This Week in Geek (5/13/2024–5/19/2024)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, May 13, to Sunday, May 19.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, May 13, 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!

Free Virtual Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, May 14, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class streamed from the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5. See the page for more info, as well as additional in-person yoga events.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, May 15, 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.

Science Story Time

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, May 15, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join WonderLab for a virtual story time featuring children’s picture books that support STEM skills, scientific concepts, and experimentation. This program is free and geared towards children 3–6 years old.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, May 15, 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.

Ramsey County Historical Society History Revealed: Why We Left

What: Books, Educational
When: Thursday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn about the lives of America’s early immigrants, as well as what propelled them to leave their home countries, with award-winning scholar Joanna Brooks. She explores this topic in her latest book Why We Left: Untold Stories and Songs of America’s First Immigrants. This event is free and presented in partnership with Ramsey County Library, East Side Freedom Library, and Norway House.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, May 16, and Sunday, May 19; 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–It’s About Time: Organizing the Calendar, Time Zones, & the Clock

What: Educational
When: Friday, May 17, at 11:00 a.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, hear about the evolution of timekeeping, including its rise of use during the Industrial Age, heated debates on international time zones, and the Daylight Saving Time controversy. 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.

Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Club

What: Books
When: Saturday, May 18, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Discuss new and interesting sci-fi and fantasy titles at this free book club hosted by the Hennepin County Library. May’s read is The Judas Blossom by Stephen Aryan. Next month’s choice is Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer.

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.

History Plays: Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Saturday, May 25
Where: Guthrie Theater

This season, the Guthrie will be bringing back its repertory of Shakespeare’s Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. These plays offer a dramatic glimpse into England’s history and will run concurrently on rotation. During the run, there will be special marathon days where all three plays can be viewed, as well as a Shakespeare symposium with themed events and sessions. Tickets for individual shows starts at $29, and three-play ticket packages start at $66. See the website for more information about the plays, ticket rates, and the symposium.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, May 14, 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 May exploring Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern

Pundamonium is a pun slam—a competition of wordplay with 10 contestants, each given two minutes to make puns based on prompts they are given ahead of time. A few lucky audience members act as judges for the night, with their top four pun slingers going head to head in a final pun off. Tickets are $10 at the door.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, May 16, 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.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi with the Minnesota Orchestra

What: Movies, Music
When: Thursday, May 16, through Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

Take a journey to a galaxy far, far away with the Minnesota Orchestra! At this special screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the orchestra will accompany the film with a live performance of the score. Preconcert and intermission entertainment include trivia and photo opportunities. Tickets start at $50–but be quick, limited quantities of tickets are available at the time of writing and these shows tend to sell out.

Art-A-Whirl

What: Arts
When: Friday, May 17, at 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Northeast Minneapolis; Various Locations

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association presents Art-A-Whirl, an annual gathering of artists and art-geeks in Northeast Minneapolis. This is an opportunity for studio tours, art demonstrations, workshops, installations, exhibitions, and performances. Per the event’s website, there will be more than 1,300 artists, galleries, and businesses participating, so no matter what your taste, you’re bound to find something that interests you. Check out the website for more information, including a detailed map, artist directory, accessibility information, free Metro Transit passes, and an activity schedule.

Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) SpringCon

What: Convention
When: May 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: M Health Fairview Sports Center

The Minnesota Comic Book Association, successor organization to the Midwest Comic Book Association, hosts its spring convention, featuring comics creators and vendors, panel discussions, an art auction, and more. Stop by the Twin Cities Geek table to say hello and pick up your geek swag (and read our article about the MNCBA).

Minneapolis Oddities & Curiosities Expo

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Is your geekdom focused on the strange and novel? Do you need a sideshow in your life? Do you need more odd art for yourself or a loved one? Then this bazaar of the bizarre is the event for you. This event will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, and will feature dozens of artists and their wares, including jewelry made of bones and other macabre selections, as well as sideshow performances and taxidermy classes for the adventurous. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door; kids 12 and under get in for free.

Cirque du Soleil: Bazzar

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, May 18, through Sunday, June 16; various times
Where: The Big Top at Mall of America

Cirque du Soleil is bringing their grand acrobatic storytelling and big top tent back to Minnesota! Bazzar is their 43rd original production, which reflects the spirit and energy of Cirque du Soleil itself through a story featuring a troupe of inventive performers coming together and creating awe-inspiring displays under the Maestro. Tickets start at $47, and there are special rates available for kids, families, and large groups.

Spotlight Science: Something About Birds!

What: Science & Tech
When: Saturday, May 18, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum

Spotlight Science is an event series that brings the current science happening at the University of Minnesota to the community through interactive experiences and special guests. This month is all about birds. Activities include bird tracking, a story time reading, a drawing lesson connected to dinosaurs, and more! This event is included with regular admission which is $12–21, or free for museum members and University of Minnesota students.

Erin Soderberg Downing, Duck, Duck, Peach Book Launch

What: Books, Family
When: Saturday, May 18, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Wild Rumpus Books

Celebrate the release of Duck, Duck, Peach, the fourth book in the The Great Peach Experiment series, with author Erin Soderberg! This installment follows the Peach family as they try to find the largest rubber duck in the world after it goes missing from a ship festival in Duluth. The free event will conclude with an author signing and books will be available for purchase while supplies last.

Emo Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week celebrates emo music from the 2000s with special guest Aura Mayari from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $18 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, May 19, 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!

Better Believe in Beavers

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, May 19, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn all about beavers while on a scenic, one-mile hike around the floodplain of Fort Snelling State Park. Topics will include the crucial role of beavers within our ecosystem, their construction prowess, and how they were almost lost for good. This event is free.

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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!