Week In Geek: 16-22 May

M@
By M@ Last edited 154 months ago
Week In Geek: 16-22 May

Monday
QUIZ: The Royal Institution's regular science quiz returns. Your hosts are M@ from Londonist and Martin Davies from the RI. £2 per person and just turn up for a 7pm start


SPACE: The Book Club in Shoreditch plays host to a slightly premature Space Shuttle Retirement Party. Let's hope the dedicatee doesn't actually turn up. Space expert Piers Bizony reflects on the 30-year career of this remarkable vehicle, followed by a documentary screening. 7pm, £5

SCI-FI: Now this sounds fun. The Greenwich Picture House will screen Back To The Future, followed by a discussion with the team from the Royal Observatory on the possibilities of time travel. 6.30pm, £9.50

Tuesday
TECH: As computing power is increasingly embedded in our everyday lives, in our cars and homes, our streets and even our clothes, the Dana Centre asks whether we're getting more convenience at the risk of lost privacy. 7pm, FREE, but prebook

PERFORMANCE: Bright Club is one of our favourite geek fixtures. Each month, UCL academics take to the stage to present their work to a general audience. It's played for laughs, with stand-up comedians helping the mood. The second anniversary event takes place tonight at the Wilmington Arms. 8pm, £5 (prebooking advised).

Wednesday
ENERGY: The Dana Centre opens its doors once more, to explore 'off-grid' technologies for supplying energy at a local level, particularly in developing countries. 7pm, FREE, but prebook

Friday
SCI-FI: Out Of This World: Science Fiction But Not As You Know It opens at the British Library today. This must-see exhibition pulls together examples of the genre from the 17th Century to the present day, showing just how broad science fiction can be. FREE, until 25 September

SCI-FI: To go along with the exhibition, the British Library today holds a supporting discussion in its conference centre. Why Science Fiction Speaks To Us All includes authors China Miéville, Adam Roberts, Tricia Sullivan. £7.50, 6.30pm

TECH/POLITICS: Work on 'stuff that matters'? Have an unusual insight into politics, transport or travel? Head along to the University of London for OpenTech 2011. This inexpensive one-day conference has a pretty intriguing set of speakers and plenty of opportunities to network. £5, 10.45am. @opentechuk, #opentech

Sunday
CRAFTS: The Book Club on Leonard Street combines its regular craft and science days into one crafty science session. Come Get Felt Up Versus Super/Collider is a chance to get creative with a sci-theme. PhD student Jay Stone will be on hand to talk about the biology of eyes. 4-8pm, FREE

Booking ahead
SCI-FI: The British Library's Sci-Fi exhibition has such a rich events programme, you should check through it now, and book well ahead.

TECH: Wired magazine's inaugural conference takes place at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on 13-14 October. You'll need deep pockets or a sympathetic Director, with full ticket price of £1495 + VAT. No word on speakers yet, but given the price it looks like they're aiming high.

Last Updated 16 May 2011