The Way Station: Steampunk, Doctor Who, and total drunken Nerdvana [NYC, USA]

WayStationPano_text

The magical existence of The Way Station may not be new to many of you. It’s been a staple in Brooklyn and nerdy drinkers in NYC for the past three years, but it’s a place that deserves constant attention. It’s just that cool. The Jules Verne inspired bar with a Whovian twist is on Washington Ave, not too far from the Botanical Gardens. Owned and operated by Andrew “Anders” Heidel, The Way Station brings a classy bit of nerdiness to those seeking some adventure across the East River.

Continue reading The Way Station: Steampunk, Doctor Who, and total drunken Nerdvana [NYC, USA]

Episode 1: The Way Station

“What’s more terrifying than a Sharknado? A tsunami full of squids!”

I chat with Andrew Heidel who owns and operates The Way Station, a steampunk and Doctor Who themed bar and event space in Brooklyn.

Heidel has one hell of a nerdtastic CV. From working on SyFy and Farscape to publishing to constructing steampunk weapons, he’s seen it all. Guys, he was Adam West’s publicist! Better yet, he lives it all. Those are just a few of the reasons that make Brooklyn’s Way Station the nerdiest, and quite possibly, the best bar in NYC. It’s a complete labor of love from its conception to Nerdioke every week. You can read more about my trip to The Way Station here.

Anders

You can find The Way Station online at waystationbk.com, twitter, and facebook. Don’t forget to visit The Way Station at 683 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Open from 4PM to 2AM.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • The Salt Cracker Crazies Jug Band [facebook]
  • The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet [website]
  • Anders is also an author, and you can purchase his short story collection in eBook format or paperback/hardcover on Amazon.

Credits

  • 8-Bit Doctor Who theme by EightBitBaconStrips [YouTube]

 

Game of Thrones & Hannibal operas coming to NYC

Well talk about a song of ice and fire! The One World Symphony in New York City will be premiering a Game of Thrones inspired opera in February of next year.

Yes, you read that right. The Khaleesi will be giving us her best aria in Westeros. Well, sort of. It won’t strictly be a Game of Thrones opera, as in, you won’t be seeing Jon Snow singing next to the other Crows. However, the music of the previously written show will be influenced by the popular television show. This is all part of One World Symphony’s “Operasodes” season.

Continue reading Game of Thrones & Hannibal operas coming to NYC

27 at 27

Heyyyyy it’s my birthday! I turn twenty-seven today… yikes! I wanted to do something for myself this year. It’s easy to forget all you’ve done in your life as each year rolls on. I’m constantly told by people that I’ve done so much and that they’re jealous and I’m always left perplexed. What have I done that’s so extraordinary? Yes, okay, I’ve traveled quite a lot, but I never thought of that as extraordinary. And then I listed all the countries I’ve been to (28 at the moment), and then I really though… really thought, about what I’ve done in the past twenty-seven years. And the more I thought about it and the more I wrote things done, the more I felt incredibly humbled and very lucky.

27at27

Continue reading 27 at 27

My Accidental Assassin’s Creed Obsession

Assassins-Creed-Logo

When I moved to my new flat in London town, we didn’t have the internet for a few weeks. I know. It was a hard time. Thank you for your belated sympathy. What we did have though, was an XBOX and some games that my flatmate hadn’t gotten around to playing. We would have nightly sessions of watching her run around in Skyrim or murdering a few cops in Grand Theft Auto V, and sometimes I’d even get a go. Turns out I’m really good at not being caught by the police… and head shots. Take note NSA. (please don’t take note)

But there was one game that was lingering on her shelf that had caught my eye. It was Assassin’s Creed II. I’d heard a lot about these running-jumping-stabby games and everyone I knew loved them. So I asked and we popped it in. She had started it a while ago but hadn’t played it in ages.

We finished it in four days. Continue reading My Accidental Assassin’s Creed Obsession

A very crazy Comic Con

Padalecki Dance OffYou know that any post that starts with a “Jared Padalecki dance off” is going to have a story. Also, the Moose can boogie.

We’ll get to the jiving Jared in a bit, but let’s start with something a little bigger: SDCC as a whole. Last year was my first expedition into the world of Line Con, of battling Hall H and roaming San Diego’s Gaslamp District with half a dozen Khaleesis and Deadpools. It’s an event that no one is prepared for. Ever. And sure, I’m a relative rookie, but every year SDCC gets bigger and this year was no exception at all. There’s 150,000 people converging on that convention center every day, weaving in out out of booths in the exhibitor’s hall, and grabbing at the free swag handed out by street teams (I am STILL bitter I didn’t get one of the Sharknado foam chainsaws). Despite all this and the fact you will inevitably be crushed against more people than you’ve touched in the last year alone, there is something magical about comic con. It’s unlike any other event in the world (though apparently  NYCC is catching up in numbers). It’s complete madness. Where else can you see a panel about The Simpsons (and visit a giant replica of Homer’s head) and then have a run through an American Ninja Warrior-esque obstacle course themed for the new Assassin’s Creed game? Continue reading A very crazy Comic Con