This Week in Geek (5/6/2024–5/12/2024)

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.

(Jump to In-Person Events)

Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, May 6, 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 7, 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.

Abby Cooper True Colors Book Launch!

What: Books
When: Tuesday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Wild Rumpus Books

Join author Abby Cooper to celebrate the launch of her new book True Colors. This novel is set in the town of Serenity, MN, in which folks have agreed to think positively, but our protagonist cannot hide her feelings, and manifests them as colors. This event is free and open to the public, and there will be a signing after.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, May 8, 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, May 8, 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 9, and Sunday, May 12; 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– Introduction to Italian Futurism

What: Educational
When: Friday, May 10, 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, explore the 20th century Italian art movement known as Futurism and the wide influence it had. General-admission tickets are $35, 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.

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.

Publisher/Freelancer Social Hour

What: Books, Nightlife
When: Wednesday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Monster Brewing

This joint happy hour is presented by the Professional Editors Network and the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable. This event is a great chance to meet folks in the local publishing and editing world. There will be a table labeled PEN/MBPR.

Nerd Nite: May Edition

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Black Hart of St. Paul

The organizers of Nerd Nite invite you out for a night of “nice drink, good company, and some cold. hard. facts.” Those cold, hard facts come in the form of “nerdy TED talks” where community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. May’s event has presentations on Dancing as an Old ™, Brain Betrayal: The Mandela Effect, and Bison in BarbieLand (yes, for real this time).

Galactic Empire and Bit Brigade

What: Music
When: Wednesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Fine Line

Some Geeks like progressive-technical heavy metal. Some Geeks (maybe even many geeks) like Star Wars. This concert seeks the center of that Venn Diagram with shredding and cosplay that will bring you to the Dark Side. They’ll be accompanied by Bit Brigade covering rock covers of NES game soundtracks. Cosplay welcome. Tickets are between $23.50 and $40.

Children’s Book Week PAJAMA STORY TIME!

What: Books, Family
When: Thursday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Wild Rumpus Books

Show up in PJs! Grab a snack, and curl up for some cozy bedtime stories at Wild Rumpus (before moseying home for bed). Kids and their adults welcome.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, May 9, 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.

Arcade Day

What: Gaming
When: Friday, May 10, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Boom Island Brewing

Boom Island Brewing is transforming into an arcade! There will be a slate of retro and modern arcade games available for free play, happy-hour specials, and prizes for the top scorers. This free event goes until 10:00 p.m., but be sure to check the event page for schedule details.

2000s Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 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 brings us back to the 2000s for some Paris Hilton, Destiny’s Child, and Avril Lavigne vibes. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $18 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

First Saturday Science: Insects: What’s Bugging You?

What: Educational, Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, May 11, 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 the fascinating world of insects. 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.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, May 12, 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!

Kitty Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness, Community
When: Sunday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Yoga Center Retreat

Take a yoga class, and add tiny kittens to the mix for a gentle flow full of cuteness. The Bitty Kitty Brigade teams up with foster care providers to save kittens throughout the Twin Cities. All skill levels and ages are welcome for the class. Cost is a $20 donation.

(Jump to Top)

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!