If you live close to Portland, and you are up for volunteering, check out Mayo street arts. They often use volunteers to help with (evening/weekend) events. I am involved there, and I can say, it’s a lot of nerds - of the best kind. No intimidating art types there. Even if you are not interested in puppets, the adult humor puppet happy hour and puppet slam also had nerds and anime types. I can’t vouch for anyone’s gender preference, but I can promise you nerd types.