Three presenters share a topic they are NERDY about while the audience shares a drink. Nerd Nite Melbourne is back for our fifth epic instalment of the year! This time, we’re diving into: the hidden history of infectious diseases: how outbreaks from the plague to COVID have reshaped society and the survival and resilience of queer nightlife in the face of rising challenges! We also have another surprise mystery talk guaranteed to blow your nerdy socks off. Come for the facts, stay for the vibes, and leave with at least three new niche obsessions. Be infectious, be fabulous, be surprised. Be there. Be Square Moxie Delite I will survive! Survival in AUS queer nightlife Description: With the rise of queerphobic hate and the cost of living, many queer nightlife performers have had to resort to multiple sources of income and surviving despite the odds. As an events producer, I do my best to keep my friends and co-workers afloat financially where I can, but also to uplift underrepresented talent. I've interviewed queer nightlife veterans and researched into the trends that have made or broken us, in hopes that future generations will know exactly how to respond the next time we experience knock backs in the arts. Bio: Moxie Delite is a burlesque and drag performer who has a love for ridiculousness, subversive performance, and high camp. In her 7 years of performing and producing events, she's strived to platform underrepresented performers and provide upcoming performers with resources to do their own shows, and make the process a lil less scary. She is passionate about transgender health, local queer history, and BIPOC excellence in the arts. Socials: @moxiedelite (IG, TikTok) @moxiedelitedrag (FB) Felicia Bongiovanni Have infectious diseases changed how we live? Description: Whenever winter approaches, there are two things you often dread: the cold weather and the increased risk of getting sick. We’ve all experienced firsthand the significant impact that a virus can have on society with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are plenty of other infectious diseases that have changed the way you live every day that go unrecognised. Grab a gin and tonic and join me for this talk, where we’ll see how, over time, different infectious diseases have shaped society. Bio: Felicia has been fascinated by infectious diseases ever since she took her first virology lecture during her undergraduate degree. Before that, she was a space fanatic, and for a living, she would simulate missions to Mars for school students. Today, you can find her at WEHI, constantly frustrated with her code, where she is researching the immune response to different pathogens for her PhD. Socials: https://linktr.ee/feliciabongiovanni Sowmiya Selva It's a Bird...It's a Plane...nope, it's Error: Object not found. The Messy Reality of AI Description: AI is everywhere, writing essays, diagnosing diseases, and even generating questionable “art.” But what happens when you actually try to use it in the wild (literally)? Get ready to take a sneak peek behind the glossy headlines and into the messy reality of building an actual AI system and getting it to work, like detecting and counting birds. Why birds? To estimate the amount of bird poo? Why poo? uh huh..No more Spoilers Find out what it really takes to get AI to do something useful and why the story is often a lot less glamorous than the hype suggests. Bio: Sowmiya is an Emerging Tech Specialist, short for someone who can't make up their mind on what technology to specialise in and runs toward every new shiny thing. She’s passionate about using technology for good, keeping it ethical, and making it accessible to marginalised communities. She loves talking about tech, but since her friends and family are sick and tired of it, she has resorted to giving talks at events. Socials: (LinkedIn) https://www.linkedin.com/in/sowmiya-selva/ VENUE INFO Shows are Standing unless clearly stated. Check Ticket Type when purchasing. Howler Bar & Grill The kitchen will be serving a full menu from 5pm (Tues - Fri) and 2pm (Sat - Sun) till late including vegan and vegetarian options. You can view the delicious offerings available by clicking here. Booking are not essential but recommended here. Accessibility Howler is Accessible. Both Garden and Theatre are 100% accessible for patrons including a central restroom and easy curbside access for car services. This venue accepts companion cards. Simply purchase your ticket and contact Moshtix to arrange access for your Companion. Parking A park and ride, council operated carpark is located immediately outside of Howler's doors. Public Transport Howler is conveniently located just a two minute walk from both the Route 19 Coburg tram (stop 21), and Jewel train station on the Upfield line. Bicycle We adjoin the Upfield Bike Path and have many designated bike parks on site.