This Week in Geek (11/2/20–11/8/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, November 2, to Sunday, November 8.

Please note: Due to risks from the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in following current health guidelines recommending both social distancing and limited travel, this column will exclusively share virtual and drive-through events. 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

Virtual Family Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Monday, November 2, 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. Check the Ramsey County Library page for other virtual events as well.

White House Tour with Jaqueline Kennedy–Livestream History Program

What: Educational
When: Monday, November 2, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

This election week, take a step back into political and media history with a livestream of the White House Tour with Jaqueline Kennedy. This Emmy Award–winning program originally aired in 1962 and showcases the two-million-dollar restoration that she helped to direct. The free livestream will start with a brief look at the first lady’s life, segue into the tour, and conclude with an audience discussion.

Lapkus and Tompkins and the Big Bake Sale Mystery

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Monday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; event link will be sent to attendees

Start the week with some laughs and live improv from Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins. Geeks may know Lapkus and Tompkins from previous comedy work, podcast appearances, or acting work on Adventure Time, Bob’s Burgers, American Dad, and Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Tickets are $5 for general admission or $10 for generous admission, and all attendees will have access to the livestream for seven days after the show.

Your Election Night Soundtrack

What: Educational, Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, November 3, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Listen to words from past political figures while watching the ballot counts roll in during the 2020 presidential election. Award-winning storyteller Phillip Andrew Bennett Low will be reading curated excerpts of political speeches, essays, poems, and plays spanning from ancient China through the Civil War in an effort to provide both historical context and an alternative to hyped-up pundits. Readings begin at 5:00 p.m. when the first polls close and go until 10:00 p.m. when the last polls close on the west coast.

Online Books & Bars: The Vanishing Half

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, November 4, 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 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 meeting is The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, a story of twin sisters, race, and how past influences impact a person’s choices. The next book being discussed is The Glass Hotel by Emily St John Mandel on November 18.

Merlins Rest Pub Quiz

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, November 4, at 7:30 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.

Virtual One Shot Comics with Author Blue Delliquanti

What: Comics
When: Thursday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join comics creator Blue Delliquanti for a discussion on their book MEAL (co-authored by Soleil Ho), which follows a young chef’s move across the country to make a mark on the culinary world with her insect-based foods. Delliquanti will also be talking about art and the creative process. This event is free and copies of the book are available to purchase online through Moon Palace Books.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8; various times
Where: Virtual via video chat

GalaxyCon, a convention for fans of various genre properties will be returning to live virtual events throughout the year. These events are a great way to bring the convention experience home with a mix of free and premium panels, chats, autographs, virtual shout-outs, and more. Check the website for full details and pricing information, but this week includes events for fans of Sesame Street, Boy Meets World, Star Trek, and more.

Urban Action Showcase Expo

What: Convention
When: Friday, November 6, through Saturday, November 14
Where: Virtual via website and Zoom

The Urban Action Showcase Expo (UASE) is a pop culture convention that celebrates the multicultural achievements in action media across genres, from martial arts and science fiction to fantasy and grindhouse. UASE will feature panels, cosplay contests, virtual photo shoots, celebrity watch parties, seminars, and an artist alley. Guests include Michael Jai White, Ella Rae Smith, Grand Master Carl Scott, Juju Chan, Jeremy Sample, Lauren Mary Kim, and more. Registration is free and grants access to most of the event. Check the website for a full schedule and premium experience and VIP pricing.

This is Minnesota Orchestra: Spirit and Soul

What: Music
When: Friday, November 6, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via website, Facebook, TPT, and Classical MPR

This is Minnesota Orchestra is a reimagined concert series for COVID times. These free performances will be livestreamed on their website and Facebook, as well as broadcasted on Twin Cities PBS and Classical MPR. The “Spirit and Soul” show will feature small ensembles performing music by Sibelius, Živković, Ballard, and Mendelssohn. Learn more about the series and its upcoming events on the Minnesota Orchestra website.

Atlas Obscura: Dino 101—World’s Best Dino Destinations

What: Science & Tech, Nightlife
When: Friday, September 25, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Dino 101 is an interactive, socially distanced party for adult dinosaur fans and science fans. This event series is hosted by Dustin Growick from the YouTube channel The Dinosaur Show and features weekly activities like trivia, drawing, scavenger hunts, and games. This week, the creators of the documentary Why Dinosaurs? join the stream to explore the best dino spots from museums to roadside attractions. Tickets are $7.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Saturday, November 7, through Sunday, November 8; various times
Where: Virtual via Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube

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 they include a free Q&A livestream and additional options for paid experiences. This week, there are events for fans of Starship Troopers, X-Men: The Animated Series, and more.

Magnus Nilsson Book Talk

What: Books
When: Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided after registration

The American Swedish Institute is hosting a special talk with Magnus Nilsson, renowned chef, restaurateur, and author. His latest book, Fäviken: 4015 Days, Beginning to End, is an ode to his remote Swedish restaurant and a commentary on modern food culture. This discussion will be moderated by former Star Tribune Taste Editor Lee Svitak Dean. Tickets start at $75 and include a copy of the book.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Gallery Girls is a Los Angeles–based event organizer popular for their themed-drawing nights, often featuring models in fantasy, comic-book, and science-fiction costumes. Now, due to the pandemic, they’ve shifted to online sessions that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. Each session is $10 and offers a mix of posing times. Artists of all levels are encouraged to dress up (if they like), grab a drink, and share their work on social media. This week’s theme is Mortal Kombat with Szi.

Virtual Family Day: “Foot in the Door”

What: Family
When: Sunday, November 8, at 10:00 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, Family Day programming is going digital, including videos, art tutorials, and more. This month’s theme is “Foot in the Door,” which celebrates the once-in-a-decade exhibit of the same name featuring art from Minnesotans of all ages. Activities include a virtual exhibit walkthrough with Chappal the talking slipper, collaborative art projects, and advice from the stilt-walking Chicks on Sticks.

Daily Events

MSP Film Society Virtual Cinema

What: Movies
When: Daily, various times
Where: Virtual via video stream

The MSP Film Society is continuing to make independent films available to the community while theaters are closed and under reduced occupancy through their virtual cinema. Check out their website for full details, including current and upcoming films, as well as ticket pricing.

Alamo Drafthouse OnDemand

What: Movies, Community
When: Daily, various times
Where: Virtual via Scener

The Alamo Drafthouse has taken its curated approach to film online to keep bringing the weird, great, bad, and amazing to the public in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. Check this space for live events like watch parties, exclusive releases, and more (only this time you’ll be required to provide your own snacks and drinks). Check the website for all of the current and upcoming films, events, and prices.

Sofi Tukker Daily DJ Set

What: Music
When: Daily, at 12:00 p.m. and Tuesdays, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch, Instagram, and Facebook

House-music duo Sofi Tukker go live everyday at noon for a DJ set that includes popular dance tracks, original music, and community interaction. Fans can chat with the band, as well as send in recordings of themselves ahead of time that may be mixed into daily sets. On Tuesdays, Sofi Tukker plays an extended set at 9:00 p.m., and features a guest DJ during the noon time slot. Be advised that the music and hosts are not censored and this may not be the best livestream for younger music fans.

Kidz Bop Daily Dance Break

What: Family, Music
When: Weekdays, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Get your little ones moving with Kidz Bop’s daily dance break. Every weekday, they’ll be livestreaming a different dance-along video to help kids stay active and burn off some energy.

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.” Check the website for this week’s schedule. Streams will be available for a full 23 hours and can also be accessed through the Met Opera On Demand apps.

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!