This Week in Geek (4/11/22–4/17/22)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, April 11, to Sunday, April 17.

Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, April 11, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something! Watch for other Monday night virtual pub trivia events going forward.

Guided Watercolour—Weekly Art Class

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Express yourself on a spring Tuesday under the guidance of Cathy Wild in this guided watercolors class. Check the event posting for detailed basic-materials recommendations.

Tuesdays with a Scholar

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join the Ramsey County Library and a guest scholar for an educational dive into their specialty every Tuesday. This week, Nadine Strossen will discuss “Free Speech versus Hate Speech?*.”

The Mads: A Night of Shorts

What: Movies
When: Tuesday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Join Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu for a night of movie riffing in classic MST3K style. This show will feature a variety of short films. After the riff will be a Q&A with the Mads and a surprise special guest. Tickets are $12.24 (including fees), with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Friends in Need Food Shelf in Minneapolis.

Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, but Enough Virtual Book Launch

What: Books
When: Tuesday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Moon Palace Books and Button Poetry present this virtual-launch event for Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre’s Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, but Enough, a science-fictional take on the way art and artists resist totalitarianism set on a prison-colony moon.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, April 13, 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. Sessions are recorded and available to view during the week for those who are unable to tune in live.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Supernatural America

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Take a specially curated virtual tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection. Each month’s tour will focus on a different topic, with March exploring Supernatural America. Tours are free, but registration is required. Learn more about Supernatural America from our preview of the exhibition.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, April 13, and Saturday, April 16, 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).

Arab Film Fest Collab

What: Movies
When: Thursday, April 7, through Sunday, April 17; various times
Where: Virtual via Eventive

Mizna has teamed up with the Arab American National Museum, Arab Film and Media Institute, and ArteEast to present a virtual film festival highlighting independent Arab cinema. The festival includes film screenings, panel discussions, and performances. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles. Festival passes are $45, and individual screening tickets are available for $10 or pay-what-you-can. The full film lineup and event details can be found on the website.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—“A New Birth of Freedom”: Lincoln’s Oratory and the Civil War

What: Educational, Science & Tech, Books
When: Thursday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Smithsonian Institution, home to famed museums and world-class research centers, is bringing educational programs and art courses online for all to enjoy. At this event, learn about President Lincoln’s oratory and the impact it had on the American Civil War. This talk will be led by Christopher Hamner, professor of history at George Mason University. General-admission tickets are $25, with discounts available for members.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, April 14, and Sunday, April 17, 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.

Virtual Owl Friday—Owls: Soul of the Night

What: Educational
When: Friday, April 15, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn about the weird and little-known world of owls! These beautiful, charming birds of prey draw people in, but there’s a lot that people don’t know about them. This event is lead by author Scott Weidensaul, author of the Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Carribean. This is a chance to learn about new discoveries in the world of owls, and hear about Weidensaul’s quarter century of research.

Society X: Night Owls

What: Arts
When: Friday, April 15, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Get together with other creative night owls to hang out and make some art. This is a great chance to work, bounce ideas off of folks, and be a little social. Bring your own art supplies.

Drink & Draw—Costumed Model Drawing

What: Arts
When: Saturday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Gallery Girls is a Los Angeles-based event organizer popular for its themed-drawing nights, often featuring models in fantasy, comic-book, and science-fiction costumes. Now, due to the pandemic, it’s 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 “The Satyr” with Durmel. Discount tickets are available for students and when buying for multiple sessions.

Knitting on Sundays

What: Arts
When: Sunday, April 17, at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Chill out on Sunday with a spot of knitting and some friendly virtual company from all over the world. This is a great chance to get to know some other folks, learn some knitting tips, and more.

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 the 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.

The Tempest

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, March 3, through Saturday, April 16
Where: Guthrie Theater

See the Guthrie’s performance of the Shakespeare classic The Tempest. The story follows Prospera on a quest to reclaim her throne and exact revenge with the aid of her magical powers after being usurped and stranded on an island with her daughter. Tickets are $26–80.

What Racism Costs All of Us

What: Educational
When: Thursday, April 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall and livestreaming

Heather McGhee, writer, political strategist, and commentator, will be coming to Orchestra Hall for a frank discussion of the costs of racism in the United States, and particularly in Minneapolis. For Heather, bridging divides is a necessity to strengthen democracy, equity, and equality in society. Tickets start at $16.25.

Aliens with Pre-movie Music Set by Robot Slide

What: Movies, Music
When: Thursday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Parkway Theater

Check out a 35mm print of the 1986 science-fiction/action/horror blockbuster Aliens, with music before the show from Robot Slide. Aliens is the highly successful sequel of Alien, in which space-trucker heroine and survivor Ellen Ripley acts as specialist to a squad of space marines investigating a fallen colony world. While the Parkway Theater has a substantial dollar value attached to it, tickets to the show are $9 in advance or $12 at the door.

Science Celebration!

What: Science & Tech, Family, Educational
When: Thursday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

Kick off the Action for Earth campaign with this fun-filled evening filled with curated science experiences, food and beverages. Highlights of the evening include the science of charcuterie, the St. Paul Ballet, new Planetarium programming, and the triumphant return of the Science Live theater. Tickets are $75, and this event is best enjoyed by adults over the age of 21.

An Evening with Fran Lebowitz

What: Books
When: Thursday, April 14, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: State Theatre

Spend an evening with author, humorist, and social observer Fran Leibowitz for a discussion and book signing. This is a chance to hear takes on current events, pet-peeves, etc. Tickets range from $24.50–69.50.

The FAWK Super Show . . . AGAIN!

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Saturday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ordway Concert Hall

Funny Asian Women Kollective returns for another night of no-holds-barred comedy. FAWK was founded by award-winning artists Naomi Ko, May Lee-Yang, and Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, and uses comedy to handle controversial issues, fight misogyny, racism, and more. Tickets are $37.

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!