Hip to Be Square

Hardcore nerds Patton Oswalt and Wil Wheaton aren’t the only celebs to cash in on the geek trend: Hollywood bad boy Vin Diesel hid the name of his Dungeons & Dragons character in his XXX tattoos, while super-hot songstress Katy Perry donned braces and huge glasses for her “Last Friday...

By Wynter Holden

February 16, 2012

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Hardcore nerds Patton Oswalt and Wil Wheaton aren’t the only celebs to cash in on the geek trend: Hollywood bad boy Vin Diesel hid the name of his Dungeons & Dragons character in his XXX tattoos, while super-hot songstress Katy Perry donned braces and huge glasses for her “Last Friday Night” video.

The mainstream acceptance of nerd culture helped pave the way for Trekkers, techies, and gamers to gather together -- without fear of wedgies -- for Geek’s Night Out on Thursday, February 16, at MADCAP Theaters. “The climate of pop culture right now is more forgiving and diverse than maybe when we were kids and were teased for liking things that were niche or nerdy,” says event spokesperson Julia Zolondz. “Geek is more of a general, all-encompassing term.”

Highlights of the evening include robotics and astronomy demos, costume contests, video gaming, and a spooky ghost hunt with the Allied Paranormal Investigations Team. Guests can also showcase the length of their metaphorical light sabers by participating in a pop culture trivia showdown.

Thu., Feb. 16, 5-9 p.m., 2012

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