This Week in Geek (8/28/23–9/3/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, August 28, to Sunday, September 3.

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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 28, 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 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.

Mary Jo Pehl Night

What: Movies
When: Tuesday, August 29, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Join Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Mary Jo Pehl for a comedy-variety show featuring an interactive hour of comedy with themes decided by fans. This event is free with ads on Twitch, or available with no ads for Mary Jo Pehl Show Clubhouse subscribers.

Science Story Time

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, August 30, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–The Jesuits in the United States: A Modern Perspective on 500 Years

What: Educational
When: Thursday, August 31, at 5:45 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 history of the United States through the lens of the Jesuit order in the US, following 500 years. General-admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

3D Paper Art: Pop-Ups and Paper Engineering with Yoojin Kim

What: Educational, Arts
When: Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

This four-part seminar series from Atlas Obscura explores the fascinating and versatile art that can be created from the humble medium of paper, as well as provides the tools and instruction to create both simple and complex 3D paper art. Designer and paper engineer Yoojin Kim will lead the interactive sessions, with the first one introducing the craft, tools, and one-sheet pop-ups. Sessions are held weekly through September 14, and tickets are $245 for the entire series.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, August 31, and Sunday, September 3; 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, September 1, 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.

Minnesota State Fair

What: Community, Family, Food & Drink, Music
When: Now through Monday, September 4
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Twelve days of fun from August 24 to September 4, famous for its foods on sticks, butter princesses, musical acts (including Brandi Carlile and Duran Duran this year!), prize-winning animals, arts and crafts, and limited-run beer! They don’t call it the great Minnesota get-together for nothing, and geeks of all stripes are likely to find activities that interest them. Adult tickets are $15 (see the ticket site for all costs and deals) for this family-friendly event, with musical performances requiring separate tickets. See the website for more details on planning your trip, and be sure to check out our article regarding the character alignments of the new state fair foods!

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Now 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 19 to October 1! 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.

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.

Music in the Parks: Retro Soul and the Westside Horns

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Monday, August 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through the summer. This week features Retro Soul and the Westside Horns playing rock and roll, soul, funk, and blues. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, August 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 August exploring Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Game Night at Roxy’s Cabaret

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 30, 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.

Movies in the Parks: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank

What: Movies, Community, Family
When: Thursday, August 31, at 7:45 p.m.
Where: JD Rivers Children’s Garden

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 Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, a 2022 animated comedy with Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Cera, and Michelle Yeoh. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Friday Museum Nights: A Bug’s Life

What: Movies
When: Friday, September 1, 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 September is Backyard Science, with this week featuring A Bug’s Life. Tickets are $9.95; packages are available to bundle one or more screenings and museum admission.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard—Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 2, 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.

Skins and Skulls

What: Educational
When: Saturday, September 2, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn about the wide variety of animal species at Fort Snelling State Park by examining their skulls and skins. This event is free. Check out the Department of Natural Resources events calendar for more great activities happening this week in parks across the state.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 3, 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!

Fire & Nice Game Night

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, September 3, 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!