This Week in Geek (10/4/21–10/10/21)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 4, to Sunday, October 10.

Virtual Events

SocietyX: Making a Home for Houseplants

What: Educational
When: Monday, October 4, 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.

Twin Cities Book Festival Virtual Events

What: Books
When: Monday, October 4, Thursday, October 7, and Saturday, October 9
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

Rain Taxi’s Twin Cities Book Festival returns for another year, with a great selection of guests from the literary world. This year’s free virtual offerings will be spread out over several days in September and October. See the website for a full list of participating literati. This week features authors Gary Paulsen (How to Train Your Dad, Hatchet), Tananarive Due (The Between, My Soul to Keep), Ronald L. Smith (Black Panther: Spellbound) and more. All events from this year, as well as last year, will be recorded and available for replay on Crowdcast and YouTube.

Improvisational Hand Embroidery

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, October 5, 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.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, October 6, 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: The Guest List

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 The Guest List by Lucy Foley. The next meeting’s book is Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, October 6, and Saturday, October 9; 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).

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Current Conversations

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 7, and Saturday, October 9; 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 tour will focus on a different topic, with October exploring “The Land We’re On: Native Peoples of Minnesota.” Tours are free, but registration is required.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 7, and Sunday, October 10; 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.

9th Annual Cine Latino

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 8, through Thursday, October 14
Where: Virtual event

Cine Latino is a film festival that celebrates US Latino, Latin American, and Iberian cinema through premiere screenings, special-guest events, and retrospectives. This year’s selections will also spotlight Afro-Latino films and their cultural impact. Individual-screening tickets are $10 and festival passes are $100, with discounts available for MSP Film Society members. Please note that this year’s event is hybrid, with both in-person and virtual options. While some films are theater exclusives, most offerings are available to view online.

GalaxyCon Live

What: Community, Conventions
When: Friday, October 8, through Sunday, October 10
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 Mallrats, The Boys, Naruto, and more.

Muppets Haunted Mansion Watch Party

What: Movies
When: Saturday, October 9, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Scener and Disney+

Enjoy the newly released Muppets Haunted Mansion with blogger Spooky Sarah Says and other Disney fans! This public watch party is free, but viewers are required to have the free Scener browser extension and account, as well as their own active Disney+ account, in order to watch. Check out the Scener home page for more watch parties, including nerdy faves and Halloween spooks, hosted by bloggers, media sites, and internet personalities.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, October 9 , 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 “Girls with Parasols” with Safire Hikari and Catarina Moita. Discount tickets are available for students and when buying for multiple sessions.

Gentle Yoga for Terrible Times

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 9, 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.

Virtual Family Day: ¡Arte Para Todos! (Art for Everyone!)

What: Family
When: Sunday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

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. This month’s theme is “¡Arte Para Todos! (Art for Everyone!)” in celebration of National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. Activities include printmaking, guided poetry writing with poet Ari Tison, bilingual art projects, and a spotlight on Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo. A free materials kit is also available for pickup from the museum while supplies last.

Hot Topic Foundation Presents: Mental Notes Benefit Concert

What: Music
When: Sunday, October 10, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Veeps

Enjoy some live music for a good cause. This event is hosted by Mikey Way, the bassist of My Chemical Romance, and will feature performances from Palaye Royale; nothing, nowhere; Meet Me @ The Altar; Eyedress; Kacy Hill; and more. Tickets are donation-based and start at $10, with proceeds benefiting Mental Health America.

Opus & Olives

What: Books, Nightlife
When: Sunday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Opus & Olives is a night celebrating the written word with best-selling authors while raising funds to benefit the St. Paul Public Library. This year’s online gala is emceed by Wiley Cash, who will be joined by guests Martha Hall Kelly, James Oakes, and Kristin Valdez Quade. Tickets start at $50, with additional price tiers that include party bags and books.

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.

Disney’s Frozen

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Thursday, September 30, through Wednesday, October 20
Where: Orpheum Theatre

“For the first time in forever,” Disney’s Broadway musical adaptation of Frozen is back on stage. Experience the magical adventure and fan-favorite songs live. Tickets start at $40. See the website for full details, including information about the Kid’s Night on Hennepin date with family discount and pre-show event.

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.

Creative Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, October 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Geek Partnership Society

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.

9th Annual Cine Latino

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 8, through Thursday, October 14
Where: St. Anthony Main Theatre

Cine Latino is a film festival that celebrates U.S. Latino, Latin American, and Iberian cinema through premiere screenings, special guest events, and retrospectives. This year’s selections will also spotlight Afro-Latino films and their cultural impact. Individual screening tickets are $10 and festival passes are $100, with discounts available MSP Film Society members and students. Please note that this year’s event is hybrid, with both in-person and virtual options. While some films are only viewable online, most offerings are available to watch in a theater.

Movies in the Parks: IT (2017)

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Friday, October 8, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Phalen (St. Paul)

Enjoy a evening of movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk and are free and open to the public. Arrive early with chairs and blankets to find the perfect spot, as well as to enjoy eats from local-food trucks. Screening this week is IT (2017). Check out the website for more spooky movies throughout October.

Fort Snelling at the Confluence

What: Educational, Books
When: Saturday, October 9, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

Learn about the long and complicated history at the intersection of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. In this talk, author and former reference-librarian Hampton Smith will discuss Fort Snelling, the significance of the location to the indigenous peoples of the region, and its place in Minnesota’s foundational history.

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!