This Week in Geek (12/4/23–12/10/23)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, December 4, to Sunday, December 10.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Creative Night @ GPS Online

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, December 4, 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, December 4, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–America’s First Women Astronauts

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, December 5, 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 America’s first women astronauts with journalist Loren Grush, author of The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts. 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.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, December 6, 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.

Open Mic & Acoustic Jam

What: Music
When: Wednesday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative

Music geeks, take this event as an opportunity to check out new talent and perform! This could be your chance to show off some of your new music, or even take the stage for the first time. The venue has a sound system and acoustic percussion, but you’ll need to bring your own guitars and instruments.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, December 7, and Sunday, December 10; 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, December 8, 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.

A Christmas Carol

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Saturday, December 30; various times
Where: Guthrie Theater

The classic holiday tale A Christmas Carol is back at the Guthrie Theater with their fun adaptation that debuted in 2021. This production stays true to the familiar story of Scrooge and his visits with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future, while bringing a fresh perspective and injecting humor from the Dickens original (read our full 2021 review here). Tickets start at $44, and discounts are available.

Sever’s Holiday Light Show

What: Community, Arts
When: Now through Sunday, December 31; various times
Where: Sever’s (Shakopee)

Millions of holiday lights come to life every night at Sever’s! This drive-through experience features illuminated tunnels, animated characters, and seasonal favorites all synchronized to holiday music. Tickets are $30–60 per vehicle.

Winter Lights 2023

What: Community, Arts
When: Now through Sunday, December 31; various times
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.

GLOW Holiday Festival 2023

What: Family, Arts
When: Now through Sunday, January 1, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: CHS Field

Enjoy a fun holiday experience at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints. GLOW is a holiday spectacle featuring over a million holiday lights, illuminated trees, playful activities, and art installations. Tickets are $12.75 for children, and $20.75 for adults.

Gingerbread Wonderland

What: Arts, Community
When: Now through Sunday, January 7; various times
Where: Norway House

The annual Gingerbread Wonderland is a gallery collection featuring cookie recreations of famous locations in Minnesota, fairytales, and beyond by local bakers of all ages and skill levels. Tickets are $15; kids 12 and under are free.

Community Painting Night

What: Arts, Community
When: Monday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Come on down to the Source to work on your geeky painting projects. This is a communal space to work on minis painting. Bring your own supplies and meet other crafty geeks.

Author Signing: Justin Alexander

What: Books, Gaming
When: Thursday, December 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Tower Games

Justin Alexander, author of So You Want to Be a Game Master, ENNIE award-winning blogger, and GM-teacher will be signing books at Tower Games. This is also a chance to ask questions, and to meet other tabletop RPG fans.

Vanaheimr: Stories of the Lesser

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday through Saturday, at 7:00 p.m., weekends through December 9
Where: In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater

Vanaheimr: Stories of the Lesser is a stage production that explores the story remnants of ancient Scandinavian gods from before the Viking, Iron, and Bronze Ages through a mix of shadow puppetry, live Nordic folk music, classical poetry, and modern dance. Tickets start at $25.

It’s An Honorable Life

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Friday through Sunday, weekends through December 23
Where: Mounds Theatre

This Star Trek fan production takes the beloved Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, and shows it through a Klingon lens. The production is performed in Klingon and English, with English supertitles for those who are not fluent in the language. Patrons are invited to cosplay as Klingons or other (but probably less honorable) Star Trek characters. Tickets are $37.50 or $27.50.

St. Paul European Christmas Market

What: Arts, Community, Food & Drink
When: Friday through Sunday, weekends 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. Check out Union Depot’s Holiday Hub webpage for more seasonal events and free Metro Transit ride passes.

Holiday Jubilee Sale

What: Gaming, Community
When: Friday, December 8, through Sunday, December 10
Where: Source Comics and Games

Take part in the Source’s biggest event of the year, with local game publishers and artisans, snacks and drinks for customers, and a 10 % discount storewide. The Source Comics and Games carries comic books, games, RPGs, and more.

Krampus Nacht

What: Nightlife
When: Friday, December 8, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub

For geeks who didn’t get enough of spooky season, or want to mix a little spooky peanut butter in with their holiday chocolate, there is Krampusnacht. This is not your traditional holiday party, as the folks at Ground Zero are all about honoring the Krampus (the creature from European folklore that punishes badly behaved children). This is a 21+ event with a $10 cover—please note that it is a cash bar.

Electronics Recycling—Salvage Saturday

What: Community, Science & Technology
When: Saturday, December 9, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Repowered (860 Vandalia Street, St. Paul, MN 55114)

Repowered is partnering with Ramsey County to give residents a chance to safely dispose of unwanted electronics to be recycled or refurbished for free. Data security and destruction is guaranteed. They are unable to accept hazardous waste, broken bulbs, biological waste, equipment containing mercury, physical media, power tools, and solar panels.

The 5th Annual Original Mattress Factory Bring A Blanket for Bridging

What: Community
When: Saturday, December 9, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Original Mattress Factory (see post for multiple locations)

This blanket drive collects new and gently used blankets for people in need. There are four locations throughout the Twin Cities accepting blankets, and the first 102 cars to each location will receive a “secret envelope,” with gift cards and other fun items.

The Coming of Winter

What: Arts, Educational
When: Sunday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park–Shelter A

Enjoy a free morning of nature with a focus on the coming winter! From the perspective of wildlife, it’s already winter and they’ve already begun adapting. Come on down in your layers and learn all about those adaptations and what the winter has in store for the state.

Family Day: Rainbows and Reflections

What: Arts, Family
When: Sunday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minnesota Institute of Art

Family Day opens up the museum with hands-on art making and gallery hunts that take families on adventures through the museum. This month, we celebrate an end to 2023 with rainbows and reflections. This event will highlight Collage/Assemblage Part 1: 1940–1989.

(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!