This Week in Geek (2/5/24–2/11/24)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, February 5, to Sunday, February 11.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club

What: Books
When: Monday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Adults can embrace their love of young-adult literature at this book club hosted on the first Monday of every month by Red Balloon Bookshop. Book-club members choose the monthly book, receive discounts, and have opportunities to read Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs). Anyone interested in joining should head over to the event page for more information, including how to sign up.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, February 5, 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–Titan: A Moon with Atmosphere

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, February 6, 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 Saturn’s largest moon, its complex chemistry, and how its atmosphere could potentially support life. 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, February 7, 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 7, 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.

Crafty Geek Online Meetup

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

This weekly meetup is a chance to share your crafting progress, and chat with other crafty geeks. All ages and skill levels are welcome. This event coincides with Make It Sew.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 8, and Sunday, February 11; 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.

Charlie Brown’s America

What: Educational, Comics
When: Saturday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

The popular Peanuts comic strip, featuring the beloved characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy, was created by St. Paulite Charles Schulz. The comic was often praised for being apolitical during a time of rapid political change. But in this talk, historian Blake Scott Ball will dive into the comic’s history, fan letters, and interviews with Schulz to reveal Peanuts as a decades-long conversation with the public about modern political and cultural topics including the Vietnam War, feminism, and racial integration. Virtual tickets are $12.

Japan America Society of Minnesota’s J-Quiz

What: Trivia
When: Sunday, February 11, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Test your knowledge of Japanese culture and language, and learn something new about Japan, at JASM’s J-Quiz! This trivia event is free, open to all skill levels, and will include both video presentations and additional resources to help trivia participants continue their exploration of the country. Twin Cities Geek‘s Robert Atendido has more information about the event as well as a couple example questions. Registration is limited to 100 people and will close on Thursday, February 8—so don’t wait!

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.

Tabletop Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, February 7, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Northeast Library (Minneapolis)

This weekly tabletop-gaming meetup is a great way to take advantage of the library’s robust game collection, meet more gamers, and just try things out. Most games are intended for 4th grade and up, and each week is centered around a game demonstration. For this week, staff will be demonstrating Marvel Splendor.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, February 8, 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.

Go Your Own Way: A Fleetwood Mac Sing-Along

What: Music
When: Thursday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Turf Club

Celebrate the discography and enduring popularity of Fleetwood Mac with a sing-along concert. Fifteen musicians will take the stage throughout the night playing Fleetwood Mac favorites, including Mary Bue, Emily Casselman, Cathy ‘n Abel, Doug Collins, and Jennifer Eckes. Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars

What: Family, Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, February 9, through Sunday, February 11; various times
Where: Target Center

Sing and dance along with Disney favorites performed beautifully on ice, including Frozen 2, Encanto, Aladdin, and The Princess and the Frog. Tickets start at $20. A pre-show character experience is available for an additional $70, which includes interactive time with the characters, crafting, and photo opportunities.

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.

Charlie Brown’s America

What: Educational, Comics
When: Saturday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

The popular Peanuts comic strip, featuring the beloved characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy, was created by St. Paulite Charles Schulz. The comic was often praised for being apolitical during a time of rapid political change. But in this talk, historian Blake Scott Ball will dive into the comic’s history, fan letters, and interviews with Schulz to reveal Peanuts as a decades-long conversation with the public about modern political and cultural topics including the Vietnam War, feminism, and racial integration. In-person tickets are $16.

Can Con Wonderland

What: Comics, Music, Community
When: Saturday, February 10, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Can Can Wonderland

Enjoy an afternoon of Comic Con inspired activities at Can Can Wonderland! There will be live music, specialty drinks, and a cosplay contest, as well as over 25 artists, comic vendors, and designers selling their wares. This event is included with regular Can Can Wonderland admission of $13.

Cupid’s Undie Run

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, February 10, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Roxy’s Cabaret

Get down to your skivvies and get some brisk exercise to support those affected by NF, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grown on nerves throughout the body. The event kicks off with drinking and dancing, before moving on to a mile run, then ending with an epic dance party. The event is $50.

Lunar New Year Celebration

What: Community, Family, Educational
When: Saturday, February 10, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Midtown Global Market

Ring in the Year of the Dragon with a family-friendly celebration featuring traditional Chinese dance, kid’s crafts, food demos, martial arts presentations, and more! This free event will take place in Midtown Global Market’s central court.

Next Chapter Booksellers Manga Club

What: Comics
When: Saturday, February 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers

Discuss a new manga title every month at Next Chapter Booksellers. This free manga-book club also provides tasty Japanese snacks and discounts on manga purchases in the store. Check out the event page for more information, including the tentative upcoming schedule. For February, the read of choice is Our Dining Table by Mita Ori.

Saturday Night Space Opera

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, February 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Join Saturday Night Space Opera on the second Saturday of every month for an evening of sci-fi role-playing games. This is a free event, all rules will be taught, and no materials are required—just RSVP ahead of time to snag your spot.

Wheels in the Woods: North Star Roller Derby Bout 4

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, February 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Warner Coliseum

Come on down for a roller-derby extravaganza! This season’s overarching theme is “Once Upon a Roller Derby,” with Game Two featuring thrilling twists and wolfish competition found in fairytale woods. In addition to the roller-derby action, enjoy halftime entertainment and adult beverages in the beer garden. Tickets range from $15–17; kids under ten get in for free.

Family Day: Everyday Icons

What: Family
When: Sunday, February 11, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Family Day is a free monthly event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that gives the young and the young at heart an opportunity to check out performances, hands-on activities, tours, and more. This weekend’s theme is Everyday Icons.

Hamilton Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, February 11, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Union Rooftop

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week, pays tribute to the Broadway smash hit Hamilton. Costumes and singing along are encouraged. Tickets are $18 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Science Sunday—Liz Heinecke—She Can STEM Book Launch

What: Family, Science & Tech
When: Sunday, February 11, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: The Thinking Spot

Young geeks can get hands-on with science experiments and enjoy a science-themed story time at the Thinking Spot. This Science Sunday welcomes author Liz Heinecke to celebrate the launch of her latest book She Can STEM. Experiments from her previous books, including The Kitchen Pantry Scientist, have been featured during previous Science Sunday activities. This event is free.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 11, 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!