Author: David Theriault

David Theriault has always considered himself a nerd and has always been a lover of video games, comic books, tabletop games, movies, cosplay, and just about anything under the nerd culture umbrella. With this nerd pride and a degree in Creative Writing, he writes the column known as Nerd Scene for which he covers comic shops, gaming stores, local conventions, and just about any other geeky venue or event throughout WNY. Outside of Buffalo Rising, David also writes a nerd culture blog at www.nonstopnerd.com and is currently working on his first novel.

The historic North Park Theatre on Hertel Avenue has had their fair share of special guests from Donnie Darko’s Richard Kelly to Avengers: Endgame’s Christopher Markus. Cinephiles can rejoice because their next guest has been announced, and it’s none other than Tommy Wiseau. Wiseau is known for directing, producing, writing, and starring in 2003’s The Room, as well as acting in Best F(r)iends, and Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance. He’ll be stopping by the North Park on February 9th and 10th with double feature screenings of his classic The Room followed by his latest flick Big Shark. The Room is…

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WNY certainly has its fair share of tabletop gaming shops, and a very special one was added to that lineup just a few years ago in October of 2020. That store goes by the name of Mana Bar. With a name that transports customers to a fantasy tabletop RPG setting, it’s quite fitting that they offer plenty of goods for gamers. For starters, they are certainly a go-to stop for anyone interested in trading card games. Magic the Gathering and Pokémon are the top sellers there, filling their cases with single cards and shelves with preconstructed decks and starter decks,…

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Buffalonians, get ready to say “Oh hai Mark” and welcome Greg Sestero to the North Park Theatre. Greg is an actor, filmmaker, and writer best known for his role as Mark in 2003’s cult classic The Room, and will be bringing the film’s 20th-anniversary celebration to the historic theater on August 17. This exciting event will include a live, in-person Q&A with Greg Sestero, an exclusive 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of The Room, and an interactive screening of the movie, along with some other surprises. For fans of this “so-bad-it’s-good” staple, this is an occasion that cannot be…

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After enduring the pandemic for a few years, people are coming together once again. Large gatherings are making a comeback, which means that conventions are back in full swing. Nickel City Comic Con announced an indefinite postponement in December of 2021, but the celebration of all things nerdy returned to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on June 30th – July 2nd. Now officially operated by the same folks who run Niagara Falls Comic Con, Nickel City Comic Con brings tons of fun to local lovers of pop culture. Iconic movie and TV props were on display for photo opportunities, including…

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There’s a surprising handful of comic book and tabletop gaming shops throughout Western New York. Each of them is worth going to because they all offer something unique. At the same time, there’s something quite special about Kingpin Comics & Gaming. Located at 3660 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, Kingpin is a bright beacon that calls out to all gamers and comic book readers who are looking for a new go-to spot, to hang out, enjoy their hobbies, and meet new friendly faces. Upon walking into Kingpin, customers will immediately find a long wall of new comic books, as well as…

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Bit Brigade, the band that performs rock covers of full NES video game soundtracks as a gamer speedruns the game live on stage, is coming to Buffalo. During their shows, the crowd gets to watch the gameplay of iconic retro games played in full while the band provides all the music for it. It’s an exciting and unique way to celebrate nostalgic video games while rocking out to great music. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons Typically, the goal of speedrunning a video game is to complete it in the least amount of time possible. However, there’s no need to worry about…

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Whether it’s books, movies, video games, or any other form of art or entertainment, media conservation is important. These art forms are important pieces of culture and time capsules that help to represent the time and era they were created. Older movies have been re-released on Blu-ray or have made their way onto streaming services. Books are reissued and can receive newer editions. And decades-old music can be found on Spotify. However, the same can’t be said for video games quite yet. Video games occasionally get re-releases on more modern consoles, like with the Mega Man Legacy Collection being composed…

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Since Star Wars changed how pop culture merchandising was seen and handled decades ago, there have been countless ways to re-fashion our favorite movies, TV series, and more. Whether it’s t-shirts, lunch boxes, beach towels, or collectibles, there are so many ways to celebrate and show off what we love. However, there could always be more. There’s no set rule that rocking a t-shirt or a hoodie with a character on it is the only way to demonstrate that you’re a fan of something. The proof? I’d like to introduce you to The Errant Stitch. The Errant Stitch, run by…

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Movies, TV shows, and video games that we grow up with become part of who we are. They help shape us even if we don’t realize it. Just recall the sweet nostalgic feeling that we get when thinking back to the pop culture that surrounded us when we were younger. It’s always fun to interact with that nostalgic past, whether it’s by attending a 90s themed costume party or by seeing a movie based on something that we grew up with. Thankfully, there’s now a gaming store in Western New York that celebrates (more recent) bygone gaming eras and the…

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“Virtual reality is the future of entertainment,” claims Western New York’s latest gaming venue. Vivid VR Arcade has a new location that’s even bigger and better, and its name is Orion’s Landing. Just like its sister location, Orion’s Landing has a huge focus on VR experiences. From finding your way through virtual escape rooms to hunting zombies, the experiences you can have in VR are endless. Orion’s Landing offers incredible VR games like House of Fear, Elven Assassin, and Job Simulator. There’s a game that fits anyone’s preferences at Orion’s Landing –  each game takes advantage of high-powered PCs and…

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