This Week in Geek (2/26/24–3/3/24)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, February 26, to Sunday, March 3.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Behind the Handshake: The Oslo Peace Process

What: Educational
When: Monday, February 26, 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 the Oslo Peace Process, the secretive negotiations behind it, and the continued grim conflicts for the 30 years since. 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.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, February 26, 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, February 28, 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.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, February 28, 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 29, and Sunday, March 3; 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.

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.

Puzzle Night

What: Gaming, Community
When: Tuesday, February 27, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Omni Brewing

Enjoy a night of competitive puzzling with your friends! This is a four-person team puzzling event fueled by beer and friendship. For the $60 entry free, each participant gets a beer, and teams are able to take home their puzzle. There’s also prizes for the first three teams.

The Princess Bride, with pre-movie trivia

What: Movies, Trivia
When: Tuesday, February 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

Enjoy a screening of the ’80s classic The Princess Bride, along with a round of trivia before the show! The Princess Bride is a comedic take on classic fairytales. Tickets are $11.27 after taxes and fees online, or $12 at the door.

Speculations Event: Mathew L. Reyes

What: Books
When: Wednesday, February 28, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: DreamHaven Books & Comics

Author Mathew L. Reyes will be doing a free reading this Wednesday at DreamHaven. Reyes’ work has appeared in a variety of gothic and horror anthologies.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 29, at 6:30 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.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, February 29, 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.

Sip and Paint in Watercolor

What: Arts, Educational
When: Friday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Aloft Minneapolis Conference Room: Tactic C

Join artist and art teacher Alyssa Whetstone at Aloft Hotel in Minneapolis for a watercolor class. During the class, Alyssa will be leading you through the creation of three plant-themed bookmarks in a step-by-step fashion while learning important watercolor techniques. Tickets are $40.

Bearded Company Presents: An Office

What: Comedy & Theater
When: Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: HUGE Improv Theater

The Bearded Company will be presenting an evening of improvised storytelling focused on the workplace. The goal is to bring together the “drama and utter absurdity of work in America.” Expect office romance, nasty competition, and a total lack of productivity. Tickets are $20.

CoHi Con: A Gaming & Sci-Fi Comfy Convention

What: Gaming, Nightlife, Conventions
When: Saturday, March 2, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 530 Mill Street Northeast, Columbia Heights, MN

CoHi Con is the totally chilled-out convention you may be looking for after a stressful winter. During the day, chill out with cartoons, tabletop gaming (from 2D Con), vendors, and artists. Then, at 7:00 p.m., it converts to a 21+ affair for cosplay and karaoke. Tickets range from $5 to $20, with free admission for kids 6 and under. Stop by the Twin Cities Geek table to say hello!

First Saturday Science: Electronics

What: Educational, Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, March 2, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan State University Science Education Center

First Saturday Science, a monthly program at Metro State, seeks to improve accessibility to science with open programs that can lead folks towards scientific careers, or just greater curiosity. This month, learn about electronics. No RSVP required, though young people under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check out the event page for more details, as well as future topics and science resources that can be used at home.

Hastings Exotic Pet Expo!

What: Community
When: Sunday, March 3, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Hastings Armory

This is your chance to see a wild variety of exotic pets, from the winged, to scaled, to the tailed. There will be live animals on display and in some cases available for adoption. Tickets are $5.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, March 3, 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!