This Week in Geek (7/24/23–7/30/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, July 24, to Sunday, July 30.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

Let your creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever your heart desires at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by the Geek Partnership Society. This is a free event and a great opportunity to work on projects in great company.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 24, 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.

A Virtual Howlerfest and Celebration with Pierce Brown for Light Bringer

What: Books
When: Tuesday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Celebrate the release of Light Bringer, the sixth installment of the Red Rising Saga, with author Pierce Brown. He’ll be joining his editor, Tricia Narwani, for a discussion about inspirations and the writing process, as well as answering as many fan questions as he can. Tickets are $36, which includes a signed copy of the book and a limited-edition map print of the Archimedes ship.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Our Moon, Lighting the Way

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, July 25, at 7:00 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 impact craters of our Moon and how that history sheds light on the evolution of bodies within our solar system. This event is part of the “A Grand Tour of the Solar System” series. General-admission tickets are $30, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Science Story Time

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, July 26, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join WonderLab for a virtual story time featuring children’s picture books that support STEM skills, scientific concepts, and experimentation. This program is free and geared towards children 3–6 years old.

Gaming Thursdays for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, July 27, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Ramsey County Library is hosting a free virtual game night for teens in grades 6–12 on Thursday nights. Titles played will include both video games and tabletop games.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, July 27, and Sunday, July 30; at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Thursday and Sunday 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.

A Conversation with Sharon Blackie: On Mythology, Land, and Life

What: Books
When: Friday, July 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Award-winning author and internationally recognized educator Sharon Blackie is a mythology specialist who focuses on how fairy tales, myths, and folk traditions are relevant to our modern-day issues. In this talk, she’ll discuss the importance that myths and the land that we live on have on our lives, and how having a deep relationship with them can both challenge us and reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary. Her published books include Hagitude, If Women Rose Rooted, and Foxfire, Wolfskin and Other Stories of Shapeshifting Women. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

Beatrix Potter’s Mycological Explorations

What: Science & Tech, Educational
When: Friday, July 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Many know Beatrix Potter as the beloved author of children’s books like The Tale of Peter Rabbit. But Potter was also a natural scientist. During the Victorian era, she created several illustrations of fungi and shared them with scientifically-inclined institutions like The Linnean Society and the Kew Gardens. In this talk, Isabelle Charmantier, head of collections at The Linnean Society of London, and Dr. Fred Rhoades, research associate at Western Washington University, will discuss mycology, Potter’s illustrations, and the historical context during which they were created. This event is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation to support natural history programs.

Friday Night Comics Workshops

What: Comics
When: Friday, July 28, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join the Sequential Arts Workshop community and a guest artist every Friday night for a virtual comics-making workshop. This event is free and open to all skill levels. While geared towards adults, kids and teens are welcome to join with a parent. Participants are encouraged to share their workshop creations with the group or on social media.

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.

The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior & Cannibals

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, August 13
Where: The Luminary Arts Center

Enjoy a world full of zombies, kung fu, demons, and a treacherous quest. This play is written by Saymoukda Vongsay (see our 2017 piece on Saymoukda here), and directed by Lily Tung Crystal. Recommended market price for tickets is $45, but a “pay as you are” option is available. This play is recommended for people 16 and over due to gore, cannibalism, adult language, grooming, and trauma.

Immersive Disney Animation

What: Movies, Family
When: Now through Sunday, August 13
Where: Lighthouse Immersive Studios

Be surrounded by the art and music of Disney’s animated worlds at this immersive, walk-through experience. See scenes from Disney favorites like The Lion King, Encanto, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid projected on the massive walls accompanied by audio and some interactive elements, like bubbles to simulate being under the sea. The experience also features installations exploring the processes behind making the films, like storyboarding, real-life geographic inspirations, and animation effects. Individual tickets start at $28 and discounted rates are available for family and group packs.

Into the Woods

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, August 13
Where: Guthrie Theater

Head Into the Woods on a storybook adventure that explores what happens beyond happily ever after. This award-winning Broadway musical by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim features a cast of familiar and original fairy-tale characters, who also graced the silver screen in the 2021 Disney film adaptation. Tickets are $20–94.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: Pinocchio (2019)

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Monday, July 24, at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Pearl Park

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 Pinocchio (2019), the live action adaptation of the classic children’s book that was directed and produced by Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, July 25, 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 July exploring Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Opera on the Lake: Die Csárdásfürstin

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Wednesday, July 26, through Friday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Como Lakeside Pavilion

Opera often conjures up images of grand stages and theaters, but this classic music style has found its way into unexpected places like nightclubs and canning factories. Taking inspiration from those exciting venues and embracing her Minnesota roots, professional opera singer Anne Wieben is bringing opera to the lake. This year’s performance is an English adaptation of Die Csárdásfürstin, or The Csardas Princess, which tells the story of a cabaret performer and a nobleman who fall in love, and the societal pressures they face. Tickets are $35.

July Star Party

What: Science & Tech, Education, Family
When: Wednesday, July 26, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Bell Museum

We stand at the edge of an endless cosmic ocean, and Star Party is an opportunity to gaze into infinity with fun activities like a planetarium program, fun activities, and a chance to look into a telescope. This Star Party is a free event, and provides a great opportunity for folks of all ages to explore space.

Alexander Rybak Trio—Midwest Premiere

What: Music
When: Friday, July 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Norway House

Alexander Rybak, winner of 2009’s Eurovision Song Contest, will be making his Midwest debut at Norway House. He’ll be performing with his trio bandmates, pianist Stefan Ibsen Zlatanos and Royal Swedish Opera singer Ebba Lejonclou. Attendees can expect humor, surprises, and a mix of both original and popular songs across genres. Tickets are $35.

The Pickup Truck Opera: Romeo & Juliet

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, July 29, through Sunday, September 10
Where: Various

Opera hits the road in a blue pickup truck with a traveling performance of Romeo & Juliet. This show is adapted from Bellini’s 1830 opera and will feature popular music with passionate feuds and romance including Fleetwood Mac, The Pixies, and The Fugees. All performances will be held outdoors in natural spaces throughout the state and ingeniously use the truck and trailer as a stage. See the website for a full schedule, including the different locations.

Cars and Caves

What: Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, June 29, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Chanhassen Autoplex

Car geeks: this is your chance to see a wide variety of classic cars at the Chanhassen Autoplex. This is a free and family-friendly event! Check the website for monthly theme car shows.

My Neighbor Totoro

What: Movies, Family
When: Saturday, June 29, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway

Catch a showing of the beloved Studio Ghibli classic My Neighbor Totoro up on the big screen at the Parkway. Advanced tickets are $7 for those 13 and older, or $5 for those younger than 13.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard—Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, July 29, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lakefront Park (Prior Lake)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged and all equipment is provided for free.

Songs of Hope Turns 30!

What: Music
When: Saturday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Celtic Junction Arts Center

Songs of Hope, a summer performing-arts camp that welcomes campers from several countries around the globe, is turning 30 and they’re celebrating with a concert performance and the St. Paul premiere of a documentary film about the organization’s history and impact. Tickets are $12.

Transvestite Soup Presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show

What: Film, Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, July 29, at 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Parkway

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.

Join the Club! Getting Started with the Hiking and Passport Clubs

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, July 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Minnesota has over 60 beautiful state parks, and by exploring them, Minnesotans can collect stamps and earn rewards like patches, pins, and free camping nights. At this event, learn about the Passport Club and the Hiking Club from the Department of Natural Resources. After the presentation there will be an optional hike where attendees can check off their first Hiking Club trail. This event is free; club books for logging park adventures and earning rewards cost $14.95 each.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, July 30, 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!

Music in the Parks: Erin Rogue

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Sunday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Loring Park

Enjoy the Music in the Parks series as it continues through the summer. This week features Erin Rogue playing Irish music with a twist. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Fire & Nice Game Night

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, July 30, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Fire & Nice

Come on down to Fire & Nice every Sunday for board games, pizza, and beer. The Twin Cities Board Game Group sets up every Sunday for a community game night, with many games available. Guests are also welcome to bring their own favorites—just walk in, grab a seat, and game!

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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!