Aside from loving South Park (Comedy Central; 1997) since its inception, knowing the creators – Trey Parker and Matt Stone – adore their characters just as much as the fans, was all I thought I needed... until now!!! Twenty-five years in, an anniversary concert on August 10th – at the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater – is EXACTLY the way this show should be celebrated, and I was lucky enough to be there for history in the making!! *WOOHOO*

Now that the dust has settled and the concert has been televised, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss this truly once in a lifetime experience… including sharing an amateur slide show below as well as a few tidbits NOT seen in the recorded version. I urge you to: “respect my authoritah!” (LOL!!) and dive right in.
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Before we begin, I gotta say how neat it was that due to popular demand, a second show was added on the 9th. However, I was slightly bummed THAT show would precede MY show. *WAH* I mean… I fought hard in those 15 minutes of mad crazy finger clicks to get my measly general admission tickets! *YEP, SURE DID M’KAY!!* Just who are these folks that get to see this spectacular show before me!?! *HANDS ON HIPS* I soon came to find out that MY show was filmed for air on Comedy Central and therefore, contained a few extra special things the night before did not. *YAY!!* Regardless, my twinge of jealously, however unnecessary (LOL!), quickly faded as the day rolled into the evening. And by the end, I was glad that an entire second set of fans were able to enjoy some of the magic too! For what I experienced was almost mini-con-like with a barrage of South Park stans (*WINK*), music, sun and fun that I won’t soon forget. Starting with the Tailgate Party!

In correlation with the concert(s), presented by Comedy Central, AEG and Tegridy Farms, the Tailgate Party was free and open to the public both days. As we trekked towards the Trading Post, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect in a South Park themed Tailgate Party. True, the Guide to Attending gave a rundown of events. Things like lawn games, character displays for photo ops, trivia, karaoke and a cosplay contest as well as a chance to see 25 years of memorabilia, were all mentioned which definitely hyped my enthusiasm for sure! Not to mention I ran into some folks at my hotel that attended the day before who told me I was in for one hell of a time all the way around. *NICE* Yet, I still had no clue what to expect. What I got was pure jubilation!  

There were SO MANY personal favs it’s hard to choose. The life-sized displays are most definitely top of the list. The joy of seeing Randy and Towlie with a Tegridy Farms sign at the entrance or PC Principal with his arms crossed just inside the opening was immeasurable. And strung throughout were even more characters! Including Jesus, Santa, Mr. Hankey, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Mackey and more. I was absolutely ecstatic to see the creatures from the famed ‘Woodland Critter Christmas’ (Episode 8.14) and ‘Imaginationland’ 3-part story arc (Episodes 11.10-12). *HECK YEAH!!* Also available for photos was a set of four oversized balls from the insanely funny ‘Medicinal Fried Chicken’ (Episode 14.3) as well as a display of Satan and his throne. We took advantage of both… of course!!

The aforementioned games consisted of a giant Connect Four, oversized Jenga and Cornhole. All equally impressive! Especially the Connect Four (slo-mo video below). Plus, a fantastically painted South Park themed shipping container with a center walk through provided 25 years of memorabilia to drool over. And, after all that, watching fans take part in trivia and karaoke was a blast! Yep, I said KARAOKE was a blast… LOL!! The event concluded with a hilarious cosplay contest that I loved!! In short, the whole thing was AMAZING and well planned out… ensuring that good food, drinks, surprises, laughter, and joyful energy were shared throughout! *BIG GRIN* We left completely primed and ready for a good show on the rocks. To say we got one is putting it mildly.

Opening the festivities, Ween took the stage to play Take Me Away, and Roses Are Free. *NICE!!* Unfortunately, I missed it while in the merch line. Which, by the way, no matter where you were – tailgate or in the amphitheater – were excessively long. In fact, thinking I could skip the really, really long tailgate one and shop inside the concert is partially what caused me to miss the very beginning of the concert. That coupled with the initial get your seats, get drinks, and take it all in hub bub. *UGH* I was so bummed!! *SIGH* As I hastily made my way back to my seat – row 36 center (pretty darn good for general admission!) – I was able to catch Primus joining Ween for a group collaboration on It’s Gonna Be a Long Night and Here Come the Bastards, which was just… WOW!! Okay, I’m happy again… LOL!! Though, it’s worth noting that my plan to catch the opening during the televised concert was a no go since it starts with Bastards. *SHEESH!!* My Towlie towel and commemorative T-shirt was so worth it though!! *LOL* And… at least I could still hear the show!

Moving on…

With Les Claypool – who totally reminds me of that weird and cool uncle everyone wants to hang with (LOL!) – as the main MC, he offered proper props to Gene and Dean Ween then formally declared the mix of the bands to be Primusween!! As in Prime–U–Sween… LOL! Even giving us the commercial-like catchphrase: “Your pipes are mighty clean after you use Primusween.” *YES!!* We were then given a big screen presence of the little boys that brought us all together in the first place – Cartman, Butters, Kenny, Stan and Kyle. Blessed with the magical moment of watching them progress from the screens to a giant projection on the amphitheater rocks was so darn cool!! *CHEERS*

Next, as Trey and Matt took the stage the crowd erupted. Trey, settling in at the piano, opened with: Welcome to the Shindig. *BIG GRIN* It was here I began to realize that an overall collaboration extravaganza was unfolding. And boy was I right!! Not only did we get a mixing of the bands as back up for several South Park songs like Uncle Fucka, Montage, Let’s Fighting Love, Kyle’s Mom’s a Bitch, A Colorado Farm (YES!!) and The Ballad of Lemmiwinks, but they took turns individually playing some of their greats! Including the beloved Jerry Was a Race Car Driver and Voodoo Lady. *HELLS YES!!* Both of which are NOT on the videotaped version. We also got a rendition of Primus’ Tommy the Cat changed to the hysterical Butter’s the Cat with Trey as Butter’s for most of the lyrics. When I say it was great, I mean it was F@#CKING GREAT!! All the while, supported by characters on the giant screens and projections on the amphitheater rocks. *AWESOME* Oh, but the fun didn’t stop there.

Giving us the full history and progression of the South Park theme song, we learned that Trey and Matt sent a copy of the video that started it all – The Spirit of Christmas – to Primus in hopes they would create music for their project. Fortunately for us, Primus loved it and signed on. Les, looking like his cartoon counterpart, helps tell the story in a red and white pinstriped jacket and a straw boater hat topped with the dangly fish on a spring. After we heard the original raw instrumental (SO COOL!!), Les and Trey filled us in on the changes until they got it just right. Including a re-recording of Les singing after speeding up the main track. A session that took place backstage during a Primus concert at Colorado’s own Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre no less. *NICE* Rounding it out, Trey and Matt sang (of course!) while Primus played the original heavy bass theme as well as the newer 4th grade Whamola featured version. I especially loved that Les said Primus didn’t take the gig for the money, but because they loved what they saw. *HECK YEAH* We also got two more great surprises – both making history in the process. Only one of which was featured in the recorded airing.

First. The one not shown was Governor of Colorado Jared Polis taking the stage to give an excellent speech. *VERY NICE, M’KAY!* And though it’s not included in the official concert broadcast, I found a couple videos floating around the internet. One you can see here, courtesy of CapnOfCrunch’s YouTube page. Thanks dude! Citing multiple South Park tropes and their fictitious ties to the Centennial State, Governor Polis mixed in some actual legislation pertaining to climate change, diversity, legalization of marijuana and job growth. Giving special attention to the increase in jobs due to all the contractors Trey and Matt has hired for their hefty purchase and reconstruction of the beloved – all be it money pit of a mess – Casa Bonita. *HAHAHA* The best part? The entire speech was done through declaration with Polis at the end officially naming August 10th, 2022, as South Park Day in the state of Colorado. *WOOT!!*

The second historical event was the fact that Trey, along with Primus and likely many others, surprised Matt (and us) by having the two surviving members of the band Rush join them on stage and play Closer to the Heart. *HOLY COW* I couldn’t believe it. Right after the song Blame Canada too… LOL!! Plus, at the time, I didn’t know that following the death of Rush’s drummer Neil Peart on January 7th, 2020, Geddy Lee (vocals; bass) and Alex Lifeson (guitar) confirmed the band was basically done in a Rolling Stone interview that hit stands one year to the day of Peart’s passing. *WOW* Though they did express the old adage of never say never, no one expected them to turn up at an anniversary concert for South Park less than two years later. *WHOA* Even better was the look on Matt Stone’s face as he truly had no idea what was happening. I also loved Les calling the collab: “One of the most amazing moments of his life.” *DAMN STRAIGHT* Additionally, some bits that were cut from the TV concert included how affectionately Les spoke about the band stating Geddy is one of the biggest reasons he decided to play bass. Considering Les takes bass playing to a whole other level, the sentiment was touching to say the least. He also explained that he tricked Matt into practicing for a Rush tribute not realizing he would be on stage with the actual living members. *EXCELLENT!!* Finally, the melody was changed from “Closer to the Heart” to “Closer to South Park” for some of the performance! *YES!!* I mean… as Vulture put it – Everyone Thank South Park for Reuniting Rush – am I right?!? *WELL, DONE!*
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Closing out the concert with The Yelper Special (PERFECT!!), the guys left the stage only to return for a huge encore finale of America, Fuck Yeah from Team America: World Police (Paramount Pictures; 2004). It was SPECTACULAR!! And… as if all that wasn’t enough, I truly didn’t know how much I was going to love seeing Trey and Matt perform the voices that I’ve been watching via cartoons for over two decades. My personal favs were Mr. Mackey, Cartman and AWESOM-O from Trey and ESPECIALLY Butters from Matt!! Trey also mentioned that many of the crew who help make the show were sprinkled throughout the audience. *HECK YEAH* Lastly, the overall energy was fantastic, and I cannot say enough about the atmosphere and all the wonderful images projected on the rocks. From characters to Rush to the American flag and fireworks, the whole thing was one hell of a montage!! *BIG GRIN*

The South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater (8/10/2022) is available for viewing ad free on Paramount+ (subscription required) or with ads on the South Park website. And because the televised concert doesn’t feature everything, a full setlist can be found right here. *ENJOY!!*

Until next time… remember: “Without evil there could be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometime (Satan).” *WINK*

It is definitely safe to say, that every writer and creative mind out there, wants nothing more than for their work to have a lasting impact. Because there is no greater honor for an artist, than to know that their creation moves people and has a legacy and that people want to dissect every aspect of its assembly and the end result and well, one such story that is getting that treatment/honor, is The Walking Dead. For as this series prepares to bid farewell to the airwaves after eleven incredible seasons, plans are now in motion to pay tribute to its impact upon the pop culture landscape and allow for its fans to pour over its story and how it came to life by way of a forthcoming exhibition.
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For earlier today, the Museum of the Moving Image and AMC Networks announced that an exhibition entitled Living with the Walking Dead will debut at the MOMI this summer, and this will allow for fans to see props and makeup prosthetics from KNB EFX up close and personal, and of course, reminisce and learn more about the story that moved them. So, without further ado, here are more details on this incredible exhibition… courtesy of the Museum of the Moving Image and AMC Networks.

‘ Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) and AMC Networks are partnering to present Living with The Walking Dead, a major exhibition devoted to the groundbreaking series The Walking Dead as it enters its final season. Opening on June 25, 2022, at the Museum in Astoria, Queens, the exhibition will explore key aspects of the show’s origins, production, and impact. The exhibition will be accompanied by multiple screening series and other public events over a six-month span, closing on January 1, 2023.
 
“It’s wonderful to be once again partnering with AMC Networks, this time to present an exhibition devoted to the long-running original series The Walking Dead,” said Carl Goodman, MoMI Executive Director. “More than just a television show, it is a cultural phenomenon that is adored by legions of fans, who celebrate the innovative, engaging, and immersive world that its makers have built, and for its diverse cast of characters. The exhibition will bleed outward from our temporary exhibitions gallery and into our theaters, classrooms, and other public spaces.”
 
"Over 11 seasons and 177 episodes, The Walking Dead has built a vibrant and massive global fan following, becoming one of the most beloved franchises in television,” said Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. "We’re delighted to work with MoMI on an exhibition and lineup of events to commemorate this beloved series’ historic run, the immensely talented creative team, cast, and crew who brought it to life, and give this incredible fanbase a new and exciting way to experience their favorite show.” 
 
The exhibition Living with The Walking Dead, in the Museum’s third-floor changing exhibitions gallery, will probe the issues at the heart of the series: the related threats of the murderous undead and the collapse of the social order. It will explore the cinematic and literary antecedents of The Walking Dead, including its origin in Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, and present the unique innovations that the AMC Networks series has contributed, with its wide-ranging story of survival, diverse cast of characters, and devoted legion of fans. The exhibition will include original costumes and props, concept art, storyboards, scripts, and a wealth of prosthetic makeup material. Created by Special Effects Makeup Supervisor and Executive Producer Greg Nicotero and his team at the award-winning KNB EFX studios, the special effects makeup transformed legions of cast members into vividly realized undead walkers, largely using practical effects.
 
The Walking Dead premiered on Halloween night in 2010 as the #1 cable series launch of all time and is the most-watched series in cable history. It was the first cable series to become the #1 show in all of television, including broadcast, a rank it held for five consecutive years. The series has also given life to a vibrant and expanding content universe that currently includes Talking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, two spinoffs planned for 2023, and the forthcoming episodic anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead. 
 
AMC Networks continues to develop new content rooted in the unique and entertaining world of The Walking Dead, one of the most powerful franchises in the history of television, which currently has more than 50 million social followers and fans across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, a thriving presence in gaming, The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe coffee-table book, and a variety of other extensions through which this passionate fan community connects with stories and characters unlike anything else on television.  
 
The Walking Dead is produced by AMC Studios and executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe, Showrunner Angela Kang, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero, Denise Huth, and Tom Luse. 
 
The Museum previously partnered with AMC Networks on the exhibitions Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men (2015) and From Mr. Chips to Scarface: Walter White’s Transformation in Breaking Bad (2013).’

It is definitely safe to say, that a vast majority of us haven’t really been to any major public gatherings for some time… for obvious reasons. But with vaccines now readily available and caseloads dropping all over the United States… the world is gradually starting to reopen and bring live events and conventions and gatherings back into the forefront of our minds and lives and for proof… just look at what your city is doing when it comes to their regular comic conventions and by way of the announcements that are starting to come forth… such as the one that came about earlier today. For it was just announced that Lake Street Dive is coming to Red Rocks Amphitheater on Sunday May 8, 2022.
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Which really does speak to a return to normalcy, but it should be noted that there is more to this announcement beyond Lake Street Dive gracing Denver with their talented presence. For their concert will also serve as the centerpiece event to SeriesFest 8. Which is a convention that celebrates television, that will kick off shortly after the concert with in-person events. Reinforcing the fact that life about to quickly return to the days of old, and that folks in Colorado are in for one heck of a musical treat and well… here are all the details on this show and some details on SeriesFest 8, alongside information on how and when to get tickets to this epic concert… courtesy of SeriesFest.

‘SeriesFest, the award-winning international television festival, has revealed Lake Street Dive will headline Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, May 8 as its signature Centerpiece event for SeriesFest: Season 8, A Celebration of Episodic Storytelling.  Standalone tickets for SeriesFest’s Centerpiece Red Rocks event will go on sale Friday, March 25 starting at 10am MT. American Express® Card Members will be able to purchase standalone tickets for the Red Rocks event before the general public beginning Wednesday, March 23 at 10am MT through Thursday, March 24 at 10pm MT. Festival badges granting access to the entire world-renowned Television Festival are now on sale at seriesfest.com.
 
“Our Centerpiece Benefit Event at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre has always been a highlight for us as we get to bring together the television industry and the Denver community for a one night only curated celebration of TV and music,” shares SeriesFest founders Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook. “We are thrilled to be returning to Red Rocks for the first time in two years with our headliner, Lake Street Dive. These wave-making creatives truly embody the spirit of our festival and are sure to give a dynamic show.”
 
Since forming in 2004, Lake Street Dive have matched their sophisticated musicianship with a fearless refusal to limit their sound. As shown on their most recent album, 2021's critically acclaimed Obviously, the Boston-bred band also possess a keen talent for combining sociopolitical commentary with immediately catchy pop gems. With their current lineup comprised of founding members Rachael Price (vocals), Bridget Kearney (bass), and Michael Calabrese (drums) -- as well as keyboardist/vocalist Akie Bermiss and touring guitarist James Cornelison -- Lake Street Dive continue to create joyously soulful rock & roll with equal parts ingenuity, intelligence, and irresistible abandon.
 
SeriesFest: Season 8, May 5-11 in Denver, Colorado, includes six days of in-competition screenings, panels, workshops, as well as never-before-seen sneak peeks and television premieres. Programming details, including the screening at Red Rocks ahead of the musical performance, will be announced in the coming weeks. 
 
SeriesFest: Season 8 is presented with generous support from the following sponsors: Once Upon a Time, Brownstein Farber Hyatt Scheck, Denver Film, Xfinity, Visible, Royal Bank of Canada, UnReal Media, Dilletante Productions, Caz Matthews Fund.
 
ABOUT SERIESFEST
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to championing artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. With year-round educational programs, initiatives supporting underserved voices, and professional development opportunities, SeriesFest inspires, educates, and connects a worldwide community of creators. Every year, SeriesFest culminates in a highly curated and celebrated Denver-based festival and marketplace. Dedicated to showcasing innovative episodic content, the annual festival also includes a musical performance and network screening at the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in-competition independent pilot screenings, panels, workshops, live reads, parties, and network television premieres.
Follow @seriesfest on Twitter’

As the world continues to move back toward some semblance of normalcy, we are starting to see more special events pop up in our local towns and Tinseltown for that matter as well. For slowly but surely, premieres and live events are coming back to Hollywood and last night was host to one of note for Nerds That Geek.
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For the stars assembled in Los Angeles, to celebrate the new STARZ series Shining Vale, and well… we here at NTG are happy to share a recap of the evening’s events, along with some photos of this celebration… courtesy of STARZ.

‘The stars were shining for STARZ’s premiere event celebrating the new horror comedy “Shining Vale” on Monday, February 28 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.
 
The world-renowned cast in attendance included Emmy Award® nominee Courteney Cox, Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Greg Kinnear, Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino, Gus Birney, Dylan Gage and Merrin Dungey. Co-creator and executive producer Jeff Astrof, as well as guest stars Emmy Award® nominee Judith Light, Alysia Reiner and more, were also in attendance.
 
On the heels of their hilarious reunion at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Sorvino’s “Romy And Michele” co-star Lisa Kudrow, who starred alongside Cox in “Friends,” also came out to celebrate. Others in attendance included Cox’s daughter Coco Arquette, Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney, “Heels” star Mary McCormack and her husband Michael Morris, “Power Book II: Ghost” star Daniel Sunjata and Amanda Anka, among many others. SAG Award winner Ariana DeBose also attended the post-screening reception.
 
The evening began with a bustling red carpet, followed by a screening of the premiere episode, which was received with a roaring round of applause. The celebration then continued with a reception at No Vacancy.
 
“Shining Vale” premieres with two back-to-back episodes Sunday, March 6 at 10:20pm ET/PT on STARZ. New episodes premiere every Sunday.’

It truly is an amazing time to be a fan of television. Because not only are dynamic shows hitting the airwaves left and right, but networks and the internet are creating new ways to connect fans to their beloved franchises and shows. Because now, fans can swing by their favorite social media platform and see what their favorite stars have to say about their work, and maybe catch a glimpse of some on set shenanigans from the network. Plus, since those same stars and official accounts are so eager to engage with the fans and give them a genuine taste of a world they crave... sometimes fans are allowed to remotely enjoy exclusive events, such as red-carpet premieres.

In fact, the cast of the Power Universe on STARZ appreciates its fanbase so much, that last night Twitter and the ‘Gram were ablaze with images and stories from the premiere of Power Book IV: Force and well, we here at Nerds That Geek would like to the keep the wonder of this premiere going and connect you further to it... by way of a recap of last night’s event, and we’ve even got some images from the premiere for you to enjoy as well, courtesy of STARZ.

‘On Friday, January 28, STARZ celebrated the world premiere of “Power Book IV: Force” with a one-of-a-kind, star-studded intimate New York premiere on the rooftop of Pier 17.
 
The festivities kicked off with an afternoon screening attended by executive producer, Grammy Award winner Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and series star, Joseph Sikora, followed by a secondary screening in the evening.
 
Despite the New York snow storm, stars came out in full force to celebrate the premiere of the highly anticipated new spinoff in the “Power” Universe, including Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Primetime Emmy nominee David Schwimmer, Grammy Award winner Fat Joe, “Power” cast member and TV personality La La Anthony, “Power” alum Lucy Walters, reality stars Ice-T and Coco, fashion designer June Ambrose, actor Mack Wilds, actor Aldis Hodge, rapper Slick Rick, actor Eric West, influencer Achieng Agutu, rapper Dave East and singer Kranium, model Evan Mock, actor J.R. Ramirez, “Gossip Girl” star Eli Brown, model and entrepreneur Pritika Swarup and more enthusiastically watched the premiere episode from their individual pods. 
 
Jackson and Sikora welcomed guests who enjoyed the event from their own individual cabins overlooking the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Shipped in from Chicago, the trademark blue mustang, a signature of fan-favorite character Tommy Egan (played by Sikora), was stationed on the rooftop for an epic photo-opp.
 
Upon entering their cabins, the hit music video for “Power Powder Respect,” the “Power Book IV: Force” theme song performed by 50 Cent, Jeremih and Lil Durk, and directed by Eif Rivera , was showcased. Attendees screened the Chicago-based series premiere episode while snacking on local-style hot dogs and Garrett’s popcorn and sipping signature cocktails, including Jackson’s Branson VSOP. 
 
In the evening, Jackson and the cast, including Joseph Sikora, Isaac Keys, Gabrielle Ryan, Shane Harper, Kris D. Lofton, Anthony Fleming, Lucien Cambric, Jeremih, Ahmad Ferguson, Phil Donlon, Guy Van Swearingen and Barton Fitzpatrick reunited to mark the special world premiere. Executive producers Mark Canton and Shana Stein were also in attendance.
 
“Power Book IV: Force” premieres Sunday, February 6 across all STARZ platforms. New episodes premiere every Sunday.’

Even if you have no idea who Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) is, most will recognize his work. He’s definitely well known for his paintings like The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Blossoming Almond Tree. However, it’s worth noting that van Gogh also has drawings, watercolors, graphic works and letter sketches. Overall, his ability to create mesmerizing scenes with repetitive swirls, strokes and intense colors, particularly in his paintings, are utterly unique unto him. He produced thousands of works throughout his life and in less than 10 years, he created almost 900 paintings yet only sold ONE before his death in 1890. WOW!! A tragic story overall, Vincent, who lived in poverty the majority of his life, died from an infection following a self-inflicted gunshot wound after years of struggling with mental health issues. *SIGH* Fortunately, his art lives on as he is now viewed as one of the most influential artists in history. And, as a longtime fan, I was ecstatic to see that this exhibit made its way to the Denver Metro area. I wasted no time planning a November trip from Grand Junction for an unforgettable birthday adventure and I’m here to give you the rundown on one heck of an homage to my favorite artist. So, here we Gogh! *WINK*
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Background:
Beginning in the 2000s, the first immersive van Gogh experience took place in Europe and has since spread to several major cities across the globe. Including New York, Dubai and Toronto. Each display, is tailored to the venue and creates an entire enveloping experience using pixels, sounds, mirrors and light. All have designated benches and circles on the floor to not only help with social distancing, but to create several spaces where one can stop to enjoy the surroundings. Other artists have been featured as well, but none are as popular as van Gogh. I mean… DUH!!! LOL.

The original exhibit was created by Annabelle Mauger then later picked up and mastered for the masses by digital art expert Massimiliano Siccardi from Italy. Siccardi’s work is supported by composer Luca Longobardi’s – known for mixing classical and contemporary music – while Vittorio Guidotti serves as Creative Director of Animations. More on the artists and exhibit co-founders and producers can be seen here. Let’s move on to the Denver exhibit, shall we? Which was created by Emmy and Tony Award-winning designer, David Korins. 

Denver:
Located at the Lighthouse Denver (3900 Elati Street), the site is just west of the River North Art District, and is visible from the interstate and fairly easy to get to. Even for me… the one who hates driving in the city… lol!!

The work boasts over 60,000 frames of video using 500,000 cubic feet of projections and 90,000,000 (YES, MILLION!!) pixels. Some exhibits have multiple rooms, and even stairs, to move to and from. Denver in particular has two single level rooms. One has all the projections towards the surrounding walls. In the other, the projections cover everything from the walls to the floors AND YOU and it’s AWESOME!! There are various mirror towers and displays as well allowing the images to reflect making the rooms seem bigger and the pixels bolder. A spectacular display of color and emotion fill each room. Video and photos are supplements, but have nothing on the in-person experience. Even my review and slide show, though helpful, scarcely compares!

In addition, the sound composition greatly enhance the visuals and it’s absolute bliss to watch the scenes morph. Taking you through various periods of creativity for van Gogh, each sequence drifts from a small starting point and evolves into a fully immersive piece of art. The colors are amazing and at times, it feels like the pixels are actually paint moving across canvas. It’s mesmerizing, soothing and all encompassing. Especially in room two were everything is covered. Even if you’re not a huge fan of van Gogh, the visuals are just too good to miss!! And with a VIP ticket, you can stay and soak up this experience as long as you like. Which is exactly what I did… LOL!!

To explain further, this was my first time seeing a collection of van Gogh’s works and continually, I was overcome with awe inspiring delight as each frame fade from one to the next. Even in the moments of quiet and darkness, I was moved while still digesting what I had just seen. The swirls and brush strokes dance and slide across the walls. The flowers grow. The grass waves. The crows fly. In short… I was absolutely and utterly God smacked into oblivious exhilaration!! And while surrounded by strangers in the dark, I silently wept out of jubilation!!

From beginning to end, the runtime is less than 40 minutes and because people constantly come and go, you can move freely to see different angles and projections. Of course, you’re also welcome to find a spot and stay there. Though, I highly recommend moving around. At the very least, even the most basic ticket price will allow you to watch one full run from each room.

Wrapping up, I’ll leave you with some pros and cons as well as recommendations to improve your visit and of course… a SLIDE SHOW!!  

Pros:
Starting with the obvious… the biggest pro is that the exhibit is absolutely stunning!! I mean… seriously, I literally cannot say this enough. In fact, because you can often enter in the middle of a run, I stayed through multiple sessions to get photos, move from room to room and to simply just bask in awe at the changing scenes.

Open to all ages and running 7 days a week, excluding major holidays, makes planning quite convenient. And with multiple price points available – Basic, Premium or VIP, I would certainly classify this exhibit as fairly budget flexible. The Premium is a sweet spot for flex timing/perks and a limited edition poster and the use of the special edition cushion. But VIPsters, amongst getting the other Premium perks, can keep the cushion along with a souvenir laminate card. HECK YEAH!!!

There are also other ways to enjoy the experience beyond the average daily ticket choices including Date Night Packages and Yoga Classes. NEAT!! Plus, groups of 10 or more can receive a discount.
Next, beyond the already provided benches, there are also extra chairs to use upon request and the cushions, work great as well!

The gift shop is packed full of items for one to commemorate their experience. Though, the prices can be pretty steep overall. You can also spy something and shop online for it later. I opted for the Exhibit Catalogue, a pair of socks, a mousepad and some magnets. WOOT!!

Cons:
With the lowest price for off peak tickets at $39.99 and peak at $54.99 plus taxes and fees for each, some have criticized the price of the exhibit. Also, I went to this exhibit twice within a few days of each other and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference from peak to off peak. It was busy and full of people the entire time. Additionally, as noted above, the gift shop is wildly expensive. My mouse pad, though quite large, was $14.99 plus tax. For a mouse pad?? YIKES!!

Also, if you indulged in the higher priced packages, be aware that some of the extras, like the seat cushion, have run out at various times. The company will email you when your gift is back in stock, but they are not equipped to mail items. This means, if you traveled from outside Denver, someone will need to pick the piece up for you or you lose out. And because there are no refunds on ticketing, I will assume there are no partial refunds either.*WahWah*

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Immersive van Gogh Experience.

Recommendations:
1. Though it’s possible to do so, do not just show up!! Get your tickets in advance rather than directly at the box office. This will allow you to plan better and hopefully avoid peak times. It also affords you the time to see what type of ticket you want – Basic, Premium or VIP.

2. Keep in mind, the building – formerly the Regency Hotel – is also a housing unit for Assembly Student living. Therefore the main parking lot is reserved for tenants. Exhibit parking is just inside the street entrance on an unpaved, dirt only lot which can be tricky for disabled, elderly, etc., especially in wet weather. Consider dropping off those who have difficulty walking at the main entrance. Which, by the way, is on the far side of the building from parking.

3. Even though 5 and under are free, I would not recommend bringing babies or even really small children. Though I did see full families, space is limited and things like strollers appeared difficult to manage, especially in the dark. And speaking of the dark, this may prove somewhat problematic for the elderly, disabled and/or those with spatial awareness difficulties. Additionally, if you’re at all prone to motion sickness, the large landscapes, changing themes and bright lights can be disorienting so be cautious. Plan ahead by using anti-motion sickness aids such as non-drowsy chews or motion bands. Also, those prone to seizures from bright and/or flashing lights should avoid the exhibit or visit with extreme caution.

4. And finally, keep in mind the sound can be rather loud and intense. As noted in the FAQs, along with everything else discussed here, ear plugs are available at the gallery. Though, it does not say whether they are free or not so it’s probably best to bring your own as a precaution.

Conclusion:
I absolutely fell in love with this exhibit and would definitely visit again in any area it might be. I have certainly day dreamed about what other venues might hold and there are plenty of pictures and videos online. Additionally, when purchasing tickets, you’re asked what other immersive experiences you might be interested in. I chose Dali and Escher. What will you choose??

As you move through the pictures, you will see shots from various angles in both rooms as well as outside the exhibit. Note the Date Night seating – located in room 2 – as it gives you an excellent wall/floor view as well as a corner and entry way to compare and contrast between the two rooms. Though this seating cannot be accessed, it’s in the open and the angles can still be viewed by anyone. For me, the entryways were my favorite spots because the visuals ran between them creating a shared yet distinctly separate experience. It was fun to peer between the two AND to watch the visuals climb up the corners!!

As a final reminder: Things like lights, sound and darkness may pose problems for certain individuals. Parking may be tricky too, especially at peak times. With my recommendations in mind, step outside your comfort zone if you can. For, “Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” – Vincent van Gogh

Enjoy!!!

Sometimes you need a little feel-good moment in your day and we've got one to share with all of you! Because on Tuesday, 8/17/21, Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández, who plays Dani Rojas on the show, had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at Mexican Heritage Night at the Dodgers/Pirates game.

So please enjoy Cristo just having a blast and celebrating the wonder of the night as he embraces the majesty of ‘Baseball is Life’

A time-honored tradition that fans of popular culture love through and through, is the red-carpet premiere. Because there is something just magical about seeing our favorite stars congregate with joy on their faces as they prepare to share what they’ve poured their souls into with the rest of the world. But sadly, only a few of us ever get to attend such events, but thanks to the wonder of the internet, we are slowly getting a taste of what these events are actually like and today… we here at Nerds That Geek would like to share a little recap and some images from one such event.

For last night was the Los Angeles premiere of the new STARZ series, Heels, and well… courtesy of STARZ and Getty Images Photographer Michael Kovac, here is a look at how the night went.

‘The stars stepped out of the ring for STARZ’s Los Angeles Premiere Event celebrating “Heels,” a new wrestling drama starring Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig.

In attendance were “Heels” cast members Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig, Mary McCormack, Chris Bauer, Alison Luff, Kelli Berglund, Allen Maldonado and James Harrison, as well as Executive Producer & Creator Michael Waldron, Executive Producer & Showrunner Mike O’Malley and Executive Producer & Director Peter Segal. Jeffrey Hirsch (CEO, STARZ), Alison Hoffman (President, Domestic, STARZ), Samantha Offsay (SVP, Original Programming, STARZ), Jon Feltheimer (CEO, Lionsgate), Kevin Beggs (Chairman, TV Group, Lionsgate) and Sandra Stern (President, TV Group, Lionsgate) also joined the cast to celebrate the series premiere.

Additional attendees included “Blindspotting” cast members Daveed Diggs, Candace Nicolas-Lippman and Rafael Casal, as well as star of “Run The World” Corbin Reid and former pro wrestler Christopher Daniels.

The evening began with an outdoor red carpet in Downtown Los Angeles, which was followed by a special screening of the premiere episode. The episode was introduced by STARZ CEO, Jeffrey Hirsch, Executive Producer & Creator, Michael Waldron, and Executive Producer & Showrunner, Mike O’Malley. During his remarks, Hirsch praised the cast, proclaiming “It’s very rare that we put together a cast that we’ve been able to put together that has the physicality to pull off what they’re able to pull off with the emotional acting that you’re about to see tonight. Congratulations to the cast and crew, you did a phenomenal job. This show is so unique and so special and we at STARZ are so excited to bring it to the world.” On his excitement for the series premiere, Waldron said, “Anybody who has spent any time in this crazy, chaotic, artistic, beautiful world knows wrestling is real. And now, so is ‘Heels.’” Wrapping up the introductory remarks, O’Malley thanked those in attendance for their support, saying “We are rejoicing in the fact that we work in an industry where people write stories like this and we get to make them, we get to make a living doing it and working with great people.” 
The episode was received with a roaring round of applause. The town of Duffy was then brought to life at a lively, outdoor after party with wrestling-event style food including popcorn and pretzel bites, specialty cocktails, music, mingling and even a wrestling ring photo opp. 

“Heels” premieres Sunday, August 15 on STARZ.’

So, as you can see, it was a magical and fun filled night, one filled with thunderous applause for a series that is going to knock your socks off and hopefully, this taste of Hollywood life only gets you more excited for the premiere of this transformative and powerful drama.

​Graphic Literature has not always garnered the respect of literary circles, often termed juvenile, sophomoric, or simplistic. But any of us who have picked up a copy of Persepolis, Maus, or Watchmen know the compelling power of the medium of graphic novels and thanks to the important work of organizations like Pop Culture Classroom these works are being recognized for their critical legitimacy. This year saw a myriad of important new works of Graphic Literature and the time has come for Pop Culture Classroom to announce the 2021 Excellence in Graphic Literature (EGL) Awards!
 
Selected by advisory boards and juries made up of diverse, experienced, and informed members of publishing, librarian, and educational professions, the EGL Awards celebrate the best in fictional and nonfictional graphic novels and comics. These awards help educators and librarians identify high quality graphic literature in order to bring them into diverse educational settings. They also help publishers of graphic novels increase their sales and growth potential specifically with libraries and schools. The EGL Awards also help parents, Pop Culture fans, and other discerning readers discover new compelling, expertly crafted stories in the exciting medium of Graphic Literature. 
 
The 2021 ELG Awards Book of the Year is Displacement, a poignant exploration of Japanese internment camps in San Francisco through the personal lens of an unwitting time traveler who experiences the injustice of internment alongside her own grandmother. Written and illustrated by Kiku Hughes (Macmillan Publishers), Displacement is a powerful addition to the ELG Awards pantheon of Book of the Year winners. 
 
The ELG Mosaic Award honors works of Graphic Literature that showcase diverse voices and highlight stories about and from different ethnicities, nationalities, belief systems, genders, and sexual orientations. This year’s Mosaic Award winner is The Magic Fish, written and illustrated by Trung Le Nguyen (RH Graphic – Random House Children’s Books Imprint). The Magic Fish is an exploration through fairy tales of sexual and racial identity which follows Tiến, a Vietnamese boy struggling to come out to his immigrant parents. 
 
The ELG Awards also recognized the following works in Children’s, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction categories for 2021:
 
Best in Children’s Fiction - Bear, Written by Ben Queen and Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Boom! Studios)
 
Best in Children’s Non-Fiction - Black Heroes of the Wild West, Written and Illustrated by James Otis Smith (TOON Books)
 
Best in Middle Grade Fiction - Snapdragon, Written and Illustrated by Kat Leyh (Macmillan Publishers)
 
Best in Middle Grade Non-Fiction - Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World, Edited by Erin Bried (Knopf - Random House Children’s Books)
 
Best in Young Adult Fiction - Displacement, Written and Illustrated by Kiku Hughes (Macmillan Publishers)
 
Best in Young Adult Non-Fiction - The Mars Challenge, Written by Alison Wilgus and Illustrated by Wyeth Yates (Macmillan Publishers)
 
Best in Adult Fiction - Invisible Differences, Written by Julie Dachez and Illustrated by Mme. Caroline (Oni Press)
 
Best in Adult Non-Fiction (Co-Winners) - Phollan Devi: Rebel Queen, Written and Illustrated by Claire Fauvel (NBM Graphic Novels AND Year of the Rabbit, Written and Illustrated by Tian Veasna (Drawn and Quarterly)
 
Here at Nerds That Geek we seek to celebrate stories in all their varied and wonderful forms, and we are so excited to see the diverse, heartfelt, and earnest art being created in Graphic Literature today. It’s important that awards like these exist. It’s important that Pop Culture Classroom and organizations like it spotlight Graphic Literature with awards and recognition because it is a genre that is very much on the rise, and it produces truly moving works of art. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for this year’s Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards, we are so excited to see what comes next for you all!