This Week in Geek (10/9/17–10/15/17)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 9th through Sunday, October 15th.

Board Games & Beer

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Monday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Tamarack Tap Room

The Tamarack Tap Room, in partnership with the Gaming Goat, presents a weekly Monday evening meetup for board games and beer—meet new gamer friends and enjoy a brew. As with most public board-game events, feel free to bring your favorite games to share, as well as a positive, respectful attitude for other people’s favorites.

Geek Date Night

What: Movies, Trivia
When: Monday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Nomad World Pub

In its newly added Monday-night event at the Nomad, join Geek Night for trivia beginning at 7:00 p.m., based loosely on this week’s three-word theme of “Great Wide Open.” As host Rob Callahan says, “There is no cover, no entry fee, and no cheating.”

Text Me: Turning Everyday Moments into Early Learning Experiences

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, October 10th at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Small Talks, a Think Small speaker series, presents this event is on building learning experiences into everyday moments to help educate children before school even begins. It will feature breakfast, networking, guest speakers, a panel discussion, and a Q&A. Admission is free.

Gaymer Space

What: Gaming, Community
When: Tuesday, October 10th at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Glitch MN

GlitchHQ hosts Gaymer Space, a monthly gathering giving the LGBTQ+ community a place to gather, game, and geek out over shared interests like video games, board games, and the industry. This free event lasts from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and will provide a casual space to hang out that should be fun for all ages.

Books & Bars: The Other Einstein

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant-Lake Bowl

Books and Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by Minnesota Public Radio senior producer Jeff Kamin that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” The book being read and discussed this month is The Other Einstein.

YogaQuest Continues: Doctor Who, “The Empty Child”/“The Doctor Dances”

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: YQdio

Come and experience YogaQuest, a blend of yoga and fanfiction storytelling led by certified yoga instructors. Experience a yoga workout experience and a story at the same time. This Week’s theme is Doctor Who.

Geek Date Night: Starship Troopers

What: Movies, Trivia
When: Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Byte

Geek Date Night’s Tuesday-night event presents an evening of rousing action/sci-fi satire with Starship Troopers. Take part in a pub quiz beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by a screening at 9:00 p.m., so prepare for ultraviolence, fascist imagery, and giant bugs. Trivia teams should be from one to six players. Prizes and glory are available.

Tea and Meeples

What: Community, Gaming
When: Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Panda Castle

Enjoy a night of community and tea with Tea and Meeples, a weekly gathering of friendly geeks at “Panda Castle” in Richfield. This week’s theme is board games, so be ready to chase your tea and company with some board-game fun.

Social Science: Murder at the Museum

What: Educational, Meetup, Science & Technology
When: Wednesday, October 11th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

Social Science is the themed “adult night” at the Science Museum of Minnesota, “welcoming those 21 and over to grab a drink, enjoy the museum, and experience innovative programming.” The theme for October is “Murder at the Museum,” which focuses on forensic science. This event is 21-plus and costs $23.95 for nonmembers and $19.95 for MPR or Science Museum members.

Back to Hogwarts Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, October 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: YQdio

Back to Hogwarts is an event celebrating the return to Hogwarts with Harry Potter–themed yoga. This event will repeat to celebrate all seven years of Hogwarts, but students do not need to attend every year. The class is $15, and open to participants over the age of 12.

TC Trek Trivia

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, October 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Driftwood Char Bar

Hosted by Master Trekkie, TC Trek Trivia consists of five rounds: General Trek (questions covering all things Star Trek); Identify the Image; Ships, Technology, and Cultures; Complete the Quote; and a “Wild Card” round. Questions for each of these five rounds are drawn from all seven Star Trek television series and all 12 films. According to Master Trekkie himself, TC Trek Trivia is “all ages, no cover, food, drinks, and a whole lot of Trek!” This month will focus on the scarier elements of Trek.

Coloring Club

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, October 12th at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Boneshaker Books

Center yourself with the October Coloring Club, an 18-plus meetup for adult coloring-book enthusiasts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own coloring books, supplies, and refreshments. Come on down to relax and color with friendly folks.

Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) October Meetup

What: Science & Technology, Community
When: Thursday, October 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: LUSH

Lesbians Who Tech is an inclusive meetup group that provides a meeting space for queer women and trans and nonbinary people in the tech industry, along with their allies. This is a great meetup to blow off steam, network, and talk tech with bad-ass women. Entry is free, but there is a suggested donation of $15.

Dungeons & Dragons Thursdays

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, October 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: GlitchGQ

Come to GlitchHQ on the second Thursday of every month for an open game of Dungeons & Dragons, welcoming new and experienced players alike. The game is played in an open or sandbox style, so don’t worry about missing individual sessions for overarching story. Just show up, roll up, survive, and level up. Materials and rules provided.

Crafty Geek/Make it Sew

What: Crafting, Meetup
When: Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its sub-club Make It Sew meet Thursday evenings at the Waterbury Center and invite you to “bring your crafty stuff to do” or to “hang out and work with the crafty stuff we have here!”

Geek Slink Belly Dance

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: YQdio

Geek Slink is a bellydance class intended to be a welcoming and safe space to focus on fun, fusion, and fitness. Classes are open to any level of experience, body type, and gender. Classes are $15 for walk-ins, or $60 for a five-class punch card. Free trial classes are available.

Weekly Comics Chat

What: Meetup, Comics
When: Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Kitty Cat Klub

The Girls-Only Comic Club hosts a Weekly Comics Chat on Thursday nights at the Kitty Cat Klub, where there will be “Coffee! Comics! Waffles! Talking!” Additional information about this event is posted on the Girls Only Comic Club’s Facebook group. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to join.

Comedy on the West Bank

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Nomad World Pub

Comedy on the West Bank is a new comedy show coming to the Nomad World Pub that focuses on a mix of improv and standup comedy, including randomly chosen improv, Hall of Presidents, Kristen Anne Pichette, Courtney Baka, and Brandon Rumfelt. This is a 21-plus event with a recommended donation of $5.

Friday the 13th All-Night Marathon

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Trylon Cinema

It’s October, and a Friday the 13th in October deserves a night of classic supernatural slasher madness with a marathon of Friday the 13th films. This grueling bloodbath will run from 6:00 p.m. Friday to 8:00 a.m. Saturday, so bring a strong stomach and be ready for some spooky naps the following day. Tickets are $40. There will be a live appearance by Ari Lehrman, the first Jason, courtesy of Twin Cities Zombie Film Crawl.

VR Night

What: Gaming
When: Friday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: GlitchMN

As we careen into the future, we come closer and closer to the geeky dream of being able to disappear into the holodeck and never emerge. Come to Glitch to try modern-virtual reality games that show how close we’ve come to that civilization-ending dream. Job Simulator, Superhot VR, Rick and Morty: Virtual Rickality, Star Wars Battlefront VR, and Robo Recall will be available.

Friday Night Magic

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Friday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mischief Toy Store

Mischief Toy Store in St. Paul invites you to experience some Magic with them this Friday night. Entry is $5; all players will receive prizes. This weekly event is limited to 24 players and typically lasts until about 9:00 p.m. All skill levels are welcome

Read the Book/See the Movie

What: Movies, Books
When: Friday, October 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: TBD (see posting for more information)

This monthly club looks at films and their literary inspirations. Each meeting begins with a bit of social time, then at 7:30 p.m., the movie screening itself begins. Per the event listing, email club organizers for further information.

Reanimator and The Beyond 35mm Double Screening

 What: Movies
When: Friday, October 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Parkway Theater

Trash Film Debauchery and the Twin Cities Psychotronic Film Society are teaming up for a night of two adaptations of H. P. Lovecraft stories. Prepare yourself for goopy and gross practical special effects and a little bit of comedy in your body horror. Tickets are $14 for this event. Check out the Parkway’s calendar for other horror screenings for this week.

Halloween Yoga on Friday the 13th

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, October 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: YQDio

For another spooky Friday the 13th option, come on down to YQdio for a night of Halloween yoga. There’s a minimum $10 donation for this night of nerdy and creepy yoga.

Tsuinishi Anime Club

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 13th at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon

Anime Twin Cities has joined forces with the Geek Partnership Society “to bring a little bit of fun to you on the second and fourth Fridays of each month with this cosponsored anime club.” The group will show various anime movies and series

Minnesota Robotics Invitational

What: Science & Technology, Family, Educational
When: Saturday, October 14th at 8:45 a.m.
Where: Roseville Area High School

Lovers of technology and robots can check out this family-friendly robotics competition at Roseville Area High School. The registration for entrants is full, so spectators can expect a spirited competition with lots of great competitors. Matches begin at 9:00 a.m, with closing ceremonies at 3:30 p.m. Concessions will be available.

ToshoCon 2017

What: Conventions
When: Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Arlington Hills Community Center

ToshoCon is a free one-day convention focused on cosplay, anime, and manga held at Arlington Hills Community Center. This event will feature Iron Cosplay (a quick-build costume contest for prizes), a cosplay runway, movie and manga lounges, a photo booth, gaming, food, art, and more.

Tabletop Tesseract

What: Gaming, Family
When: Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Tabletop Tesseract is a full day of science-fiction gaming featuring 19 role-playing games put on by local game masters, running from rules-heavy systems to lighter offerings and mean to appeal to old-schoolers, gaming novices, and even the next generation of gamers. This free event is put on by Saturday Night Space Opera, a local group that runs regular sci-fi gaming events at the Source. Bringing your own dice is optional, but friendliness and imagination will help a lot.

Twin Cities Book Festival

What: Books
When: Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

The Twin Cities Book festival is a free annual gathering focused on a mutual love of books and is the largest such gathering in the Upper Midwest, welcoming literary heroes from the Twin Cities and the larger literary world for great conversations. See authors such as Charlie Jane Anders, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Corey Doctorow, Senator Al Franken, and more. See the event website for the full schedule of events and where on the fairgrounds to find the festivities.

Kij Johnson At Uncle Hugo’s

What: Books, Meetup
When: Saturday, October 14th at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore

Kij Johnson will be at Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore to autograph copies of the new book The River Bank, a beautifully illustrated adult sequel to The Wind in the Willows involving adventures, kidnappings, lost letters, and family secrets.

Zombie Pub Crawl

What: Music, Arts, Nightlife
When: Saturday, October 14th at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Minneapolis

The undead horde descends on Minneapolis for an evening of zombies, music, beer, and more. The Zombie Pub Crawl is an annual event celebrating all things zombie, with musical acts including Third Eye Blind, Tech N9ne, T-Pain, and Sean Kingston. Enjoy costume contests, karaoke, a drag/dance event, tribute bands, and metal. Tickets are $20 for general admission, or $100 for a Very Important Zombie Package. Your ticket is redeemable for a wristband, which you will need to take part in the event.

Minnesota Twitch Streamers Meetup

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Saturday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Up-Down

MNStream presents the Minnesota Twitch Streamers October meetup, a chance for local video-game streamers to meet, network, play some games, and relax over some drinks. There will be a raffle and gaming contest at the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 15th at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female nerds and geeks at Source. This will be a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks.

George Latimer Central Library’s 100th Birthday: Costume Fair

What: Books, Meetup, Arts
When: Sunday, October 15th at 1:00 p.m.
Where: St. Paul Central Library

Celebrate a century of public access to the written word in St. Paul with a Victorian/steampunk-themed costume party. This will be hosted in the courtyard, with games, crafts, storytelling, and refreshments. See Victorian-era costumes and try out the laser engraver and cameo cutter for costume making.

Doctor Who Meetup: “School Reunion” and “Knock Knock”

What: Television, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 15th at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Parkway Theater

The Twin Cities Doctor Who Meetup group will be holding its October event at the Parkway Theater, screening the episodes “School Reunion” and “Knock Knock”. Enjoy some Who with other Whovians!

TC Single Geeks Gaming

What: Gaming, Meetup, Community
When: Sunday, October 15th at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Fantasy Flight Games Center

Get your game on in the company of other rad geeky singles in this event hosted by the TC Single Geeks group. Participation is restricted to members of the TC Single Geeks group on Facebook, so interested folks are invited to join the group and sign up there. Have a great time with games from the Fantasy Flight Games library or bring your own.

WTF Comics Club: Paper Girls Vol. 1

What: Comics
When: Sunday, October 15th at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Boneshaker Books

WTF Comics Club, a local comics meetup group that gets together at Boneshaker Books, will be discussing Paper Girls. Expect lively conversation and interesting perspectives on this work.

So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!