Where can a Princess Peach dance with a dapper Captain America? Where can Lego people beat Batman at a Mario Kart Grand Prix? In what universe do Deadpool and the X-Men actually get along? Nerds of all shapes, sizes, pixels and universes will find themselves right at home at the 5th annual Denver Nerd Prom, happening this Saturday night at The Summit Music Hall.
What began as a fun themed Valentine’s Day concert for now-defunct Denver band Bop Skizzum has quickly transformed into one of Colorado’s largest geeky events of the year. Nerd Prom returns to The Summit Music Hall this Saturday for it’s fifth year of dorky dancing, delicious drinks, and the annual Nerd Prom King and Queen competition. Sponsored by companies like Twist & Shout, Denver Comic Con, Alamo Drafthouse, Pop Culture Classroom and more, this event is a great way to support the geekiest businesses in Denver while wearing your Comic Con best. Drink sponsors Red Bull, Serpent’s Bite, and New Belgium Brewery will help spice the night up with scrumptious, hilariously named custom brews on Nerd Prom’s event-specific drink menu.
Vexed by video games? The team from Bits & Brews are supplying a variety of classic and modern machines for you to play on all night long, including a few tournaments throughout the night. Summit’s upper level will be converted to an exclusive VIP section and will host two gaming set-ups accessible only to the VIPs, guaranteeing shorter lines for gameplay all night long. The VIP section also boasts a private bar, meet-and-greet opportunities with all the bands, assorted “noms” from the Snack Attack Bar, and automatic entry into a raffle to win one weekend pass to this year’s Denver Comic Con. VIP tickets are $50, but with a limited number available, we recommend you grab one quick before it’s too late.
Consumed by Cosplay? Nerd Prom hosts a top-notch cosplay competition each year. Judged for craftsmanship, presentation, and overall epic-ness, the winner of the cosplay contest will walk away from the night with an extra $250 in their pocket (cash, not bitcoin). Contestants must register no later than 8pm at a table in the Summit’s merchandise area, and will be judged after One Flew West’s set later in the evening.
Down to dance? We hope so! Nerd Prom will feature sets from DJ Hollow (best known as the house DJ for Lipgloss) between performances by One Flew West, SkyLaw, the horn section from ContraBand (can someone say Cantina band?!?), and Andy Rok & The Real Deal performing a special Nerd Prom set - guaranteed to satisfy your inner nerd with a variety of comic classics.
Keen for a crown? Nerd Prom’s “creme de la creme” is it’s royalty competition. Contestants were required to submit an online profile proving their “nerdiness” for fans to vote on. The three who received the highest number of votes on the event’s Facebook page will duke it out at the show to earn their titles. After a few rounds of mini-competitions throughout the night, the Nerd King & Queen will be crowned with unique, custom-built Lego crowns.
High school Prom might have not been your thing at the time - it wasn’t for a lot of us. Young or old, DC or Marvel, Nerd Prom is the place of all of us to have the kind of night *we* always dreamed of - one without chaperones, shitty limos, or a poorly spiked punch bowl. A place where anyone who is slightly different can feel right at home, Nerd Prom is the musical celebration of the counter-culture and all it’s variety. There are dozens of different “nerd universes” out there, but from Alderaan to Gallifrey, from The Moon Kingdom all the way to The Grid, they can all party together in the universe that is Nerd Prom.