This Week in Geek (2/19/24–2/25/24)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, February 19, to Sunday, February 25.

Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, February 19, 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 Central Book Club

What: Books
When: Tuesday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Discuss new and interesting books with the Minneapolis Central Book Club. This book club explores both fiction and nonfiction across genres, with February focusing on The Final Review of Opal & Nev: A Novel by Dawnie Walton. Copies of the audiobook and eBook are available through Libby, and physical copies are available at the Minneapolis Central Library. This event is free, but registration is required. The book choice for March is Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, February 21, 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 $15 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.

The Dark Side of the Universe

What: Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn about the cosmic cocktail that comprises the dark side of the universe and the current evidence supporting the existence of dark matter. In this talk, Katherine Freese, who is the Director of both the Weinberg Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Texas Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, will discuss her book The Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark Matter, from the early coining of the term “dark matter” to current data from the Hadron Collider and space satellites. This event is hosted by New Scientist. Tickets are $20.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on Discord every Wednesday night.

Phantom Chorus Theatre Presents: Jabberwock

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, February 22, through Sunday, February 25; various times
Where: Phoenix Theater & Livestream

Phantom Chorus Theatre presents their latest show, Jabberwock, about two bank robbers encountering an Eldritch horror while hiding out in the American west. Flexible livestream tickets are $8–20.

Great River Review Reading

What: Books
When: Thursday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Celebrate the winners of the 2024 Great River Review writing prizes with a free reading from the winning authors. Jan Beatty is the Pink Poetry Prize winner whose works include American Bastard, Skydog, The Body Wars, and the forthcoming book Dragstripping. Esinam Bediako is the Walter Nathan Essay Award winner whose works have appeared in Southern Humanities Review, North American Review, and Pink Panther Magazine, as well as the forthcoming novel Blood on the Brain.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 22, and Sunday, February 25; 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.

Zoom Discussion with Author Laramie Sasseville of One of Me Is Missing

What: Books
When: Saturday, February 24, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Rivendell Discussion Group of the Mythopoeic Society is hosting an online discussion of One of Me Is Missing with author Laramie Sasseville. The novel follows a young teen as she gets her wish to be in multiple places at once on her quest for knowledge, but complications arise when one of her goes missing.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Architects Respond to Nature: Mies van der Rohe

What: Educational
When: Sunday, February 25, at 1:00 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 the famous architect Mies van der Rohe, his relationship with nature, and how that informed his works. General-admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, February 20, 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 February exploring A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Minneapolis Home + Garden Show

What: Convention
When: Wednesday, February 21, through Sunday, February 25
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

The Minneapolis Home + Garden Show returns for its 90th year! The show features a variety of home improvement exhibits, displays, and programming, as well as live music. Special guests include Dave and Jenny Marrs (Fixer to Fabulous), Bryan Baeumler (Renovation Island), Stephanie Hansen (Taste Buds with Stephanie), and more. Regular adult tickets are $15 and there are numerous discounts and promotions available; see website for details.

Books & Bars: The City We Became

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, February 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sociable Cider Werks

Books & Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by former Minnesota Public Radio producer Jeff Kamin that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” The book being discussed this month is The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin. The next month’s book is Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González.

Phantom Chorus Theatre Presents: Jabberwock

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, February 22, through Sunday, February 25; various times
Where: Phoenix Theater & Livestream

Phantom Chorus Theatre presents their latest show, Jabberwock, about two bank robbers encountering an Eldritch horror while hiding out in the American west. Flexible, in-person tickets are $15-30.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Dreamers Vault Games

This beginner-friendly event is a great way to experience Dungeons & Dragons in a bite-size format. This will be a self-contained session of the game. Tickets are $5 per session.

Music & Mindfulness

What: Music
When: Thursday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

Relax and engage in some intentional mindfulness with the Minnesota Orchestra. This event series will feature guided meditation, orchestra performances, and informative presentations that highlight the foundational aspects of mindfulness, all with the goal to support the personal wellbeing and musical appreciation of both audiences and performers. Tickets are $20 and a discount is available when purchasing tickets for three or more concerts at once.

Letterkenny Presents: A Night of Stand Up

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Theater

Letterkenny fans can enjoy a night of laughs from comedians connected to the award-winning show. Stand-up sets will be performed by Mark Forward, who played Coach, Jeff McEnery, who played Alexander, and Allie Pearse, who wrote for the series. Tickets start at $52.

Fearless Five: Time

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Fridays & Saturdays, now through February 24; at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Historic Mounds Theatre

Enjoy an evening of one-act plays centered around the theme of time, with five plays, five directors, five playwrights, and an ensemble of actors. Each play incorporates the theme differently—expect time travelers, escape-room countdowns, and more! Check out the event page for this year’s lineup. Tickets are $15.

Vilification Tennis Taskmaster

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

Vilification Tennis, a local structured improv show focused on insult contests, returns for a night of comedy inspired by the British game show Taskmaster, which will see the vilifiers competing in ridiculous tasks. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door.

PokéCon Mini

What: Convention
When: Saturday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Gamezenter

Celebrate Pokémon Day with a full day of games, anime, tournaments, art, and more. This event also features special guests, and original English voice actors, Stuart Zagnit (Professor Oak) and Jay Goede (Mewtwo). Tickets are $30 at the door.

The Comic Show

What: Comics
When: Saturday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Valley Creek Mall (Woodbury)

Come on down to the Valley Creek Mall for a free comic show with tons of new and returning vendors! This event is put on by the Minnesota Comic Exchange, and features the return of the MCE Bucks giveaway.

Let’s Get a State Fossil, Minnesota!

What: Science & Tech
When: Saturday, February 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum

Minnesota is just one of only four states that doesn’t have a state fossil, but the Minnesota State Fossil Initiative aims to change that. Head over to the Bell Museum to learn about the initiative, the leading fossil choice, and explore fossils from the Ice Age. Special guests include the paleontology team from the Science Museum of Minnesota and experts from the University of Minnesota. This event is included with regular museum admission; see website for price details.

STEM Family Day

What: Family, Science & Tech, Educational
When: Saturday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Mill City Museum

Explore the history and science of the Minneapolis riverfront! A variety of activities will be available from the Mill City Museum as well as guests including the MN Raptor Center, Geological Society of MN, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, MN Astronomical Society, and more. Most activities are free, but some do require museum admission; see website for price details.

Queer Writes Book Fair

What: Books
When: Sunday, February 25, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Urban Growler Brewing Company

Pick up your next read at the Queer Writes Book Fair, featuring a collection of diverse stories from local LGBTQIA+ authors and book sellers. This event is hosted by Twin Cities Pride.

The BlackOUT: Black History Month Celebration

What: Community
When: Sunday, February 25, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Element Gym

The BlackOUT is a pop-up market that celebrates and supports local, black-owned businesses. This month, they are also celebrating Black History Month and will feature more than 60 vendors selling their wares, services, and tasty foods. The first 100 adults through the door will receive 15 BlackOUT dollars to spend with any of the on-site vendors.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 25, 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!