This Week in Geek (8/13/18–8/19/18)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, August 13th to Sunday, August 19th.

Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, August 13th 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, bring some snacks, and hang out in a collaborative space.

Annual Outdoor Summer Movie Series

What: Movies
When: Monday, August 13th at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Brit’s Pub

Brit’s Pub in downtown Minneapolis will be hosting outdoor movies throughout August on their rooftop lawn. Come on down Monday nights for screenings of films from Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Films start at 8:30 p.m., there is no cover, there will be specials on several beers, and attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket. The series begins on August 13th with a screening of the zombie favorite Shaun of the Dead.

Intro to Improv

What: Educational, Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, August 14th at 1:00 p.m.
Where: 830 Winnetka Ave. N., Golden Valley MN

Say “yes, and…” to the world of improv with this free educational workshop held at Golden Valley Public Library. This is a great opportunity to learn performance skills, and how to generally think on your feet, adapt, and handle crisis. No experience necessary, but enthusiastic participation is strongly desired. This is event is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Discussion of Andrea Hairston’s Will Do Magic for Small Change

What: Books
When: Tuesday, August 14th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Quatrefoil Library

Join the the Twin Cities chapter of the Gaylactic Network at Minneapolis’s nonprofit-LGBTQ library Quatrefoil for a discussion of Will Do Magic for Small Change by Andrea Hairston. Will Do Magic for Small Change a tale of a young woman with theatrical ambitions, and a book given to her by her late brother which connects her to possible inter-dimensional aliens or even magic. This novel stands out for weaving multiple places and times together in service of a greater narrative.

Books & Bars: The Vision

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, August 14th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Moon Palace Books/Geek Love

Books & 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 Vision by Tom King, an Eisner Award-winning limited series run from Marvel Comics focused on what it means to become human.

YogaQuest Continues: Sharknado

What: Sports & Fitness, Movies
When: Tuesday, August 14th at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Blue Box Counseling and Wellness

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. August is Monster Month, and the theme for this week is the sum of all silly fears, Sharknado, so build up your core to make it through the storm of teeth! This event costs $15.

Saint Paul Movies in the Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas

What: Movies, Family
When: Tuesday, August 14th at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Duluth & Case Recreation Center

Enjoy an evening of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk and are free and open to the public. Screening this week is The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton’s creepy stop-motion holiday mash-up, taking the best parts of Christmas and Halloween. Also be sure to check the complete schedule of screenings this week on the site.

GothiCoffee

What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Steamship Coffee & Tea

The Twin Cities Elysium Society hosts a casual meetup on the third Wednesday of each month. This group is a “community and a resource for all manner of goth, not-goth, darksider, freak, punk, metal, steam, cyber, rivet, Victorian, romantic, grufti, espeluznante, emo, otaku, morbidly inclined, dark creative, what-have-you (you know who you are).”

Trash Film Debauchery: Jaws 5: Cruel Jaws

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Trylon Cinema

The local cult-cinema screening series Trash Film Debauchery returns to the Trylon in time for a summer screening of Jaws 5: Cruel Jaws, the 1995 unofficial sequel to Jaws starring Navy-bred killer tiger sharks, the mafia, a bunch of dolphins, and a hero named Dag. Tickets are $5.

Movies in the Parks: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Wednesday, August 15th at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Luxton Park

Enjoy an evening of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk and are free and open to the public. Screening this week is Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the most recent film in the Star Wars main saga, known for porgs, exquisite throne room-lightsaber battles, and internet controversy. Check out the complete schedule of screenings this week, including other geeky favorites like Black Panther and cult classics like The Birds.

Co-Op Talk

What: Educational, Gaming
When: Thursday, August 16th 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 refreshment and snack time to mingle and chat, followed by this month’s discussion topic “Game Music as a Storytelling Device: How Music Enriches the Narrative Experience,” led by Troy Strand. Get to know other gaming enthusiasts, and dig deep into the topic at this event.

Crafty Geek/Make it Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 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!”

The Commons Movies: Wonder Woman

What: Movies
When: Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Commons, Minneapolis

The Film Society of Minneapolis and Saint Paul presents movies at The Commons, an outdoor community space. Expect food trucks, a friendly community space, and great films. This week’s screening is Wonder Woman, the well-received DC Cinematic Universe film about Diana, an Amazon princess coming of age on an isolated island paradise, and what happens when she’s pulled away from her idyllic home into the horrors of the first World War.

Trivia Against Humanity Thursdays

What: Trivia
When: Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Clockwerks Brewing

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

Weekly Comics Chat

What: Meetup, Comics
When: Thursday, August 16th 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, August 16th 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.

AfreakCON 2018

What: Conventions, Books, Arts, Gaming
When: Friday, August 17th and Saturday, August 18th at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Pillsbury House Theater

The Get Free Collective is bringing AfreakCON back for a third year of discussions, panels, workshops, gaming, cosplay-dance parties, and more, all focused on bringing people of color and allies with a passion for science fiction and fantasy together, and looking at their creative ideas with an academic mindset. Expect thoughtful discussions about the intersections between genre fiction and reality. Tickets are $5, or free for anyone 17 and under.

Lord of the Rings Trivia

What: Trivia, Books
When: Friday, August 17th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Community Grounds

Community Grounds coffee shop in Columbia Heights presents a night of trivia all about The Lord of the Rings. Go in solo (you know, as the one ring to rule them all, one ring to find them; one ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them…) if you’re brave, or with a fellowship (if you’re not one to just walk into Mordor) for a chance at winning prizes. This event is free, and teams max out at six players, so choose your fellowship wisely and put all that Tom Bombadil knowledge to use!

Friday Night Magic

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Friday, August 17th 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 draft event. Entry is $15, and 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.

UGG FSA BattleTech Tabletop

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Friday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Fallout Shelter Arcade

Come on down for an evening of tactical-mech combat! The United Geeks of Gaming meet Friday nights for a beginner-friendly session of the tabletop-mech game BattleTech at Fallout Shelter Arcade in Northeast. FSA’s Virtual World gaming pods also run the immersive video-game version of BattleTech.

Pop-Up Hip Hop with Mixed Blood Theatre

What: Music, Community
When: Friday, August 17th at 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Commons, Minneapolis

Come to The Commons in Minneapolis for a pop-up performance from Sisco Omar, the Mixed Blood Theatre Company’s community organizer. Sisco is a spoken-word artist whose work touches a variety of topics, from love stories to struggles to empowerment. This will be an evening of amazing beats and a chance for the community to come together in celebration.

Yellow Submarine

What: Movies
When: Friday, August 17th and Saturday, August 18th at 11:30 p.m.
Where: Riverview Theater

The Riverview Theater, a neighborhood theater known for affordable second-run cinema, will be continuing its summer late-night programming series with the Beatles’ trans-dimensional fantasy epic Yellow Submarine, a cult classic featuring many songs from the aforementioned album, and a dreamlike, fluid approach to reality. All tickets are $3, and the theater only takes cash.

GPS Open Gaming

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Saturday, August 18th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

The Geek Partnership Society’s United Geeks of Gaming group offers its Open Gaming session on the first Saturday of every month, to which gamers of all ages and abilities are invited in order 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 groups has amassed an impressive library of its own games as well.

Mixed-Level Belly Dance with Shannon

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, August 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Open Minds Fusion Studio

This class incorporates a variety of dance styles, including tribal fusion, Greek, American Egyptian, and world fusion and is taught by instructor Shannon (whom readers might know from Geek Slink Belly Dance). These weekly classes will help build a strong core and set of skills. This class is intended for all bodies, all ages, all sizes, and is built on a platform of acceptance and inclusivity. Cost is $15.

Autoptic 2018

What: Arts, Books, Community, Family
When: Sunday, August 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Aria Event Center

Autoptic returns for a free festival highlighting Minnesota’s vibrant comics and print community with all of its authentic DIY vibes. This is a chance to see and connect with local comic creators, independent artists, and alternative- and small-press media works. Special guests include Gabrielle Bell, John Bivens, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Jessica Campbell, Zander Cannon, Nick Drnaso, Chuck Forsman (whose work you might recognize from the Netflix-original series The End of the F***ing World),Tim Sievert, Craig Thompson, and Maggie Umber.

Summer Pick-Up Quidditch

What: Sports & Fitness, Books
When: Sunday, August 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Thomas Beach–Bde Maka Ska

Enjoy a summer morning outdoors playing the greatest sport in the wizarding world: quidditch! This event is hosted by the Twin Cities Quidditch Club, and is a great opportunity to get some exercise, make some great Harry Potter-loving friends, and catch that golden snitch!

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 19th 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.

Gender Jam: Spa Day!

What: Meetup, Community
When: Sunday, August 19th at 12:30 p.m.
Where: The Exchange

Gender Jam—a meetup group for trans, gender-nonconforming, questioning, and intersex youth—will be meeting up for an afternoon of community and fun. This week, Gender Jam will be meeting for a spa day of pampered relaxation, with facial masks, manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, and more. Meet at the Exchange in Minneapolis, and as always, bring your permission slip if you are under 18.

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!