10 Nerdy Things to Do This June in Metro Phoenix

Summer’s here, but that never affected us indoor kids much anyway. In fact, this June is looking pretty lively thanks to classic sci-fi movie screenings at FilmBar, live podcast events, summer workshops, and of course, a visit from William Shatner.

So save it, barbecues and pool parties. Phoenix is hot with plenty of climate-controlled events for nerds this June.

Monday Night Monoprint Mania
Learn about what’s being billed as the “most spontaneous of all printmaking processes.” Printmaking: Monday Night Monoprint Mania is a beginner course for monoprinting held every Monday night in June and July at the Mesa Arts Center. Join instructor Brent Bond from 6 to 9 p.m. starting June 4. Cost is $202. See the Mesa Arts Center website to register and for more information.

Re-Animator: BS Movies Presents
The time has finally come for H.P. Lovecraft fans to get dressed and leave their homes. Yes, BS Movies Presents Re-Animator – everyone's favorite mid-'80s sexy academic sci-fi horror flick. The screening will be followed by a live podcast of BS Movies along with trivia and prizes from Zia Records. FilmBar screens Re-Animator at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8. Tickets are $9.95. See the FilmBar website for tickets and more information.

Sci-Friday Book Club
This contemporary science fiction and fantasy book club meets every third Friday at Poisoned Pen Bookstore (hence the club name), and is overseen by local blogger (and Phoenix New Times contributor) Michael Senft and Poisoned Pen’s own Pat King. This month the book is Senlin Ascends – the first volume of the “The Books of Babel” series – by Josiah Bancroft. Join the Sci-Friday Book Club from 7 to 8 p.m. on June 15. See the Facebook event for more information.

Nature Sketch Books with Beth Shook
Is your wildlife-viewing sketchbook not popping off the way you’d like? The Gallery at TCA – found in the Tempe Center for the Arts – is hosting the Nature Sketch Books workshop with ceramic artist and beyond Beth Shook. There will be lots of leaves, branches, and natural materials to pose as muses for this nature drawings class. The workshop is free, and happening noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. See the Gallery at TCA website for more information.

My Brother, My Brother, and Me
In case you’re not familiar with McElroy content, we can quickly catch you up: Horses, ghosts, mangoes, haunted dolls, inventive fast food, Dungeons & Dragons, and farm wisdom. Put simply, the three West Virginian brothers have innumerable podcasts, two of which will be recording live at Symphony Hall. The Adventure Zone (a live D&D podcast and yes, it’s funnier than it sounds), and My Brother My Brother and Me (an incredible advice show with Yahoo! answers as the centerpiece) start at 7 p.m. on June 16 for $39.50 a pill. Just remember, no bummers. See the Symphony Hall website for tickets and more information.

Logan’s Run
If you’re super into current TV programs about gnarly dystopian futures, guess what? Those shows are standing on the shoulders of classic sci-fi greats, including Logan’s Run. Made in 1976 but projecting the year 2274, Logan’s Run is goofy yet semi-haunting science fiction about mankind ruining the world, and it not showing us much mercy in return. Oh, and Farrah Fawcett’s in it. FilmBar and ASU's Center for Science have teamed up for the "History of the Future" series, AKA a screening of Logan’s Run at 7 p.m. on June 21. Tickets are $7. See more at the FilmBar website.

Birds n' Beer
It’s an educational presentation but with beer and like-minded folks. And it’s all about birds, and it’s free. If this sounds like your kind of afternoon, the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center hosts Birds 'n' Beer with no RSVP required. Every month, there’s a new yet still bird-related topic, and an expert normally flies in to talk about it while you sip local brews. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the talk starts at 6:30 p.m. on June 21. See the Audubon Arizona Facebook page for this month's topic.

William Shatner
This is the big one. See William Shatner live on stage and catch a screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan all in one best night. Shatner plans to talk about his years playing Captain James T. Kirk, plus his expansive career as an actor, producer, director, and writer. There will also be a Q&A sesh, so be prepared for that. Tickets range from $60 to $155, and it’s all happening at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, at the Orpheum Theatre. See the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues website for tickets and information.

LepreCon 44
A fan-run fantasy and science-fiction conference, LepreCon 2018 is featuring Lubov, their artist guest of honor known for work with Magic: The Gathering, Galactic Empires, Dungeons & Dragons, Shadowrun, and Dragonstorm. Other esteemed comic creators include local artist guest of honor, Jon Santaanta Proudstar behind the Native Superhero comic Tribal Force, local comic creator Alex Pescador behind Burnout Club, Tempe artist Shea “Bird” Robinson, and more. In its 44th year, LepreCon 2018 is also featuring an art show, gaming events, cosplay programming, writers' workshops, the Apocalypse Later film festival, and much more. LepreCon 44 is June 22 to 24 at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North. Con memberships are $40 until June 15 for the full weekend. See the LepreCon 44 website for tickets and more details.

Phoenix Poetry Slam
Save it, competitive sports. We prefer a face-off like the Phoenix Poetry Slam, when 10 Valley-based poets will compete for a $50 cash prize. Hosted at Megaphone PHX and Lawn Gnome Publishing, this all-ages poetry slam is, as they put it, “the result of years of seeking talented new voices and promoting strong literary events.” Slam on from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, at Megaphone PHX. Tickets are $7.33 for early birds, and $12.61 the day of the show. See the Facebook event for more information.