This Week in Geek (7/11/22–7/17/22)

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

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

The Truth About Sharks with Melissa Cristina Márquez

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Monday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

This five-part lecture series from Atlas Obscura explores the diversity and history of sharks, as well as their relationship with humans beyond the silver screen. Marine biologist Melissa Cristina Márquez will lead the talks, with the first session diving into shark biology and behavior. Sessions are held weekly through August 8. Tickets are $65–95 for the series. Limited free tickets are available through randomized selection; see the event page for more details.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 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.

Pride Gaming: Teens Virtual RPG

What: Gaming, Community
When: Tuesday, July 12, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Queer teens are invited to go on epic RPG adventures with the Hennepin County Library. This free event is an LGBTQIA+ safe-space hosted by queer staff. Gameplay will feature the “Monster of the Week” system.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, July 13, 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, astrophysicist Mario Luvio discusses one of the essential aspects of the scientific process–making mistakes. Hear about mistakes and weaknesses in theories made by scientific pioneers like Charles Darwin, Lord Kelvin, and Albert Einstein. General admission tickets are $35, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, July 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.

Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Live Stream: James Webb Space Telescope First Image

What: Educational, Science & Technology
When: Wednesday, July 13, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Join the UMD Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium for a livestream discussing the James Webb Space telescope and its first scientific-image releasing on July 12. This virtual session is free.

Epic Reads Virtual Contemporary Meet Up

What: Books
When: Thursday, July 14, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook

Epic Reads and Red Balloon Bookshop are presenting a free panel with contemporary authors Natalia Sylvester, Jen Ferguson, XiXi Tian, Joanna Ho, and Robin Benway. They’ll be discussing their books: Breathe and Count Back from Ten, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, This Place is Still Beautiful, The Silence That Binds Us, and A Year to the Day. Attendees also have the opportunity to win a $100 gift card to Red Balloon Bookshop!

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, July 14, and Sunday, July 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.

Society X: Night Owls

What: Arts
When: Friday, July 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.

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 government and business policies change frequently and we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone attending an event we are not affiliated with, we do avoid featuring organizers or venues we believe to be following unsafe practices. 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.

Emma

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, June 18, through Thursday, August 21
Where: Guthrie

See the Guthrie’s performance of Emma, based on the classic Jane Austen novel. This playful new adaptation leans into humor and twists tropes from both the Regency era and modern romantic comedies. Tickets are $26–$80.

Mystic Dawn/Amtgard: Park Days

What: Gaming, Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, July 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Oak Grove Park, Brooklyn Park

Amtgard, a global organization focused on the sport of medieval-fantasy combat, will be hosting a gathering in Oak Grove Park. Participants can take part in glorious quests, battle, and more, all with the use of foam weapons for the sake of safety. Garb is encouraged, but not required, and loaner weapons are available. This is a free-to-play event, but long-term players are expected to support the organization with $6 or $10 dues.

Movies in the Parks: Hidden Figures

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Wednesday, July 13, at 9:15 p.m.
Where: The Commons

Enjoy a night of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk, and are free and open to the public. Screening this week is Hidden Figures, a historical drama that highlights the struggles and major scientific contributions of three black women working at NASA during the 1960’s Space Race. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Lowertown Sounds: Heiruspecs

What: Music, Community
When: Thursday, July 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mears Park, St. Paul

Lowertown Sounds is bringing local music, food trucks, and Minnesota-made brews to Mears park for free all summer long! This week features performances by Heiruspecs, Longshot, and Lazerbeak, as well as a special sampling from Wabasha Brewing Company. Check out the event listing for the food truck lineup, as well as other upcoming concerts.

Hannah Gadsby: Body of Work

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, July 15, through Sunday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pantages Theatre

Award-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby is returning to Minnesota with her new standup tour Body of Work. Gadsby wrote this new show after “sheltering from a global pandemic and pondering what was next.” Her previous touring shows became Netflix specials, including the cultural phenomenon Nanette and the critically-acclaimed Douglas. Tickets $39.75-99.75.

Music in the Parks: Minnesota Sinfonia

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Friday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy an afternoon of live music in the park! This week features a performance by Minnesota Sinfonia. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

LynLake Street Art Series

What: Arts, Community, Music
When: Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17
Where: Lyn-Lake Neighborhood, Minneapolis; Multiple Locations

Celebrate art and community at the LynLake Street Art Series! This free weekend festival partners with local businesses to commission new murals and street art. Walk the neighborhood to check out the beautiful new pieces and stop at the stages to listen to music from Marin Wilts, The Jungle Band, xLCR, Solana, and more!

Guided Birding Walk with Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness, Gaming
When: Saturday, July 16, at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum

Take a free-guided birding walk with the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring their own binoculars, and be ready for challenging terrain. Binoculars will be available to those who do not have their own.

After the walk at 10:00 a.m., the Bell Museum will be hosting a play event of the bird-themed card game Wingspan. This gaming event is included with museum admission, which is $12 for adults or free for members.

International Day of Music

What: Music
When: Saturday, July 16, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

The Minnesota Orchestra is celebrating summer and the start of their new season with 12-hours of free music, dancing, and activities! Four outdoor stages will feature performances by Lady Midnight, Salsa del Soul, VocalEssence, Kpop Cover Crew, Fanaka Nation, Minnesota Orchestra, and more. Other activities include exploring the science of sound with the Science Museum of Minnesota, a themed puppet display from Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, and making music with composer Adam Zahller. Check out their website for a full lineup and schedule.

Minneapolis Sister Cities Day Celebration & Ice Cream Social

What: Community, Family, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, July 17, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Nicollet Island Pavilion

Join the city of Minneapolis for a celebration of its international sister cities! This free event will feature multicultural entertainment, ice cream, and refreshments. Performers include Harisen Daiko, Ishraqat Sumeria Art Group, Heart and Soul Drum Academy, Somali Museum Dancers, and more. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Harbin, China, which will be recognized by remarks from elected officials and a performance by Hui Family Lion Dance.

Free Jazz: Dave King/Jeff Parker/Chris Speed Trio

What: Music, Community
When: Sunday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Head over to the Walker Art Center’s hillside for an evening of jazz as the sun sets. The performing trio includes Dave King, Jeff Parker, and Chris Speed (known for the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Tortoise). This event is part of the Summer Social Series, which features a wide range of free activities that foster community connection and discovery.

Love’s Labor’s Lost

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: MN Humanities Center, St. Paul

The Classical Actors Ensemble is back for its eighth summer of Shakespeare in Our Parks. This year the group is performing Love’s Labor’s Lost, a comedy that follows King Navarre and his friends as they start a self-improvement journey where they swear off love and worldly pleasures—but a visit from the Princess of France and her ladies-in-waiting puts their plans to the test. These events are free. Be sure to check out the website for additional show dates in parks around the metro.

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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!