“Nerd-centric” Hip-hop Performer NUR-D to Kick Off Spa-Con V with Concert at Convention Center Friday, September 24

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — “Nerd-centric” hip-hop artist Nur-D will kick off the Spa-Con V comics and pop culture convention on Friday, September 24, with a concert in Horner Hall at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Bill Solleder, marketing director of Visit Hot Springs and one of the founders of Spa-Con, said, “Spa-Con is excited to welcome Nur-D to Arkansas for his debut in the Natural State. His nerd-centric approach to hip-hop delivers a smart and positive message that will certainly get the convention started with a bang.”

Tickets for Nur-D concert are available at www.spa-con.org. Admission to the show is included with a Spa-Con Weekend or VIP pass, or may be purchased as a $20 standalone ticket. Tickets are general admission.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15. Facemasks are strongly encouraged.

Nur-D’s real name is Matt Allen, a Minneapolis-based hip-hop artist who has performed professionally since 2018, when he won an open-mic competition sponsored by a Minneapolis radio station.

“Coming in, I had no idea how this hip-hop game worked,” he said, “but I knew I
loved performing, so that’s what I did.”

He has toured with such acts as Jaden Smith, Tyler the Creator and The Wu Tang Clan.

“I have been able to play so many wonderful events, meet incredible people and put out what I think is some really fun music,” he said. “You won’t find any cursing in my material, but you will find honesty and hopefully a lot of fun.”

Spa-Con V has previously announced the scheduling of a cosplay competition judged by four well-known cosplay judges and a video tournament with cash prizes.

Other previously announced features of Spa-Con V include an appearance by Rodger Bumpass, the voice of Squidward on Spongebob Squarepants. Also on hand will be 12 internationally known comics artists who will give talks and greet fans during the convention.

Solleder said VIP passes, at $100, and weekend passes, at $35, are available on Spa-Con’s website: www.spa-con.org.

“Our celebration of pop culture and comics brings together a diverse audience that loves everything from Batman to ‘Stranger Things,’ Pac-Man to Mario Smash Bros, Dungeons and Dragons to Pokemon and everything in between,” he said, adding, “Spa-Con provides possibly the best people-watching fun in the state. It has hosted celebrities from ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Twin Peaks,’ ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ and ‘Stranger Things,’ not to mention, NASA scientists and 12-foot-tall robots.”

For more information call Bill Solleder at 501-321-2027.