Number of programs and events planned for march 21-23.13

Lethbridge — Nerds, geeks, and other self-professed sub-culture adherents are gearing up for Nerd Fest running March 21-23, 2013 — a new three-day multi-activity event devised by creative minds at the Galt Museum & Archives to coincide with the current exhibit “Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame”.

From a public lecture on the history of comic books, followed by a two-day workshop with leading comic book artist Scott McCloud, a pop culture movie trivia night, and an all night games tourney, the Nerd Fest calendar also includes a talk by Canada’s first neurologist in space, Astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar, and a Superheroes Dinner & Dance during which Earth Hour will be observed.

“The personal stories of our scientists in the current special exhibit are stories of childhood influences, inquisitiveness and pursuing answers,” says Susan Burrows-Johnson, CEO/Executive Director at the Galt. “Our Nerd Fest is a celebration of personal curiosity, intelligence and fun. Besides the fact that nerds will make more money than the rest of us, we have seen a change in the cultural understanding of ‘nerds’ with television shows like Big Bang Theory.”

Scott McCloud has been writing and drawing comics since 1984. His books Understanding Comics, Reinventing Comics and Making Comics are available in 16 languages.  McCloud has lectured and/or consulted for Google, MIT, Pixar, Harvard, and the Smithsonian Institution. Sin City creator Frank Miller called him "just about the smartest guy in comics." His online comics and inventions like the 24 Hour Comic can be found at scottmccloud.com.

The world's first neurologist in space, Canada's Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her contributions to space medicine. On the space shuttle Discovery mission STS 42 in 1992, Dr. Bondar conducted scientific experiments in the First International Microgravity Laboratory. Throughout her career, Dr. Bondar has also maintained a deep interest in our natural environment on Earth. She was last in Lethbridge in 1997 for a lecture at the University of Lethbridge. Her accomplishments can be viewed at robertabondar.com.

The Galt’s Resource Development/ Volunteer Coordinator Chris Roedler says “It is very exciting to be offering such a high impact festival at the Galt. Both Scott McCloud and Dr. Roberta Bondar are high caliber guests coming to Lethbridge to share their experiences and talents with us.  This is going to be one great festival for Lethbridge and Southern Alberta!”

The two-day Scott McCloud Comic Book Workshop with limited seating at 30, is already fully subscribed. “It is the first time it is held in Canada,” says Roedler, “and registrations came in from local residents as well as from people in Calgary, Moose Jaw, Toronto and Vancouver as soon as we started talking about it on our social media sites. I’m not sure who is more excited, Scott, the participants, or the Galt staff!”