Share

FEATURE: The geek guide to Rochester

Nerd is the Word

   By Willie Clark @_WillieClark
   click to enlarge geek_guide_cover_copy2.jpg

   PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT DETURCK

   Let's be honest: Rochester is a pretty geeky city. Everybody knows
   about The Strong's National Museum of Play, which currently sits on
   various national lists as a must-see geek destination, especially with
   its burgeoning International Center for the History of Electronic
   Games. But that's only the tip of the nerdy iceberg. Last year
--
   by the website InsideCollege.

   So yeah, we have some major geek mojo.

   While some of you may have already graduated from the hallowed halls of
--
   sharpen your pencils, and clip on those pocket protectors. It's time to
   level up your nerd cred. Welcome to an introduction to some of the
   geek-friendly enterprises of Rochester.

   Computer Science 101: Introduction to 'hacking'
--
   "It's a completely different definition," Manning says. "It's what we
   think the original definition has always been, but it scares the crap
   out of my grandparents and mom. I just tell them we're a geek
   workshop."

--
   (meetup.com/HackshackersROC)

   Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 252: The Rochester Sci-Fi/Roleplay Geek
   Meet-Up Group

   You've probably at least heard of Dungeons & Dragons. The dice, the
   characters, the marathon-length games are often sources of mockery for
   geek culture. But the truth is, D&D and role-playing games like it are
   an opportunity for people to get together and build characters, level
   up friendships, and adventure in worlds otherwise unknown. The
   Rochester Sci-Fi/Roleplay Geek Meet-Up Group brings together area
   aficionados of card games, RPGs, and board games, all in one space
   where they can hang out, organize events, and socialize with others who
--

   "Especially for someone who wants to come out of the so-called closet -
   yeah, I'm a geek, these are the people I hang out with - we give them
   the experience saying, Hey, this is a great group of people to hang out
   with," says Bill Horst-Kotter, current assistant organizer of the
--

   For more information and an events calendar, visit
   meetup.com/Rochester-Sci-Fi-Roleplay-Geek-Meetup-Group

   Similar local groups: Rochester Board Game Society
--
   Fantasy Fans (rochesterfantasyfans.org).

   Geek-friendly businesses

   Boldo's Armory (891 Monroe Ave, boldo.com) Sells an expansive selection
--
   Wonderland Comics 1620 Penfield Road. 248-0450.

   Local geek-related events

   Simcon (March 30-April 1, University of Rochester Riverside Campus,
--
   many guests and panels.

   Tags: Culture, geek, nerd, Interlock, LARP, live action role-playing,
   Star Wars, convention, sci-fi, Cover Story