This Week in Geek (5/4/20–5/10/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, May 4, to Sunday, May 10.

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

Wordplay

What: Books
When: Tuesday, April 7, through Saturday, May 9; various times
Where: Virtual via Various Formats

The Loft Literary Center is presenting a series of virtual literary presentations under the banner of “Virtual Wordplay.” This is your chance to see a variety of authors reading their works, spirited conversations about the written word, and more. Events are presented free of charge. This event, will continue running until May 9, 2020. Authors for the week of May 4 include John Scalzi, Deb Olin Unferth, Jeff VanderMeer, and Tom Angleberger.

Scum & Villainy Presents May the Fourth

What: Community, Movies, Books, Trivia
When: Monday, May 4, at 12:01 a.m. 
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Hollywood’s Scum & Villainy Cantina (modeled after the Mos Eisley Cantina) is hosting a free 24-hour livestream celebration of all things Star Wars with celebrity guests, trivia, product reveals, interviews, fan films, and more. Currently announced guests include Kevin Smith, John Dykstra, Jennifer Muro, Cory Doctorow, Sam Witwer, and Catrina Dennis. Additional details and a schedule are available on their Facebook page.

Family Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Monday, May 4, and Friday, May 8; 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. Videos 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.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Movies, Community
When: Monday, May 4, through Sunday, May 10; various times
Where: Virtual via Website

If you’re getting stir-crazy, and want to connect with fandoms, Wizard World’s Virtual Experiences may be able to help bring some of the convention experience to the comfort of your home. Check the website for details regarding particular events, but know that most events begin in the morning, and involve remote talks and other experiences with the creators you love. During the week of May 4, there are events related to Outlander, Family Ties, the Yankees, and a presentation from Henry Winkler.

Altísimo Live!

What: Music
When: Tuesday, May 5, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Periscope

Altísimo Live! is a Latin music and pop-culture festival, as well as a fundraiser benefiting the Farmworkers Pandemic Relief Fund. Celebrity hosts, guests, and performers include Eva Longoria, Rosario Dawson, J Balvin, Alejandro Sanz, Becky G, Steve Aoki, Sofía Vergara, and more. The livestream is free to watch, but organizers will be asking viewers to “give cinco this Cinco” to support farmworker communities across the United States and Puerto Rico impacted by COVID-19. Show starts at 4:00 p.m. with an interactive pre-show tailgate experience kicking off at noon.

Spirits Podcast Live!: Virtual Happy Hour

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Spirits Podcast and Boston’s Museum of Science team up for a free virtual happy hour featuring stories of hellhounds and good boy pups from mythology, folklore, and urban legends. The night’s featured drink is a Salty Dog and the event page includes recipes with both substitution and mocktail options.

Merlins Rest Pub Quiz

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, May 6, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Merlins Rest will be presenting its weekly pub quiz via Facebook! Get ready to quiz and have some fun with pals from the safety of your own home. Karina will be running the quiz.

National Theatre at Home: Antony & Cleopatra

What: Theatre & Comedy
When: Thursday, May 7, 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 Antony & Cleopatra, a Shakespeare tragedy about the fated couple and the war sparked by their love. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo.

National Air and Space Museum Live Chat

What: Science & Tech, Arts
When: Thursday, May 7, 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 different topics every week with subject matter experts. This series will continue until the museum reopens; check the Facebook page for up-to-the-minute information.

The Oedipus Project

What: Theater & Comedy, Community 
When: Thursday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The ancient play Oedipus the King by Sophocles was first performed during a time of plague and uncertainty. The Oedipus Project aims to use this historical context, along with dramatic readings from acclaimed actors, as a community conversation-starter on the modern impacts of COVID-19. Performers include Frances McDormand, Oscar Isaac, John Torturro, and Jeffrey Wright. Performances will be followed by a discussion with panelists and the audience.

Home Fitness with Justice Draconis

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

Work out 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, May 7, 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 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: Sympathy for the Devil

What: Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Thursday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science is a recurring comedic-lecture series that focuses on monsters. This week’s free livestream delves into devil lore and explores the different depictions of Satan throughout history.

Trivia Mafia Beer & Pizza Party

What: Trivia
When: Thursday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Trivia Mafia is teaming up with Pizza Lucé and Summit Brewing to host a weekly party with just-for-fun quizzing, random prizes, and pizza discounts.

320 Festival

What: Community, Educational, Music
When: Friday, May 8, through Sunday, May 10
Where: Virtual via YouTube, Facebook, and KNEKT.TV

The 320 Festival aims to normalize the conversation around mental health through educational panels and musical performances. The robust guest list includes medical professionals, musicians, survivors, public personalities, and nonprofit leaders. Topics range from stress adaptation and addiction, to social media and coping with trauma. Performances include Lindsey Stirling, Art Alexakis (of Everclear), Echosmith, Julien-K, and more. This event is free, and 100% of net proceeds from donations will go to their nonprofit partners

Villification Tennis Interruptus

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Video Stream and Facebook

Vilification Tennis, a local structured-improv show focused on insult contests, is taking its show online. The monthly Interruptus show is a bit less formal, runs half the length of their full shows, and starts at a more reasonable hour. This livestream is free, but a virtual tip jar is available for those who’d like to contribute.

Queen Digital Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 
Where: Virtual via Twitch and Zoom

Flip Phone is taking their popular drag-brunch events digital while everyone is stuck inside. This Saturday’s performances will be inhabit an iconic musical realm between real life and fantasy with a tribute show to Queen. Performers include Andro Gin, Sasha R Cassadine, Damien D’Luxe, and more. This event is free, but viewers are highly encouraged to tip performers.

#TCGCon Live Fan Panel

What: Community
When: Saturday, May 9, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

Get a little taste of the convention life at home through #TCGCon live fan panels featuring Twin Cities Geek contributors and friends. Watch the Twin Cities Geek Facebook page for up-to-date information on topics; panels so far have included Star Trek: Picard, and 2019 Movies in Review.

Virtual Family Day: Stories of Resilience

What: Family
When: Sunday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Website

The Minneapolis Institute of Art hosts a Family Day every second Sunday of the month with activities, performances, demonstrations, and tours inspired by their collection. During COVID-19 closures, all Family Day programming is going digital, including videos, art tutorials, and more. In a nod to our current challenging times, this month’s theme is Stories of Resilience, which aims to spark courage, creativity, and hope.

Comedy Through the Chaos

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, May 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

Times are certainly chaotic, to say the least. Comedy Through the Chaos is here to help you smile through it with a local blend of stand-up comedy, inspirational videos, and storytelling. The show’s cast includes Miss Shannan Paul, Roxanne Battle, Tiffany Norton, John Doboer, and William Spottedbear.

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 Hamlet and Capriccio. 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.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Convention
When: Daily (except Sunday), at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

GalaxyCon is hosting free livestream chats with its celebrity friends almost every day during social distancing. Check their Facebook page for upcoming guests and to receive reminders before they go live. They’re also offering paid celebrity experiences including video chats, autographs, and personalized videos. Check the GalaxyCon website for up-to-date scheduling and pricing.

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 and 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.

#ASonnetADay

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

Sir 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.

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 Don Quixote and Die Zauberflöte für Kinder. 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!