This Week in Geek (9/18/23–9/24/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, September 18, to Sunday, September 24.

Virtual Events

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, September 18, 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, September 18, 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.

Science Story Time

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, September 20, 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 three to six years old.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Asteroids: Celestial Interlopers

What: Educational
When: Thursday, September 21, 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 asteroids, including how they’re formed, their role in our solar system’s development, the threat they pose, and the captivating questions yet to be answered that continue to drive research. 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 21, and Sunday, September 24; 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 22, 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.

Global Citizen Festival Live

What: Music
When: Saturday, September 22, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: YouTube, Instagram, ABC, Amazon Prime Video

The Global Citizen Festival is back for another year of live music in support of ending of extreme poverty through action. The festival will feature performances and guest appearances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megan Thee Stallion, Stray Kids, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jung Kook (of BTS), Bill Nye, Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, Eddie Izzard, Connie Britton, Padma Lakshmi, and many more. It will be broadcasted on free and paid services including YouTube, Instagram, ABC, and Amazon Prime Video; see the website for a full list of viewing options.

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 (Almost) Complete and (Mostly) Accurate History of Alcohol

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through September 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Enjoy a comedic exploration of the history of alcohol and society’s fascination with it. This 90-minute sketch show with weekend performances will travel through the ages and bring scenes to life from the prohibition era, ancient Greece, and a modern Thanksgiving gathering. Tickets are $18.

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, 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.

Pinehaven Farms Fall Festival

What: Family, Food & Drink
When: Now through Sunday, October 29
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming)

Fall is here and Pinehaven Farms is celebrating all season long! Experience classic autumnal farm activities like pumpkin picking, tractor-pull rides, a petting zoo, a corn pit, and tasty treats, as well as fun modern twists like pumpkin and corn cannons, ziplines, apple blasters, and gem mining. The festival is open weekends through October 29, with different themes and themed-activities each weekend. Day passes start at $11; children under 2 are free.

Free Speech at the Crossroads: A Minnesota Dialogue

What: Educational
When: Monday, September 18, through Wednesday, September 20
Where: The Knight Foundation and Hamline University

Explore modern issues surrounding free speech and the First Amendment during a free three-day symposium. Session topics include book banning, protest rights, hate speech in politics, free expression in comedy, Minnesota’s free speech history, and more. Registration for this free event is required. Check out the website for more information, including a full schedule and list of session speakers. The event is co-sponsored by Georgetown University, the Knight Foundation, the Star Tribune, MinnPost, the Wayfinder Foundation, and the University of Minnesota.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Game Night at Roxy’s Cabaret

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 20, 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.

GothiCoffee

What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Hard Time Cafe

The Twin Cities Elysium Society hosts a casual meetup on the third Wednesday of each month. This group is a “community and a resource for all manner of goth, not-goth, darksider, freak, punk, metal, steam, cyber, rivet, Victorian, romantic, grufti, espeluznante, emo, otaku, morbidly inclined, dark creative, what-have-you (you know who you are).”

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, September 20, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern

Pundamonium is a pun slam—a competition of wordplay with ten contestants, each given two minutes to make puns based on prompts they are given ahead of time. A few lucky audience members act as judges for the night, with their top four pun slingers going head to head in a final pun off.

Music in the Parks: Lipa-Carpatho-Rusyn Slovak Dancers

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Thursday, September 21, at  7:00 p.m.
Where: The Commons

Enjoy the Music in the Parks with Lipa, a group dedicated to the preserving Rusyn and Slovak dance, music, and culture. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Friday Museum Nights: Honey I Shrunk the Kids

What: Movies
When: Friday, September 22, 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 Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Tickets are $9.95; packages are available to bundle one or more screenings and museum admission.

Como Quest

What: Family, Gaming
When: Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Explore the zoo through an app-based adventure where players complete missions, solve clues, uncover animal secrets, and collect rewards. The adventure will feature hands-on activities, games, and crafts. Tickets are available for teams of 4–6 starting at $100. All ages are welcome to play, and there is a specially tailored Cubs Quest available for the youngest players.

The Comic Show

What: Comics
When: Saturday, September 23, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Valley Creek Mall

Come on down to the Valley Creek Mall for a free show with 40 tables of comics! This event is put on by the Minnesota Comic Exchange, and will run for six hours.

The Irreverent Bookworm 4th Birthday Celebration

What: Books, Community
When: Saturday, September 23, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Irreverent Bookworm

Celebrate The Irreverent Bookworm’s fourth birthday! Stop by the bookshop between noon and 5:00 p.m. for special deals, giveaways, treats, and more. Check out their website for full details.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 23, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lakefront Park (Prior Lake, MN)

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.

Annual Hobbits’ Birthday Party with Presenter Nancy Martsch

What: Books, Movies, Community
When: Saturday, September 23, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Celebrate Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’s birthdays with the Rivendell Discussion Group of the Mythopoeic Society! This free event will feature special guest Nancy Martsch, who is the editor of Beyond Bree, a newsletter dedicated to JRR Tolkien, and a published author of papers on Tolkien. Attendees are also encouraged to reach out to organizers if they would like to share their Tolkien-inspired songs, poems, photos, memories, favorite passages, or other sharables connected to the beloved works.

Cinema of the Macabre Presents: Fright Night Market 2023

What: Community, Movies
When: Saturday, September 23, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Falling Knife Brewing Company

Get into the spooky season vibes at the Fright Night Market! This pop-up market will feature vendors and artists selling vintage Halloween decorations, masks, vinyl records, art prints, VHS, books, and more. The event will end with a free projection screening of a mystery VHS horror movie.

Avant Garden 2023

What: Nightlife, Music, Arts
When: Saturday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Support the arts in style with this night of music, art, cocktails, and food in a beautiful setting. Nosh on gourmet food and sip craft cocktails while enjoying an art auction and rubbing elbows with other patrons of the arts. There will be live musical performances by Vagabon, DJ Tricki Miki, and DJ Dub Minus. Tickets start at $150; see the event website for more details on ticket packages.

Vilification Tennis: Big Mother is Watching You

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, September 23, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

Vilification Tennis, a local structured-improv show focused on insult contests, returns for comedy gauntlet inspired by George Orwell’s dystopian classic 1984. Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 24, 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!

Colibrí Arts & Culture Market

What: Arts, Community
When: Sunday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Head over to Union Depot for a free afternoon of live music, dance performances, and a market filled with local artists and their wares. And if you’re feeling a bit peckish, local food trucks will be onsite selling tasty bites.

Fire & Nice Game Night

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, September 24, 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!