This Week in Geek (3/23/20–3/29/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, March 23, to Sunday, March 29.

Please note: Due to risks from the global COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tim Walz has declared a state of Peacetime Emergency, recommending social distancing (six feet from others in small gatherings), advising against nonessential travel, and ordering the closure of entertainment venues. In following current health guidelines, this column will exclusively share virtual events that can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of home. During this time we will be including local, national, and international events, as well as separating them into weekly and daily categories. As time goes on and guidelines change, in-person events may be reintroduced.

Weekly Events

MN Virtual Reality & Human Computer Interaction Meeting

What: Science & Tech, Meetup
When: Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via AltSpace

The MN VR & HCI group, a subsection of the local International Game Developers Association chapter, is moving their monthly meeting into VR. This month, they’ll be hosting a round-table discussion about virtual-reality meeting and collaborative platforms, as well as a presentation on Oculus for business. As many of us transition to work-from-home and practice social distancing, this is a great opportunity to learn about digital resources to connect. AltSpace works on several VR headsets and offers a 2D PC option. This event is free and open to all.

Charlie Parr Live from Duluth Cider

What: Music
When: Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Popular Minnesota folk-blues musician Charlie Parr will be streaming a full, multi-camera concert performance live from Duluth Cider. Parr is currently on (virtual) tour to support his latest self-titled album, with the livestream replacing dates canceled in March. This event is free to watch on Facebook, but if viewers “care to pass the hat,” donation links are provided.

Are You OK?: A Virtual Gathering

What: Meetup, Community
When: Thursday, March 26, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via video chat

Pollen is creating a space for “nurturing community and social connection during these times of physical distancing and isolation” through weekly conversations with guest community members. Guests will share their experiences during the current pandemic, from their social and economic coping strategies, to how they’re living their values and supporting their communities. Keep an eye on the Eventbrite listing for this week’s guest speaker.

Books & Bars: The Fifth Season

What: Books
When: Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Books & Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by former 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 Fifth Season by N. K. Jemison, a science-fantasy story about the end of the world, collapse of civilization, and one woman’s determination to rescue her daughter through it all. Next month’s book will be Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Virtual Extatic Dance Party

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Friday, March 27, at 12:00 p.m., through Saturday, March 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via video link

If the cabin fever is hitting hard and you need an energy release, the Virtual Extatic Dance Party is a great option. For a full 24 hours, 20 DJs from around the globe will be spinning music and thousands of people will be dancing, with everyone coming together and sharing their experience through livestreaming. RSVP for your free ticket on the website and they’ll send you the video link.

Twin Cities Virtual Women’s Expo

What: Convention
When: Saturday, March 28, through Sunday, March 29
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live, YouTube, and MCN6 (cable TV)

The Twin Cities Women’s Expo is here “to elevate Minnesota’s most essential female voices in business, entertainment, and community” and they aren’t letting COVID-19 keep them from that mission. This weekend, they’ll be broadcasting some of the scheduled events live in partnership with Minnesota’s Community Network on Facebook Live, YouTube, and local cable channel 6. They haven’t released the virtual schedule as of this publication, but the original lineup included Kat Perkins (NBC’S The Voice), Elle Simone (America’s Test Kitchen), and a live Feminist Book Club podcast recording with local authors.

Daily Events

Met Opera Streams

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Daily at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via video stream

Even though the Metropolitan Opera in New York has gone dark in these challenging times, the show will go on. “Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website.” This week’s performances include Tristan und Isolde, Die Walküre, and Siegfried. Streams will be available for a full 23 hours, and can also be accessed through the Met Opera on Demand apps.

#GadBookClub

What: Books, Family
When: Daily around 6:00 p.m. 
Where: Virtual via Twitter & Instagram Live

Young geeks and Disney fans can enjoy a story time with Josh Gad, who plays LeFou in the live-action Beauty and the Beast and is the voice behind Olaf in Frozen. Each night, Gad gives a reading performance of a children’s book live on Twitter and Instagram. Previous readings have been at 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.—check the linked social-media accounts for a post with that day’s exact reading time. You can also search #GadBookClub for videos of previous readings.

Third Man Public Access

What: Music
When: Weekdays at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Third Man Records, an independent label founded by Jack White of The White Stripes fame, will be livestreaming performances on YouTube in a new series titled Third Man Public Access. They’ll be showcasing their “favorite artists sharing whatever is inspiring them during this impossibly dystopian moment in time” in order to “commiserate with you, lift your spirits, and feed your soul.” We currently don’t know who will be featured in the series, but the label boasts some impressive acts including Death from Above, Broken Social Scene, Kasabian, and Alabama Shakes.

Marie’s Crisis Virtual Piano Bar

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Daily at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Historical New York-piano bar and musical-theater hot spot Marie’s Crisis is going virtual during the COVID-19 lockdown. Just like a normal night, performers play crowd favorites, take requests, accept tips, and encourage everyone to sing along. To get in on the fun, join Maries Group on Facebook; it’s normally closed, but they’re accepting and approving all applicants at the time of this publication.

Vienna State Opera Livestreams

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Daily at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Vienna State Opera Live App

Another opportunity to watch world-class opera and ballet while at home comes from the Vienna State Opera. Through their streaming app platform, recordings of previous live shows will be available to watch for 24 hours. The service usually has a subscription fee, but is “free of charge until further notice.” This week’s performances include Tosca, Le nozze di Figaro, and Roméo et Juliette. See the full schedule and program details in their announcement post.

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!