We took time out of our PAX-prep madness to talk to one of our favorite local authors and one of our favorite local film buffs about their latest projects. Harry Connolly was on the show back in Episode #43 with his first novel Child of Fire and he was kind enough to return now that his second, Game of Cages has hit the shelves. We also talk with Sean “The Butcher” Smithson about his Film School Confidential U.S. film series that starts up this weekend.
Shannon is still trying to recover from last week’s Dared Movie so she didn’t watch one this week but we do have the weekly geek news and we talk about what to expect from out PAX coverage this year!
This is a little early but I wanted to make sure people had plenty of time to plan ahead for this one. Marian Call is returning to Seattle on September 9 for The Very Very Big Seattle Concert at the Fremont Abbey (4272 Fremont Avenue North in Seattle). Marian almost never plays with a band, but this September in Seattle it shall come to pass. Strings, drums, and every good thing, including the unsinkable Molly Lewis opening (#freemolly!). Doors open at 8pm. Tickets sold online are $15, $10 for students, seniors, military, disabled, or starving artist (honor system). Tickets will be $3 more at the door. Advance tickets are available NOW at http://mariancall.com. This is an all ages event, both Marian and Molly are totally awesome live and this event should not be missed. Just to whet your appetite, here is a video of Marian along with Vixy & Tony, SJ Tucker, Betsy Tinney, and Sunnie Larsen at Can’t Stop the Serenity earlier this year.
The big event this week is, of course, PAX 2010. We are going to be there the whole stinkin’ weekend so if you happen to see us there feel free to say “hi”! If you don’t want to leave it to random chance we are having a Seattle Geekly Meetup at 9am just outside the coffee shop on the first floor of the convention center. It’s the same place it was last year and the same place we had our Emerald City Comic Con meetup. If none of that makes sense, check out this handy map.
Grab some coffee, hang out with us and fellow Seattle geeks and we’ll be giving away a ton of great swag!
Thursday
PODCAST DAY!
Episode #75 of the Seattle Geekly podcast will feature interviews with author Harry Connolly who tells us about his latest book Game of Cages (which just hit bookstores today) and film guru Sean “The Butcher” Smithson who tells us about the Film School Confidential U.S. film series that he is bringing to the Grand Cinema in Tacoma.
The BoneBat “Comedy of Horrors” Film Fest, 6pm – midnight at The Big Picture Theater in Redmond
A Cinematic Comedy and Horror Extravaganza! Two Features! Short Films! Prizes Galore! And LIVE MUSIC from Seattle’s own Barefoot Barnacle! Join us for a full evening of Giggles and Gore, hosted by Steve and Gord of The BoneBat Show! The Big Picture boasts a full bar for your drinking pleasure, so all attendees must be 21 and over. Tickets on sale now at: http://www.bonehand.com/bonebatff.html
Friday
FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL with Sean The Butcher Smithson and Justin Giallo showing of Lucio Fulci’s THE BEYOND in 35mm 9pm – midnight at The Grand Cinema 606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma
FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL USA hosted by horror film authority Sean “The Butcher” Smithson, and co-hosted by Justin Giallo, will be bringing the nightmares and bloodshed to the Grand Cinema for two nights with a special 35mm screening of Lucio Fulci’s classic THE BEYOND! Seattle/Tacoma area horror fans, this is what you’ve been waiting for. A true horror film, projected from celluloid to screen, with an audience. This is a DO NOT MISS event. Prizes and madness will be flowing like crimson waves. Win t-shirts, dvd’s, and other random items of gory goodness.
Saturday
Author Signing: Harry Connoly 1 – 3pm at 3206 West McGraw Street, Seattle
Local urban fantasy author Harry Connolly signs his latest novel Game of Cages, book two of the Twenty Palaces series.
Midnight Movies: Spirited Away at the Egyptian Theater 805 East Pine St. in Seattle
See Miyazaki’s classic animated film on the big screen!
Sunday
Girls PAX Meetup 10:00 – 11:30am at the Fonte cafe and Wine Bar, 1321 First Avenue in Seattle
A chance for the ladies of PAX to meet up for breakfast and getting to know each other. – Full up with a lengthy waiting list.
As always you can check out our Event Calendar to keep up with all the latest geek events.
Saturday was the first International Read Comics in Public day and we happily participated. There is a Read Comics in Public Flickr pool that has collected pictures from people across the country enjoying comics in a wide variety of locations.
The comics we were reading were Chew vol. 2 by John Layman and Rob Guillory and Atomic Robo vol. 1 by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener. Alert listeners will have heard us talk about Chew in the past, you can hear our interview with writer John Layman in Episode #63 and keep reading under the fold for some big news regarding Chew and the Harvey Awards results.
Atomic Robo, written by Brian Clevinger with art by Scott Wegener, is an ongoing series that tells the story of a robot built in the 1920s by Nikola Tesla. Atomic Robo had adventures through the 20th century and into the 21st along with his “action scientists”. The stories are part League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, part Hellboy and part Indiana Jones. The books were written with the goal of putting “the fun, the adventure, and the optimism of the pulp era back into today’s comics” and the creators accomplished that goal handily. The cover of the collection I read, which shows Atomic Robo getting ready to hit a brain-in-a-jar with a World War II era nuclear bomb, gives a fair indication of the style of the book. The writing is clever and genuinely funny and the art has a very clean almost cartoon-y look that I really enjoyed. There are three volumes out now and volume four is coming next week. I highly recommend grabbing at least the first collection and I will certainly be picking up the others soon. It also looks like there is an Atomic Robo animated short in the works, the first trailer for which just hit the web. Enjoy!
If you long to see something on the big screen that isn’t just another sequel, adaptation or remake these days your best, if not only, option is film festivals. We are lucky here in the northwest to have a strong and diverse group of festivals every year. This week we talk to the organizers of two upcoming festivals that will be of interest to the geek set, the Bonebat Comedy of Horrors and the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival.
We also have the weekly geek news and Shannon watches her worst dared movie yet!
We have TWO PAIRS of full weekend passes to the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival to give away. The festival runs from Friday September 17 through Sunday September 19 at the SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer Street in Seattle. You and a friend will be able to watch every short, feature film and documentary at the festival!
This contest will run through September 9 and we will pick the two winners during Episode #76 of the Seattle Geekly podcast.
“How do I enter?”
Please register / log in to our website, and leave a comment on THIS POST. You can just say “hi” or whatever! One entry per person please, we’ll delete any multiple or offensive posts. Make sure you use a valid e-mail address when you register so we can contact you if you win!
“How will you randomly pick someone?”
We have D&D dice of all shapes and sizes, even a 100 sider! We’ll roll and see who wins!
I know this is out of order but I wanted to give special attention to an event this Saturday that I think geek everywhere should participate in. August 28 is International Read Comics in Public Day
The concept is fairly simple: we’re asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on August 28th (also the birthday of Jack “King” Kirby, incidentally) to read a comic book in a public setting—a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art. Take to the streets. Be proud. If someone asks what you’re reading, say, “a comic book” (the phrase “graphic novel is also acceptable, but let’s face it, it sort of defeats the whole purpose). Heck, lend them a book, if you’ve got an extra—what better way to make a new friend and convert a new reader? While you’re at it, why not get a friend to snap a picture of you reading? Send it along and we’ll post it up for you in our photo gallery and on our site. It’s all pretty straight forward, of course, but if you’ve got any questions—or suggestions—feel free to drop us a line at readcomicsinpublic@gmail.com. Thanks and happy reading.
For a complete list of events check out our Event Calendar and keep reading for some of this week’s highlights!
TONIGHT!
Author Signing: Terry Brooks 7pm – 9pm at University Book Store 4326 University Way NE, Seattle
Shannara, the fantasy realm created by Terry Brooks, has been evolving for 30 years, and in that time, it has gotten deeper and more vivid. Bearers of the Black Staff marks the first book in a new series of Shannara novels—a welcome return for many fantasy readers. A valley protected by magic suddenly finds itself defenseless, and it is up to two young trackers to warn the others and prepare protection for their home. But internal strife bedevils the plans, even as a Troll army gathers for invasion.
Wednesday
D&D Encounters 6pm at Dragon’s Lair 14725 Northeast 20th Street, Bellevue and many other locations in the Seattle area.
This week – Session 11: More Than One Way Out
After a long, blindfolded march over unfamiliar terrain, the heroes are imprisoned in a holding pen strewn with the bones of their prison’s former occupants. Did you miss past sessions? Read all the round-ups here!
Thursday
PODCAST DAY! – Episode #74 of the Seattle Geekly podcast will feature interviews with the organizers of two local film festivals, The Bonebat Comedy of Horrors Film Fest and the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival.
Twisted Flicks 8pm – 10pm at the Historic University Theater 5510 University Way Northeast Seattle
This week the Twisted Flicks crew work over Zombies of Mora Tau (1957). Twisted Flicks (from the creators of Jet City Improv) is a movie experience like none other! A combination of live improv and great old “B” movies, this comedy experience is a unique and original production you can only see here! A classic, cheesy “B” movie is shown on our full-sized, in-house movie screen without its original sound. The Flick team of professional improvisers sits in the front row and creates all new dialog, sound effects and music live – all based on suggestions from that night’s audience. Each night, the picture may be the same, but the movie is completely different. The show is fun, fast-paced, funny and suitable for all ages.
Friday
Author Signing: Alex Cohen and Jennifer Barbee 7pm at Elliott Bay Book Co. 1521 10th Ave, Seattle
L.A. Derby Dolls skaters Alex Cohen and Jennifer Barbee’s Down and Derby: The Insider’s Guide to Roller Derby (Seal Press) is both a history and a how-to for this generation’s skaters and fans.
Saturday
Author Signing: Terry Brooks 7pm – 9pm at the Westwood Barnes & Noble 2600 SW Barton St Suite E-1, Seattle
Terry Brooks sings his book Bearers of the Black Staff. Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that tore apart the United States, leaving nothing but scorched and poisoned ruins and nearly exterminating humankind. Those who escaped the carnage and blight were led to sanctuary by the boy savior known as Hawk—the gypsy morph. In an idyllic valley, its borders warded by powerful magic against the horrors beyond, humans, elves, and mutants alike found a place they believed would be their home forever.
Circus at the End of the World IV with Abney Park 8pm at the Red Room Ultra Bar 398 Richards Street Vancouver BC Canada
Abney Park plays two sets at another one of their infamous Circus at the End of the Worlds! You never know what you will find at one of these shows! Bring the family and all your friends!
Sunday
Get some rest. Play some games. Watch some TV. Catch up on your reading.
Monday
An Evening with John Porcellino and Special Guest Noah Van Sciver 7pm at Richard Hugo House 1634 11th Avenue, Seattle
Graphic novelist John Porcellino, author of the “King-Cat Comics” series, visits Hugo House for a slideshow presentation and talk based on his work. He’ll be joined by Noah Van Sciver, creator of the comic book series “Blammo.”
PAX is less than two weeks away and the full schedule and exhibitor list (warning: PDF) have finally been released. People who have attended PAX in past years will notice a lot of changes. Possibly the most dramatic change is the use of two venues not located at the convention center for some of the big events. The “Pegasus Theater” will be located at the Sheraton Hotel across the street from the convention center and will hold several events including the Rock Band 3 panel and the Community Manager Challenge. The “Main Theater” will be located at Benaroya Hall, some four blocks away from the convention center, and is where the keynote address by Warren Spector and all of the evening concerts will be held. The PAX organizers recomend you follow @pax_lines on Twitter while at the convention to keep track of lines and seating availability at the off-site theaters.
We will, of course, be having a Seattle Geekly meetup at PAX for any of our friends, fans and listeners that may be attending. Stay tuned for details on time and location!
Seattle Geekly goes back to school this week with Western Nevada College anthropology professor Daryl Frazetti who fills us in on his use of Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and other pop culture sources in the classroom.
Shannon skipped the Dared Movie this week but we still have the weekly geek news and a new song from Marian Call!
This is going to be a good week if you like playing Dungeons and Dragons and meeting authors. If you don’t like those things there is still plenty for you to do. This is just a sample of what’s happening in the greater Seattle area, for more events check our Event Calendar!
Wednesday
D&D Encounters 6 – 10pm at Dragon’s Lair (14725 NE 20th St Suite A, Bellevue) and other game stores around the area
Venture across the unforgiving deserts of Athas with a heroic band of survivors. Every Wednesday you and your companions will face a new challenge, playing through an ongoing D&D campaign—one epic encounter at a time.
Preview the upcoming Dark Sun Campaign Setting and earn exclusive rewards as you meet the challenges of roleplaying one of the six brave characters that await you and your friends each week. If you are planning on attending the encounter at Dragon’s Lair, they are looking for people to DM. You can email the store directly at dwayne@dlair.net, or stop by for more information.
Thursday
RIFFTRAX LIVE: REEFER MADNESS 8 – 10pm at many theaters around the Seattle area
The stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 take on the legendary cult classic Reefer Madness for an evening of hilarious riffing! Let RiffTrax own Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett bring you to a higher state of consciousness with their signature brand of rapid fire comedy. This event will be broadcast live to movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, August 19 at 8:00pm. There are 9 participating theaters in the greater Seattle area, go to http://www.fathomevents.com/comedy/event/rifftraxreeferlive.aspx to find one near you.
Friday
THE ELECTRIC FREAK SHOW 9pm – 1am at Columbia City Theater (4916 Rainier Ave S, Seattle)
Live performance by Lisa Dank and the White Widows, Billy the Fridge with Timm Konn. Also Ronald McFondle, Dyslexic and Twerk Ethics. FREAK SHOW SPECTACULAR!
Saturday
Author Signing: Kat Richardson 12 – 3pm at the Redmond Library (15990 NE 85th, Redmond)
Kat Richardson. The author of Vanished, the latest volume in the Greywalker series, will do a reading, followed by a discussion. Part of the Foolscap Summer Reading Series.
D&D Dark Sun Game Day 2pm at Gary’s Games & Hobbies (8539 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle) and many other game stores in the area
Bring your friends and join in the fun as we celebrate the return of the beloved fan-favorite world Dark Sun, a campaign setting of harsh survival and savage enemies in a blasted land. Just for participating you’ll take home the pregenerated character sheet of the character you played. If you DM the game, you’ll take home the adventure itself, a poster map of the encounter areas, and the tokens used in the adventure. Go to http://ww2.wizards.com/StoreAndEventLocator/ to find a Game Day event near you!
An Evening of Authors 7 – 10pm at Wayward Coffeehouse (8570 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle)
Come to an evening of authors and good coffee at Wayward Coffeehouse hosted by Jennifer Brozek. We will be reading from recent and forthcoming releases, answering questions and generally having a good time. Come one, come all and enjoy an evening with your local authors. Find out what’s next. Authors include: Cat Rambo, Rosemary Jones, Keffy R. M. Kehrli, Alma Alexander, Nate Crowder, Jeremy Zimmerman, R. Schuyler Devin, Leah Cutter, Sunder Cameron Addams and Angela Korra’ti. http://www.waywardcoffee.com/
What with the ridiculous heat and competition from Dragonflight, attendance at our Game Day at Wayward was somewhat lighter than it was last month but we still got in some good games. We played a couple round of Poo, which we have mentioned and played before, and we tried a couple of games that were new to our rotation as well.
Shannon tried out Revolution from Steve Jackson Games at Gamestorm earlier this year but it was completely new to the rest of us at the table. Revolution is a bidding game in which the players are trying to gain enough influence to take over a city. You gain influence by winning the support of various town officials and the areas they control in the town. The officials are “persuaded” to support you each turn through force, blackmail or bribery. It was very quick to learn, a grand total of maybe 10 minutes, but as the game progressed it turned out to have a pretty good depth of strategy. All of the players bid secretly and bids are all revealed simultaneously, certain officials are immune to one or more methods of persuasion and you have to balance the short term goals of acquiring more force, blackmail and bribery tokens with the long term goal of building influence in the various areas of the town. Over all it was a lot of fun.
Next up was a few rounds of Zombie Dice also from Steve Jackson Games. Zombie Dice is a super fast paced dice game in which each of the players is a zombie trying to be the first to eat thirteen brains. The thirteen dice that come with the game can either show a brain, footprints (meaning your human victim escaped) or a shotgun blast (meaning your human victim was armed and dangerous) and there are three types of dice; green (mostly brains with few shotguns), yellow (evenly split between brains and shotguns) and red (mostly shotguns with few brains). You have to balance trying to get as many brains as you can before you roll a total of three shotgun blasts which ends your turn and prevents you from adding any brains you may have rolled to your score. This is a great game for filling short time periods or for large groups, since any number of people can play. Unsurprisingly, Zombie Dice has been turned in to an iPhone app which I can just about guarantee Shannon is going to be getting as soon as she reads this.
There isn’t going to be a Seattle Geekly game day at Wayward next month because we are going to be at the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival (which is where all of you should be that weekend as well) but keep an eye on the Event Calendar for future dates.
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