This Week in Geek (9/6/21–9/12/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, September 6, to Sunday, September 12.

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, September 6, 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.

Improvisational Hand Embroidery

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, September 7, at 12:00 p.m. and 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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Current Conversations

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, September 7, and Saturday, September 11, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Take a specially curated tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection. Each month’s tours will focus on a different topic, with September exploring “Migration Stories: Connecting Past and Present.” Tours are free, but registration is required.

Short Story Chats

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

If you love chatting about stories, but find it difficult to fit reading an entire book into your schedule, then this is the event for you. Every month, Ramsey County Library selects a short story that is available to read for free online and hosts a discussion. This month features “The Years of My Birth” by Louise Erdrich, which can be read via the New Yorker or listened to through the LeVar Burton Reads podcast.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, September 8, 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.

Online Books & Bars: Migrations

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, September 8, 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 Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy. The next meeting’s book is The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, September 8, and Saturday, September 11, 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).

Helping Insects Build Their Homes with Dragons Wynd

What: Science & Tech
When: Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Our insect friends are preparing for winter, and humans can help! Learn about how insects, including pollinators, build their nests, as well as how we can improve their populations by providing suitable nesting materials. This event is free and includes a hands-on workshop.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 9, and Sunday, September 12, 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.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Conventions
When: Friday, September 10, through Sunday, September 12
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 and signings for fans of Shadowhunters, Smallville, A Goofy Movie, and more.

Raks Geek: Cyberspace Edition

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Raks Geek is a Chicago-based dance troupe that combines cosplay, belly dance, fire, and flow arts into a magnificently nerdy performance. In this new production, the cast will pay homage to Star Wars, Doctor Who, X-Men, Silent Hill, Super Mario Bros., and Sandman. This is a free show with the option to tip.

Scream It Off Screen September Virtual Film Competition

What: Movies
When: Friday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Scream It Off Screen is a monthly short-film competition where the viewers decide the winner. Fifteen films from the entry pool are randomly selected to compete. As they screen, the audience can “gong” them off early, or let them play to completion. At the end, the audience votes for their favorite, with the winner receiving a cash prize. Filmmakers can submit their projects for free. In lieu of ticket fees, there is a $10 suggested donation.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, September 11, 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 “Autumn Solstice” with Heather Ciriza. Discount tickets are available for students and when buying for multiple sessions.

Gentle Yoga for Terrible Times

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 11, 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.

P&P Live! Cheuse Center Panel: International Literature & Culture

What: Books
When: Sunday, September 12, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual; details provided upon registration

The Politics and Prose bookstore and the Cheuse Center for International Writers are hosting a free afternoon discussion about international literature. Panelists include Achy Obejas (Boomerang/Bumerán), Azar Nafisi (Reading Lolita in Tehran), Lisa Page (coeditor of We Wear the Mask: 15 True Stories of Passing in America), and Michael Reynolds (editor in chief, Europa Editions).

Book of Kells

What: Educational, Books
When: Sunday, September 12, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Discover the fascinating history and the beauty held within the pages of the Book of Kells. This free lecture is presented by artist and calligrapher Gemma Black, who originally gave this talk at the National Gallery of Australia while the illuminated manuscript was visiting from Ireland.

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.

The Radical Agreement Project

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Weekdays, 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.

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!