This Week in Geek (2/8/21-2/14/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, February 8, to Sunday, February 14.

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, February 8, 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.

Online Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, February 8, 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.

Tales from the Museum with Kylie & Zak: The Bakken Museum

What: Science & Tech, Educational
When: Tuesday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The many wonders held within museum walls are brought straight to your home with Atlas Obscura’s “Tales from the Museum” series. Hosts Kylie Holloway and Zak Martellucci dive into a collection, share secret stories behind the displays, and chat with a guest expert. This week’s event features Minnesota’s very own Bakken Museum, which houses its science and medical curiosities in the historic West Winds mansion on Bde Maka Ska, with guest Adrian Fischer, the Curator of Exhibits and Collections.

TC Trek Trivia: Love in the Time of Starfleet

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom and Facebook

Hosted by Master Trekkie, TC Trek Trivia consists of five rounds: General Trek (questions covering all things Star Trek); Identify the Image; Ships, Technology, and Cultures; Complete the Quote; and a “Wild Card” round. Questions for each of these five rounds are drawn from all Star Trek-television series and all 12 films. According to Master Trekkie himself, TC Trek Trivia is “all ages, no cover, food, drinks, and a whole lot of Trek!” You will receive this month’s themed trivia via subspace transmission (the internet), and all drinks and food will be enjoyed at home, with proper social distancing.

Online Books & Bars: The Stars and the Blackness between Them

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, February 10, 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 discussed this meeting is The Stars and the Blackness between Them by Junauda Petrus, the story of Audre and Mabel whose love grows and endures the darkness of hate, death, and uncertain futures set in Minneapolis.

Fireside Reading Series: Carolyn Holbrook

What: Books
When: Wednesday, February 10, 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 Carolyn Holbrook, discussing Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify.

REM5’s TRULY Virtual Comedy Show

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, February 10, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via WebXR

Each month, REM5 hosts a night of laughs in their virtual comedy club with a lineup of local performers. Using WebXR, attendees can enter the club using just a browser and interact within the space similar to a first-person video game. This month’s featured comedians are Khadija Cooper, Linda Aarons, and Jalen Russell. Tickets are $10 and an age-of-18+ is advised due to mature themes.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, February 10, and Saturday, February 13, 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).

Wizard World Virtual Experiences

What: Convention
When: Thursday, February 11, through Sunday, February 14; 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 Legally Blonde, Candyman, and more.

National Air and Space Museum Live Chat: Mars

What: Science & Tech
When: Thursday, February 11, at 1:00 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 Mars, featuring Abigail Harrison, aka “Astronaut Abby,” founder of the Mars Generation.

Book Club with Margaret Atwood

What: Books
When: Thursday, February 11, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via BlueJeans

Renowned author Margaret Atwood is joining the Guardian Live Book Club to discuss Oryx and Crake, the first novel in her Maddaddam trilogy which takes place in a future world overwhelmed by a plague. Tickets start at £5 ($6.87 USD at the time this article was written; additional tax and currency-exchange fees may apply).

Crafty Geek/Make It Sew

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Thursday, February 11, 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.

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: Beauties and Beasts and Also the Average Looking

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational
When: Thursday, February 11, 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 focuses on the romances in monster lore, from beasts and dragons, to satyrs, sirens, and more.

Walking Shadow Watch Party: 21 Extremely Bad Breakups

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Stages may yet be dark, but you can still watch great local theater online. The Walking Shadow Theatre Company is presenting a full season of previously recorded performances available to stream on-demand, as well as a monthly watch party to enjoy a shared audience experience. This month features their 2018 Valentine’s Day show 21 Extremely Bad Breakups, a story series of progressively absurd breakups that whimsically explores human connections and relationships. Tickets are choose-your-price with a minimum of $10 and additional options for multi-show passes.

Vilification Tennis Interruptus

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 12, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via video stream and Facebook

Vilification Tennis, a local structured-improv show focused on insult contests, is taking its show online. The monthly Interruptus is a bit less formal, runs half the length of their full shows, and starts at a more reasonable hour. This livestream is free, but a virtual tip jar is available for those who’d like to contribute.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Convention
When: Saturday, February 13, through Sunday, February 14; 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 The Little Mermaid, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and more.

University of California, Riverside Writer’s Week

What: Books, Comics
When: Saturday, February 13, through Sunday, February 20
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

Join UC Riverside for their 44th-Annual Writer’s Week featuring five days of sessions and special presentations from both renowned and emerging authors. Guests include Nalo Hopkinson, Laila Lalami, John Jennings, Michael Torres, Tommy Pico, and many more. Pre-festival events take place on Saturday, February 13, with the official festival starting on Tuesday, February 16. Most festival events are free to attend.

Love Spells with Kathryn Nuernberger

What: Books
When: Saturday, February 13, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

Kathryn Nuernberger is joining Moon Palace Books to celebrate the release of her latest book, The Witch of the Eye, a collection of essays that intertwines the horrors inflicted upon so-called witches of the past, their many healing practices, and the author’s personal experiences. Additional readings from Erin Adair-Hodges, Traci Brimhall, Hyejung Kook, and more. This event is free.

SancFest Presents: A Nightmare Before Valentine’s

What: Music
When: Saturday, February 13, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Milwaukee’s Sanctuary Festival is hosting a free concert “celebration of love and despair” with music sure to send goth hearts aflutter. Featured bands include Ego Likeness, Wingtips, CONFORMCO, Glass Apple Bonzai, and more.

Virtual Family Day: “Black is Beautiful”

What: Family
When: Sunday, February 14, 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 “Black is Beautiful,” which highlights past and present Black artists during Black History Month. Activities include making shadow puppets with Ty Chapman, storytelling with Nothando Zulu, and creating portraits inspired by different artist techniques. A free materials kit is also available for pickup from the museum while supplies last.

Valentine’s with The Doubleclicks and Joseph Scrimshaw

What: Music, Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; Details provided upon registration

Nerd-folk duo The Doubleclicks and comedian Joseph Scrimshaw are teaming up to put on a Valentine’s show full of music, laughs, and geeky themes. Special guests will also be competing in a task battle and scavenger hunt, including Hal Lublin (The Thrilling Adventure Hour), Kiri Callaghan (author of The Terra Mirum Chronicles), Craig Cackowski (Drunk History), and more. Tickets are $5.

Davina & The Vagabonds: A “Vagabond Valentine” Show

What: Music
When: Sunday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

Davina & The Vagabonds are live from the Hook & Ladder stage for a special Valentine’s Day show. This “Lovestream” will feature their signature jazz-blues sound, with influences ranging from Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Tickets are $20, with reduced rates or free tickets available to MPLS Club 21 Patreon supporters.

Lapkus and Tompkins: Palentine’s Day

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; Details provided upon registration

Spend Valentine’s night enjoying some laughs from a couple of comedian pals performing live improv. Geeks may know Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. 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 with an extra $5 you can send a DynaGram during the preshow which will feature a custom message on a vintage valentine. Tickets also include access to the livestream for seven days after the show.

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!