This Week in Geek (11/30/20–12/6/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, November 30, to Sunday, December 6.

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

Geek Partnership Society Holiday Emporium, Online Edition

What: Community
When: Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 11
Where: Virtual Emporium

Help support the mission of the Geek Partnership Society (and the STEAM programming it provides to youth) by picking up holiday presents or a little something special. GPS is bringing the emporium online this year in an auction format. And be sure to check the website throughout the week to keep an eye on your bids and see newly added items.

Rhapsody in Black

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Monday, November 30, through Sunday, November 6
Where: Virtual via on demand stream

The Ordway presents Rhapsody in Black, a one-man show by LeLand Gantt that explores his personal journey with racism in the United States. From childhood in a Pennsylvania ghetto to the psychological effects of being othered, Gantt portrays his life and difficult topics through emotion and humor. The show is available to stream on demand for free throughout the week. A live Q&A between Gantt and Twin Cities-based director E.G. Bailey will stream for free via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. on December 5.

Virtual Family Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Monday, November 30, 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.

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, December 1, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join fellow makers at this morning social hour hosted by the American Swedish Institute. This event is open to any kind of crafters, and is intended as a place to share project progress and socialize.

First Avenue Presents: Sylvan Esso From the Satellite Concert Series—With Love

What: Music
When: Tuesday, December 1, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via NoonChorus

Electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso will perform songs from their new album Free Love, as well as tracks from previous records, in this livestream concert. Tickets are $15, and a portion of proceeds go to First Avenue when you purchase through their link. The stream will be available to ticketholders for 48 hours.

Museum of Pop Culture Founders Award Honoring Alice in Chains

What: Music
When: Tuesday, December 1, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch, Facebook, and the Amazon Music app

Celebrate the iconic music and 30-year career of Alice in Chains as they receive the Founders Award from Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. The night will feature a performance by Alice in Chains, special guest appearances, and tribute performances by Metallica, Billy Corgan, Ann Wilson, Corey Taylor, Mastodon, and more. This livestream is free, however a donation to the museum is encouraged.

Mid West Music Fest Sessions

What: Music
When: Wednesday, December 2, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual

Mid West Music Fest will be presenting weekly music-video debuts. This is your chance to see highlights of the Midwest music scene with weekly videos from artists like: Bad Posture Club, Them Coulee Boys, Night Moves, Dr. Goon and the Daily Tribune, Luke Hendrickson, Seaberg & the Black Velvet Punks, The Immaculate Beings, The Von Tramps, and Ghostland Radio.

Impact Leaders: A Candid Conversation with President Joan Gabel and Dr. Michael Osterholm About Life Amid COVID-19

What: Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, December 2, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota (UofM) and recent addition to Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, joins U of M President Joan Gabel to discuss life during the current pandemic. They’ll explore the triumphs, challenges, on-going work, and what the future might hold. This event is free, but registration is required.

Stump the Astronaut with xkcd

What: Comics, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, December 2, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Instagram

Randall Munroe, author of the popular xkcd webcomic and How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Real-World Problems, is putting Colonel Chris Hadfield through a hypothetical ringer. Find out how this astronaut-slash-test pilot would handle extreme and unlikely situations, and whether or not Munroe can stump him.

Online Books & Bars: Fleishman is in Trouble

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, December 2, 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 Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, a story that follows post-divorce Toby Fleishman as he balances work, weekends with the kids, and an exhilarating dating life—until his ex-wife disappears and the emotional reckoning it starts. The next book being read is Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline on December 16.

Merlins Rest Pub Quiz

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, December 2, 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.

The Holidazzle Show

What: Community
When: Thursday, December 3; continuing through December
Where: Virtual via Holidazzle.com

Come together in holiday spirit from the comfort and safety of your home with this weekly show featuring Santa, local stores, music, entertainment, pets, holiday food, and more. Click through the rest of the website for additional activities like games, recipes, art projects, and performance videos.

Arab Film Fest Collab

What: Movies
When: Thursday, December 3, through Sunday, December 13; various times
Where: Virtual via Eventive

Mizna has teamed up with the Arab American National Museum, Arab Film and Media Institute, and ArteEast to present a virtual film festival highlighting independent Arab cinema. The festival includes film screenings, panel discussions, and performances. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles. Festival passes are $90, and individual screening tickets are available for $10 or pay-what-you-can. The full film lineup and event details can be found on their website.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Friday, December 4, through Sunday, December 6; 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 Rick & Morty, Jessica Jones, One Piece, and more.

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival

What: Books, Comics
When: Friday, December 4, through Saturday, December 5
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Celebrate Latinx kid literature, from picture books to young-adult novels and everything in between, this weekend with a festival hosted by Las Musas collective. This free event includes panels, a live draw off, and musical performance. Guest authors include Daniel Jose Older, Zoraida Cordova, Ryan Estrada, Gabby Rivera, Meg Medina, Raúl the Third, and many more.

It’s an Honorable Life: A Star Trek Fan Production Live Table Read

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

The Historic Mounds Theatre presents a table read of their Klingon holiday production. It’s an Honorable Life features a blend of holiday classics through the perspective of a great Klingon warrior afraid to die outside of battle from old age. This show is presented in Klingon with English subtitles. Tickets are $20.

Atlas Obscura: Dino 101—Greatest Dinosaur Movies of All Time

What: Science & Tech, Nightlife
When: Friday, December 4, 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, dive into your favorite dino films, like Jurassic Park and The Land Before Time, with Steven Ray Morris, creator of the See Jurassic Right podcast. Tickets are $7–10.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Saturday, December 5, through Sunday, December 6; 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 features Wiz Quiz trivia, as well as events for fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spaceballs, and Hallmark movies.

Women of Broadway: Vanessa Williams

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Saturday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via livestream

The Hennepin Theatre Trust presents Women of Broadway, a series where Broadway stars hit the virtual stage with a mix of showtunes, pop songs, and life stories. The final installment of the series features the iconic Vanessa Williams, whose credits include The Trip to Bountiful and After Midnight, as well as television series Ugly Betty, The Librarians, and Desperate Housewives. Tickets are $30 and a portion of proceeds benefit the Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, December 5, 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 “1940’s GAL” with Kat Martin.

Big Fun Radio Funtime Online!

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, December 5, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Big Fun Radio Funtime brings “old time radio comedy to new time audiences” with short comedy scripts inspired by vintage radio programs, which the group performs in front of a live audience—but this time it’s online. This show is free and will feature original audio comedies written by Tim Wick and Duck Washington. Viewers are encouraged to make a donation, proceeds of which will benefit the show artists, Fearless Comedy Productions, and the Twin Cities Horror Festival.

A Very Funches Christmas Show

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, December 5, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Actor and comedian Ron Funches is hosting a Christmas special featuring stand-up and musical performances by him and his friends. Tickets are $12.24 (including fees) for general admission. This stream will be available to watch for 48 hours after the live recording.

Elf Digital Drag Brunch

What: Music
When: Sunday, December 6, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The pandemic may have you down, but let the enthusiasm and fun of a Flip Phone Digital Drag Brunch brighten your Sunday. So, pay your virtual cover, sign into Zoom, and make sure to tip your drag performers using PayPal or Venmo (PS: If you need mimosas with brunch, you’ll need to prepare your own).

Encore Broadcast: 250 Years of Beethoven

What: Music
When: Sunday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via livestream

Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a concert of his music played by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. This is a free encore broadcast of their live performance recorded on Saturday, December 5.

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!