This Week in Geek (9/16/19–9/22/19)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, September 16, to Sunday, September 22.

Twin Cities Monday Night Backgammon

What: Gaming
When: Monday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Richfield American Legion

Enjoy a night of backgammon with two tournaments. Entry to this event is $5, and this is a great chance for both pros and newcomers to learn this classic game of strategy.

Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

This event invites participants to let their creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever their hearts desire at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by Crafty Geek and the Geek Partnership Society. Meet at the Waterbury Building at 6:30 and carpool or walk to see creativity in action.

GPS Figure Drawing Salon

What: Arts, Educational
When: Monday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

The Geek Partnership Society’s Arts Initiative hosts a figure-drawing salon at the Waterbury Building on the third Monday of each month. For a $5 fee, attendees can participate in a three-hour drawing session that “will include short, medium, and long poses, which allow artists to engage with the subject in varying ways” and that “will use a combination of nude and costumed models to support and foster fantasy and science-fiction art.” The goal of hosting this event is to “cultivate a community of artists to share ideas, support each other, and create.”

Vikings and the Early Maps of Scandinavia

What: Educational
When: Monday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Plymouth Public Library Meeting Room

Before they moved on to sports stardom, the Vikings were a seafaring people inhabiting what is now known as Scandinavia. They were famous for trading, raiding, and settling in far flung places. As a result, there are many fascinating maps left behind. Come to this event to see some examples of ancient Viking maps with curator Marguerite Ragnow of the James Ford Bell Library at the University of Minnesota. There will also be a discussion of the infamous Vinland map, which many believe to be the first European map of North America.

Café Scientifique

What: Educational, Science & Technology
When: Tuesday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant-Lake Bowl

Café Scientifique—presented by the Bell Museum of Natural History—is “a happy hour exchange of ideas about science, environment, and popular culture, featuring experts from a variety of fields on diverse and often provocative topics. This month’s topic is “Climate Change Solutions: A Trillion Trees,” presented and hosted by Leah Peterson Sisler and featuring Professor Lee E. Frelich. Expect a lively discussion regarding the critical role trees could play in mitigating harm from climate change. Tickets are $5–$12, online or at the door

GothiCoffee

What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Cafe Meow (St. Paul)

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).”

Mystic Dawn/Amtgard

What: Gaming, Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Oak Grove Park

Amtgard, a global organization focused on the sport of medieval-fantasy combat, will be hosting a gathering in Oak Grove Park. Participants can take part in glorious quests, battle, and more, all with the use of foam weapons for the sake of safety. Garb is encouraged, but not required, and loaner weapons are available. This is a free-to-play event, but long-term players are expected to support the organization with $6 or $10 dues.

Trash Film Debauchery: Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Trylon Cinema

Long-running local cult-cinema group Trash Film Debauchery returns to the Trylon for Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear, in which a young surfer suffers a trauma that leads him to fear the ocean, and is drawn back in by finding something unexpected in the surf. Tickets are $5.

Murder on the Mississippi

What: Comedy & Theater, Educational
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Padelford Packet Boat Company, Harriet Island Park (St. Paul)

History and mystery geeks are in for a treat with this evening of intrigue on an 1850s riverboat. The setting is 1856 on the Mississippi River, as river traffic is hitting an all-time high. Can you and your friends help to prevent a murder most foul, while taking in the vibrant and diverse world of St. Paul in the 1850s? Tickets are $25.

Trivia Against Humanity Wednesdays

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Modist Brewing

This regular event at Modist, hosted by Sam Spadino and Bacon, represents the convergence of two geeky favorites: a brewery that geeks out for innovative beer, and absurd trivia. Trivia Against Humanity has other weekly events as well; see the Trivia Against Humanity Facebook page for additional events.

Annual Costume Clearance Sale

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Thursday, September 19, through Saturday, September 21
Where: Guthrie Theater

Don’t miss your annual chance to spruce up your cosplay game while helping the Guthrie clear out their storage of costumes. If you’ve ever wanted to be a patron of the arts and need some sweet costumes, this is the place to be. There’s a big cosplay holiday coming at the end of October, so hopefully this will spark your creativity.

Brews & Board Games

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, September 19, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Saint Paul Brewing

Brews & Board Games is a Meetup group bringing together board games and beer. This month’s event will be hosted at Saint Paul Brewing. Enjoy a good beer, some great company, and games.

Third Thursday: Constellations

What: Arts, Meetup, Educational
When: Thursday, September 19, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis Institute of Art continues the free Third Thursday series with an evening of discovery via literature and art focused on the stars! This event will be co-curated by Junauda Petrus-Nasah in celebration of her new book The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, a queer, magic-realism, liberation, Black diaspora, and astrological love story. Expect mini-tarot readings, music and dance, and readings from the book and more.

Crafty Geek/Make It Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, September 19, 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!”

Double-Blind Improv

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Honey (Minneapolis)

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, which takes place on the third Thursday of every month.

The Worlds of Kyle Ferrin Art Show

What: Arts
When: Friday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Light Grey Art Lab (Minneapolis)

Light Grey Art Lab, a local south Minneapolis treasure within a short distance of MCAD and MIA, presents the Worlds of Kyle Ferrin Art Show. Kyle Ferrin is best known for artwork done on Vast: The Crystal Caverns and Root, and has a distinctive style. Proceeds from art prints sold at the show will go to Glitch, a local non-profit focused on games and the art behind them.

UGG FSA BattleTech Tabletop

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Friday, September 20, 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.

Code Switch

What: Science & Technology, Community
When: Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Osborn370 (St. Paul)

Disrupt social inequity with technological solutions in this hackathon that runs until 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Hack the planet. Technology can be leveraged for greater social justice and power to the people. One needn’t be a techie to attend. See the website for more details regarding how you can take part. Attendance is $12.24.

Twin Cities Zine Fest 2019

What: Books, Arts
When: Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library

Twin Cities Zine Fest is an annual get-together (now in its 15th year) that showcases zines and self-publishing, with a Twin Cities focus and larger view. Geeks define themselves by their passions, and zinesters have been doing the same by narrowcasting to their audiences. Enjoy workshops on comics history, doodling, zine storage, and letterpress printing.

Electric Fetus Garage/Tent Sale

What: Music
When: Saturday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m.; and Sunday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Electric Fetus

Music geeks come on down for all the vinyl, CDs, and gifts you can imagine. Expect serious discounts and serious entertainment provided by School of Rock St. Paul. If you’re hungry, Glam Doll Donuts will be there providing fuel for your shopping.

GPS UGG Open Gaming

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Saturday, September 21, 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 role-playing games, but the group has amassed an impressive library of its own games as well.

LionCon 2019

What: Convention, Gaming
When: Saturday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, September 22, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Sartell Community Center (Sartell, MN)

Geek culture and counterculture combine for the fourth-annual LionCon! LionCon features role-playing games, board games, card games, video games, computer games, anime viewings, and more. Expect artists, panels, gaming, a cosplay contest, an afterparty, and other attractions. Special guests include StarFall, Aya Cohenstein, and others (check out the site for a full guest list). Admission is $40 at the door.

Normandale Japanese Garden Festival

What: Community, Education, Family, Music, Movies
When: Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Normandale Japanese Garden (Bloomington)

Come experience traditional Japanese culture at the Normandale Japanese Garden Festival, which is returning for its fifth year. This event features a wide variety of events focused on educating and engaging the public with Japanese culture, including music, dance, art, movies, talks, martial arts, and family-themed activities. Check the website for a complete listing of activities, as there’s likely something for everyone. The suggested donation for entry is $10.

Weekly Comics Chat

What: Meetup, Comics
When: Saturday, September 21, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library

The Girls Only Comic Club hosts a Weekly Comics Chat on Saturday afternoons at the Minneapolis Central Library, where there will be shared opinions, drinks and fries for comics fans. Additional information about this event is posted on the Girls Only Comic Club’s Facebook group. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to join.

Al-Stravaganza: A Burlesque Tribute to Weird Al!

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Saturday, September 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Amsterdam Bar and Hall

Tight & Nerdy (a Weird Al-inspired burlesque troupe) and Kiss Me Kate present Al-Stravaganza, a mash-up of two geeky favorites: Weird Al and burlesque. There will be unique performances, costume contests, and more. Enjoy a night of cheeky fun celebrating silliness and the art of burlesque. Tickets start at $20.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 22, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics & Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female nerds and geeks at Source Comics & 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. See the calendar for more events!

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!