This Week in Geek (8/14/23–8/20/23)

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

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Minnesota Fringe Presents Hollywood Fringe

What: Movies
When: Now through Sunday, September 10
Where: Virtual via Pennant

This year Minnesota Fringe, in conjunction with their annual festival, is presenting a virtual screening of Hollywood Fringe. The film is a dark comedy where ex-Minnesotan actors stage a Fringe play about their experiences trying to make art in the industry town of Los Angeles. It was written, produced, and directed by filmmakers Megan Huber and Wyatt McDill, stars Justin Kirk (Succession), and features music by John Munson (Semisonic, The New Standards). Virtual movie tickets are $5.

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, August 14, 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, August 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Kurt Weill: Romantic Satirist, Modern Populist

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, August 15, at 5:30 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 the music, musical theater, and early works of Kurt Weill, best known for work with Bertolt Brecht, Ira Gershwin and Langston Hughes. General-admission tickets are $35, 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, August 16, 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, August 17, and Sunday, August 20; 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.

Friday Night Comics Workshops

What: Comics
When: Friday, August 18, 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 Pickup Truck Opera: Romeo & Juliet

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, September 10
Where: Various venues

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 of 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.

Movies in the Parks: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Tuesday, August 15, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Folwell 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 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the emotional followup to Black Panther. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Game Night at Roxy’s Cabaret

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Roxy’s Cabaret

Enjoy a night of games, drinks, and friendly competition every Wednesday night at Roxy’s Cabaret! They’ll have a variety of tabletop and card games available, including traditional game-night classics and modern hits, as well as Mario Kart up on the big LED wall. Attendees are also welcome to bring along their favorite games to play.

The Art & Science of Skipping Stones

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, August 17, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn the art and science of skipping stones from a two-time county champion rock skipper. Please note, there will be a half-mile hike from the start of the meeting point at Thomas C Savage Visitors Center to the Mississippi River.

The Warriors 35mm presentation with pre-movie trivia

What: Movies, Trivia
When: Thursday, August 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway

Enjoy an evening of classic cinema and trivia at the Parkway with this screening of 1979’s The Warriors. Tickets are $9 in advance or $12 at the door. The event will begin with trivia at 7:30 before a screening of the classic saga about NYC street gangs, roller-skating, rough housing, and more. The film is rated R.

Friday Museum Nights: Jurassic World

What: Movies
When: Friday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

Experience classic fan-favorite movies up on the massive Omnitheater screen every Friday night at the Science Museum. While waiting in line, attendees can also enjoy some hands-on activities. The theme for August is dinosaurs, with this week featuring Jurassic World. Tickets are $9.95; packages are available to bundle one or more screenings and museum admission.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Saturday, August 19, through Sunday, October 1
Where: 12364 Chestnut Boulevard (Shakopee)

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 52nd season, and will be open weekends from August 19th to October 1st! Come experience a wide variety of Renaissance-themed activities, including musical acts, comedy shows, artisan markets, food and drink, actors in costume, games, demos, jousting, and kid-themed events. The fest is open rain or shine, and tickets are $26.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, and $17.95 for children at the gate, and there are other ticket and pass options available on the fair website. Please note, parking passes are needed to park on the MN Ren Fest Grounds.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard—Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 19, 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.

Heiruspecs Summer Classic

What: Music, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, August 19, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Keg & Case Courtyard

Enjoy a free outdoor block party with Heiruspecs, Maria Isa, and Unknown Prophets. This is a chance for great music, food, beer, local DJs, a car show, and more, all at Keg and Case.

Get Your Rear in Gear—Twin Cities

What: Community
When: Sunday, August 20, at 7:00 a.m.
Where: Southdale Center

Get Your Rear In Gear is a 5K run/walk to raise money to fight colorectal cancer in Minnesota. This is a family friendly event with friendly competition and a handful of activities, from a fun run for kids, to a timed run. See the site for more details!

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 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!

Music in the Parks: Not Quite Dead

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Sunday, August 20, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy the Music in the Parks series as it continues through the summer. This week features Not Quite Dead, a Grateful Dead tribute band. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Como Park Japanese Obon Festival

What: Community, Family
When: Sunday, August 20, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, in partnership with the Japan America Society of Minnesota and the St. Paul–Nagasaki Sister City Committee, holds an annual one-day celebration of the Japanese festival of Obon. There will be traditional dances and music performances, martial-arts demonstrations, food, Japanese carnival games, and more, culminating in a lantern-lighting ceremony. Advance tickets are required; admission is $5 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 3–12 and 65+, and free for children under three.

Fire & Nice Game Night

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, August 20, 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!