The First Annual BEST of Fargo Nerd Nite!

We describe Nerd Nite like the Discovery Channel (or like a Ted Talk, for those of you that don’t remember the Discovery Channel), but with beer. Three speakers will present for ~20 minutes each about their particular nerdery, while the audience drinks along. Learn. Eat. Drink. Be entertained.

We are down to the last show of 2023 so we decided to go out with a bang by ripping off an idea from Nerd Nite Miami and celebrating the best of this season! All of the talks in this month’s show are encores to some of our favorite talks from the last year- check it:

**‘Small spelunkers required’: The Discovery of Our New Hominin Cousins, *Homo naledi***
The human family tree continues to grow as many discoveries have been made in the last 20 years. *Homo naledi* seems to be a true cousin of modern humans that we had no idea existed until 2013, but one site is producing an abundance of information. The discovery was not made as most would think, and the conditions of exploration and excavation have some unusual requirements. Information released in the last five months is being added for this encore.

*Becky Reichenbach wanted to be like the Professor on Gilligan’s Island when she grew up so dabbled in a lot of things and acquired a broad science background. This led to teaching about every science course offered in high school for 20 years before settling down to chase an advanced degree. She now holds a dual Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and STEM Education. She’s currently a project coordinator and instructor at NDSU.*

**Pole Dance Confidential: The Perceptions and Reality of a Misunderstood Art**
You think you know about pole dance…but do you? Join Gina Bushey for an enlightening and honest presentation about pole dance to answer the questions you’ve been too nervous to ask, in addition to those which may not even have occurred to you TO ask.

*Gina Bushey graduated from NDSU in 2002 with a BS in Interpersonal Communication and a minor in Anthropology. She has an extensive history in performing arts and public speaking, and has co-owned Zero Gravity Alternative Fitness in Fargo since 2016. She teaches pole fitness, produces in-house showcases, and has medaled in numerous competitions across the Midwest.*

**The History of the Rapier: 1400-1800**
The weapon of the Three Musketeers in detail! This is an in-depth look at the development of the rapier, how it came to be, how they were used, where they were used, what they looked like and how they changed over time. This will include live fencing demonstrations of three different rapier varieties. Examples will be present so as to show what these weapons looked like up close!

*Kevin Wander is a Graduate Student at NSDU studying Russian Military History. He has a passion for historical fencing of all kinds and has been fencing for 7 years. He also runs the Fargo-Moorhead Historical Fencing Club.*

…and just to really do it right, we’re going back to the **Fargo Theatre** for the big screen and big sound we love, and also because Kevin is going to need room to swing swords around. Mark your calendars for **Wednesday, November 15th, 8PM** (doors at 7:30) for some drinks, some laughs, some door prizes, and the last nerdy awesome you’re going to get until next year, because we don’t compete with Santa season. Grab your tickets in advance on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-nite-fargo-best-of-tickets-745430130587?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl), or bring a Hamilton to the door (same price either way- we eat the fees bc we love you. And bc we’re hungry).

See your glorious faces there.