This Week in Geek 10/23/23–10/29/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 23, to Sunday, October 29.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, October 23, 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, October 23, 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.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, October 25, at 7:45 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Start your morning with yoga at the zoo! Each week, the instructor teaches a yoga routine live from exhibits around the zoo. These classes are appropriate for both beginners and experienced yogis. Classes are $8 each for nonmembers, with reduced rates available for zoo members or when registering for multiple classes at the same time. Sessions are recorded and available to view during the week for those who are unable to tune in live.

Orbit Presents: How to Write Your First SFF Novel—Taking Inspiration from Classic Stories

What: Books, Educational
When: Thursday, October 26, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast

This fall, the book publisher Orbit will be hosting a free event series exploring the different aspects of writing science-fiction and fantasy novels. Each week will feature a different topic and panel of authors, giving attendees a great opportunity to improve their writing skills and learn how published authors approach their craft. This week looks at taking inspiration from classic stories. For those unable to tune in live, all events in the series will be recorded and available to watch for free.

Smithsonian Streaming Associates: Of Mice and Men

What: Educational, Books
When: Thursday, October 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, join Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, explores the themes, ideas, and style of Steinbeck’s brief 1937 masterpiece Of Mice and Men. 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 26, and Sunday, October 29; 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, October 27, 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 hand washing. 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.

Cracked Walnut Literary Festival

What: Books
When: Now through Tuesday, October 24
Where: Various; see below

Enjoy a slate of poetry readings, workshops, and performances throughout the month of October during the Cracked Walnut Literary Festival! Events will take place at different locations around the metro, including libraries, bookstores, museums, and breweries. Most individual events are free, with some having donation-based tickets.

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 two are free.

The Dead End Hayride

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater
When: Now through Tuesday, October 31
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming, MN)

Enjoy outdoor scares in a dark, deep, and isolated woodland trail with 200 zombies, monsters, and more. Expect clowns, butchers, pyrotechnics, and spooky ruins on this slow, creepy fright ride. Tickets run from $24–77.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

What: Family, Community
When: Now through Saturday, November 4
Where: Minnesota Zoo

This is a chance to explore a trail of artistically carved glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo. This year’s theme is “Naturally Magical,” and features new artists’ creations. Tickets range from $14–24, and members receive $2 off.

Nowhere Haunted House

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Family
When: Now through Tuesday, October 31
Where: 300 South Robert Trail, Suite 300, Inver Grove Heights

This haunted house returns for a second year, with the addition of an arcade and spooky minigolf outside the main attraction—check out our review from a haunt veteran to learn a bit about what to expect. October 26 has an 18-plus night from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., October 28 has “low-scare” tours from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and October 29 has fully lights-on, kid-friendly, behind-the-scenes tours from 1:00 to 4:00. Details on the various options are available on the Nowhere website.

October Star Party

What: Science & Tech, Education, Family
When: Monday, October 23, at 7:00 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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 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 October exploring 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir by Ai Weiwei. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

The Haunted Avalon: A Puppet Theatre Showcase

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Thursday, October 26, though Monday, October 30
Where: Heart of The Beast Puppet and Mask Theater

Enjoy a night of spooky and kooky puppetry and music as six teams of puppetry artists revisit Halloween. Expect varied vignettes that employ a variety of puppetry techniques. The event organizers warn that these thrills and chills are rated PG-13.

Twin Cities Horror Festival Season XII

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, October 19, through Sunday, October 29
Where: Crane Theater

The Twin Cities Horror Festival returns for its 12th year with “11 terrifying days of onstage horror” at Minneapolis’s Southern Theater. See the festival website for the full lineup of horror-themed performances, which include theater, dance, and more. This is a chance to explore deep-seated fears through theater. Individual tickets start at $15, with additional festival-pass options available.

Not So Scary Halloween

What: Family, Community
When: Friday, October 27, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Midtown Global Market

Bring the little ones to Midtown Global Market for a kid-friendly event with trick or treating and fun!

Twilight—Screening & Shadowcast!

What: Movies, Comedy & Theater
When: Friday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Theater

Enjoy a screening of the sparkly vampire classic, enhanced with a shadow cast performance and audience interaction. This event is organized by NerdDoms Universe. Tickets are $20.

Halloween Half Marathon

What: Sports and Fitness, Community
When: Saturday, October 28, at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Father Hennepin Bluff Park

Enjoy a half marathon, 10k or 5k, while dressed up in a Halloween costume. There’s a chance to win prizes or raise money for the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Flip Phone XXL Halloween starring Crystal Methyd

What: Nightlife
When: Saturday, October 28, at 9 p.m.
Where: First Avenue 

Enjoy a night of Halloween debauchery and dancing starring Crystal Methyd (from RuPaul’s Drag Race). This is a great chance to take part in a costume contest, dance, and see great drag performances. This is an 18+ event. Tickets are $18.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 29, 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!

Halloween K-ostume Party

What: Music, Arts, Community
When: Sunday, October 29, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Sencha Tea Bar

This is a chance to enjoy the joy that is K-Pop Halloween content, and some boba! Attendees are to come in their favorite meme, stage fit, costume, etc., or just come as you are. All fandoms are welcome. This is a donation supported event.

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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!