Forget spooky season. Forget election season. It’s NERD SEASON!
Join us on October 28 at 7:30 pm from your couch (or home office or bathtub). Tickets are pay what you will courtesy of Edmonton Fringe.
Join your Nerd Bosses and presenters:
Murray Billett with Activism, the Choice to Bring your Voice
People have the right, responsibility and obligation to get involved. Murray will share his decades of leadership and advocacy skills to help people build stronger communities, provinces and a better Canada.
Murray is well known as a human rights activist, conflict resolution specialist, educator and advocate for the GLBTQ communities. A former member of the Alberta Review Board, also a former member of the Edmonton Police Commission serving as Chair, Vice Chair and Commissioner serving on Governance and Professional Standard committees, including media responsibilities & past Chair of the Alberta Association of Police Governance. A former Labour Relations Officer and Educator with United Nurses of Alberta. He is a former board member of Equality for gay and lesbians everywhere and Canadians for Equal Marriage, both national boards. Previously involved in the strategic planning, fund raising and Media Spokesperson for the Delwin Vriend case taking the Government of Alberta to the Supreme Court of Canada. Murray is Co-Founder of the Edmonton Gay & Lesbian Community/Edmonton Police Service Liaison Committee and served as Co-Chair. Also a former director of GALA (Gay and Lesbian Awareness) He is past board member of the Aids Network of Edmonton.
Dana Sanderson with No Bones About It: Skeleton Articulation
Have you ever looked at a skeleton in a museum and thought “How do they do that?” Do you wistfully look at roadkill, and think “Boy, I sure would like your bones!” Are you some sort of weirdo that likes the idea of immortalizing a beloved pet as a beautiful skeleton? Well then you’re in luck! I’ll run through the process for taking a dead animal and getting its bones out, cleaned, and put back together. (TW, this presentation will involve frank discussions involving dead animals, including pictures that some viewers might find disturbing/gross.)
Despite being a squeamish kid, Dana has managed to become the resident “that guy” whom people call when they find something dead. After building his first skeleton in 2013, he has processed dozens of skeletons since then, from a wide variety of animals. His work can be found in the Royal Alberta Museum, MacEwan University, as well as private collections. He is passionate about comparative skeletal anatomy and how it elucidates our place in the natural world.
Colin Knoll with Bitcoin: The Newest Tool in the Battle Against Inflation
Surging inflation is a global problem that has been impacting countries all over the world since the COVID-19 pandemic. Unprecedented amounts of government stimulus packages have been launched to combat the reduction in economic activity, lockdowns, and scaled social programs. The stimulus packages that have been implemented are now causing price and asset inflation in many countries, including Canada, and in some cases, hyperinflation and the complete destruction of purchasing power.
The last decade has seen Bitcoin as the best performing asset ever. Reaching $1T in market value, and over 150M users on the Bitcoin network, Bitcoin is the same monetary size as companies such as Facebook, Apple, and Google. Bitcoin’s unique and stable characteristics make it a perfect tool to help individuals all over the world combat inflation.
This talk will help the audience understand how Bitcoin will sustainably empower individuals to protect their purchasing power, reduce financial inequality and protect against crushing inflation.
Colin Knoll is the current Director of Strategy for a leading foreign exchange and global payments company in Canada, Firma Foreign Exchange. Colin is an educator at MacEwan University where he teaches courses in business, management, and strategy. Colin is a bitcoin researcher and has been a guest at a number of podcasts, speaking on various topics related to bitcoin. Colin’s current research is centered around bitcoin as savings technology, empowering individuals all around the world to combat inflation and reduce financial inequality. Colin’s mission is to educate people all around the world about the benefits of bitcoin.
Since Nerd Nite September falls on National Truth & Reconciliation Day, we are featuring three Indigenous speakers.
NN 61 is on September 30 at 7:30 pm from the safety of your home.
Thank you once again to our partners Fringe Theatre who will be running our technology for us.
Tickets are pay what you will and can be found on the Fringe’s website.
Taz Augustine: The Dark Side of Catholicism in Indian Residential Schools
“As a daughter of an Indian residential school survivor I believe it is important that the truth be told. Many folks do not know what happened in the Residential schools and the dark role nuns & priests played in ‘killing the Indian in a child.’ I have no fear in bring truth to light.”
As an Advocate for the Protection and Inclusion of Indigenous Spirituality, Elder Taz has worked as Indigenous Spiritual Counsellor, and has provided psycho-educational healing ceremonies, workshops, and training within communities and Corrections Institutions for more than 25 years. Her expertise includes Genocide Awareness & Affects, Systemic Racism, Inter-generational Trauma, PTSD, event planning and peaceful activism.
Juanita Tallman: Blackfoot Sky Stories
“I’m Blackfoot and currently live in Missoula Montana and Blood Reserve Alberta. I teach about Blackfoot Culture and love to share my knowledge as the CEO of Niitsitapii. My experience includes Writing-on-Stone Interpretive supervisor and AEUB field inspector, but my Blackfoot knowledge was my choice of study. I’ve learned from elders and have many cultural commitments, which include teaching my children.
My main priority is to teach, learn and preserve indigenous peoples culture. I hope to build Niitsitapii up so that we can support other cultures not just Blackfoot as we grow.
The Blackfoot have many stories which include the stars and sky beings. I’ll be sharing these stories which have shaped our lives as Blackfoot people.”
Sarah Buffalo and Chrystal Buffalo: Science Fiction in Beadwork and Indigenous Communities
The Sparkling Buffalo is mother-daughter duo Sarah and Chrystal Buffalo, multidisciplinary artists from Montana First Nation. They combine semi-precious stones with traditional beadwork, seamlessly integrating designs into Indigenized futuristic realities.
Through the evolution of the business, the vision that started it all has remained, that of elevating Cree fashion and art in the lens of Canadians, as well as creating an opportunity for Maskwacis culture to be showcased on the International stage.
We hope everyone enjoyed the Best Summer EverSarcastic TM. Us Nerd Bosses have been desperate to host an in-person event but it seems like our favourite pandemic mostly has other plans. We’ve decided to squeeze in a modified Nerd Nite while we can still meet outdoors.
So, welcome to Nerd Nite Short Cuts, an event named after the 1993 Robert Altman Film. Like the film, this event will have short stories. Unlike the film, it will be accessible and child-friendly.
So, please meet us at Root 107 on September 23 at 6:30 pm.
Root 107, located at 107 St, between Jasper Ave and 101 Ave, is an inclusive public space that brings together food, drinks and free entertainment all in one spot. It’s a family- and dog-friendly space. Seating is limited, especially with social distancing, so you might want to bring your own chair. You can eat dinner before if you want, but the Calle Mexico food truck will be there for Taco Thursdays.
There is no cost to attend Nerd Nite Short Cuts! If you wish to make a donation, we suggest you give to our friends at Fringe Theatre. Our partnership with Fringe Theatre is awesome and we will be grateful if you make a gift in our honour. Your gift to Fringe will celebrate theatre, build community, and help the Fringe continue to support artists. Plus, you’ll receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation! Find out more here and if you do make a gift, please type “Nerd Nite” into the “Name of Honouree” box.
Nerd Nite Short Cuts will feature …
- Nerd Bosses
- Nerd Nite Alumni
- Nerds
- and more nerds!
RSVP on Facebook and/or put this event in your calendar. We cannot wait to see your faces!*
*Naturally, this event is subject to government guidelines as well as Nerd Boss judgement and we might cancel at the last minute if we don’t feel safe. All of your Nerd Bosses are double-vaxxed and will be wearing masks, and we encourage you to do the same.
