This Week in Geek (10/25/21–10/31/21)

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

Virtual Events

Great International Scavenger Hunt Presents: Halloweird

What: Arts, Community, Family
When: Tuesday, October 19, through Sunday, October 31
Where: Virtual via website and GISH App

GISH (short for the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt) is hosting a 13-day-long, no-pressure hunt created to celebrate Halloween that is full of wacky challenges to fit the season. Attendees will need to sign up with the GISH app. Get ready to push your creative boundaries!

SocietyX: Making a Home for Houseplants

What: Educational
When: Monday, October 25, 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, October 26, 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.

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy with Anne Ursu and Kelly Barnhill

What: Books
When: Tuesday, October 26, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Join author Anne Ursu in conversation with Kelly Barnhill in celebration of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, her latest fantasy tale about a kingdom beset by monsters and a mysterious academy. The event host will read an excerpt, introduce the book, and have a discussion with the author, followed by a Q&A.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Conventions
When: Wednesday, October 27, through Sunday, October 31
Where: Virtual via video chat

GalaxyCon, a convention for fans of various genre properties, will be returning to live-virtual events throughout the fall. 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 Doctor Who, What We Do in the Shadows, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more.

Profs & Pints: Werewolf Women

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

The Profs & Pints series continues with “Werewolf Women.” This talk will be led by Jazmina Cininas, a visual artist and lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and creator of the Girlie Werewolf Hall of Fame. This talk will feature a deep dive into the world of the female werewolf as a symbol of the other, and more. Tickets are $12.

Spooktober Shows: Fantastic Beasts and How to Find Them (in the Sky)

What: Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Join the University of Minnesota’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium for a month of free Halloween-themed astronomy events. This week features “The Magical World of Astronomy,” which will explore the stellar references to beasts, and the world of Harry Potter.

Virtual Transmission

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

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 28, and Sunday, October 31, 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.

Movie Jo Night with MST3K’s Mary Jo Pehl: Velocipastor

What: Movies
When: Thursday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event via Amazon Watch Party

Join MST3K cast member and comedian Mary Jo Pehl for a live, unscripted Amazon Watch Party viewing of Velocipastor, a recent film about a pastor who transforms into a raptor. This event will not recorded or posted in any way later, so it’s a real live experience. An Amazon Prime subscription is required in order to use the Watch Party feature.

Free Online Halloween Cartoon Riff Night Live

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Friday, October 29, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get into the spooky season with an evening of live cartoon riffing based around a general horror theme. This live-riffing event will be streamed to Twitch, and will feature hosts running drinking games over classics, such as Aaahhh!!! Real Monsters and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, October 30, 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 “Blade” with Szi. Discount tickets are available for students and when buying for multiple sessions.

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.

In-Person Events

Please note: Due to risks from the ongoing pandemic, we urge all readers to take appropriate safety measures when choosing to attend in-person events, such as masking, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing. We also urge all eligible Minnesotans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to wear a mask in indoor settings even if vaccinated. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, please get tested and follow Minnesota state guidelines on isolating from others. See our COVID-19 resources page for more information on vaccination, health and safety, financial and other assistance, and more.

While we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone attending an event we are not affiliated with, our aim is to include only those hosted by groups and venues that list clear, reasonable COVID safety precautions. If you feel something in this column does not meet those criteria, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

What: Family, Community, Educational
When: Wednesday, October 1, through Sunday, November 7; at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Zoo

Enjoy an enchanted forest full of jack-o-lanterns, for a family-friendly walk sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. The trail includes over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins of different sizes, shapes, and faces throughout the forest. Between the pumpkins, the fog, and the musical vignettes, this trail will make a lovely evening. Tickets start at $16 for adults. See the website for information on discounts, activity bundles, and sensory-friendly dates.

Crafty Geek/Make it Sew

What: Arts, Community
When: Thursday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Geek Partnership Society

The Geek Partnership Society’s Crafty Geek club and its subclub Make It Sew meet Thursday evenings at the Waterbury Building and invite you to “bring your crafty stuff to do” and “chat with other geeks!”

Open Eye Theatre Presents Night Shade

What: Comedy and Theater
When: Thursday, October 28, through Sunday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Bakken Museum (Minneapolis)

Enjoy an evening of spooky creative theater with Night Shade. This night of theater will be hosted by Creepy Cindy, Shady Shayla, and a whole host of witchy misfits, and feature chilling imagery from a pop-up book displayed on a shadow screen. This is an outdoor event, so be sure to bring cozy sweaters and flannels. General admission is $24.

Drive-In Movie: Casper

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center

Enjoy a crisp fall evening in the spirit of the Halloween holiday with this drive-in screening of Casper. The film screens at 6:30, but parking will open up at 5:45. There will be food trucks on site, as well as a costume contest for some added fun.

Grande Day Parade

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, October 30, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Street (Anoka)

Enjoy a 1.5-mile parade in the Halloween Capital of the World! This outdoor event will feature a parade celebrating the holiday that runs along Anoka’s Main Street. Per the event listing, spaces along Main Street can be reserved anytime after 4:00 a.m. on the day of the parade.

El Grito de los Ancestros

What: Arts, Community
When: Sunday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park; moving to E. Lake St. and Chicago Avenue

BareBones Productions presents El Grito de los Ancestros (the Cry of the Ancestors), a community event with live music, Mexican dance, puppetry, spoken word, art activities, and food trucks. The event will begin at Powderhorn Park for a ceremony, followed by a procession to an open lot on East Lake Street and Chicago Avenue, where the remainder of the event will take place. This is a free event, but BareBones encourages attendees who have the means to donate in order to support their programs and keep events free.

Wondering why we didn’t include your geeky event? We are only including in-person events from organizers and venues with responsible, clearly advertised COVID-19 safety precautions that meet our standards. If you’d like to be considered for future listings, send your safety info to info@twincitiesgeek.com!