Nerd Nite Los Angeles - June 2025
Event description
Nerd Nite is fun-yet-informative lectures at a bar. It's like TED Talks...but with beer.
We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. Thus, Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in more than 100 cities across the globe during which several folks give 20-minute fun-yet-informative and easily accessible presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY DJ LdotAdot
FAQ's:
- Doors open at 7pm. Intro at 7:45pm. Presentations at 8pm.
- The Brewyard Beer Company is a 21+ venue.
- There is free street parking surrounding the bar, but we recommend utilizing a ride share service.
PRESENTATION LINE-UP:
PRESENTATION #1: Rewind to Remind: The Death and Rebirth of VHS
By Rhyan Schwartz
Summary: Why are people obsessively collecting dusty old videotapes in a digital world of instant everything? Rhyan Schwartz, co-owner of Video Hero VHS, dives into the surprisingly deep world of VHS collecting—where nostalgia meets taste curation, neurodivergent comfort, and rebellion against the ephemeral digital age. In his presentation, Rhyan will bust myths, explain what makes certain tapes rare (and others worthless), and explore why VHS is the new vinyl.
Bio: Rhyan Schwartz is the co-founder of Video Hero VHS, a new brick-and-mortar mom & pop video shop serving the San Fernando Valley and all the analog weirdos within. Formerly a commercial actor (The Librarians, Black-ish, MTV’s Greatest Party Story Ever), a once-and-future indie filmmaker (Artísta Obscura, Chapman Film alum), a failed/retired stand-up (The Comedy Store), sometimes piano teacher, often acting coach, and always a small business dreamer—Rhyan now focuses on curating and preserving analog media and other endangered cultural artifacts. His mission? To champion tactile nostalgia, retrofuturist vibes, and IRL connection in an age of digital hallucinations. Expect a talk speckled with spicy hot takes, obscure trivia, and rewound memories.
PRESENTATION #2: Garbo the Spy: A Masterclass in Trolling Nazis
By Nick Schrader
Summary: The Allies’ secret weapon was a one-man misinformation machine who trolled the Nazis into disaster. Who was Agent Garbo, and how did he pull off one of history’s greatest deceptions? In the shadowy world of espionage, truth is often stranger than fiction. Join VFX professional and history enthusiast Nick Schrader as he unravels the mystery of a man whose cunning and courage changed the course of World War II without ever firing a shot
Bio: Nick Schrader is a history enthusiast with a twist. He dives into the quirky, lesser-known corners of the past that textbooks tend to overlook. With a sharp eye for the absurd, Nick highlights the comical missteps and eccentricities that have helped shape our world, offering a fresh and humorous take on historical storytelling. His engaging narratives breathe life into history’s forgotten chapters, making them accessible and entertaining for everyone. Nick’s mission is simple: to show that history is not just a string of dates and facts but a vibrant, human tapestry with plenty of room for laughter.
PRESENTATION #3: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: An Immigrant Story
By Hector Navarro
Summary: Cowabunga, dudes! Get ready to learn about the totally tubular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as we journey through the turtles' history and reveal the immigrant origins of their inception! Did Ninja Turtle creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird intend for their turtle sons to reach American immigrant kids on a profound level? Youtube host extraordinaire Hector Navarro will break down the legacy and impact of the TMNT in a way you’ve never seen before! Booyakasha!
Bio: Hector Navarro was born in San Diego, California, and raised on cartoons and comic books. He’s been attending San Diego Comic-Con since he was ten. After earning a degree in Media Arts and Animation, Hector moved to Los Angeles to work in the visual effects industry, and eventually found his way in front of the camera, flexing his geek muscles and improv comedy skills. He has since worked for companies like DC Entertainment, Geek & Sundry, Nerdist, Skybound, the El Rey Network, Nickelodeon, and he co-founded the popular YouTube channel, Heroes Reforged. His favorite Ninja Turtle is Leonardo.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
