GEEK PROM Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What: GEEK PROM 2006 – Level Up!

When: Saturday, May 6

Where: Acme - 1305 SE 8th Avenue, Portland

Contact: Oso Martín, Outreach Coordinator; Shawn Furst, Volunteer Coordinator

GEEK PROM

Level Up!

Portland - Free Geek, Portland's groovy computer reuse and recycling non-profit is holding its third annual GEEK PROM fundraiser on Saturday, May 6, 2006. Portland area geeks will have a chance to recycle their high school prom memories and show off their lightsaber skills while contributing to Free Geek's efforts to "help the needy get nerdy." GEEK PROM is as "formal" as you want to be, open to anyone looking for a way to re-examine their high school angst amongst their fellow geeks.

This year, Free Geek will pioneer new lands, moving the popular event off site to our favorite local hangout, Acme. Their top shelf staff will be serving the food and drink while the geeks get their groove on.

This year's prom theme is "Level Up!" As any hardcore "gamer" knows, this phrase refers to completing one level in a game and moving on to the next. Most of us aren't high school seniors looking to "level up" to the next phase our lives. But we do live in a world where the poor have limited access to technological resources, and unsorted hazardous computer waste gets dumped on unprepared third world nations. So come by, and do what you can to help us "level up" our local community and our planet.

GEEK PROM starts at 9:00 pm and goes until 2:00 am. GEEK PROM will be held at the Acme located at 1305 SE 8th Avenue (just 4 blocks from Free Geek!) in Portland. There is ample room for the arrival of stretch limos, however, participants are encouraged to arrive via ecologically sound transportation. On that note, Acme has recently taken a step to reduce air pollution: the indoor area is now non-smoking.

Piano man Rich Landar (of Portland's own Jesus Presley and the Pleasure Seekers) will get the evening started, followed by the fabulous funk of the Golden Greats. DJ Parklife will then spin turntables until closing. You can get your picture taken in the Photo Booth, enter the Prom King and Queen contest, and play Meet the Geek! Win geeky prizes throughout the night. In the spirit of Dungeons and Dragons, you can earn experience points by completing tasks and charming others -- the one with the most experience points at the end of the night wins a special prize! GEEK PROM is a 21 and over event. A cash bar will be serving special vodka drinks, beer and wine.

Tickets will be available for $6-10 sliding scale at the door. All proceeds will support Free Geek's educational and environmental programs.

GEEK PROM is sponsored by:

• FREE GEEK - Portland's coolest non-profit community technology center.
• Acme Food and Drink - way cool restauraunt and bar.
• Willamette Week - Portland's news and culture weekly.
• New Deal Vodka - Portland's own vodka distillery.

For more information, visit http://www.freegeek.org/geekprom/