Guest Judges
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The following individuals have agreed to act as judges for our 3rd Geeks Got Talent! Contest. Please do not attempt to bribe them, unless doing so will increase your donations to the raffle or result in them getting free drinks. Aww heck, just be nice to them! |
A.J. Hartley |
Best-selling Author |
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A.J. Hartley is the British born author of the thriller The Mask of Atreus (Berkley/Penguin 2006) which spent several weeks on the USA Today bestseller list and has been published in over twenty languages world wide. His second thriller, On The Fifth Day, was published by Berkley in July 2007, and hit the New York Times list in addition to the USA Today list. In 2009 he published two novels, another mystery/thriller called What Time Devours (Berkley) and the first of a fantasy adventure series centering on an eighteen year old actor, Act of Will (Tor). The second in the series, Will Power, was one of Kirkus Reviews top 15 scifi/fantasy novels of 2010. With David Hewson he is the co-author of a novelization of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written specially for audio and voiced by celebrated Scottish actor, Alan Cumming. It will be published as a conventional book in spring 2012. He has just published the first of a new middle grades series by Penguin/Razorbill: Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact, with at least two more books to follow in consecutive years.He has more hobbies than is good for anyone and treats ordinary things like sport and food and beer with a reverence which borders on mania. He is married with a son and lives in Charlotte. You can visit his website at ajhartley.net/ |
Mikey Mason |
Comedy Rockstar (Also Special Guest Performer) |
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Mikey Mason has made multiple appearances both on NBC and at the legendary House Of Blues, headlined on all four coasts and performed at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, the 2011 Geek Media Expo, and RPG conventions across the US. He is also a proud media sponsor of Can’t Stop The Serenity 2011, and performed at the CSTS 2011 Charlotte event, a fundraiser for Equality Now.He has been performing comedy for nearly 20 years, music for 23, and has been a geek and fanboy for much, much longer than that. His high-energy nerd rock comedy can only be described as contagious enthusiasm, ranging from the occasional twisted parody to his hilarious original comedy and songs. He made a splash on YouTube with the video for his song, “She Don’t Like Firefly,” which spurred the recording of his crowd-funded geek comedy album, “Impotent Nerd Rage.”He has been known to use excessive commas. Find out more at mikeymason.com. |
Candice Cortinas |
Producer, Robot Johnson |
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Candice Cortinas does not perform on stage, does not direct and rarely writes sketches. Her official title is Producer, which is code for “the person that does stuff”. Candice does stuff. If she doesn’t already know how to do stuff, she learns how. She also knows how to get stuff done. Candice spent a few years working with the folks at The Perch and is ready to facilitate Robot Johnson’s quest for world domination. Robot Johnson is Charlotte’s award-winning premier sketch comedy troupe, giving the Queen City better comedy through science. The winners of the 2010 Charlotte Magazine Best of the Best Award for Best Sketch Comedy and the only sketch comedy troupe ever to win a Metrolina Theatre Award, Robot Johnson performs at venues across the Carolinas. For more information, please visit www.robotjohnson.com. |
Performing Artists
Matt & Abby |
Stage Hosts |
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The comedic stylings of Matthew and Abigail have entertained audiences from south Charlotte all the way to north Charlotte. Abby was an aspiring actress when Matt stumbled upon her (literally) as a travelling widget salesman. They spent a tumultuous time gallivanting about after a strange occurrence between an early 80s sports car and British police box; they’ve finally settled down here and now. Matt and Abby enjoy attending the Renaissance Faire, science-fiction conventions, and steampunk events in North Carolina and beyond; for some reason those types of venues feel a bit more like home to them. Matt and Abby are proud to be your hosts for the 2011 Geek Gala, and would like to remind everyone that they were born in the twentieth century and in fact are NOT time travelers in any way; that would just be silly. |
The Final Five
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Musical Guests |
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The Final Five jazz band plays a mix of television, movie, and video game music with a twist. Composed of some of the finest jazz musicians in Charlotte they will be performing their own arrangements of popular geeky tunes, everything from New Super Mario Brothers to Battlestar Galactica. The band features Russ Cobe on piano, Trevor Cook on malletkat, Tim Ruiz on bass, Kyle Steinmetz on drum set and the Charlotte Geeks’ own Henry Davis on percussion. |
Eric Melton |
Caricature Artist |
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Eric Melton is an Illustration Artist from Kannapolis, NC who has specialized in Caricatures and Humorous Illustration since 1993. Eric is primarily a self taught artist who has been drawing since he was old enough to hold a pencil. Some of his notable illustration work includes album covers, children’s books, safety posters, baby garments, and tons of Gift Caricatures for clients. He recently painted an ice cream truck in an 80’s style paint job to serve as a Birthday gift for 3 girls from Charlotte as well as did Caricatures at their party for an upcoming episode of “Outrageous Kid’s Parties” on TLC. The episode first aired in August. For more information about Eric please visit his website at www.meltonart.com |
Sabrina Luna |
Tarot Card Reader |
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Sabrina Luna, known as the ‘Magickal Geek’, has over a decade of experience as a professional psychic reader. She enjoys many forms of divination, including Runes, Tarot and Oracle cards. For the Geek Gala, she’ll be using The Halloween Tarot and will tune-in to your past, present & possible future! When she’s not being a Charlotte Geek, Sabrina offers Tarot psychic readings through her website www.psychicpixie.com and has a weekly Magickal Message at www.youtube.com/psychicpixie. She also offers Kosmic Astrology readings by appointment at the local gift shop, The Bag Lady, on East Blvd in Dillworth. |
Ali Allen |
Past Life Card Reader |
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Ali is a Tarot reader who has been playing with the Tarot for over ten years. She’s co-facilitated Tarot workshops and recently started a Tarot study group in Charlotte. Ali will be giving Past Life Tarot Readings at the Geek Gala, and will have two decks to choose from: The Mystic Faerie Tarot and The Fenestra Tarot.Ali’s other interests include writing, leading group guided meditations, and running her open circle Moon Circles NC. |
Kiarah Croser |
Career/Relationship Card Reader |
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Kiarah has been reading Tarot cards for 6 years and loves using them to help clients figure out where they should be going. She mostly read the cards intuitively, meaning that the “book” meaning of the card drawn may not exactly be what the card is telling you in a given situation. She works best with relationship and career readings, but has a strong connection with her cards and can read for nearly any occasion. |
