February 2012

Geeky and Proud of It

El Paso/Las Cruces offers plenty of opportunities to get your geek on, from Comic-Cons to Cosplay to Zombie Walks

Story by Lisa Kay Tate

Hello, my name is Lisa.

  I’m a 42-year-old wife, mother of two and responsible, job-holding, church-going, pet-owning individual.

  And I am a geek.

  I prefer the term “fangirl” but geek seems to be the preferred moniker for anyone with a working knowledge of any number of electronic gadgets from shortwave to iPhone Apps, how to beat 50 in Skyrim, the names of each of the “Robins,” the Elven language or The Force.

  What is a geek? We not only read comics, but we keep a subscription at our favorite comic-book shop along with a backup supply of backboards and protective comic bags. We love movies, but could care less about movie stars (unless they are signing items at a Comic-Con). We aren’t embarrassed to wear costumes when it isn’t Halloween (or football season). We go by the motto “smart is the new sexy.”

  Most of all, however, we aren’t afraid to laugh at ourselves.

  I’ve been out of the “geek closet” as it were since I was in high school, and although it didn’t get me a prom date (a good friend and I actually ordered pizza and watched “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” that night) it has made me a more in-tune (and pretty fun) parent and wife, a more creative thinker and has helped me feel (and look, I might add) younger than my friends who enjoy rolling their eyes at our childish hobbies.

  Luckily, the quest to find other geeks in El Paso and Las Cruces isn’t hard, as they are growing in number everyday. My evidence is he successful turnout at events like comic, sci-fi and anime conventions, the wave of willing individuals ready to don their zombie best, entertain visitors of all ages to fairs and festivals by bringing the past (or the future) to life

  El Paso’s geeks are out there and they seem to be finally getting some respect. I consider myself proud to be one of them.

 

Rise of the ‘Cons’

  The nucleus of the geek DNA is the Comic Book Convention, or Comic-Con, a place where writers, artists, animators, toy sellers and collectors can get together and sell and show off their works to a receptive sea of fans.

  Think these conventions don’t matter to more than a handful of enthusiasts?

  Just look at the Fanboys’ Mecca, the San Diego Comic-Con International. It debuted in 1970 with just around 300 attending, but has drawn more than 100,000 comic, sci-fi, horror, fantasy movie and pop culture fans each year since 2005 (2010’s Con packed in more than 130,000 guests from around the globe and preview night passes for the 2011 Con sold out in eight hours after going on sale).

  Here in El Chuco, the crowds are not quite so dramatic, but definitely not sparse either. El Paso Comic-Con (aka EpCon) founder Julian Lawler, known among local comic-book fans as editor of the city’s nationally distributed comic book publisher, Broken Tree Comics, was exceptionally happy with the crowd at the 2011 EpCon.

  “I didn’t really expect to have a bad turnout in the first place,” he said, “but I really didn’t expect the crowd to be as big as it was.”

  The 2012 El Paso event is already in the planning stages, and will take over the entire Convention Center (including the meeting rooms), with a special separate area just for music. Guests already booked for the Sept. 14-16 event include Erin Gray (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”), Marina Sirtis (“Star Trek; The Next Generation”), and Michael Bien (“The Terminator” and “Tombstone.”)

  Lawler said one of his intentions with creating the con was to not just give area artists and writers a place to shine, but have an event to bring comic book-franchise icons (from artists to actors) to the Sun City. He also wanted to keep it true to its comic book roots, something many comic fans feel has dampened the spirit of bigger Cons like San Diego, that includes more and more non-comic related movie events each year.

  Lawler said his announcement of bringing in a cast member from the “Twilight” saga (Edi Gathegi) drew some groans from comic die-hards (although there have been just as many giddy thanks from “Twilight” fans). Nevertheless, he said Gathegi still ties in with the comic book culture, as Gathegi is also known as the young mutant Darwin in (in my opinion) one of the best X-Men movies so far, “X-Men: First Class.” Live bands are also scheduled, and back by popular demand is the Alien Comedian, an attendee favorite from last year.

  However, the 2012 EpCon will also feature well-known comic book writers and artists including Joe Jusko (Vampirella) and Brian Pulido, best known for his Chaos titles such as “Lady Death.”

  He did say the celebrity edge does help draw the crowd, as evidenced with the enormous turn out to see “Star Wars” legends Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian, or the original Harvey Dent for Tim Burton/Batman fans like me.)

  My personal experience at the 2011 EpCon was tremendous fun, not just as a huge “Star Wars” fan, but also as a parent. What a blast it was to watch parents get excited over the characters from comics, movies and television they grew up with and share their own child-like enthusiasm with their own children. Trust me “Batman” is a great way for generations to bond. We also supported the local art scene by purchasing some art by local talent, as well as from visiting artists.

  So far, the result has been very satisfactory for both the fans and organizers, as Lawler said El Paso has been primed for a full-fledged Comic-Con for some time.

  “I think it’s long overdue,” Lawler said. When he first mentioned the possibility of starting a Comic-Con to a circle of friends, he recalled, several people jumped at the chance to rent booth space, before any concrete plans were even made.

  This was a pretty good sign to Lawler the event would catch on.

  “Everyone is fully aware of what this event can do for our city once it becomes a mainstay,” he said.

  Lawler indicated the Comic-Con atmosphere stereotype of the lonely guys’ club is fading, as more and more people are leaping out of the of geek closet, including women.

  “The comic book fans about five years ago were probably about 80 percent male, but the rising female demographic makes up about 30 to 40 percent.”

  He said he was just glad that people were enjoying the event to the fullest, especially since fans from Indiana to Las Vegas to Florida came to the Sun City to be part of the Con.

  “People from all over were getting word about El Paso’s convention and that this is the place to go,” he said.

  Not all Cons’ have been long-lived. The Star Trek Convention held a few years back in El Paso was built on the premise of “what better place for a Star Trek event than Gene Roddenberry’s hometown” (please tell me there’s no one out there who doesn’t know Roddenberry was the creator of “Star Trek” and was born in El Paso). This event came and went after just two or three years, despite the fact it featured nearly every prominent crew aboard the Starship Enterprise. William Shatner himself gave a pretty funny, self-deprecating lecture.

  Fans of Japanese-style animation (anime) and its comic book form (manga), on the other hand, support multiple gatherings each year in El Paso and Las Cruces. El Paso Anime conventions last year included WinterCon in December and FAL-Con (FAL stands for Fellow Anime Lovers) in the summer, and the most recent area convention, Las Cruces Anime Days in January at NMSU. All these events incorporate gaming, animation, literature, cosplay (costume play) and other interactive happenings.

  Andy Castellanos of Las Cruces Anime Days, now in its third year, said the stylized Japanese comic art form has really caught on in the United States.

  “Anime and manga have had their own events since the ‘70s back in Japan,” Castellanos said. “Here in the West, we have been attending anime conventions since the late ‘90s and decided to host our first event in El Paso in 2005. We feel they deserve their own event as we see it as an opportunity for the fans of the medium to convene and interact with other fans that share the same interest in anime, manga and videogames.”

  I know from experience manga has saturated itself in most literary genres. Despite the fact I’ve never considered myself a manga enthusiast, I’ve seen manga books not just in science fiction and fantasy titles, but in crime drama, chick-lit, horror, children’s stories, straight fiction — you name the style, it is out there in manga somewhere. My own favorite manga is my “Nightmare Before Christmas” adaptation as well as the manga versions of the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

  For Anime lovers like Castellanos, the appeal of manga is not just in the medium’s look, but also of getting to experience the storytelling styles of another culture.

  “We particularly like the mediums for their very stylized art, as well as the captivating stories that are animated/illustrated,” he said. “Some of us are also interested in the cultural/linguistic aspects of them.”

  Like other comic or sci-fi cons, anime fests often rely on celebrity appeal to draw an audience, as well as gaming opportunities and cosplay.

  “Attendee favorite events and activities include the Costume Contest on Saturday, the interactive panels and autograph sessions with both Guests of Honor: voice actresses Monica Rial and Jamie Marchi (in 2012),” Castellanos said. “Our Gaming Room is another very popular activity at our events.”

  Castellanos said anime is an art form that seems to appeal to both sexes and all ages.

  “Based on our own attendee statistics, we have both genders approximately equally-represented with ages ranging from young children attending with their parents, all the way to grandparents who are both interested in the mediums, some of them even partaking in their grandchildren’s costuming,” he said.

  Horror movie buffs can celebrate the approach of All Hallow’s Eve now with their own convention — and my personal pick for Best Con Name — “Frank N’ Con.”

  Frank N’ Con founder Salvador Arellano, not surprisingly, is a big horror aficionado, and said the convention grew from his using the horror genre as an escape from what he said was his previous less-than-desirable job.

  “The inspiration came from being a huge horror fan,” he said. “I watch three or four horror movies a day. When l became dissatisfied with my job the time seemed perfect to turn my hobby into a job.”

  His first step was selling horror collectibles on eBay and eventually opening a store and setting up at conventions around the country.

  “Unfortunately, health issues forced me to shut down,” he said. “That’s when I decided to use my down time to start a convention.”

  The inaugural Halloween weekend featured vendors, celebrity panels, film showings, artists, live music and a couple of horror film landmarks: the Texas “Return of the Living Dead” reunion and the 30th reunion for werewolf cult classic “The Howling.” Other celebrity appearances range from Margot Kidder, best known as Lois Lane from the “Superman’ moves as well as the horror classic “Amityville Horror,” and “Ghostbuster” and “The Crow” star Ernie Hudson.

  Arellano feels the event turned out to be a pretty profitable use of “down time,” and the 2nd annual Frank N’ Con is already in the works.

  “For a first year convention we were successful as we attracted 1,500 attendees,” he said. “The panels and movie screenings were big successes. I plan on making it an annual event and an announcement for the 2012 event will be made in March.”

War of the Zombie Walks

   Like their namesake, the popularity of the undead parade gathering known as the “Zombie Walk” has emerged from the fog into the mainstream of civic events like a groaning, meandering and brain-loving horde.

  I don’t know what it is, but I have a nostalgic fondness for zombies, mostly the not-too gory “Fido” style old school ones, but I can quote most of the “Zombieland” guidelines (Rule Number Two: “Double Tap.”) as well as much of “Sean of The Dead.” My all-too domestically correct SUV even has a picture of a chainsaw with “In case of Zombie Apocalypse, Follow Me” on the back. This is probably why the idea of the Zombie Walk fascinates me.

  The first Zombie Walk on record was, of course, in California in 2001 as part of a film festival promoti. The largest one, according to Guinness Book of World Records, was held this past November in Mexico with 9,806 undead participating.

  The premise is simple. Dress like a zombie. Join others in walking a set route. Stay in character ‘til it’s over.

  The El Paso/Las Cruces area seems to have gotten its fair share of the events in the past year, from convention tie-ins to appropriate promotions for blood drives. This actually poses the question of which one is worth becoming temporarily undead for.

  David Salcido of Doña Ana Arts Council said the council’s annual zombie walk is the best choice since it’s free and open to the whole zombie family.

  “If you’re dead and ambulatory, you’re welcome to join the shamble,” he said.

  He said the latest walk held Halloween weekend in Las Cruces’s downtown was very family-oriented with around one third of participating zombies under age 16.

  “Many of the families participating went far beyond the norm, creating themed costumes and group dynamics we hadn’t seen the year before,” Salcido said. “Having a live band perform outside in front of the Rio Grande Theatre, afterwards, also added to the festivities and gave our zombies something to do after the walk. We discovered that the dead really can dance!”

  The Southern New Mexico Pride group upped the zombie ante with its 4th annual Zombie Disco Ball and costume contest that weekend.

  The 2011 walk has more than 400 zombies signed up to participate, with what Salcido figured was at least the same amount joining in along the route, not counting those watching from the sidelines.

  “Over 1,000 living spectators descended on the downtown area snapping pictures and cheering the zombies on, which more than doubled the amount of spectators from the year before,” he said.

  Salcido said the zombies will continue next year with more added events. In addition to the return of a haunted house the council hopes to add a radio-sponsored Halloweenie Roast, and perhaps a Halloween Street Fest to the weekend of zombie-oriented fun.

  El Paso’s zombie walks included a nostalgic Zombie Sock Hop at the El Paso Museum of Art preceded with a ’50s style Zombie Walk Downtown.

  Walks don’t have to be large to be effective, as the Frank N’ Con event literally opened the doors of its event with 30 zombies invading the convention site to open the event.

  Arellano said the con’s “Hell Paso” Zombie Walk had an added attraction — celebrity zombies.

  “The zombie walk had Mike Christopher from “Dawn of the Dead” leading it,” Arellano said. “He played the Hare Krishna Zombie. It also included our Film Festival horror host, Ghoulie the Kid.”

  Arellano is not sure whether or not the zombies will return to the convention by route of a zombie walk, but he said, “you never know.”

  No matter what, Salcido said, the zombies will return to the City of the Crosses.

  “For now, we’re just happy to provide a platform for the undead to express themselves in a safe, non-hostile environment, he said. “After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?”

Attack of the Chainmail Warriors

   I feel compelled to give a little extra space to the cosplayers, as what geek event would be complete without them?

  These dedicated free-style performance artists and living pieces of creativity in costuming and makeup skills are a prominent presence at conventions, renaissance fairs, parade, comic and game store promotions, and charity events, some as individuals and others in more organized groups.

  “Cosplay” is geek-speak for “costume play” and can include everything from historic reenactors from the Old West (yes, our city’s beloved Six Guns and Shady Ladies can fit in that category, although I wouldn’t call John Wesley Hardin a “geek” to his face), different war eras and the Middle Ages (sometimes even Middle Earth), or from a galaxy far, far away.

  These groups are not only in it for fun and games, as many of these groups donate their time and effort to charity events, hospital visits, school functions and more.

  Amtgard hosts a nationwide fundraiser and food drive for local food banks (last year’s event broke a record with more than $12,000).

  Since these groups all contain a detailed set of membership requirements, rules, projects and histories, I’ll concentrate on Amtgard for three reasons: 1) their origins are local 2) they are one of the familiar sights at area Renaissance Fair events, most notably the Renaissance ArtFaire in Las Cruces and 3) They were the first to return my calls and/or emails (I may be a geek, but I do have a day job and mommy schedule to keep).

  Amtgard was founded in El Paso in 1983. This is some pretty good bragging rights since games and chapters are now located in most U.S. states and over seas. The nonprofit group is devoted to “recreating elements of the medieval, ancient, and fantasy genres for both recreational and educational purposes with major group efforts devoted to reconstruction of medieval combat.”

  There are a dozen “Kingdom” groups nationwide, each with several chapters that meet regularly, often weekly, for recreational battles and camaraderie. El Paso’s Kingdom is Burning Plain and its Southwest cohort is Dragonspine (based in Las Cruces, but with chapters elsewhere in New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and California). The Kingdom names themselves are often symbolic of the area. Burning Plain in El Paso should be easy enough to figure out, and Dragonspine is a tribute to the dragon-like shape of the Organ Mountains.

  Contrary to popular belief from the “outside world,” many of these cosplayers do have lives.

  One notable local is El Paso Amtgard President Tim Marquitz, who is also known for his dark fantasy book series “Demon Squad” book series and other titles.

  Ben Glicker of the Dragonspine Kingdom said in addition to weekly meetings and the annual Renaissance Artsfaire appearance, Amtgard members keep busy.

  “We do fighting, archery, presentations at the main stage, and fund-raisers (at the fair) every year,” he said. “Our group also holds special events called ‘feasts’ every three months, where attendance may fluctuate between 30 and 70 people, depending on who visits from the surrounding chapters.”

  There are also Amtgard camping events each year, with the oldest called “the Gathering of the Clans” or “Clan,” held in the mountains near Ruidoso or Cloudcroft. These camps can last around four days and bring in 400 plus Amtgard members.

  Glicker said Amtgard appeals to a variety of people for a variety of different reasons.

  “The core of the game is the fighting, where we engage in mock combat with fake weapons,” he said. “Since everyone wears medieval or fantasy-themed costumes, and we make our own equipment, there is a vital and diverse artisan culture within the game as well. All groups host periodic tournaments both in combat and in the arts, so a seamstress, a tailor, a singer, a leatherworker, artisans of all types, could all compete for the top prize.

  Anyone age 14 and older can join, particularly those interested in fighting, making things, working on things, tournaments, feasts, participating in a medieval or fantasy-style environment.

  Another aspect of Amtgard-style games is LARP: “Live Action Role Playing.” Think “Dungeons and Dragons” without the paper and dice to tie you down, but with awesome costumes and total emergence into the character.

  “Everybody in the game creates a made-up persona they pretend to be, whether that persona is a medieval warrior, a Tolkien-inspired elf, something from a favorite fantasy comic, a Conan-style barbarian, or anything in between,” he said.

  Similar to Amtgard is Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a non-profit organization that recreates Middle Age and early Renaissance lifestyles. The regional “Kingdom,” Kingdom of the Outlands (the 12th SCA kingdom created) includes all of New Mexico, parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, and Texas’s far west counties of El Paso and Hudspeth. SCA has been around quite a bit longer than Amtgard, originally founded in Berkeley, California as the result of a backyard party in 1966. The SCA can also be seen at the Renaissance Artsfaire complementing the presence of Amtgard and other performers.

  Okay, I would be remiss not to mention my personal favorite costumed group, the 501st Legion, who bill themselves as the “World’s Definitive Imperial Costuming Organization.” The name refers to fictional unit of Imperial Stormtroopers, and since its creation in 1997, they have spawned more 5,500 members in their squads, garrisons, outposts and detachments in 47 countries worldwide. Mostly consisting of Stormtroopers (Star Wars, of course, not Nazi), members also portray bounty hunters, other Imperial officers, Darth Vader himself and other assorted Sith (look it up if you don’t know what a Sith is).

  Anytime you see an organized group of Stormtroopers it is a pretty good guess they are 501st volunteers (remember the Rose Parade Star Wars entry? Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World?) They never charge for appearances, although they usually ask for a donation to a charity; they favor Make A Wish Foundation and Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.

  Although they welcome new members age 18 or older with no membership fee, this is no ordinary costumed group. The 501st has very specific and strict rules for its costumes, as they deem themselves true ambassadors for the “Star Wars” Universe (so strict, I can’t afford to be a part of them, and trust me I’ve strongly considered it).

  They even have the blessings of George Lucas himself, who is an honorary 501st member along with Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. Although not affiliated with Lucasfilm they are often mentioned in many official Star Wars books and videogames.

  El Paso and Las Cruces 501st hopefuls can join the New Mexico-based garrison, which also includes the El Paso area, the Dewback Ridge Garrison. They have made appearances at events such as the KLAQ Balloon Fiesta, EpCon and the “Star Wars In Concert” Tour’s El Paso stop. There is also a Texas Unit, but much of its membership and activities are in the eastern part of the state, as well as in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

  Even without joining organized groups, individual cosplayers are everywhere, and anyone can do it. At the EpCon last year, my daughters had a blast getting photos with cosplay folks, some who really went all out.

  This did provoke the recurring comment from my elder daughter who felt I had been withholding important information: “You mean I could have come dressed up, too?” Of course, we are planning to return next year, as my daughter is determined to wear her Ahsoka Tano (Anakin’s Padawan from “The Clone Wars”) costume.

  Lawler said seeing the cosplayers was one of his favorite things, as some of these people have turned their costume and make-up skills into a type of free-form performance art. My personal favorites were the Indiana Jones, the Catwoman/Black Cat duo and the simple-yet-effective Silent Bob.

  Castellanos of Las Cruces Anime Days said the cosplayers are always an attraction.

  “For our event last January, a group of Halo Cosplayers won the main Costume Contest,” he said. “We are always delighted to see the effort and ingenuity that our attendees place into their cosplay,” he said.”

 

Comic Book Art Confidential

  As to be expected by the non-geek community (aka the uptight masses), every fanboy and girl needs a comic book shop to call their own.

  Yes, I do have my own “dealer,” Asylum Comics and Cards, although I have been known to venture down to other shops with fitting names like Rebel and Allstar.

  Fernie Lara and his colleagues from Asylum said El Paso’s shops are pretty comparable to those elsewhere.

  “I’ve checked out shops in other cities from Austin, to Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tampa, and can honestly say, our shops are just as good (and in some cases superior) to what you find in similar cities,” he said. “The Sun City has just as many quality shops in terms of customer service, knowledgeable staff and selection as other communities.”

  Lara said their own customer base is very diverse, as the stereotype of the lonely girl-repellent comic book browser male in his teens to mid-30s — a.k.a. “Captain Sweatpants” — no longer really applies.

  “We range from children, families, students, adults, teenagers, both boys and girls,” he said, “each unique in their own way. We all have the one thing in common, and that is we all like to read, sometimes even draw comics, and of course have fun with our comics we enjoy and love.”

  The comic medium is becoming so popular, mainstream writers like Stephen King, Brat Meltzer and Clive Barker are now “dabbling” in the creation of their own comic books (or “graphic novels” for those of you still in denial about what you read). Lara said these are great comic choices for those who think the comic book/graphic novel medium only appeals to the superhero fanatic.

  “It’s not all capes and cleavage. There truly is a comic out there for everyone. It is just a matter of diving in, asking around and finding the right book for you,” Lara said. “Alan Moore’s ‘Watchmen’ was one of Time magazine’s 100 greatest novels since 1923. I think that speaks volumes about the validity and potential of the medium.”

  Lara admitted the classic characters are still the top choices: anything with Batman (I’m reading three series from him myself), Spider-Man, Avengers, Justice League, X-Men, Ironman, Flash, Thor, Hulk, Wonder Woman, Captain America and more. There’s also the independent comic and mature audience reads including “The Walking Dead” (which inspired the hit cable series, “Kick-Ass 2” and “American Vampire,” as well as the kid-friendly favorites “Tiny Titans,” Young Justice,” “Super Dinosaur” and the comic adaptation of “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz” — the latter is one of my and my daughter’s favorites right now).

Lara said El Paso is also well represented in the talent area. Jaime Portillo (“Hell Paso”) and Rudy Vasquez (Carnival Comics titles) are just a pair of names that come to mind, not to mention Broken Tree’s titles. Many of their own events, such as Free Comic Book Day (always the first Saturday in May at comic stores nationwide), feature appearances by local artists.

  “Even though they are not as well known as big name artists/writers, they do hold up to that potential maybe even more,” Lara said. “Watching them actually create and picture the stories is amazing, especially how they use our city of El Paso and our sister city of Juarez for the home of their heroes and stories.”

  Lara said he is always encouraging his customers to support local talent.

  “It is hard to get out there, but they do their best to bring a top quality comic to us and for everyone to enjoy, and have a little taste of something different,” he said.

Coming to a theater near you: Movie Geeks

  Another indication that geeks are taking over, at least in the entertainment world is the predominance of science-fiction/fantasy and comic-inspired movies toping box office records. The newspaper “USA Today” even dubbed 2012 “year of the movie geek” and I personally couldn’t be happier.

  Local movie historian and presenter Jay Duncan, whose popular Jay’s Pix Presents film showings returned to the International Museum of Art this year, said movies that venture outside the realm of everyday life have always been popular.

  “During the worst economic times, escapist film fare has always burgeoned,” Duncan said, noting even films like the ‘Busby Berkeley’ musicals with lavish production numbers attracted audiences by the droves during the 1930s depression era.

  Today, that escape is through the world of superheroes, and storybook fantasies. Duncan’s personal picks that should be hot on the fanboy radar include comic book movies “The Avengers,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “The Dark Knight Rises” (finale in the Batman trilogy for those living under a rock), the return of James Bond in “Skyfall” and the new science fiction from “Alien” director Ridley Scott, “Prometheus.”

  Two of the most anticipated geek-friendly films, however, are based on books; one on a timeless classic and another on a contemporary popular young adult fiction. The first movie, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first of two films based on the prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” series, and the second is “The Hunger Games,” based on the first book in the Suzanne Collins bestselling series.

  “Combatants in a televised fight-to-the-death isn’t exactly new, see for example ‘Rollerball’ or ‘Death Race 2000,’” Duncan said of the latter, “but geared to the demographics of the hugely successful “Twilight” franchise might prove to be box office gold.”

  Movies and comics both occupy the hearts of geeks in similar ways, and Duncan said film festivals that cater do these genres are always welcome. Duncan was one of the masterminds behind the science fiction film fest, “IT! Came from the ’50s” presented at the Chamizal. Now, events like the Plaza Classic Film Festival always features its share of classic sci-fi, as well as geek-friendly settings including roof-top “drive-in” screenings, outdoor films preceded by live music and showings of cult classics like the interactive (and original cosplay-friendly film) “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

  “With the absence of the hugely popular ‘IT! Came From The 50s’ Film Festival (2004-2007), a void has definitely been felt for those hungering for a regular diet of ‘fantastic’ film fare,” Duncan said. “However, classic and noteworthy titles will always emerge within the schedules of ongoing film festivals and series in the El Paso Southwest.”

  Duncan has reinstituted his own classic film series, “Jay’s Pix,” showing weekly at 1:30 p.m. Sundays at the International Museum of Art.

  Well, there you have it, some geek culture right here in the tip of Texas and New Mexico, the tales of those with a creative zeal for their hobbies and artistic edge that hasn’t lost its inner child and most importantly, a complete lack of the “too cool for school” inhibition.

  So go ahead and call me a geek, but remember there are more of us out there than you think … and we’re armed with light sabers and the Anduril Sword.

SIDEBAR 1: Ham Radio

The Passion of (Old School) Techno Geeks

Geeks  — and remember, I consider the term an honor, not an insult — existed in various forms before the age of Trekkies. One group that has shared a love of arcane technology with all the trappings of a devoted subculture for more than a century are amateur radio operators.

  El Paso has two clubs for these devotees: El Paso Amateur Radio Club and the Sun City Amateur Radio Club.

  The radio users (or “Hams”) meet twice a month; once for club business and once to exchange feedback (no pun intended) with one another in the world of amateur radio. They get an extra chance to get together on months with a fifth Friday.

  “The Program/Tech Night is the show-and-tell  meetings where an experienced ham will share his expertise,” said local member Larry Springsteen  (Amateur Call WB8LBZ). “A Fifth Friday is an opportunity for a DVD movie, pizza and a radio project that is causing you problems.”

  Amateur or “ham” radio uses the shortwave portion of radio frequency spectrum for private recreation, non-commercial messages and emergency communication.

  The hams are often the community’s unseen helpers, particularly in large events.

  “Providing communications for parades and races bring out hams that like to help out,” Springsteen said. “The NorthEaster Parade and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure are two event held in 2011 where Hams provided information to the parade/race officials.”

  Ham radio requires a license granted by the Federal Communications Commission. The American Radio Relay League (ARL), the national association for ham radio, notes that amateur radios are intended not only for fun, but also to create a “pool of experts who could provide backup during emergencies.”

  “Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid, whether it’s during an earthquake in Italy or a hurricane in the U.S.,” ARRL information states.

  Springsteen said the regular Ham meetings are mostly made up of people age 40 or older, although the occasional Ham will bring their kid to a meeting.

  “Some of these kids are also licensed hams or a friend of the kid that is a licensed ham,” he said.

  Even though this may seem like just a man and his shortwave, Springsteen said the clubs were one of the first places he could really fit in.

  “I was first licensed at 19 and club meetings were where I was always the new guy. That was something I got used to when I was in the Army, wherever I went,” he said. “When I arrived in El Paso, I was the new guy but I fit right in and was made to feel welcome. All levels of ham experience are welcome. We like to answer questions and teach new hams.”

 

  Sidebar 2: Gene Roddenberry Planetarium

  In 2001, The El Paso Independent School District’s planetarium was officially named Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, after the creator of “Star Trek,” who just happens to be an El Paso native.

  Planetarium manager Cory Stone said the renaming was to honor Roddenberry and his vision for the future.

  “Gene Roddenberry’s legacy was far more than just a few fun television series and movies,” Stone said. “His hopeful positive view of the future of mankind is incredibly inspiring. He looked to the future and understood that the differences between the people of Earth are insignificant compared to our similarities.”

  Stone said Roddenberry saw that the future is an adventure “we are all embarked upon together” and knew humans could overcome challenges through science and understanding of the universe and themselves.

  “Such a vision must be honored,” Stone said. “We found that his birthplace, El Paso, Texas, did not even have a street named after him. So, we re-named the planetarium to honor him and his vision.”

  Lessons and demonstrations during the school year directly support what is being taught in the classroom on Earth and space science and in other disciplines. Public programs are offered in June and July.

  “These programs are free to the public and offer a chance for everyone in El Paso to come and enjoy learning about the cosmos,” Stone said.

  “We can demonstrate many of the most difficult concepts for students to learn in a very graphic and detailed way that turns hard lessons into delightful fun,” Stone said. “Just understanding the causes of the phases of the Moon is, for many, it is a very difficult concept to visualize. In the planetarium, we can show what’s really happening in space and how the Moon actually moves. This and many of the other things we do are simply impossible to see and do in a traditional classroom.”

  A public program schedule can be found at grplanetarium.weebly.com/.

 

 

  Sidebar 3

 

You might possibly be a geek if….

 

  1. You are genuinely hurt when ThinkGeek keeps turning down your techie haiku submissions.

 

  2. You watch “The Big Bang Theory” for decorating/gift ideas

  ….who are you kidding, you and Leonard could share wardrobes….

  ….and you know all the words to the theme song

  ….and have a house flag.

 

  3. You can’t enjoy Earl Grey without thinking of Jean Luc Picard.

 

  4. The names of the CGI and make-up guys are more important to you than the actors in movie credits….

 

  5. You have actually teared up at TWO zombie movies (oh, how I wish this one was a joke).

 

  6. You make Steampunk Easter eggs and Christmas trees.

 

  7. Your friends’ kitchen décor: French country side with Tuscan hues. Your kitchen décor: Pirates!

 

  8. Your daughter has a Ninja sock monkey … custom designed by you.

 

  9. Your definition of “Bi” is you love both Star Wars and Star Trek. Why choose only one?

 

  10. Your favorite fancy date accessory is the Evenstar pendant your husband gave you for Christmas.

 

  Finally…

  11. SoH Sov nuq vam jatlhtaH.

 

 

 

Copyright 2012 El Paso Scene