This Week in Geek (12/28/20–1/3/20)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, December 28, to Sunday, January 3.

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

Gingerbread Wonderland Virtual Exhibit

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, December 28, through Sunday, January 3
Where: Virtual via video & photo gallery

Norway House’s annual Gingerbread Wonderland has gone virtual for the first time. This collection features cookie recreations of famous locations in Minnesota and beyond from local bakers of all skill levels. Tickets are $5, which grants access to a video walk-through, photo gallery, and a chance to cast your vote for the People’s Choice award.

Sounds of Blackness’ The Night before Christmas: In Concert

What: Music
When: Monday, December 28, through Sunday, January 3
Where: Virtual; details provided with ticket purchase

Get a front-row virtual seat to a holiday concert from the Grammy Award–winning Sounds of Blackness. The Minnesota-based ensemble features 17 vocalists and a 10-piece band performing contemporary renditions of classic carols and original hits in a wide range of musical styles. On-demand streaming tickets are $15.

This Is Who I Am

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Monday, December 28, through Sunday, January 3; various times
Where: Virtual via Zoom

COVID-19 has completely changed how families stay connected. This Is Who I Am is a virtual play for our current times that explores the estranged relationship of one father and son who reconnect through Zoom and try to reconcile while recreating a family recipe from their kitchens in Ramallah and New York City. This show is co-presented by the Guthrie with tickets starting at $15.99.

Sketching with Jennifer: Owl Sketch

What: Arts, Educational
When: Monday, December 28, at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Grab your favorite drawing supplies and learn how to sketch an owl with the Bell Museum’s Touch and See Lab coordinator Jennifer Menken. Throughout the free tutorial, Jennifer will also be sharing owl artifacts.

Online Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, December 28, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

Let your creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever your heart desires at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by Crafty Geek and the Geek Partnership Society. This is a free event and a great opportunity to work on projects in great company.

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, December 29, 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 all kind of crafters and is intended as a place to share project progress and socialize.

Mid West Music Fest Sessions

What: Music
When: Wednesday, December 30, 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 and the Black Velvet Punks, the Immaculate Beings, the Von Tramps, and Ghostland Radio.

Virtual Tour with the Curator: Masquerade for New Year

What: Arts, Educational
When: Wednesday, December 30, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Glimpse the masked celebrations of New Year’s past with the Museum of Russian Art. This free webinar features masks of Russian folktales that were worn at New Year’s masquerades, family photographs, tree ornaments, figurines, and more from the 1930s to the 1960s. Advanced registration is required.

Kwanzaa Stories with Auntie Beverly

What: Community, Family
When: Thursday, December 31, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Celebrate the sixth day of Kwanzaa and honor Kuumba (creativity) through holiday stories with Auntie Beverly and the Hennepin County Library. This event is free and open to all.

Aquarium of the Pacific’s Noon Year’s Eve

What: Family
When: Thursday, December 31, at 1:15 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Little ones can get in on the New Year’s Eve excitement with aquatic friends, crafts, and an early afternoon countdown. Tickets are $5.

New Years Queens: Goodbye 2020

What: Nightlife
When: Thursday, December 31, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Sessions

Say goodbye to 2020 and kick off 2021 with 11 hours of performances and shows by top drag artists from across the country. You read that right: 11 full hours. Hosts throughout the night include Miz Cracker, Peppermint, Alaska, Bob the Drag Queen, Trixie Mattel, and Katya. Minneapolis-based BeBe Zahara Benet is slated to take the virtual stage, as well as BenDeLaCreme, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and more. General admission tickets start at $49; additional price tiers offer access to a pre-party, meet and greets, merchandise, Instagram Live chats, and an after-party.

Crafty Geek/Make It Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, December 31, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its sub-club Make It Sew meet Thursday evenings on Google Meet and invite you to “bring your crafty stuff to do” (online). This is a great chance to show all your creative pals your in-home crafting space.

Sparklerama: A Virtual New Year’s Eve Party

What: Family
When: Thursday, December 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

The Minnesota Children’s Museum is bringing their annual NYE bash online. The free 30-minute livestream will feature music, dancing, activities, and a bedtime-friendly ball drop. If you’re running low on party supplies, the museum is also offering a four-person party-in-a-bag kit for $10 that includes noisemakers, party favors, and craft materials.

New Year’s Eve with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

What: Music
When: Thursday, December 31, at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via website

Celebrate the new year with a selection of classical music that ranges from “energetic symphonies to reflective solos.” The evening is hosted by violinist Eunice Kim and will also feature greetings from former orchestra musicians. The free livestream airs at 8:00 p.m. and will be rebroadcasted at 10:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve with Davina & The Vagabonds

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Thursday, December 31, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

Davina & The Vagabonds ring in the new year with a night of wit and soulful Americana music for their 11th-straight year on the Dakota stage. Tickets are $20, half of which goes directly to the artist, and there is an opportunity to further support the venue and artist through an optional gratuity.

This Is Minnesota Orchestra: Vänskä Conducts a New Year’s Celebration

What: Music
When: Thursday, December 31, 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 “Vänskä Conducts a New Year’s Celebration” show will feature the orchestra playing pieces by Mozart, Dvořák, J. Strauss, and more. Learn about the series and its upcoming events on the Minnesota Orchestra website.

Greg & Gleib: It’s a New Year’s Eve Thing

What: Theater & Comedy, Nightlife, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, December 31, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and Ben Gleib (Last Week on Earth) for a night of year-end improv. Comedy isn’t quite the same without a room full of laughter, so organizers encourage leaving Zoom mics on (though cameras are fully optional). It all culminates in a midnight (11:00 p.m. for us Minnesotans) toast to the new year. General-admission tickets are $28.16 (including fees); VIP tickets are available and include access to a cocktail meet and greet after the show.

F**k 2020

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Thursday, December 31, and Friday, January 1, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch & Facebook

Give 2020 the sendoff it so rightfully deserves with irreverent comedy from Vilification Tennis. Shoot a flaming arrow into this dumpster of a year as you send it off on an ice floe. One show isn’t enough to cover all things 2020, so this year the lampooning is spread out over two nights, each with a different cast. This show will give the year the comedic eulogy that it has more than earned.

The Rose Parade’s New Year Celebration

What: Music, Community
When: Friday, January 1, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via TV stations ABC, Hallmark, NBC & more; see link for details

The iconic Rose Parade is a New Year’s Day tradition, and they’re not letting COVID-19 stop them in 2021. The reimagined virtual event is free, featuring marching bands, a musical, celebrity guests, and performances by Sheryl Crow, Rascal Flatts, Tori Kelly, Lady A, and more. The Rose Parade is partnering with Feed America to provide meals for those experiencing food insecurity, with options to donate and find your locally supported food banks.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Saturday, January 2, through Sunday, January 3; 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 Invader Zim, Justice League, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and more.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Saturday, January 2, at 12:00 p.m.
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 experiences for fans of The Originals.

Dua Lipa + Miley Cyrus Digital Drag Brunch

What: Music
When: Sunday, January 3, 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). Check the Flip Phone Facebook page for more drag events and themed dance parties throughout the week.

Charlie Parr + Friends Live from First Avenue

What: Music
When: Sunday, January 3, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

Popular Minnesotan folk-blues musician Charlie Parr has taken up a January residency at First Avenue. Every Sunday night, Parr will break out a unique set list and be joined by special guests on stage. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, which support the artist and venue, as well as background crew including videographers and sound and lighting engineers.

Daily Events

Nature Illuminated Drive-Through Experience

What: Community, Arts, Educational
When: Monday, December 7, through Sunday, January 17; various times
Where: Minnesota Zoo

Enjoy the beauty of larger-than-life animal art installations and light shows from the safety of your cars. This event will continue throughout December and into January, and features a drive through the Minnesota Zoo to help raise funds for the organization and teach animal facts to people of all ages. Tickets start at $60 per car for nonmembers.

GLOW Holiday Festival

What: Community, Arts
When: Thursday, November 19, through Sunday, January 3; various times
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Glow it up with a festival of lights at the State Fairgrounds while in the warmth and safety of your car. In this drive-through event, attendees will pay $46 per vehicle and be able to enjoy a one-mile drive through the fairgrounds, featuring holiday lights, themed displays, tasty treats, art installations, and a gingerbread house. Each night a portion of proceeds will go towards supporting a local charity, which you can learn more about on their website.

Christmas in Color Animated Light Show

What: Community, Arts
When: Sunday, December 13, through Thursday, December 31; various times
Where: Valleyfair Parking Lot

Millions of holiday lights come to life every night at Valleyfair. This drive-through experience features illuminated tunnels, animated characters, and seasonal favorites all timed to music that plays through car radios. Tickets are $30 per vehicle, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Minnesota chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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!