This Week in Geek (9/5/22–9/11/22)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, September 5, to Sunday, September 11.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Kid Koala: Music To Draw To

What: Music, Meetup
When: Monday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

This free virtual version of the long-standing event series in Montreal provides a cozy atmosphere for attendees to make art and work on projects quietly together with a calm soundtrack of ambient music performed live by Kid Koala.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, September 5, 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.

The Radical Agreement Project

What: Comedy & Theater, Educational
When: Tuesday, September 6, 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.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, September 7, 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: What’s Up?

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, September 7, 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.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, September 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on Discord every Wednesday night.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 8, and Sunday, September 11; 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.

Flights of Fancy Story Time: Author Talk and Reading with Joyce Lapin

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Friday, September 9, and Saturday, September 10; at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Tune in for a story time reading of The Little Spacecraft That Could, and to hear about the the New Horizons Spacecraft, with author Joyce Lapin. This free event is part of the family day programming at the National Air and Space Museum.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Medieval England’s Art & Archaeology

What: Educational, Arts
When: Saturday, September 10, at 8:30 a.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 all-day lecture, learn about four historical monuments that help tell the story of medieval England in the 7–14th centuries, including the Sutton Hoo Ship Burials, Lindesfarne Gospels, Bayeux Tapestries, and the Canterbury Cathedral. General-admission tickets are $90, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Tenacious D Livestream Benefitting Rock the Vote

What: Music
When: Sunday, September 11, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Nugs.net

Legendary rockers Tenacious D, a.k.a. Jack Black and Kyle Gass, will be supporting democracy with a one-time-only livestream concert. Tickets are $19.99 for general admission and include 48-hour replay. All proceeds will benefit Rock the Vote and support voter registration, rights, and education.

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.

Music in the Parks: Socaholix & Necessary Diversion

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Monday, September 5, at 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy the final evening of the Music in the Parks series with a double header! Socaholix kicks off the night at 5:30 p.m. with high-energy Caribbean music. Necessary Diversion hits the stage at 7:30 p.m. performing top-40 favorites. This event is free.

Mystic Dawn/Amtgard: Park Days

What: Gaming, Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, September 7, 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.

Lowertown Sounds: David Huckfelt & the Unarmed Forces

What: Music, Community
When: Thursday, September 8, 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 final week features performances by David Huckfelt & the Unarmed Forces and Dylan Hicks & Small Screens. Check out the event listing for the food truck lineup.

MinnAnimate

What: Movies
When: Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Main

MinnAnimate is back for its tenth year celebrating independent animation created by Minnesotans. This year features 21 short films screening for one night only at the Main Theatre. Tickets are $10.

When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey Spirited Book Launch

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Icehouse MPLS

Celebrate the book launch of When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey: A Spirited History of the Falls, a look back at the mayhem surrounding the Minnehaha Falls in 1880–1912, with author Karen E. Cooper. Learn about the secret saloons, lawsuits, dance halls, and shady operators that reigned before social reformers put an end to the rowdiness. Books and specially themed cocktails will be available to purchase. This free talk will be followed by an author signing.

Mindfulness in Nature: A Meditative Forest Walk

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Take a digital detox and destress during a meditative walk through Fort Snelling State Park. This free event will center on the Japanese ecotherapy of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing, with an immersive introduction to the practice and its health benefits. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.

Free Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

What: Movies, Trivia, Family
When: Friday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

The Triwizard Tournament is coming to the Union Depot with a screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Additional activities include trivia, themed games, crafting, prizes, and photo spots with a dragon and the luggage cart at Platform 9¾. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from local vendors. Costumes are encouraged!

Cocktails at the Castle

What: Nightlife, Music, Food & Drink
When: Friday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: American Swedish Institute

Cocktails at the Castle, the American Swedish Institute’s signature museum party, returns this Friday with an evening inspired by The Morning Dip exhibition. Enjoy cocktails, pop-up performances, art, interactive activities, and musical performances from Annie Mack and Little Fevers. Based on the exhibition’s attire of focus, and a long couple years of social distancing, guests are encouraged to wear bathrobes and clogs. Admission is $30 for nonmembers, and $27 for members.

St. Paul Movies in the Parks: E.T.

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Friday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Edgcumbe Recreation Center

Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Screening this week is E.T., a Steven Spielberg classic that follows the unlikely friendship between a young boy and an alien left behind on Earth. Check out the St. Paul Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Star Party: James Webb Space Telescope First Image Release Event

What: Science & Tech, Family
When: Friday, September 9, at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Bell Museum

Join the Bell Museum for a celebration of the James Webb Space Telescope and its exciting future in science! This free event starts with a prerecorded video stream from NASA and indoor activities. At 8:30 p.m. attendees can head outside and take a closer look at the sky and space objects through the museum’s telescopes. Outdoor activities are dependent on the weather, so be sure to check the website for any related updates.

Tsuinshi Anime Club

What: Movies, Meetup
When: Friday, September 9, 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.

Funlab: STEAM for ages 7–11

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Saturday, September 10, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Dayton’s Bluff Library

FunLab is an event for kids 7–11 to learn STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) principles through fun in a drop-in session with crafts, games, projects, experiments, and movies. The event is free, and will serve kids so long as supplies last.

Next Chapter Booksellers Manga Club

What: Comics
When: Saturday, September 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers

Discuss a new manga title every month at Next Chapter Booksellers. This free manga-book club also provides tasty Japanese snacks and discounts on manga purchases in the store. Check out the event page for more information, including a list of prospective titles. For September, the read of choice is Solanin by Inio Asano.

Saturday Night Space Opera: G.I. Joe RPG

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, September 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics & Games

Local sci-fi RPG night Saturday Night Space Opera returns with a game night playing the G.I. Joe RPG. Unravel the mystery of a spacecraft that crashed on the moon and, of course, defend the world from the ruthless plots of Cobra. This is a free event, all rules will be taught, and no materials are required—just RSVP through the website to snag your spot.

Family Day: Dressed by Nature

What: Family
When: Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Family Day is a free monthly event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that gives the young and the young at heart an opportunity to check out performances, hands-on activities, and more. This weekend’s theme is inspired by the Dressed by Nature exhibit featuring explorations of the techniques used in the artworks and a take-away art kit to experiment with materials at home.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 11, 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!

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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!