It’s all geek to me

Aug 30 2007 by Lizzie Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

It’s suddenly cool to enjoy sci-fi and heated debates. Lizzie Houghton embraces her inner geek

NOT too long ago, the geeks emerged from their lairs, bearing gifts of scruffy hair and pinstripe suits, and, faster than you can say “anti-disestablishment-arianism”, geeks became cool.

According to an on-line geek test, I am 41.02564% geek – a “Major Geek”.

I suppose that level of precision is what you would expect from a group of people whose hobbies include taking things apart to find out how they work and having long PC vs Mac debates.

But, despite its negative image, being a geek has become the style of choice for countless bands and TV personalities.

David Tennant immortalised the phrase “Geek Chic” by associating it with one of the Holy Relics of Geekdom – Doctor Who. Speaking of his character’s trademark look, he said: “I think we’ve come up with something distinctive that’s both timeless and modern, with a bit of geek chic and, of course, a dash of Time Lord.”

Another person who embraces the expression is Proscenium Event Design creative director Gemma Aldcroft, from Aigburth.

The 33-year-old is about to launch Geek Chic – the club.

“It’s kind of like the ultimate dinner party,” she explains, “where you meet loads of fascinating people, talk and debate about really interesting things and topical subjects. But you also get bands, DJs, themed nights, dressing up and dancing.

“We’ve already organised events like book readings, fashion shows and a Japanese theme night.”

Gemma, who studied theatre design at Kent University before going on to become a restaurant manager, said that the idea of Geek Chic came to her while she was talking to her friends about their lack of night-time options in Liverpool.

“Going out in the city’s great if you want loud music and lots of booze, but we wanted an alternative, somewhere you could go to get your intellectual fix. Somewhere you go to talk about literature and philosophy without being drowned out by noise.” Being a history buff herself, Gemma has drawn a lot of inspiration from the stylish academia groups of the past.

“I would describe it as 17th- century Parisian salon crossed with the Berlin cabaret and the coolest of modern private members clubs,” she says.

“The name came easily. I like history, philosophy and politics, so that accounts for the geek, and I like to dress up nicely and I love to dance, so that’s the chic part.

“Most people when I tell them about it, say ‘Thank God, that’s brilliant, we’ve wanted something like this for ages’.

“We’re not geeks, as in computers and Star Trek, but we love to discuss and learn new things.”

Geek Chic does not yet have a permanent venue, although Gemma did hint at something in the pipeline. At the moment, however, the club is on a “grand tour” of the city’s most beautiful and historical buildings.

“There’s so much fabulous empty space in Liverpool that never seems to get used,” she says. “It’s such a shame. The Marks & Spencer’s boardroom, for example, would be great for parties.

“The places that are used are often too crowded or too noisy – you can’t just sit back and enjoy your surroundings. I want people to walk into our venues and go ‘Oh my God, I never knew this was here’!”

One of the things Gemma is most eager to take on is Geek Chic event nights.

“I want to be doing everyone’s Christmas parties for them,” she beams. “Elegant and sophisticated office parties, corporate evenings, stag and hen nights.”

Now, hold on a minute. Elegant and sophisticated stag and hen nights? Isn’t that something of an oxymoron?

Gemma laughs: “I know most people think of hen nights as a bunch of drunk women going round with L plates on their bums but ours would be very different.

“We would provide first- class treatment, tasteful entertainment, maybe even have someone serenade the ladies.

“As for the guys, we could provide a massive apartment, a band and have their favourite films shown on plasma TVs.”

So what sort of people does Gemma see becoming chic geeks?

“We’re looking for people who are over 25, interesting, informative and who love to socialise.

“We’re not a student club, there’s no cheap shots. In fact, we’re looking at having a separate virgin cocktail list for people who don’t want to drink too much.

“Really, we’re a club for creative people with very little time off who don’t want to waste what time they have.”

The plan at the moment is for members to pay an annual fee and in return they will get full access to the club website, reductions on tickets, and special deals in restaurants and shops, as well as the options of going on special trips around the city’s cultural hot-spots.

“Eventually, I want Geek Chic to become a community of geeks, who get together at least once a month to laugh and talk and generally just have a good time.

“It’s very 1920s in a way, because, in those days, people were ravenous to learn and meet new people, but also be wild and just have good fun.”

If Gemma could pick one person to be the perfect ambassador for Geek Chic who would it be?

“Stephen Fry,” she laughs. “Or Elvis Costello. He’s very intellectual and political.

“Really, I’d be happy with anyone bespectacled, intelligent and sexy.”

Wouldn’t we all?

FOR more details about Geek Chic, call Gemma on 07775 567192, email her at mail@gemmaaldcroft.com or visit www.clubgeekchic.co.uk