This Week in Geek (3/30/2020–4/5/2020)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, March 30, to Sunday, April 5.

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.

One-Time and Weekly Events

Insights 2020 (Online Event): Ruben Pater, Untold Stories

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube Live

This virtual event is part of the Insights 2020 Design Lecture Series presented by the Walker Art Center. This free event will feature Ruben Pater speaking from his studio in Amsterdam with illustrated images of his work, and answering questions from social media. This event will then be entered into the Insight Design Lecture series archive.

Live From Our Living Rooms

What: Music
When: April 1 through April 7; various times
Where: Virtual via Web

This virtual music festival seeks to raise funds to assist NYC musicians struggling in the wake of COVID-19 shutting down their sources of income. There will be a wide variety of performers helping raise money for performance grants. This is a donation-based event, so pay what you can.

Are You OK?: A Virtual Gathering

What: Meetup, Community
When: Thursday, April 2, 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.

#ShowOfForceMajeure Poetry Reading

What: Books
When: Thursday, April 2, at 7:45 p.m. (tentative; check the Instagram link above to confirm date and time)
Where: Virtual via Instagram

Dessa, a Minnesota musician and literary star, will be reading poetry. This is a pay-what-you-can event, with funds being garnered using the Venmo platform. Dessa donated one half of last week’s funds to the Domestic Abuse Project. Interested parties should check Dessa’s Instagram feed early in the week to confirm the time for this event—at the time of this writing, the only clue is that she said “next week,” for the followup event.

Virtual Beowulf

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, April 2, and Saturday, April 4, at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Come one and come all to Charlie Bethel’s 60-minute one-person adaptation of the classic Old English poem Beowulf. Follow the titular warrior king in a tale of monsters, wit, and truly meaty language. Please note, this tale contains vivid descriptions of violence and is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Virtual Beowulf is a pay-what-you-can event.

Late Night with Vilification Tennis

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, April 3
Where: Virtual, details TBD

Vilification Tennis, the local structured-improv show focused on insult contests, is taking its show online. Full details had not been released at publication time; watch the VilTen Twitter feed for final timing and streaming platform information.

Daily Events

Met Opera Streams

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Daily, 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 Dialogues des Carmélites, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. 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.

Get Your Pets

What: Community
When: Daily (most days), at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Instagram

John Hodgman, humorist, writer, actor, and podcaster best known for his performances on The Daily Show and performances as “a PC,” in Apple advertisements, has been hosting a pet-focused talk show on Instagram live. On the show, participants will video chat with the host and allow him to chat with their pets.

Ben Gibbard: Live From Home

What: Music
When: Daily, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Youtube

Connect musically with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie fame as he performs daily from his home. Check out the Death Cab for Cutie Twitter feed for more information regarding daily shows.

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 Marie’s Group on Facebook; it’s normally closed, but they’re accepting and approving all applicants at the time of this publication.

Global Citizen’s #TogetherAtHome

What: Music
When: Daily, various times
Where: Virtual via Youtube

Global Citizen, an organization focused on positive social change, is looking to assist with COVID-19 relief via streaming concerts. Check the hashtag or the website to find times and artists. Global Citizen’s #TogetherAtHome page also includes possible action steps regarding the current pandemic.

#ASonnetADay

What: Books, Theater & Comedy
When: Daily, various times
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Patrick Stewart projects stability and calm, two things much needed in this time. This virtual event is an opportunity to see Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek, X-Men and I, Claudius fame) return to his Shakespearean roots as he reads a sonnet daily. Times vary for the event. Additionally, fans of Patrick Stewart may be pleased to know that the entirety of his new series, Star Trek: Picard, is available to stream for free via CBS All Access until April 23, 2020.

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.

Friendly Local Game Drop

What: Community, Gaming
When: Daily
Where: Virtual via web

Atlas Games, a local producer of board games, is seeking to help local gaming shops during the pandemic. Gaming shops act as community gathering places for many in the geek community, and are especially hard-hit by the social distancing-based closures. Atlas Games is seeking to assist by allowing customers to order from their local shop and have product shipped directly to them from the warehouse.

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!