every geek event location in Arizona over the last year, you’d start to see a golden spiral.
That thing is everywhere!
Friday, May 13th
It Came From The Basement! [Mesa]
- “Seeing It is creepier than letting a clown use your shower.”
- For this month’s 2nd Friday, Evermore Nevermore is pulling out some Americana road-side attraction magic.
- Come see “It,” then immediately scream and curl into your boyfriends comforting arms.
- Mesa’s 2nd Friday usually starts moving around 7-ish, and “It” comes out of the basement around 7:30pm.
- While you’re there, the Rusted Nail Gallery across the street is hosting a local toy maker show featuring villains and unseemly characters.
- The wife and I should be wandering around, so say “Hi” if you see us.
Saturday, May 14th
Blazblue: CS & Arcane Heart 3 Tournaments [Mesa]
- Not everyone who likes fighting games enjoys brutal fatalities.
- Some enjoy adorable cartoons pummeling each other.
- Gotham City Comics knows this, and they’re hoping you’ll come back to Mesa for a tournament.
- Starting around 11:30am and going into the afternoon.
- Details on Facebook.
Bookmans Video Game Challenge [Phoenix]
- But then again, some gamers do love carnage.
- Let Bookmans Phoenix & Devastation bring out your inner decapitator with a free Mortal Kombat tournament.
- This one starts at Noon and goes into the afternoon.
- Win store credit and bragging rights.
- Details at their site.
Sunday, May 15th
The Phoenix Lament Club Meeting [Phoenix]
- Arizona’s Harry Potter fan club is meeting once again!
- Everyone is welcome to join in the borderline-unhealthy-but-oh-so-sweet obsession with all things HP.
- And yes, it’s at Bookmans Phoenix.
- Details on their calendar.
Craft For Japan [Chandler]
- Help HeatSync Labs help Japan.
- They’re soldering kimono lanterns, knitting scarves, and folding cranes.
- Not an expert on any of those? HeatSync hackers are ready to teach.
- Start your crafting at 4pm at Gangplank.
- Learn more at the Craft For Japan site.
So much time, so little to do. Wait a minute – strike that. Reverse it.
Friday Lightning [02/11]
Your weekly dose of bite-sized buzz and tid-bits surrounding Arizona’s geek culture.
I had a blast at the Comicon’s kick-off event last night. I was able to meet quite a few of you, which is my favorite part of doing a local blog, by far.
Here we go!
The Arizona Pop Culture Museum is opening back up (in phases)
- They’ve got a new location and they changed their name to “The Arizona Pop Culture Experience.”
- Details on their site.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival opens their doors this weekend.
- This baby runs for so long I could mention it every weekend in March.
- Instead, I’ll just share that they’re open for business!
- Learn more on their site.
- Whenever I happen to drive past this place, I think of the movie The Wild Hunt, and get too scared to go in.
The Amazing Arizona Comic Con has confirmed they are returning next year.
- And they are extending the convention by one day.
- Here’s a link to the announcement.
The Gamers’ Inn is running a funny Magic Card contest.
- Win some store credit by creating the funniest Magic card.
- Join the fun here.
The Phoenix Comicon announced their last major list of guests.
- Including actors George Takei (Sulu), Adam Baldwin (Jayne), Elvira, and Nicholas Brendon (Xander).
- The full list of comic book, author, music, and other guests is up on their site.
And, of course, Lightning Octocon 2011 is this June 11th.
- I figure after two weeks of detoxing from the Phoenix Comicon we’ll be itching for some nerdy debauchery once again.
- Tell us you’re attending on Facebook!
- The guest list so far is looking really fun.
3 Things I’ll Miss About Red Hot Robot While It’s Gone [RHR]
I recently read that one of Phoenix’s indie-pop-culture gems is moving out, coming back, and re-branding itself.
Since 2007, Red Hot Robot has nested between Stinkweeds and Smeeks, as a haven for fans of indie toys, art, and weirdness. Everything they stock feels unique – like you’ll never find something like it anywhere else.
As I’ve mentioned before, my first event for Lightning Octopus was here.
I never took the chance to pin down its owner, Jason Kiningham, for a spotlight, or to take some sexy photos of the place, so maybe this can make up for that a little. I’ll owe him that when he re-opens.
Here are 3 things I hope RHR brings with it when it comes back:
1. It’s Local
Within its walls you can find art, sculptures, books, games, and toys from Steamcrow, Greg Ham, Eric Torres, Kill!, Rusted Halo, and Space Boy Robot. And that’s just off the top of my head.
They have tons more – for example the large list on the flyer above.
2. It’s Indie
A lot of what they stock is produced by independent artists.
And the items they stock that aren’t seem carefully chosen.
3. It’s Fun
RHR always seems up for hosting fun events (such as Monster Abduction is Real!), and lots of parties for Dunny artists and toy makers.
Also, I learned how to play Iconica here (which they also stock) at a game night.
They’re cleaning out some inventory with some crazy deals right now. And to celebrate their legacy (so far) Red Hot Robot is throwing a bit of a “last hurrah” with a bunch of local artists:
- February 4th, from 7pm to 10pm.
- At Red Hot Robot. (Surprised?)
- A bazzilion local artists will be sporting there goods and mingling with the crowd.
- RSVP on the Facebooks here.
Ever been to Red Hot Robot?
