This Week in Geek (9/25/23–10/1/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, September 25, to Sunday, October 1.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, September 25, 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: TriviaF
When: Monday, September 25, 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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, September 26, 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 September exploring Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Countering the Myth of the Lost Cause: Truths about the Past

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, September 26, 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 myth of the Lost Cause, lingering effects of the Civil War, and the way that former Confederates created a social and cultural movement to spread this myth and justify the conflict and lionize the rebels. 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, September 27, 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 toward children three to six years old.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 28, and Sunday, October 1; 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 29, 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 (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. (Read our review.)

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 Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds.

Pinehaven Farms Fall Festival

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

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, zip lines, 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.

2023 Arab Film Festival

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, September 27, to Sunday, October 1
Where: The Main Cinema, Walker Art Center

Mizna’s Twin Cities Arab Film Festival returns for the 17th time, taking place at the Main Cinema with a special opening event at the Walker Art Center. See the event page for screening and schedule details, as this festival will include a variety of films. Passes are $80 for the festival, with in person tickets for individual screenings at $12.

Game Night at Roxy’s Cabaret

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 27, 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.

Music in the Parks: Silversmith

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Thursday, September 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Commons

Enjoy the Music in the Parks with Silversmith, a group featuring lithe vocals evoking feeling worlds. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Going Out, Coming In: LGBTQ+ Stories from the Twin Cities

What: Educational
When: Friday, September 29, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mill City Museum

Join Telling Queer History and the Minnesota Historical Society for a conversation with LGBTQIA+ storytellers about resistance, love, and identity formation. This is a chance to learn about LGBTQIA+ spaces in the Twin Cities and the ways that folks found community in these spaces. This is a free event.

Friday Museum Nights: Fantastic Mr. Fox

What: Movies
When: Friday, September 29, 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 Fantastic Mr. Fox. Tickets are $9.95; packages are available to bundle one or more screenings and museum admission.

Cars and Caves

What: Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, September 30, 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.

Minnesota Orchestra Open House

What: Music, Community
When: Saturday, September 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

Celebrate the new Minnesota Orchestra season with free public tours, an open house in the lobby (with interactive exhibits, performances, kid-friendly activities and more), and a performance of Debussy and Ravel at 2:00. (The concert at 2:00 is a ticketed event with tickets up to $50.)

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 30, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lakefront Park (Prior Lake)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action role-play (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.

State of Comics Series: Jim Keefe

What: Arts, Educational
When: Saturday, September 30, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

This is your chance to learn about the artistic process behind bringing daily comic strips to life! Join Jim Keefe (artist for Sally Forth and Flash Gordon) to learn about the process, the impact of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz on Keefe’s work, and the rich history of comics in Minnesota.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 1, 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, October 1, 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!

(Jump to Top)

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!