Meet-ups
Portland Area Bronies
http://www.meetup.com/Portland-Bronies/
Do you believe that friendship is magic? You’ll feel right at home among the Portland Bronies. They meet up for game night on Thursdays, but they’re always getting involved in other events. Their recent meet-ups include raffles, game tournaments, a murder mystery dinner and a screening of a My Little Pony film at Vancouver’s Kiggins Theatre.
Star Trek Fans of the Northwest
http://www.meetup.com/Star-Trek-Fans-of-the-Northwest/
This Trekkie group is based in Portland but has meet-ups in various locations, including Trekathons in Beaverton and cons as far off as Seattle. They also specialize in game nights and tournaments, and screenings of various Trek-related films and specials.
PDX Gaymers
http://www.meetup.com/PDX-Gaymers/
For those in the LGBTQ community who love video and tabletop games, this group regularly meets up to play a variety of games, from RPG to Cards Against Humanity. But they’re not opposed to hosting other geek-style events, like a Doctor Who premiere party, either.
Portland Geeks with Kids
http://www.meetup.com/Portland-Geeks-with-Kids/
If you’re a parent and you’ve ever felt like that holds you back from enjoying your geeky interests, this group is for you. The majority of their meet-ups involve book clubs and game nights, but they’ll also hit up the Children’s Museum for a screening of The Wizard of Oz in November. Kids are always welcome.
Events
Rose City Comic Con
http://rosecitycomiccon.com/
The third annual Rose City Comic Con was held at the
Oregon Convention Center in September, and its popularity has already grown exponentially. The next one isn’t
until fall 2015, but if you’ve never been, you should start planning now.
Wizard World Portland
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-portland.html
This touring convention hits Portland again in January 2015, also at the Oregon Convention Center. Expect plenty of chances for photo ops with celebrities from your favorite geeky tv shows and movies.
Linework Northwest
http://lineworknw.tumblr.com/
Linework is a new annual comics convention in town, which launched this past April. It’s a low-key alternative for comics enthusiasts who might find that the big conventions don’t give comics enough love. You can attend panels and interviews with local artists at Norse Hall on Northeast 11th Avenue.
Science on Tap
https://www.facebook.com/NerdNitePortland
Formerly known as Nerd Nite Portland, this monthly lecture series brings together the nerdier geeks amongst us to drink beer while learning some really cool science at locations like the Clinton Street Theater. They even have a podcast called “A Scientist Walks Into a Bar.”
Artist Talks
https://www.portlandartmuseum.org/artisttalks2014
For the art geek, the Portland Art Museum holds a discussion on the second Thursday of every month with artists from various disciplines. The event includes a complimentary happy hour, where you can mingle with both artists and professional appreciators.
Friday Night Magic
http://www.ggportland.com/
Guardian Games at 345 S.E. Taylor St. hosts a Magic the Gathering tournament. The price of admission includes booster packs and the chance for other swag. Prizes are awarded to first, second and third-place players.
The Tardis Room’s Doctor Who Screenings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tardis-Room/281718518561925
Portland’s famous Whovian hot spot features trivia, prizes, free popcorn and $1 burgers surrounding its 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday showings of Doctor Who. And during the rest of the week, the karaoke and fish and chips aren’t bad either.
