This Week in Geek (5/27/2024–6/2/2024)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, May 27, to Sunday, June 2.

Virtual Events

National Memorial Day Concert

What: Music, Community
When: Monday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via PBS

Tune in to PBS this Memorial Day for the station’s annual award-winning program honoring our nation’s servicemen and women through story tributes, live music, and words from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This year’s performers include The National Symphony Orchestra, Bryan Cranston, Joe Mantegna, the US Navy Band Sea Chanters, Jena Malone, Gary Sinise, the US Army Chorus, and many more.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, May 27, 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 28, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Working the Night Shift: The Ancient World after Dark

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, May 28, at 5:30 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, hear about the breadth of late night workers during ancient societies who utilized the quiet, dark hours to hunt, ironsmith, navigate, write poetry, and lead rebellions. This talk is led by archaeologist and professor April Nowell, who will share archaeological data and texts to shine a light on these only recently studied nocturnal activities. 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.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, May 29, 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 29, 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.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, May 29, 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, May 30, and Sunday, June 2; 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.

Cirque du Soleil: Bazzar

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

Cirque du Soleil is bringing its grand acrobatic storytelling and big-top tent back to Minnesota! Bazzar is its 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.

Memorial Day: Decoration Day in Minnesota During WWII

What: Community, Educational, Music
When: Monday, May 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fort Snelling

Travel back in time to experience a historical Memorial Day as it was celebrated in the 1940s, when it was called Decoration Day. The day’s activities will span all of Fort Snelling’s 23 acres and include a Decoration Day ceremony, live music, a plane flyover, baseball games, and World War II military demonstrations. Check out the website for the full schedule of events.

Memorial Day Ceremony & Celebration

What: Community, Music, Educational
When: Monday, May 27, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Lakewood Cemetery

Join Lakewood Cemetery this Memorial Day to honor lost loved ones and celebrate community. The morning ceremony will include words from interfaith chaplain Mary Vidas and MPR host and End in Mind founder Cathy Wurzer, as well as music from T. Mychael Rambo and the Minnesota Freedom Band. Afternoon activities start at 12:00 p.m. and include trolley tours of the historic cemetery, live music from David Harlan and Minnesota Community Sings, a postcard writing activity in the new Welcome Center, and more. This event is free attend; flowers and Como-Harriet Streetcar rides are available for purchase.

Music in the Parks: Anti-Skip Protection and Belfast Cowboys

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Monday, May 27, at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy the first evening of the Music in the Parks series on Memorial Day with a double header! Anti-Skip Protection kicks off the night at 5:30 p.m. with throwbacks from the 1990s and 2000s. Belfast Cowboys hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. performing a mix of original songs and rock and soul covers. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Minneapolis Audubon Society Guided Walks

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, May 28, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Take a walk with members of the Minneapolis Audubon Society to see birds throughout April and May. This event is intended for any level of bird enthusiast, from a total fledgling to a seasoned birder.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, May 28, 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.

Speculations Event: T. Aaron Cisco Reading

What: Books
When: Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: DreamHaven Books & Comics

Author T. Aaron Cisco (a Twin Cities Geek moderator and former contributor) will be stopping by DreamHaven for a free reading. His published works include The Unbanished, Black Nerd Blue Box, Nowhere Sleeping, and more.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, May 30, 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.

Flint Hills Family Festival

What: Arts, Family, Music
When: Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1
Where: The Ordway

This family event will transform the parks and other public spaces around the Ordway into a magical wonderland for children of all ages with a variety of performances, activities, and spaces to make art. There are a wide variety of performances planned for this two-day festival of fun—see the website for specific performance details, including a helpful visitor’s guide. Some planned highlights from the festival include Davina and the Vagabonds; NOOMA, an opera for babies; 123 Andrés: Actívate; and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque. Most of the festival is free, with select ticketed performances ranging from $5 to $40.

Protospiel MN 2024

What: Gaming, Arts, Educational
When: Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2
Where: Roseville Skating Center

This weekend-long event is all about getting professional feedback for games you are looking to design. Protospiel will also allow you to try all sorts of new games before they hit Kickstarter and the market. Make new friends, expand your horizons, and try new stuff. Registration is $55 for game designers; or $10 for game testers (a.k.a. players).

Gothess Presents: To Die For (Celebrating World Goth Day)

What: Nightlife
When: Friday, May 31, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Mortimers

Celebrate World Goth Day with a dance night hosted by Gothess! Expect a great mix of classic and modern goth tracks to keep you dancing the night away.

Games That Save Our Ways

What: Gaming, Educational
When: Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

Join Nashke Games and the Minnesota Historical Society for a showcase of games designed to preserve and foster learning of the Ojibwe language. This free event will feature demos and immersive gaming experiences that can be enjoyed by attendees of all ages and language levels, including those with no experience of the Ojibwe language at all. Games will also be available for purchase.

Pride Celebration

What: Community
When: Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ramsey County Library Roseville

Kick off Pride month with a free day of activities at the library! There will be face painting, arts and crafts, a performance by One Voice Mixed Chorus, kittens from the Bitty Kitty Brigade, an author talk with M. E. Corey, and more.

Train Days 2024

What: Family, Educational
When: Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Union Depot

Head down to Union Depot for a weekend all about trains! Free activities include train equipment tours, kids craft and coloring kits, model trains, contests, a Union Depot exhibit, games, and more. There will also be a vendor market and food trucks on site with items available for purchase.

Nicholas DeShaw Loaf the Cat Goes to the Powwow Story Time

What: Books, Family
When: Saturday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Wild Rumpus

Join author Nicholas DeShaw in celebrating the release of his debut picture book Loaf the Cat Goes to the Powwow. This free event will feature a story time reading, snacks, and additional activities.

Board Game Swap Meet–International Tabletop Day

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, June 1, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Torg Brewery (Spring Lake Park)

Celebrate International Tabletop Day with special deals, drinks, raffles, and giveaways. Shop a variety of gently used games, minis, RPG books, and more. Tacos La Muneca will be onsite selling food.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: Bohemian Rhapsody

What: Movies, Community
When: Saturday, June 1, at 8:52 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Park

Enjoy a night of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk, and are free and open to the public. Screening this week is Bohemian Rhapsody, the 2018 musical biopic of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Grand Old Day 2024

What: Family, Community, Food & Drink, Music
When: Sunday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Grand Avenue, St. Paul

Greet the summer with the Grand Old Day festival in St. Paul! Expect a wide variety of food vendors, musical performances, family-friendly activities, a parade, festival gardens, and more. Walking down Grand and taking part in most of the festivities is free, but entry to the 21+ festival gardens requires a wristband which sells for $10 in advance online, or $15 at the event.

LEGO Buy, Sell, Trade Event

What: Community, Meetup
When: Sunday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: BlackStack Brewing

Join BlackStack Brewing for its first LEGO buy, sell, trade event. Find minifigs, vintage sets, rare pieces, and more! All attendees get in for free, including sellers. Tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get there early to snag your spot.

Show Tunes Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, June 2, 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 show tunes from iconic Broadway musicals. 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, June 2, 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!

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!