This Week in Geek (4/6/2020–4/12/2020)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, April 6, to Sunday, April 12.

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

Live from Our Living Rooms

What: Music
When: Wednesday, April 1, through Tuesday, 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.

Family Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Monday, April 6, and Friday, April 10; at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Library story time is live in your home twice a week from the Ramsey County Library. Expect story time staples like colorful picture books, toy props, and large easels for learning fun. Video of the streams are available for 24 hours, so you can watch it when it works best for your schedule and have the opportunity to hit repeat on family favorites.

Live Chat: Moon Photography

What: Science & Tech, Arts
When: Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Join the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution for a live chat with one of their experts every Thursday. Ask questions and learn about moon photography this week with space-history curator Jennifer Levasseur and NASM scientist Tom Watters.

National Theatre at Home: Jane Eyre

What: Theatre & Comedy
When: Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

The National Theatre in London is opening up its archive and streaming its cinema-quality recordings. This week’s production is Jane Eyre, the story of “one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfillment on her own terms,” based on the Charlotte Brontë novel. Streams are free and available to watch for one week.

Are You OK?: A Virtual Gathering

What: Meetup, Community
When: Thursday, April 9, 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.

Home Fitness with Justice Draconis

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Workout at home with a free online fitness class lead by Justice Draconis of Dragons Lair Performing Arts, a Twin Cities studio dedicated to circus arts. This 60-minute class focuses on flexibility, habits, and body weight exercises, so no equipment is needed to participate. For those wanting more workout options, Dragons Lair also offers paid virtual classes in flow arts, belly dance, contortion, and yoga.

#ShowOfForceMajeure Poetry Reading

What: Books
When: Thursday, April 9, at 7:45 p.m. (tentative; check the Instagram link above to confirm date and time)
Where: Virtual via Instagram

Dessa, 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.

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: Magical Weirdo Creatures of the Northlands

What: Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Thursday, April 9, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science travels to Scandinavian forests in a rendition of this recurring comedic-lecture series that focuses on monsters. This free livestream is the sequel to the Norse mythology show and explores post-Norse folklore, from water horses and giants to other odder supernatural creatures and the emotions they represent.

Digital Drag Brunch: Halloween in April

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom & Facebook

Flip Phone is taking their popular drag-brunch events digital while everyone is stuck inside. This Saturday, they’ll be celebrating “EVERYONE’S favorite holiday.” So dress up in Halloween style, grab a drink, and settle in for performances from Evah Destruction, Andro Gin, Sasha R Cassadine, Nocturna Lee Missions, and more. This event is free, but viewers are highly encouraged to tip performers.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel

What: Convention
When: Saturday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch, YouTube, & Facebook

Gathering in packed convention halls and panels may be out of the question right now, but Wizard World is still providing opportunities to interact with celebrities in virtual panels. This week’s panel is a moderated Q&A with cast members from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, including James Marsters, Amber Benson, Emma Caulfield, Elisabeth Röhm, and Camden Toy. It’s free to watch and submit questions, with additional paid options for personal video chats and autographs.

Bridge the Gap Benefit Concert

What: Music, Community
When: Saturday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Web

Enjoy a three-hour concert of Minnesota music while helping to provide relief to the many restaurant and entertainment workers displaced by COVID-19. Featured bands include the4onthefloor, Pavielle, Dave King, Mike Michel  and the Orange Goodness, and more to be announced. Tickets are $11, with all proceeds going to the North Stands, a fund that supports local hospitality workers in partnership with Northbound Creative and the Sanneh Foundation.

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 Aida and Parsifal. Streams will be available for a full 23 hours and can also be accessed through the Met Opera on Demand apps.

LeVar Burton Reads

What: Books, Family
When: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; various times
Where: Virtual via Twitter

LeVar Burton is once again sharing the joy and adventure of reading. The former Reading Rainbow host will take a look in a book and livestream a story narration three times a week. Mondays at 11:00 a.m. will feature children’s books; Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. will be stories geared towards young adults; and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. will include selected readings for adults. For even more stories narrated by Burton, he also hosts a podcast with the same name.

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 Death Cab for Cutie’s Twitter feed for more information regarding daily shows.

#GadBookClub

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

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.

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

Historical New York piano bar and musical-theater hot spot Marie’s Crisis is going virtual during the COVID-19 shutdown. 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

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 A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ariodante. 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 is 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!