This Week in Geek (8/23/21–8/29/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, August 23, to Sunday, August 29.

Please note: Due to risks from the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in following current health guidelines recommending both social distancing and indoor masking, this column will primarily 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, we will be reintroducing in-person events. Please be mindful of the risks when attending in-person events and be sure to follow all safety measures put in place. Ultimately, it is up to you to use good judgment to keep yourself and vulnerable populations safe.

One-Time and Weekly Events

SocietyX: Making a Home for Houseplants

What: Educational
When: Monday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn best practices for being a good host to your plant comrades in this weekly class taught by Jocelyn Perez-Blanco. Jocelyn Perez-Blanco is the founder of Herban Garden, and an educator, herbalist, naturalist, conservationist, flower-essence therapist, essential-oil coach, and avid gardener with a background in biology, animal husbandry, ethnobotany, and agriculture.

The Radical Agreement Project

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Monday, August 23, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Radical Agreement Project is offering free beginner-level improv workshops online. Expect a new improv-comedy exercise with each 30-minute event. Participation is critical, so attendees must be sure to have a camera and microphone set up, and the willingness to have it on.

Improvisational Hand Embroidery

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, August 24, at 12:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

This group is meant to foster the freedom and relaxation that comes with practicing hand embroidery without a pattern! These meetups are super casual and meant to be drop in—drop out. Participants work on individual projects while chatting and relaxing. Make sure to peep the supply list in the detailed event description linked above. This event will recur weekly.

The Mary Jo Pehl Show

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Mary Jo Pehl, of Mystery Science Theater 3000 fame, is hosting a free comedic-variety show. Episode themes are decided by popular fan vote. This month is “The Failed Film Festival” featuring sketches and unaired pilots for projects that never were. Guests include Trace Beaulieu, Dave (Gruber) Allen, and Kevin Murphy.

Vinyl Revival: Nur-D and Minnesota Hip Hop

What: Music
When: Tuesday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

Vinyl Revival is an event series hosted by the Hennepin County Library that shines a light on their vinyl-music collection through performances, listening parties, discussions, and artist residencies. This installment is a conversation with Twin Cities rapper Nur-D, which will dive into his latest albums, as well as play some of his favorite tracks from HCL’s vinyl collection.

gamescom 2021

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 25, through Friday, August 27
Where: Virtual via gamescom.global

gamescom is one of Europe’s largest video-game events and for the second year they’re not only going digital, but also making content free for everyone. Expect game announcements, trailers, demo videos, quests, prizes, cosplay, e-sports, and exclusive merchandise. Check this schedule (with Pacific Time) for a general overview, and keep an eye on the website for the latest updates.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, August 25, at 7:45 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Start your morning with yoga at the zoo! Each week, the instructor teaches a yoga routine live from exhibits around the zoo. These classes are appropriate for both beginners and experienced yogis. Each class is $8 for nonmembers, with reduced rates available for zoo members or when registering for multiple classes at the same time.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, August 25, and Saturday, August 28, 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).

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, August 26, and Sunday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Twin Cities Geeks Discord. Hop on voice or video and chat while you create art, then share your finished pieces on the #art-club channel! This event is open to all. You can join by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: The Ecology of the Video Game Dinosaur

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational
When: Thursday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch and YouTube

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science is a recurring comedic-lecture series that focuses on monsters. This week’s free livestream focuses on the history of dinosaurs in video games, including Dino Crisis, Yoshi, and Primal Rage.

TransfabFest

What: Arts, Community
When: Friday, August 27, through Saturday, August 28; various times
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

TransfabFest is two days of free creative workshops hosted by transgender and gender nonconforming artists. Workshops include Puzzle Design 101, Shakespeare and Gender, Reclaiming Horror, and more! This event is part of the TransFabulous series presented by the Hennepin County Library.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Conventions
When: Saturday, August 28, through Sunday, August 29
Where: Virtual via video chat

GalaxyCon, a convention for fans of various genre properties will be returning to live virtual events throughout the summer. These events are a great way to bring the convention experience home with 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, Boy Meets World, and more.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, August 28, 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 “Kougyoku” from the anime Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic. Discount tickets are available for students and when buying for multiple sessions.

Gentle Yoga for Terrible Times

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 28, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Between the continued global pandemic, distressing news about climate change, and other things in the news, it’s easy to be stressed. This gentle yoga experience aims to help center and calm yourself to move out of the fight-or-flight mode that a distressing world can create. This is a free event, and intended to be accessible to all—however, folks are encouraged to donate if they enjoy and have the means.

Wicked in Concert

What: Music, Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, August 29, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via PBS

The popular Broadway musical Wicked is hitting the small screen! This concert special is hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who both starred in the original run. Performers recorded from around the country include Mario Cantone, Ariana DeBose, Gavin Creel, Stephanie Hsu, and many more.

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: Community, Movies
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 Presents Daily DJ Sets

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 present live DJ sets every day that include popular dance tracks, original music, and community interaction. Noon sets are performed by the duo or guest DJs from around the world. On Tuesdays, Sofi Tukker plays an extended evening set. These shows are a great opportunity for a dance break, to interact with other music fans, and see new music evolve before it hits streaming services. Be advised that the music and hosts are not censored and this may not be the best livestream for younger music fans.

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!