Nerd Nite Charlotte — Swords and Sorcery Jan. 9

The first Nerd Nite Charlotte takes place Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7 p.m., at Southern Strain Plaza Midwood, 1800 Central Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a free event. Age 21.

Nerd Nite will be a recurring event.

The first Nerd Nite focuses on Swords and Sorcery, featuring presentations by Jessie Harrigan and Heather Freeman, and is hosted by Michael E. Murray.

Jessie Harrigan:
She started fencing at 14 years old, competing in sabre. This continued through college before becoming a sabre and footwork coach for UTK’s fencing club until graduation. She took a hiatus from swords to dabble in other contact sports, including BJJ and kickboxing. However, the siren song of stabbing people drew her back into sword fighting, wherein she discovered Historical European Martial Arts. She’s been learning and teaching about all manner of pointy weapons ever since.

Heather Freeman:
Professor of Art in Digital Media at UNC Charlotte, and my research has focused on sharing humanities and social science scholarship on religious studies, spirituality, and ‘occulture’ with lay audiences. Heather’s last big project was the NEH-funded, PRX podcast series Magic in the United States.

Michael E. Murray:
Local Voiceover Talent. He holds a Master’s in Ethics and Applied Philosophy from UNC Charlotte, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors in Art History, also from UNCC. He was a faculty Teaching Assistant as both Graduate and Undergraduate, for Philosophy and Art History and now he’s the Host and Boss of Nerd Nite Charlotte.

 

Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area

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