This Week in Geek (1/11/21–1/17/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, January 11, to Sunday, January 17.

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

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Monday, January 11, through Sunday, January 17; 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 Avatar: The Last Airbender, John Carpenter, Jem and the Holograms, The Addams Family, and more.

Online Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, January 11, 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.

Cover Show Mondays with Jaret Reddick

What: Music
When: Monday, January 11, at 8:05 p.m.
Where: Virtual via StageIt

Kick off the week with a fun night of cover songs performed by Jaret Reddick, the lead singer and guitarist of Bowling for Soup. The night’s song selections include fan requests, which can be made in the StageIt chat or on Facebook. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, and viewers who contribute $5 or more will receive an MP3 of the performance.

Discussion with Author Yoon Ha Lee of Hexachate Stories

What: Books
When: Tuesday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The North Country Gaylaxians Book Club meets monthly to discuss science-fiction and fantasy books that were written by GLBTQ+ authors or feature GLBTQ+ themes. This month’s read is Hexachate Stories by Yoon Ha Lee, which is a collection of short stories set in the world of his award-winning novel, Ninefox Gambit.

The Mads: A Night of Shorts 2—Live Riffing with MST3K’s The Mads

What: Movies
When: Tuesday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided after registration

Join Mystery Science Theater 3000‘s Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu for a night of movie riffing in classic MST3K style. This show will feature a mix of vintage shorts and cartoons. After the riff will be a Q&A with The Mads and special guest Mary Jo Pehl, who appeared as Pearl Forrester in MST3K. Tickets are $12.24 (including fees).

9th-Annual Shomburg Center Black Comic Book Festival

What: Convention
When: Wednesday, January 13, through Saturday, January 16
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

Celebrate the rich history of Black comics and find new titles to pick up at the Shomburg Center Black Comic Book Festival. This year’s guests include Tim Fielder, Regine Sawyer, Yesenia Moises, Okema Moore, David Heredia, Mad Twiinz, and more. Programming includes panels, an exhibitor showcase, a cosplay show, a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, and more. Tickets are free, but there is an opportunity to support the Shomburg Center‘s research and programming through a donation.

Mid West Music Fest Sessions

What: Music
When: Wednesday, January 13, 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.

International Game Developers Association–Twin Cities: Talking About Your Thing

What: Gaming, Educational
When: Wednesday, January 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The International Game Developers Association–Twin Cities chapter (IGDATC) will be hosting presentations from the community at their now-virtual regular meeting. This month, get an introduction on how to talk about games through branding and learn about micro-games with short playtimes. If you’re a game maker, or someone curious about the medium, this free event is sure to provide some valuable insight.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, January 13, and Saturday, January 16, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is moving to virtual space every Wednesday and Saturday. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats to the safety of your homes. So, dance, dance, dance to the Radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

National Air and Space Museum Live Chat: National History Day

What: Science & Tech
When: Thursday, January 14, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Join the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution for a live chat. Ask questions and learn about different topics with subject-matter experts. This month’s talk is focused on National History Day, the museum’s themed exhibition on communication technology, and answering students’ questions for their projects.

Crafty Geek/Make It Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, January 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its subclub 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.

Game Night with a Ranger

What: Theater & Comedy, Gaming, Educational
When: Thursday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Comedians, park rangers, and celebrities go head-to-head in a series of game-show nights with a Mississippi River twist. Each night features a medley of classic games like Cottonwood Squares, Match Game, and Win, Lose, or Draw that will put their Mississippi knowledge to the test. Audience members will have a chance to join the game and win prizes. This week’s theme is Birds of the Upper Mississippi with guests Ranger Sharon and Jason Ward. Tickets are $10, with additional options for series package and Mississippi Park Connection members.

Pastries, Poetry, and Prose: Monique Truong

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

Join the Loft for a delicious new discussion series that explores books, desserts, and literary craft with acclaimed authors. This session features Monique Truong, whose works include The Sweetest Fruits, Bitter in the Mouth, and The Book of Salt. After the session, there will be a Q&A with the audience. Tickets are $10 for nonmembers, or pay-what-you-can, and include access to a recording after the event.

Virtual Target Free Thursday Night with the Walker

What: Arts
When: Thursday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center is bringing its free programming night online in partnership with Target. This is a chance to see great art, come together with the community, and be inspired to greater creative heights. This week, enjoy an interactive “Dance and Draw” party inspired by the Dance Party Coloring Book published by Har Mar Superstar. Coloring pages are available for free download and the entire book is available for purchase with proceeds benefitting Violence Free Minnesota.

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: Boy Cryptozoologist

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational
When: Thursday, January 14, 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 is the origin story of Reverend Matt himself. Tune in for personal stories of childhood monster hunts and adulthood trips to famous monster locales.

Console Room: Time Crash

What: Convention
When: Friday, January 15, through Sunday, January 17
Where: Virtual via YouTube, Facebook, and Discord

Crash through time into 2021 with this annual gathering of Doctor Who enthusiasts! This year’s event is held completely online with free registration for all. There will be a variety of events on offer, including discussion panels, #WhoItYourself activities, an artist alley, costume showcase, virtual escape room, charity auction, and more.

Rock and Roll Fashion

What: Music, Educational
When: Friday, January 15, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Get a glimpse into rock-and-roll history with a free night of iconic images and first-hand stories from music photographer Bob Gruen. During his 40-year career in the music scene, Gruen has captured moments with greats like John Lennon, Tina Turner, Muddy Waters, Debbie Harry, and countless others. He shares these stories and more in is recent book, Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer.

This is Minnesota Orchestra: Symphonies and Surprises

What: Music
When: Friday, January 15, 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 “Symphonies and Surprises” show will feature small ensembles playing pieces by Gabrieli, Bozza, Mozart, and more. Learn about the series and its upcoming events on the Minnesota Orchestra website.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Saturday, January 16, through Sunday, January 17; 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 experiences for fans of Animaniacs, Charmed (1998–2006), and classic television.

Jurassic Park Digital Drag Brunch

What: Music
When: Sunday, January 17, 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 and Friends Sunday Residency Livestream

What: Music
When: Sunday, January 17, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

Charlie Parr, a local-folk musician will be keeping a Sunday residency alive with online performances hosted by First Avenue. Expect a fresh set list each night, special guests, and even the possibility of new songs. This is a pay-what-you-can event; see the Facebook page for contribution links.

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.

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!