Get 8-Bit with Louisville Arcade Expo

The great thing about Kentucky's conventions is that all of them provide something unique and special. Louisville Arcade Expo is certainly no exception. Since 2011, Louisville Arcade Expo has been providing the Commonwealth with the opportunity to play probably any video game imaginable. Expo goers can harken back to their youth in the local arcade playing Ms. Pac-Man or Tekken. Personally, I was a Mortal Kombat master. I played every time we went to Giovanni's in Flatwoods and got pretty good at it if I may say so myself. You can read about my first console experiences on the blog post My First Video Game.

Arcade X, which takes place March 6-8, features over a hundred pinball and arcade machines set on free play, Classic Consoles from the 70s, 80s and 90s, and Classic Computing including the Apple II and Commodore 64. For just $20 a day or $45 for the weekend, you can play all of your favorite games and also take in events such as Retro Pub Trivia, Maximum Chiptunes by DJ CARTnage, and tournaments, including Street Fighter II, Power Pad Olympics, and Galaga. Regional vendors will be on hand to sell their retro gaming inspired wares.

Whether your interests are in Oregon Trail, Doctor Who Pinball, or Colecovision, you're sure to find something that's right for you. This year, Arcade X will also present one of the founders of Activision, and an early designer of many great console and arcade games, David Crane.

Louisville Arcade Expo

Triple Crown Pavilion @ the Ramada Plaza
1776 Plantside Drive Louisville, KY

March 6 - 8, 2015

Fri 2p-Midnight, Sat 10a-Midnight, Sun 10a-4p

@Door:  $20/Day | $45/Weekend

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If you're able to make it to Louisville this weekend, it's sure to be a great time. Everyone be safe, as Kentucky has just gone through Snowpocalypse 2: The Blizzarding. Keep up with more Kentucky convention news here at Kentucky Geek Girl.

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CONversations: Interview with Mo Lightning of Wizard World Louisville Comic Con

New to the Kentucky convention circuit this year is Wizard World Louisville Comic Con. It's no secret that Wizard World is one of the national leaders in convention promotion and, to be quite honest, it was just a matter of time until a convention of its magnitude was established in The Bluegrass State. I'm thrilled to say that I'll be at the convention this Friday and Saturday, specifically Saturday when I'll be presenting "To Boldly Go: Star Trek The Next Generation and Anthropology" at 11AM at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

It's bound to be an exciting weekend in the Derby City. In addition to vendors and comic creators, Louisville Comic Con has a bevy of celebrities including Doctor Who alums Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, Sean Astin, James Marsters, Jason Momoa, Dean Cain, and Jason David Frank. The line-up looks great and I look forward to being in the same vicinity as Matt Smith. I can't guarantee that I wouldn't fangirl all over the place if given the chance to meet him.

I was approached by Mo Lightning, a member of the Wizard World staff, and was invited to become involved with the convention and I am absolutely thrilled to be given the spotlight for about 45 minutes. He took the time to answer a few of my questions about the convention and his experiences working in pop culture programming.

Food Network Star Hopeful Chef Damaris Phillips Needs Your Votes!

Damaris Phillips

In addition to being a purveyor of geekery, I'm also an aspiring foodie. I love to cook and I draw a great deal of inspiration from what I watch on the Food Network. Our cable provider picked up the channel when I was probably five years old and for most of my childhood I would pretend to host my own cooking shows. Oh, what am I saying? I still do that sometimes! I'm not going to be getting my own show on the Food Network any time soon, but Louisville chef Damaris Phillips just might. She's in the running to win the Next Food Network Star competition after chopping away at her fellow contestants for the last ten weeks.

In order to be a contender, you must come up with a culinary point of view and judges must be able to see this through weekly challenges. Competitors must exhibit grace under pressure, because even though TV chefs record episodes of their programs, one must be able to go with the flow. There are even live demonstrations in which hopefuls are charged with impressing an audience. Ultimately, those who rise to the top are not only able to carry their "Culinary POV" throughout the competition, but they are able to be themselves while doing so.

Damaris' casting interview

Chef Phillips has a degree in culinary arts and teaches at Jefferson Community and Technical College. From the outset, her POV was Southern cuisine and she's set to show that there's more to the south than fried chicken and grits. This week, as one of the final contestants, she was able to shoot a pilot which would indicate her style. "Eat Date Love" would be a series in which Damaris teaches men how to woo their sweetheart using food. She is also the only female competitor in the finale.

Damaris' pilot "Eat Date Love" impressed coach Alton Brown

If this short pilot is any indication, Damaris Phillips has a long career on the Food Network ahead of her. You can vote for her for the next 24 hours (through 9am Wednesday) with the winner crowned next Sunday night at 9pm. Much like other reality competitions, there are two ways to vote and you can vote up to 10 times daily. Head over to http://star.foodnetwork.com/ or call 855-54-STAR-1 to vote for Damaris.

Best of luck to Damaris Phillips. Let's bring the Next Food Network Star title home to Kentucky!

Be sure to like Kentucky Geek Girl on Facebook and follow my daily updates on Twitter! If you have any questions or want to discuss partnership opportunities, be sure to send me an email.

Louisville Convention Round-Up: Derby City Comic Con and Fandom Fest 2011

July has been a busy month for conventions in Louisville. After happening upon two conventions quite randomly, I have to say that I had a wonderful time this month. I'll be outlining my experience at each of these conventions within this post. I can safely say that I am no longer a convention noob, or am less of one as of these experiences.