This Week in Geek (2/12/18–2/18/18)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, February 12th to Sunday, February 18th.

Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, February 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

Let your creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever your heart desires at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by Crafty Geek and the Geek Partnership Society. This is a free event, so bring some of your own stuff to work on, some snacks, and hang out in a collaborative space.

Books & Bars: Homegoing

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, February 13th at 6:15 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 Homegoing, a tale reflecting the repercussions of the Atlantic slave trade by focusing first on two sisters from 18th-century Ghana, following the divergent paths of their families over the centuries. Homegoing is the first novel from Yaa Gyasi.

YogaQuest Continues: Parks & Recreation: A Galentine’s Narrative

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, February 13th 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 Parks & Recreation: a Galentine’s Narrative, so bring your Leslie Knope-ian enthusiasm. This event costs $15.

Tea and Meeples: Board Games: Love (Romantic and Bow-Chika-Wow-Wow)

What: Food & Drink, Meetup, Gaming
When: Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 7512 Pillsbury Ave. South, Richfield

Enjoy a night of community and tea with Tea and Meeples, a weekly gathering of friendly geeks at “Panda Castle” in Richfield. Cozy up for the winter and enjoy some bean chili and board games.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day Is More Fun at Up-Down

What: Nightlife, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, February 13th and Wednesday February 14th at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Up-Down Minneapolis

Have some Valentine’s Day fun at Up-Down arcade bar with a special date-night package including six domestic tallboys, 80 tokens, an Up-Down fanny pack, and a heart-shaped pizza for $35. If you purchase this package in advance, Up-Down will provide a Valentine’s greeting card. Get ready to game, enjoy some pizza, and have a couple beers.

TC Trek Trivia: BlackAF

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, February 14th 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!”

Winter at the Walker

What: Arts, Sports & Fitness, Community, Family
When: Thursday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Embrace the full variety of seasons in Minnesota and celebrate winter at the Walker with snowshoeing, arts, music, sauna, and more. This kid-friendly event, which coincides with the Walker’s free Thursdays, is an evening of fire and ice, where participants can take guided moonlight snowshoe tours to see snowy sculptures or warm up inside at the Little Box Sauna. This week’s art demonstration will be led by Grand Marais artist John Beltman and focus on the making of snowshoes.

Third Thursday: Power and Beauty

What: Arts, Meetup, Comedy & Theater
When: Thursday, February 15th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis Institute of Art continues the free Third Thursday series with a special event to celebrate the opening of a new special exhibition, Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty: Concept and Design by Robert Wilson, with an evening of art, theater, music and more. Experience dramatic sound, lighting and stage design with the Children’s Theater Company and Mia’s Grand Salon, and enjoy live music from Mayyadda.

Co-Op Talk

What: Educational, Gaming
When: Thursday, February 15th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: GlitchHQ

Co-Op Talk is a monthly discussion of interactive media and digital games. The event begins with a short time to mingle and chat, with snacks and refreshments, followed by this month’s discussion topic: “Gaming while Adulting,” led by Dan Starkey.

Crafty Geek/Make it Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, February 15th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its sub-club Make It Sew meet Thursday evenings at the Waterbury Building 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, February 15th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: YQdio

Geek Slink is a belly-dance 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, February 15th 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.

Double-Blind Improv

What: Arts, Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, February 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Honey

Double-Blind Improv, presented by Fearless Comedy Productions, is a “short-form improv show where you never know what might happen because neither do we!” Performers and improv games are chosen at random during the show. This show takes place on the third Thursday of every month.

Trivia Against Humanity: Get Cheesy!

What: Trivia
When: Thursday, February 15th at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Clockwerks Brewing

This regular event at Clockwerks Brewing represents the convergence of two geeky favorites: a steampunk-themed bar and absurd trivia. The event is hosted by Sam Spadino and Sidney Oxborough. Trivia Against Humanity has also expanded and now has weekly events at Glam Doll on Tuesdays and Modist Brewing Company on Wednesdays.

Con of the North

What:Conventions, Gaming
When: Friday, February 16th at noon to Sunday, February 18th at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West

Roll dice, meet fun geeks, learn some games, or jump back into old favorites. Con of the North is a nonprofit gaming convention held in the Twin Cities catering to role-playing, miniatures, board games, card games, LARPing, and computer gaming. Preregistration is closed, but onsite registration is still open. All of the available gaming space has been booked for events, meaning that there will be a plethora of games to choose from.

Gamecraft 2018 Play Party

What: Gaming, Community, Educational
When: Friday, February 16th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Modist Brewing

Play new games and celebrate the creative energy of Gamecraft and the Global Game Jam at this party held at Modist Brewing. There will 30 games to try, newly crafted in a span of 48 hours by 200-plus gaming creatives at this year’s Gamecraft event. Food and drink will be available from Modist and the Curious Goat food truck.

Friday Night Magic

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Friday, February 16th 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 for the Magic: The Gathering Rivals of Ixalan FNM sealed event. Entry is $15; all players will receive prizes, including a “fancy promo card.” This weekly event is limited to 24 players and typically lasts until about 9:00 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.

Winterfest 2018: Minnesota’s Premier Craft Beer and Food Event

What: Food & Drink
When: Friday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Beer and food geeks are in for a treat at this event hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild in partnership with more than 20 local restaurants. Enjoy thoughtfully chosen food and creative beer while benefiting the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild and its mission to promote Minnesota beer and provide educational and scholarship opportunities. Tickets include unlimited sampling of specialty and seasonal beers along with food. Tickets start at $90, or $50 for sober/designated-driver attendees.

Fearless Five: Conspiracies

What: Comedy & Theater, Arts
When: Friday, February 16th and Saturday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mounds Dinner Theatre

Fearless Five is an annual short play festival from Fearless Comedy Productions; this year it will focus on conspiracy theories. See the works of five writers, five directors, and a multitalented cast as they explore conspiracy theories old and new. Tickets are $10.

The Hound of Chulainn

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 16th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, February 17th at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 18th at 2:00 p.m.
Where: The Crane Theater

An ancient Irish legend comes alive in this play written by Brian Watson-Jones and directed by Nathaniel Nesheim-Case. The Hound of Chulainn tells the story of youths touched by fate, loyalty, and curses of sorrow. There will be a post-show discussion following the Sunday performance. Tickets are $18, with 30 tickets reserved at a pay-what-you-can price for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Kara-O-Con Episode 3: Revenge of the Sing

What: Arts, Meetup, Nightlife
When: Saturday, February 17th at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Grumpy’s Bar & Grill Roseville

Represent your favorite fandoms and your favorite music at this annual cosplay and karaoke extravaganza held at Grumpy’s Bar & Grill in Roseville. This is a 21-plus event and promises an evening of geeky fun with partying, singing, costumes and fun. Costumes are not required but highly recommended.

Juliet & Juliet Present An Introduction to Shakespeare’s Unwritten Works

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 16th at 9:30 p.m.
Where: HUGE Theater

The Bard is responsible for many classic works, but he left us wanting more. Allow the duo Juliet & Juliet to fill in those gaps with a night of Shakespearean improv. “Kings will be fools, fools will fall in love, lovers will die—or something like that.” Tickets are $10, and this show will continue running throughout January and February.

GPS UGG Open Gaming

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Saturday, February 17th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Event Horizon at Waterbury

The Geek Partnership Society’s United Geeks of Gaming group offers its open gaming session, to which gamers of all ages and abilities are invited to “spend the day hanging out with fellow geeks playing, learning, and teaching games.” Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite board games, card games, and/or role-playing games, but the group has amassed an impressive library of its own games as well.

Blizzard World Minneapoli ComiCon

What: Conventions, Gaming, Comics, Arts, Family
When: Saturday, February 17th at 10:00 a.m,
Where: MTS Independent Study

Blizzard World ComiCon returns, bringing special guest artists, comics, vendors, games and more to the MTS school gym. This is a great opportunity to meet comic artists, try Galactic Battleground, and hang out with awesome geeks. Admission is $3 for adults $2 for kids 11 through 17 and free for kids under ten or anyone who wears a costume!

Jig Saw Puzzle Throwdown

What: Gaming, Meetup, Family
When: Saturday, February 17th at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Blackstack Brewing

Combine the calming experience of jigsaw puzzling with teamwork and excitement in the Jig Saw Puzzle Throwdown at Blackstack Brewing and compete for prizes. This competition goes in timed rounds, with the fastest team winning two growlers per month for 12 months. Puzzles are not shown until the timer begins, and outside help and devices are not allowed.

RPG Sunday Game Day

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 18th at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

Warm up your polyhedral dice, because the United Geeks of Gaming group invites you to Sunday of gaming! Whether you are an experienced game master wanting to run a game or someone entirely new to the world of role-playing games who wants to join a game and learn as you go, this is the game day for you.

Late Night Monster Science: Kaiju Origins and Fightin’ Skeletons

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, December 17th at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Theater

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science returns to the Phoenix Theater for another comedic examination of monsters, myths, and their inspirations. This month’s topic is “Kaiju Origns and Fightin’ Skeletons” and delves into retellings of Greek myth, masterful stop-motion animation, dinosaurs, cowboys, and the film that may have inspired the greatest kaijū ever, Godzilla. Tickets are $12.

Gender Jam: Mondo Queer Sledding Party

What: Meetup, Community, Sports & Fitness, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, February 18th at 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Exchange Minneapolis

Gender Jam—a meetup group for trans, gender-nonconforming, questioning, and intersex youth—will be attending the Mondo Queer Sledding Party, with sledding, food coloring for art, and warm cider. Dress for the weather, and bring your sleds and skates. As always, bring your permission slip if you are under 18.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 18th at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

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

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!