This Week in Geek (11/28/22–12/4/22)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, November 28, to Sunday, December 4.

Virtual Events

Geek Partnership Society Holiday Emporium

What: Community
When: Wednesday, November 23, through Friday, December 9
Where: Virtual Emporium

Help support the mission of the Geek Partnership Society (and the STEAM programming it provides to youth) by picking up holiday presents or a little something special for yourself. GPS is bringing the emporium online again this year in an auction format. Be sure to check the website throughout the week to keep an eye on your bids and see newly added items. GPS is also a donation box host for the Twin Cities Geek Holiday Toy & Book Drive with two ways to donate: stop by during open event hours to drop off donations in person or auction winners can donate their items remotely by sending GPS a note.

The Legends of White Bear Lake

What: Educational
When: Monday, November 28, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Learn about the legend behind White Bear Lake’s name. This talk will dive into early sources and explore how the story has changed over the years. This event is free and presented by the White Bear Lake Historical Society.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, November 28, 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.

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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Healing a Divided Nation: How the American Civil War Revolutionized Western Medicine

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, November 30, at 6:00 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 the scientific and cultural advancements in the field of medicine during the American Civil War. General-admission tickets are $25. Check out the streaming-series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Live Stream: What’s Up?

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, November 30, 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, November 30, 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.

Minnesota Electronic Theater 2022

What: Movies
When: Thursday, December 1, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

The Minnesota Electronic Theater is an annual celebration of locally-made animation, visual effects, and motion graphics. This year’s free showcase will be held online and broadcast via the Nice Moves YouTube channel.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, December 1, and Sunday, December 4; 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.

Science Centre Lectures UCL: We Are Stardust

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Saturday, December 2, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual

The University College London hosts free online lectures about scientific topics on Friday evenings (or Saturday afternoons here in Minnesota) throughout their academic year. While this long-running series is directed towards students and their teachers, everyone is welcome to attend, including the general public. This week, Dr. Kate Pattle will discuss “We Are Stardust: How New Stars and their Planets are Born.” Check out the event page for upcoming talks as well as links to watch recordings of past lectures.

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.

A Christmas Carol

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, November 11, through Saturday, December 31; various times
Where: Guthrie Theater

The classic holiday tale A Christmas Carol is back at the Guthrie Theater with their fun adaptation that debuted in 2021. This production stays true to the familiar story of Scrooge and his visits with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future, while bringing a fresh perspective and injecting humor from the Dickens original (read our full review here). Tickets start at $20, and discounts are available.

Winter Lights 2022

What: Community, Arts
When: Thursday, November 17, through Sunday, January 1; various times
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)

Take a stroll through the illuminated gardens at the Arboretum! These outdoor light displays feature flowers, trees, a giant tribute apple, a 25-foot poinsettia tree, and a new weeping willow. Other activities include live music on the weekends and marshmallow roasting in the S’mores Village. Check out the event page for more information on hours, performers, and theme nights. Tickets are $25 with discounts available for members; kids 15 and under are free with a ticketed adult.

GLOW Holiday Festival 2022

What: Family, Arts
When: Wednesday, November 23, to Sunday, January 1
Where: CHS Field

Enjoy a new holiday experience at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints. GLOW is a holiday spectacle featuring over a million holiday lights, illuminated trees, icicles, and art installations. Tickets are $12.75 for children, and $20.75 for adults.

Christmas in Color Animated Light Show

What: Community, Arts
When: Friday, November 25, through Sunday, January 1
Where: Valleyfair Parking Lot

Millions of holiday lights come to life every night at Valleyfair. This drive-through experience features illuminated tunnels, animated characters, and seasonal favorites all synchronized to music that plays through car radios. Tickets start at $35 per vehicle, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Minnesota chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Gingerbread Wonderland

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, November 26, through Sunday, January 8; various times
Where: Norway House

The annual Gingerbread Wonderland is a gallery collection featuring cookie recreations of famous locations in Minnesota, fairytales, and beyond by local bakers of all ages and skill levels. Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under are free.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, November 29, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 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.

Beauty and the Beast

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, November 30, through Saturday, December 31
Where: Ordway

Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast returns to enchant audiences at the Ordway! This beloved adaptation of the Disney classic brings this tale as old as time to new life up on the stage. Tickets start at $50.

Books & Bars: Paper Girls

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Urban Growler

Books and Bars is an “open public book club show” that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” This month features Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, the story of a group of girls who get caught up in an invasion from the future while out on their morning paper route. The discussion will cover the trade paperback which collects issues #1-30.

Level Up at the Library!

What: Gaming, Community,
When: Wednesday, November 30, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: George Latimer Library

Geek out, hang out, and enjoy the company of other geeky teens at this event for everyone 12–18 at the Teen Room of the George Latimer library. This is a great space for gamers, crafters, techies, and art-geeks to get together, socialize, and have a little fun.

The Snowy Day

What: Family, Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, December 1, through Friday, December 23; various times
Where: SteppingStone Theatre

Wonder and joy take center stage in this adaptation of the Caldecott Medal-winning picture book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. This production explores the changing seasons and celebrates the childhood awe experienced in small moments. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for children.

Holidazzle

What: Nightlife, Arts, Movies, Family
When: Fridays to Sundays, November 25, through December 18; various times
Where: Loring Park

The Holidazzle is back in Loring Park! Shop local-craft vendors, enjoy live music and food, walk through an illuminated art display, go on amusement rides, and more. There are fireworks at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Holidazzle is open Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with free admission. A full schedule of events and additional information can be found on the Holidazzle website.

St. Paul European Christmas Market

What: Arts, Community, Food & Drink
When: Friday through Sunday, weekends of November 25, through December 16
Where: Union Depot (East Plaza)

Enjoy the warmth of your community at this open-air, European-style Christmas market in St. Paul, with handmade local gifts and decor, European-inspired food and delicacies, and of course, Glühwein (spiced mulled wine). These markets are popular in Germany and Austria during the advent season, and bring warmth and cheer in spite of looming winter.

Scream It Off Screen: Holiday Special

What: Movies
When: Friday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

Scream It Off Screen is a short-film contest with an audience interaction element! Come together with other film nerds in one of the Twin Cities greatest revival theaters. Audiences will cry out “Gong!” or “Let it play!” in order to determine which films will be shown in full. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Art and the Landscape Hike

What: Sports & Fitness, Educational
When: Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Explore the relationship between artists and our knowledge of history during a free outdoor hike. See past depictions of the area’s landscape, compare it to what you see on the hike, and learn more about different visual records and what they can reveal about our history. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.

Free First Saturday: Material Messengers

What: Art
When: Saturday, December 3, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Head over to the Walker Art Center on the first Saturday of every month for an afternoon of free activities and gallery admission. This month explores materials and memories with activities inspired by the Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts exhibit, including making mini sculptures, screening a short film, and creating typographic drawings.

The Twin Cities That Never Happened

What: Educational
When: Saturday, December 3, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

Explore alternate histories of the Twin Cities by learning all about the urban planning projects that never quite made it to our streets. The Minnesota Historical Society’s Alex Weston will discuss proposed projects like canal systems, utopian communities, aerial gondolas, and more. This free event is part of the North Star Voices series that shines a spotlight on Minnesota’s hidden or forgotten landscapes.

Midnight Mayhem: Black Christmas + Dial Code Santa Claus

What: Movies
When: Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Main

Catch a holiday horror double feature at the Main! The films being screened are Black Christmas, a yuletime slasher set on a college campus, and Dial Code Santa Claus, the once hard-to-find cult favorite where a kid defends his home from a bloodthirsty Santa. This month’s Midnight Mayhem will also feature onsite vendors and giveaways. Twin Cities geeks can use discount code DECMAYHEM to get member ticket pricing of $8 to $10.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, December 4, 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!

A St. Thomas Christmas: Dawning Light

What: Music
When: Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

St. Thomas’s annual Christmas concert is back for its 35th year. The Dawning Light performance will pay homage to the community’s resilience and persisting hope. Over 200 students will be performing across several choirs and ensembles, both on stage and in the lobby. This event will also be collecting new mittens and gloves to provide to people in need. Tickets are $36 and all proceeds go towards supporting performance and international learning opportunities for students.

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!