There’s a new, nerdier way to celebrate Pride in Asheville

Introducing: the inaugural Nerd Pride Fest.

Nerd Pride Fest Asheville

Everyone is welcome at the inaugural Nerd Pride Fest.

Photo courtesy of The Nerd Dungeon

Pride month in Asheville is off to a lively start with the inaugural Nerd Pride Fest.

The three-day celebration, hosted by retro video game store The Nerd Dungeon, kicks off Thursday, June 1 and culminates with an all-day party at the store on Saturday, June 3.

The festivities get started with Thursday’s open mic night at 7 p.m., which invites folks to share music, poetry, comedy, and beyond in a relaxed setting. Then on Friday, the store will host a 7:30 p.m. screening — snacks and popcorn included — of the highly acclaimed film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Saturday is when the revelry peaks, with face painting, costume contests for pets and humans, Super Smash Bros and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments, music from Laura Blackley, and a benefit concert for Tranzmission featuring Quetzal Jordan and Lurky Skunk.

The Nerd Dungeon is located at 505 New Leicester Hwy. See the full schedule.