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Full Scale Invasion

Since that movie release, those who were deemed uncool have become the cream of the crop in almost every aspect of American life, better yet worldly culture.

Think about it.

Where would we be without the internet, cell phones and satellite television? Lost-that's where. And who do you think is responsible for giving us the things that we take for granted?

Nerds.

For one night in November, you can catch them all at Nerd Invasion, a convention-style gathering designed to cater to the dork in all of us. The brainchild of Jason King, the guru behind Nerd Rockstar, a local clothing company, this event has been in the making for a while.

"I travel all over the place, going to conventions and events like this, yet there has never been one in my hometown." says King. "Pensacola has a deep nerd culture, and I'm going to call them on it."

In fact, it seems that nerds have secured a spot at the top of the social food chain. When you look back on high school, it wasn't the jocks and the burnouts that went on to have successful careers and make a ton of money. It was the ones who kept quiet and prepared for the day that would have the last laugh. Now, almost everyone is a nerd in some way or another, and Nerd Invasion looks to embrace every aspect of the spectrum.

According to King, "Everybody has a little nerd in them, and that's nothing to be ashamed of."

 For one night, The Silver Screen will be turned into nerd headquarters and anyone without a pocket protector won't be safe. The smell of microwavable burritos and Proactive solution will fill the air as the basement dwelling legions of intellectual super beings take over our fair city.

One part convention, one part music and film festival, this event has a little something for everybody not concerned with sports or frat parties to do from dusk 'till dawn.

"I remember going to lock-ins when I was a kid and having a great time. This is kind of like that, only way bigger," King says.

 Nerdcore (Yes, they even have their own style of music.) artists from all over will come together to rock the place with their off-kilter brand of hip-hop and rock. There will also be a screening of some of their wacky underground music videos, as well as a documentary of their rise to power. Other screenings include select nerd movies, such as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which may very well be the nerdiest film of all time.

As a special treat for attendees, Nerd Invasion will also debut the first-ever screening of George Clinton's "Gongafunkadine," a new series in development that has never been beheld by human eyes. Clinton himself will not be there, but word on the street has it that he has prepared a very special introduction for the fans.

The festival will also have gaming contests, with an old school Nintendo battle that will have the best of the best strapping on their power gloves for a crack at the grand champion. Vendors will be selling all of the top nerd accessories, as well as handing out free swag. Special guests will be doing meet-and-greets and Q&A's with the fans.

There will even be a costume contest for those who just can't seem to leave the house in regular clothes, with cool prizes going to the winner of each category.

And what would a nerd convention be without role playing games? Magic wielders from all over the country will be attending just to cast a seventh level awesome spell on their fellow gaming addicts.

The one event sure to get everyone more excited than a special edition "Babylon 5" DVD is the Miss Poindexter contest. All the hottest, geekiest girls will strut their stuff for a chance to be crowned the queen of all nerds. Just good looks aren't going to cut it. In order to take home the top prize, these chicks have got to be the real deal.

"Hot chicks are a dime a dozen." says King "Hot nerdy chicks are another story." So grab your 20-sided dye and hold on to your motherboards, because this is going to be a wild ride.

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