This Week in Geek (8/22/22–8/28/22)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, August 22, to Sunday, August 28.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

The Radical Agreement Project

What: Comedy & Theater, Educational
When: Monday, August 22, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Learn a new improv exercise in this series of 30-minute Zoom improv classes. This event is free, but participation is critical, so attendees will be required to turn on their cameras and microphones to join in.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, August 22, 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, August 23, 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.

The Mary Jo Pehl Show

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, August 23, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Mary Jo Pehl, of Mystery Science Theater 3000 fame, is hosting a free interactive variety show every month. Episode themes are decided by viewers, so be sure to stick around until the end to cast your vote.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, August 24, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—The ENIAC Programmers: The Women Behind the First Modern Computer

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, August 24, at 5:45 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 the women who programmed the first modern computer, also known as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), and how their achievements were left out of history for decades. General-admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Live Stream: Ask an Astronomer

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

Learn about current astronomical events and get your space questions answered by staff from the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This virtual session is free.

The Mountain Goats: The Jordan Lakes Sessions Volume 5

What: Music
When: Thursday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Mandolin

Alternative-rock band the Mountain Goats continue their series of livestream performances with the fifth installment of the Jordan Lakes Sessions. Tickets are $16 and include on-demand replay for 72 hours after the broadcast.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, August 25, and Sunday, August 28; 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.

Drunk Hamlet

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Veeps

Enjoy a quirky reenactment of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with a side of drinking games. This theater performance takes inspiration from Comedy Central’s Drunk History and the off-Broadway play Drunk Shakespeare, with the story being comedically led by an inebriated actor. Tickets are $14.99 and includes the option to replay the stream for seven days.

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.

Wicked

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, July 27, through Sunday, August 28
Where: Orpheum Theatre

Journey to the Land of Oz for a story of magic, friendship, and rivalry that defies gravity. This Broadway musical follows the story of witches Elphaba and Glinda long before Dorothy and Toto ever arrived. Tickets are $54–194.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: Luca

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Monday, August 22, at 8:25 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

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 Luca, the 2021 Pixar film that follows a young sea monster as he goes on a summer adventure up on land in his human form. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, August 23, at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Take a specially curated tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection as inspired by books. Each month’s tour will focus on a different book for inspiration, with August exploring The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Llamas at the Library

What: Community, Family
When: Tuesday, August 23, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Franklin Library

Meet real-life llamas at the Franklin Library! The llamas are attending courtesy of Carlson’s Loveable Llamas, a family farm in Waconia. This free event is outdoors, so be sure to check the event listing for weather-related updates.

Mystic Dawn/Amtgard: Park Days

What: Gaming, Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, August 24, 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 through dues.

KCON 2022 US Tour

What: Music
When: Wednesday, August 24, and Thursday, August 25, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: State Theatre

KCON, an annual convention celebrating Korean culture and music, is bringing the next generation of K-Pop artists on a cross-country tour. This two-night concert series will also offer fan engagement opportunities. Night one features performances by Cravity and Lightsum, with the second night featuring STAYC and TO1. Single-night tickets start at $83; additional VIP options that include souvenirs and meet-and-greets are available.

Lowertown Sounds: Joyann Parker Band

What: Music, Community
When: Thursday, August 25, 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 Joyann Parker Band, Beau Baker Band, and Them Coulee Boys. Check out the event listing for the food-truck lineup, as well as other upcoming concerts.

2D Con

What: Gaming, Convention, Music
When: Friday, August 26, through Sunday, August 28
Where: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

Celebrate all things gaming with 2D Con, an inclusive and charitable gaming event held every summer. This community-driven convention features a wide variety of games and activities, including esports, tabletop games, panels, speedrunning, cosplay, arcade games, musical performances, side quests, industry events, and more. Standard preorder badges are currently $40, but there are a variety of other cost options. See the website for more details on registration and the schedule of events.

St. Paul Movies in the Parks: The Sandlot

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Friday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Edgcumbe Recreation Center

Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Screening this week is The Sandlot, the classic coming-of-age comedy about neighborhood friends playing baseball and going on adventures. Check out the St. Paul Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Tsuinshi Anime Club

What: Movies, Meetup
When: Friday, August 26, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

Anime Twin Cities has joined forces with the Geek Partnership Society “to bring a little bit of fun to you on the second and fourth Fridays of each month with this co-sponsored anime club.” The group will show various anime movies and series. This event is free.

Milkweed Books Reopening Celebration

What: Books
When: Saturday, August 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Open Book

Celebrate the reopening of Milkweed Books! Stop by the shop, located on the first floor of Open Book, throughout the day for special promotions, excellent reads, and community connections.

Transvestite Soup Presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show

What: Film, Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, August 27, at 11:30 p.m.
Where: Parkway Theater

Watch a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the “longest-running midnight movie of all time.” Transvestite Soup is the Twin Cities’ shadow cast for the showings, performing for your pleasure as part of the cult classic’s well-established tradition. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female-identifying (including trans women/femme) and nonbinary nerds and geeks at Source Comics and Games. This is a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks. Be sure to check out the Source calendar for additional events!

Freshwater Mussel River Nature Walk

What: Educational
When: Sunday, August 28, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn about the many freshwater mussels in Minnesota and their important role in nature while on a free guided walk along the Mississippi River! Expect to traverse about 1.5 miles of rocky shoreline, with the option to wade into the water for a closer look. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.

Music in the Parks: Westwind Swing Band

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Sunday, August 28, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

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

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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!