This Week in Geek (8/5/2024–8/11/2024)

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In-Person Events
Virtual Events

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

Although inclusion in This Week in Geek is not an official endorsement of any event or organizer, we do our best to feature events that appear safe, responsible, and consistent with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

In-Person Events

Minnesota Fringe Festival

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, August 11
Where: Various venues

The 2024 Minnesota Fringe Festival is upon us. This is an opportunity to see a wide variety of shows (105 in all) that connect with audiences in novel ways. Attendees will need a $5 festival button, then tickets or passes for individual shows. See the website for details.

Little Shop of Horrors

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, August 18
Where: Guthrie Theater

Science fiction, Motown music, and comedic horror come together on the Guthrie stage in their production of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors. The story follows a nerdy florist who improves his life with a little help from a plant named Audrey II, but things get tricky when he discovers that it needs fresh blood to continue growing. Tickets start at $34.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: Elemental

What: Movies, Community
When: Monday, August 5, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Linden Hills Recreation Center

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 the animated film Elemental. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Music in the Parks: Palms Psalm

What: Music, Community, Family
When: Tuesday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Loring Park

Enjoy an evening of the Music in the Parks with a performance by Palms Psalm, a band that weaves together ancient Tongan and surf rock. This event is free. Check out the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Game Night at Roxy’s Cabaret

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Roxy’s Cabaret

Enjoy a night of games, drinks, and friendly competition every Wednesday night at Roxy’s Cabaret! They’ll have a variety of tabletop and card games available, including traditional game-night classics and modern hits, as well as Mario Kart up on the big LED wall. Attendees are also welcome to bring along their favorite games to play.

Lowertown Sounds: Champagne Confetti and Eric Mayson with Aby Wolf

What: Music, Community
When: Thursday, August 8, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mears Park

Lowertown Sounds is bringing local music, food trucks, and Minnesota-made brews to Mears Park for free all summer long! This week features performances by Champagne Confetti and Eric Mayson with Aby Wolf. Check out the event listing for the food-truck lineup and upcoming performances.

The Pickup Truck Opera: Faust

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, August 8, through Sunday, September 15
Where: Various venues

Opera hits the road in a blue pickup truck with a traveling performance of Faust. This show is a futuristic adaptation of Charles Gounod’s 1859 opera and will feature the new-wave music of Depeche Mode. All performances will be held outdoors in natural spaces throughout the state and ingeniously use the truck and trailer as a stage. See the website for a full schedule, including the different locations.

D&D One-Shot Night

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, August 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.

Irish Fair of Minnesota

What: Music, Food & Drink, Community
When: Friday, August 9, through Sunday, August 11
Where: Harriet Island

Come to the largest free Irish Fair in the United States for a weekend of music, culture, food, drink, and activities. Hear music from a variety of acts, shop for crafts, watch sporting competitions, check out the Irish dog parade, and more. Tickets are $50 for the whole weekend, or $25 for a single-day pass; discounts are available for youth and seniors, and kids under 13 get in for free. See the fair’s website for more details, including a full schedule.

Broadway Rave

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Friday, August 9, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Fine Line

Sing and dance along with your favorite showtunes and songs from musical theater! The night will feature surprise guest appearances from Broadway stars. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $17 to $35.

Junior Rangers: Fins & Feathers

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 10, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Boom Island Park

Join National Park Service rangers for a free day of outdoor exploration and fun along the Mississippi! Junior Rangers can practice their fishing skills with a master angler, canoe on the river, spot local birds, bike through an obstacle course, earn badges, and learn more about nature at the exploration fair. Not-so-junior rangers can also go on a birdwatching bike tour with the Urban Bird Collective. Check out the website for more information.

Retro Tech Expo

What: Science & Tech, Community
When: Saturday, August 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Cedarholm Community Building & Golf Course

Explore vintage technology through games, show-and-tell demos, and discussions with the retro-tech community. Attendees will also be able to buy or trade items. This free event is hosted by Free Geek Twin Cities.

Boom Con

What: Convention
When: Saturday, August 10, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Boom Island Brewing

Geek out at Boom Con, a free one-day convention featuring gaming, a cosplay contest, author and artist talks, vendor market, and exclusive beers. Guest speakers include Dave Wheeler, Erik Burnham, Jim Keefe, T. Aaron Cisco, and more. There will also be outdoor karaoke (weather permitting) and a Free Geek collection drive accepting donations of old or unwanted technology. Check out the website for more information, including a schedule and details on accepted donations. And be sure to visit the Twin Cities Geek table while you’re there—we’ll have Borderlands swag for the taking and will be running a giveaway to see the movie for free!

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 10, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: River Park (Brooklyn Park)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged and all equipment is provided for free.

Saturday Night Space Opera

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, August 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.

Family Day: Art Passport

What: Family
When: Sunday, August 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 “Art Passport,” inspired by the current exhibition Destined for MIA: A Collection of Dutch Paintings and international art throughout their galleries.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 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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Virtual Events

The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club

What: Books
When: Monday, August 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. 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, August 5, at 7:00 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, August 6, 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 event page on the Union Depot website for more info, as well as additional in-person yoga events.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, August 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.

Science Storytime

What: Family, Books, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, August 7, 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 Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday 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.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, August 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.

8.08 DJ Festival

What: Music
When: Thursday, August 8, at 3:08 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Streaming platform Twitch is celebrating the launch of their new DJ program with a 24-hour DJ festival. Featured performers include Zedd, Sofi Tukker, Zhu, Cheat Codes, Sam Feldt, Aluna, and many more. It kicks off at 8:08 p.m. in New Zealand, which is 3:08 a.m. here in Minnesota, and can be streamed live from Twitch.TV.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–The Presidio of San Francisco

What: Educational
When: Thursday, August 8, at 6:00 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 Presidio, a military base with 140 years of U.S. Army history that was converted into a public space within a national park and has become a model “for post to park” preservation. 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.

How Not to Die: Backcountry Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, August 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Get hiking and outdoor adventure tips from search-and-rescue professional Wes Cooper, including how to avoid some of the dangerous situations he’s encountered in his work. Expect to hear practical advice on gear essentials, what to do in an emergency, and safety tips for the seasonal shift from summer to fall, as well as real-life stories of misadventures and insights into how rescue missions work. This free event will feature information applicable for all levels of outdoor experience and wrap up with an interactive Q&A session.

Bohemian Bellydance Presents: SuperStars of Swords 5

What: Theater & Comedy, Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Swordplay and bellydance come together in this showcase of sword dancing from around the world. Performers include Belladonna, Morgana Guibelalde, Walky Ardaat & Ghytias Tribal, Ken Hill, and more. Tickets are $25, which includes viewing access for one week.

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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!