This Week in Geek (11/20/23–11/26/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, November 20, to Sunday, November 26.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Edgar Allan Poe: Love, Loss, and Invention

What: Educational
When: Monday, November 20, 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, novelist and poet Robert Morgan will look at the life of Edgar Allan Poe, a gifted and complicated author. General-admission tickets are $35. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, November 20, 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, November 20, 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.

The Mary Jo Pehl Show QVC Special

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Tuesday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Join Mystery Science Theater 3000‘s Mary Jo Pehl and comedian Chris Gersbeck for a deep dive into the weirdness of QVC and fashion trends. This event is free as a live-stream, with an archive available to members of the Mary Jo Pehl Show Clubhouse.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, November 22, 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, November 23, and Sunday, November 26; 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, November 24, 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.

Winter Lights 2023

What: Community, Arts
When: Now through Sunday, December 31
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)

Take a stroll through the illuminated gardens at the Arboretum. These outdoor light displays highlight the beauty of nature, including flowers, trees, a giant tribute apple, and a weeping willow. Other activities include a color-changing tunnel, live music on the weekends, and marshmallow roasting in the S’mores Village. Check out the event page for more information on hours, performers, and theme nights. Tickets are $25 with discounts available for members; kids 15 and under are free on non-themed nights with a ticketed adult.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Virtual Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, November 21, 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 November exploring Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Thanksgiving Break One-Day Camp

What: Family, Educational
When: Wednesday, November 22, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Urban Air Adventure Park

This day camp for kids 7–14 focuses on learning and play. Kids will get to enjoy Minecraft, Pokémon, Star Wars, robotics, and more. The activities are geared in such a way to get kids experimenting with principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. This event is $84.99. Snapology will also have a Black Friday day camp.

Classic Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, November 22, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post 246

Transmission returns with its classic pre-Thanksgiving dance party! This will be a night celebrating alternative music from the ‘60s to today. Tickets are $13 in advance or $18 at the door.

Nutcracker Turkey Trot 5K

What: Community, Sports and Fitness
When: Thursday, November 23, at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School

Start Thanksgiving with a bit of movement and fun with this 5K run. Attendees are encouraged to come in their best turkey costumes for a fun (and not terribly competitive) event. There will be warm beverages, cookies, and water after the run. Furry friends welcome. Registration is free, but donations are encouraged.

Black Bazaar At American Monsters

What: Arts, Community
When: Friday, November 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Mall of America, Level 2, S200

See 30+ local artists at American Monsters at the mall. This is a chance to find unique gifts, rare books, art, and crafts from local artists and vendors. There will also be lights-on tours of American Monsters. Entry is free, and open during mall hours.

St. Paul European Christmas Market

What: Arts, Community, Food & Drink
When: Friday through Sunday, weekends of November 24, through December 17
Where: Union Depot (East Plaza)

Enjoy the warmth of your community at this open-air, European-style Christmas market in St. Paul, with handmade local gifts and decor, European-inspired food and delicacies, and of course, Glühwein (spiced mulled wine). These markets are popular in Germany and Austria during the advent season, and bring warmth and cheer in spite of looming winter.

Hibernate!

What: Arts, Educational
When: Saturday, November 25, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

While the winter’s cold might make us feel like hibernating, there’re animals in Minnesota that have to hibernate to survive. Learn about the adaptations that allow them to survive our cold winters. This event is free and open to all ages.

Ecology of Star Wars – A Monster Science Comedy

What: Comedy & Theater, Movies
When: Saturday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Thinking Spot

Reverend Matt (of Monster Science fame) returns to the Thinking Spot for a comedic and educational look at the animals from Star Wars. This event is going to be part science, part standup comedy, and appropriate for ages 10+. Tickets are $13.55 after applicable service fees.

Transvestite Soup Presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show

What: Film, Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, November 25, at 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Parkway

Watch a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the “longest-running midnight movie of all time.” Transvestite Soup is the Twin Cities’ shadow cast for the showings, performing for your pleasure as part of the cult classic’s well-established tradition. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. and tickets are $10.

The Sound of Music Sing-Along Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, November 26, at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Where: Crave (Minneapolis)

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week pays tribute to the musical classic The Sound of Music with this sing-along drag brunch. Tickets are $17 and attendees must purchase a buffet meal during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, November 26, 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!

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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!