London events for people with curious minds.
It's a geek desert out there, as the usual venues wind down their programmes for Christmas. So here's a not-very-special special version of Week in Geek, covering the next fortnight. A bit like the seasonal Radio Times, but with more telescopes.
Monday 19 December
FILM: Head to Greenwich Picturehouse for a special screening of Aussie astronomy flick The Dish, followed by a Q&A session with Royal Observatory astronomers. £11.10, 6.30pm
ARTY ODDNESS: Join the Art History in the Pub (that pub being The Monarch, Camden Town), for an evening entitled Scented Spectres and the Smell of Ghosts. It sounds nuts. Listen: "Fragrant emanations will accompany this study of smell telepathy, perfumed séances and the pathological implications of the Victorian olfactory imagination." FREE, 7.30pm
Tuesday 20 December
DRINKS: The London Geekpub Group gathers for some festive beer and chat at the Glasshouse pub in Soho. FREE, 7pm
Wednesday 21 December
ASTRONOMY: The Baker Street Irregular Astronomers have a star party in the Hub at Regent’s Park – all welcome, telescope or no. FREE, 6.30pm
CTHULHU AWAKES!: Some Lovecraftian silliness courtesy of the London Science Fiction Book Club. Event details are given only to members and 'In the event of The End Of The World all future Science Fiction Bookclub meetings will be cancelled and refunded [sic] provided'. What can it all mean?
Tuesday 27 December
TV: This year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, delivered by experimental psychologist Prof Bruce Hood, are screened on BBC4, 8pm tonight, Wednesday and Thursday. It's all about the brain.
Saturday 31 December
STEAM: Get ready to shout 'She cannae take no more, Cap'n' at Kew Bridge Steam Museum, as the attraction fires up all its steam engines at the same time — something done only once a year. £10/£9/£4, runs all day, plus Sunday and Monday
NEW YEAR: Nerd up your end-of-year celebrations by attending Bright Club's Last Best Party. Scientists and comedians will ensure a memorable and mirthsome end to 2011. £15, 7.30pm
So, a much smaller listing than usual. Let us know in the comments if you've anything to add, or tip us off about January geeky events by emailing [email protected].
