Nerd Nite Edmonton #95: All Hallows’ Eve Eve Eve
We love spooky season at Nerd Nite Edmonton. Our fall 2026 season kicks off with a mighty fine variety of talks. Feel free to come in costume. We’ll give out tickets to the best dressed guest!
When: Thursday, October 29th at 7:30pm
(Doors & bar open at 7pm, with drinks available all night)
Where: Backstage Theatre at Fringe Theatre Adventures
Fringe Theatre Arts Barn, 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton
How much: $30
Why are fungi so often used in media when you could use something else – a monster, a bacterium, a virus, an insect? We will discuss the history of fungi in fiction, lots of examples, a little bit of horror (or a lot), and what a fungal narrative looks like!
Did you know that some Canadian provinces are the best places in the world to view the spectacular aurora? Come and explore the wonders of the aurora together as we investigate the history, the science and the beauty behind nature’s best light show! During the presentation, many images and videos will be shown of auroras captures over Alberta by Frank and others from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Nerd Nite Edmonton #94: Pride Month 2026: We’re Making it Gay
Can we make Nerd Nite Edmonton any gayer? It’s unclear, but we can sure as heck try! Join us for a night of drinks and three fascinating talks.
When: Thursday, June 25th. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30pm
(Doors & bar open at 7pm, with drinks available all night)
Where: The Lobby at Fringe Theatre Adventures
Fringe Theatre Arts Barn, 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton
How much: Offer What You Will
Zita Dube-Lockhart: Your Brain On Bonds: Community, Connection, and the Science of Resilience
The Science of Resilience explores how stress shapes our minds, bodies, and communities, and why human connection plays in resilience, healing, and growth.
Zita (they/she) works at the intersection of mind, body, social environment, and clinically significant levels of overcommitment. They hold an MA in Counselling Psychology and an embarrassingly complicated relationship with their voicemail.
Zita is a Nerd Nite Edmonton alumnus, co-owner of Action Potential Fitness, co-founder of the Centre for Trauma Informed Fitness, and a counselling therapist at the Alberta Wellness Centre for Eating Disorders, bouncing between roles in what can only be described as interdisciplinary chaos.
You can call Zita many things… but they’d really rather you text instead.
Instagram: @the.fitnessanarchist, @actionpotentialfitness, @cftif_canada
Evan Westfal: The Relationship Between Homosexuality and Fecundity: Why Being Gay Helps a Species Survive and Reproduce
In this talk, Evan explains to you why being gay really helps different animal species survive. Have you ever wondered why homosexuality has persisted through millions of years of evolution? Shouldn’t being gay lead to less reproduction? Is being gay natural? All these answers and more will be offered in a talk that is playful, intellectual, and hella gay!
Evan Westfal (he/him) is the Programs Manager for the Fyrefly Institute for Gender & Sexual Diversity housed within the University of Alberta, he chairs the Rainbow Alliance Youth Edmonton Committee, and has served as a curriculum advisor for the Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN). Basically, Evan is professionally gay!
Instagram: @evanwestfal
Allison Hadley: The Rainbow Connection – Exploring the Intersections Between Queer Culture and Nerd Culture
When a queer person does not have any 2SLGTQIA+ mentors or community in their life, how do they find belonging? It is often in the safe(r) spaces of nerdy fandoms where acceptance in fantasy settings can turn into a sense of real life belonging. Why are so many trans people drawn to Deep Space Nice and Fallout: New Vegas? Is Dungeons and Dragons inherently queer? The answers may not be as simple as you think.
Allison Hadley is a podcast host, author, activist and drag performer. She is passionate about building community resilience through queer joy. She is also a big ol’ nerd who grew up on science fiction and tabletop roleplaying games.
Nerd Nite Edmonton #93: Space Canucks, The 1893 World Fair, and LEGO
Come join us for drinks, socializing, and another great night of nerdy talks!
When: Thursday, May 28th at 7:30pm
(Doors & bar open at 7pm, with drinks available all night)
Where: Studio Theatre at Fringe Theatre Adventures
Fringe Theatre Arts Barn, 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton
How much: $30
Amanda Green is a local STEM Educator and Canadian Space Ambassador excited to share her passion for Canadian space exploration and “moon joy!’. She will take you through some of our greatest achievements and ambitions and then share how she teaches kids to love space, think critically and reach for the stars!
1893: The Shining City By The Sea: built by a cadre of Chicago architects 401 years after Columbus’ arrival on Turtle Island. The United States Of America first World Fair was rushed, desperate, and phenomenal. Knowledge of The Columbian Exposition is essential to understanding the mythology of America.
LEGO has grown to become one of the world’s largest toy brands, and its fanbase has grown with it. What often starts as childhood creativity leads to using LEGO as a tool for self expression and building community. Adult hobbyists are paving the way for brick-built creations to be seen as a medium of their own.Bio: Sam Malmberg is an Edmonton-based artist that uses LEGO as his primary medium. Sam has displayed his original LEGO creations across Canada and the US, and was a finalist on the TV show LEGO Masters. Through his business, Groovybones Bricks, he works to create interactive experiences, custom models, and a whole lot of brick-based fun.