This Week in Geek (1/25/21–1/31/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, January 25, to Sunday, January 31.

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

Online Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, January 25, 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 25, 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.

A Virtual Conversation with Resmaa Menakem

What: Community, Educational
When: Tuesday, January 26, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join Resmaa Menakem, founder of Minneapolis-based Justice Leadership solutions and author of My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, for a discussion on racial justice, equity, and healing. As part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial Healing series, this free event aims to bring people to together to create positive, equitable change through collective action. Registration is required.

Virtual Launch Party for Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! by Stephen Shaskan

What: Books, Family
When: Tuesday, January 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided with registration

Celebrate the release of Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! by Stephen Shaskan with a virtual party hosted by Red Balloon Bookshop. Stephen will read an excerpt from the book, talk about his creative process, and answer questions from the audience. This event is free, but registration is required.

MN Virtual Reality & Human Computer Interaction Meeting

What: Science & Tech, Meetup
When: Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via AltSpace

The MN VR & HCI group, a subsection of the local International Game Developers Association chapter, is moving their monthly meeting into VR. This month features a discussion on the 3D-scanning capabilities of recent iPhones and iPads, as well as software, scanning, and optimization recommendations. There will also be a brief overview of the upcoming Global Game Jam, followed by tips for developers and artists interested in creating VR projects during the jam. This event is free and open to all.

Fireside Reading Series: Lin Enger

What: Books
When: Wednesday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Get cozy this winter with the Fireside Reading Series presented by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. These free events will feature readings from notable authors over Zoom. This week’s chat is with Lin Enger, discussing American Gospel.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, January 27, and Saturday, January 30, 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).

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

What: Community, Family, Arts
When: Thursday, January 28, through Sunday, February 3
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds and virtual via multiple platforms

Winter is here. Enjoy something that sets the Twin Cities apart from most other major metro areas in the country, and brave the extremes that winter can bring with your (safely distanced) community. Enjoy a variety of special events including a drive-through ice and snow sculpture park, virtual family activities, an app-based ice fishing tournament, and more. While the carnival is still planning some in-person activities, we are only recommending the virtual and car-based options to keep yourselves and the community safe from COVID-19 exposure. Read more about best practices for the pandemic (as well as helpful resources) on our COVID-19 page.

Crafty Geek/Make It Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, January 28, 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 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

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. The final week’s theme is “Minnesota Mushrooms” with guests Ranger Kyle and Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester on Mystery Science Theater 3000). Tickets are $10.

Sailor Moon: How These Magical Girls Transformed Our World

What: Comics, Movies, Educational
When: Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided with registration

Take a deep dive into the 30-year history of Sailor Moon, from its manga debut in Nakayoshi magazine and popular anime adaptations, to its cultural impact around the world. Expert panelists include Dr. Kumiko Saito, Mari Morimoto, Dr. Samantha Close, and Dr. Kathryn Hemmann. After the discussion there will be a Q&A. This event is free.

Rich Cohen presents Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, in conversation with Reid Forgrave

What: Books, Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

New York Times bestselling author Rich Cohen discusses his latest books, Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, with sports writer Reid Forgrave. In the book, Cohen reflects on the ups and downs of his son’s elite hockey team, the love of the game, and the hockey parents who cheered and conspired from the stands. This event is free, and copies of the book are available for purchase from the hosting bookstore, Magers & Quinn.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Friday, January 29, through Sunday, January 31; 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 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, Wynnona Earp, and more.

Alone Together Concert

What: Music
When: Friday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Last May, Minnesota-based vocal ensemble Cantus collaborated with American Public Media to create a concert program that explored the themes of “Alone Together” in the era of COVID-19. Eight months later, as the pandemic continues on, Cantus is presenting a new concert that looks to the same theme. Through a wide-ranging repertoire of songs, they hope to offer a musical reflection on this moment in history “that allow us to laugh, cry, and imagine a brighter future for ourselves, our communities, and our world.” This concert is pay-what-you-can starting at $5, and will be available to view through 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 31.

This is Minnesota Orchestra: Heart and Hope

What: Music
When: Friday, January 29, 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 “Heart and Hope” show will feature small ensembles playing pieces by Herbert, Bach, and Dvořák. Learn more about the series and its upcoming events on the Minnesota Orchestra website.

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Saturday, January 30, 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 Stargate and Dolph Lundgren.

Love Local: Make Pop-Up Valentines!

What: Arts, Family
When: Saturday, January 30, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided with registration

Share your love with friends and family with handmade pop-up Valentine’s Day cards. This free workshop hosted by the Minnesota Center for Book Arts is appropriate for all ages and will guide attendees through the process of creating three unique cards. Check the event for a list of recommended craft materials.

Twin Cities Geek Presents: Live Theater during COVID-19

What: Arts
When: Saturday, January 30, at 2:55 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

How has live theater adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic? Join a panel of local Minnesota theater professionals to discuss creating safer productions for performers and audience, and the ways they have innovated to keep theater alive during these difficult times. If you care about live theater in Minnesota, you won’t want to miss this discussion. Featuring Gregory Parks, TifDynamite, Jac Fatale, John Heimbuch, and Duck Washington.

Charlie Parr and Friends Sunday Residency Livestream

What: Music
When: Sunday, January 31, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube and Facebook

Local folk musician Charlie Parr 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

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!