Don’t miss the custard-punching launch of GEEK2013 on Thursday 21 February

We’ve toiled a whole long-but-short year on GEEK2013, swept along on a tide of tea and cooperative effort and now it’s nearly here, Forgive us if we’re a bit tired and emotional but we can’t quite believe how much energy and talent has poured into the project. So make sure you write it into your diary for 21-24 February – in big red letters and/or relevant emoticons. And take particular care that you don’t miss the opening event from 6.00pm to 9.00pm on Thursday 21 Feb. Hide&Seek are curating the event and we’re really pleased about this for two reasons: Firstly, their imaginative gameplay will make Margate old town a place of wit and wonder – the perfect start to GEEK2013. You’ll see how the gameplay sprite can climb out of the console and put an intelligent sparkle into public spaces. Secondly, one of the games on offer is Punch The Custard, designed by George Buckenham. Players have to punch a bowl of custard against the clock; punch it just right and the (perfectly ordinary) custard bounces your hand back as though it’s a hard surface. We think it’s a great analogy for everything GEEK – a cultural contribution that’s fun, social, interesting, and sprinkled with learning (it combines electronics, programming, and practical experiments on the viscosity of edible fluids). And did we mention it’s got custard in it? (Photo above by Mike Massaro.)

Adventures In Comics entrants to be unveiled at our 1 February First Friday

We have just confirmed that Mike Garley, editor in chief of VS Comics will be our guest speaker for First Friday this year, and, he has offered to publish the best three comics submissions in his digital comics edition. In light of this exciting news we are extending the deadline for submissions to the 30th January and postponing publication of our paper until the 21st February to coincide with GEEK2013. All entries will be on display at our 1 February First Friday and this exhibition will move to the Pie Factory for 16th to 24th February 2013 where we’ll invite people to identify the stories they think should win. These peoples’-choice picks will share the winners’ podium with the judge’s choice – as chosen by Paul Gravett, author of ‘1001 comics you must read before you die’

Tree with A View preview, and a history-telling game for the Ramsgate Tunnels

One lofty experiment and one that’s deep underground Prosper Together is a project that’s running several ‘experiments’ – unusual ideas and unlikely connections in untested partnerships – that aim to build cultural capacity in east Kent. We’re delighted to be involved in two of these experiments. Firstly, we’re hosting a private view of Tree with A View, a project by artist Alma Tischlerwood and eco-designer Jonathan Deacon on Friday 15th February from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. The project will create a walkable sculpture that offers a unique vantage point for observation and reflection on a site in St Margaret’s Bay. Secondly, we’re working with the Ramsgate Tunnels Heritage Group to prototype a game for a Ramsgate Tunnels. A fun game that respects the tunnels’ history We believe that games will draw younger people into a cultural heritage experience and we plan to link the gameplay to the tunnels’ structure. We’ve already used the freeware Unity 3D software to create a working model that shows how the game will work and we’re running a workshop at GEEK2013 that will invite people to develop their own ideas around the story of the tunnels. The game has to be fun to play but has to respect the tunnels’ history as a WWII air-raid shelter for over 300 families. Please get in touch with RTHG if you have any family stories about the Ramsgate Tunnels and if you want to take part in the games development workshop contact Rick at r.houghton@hkd.uk.com.