Text by David Nunez

Those lovable geeks, mad scientists, rogue artists, and insane inventors are at again, and this time they're closing out the year with one of their most amazing shows yet, at Cafe Mundi this Thursday.

What is Dorkbot?

• It’s a science fair with beer.
  
• It’s a geek talent show.
  
• It’s people doing strange things with electricity.
  
• Best of all, it’s fun, free, kid-friendly and hands-on.

We think dorkbot is exactly what Austin is all about. Nerds, artists, musicians all come together to show off their work in a casual environment. Previous dorkbot events have included singing robots, lightning bolt generators, hacked nintendos, and somebody crazy enough to electrocute a pickle. dorkbot was most recently featured on Austin Technology Matters, a new show on Austin cable access.

This week's acts:

• Marvin Niebuhr will demonstrate his biomechanical hybrids and photovoltaic cage system: "The Bio-Mechanicals originated in the lab at Intelligent Designs. Through genetic engineering and animal-plant interfacing with mechanical-electronic additions, the bio-mechanicals were created. Unfortunately, some of the BMs escaped their confinement and roamed the lab at night, creating rogue versions of themselves. Some were able to escape into the countryside, but most were gathered up during the annual trophy hunt." -- http://www.spiritcanyondesigns.com/ [Marvin is looking for collaborators for future projects!]
• Seven will debut his Planck - a one-of-a-kind instrument he recently finished. It is played by tapping 8 strings and can be made to sound like a sitar or steel guitar. Seven is a long-time inventor in Austin; his many projects include electric bicycles and Jacob's Ladders. He has been featured by Bre Pettis (from Make Magazine) in the "I Make Things" video podcast.
• Ian Cion runs an Austin design studio and creates work that influences positive social change. He is working on a refugee camp/emergency shelter beautification initiative, and will demonstrate the idea of beautifying camps through community derived artwork using a range of materials from local craft technology to large format digital printing. <http://iancion.com/>
• Also: The Austin Robot Group will bring a large assortment from their menagerie of twisted, mechanical creations. They will showcase some of their newest pieces and will give the dorkbot audience a once-in-a- lifetime, rare opportunity to interact directly with their machines! <http://www.robotgroup.net>

Robot word on the street: "000100010001110," which translates into "There will be some awesome door prizes!"

dorkbot5
Thursday, November 9th
Cafe Mundi
8pm