This Week in Geek (6/15/20–6/21/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, June 15, to Sunday, June 21.

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.

In addition, things are obviously very different following the death of George Floyd. This column does not list any planned demonstrations or cleanup or donation events, many of which are fluid and can change or be planned on very short notice. Instead, we encourage you to follow your local organizers as well as social media groups like South Minneapolis Mutual Aid Autonomous Zone Coordination to find out when events are happening and how you can get involved. (Also see our list of ways to help even without leaving home.) If you’re looking for something in your area, you can always ask for recommendations in the Twin Cities Geeks Facebook group or Twin Cities Geeks Slack.

One-Time and Weekly Events

Light Grey Art Lab Presents: Senior Show 2020

What: Arts
When: Friday, May 22, through Tuesday, June 30
Where: Virtual

With commencement exhibitions canceled due to COVID-19, Minneapolis gallery Light Grey Art Lab (LGAL) stepped in to create a giant virtual space to showcase the work of 2020 graduates from around the world. Explore a broad spectrum of digital artist installations including illustration, design, animation, comics, and studio art. LGAL also partnered with artists and organizations to provide over 150 scholarships and supportive awards. The Senior Show is free to attend, with viewers being encouraged to share, connect with, and celebrate the artists they enjoy.

Next Chapter Booksellers: Black Writers Open Mic

What: Books
When: Monday, June 15, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Hear works from emerging Black writers and poets during this virtual open-mic night hosted by St. Paul’s Next Chapter Booksellers. Anyone interested in sharing their work can head to the event link and sign up by contacting the organizers.

Juneteenth Celebration

What: Community, Music
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery, with music, stories, and performances at this free online event hosted by the Hennepin County Library. Featured performers include Black Storytellers Alliance, Voice of Culture Drum and Dance, Million Artist Movement, Neverending Storycircle, Journey Productions, Passed Presents, and Black Table Arts.

The Return of Running a Small Press

What: Books, Educational
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

If you’ve ever wanted to answer the call to adventure and start working in small-press publishing, Catherine Lundoff of Queen of Swords Press, a small local publisher focusing on genre fiction, will be discussing her experiences. This annual talk will give you a chance to benefit from what Lundoff has learned since 2017, and will be followed by a Q&A. This event is free, but, due to COVID-19, will be held primarily online. Books are still available for online and walk-up purchases at the now reopened DreamHaven Books, the usual venue for this talk. You can also check out our previous interview with Catherine Lundoff for more about her writing.

Penguin Worlds Book Club: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

What: Books
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

New York Times bestselling authors Hank Green and Catherynne M. Valente sit down for a book-club discussion on Hank’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, in anticipation of its upcoming sequel.

Science! Presents: The Unseen Universe

What: Theater & Comedy, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Los Angeles-based Science! The Show brings together stand-up comedians and real scientists in a humorous and educational variety show. During this free livestream, NASA researcher Dr. Jason Rhodes and Minnesota comic Maria Bamford take a look at the unseen universe, from outer space to our day-to-day lives.

Merlins Rest Pub Quiz

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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 Air and Space Museum Live Chat

What: Science & Tech, Arts
When: Thursday, June 18–20
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 with subject-matter experts. This series will continue until the museum reopens; check the Facebook page for up-to-the-minute information.

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: Magical Weirdo Neighbors

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational
When: Thursday, June 18, 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 explores strange human-like creatures, from the fey and Japanese tengu to leprechauns and the Ojibwe memegweshiwug.

Family Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Friday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Library story time is live in your home with 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.

Juneteenth Now: Get Us Free

What: Community, Theater & Comedy, Music, Educational
When: Friday, June 19, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Juneteenth Now: Get Us Free is “a jubilant and joyous, Black led, multicultural celebration of Juneteenth” that will honor 400 years of Black history in this nation through a series of non-linear performances set in the past and present. This program will highlight not only resistance, resilience, and calls for justice, but also “the joy, virtuosity, and excellence that are too-often absent in media portrayals of Black culture.” Featured performers include Tituss Burgess, Aunjanue Ellis, Karen Pittman, Rosario Dawson, Zuri Adele, Nona Hendrix, Angela Birchett, the Jerriese Johnson Gospel Choir, and more. Attendees can choose their ticket level, with prices ranging from free to $100.

Doomtree TV

What: Music
When: Friday, June 19, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Local hip-hop collective Doomtree will be presenting weekly episodes. This is your chance to see at-home performances, comedy, and more from this band of longtime collaborators and friends.

Midsommar Virtual Celebration

What: Community
When: Saturday, June 20, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

The American Swedish Institute’s annual Midsommar Celebration is going virtual this year. Learn traditional songs through Nordic Know-How Zoom sessions, try out new food recipes, download all-ages activity pages, and watch live and pre-recorded concerts.

Summer Solstice at Stonehenge Live

What: Science & Tech
When: Saturday, June 20, at about 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 21, at about 10:30 a.m. (CDT)
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Catch the exact moment that summer starts during a livestream of the summer solstice at Stonehenge. When the solstice sun rises on this ancient monument, sunlight is channeled into its center, marking the start of the new season. This event is hosted by English Heritage, who also feature additional information about the solstice at Stonehenge and its historical significance on their website.

Atlas Obscura: Travel the Oregon Trail Live

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational
When: Saturday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

If you were a Minnesota kid in the ’90s, there’s a good chance you have a soft spot for The Oregon Trail , which was developed right here and distributed to schools throughout our state. Hop on that nostalgia wagon and discover the real-life historic sites from the trail, as well as exciting stories and secrets of yore, on this virtual tour with expert guides Kylie Holloway and Michael Salgarolo. Tickets for this event are donation based, with a minimum requirement of $1.

Mamma Mia Digital Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, June 21, at 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 Sunday, you can dance, you can jive, and you can have the time of your life with a tribute to Mamma Mia. Featured performers include Chad Michaels, Darienne Lake, Jaidynn Diore, and more. This event is free, but viewers are highly encouraged to tip performers. Check the Flip Phone Facebook page for more drag events and themed dance parties throughout the week.

Tenth-Annual Midsummer Midsommer

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, June 21, at 9:30 p.m. (CDT)
Where: Virtual via Facebook & YouTube

Portland’s Original Practice Shakespeare Festival is kicking off their 10th season with an adults-only free livestream of A Midsommer Night’s Dreame. But since this acting troupe thinks “Shakespeare should be a little dangerous,” casting is up to the audience. The show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. with the scandalous actors bidding and bribing for their dream roles, followed by audience voting at 10:00 p.m., and at 11:00 p.m. the resulting performance officially starts.

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 Akhnaten and La Forza del Destino. 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 and Periscope

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 Webby Award-winning 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.

#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. Also please note that per Patrick Stewart’s Twitter feed on May 21, he anticipates a small hiatus due to a project; check his Twitter for up-to-date information on the return of this 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 Macbeth and Pünktchen und Anton. 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!