This Week in Geek (11/14/22–11/20/22)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, November 14, to Sunday, November 20.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Kid Koala: Music to Draw To

What: Music, Meetup
When: Monday, November 14, 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 toge12ther with a calm soundtrack of ambient music performed live by Kid Koala.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, November 14, 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.

East Lake Vegan Recipe Club

What: Food & Drink, Meetup
When: Tuesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Try new vegan recipes and discuss them at this monthly meetup. Recipes are pulled from popular cookbooks and are available for free via download or in-person pickup from the East Lake Library. Cooks of all levels, from newbies to experts, are welcome, as well as non-cooks who are just interested in learning more about vegan food.

Movie Jo Night: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

What: Movies, Comedy & Theater
When: Tuesday, November 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Join comedian Mary Jo Pehl (original Mystery Science Theater 3000 writer and cast member) for a night of unscripted live commentary as she watches a film for the first time. This month’s movie is 1973’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. This free event will not be available for later download, so catching it live is critical.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, November 16, 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.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

This online-only playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights in-development games by streaming them to Twitch and allowing participants to test them with a service called Parsec. See the event page for all of the details on how to participate as a developer or a player.

Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Live Stream: November Ask an Astronomer

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live

The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at the University of Minnesota Duluth presents November Ask an Astronomer, a chance to ask specific questions and learn about the night sky.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, November 16, 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, November 17, and Sunday, November 20; 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.

Vinyl Revival: Tweak Central Lounge Radio Vinyl Potluck Party

What: Music
When: Thursday, November 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Vinyl Revival is a free event series hosted by the Hennepin County Library that shines a light on their vinyl-music collection through performances, listening parties, discussions, and artist residencies. This month is a virtual potluck party with Drunken Monkee, the on-air host of Tweak Central Lounge Radio broadcast on 98.9 fm KRSM. He’ll be spinning feel-good grooves, hip-hop, and deep house cuts pulled from the library’s Matthew Marvel collection.

Meet the Author: Naomi Kritzer

What: Books
When: Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Meet author Naomi Kritzer in virtual space with the Ramsey County Library! Her latest novel is Chaos on CatNet, which is a sequel to the award-winning Catfishing on CatNet. This event is free, but registration is required.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–How to Find an Owl in Your Neighborhood

What: Educational
When: Sunday, November 20, at 2:00 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 urban owls, what species live in populated areas, and how to find one in your neighborhood. This talk is led by Mark H.X. Glenshaw, a.k.a. the Owl Man, who is a certified Master Naturalist and recipient of the Citizen Scientist Award. General-admission tickets are $25. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

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.

University of Minnesota Writers Series: Lan Samantha Chang Reading

What: Books
When: Tuesday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota

Every fall, the University of Minnesota hosts a series of free readings and talks from award-winning writers, poets, and graphic novelists. This week features a reading from Lan Samantha Chang, author of The Family Chao, Inheritance, and All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost. To see other upcoming events in the series, head over to the university’s English department website.

Not-So-Silent Planet: An Evening of Ingratitude

What: Books, Arts
When: Tuesday, November 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

The Twin Cities’ “first open-mic dedicated to speculative interpretations of myth” returns to reflect on the typically thankful season with stories of ingratitude. The featured performer for November’s session is author and Minnesota Book Award recipient Brian Farrey-Latz. Tickets are $5-10.

J. M. Lee, The Nightland Express Launch Event

What: Books
When: Wednesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Red Balloon Bookshop

Join author J. M. Lee for a celebration of his latest book, The Nightland Express, with Red Balloon Bookshop and fellow author H. M. Bouwman! Lee’s previous books include Shadows of the Dark Crystal, Songs of the Seven Gelfling Clans, and The Boxcar Children: Midnight at the Haunted Hotel. Stick around after the discussion for a Q&A session and book signing. This event is free, but space is limited and a ticket is required.

MCAD Art Sale 25th Anniversary

What: Arts
When: Thursday, November 17, through Saturday, November 19
Where: Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Held every year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, the annual Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) Art Sale “is your chance to buy one-of-a-kind art created by students and recent graduates at unbeatable prices.” In celebration of the sale’s anniversary, MCAD will also be featuring alumni from the past 25 years. Tickets to opening night on Thursday cost $150; tickets to the second day of the sale on Friday cost $25; and the final day of the sale on Saturday is free. All proceeds from this event “go directly to the individual artists or to the MCAD Art Sale Scholarship Fund.”

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

What: Meetup
When: Thursday, November 17, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Dayton’s Bluff Library

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is here! Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have taken up the challenge to write 50,000 words in just one short month. Are you one of them? This weekly meet-up invites local NaNoWriMo participants of all ages out for an evening of writing and camaraderie.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Thursday, November 17, 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 November exploring The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Sketch to the Max: A Give to the Max Day Fundraiser

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Historic Mounds Theatre

Fearless Comedy Productions presents a night of comedic sketches! This event is part of Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s annual day of giving, and is raising funds to support their programming. A few of the sketches planned for the evening include Taterpocalypse, XOXO Medieval Secret Forbidden Romance Club 4, The Taco Stand, and more. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

History Hike

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, November 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

The land of Fort Snelling State Park has a long and complex history. Learn about its past, as well as how that history connects to today’s issues, while on a hike through the area. This event is free. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.

Minnesota Comic Exchange Comic Show

What: Comics
When: Saturday, November 19, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Valley Creek Mall (Woodbury)

Find your next read and pick up some holiday gifts at this comic show hosted by Minnesota Comic Exchange. There will be over 50 tables and vendors selling not only comics, but also art, memorabilia, and toys. Admission to the show is free.

GPS UGG Open Gaming

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Saturday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Event Horizon at the Waterbury Building

The Geek Partnership Society’s United Geeks of Gaming group offers its open-gaming session, to which gamers of all ages and abilities are invited to “spend the day hanging out with fellow geeks playing, learning, and teaching games.” Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite board games, card games, and role-playing games, but the group has amassed an impressive library of its own games as well.

Turkey Talk

What: Educational, Family
When: Saturday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn all about turkeys and their comeback in Minnesota. Keep your eyes out and you might even spot some of the turkeys that frequent Fort Snelling State Park. This is a free, family-friendly event. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.

North Star Roller Derby Season 17 Bout 2: Turning Back Time to the ’70s

What: Sports & Fitness, Community
When: Saturday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

Come on down for a roller derby extravaganza! This season’s overarching theme is traveling back through time one decade at a time, with Bout 2 all about the ’70s. In addition to the roller derby action, enjoy halftime entertainment and adult beverages in the beer garden. Tickets range from $15–17 and there are discounts for groups; kids under ten get in for free.

Josh Gates Live: An Evening of Legends, Mysteries, and Tales of Adventure

What: Theater & Comedy, Movies, Books
When: Saturday, November 19, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: State Theatre

Explorer and TV host Josh Gates stops by the State Theatre to share thrilling stories, wacky misadventures, and exciting discoveries from his expeditions around the world. His TV series include Expedition Unknown, Josh Gates Tonight, Tales from the Explorers Club, and Destination Truth. Gates is also the author of Memoirs of a Monster Hunter. Tickets are $39 to $49.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, November 20, 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!