This Week in Geek (9/16/2024–9/22/2024)

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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, September 16, to Sunday, September 22.

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

Back to the Future: The Musical

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, September 22
Where: Orpheum Theatre

Take your DeLorean (or other non-time-traveling modes of transportation) to the Orpheum Theatre for a showing of Broadway’s Back to the Future: The Musical. This award-winning show was adapted for the stage by the film’s creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and features a mix of familiar and original songs. Tickets start at $50.

State Capitol Complex Archeology Tours

What: Educational
When: Wednesdays and Fridays, now through Friday, September 27
Where: Minnesota State Capitol

See archaeology in action at the state capitol! Excavations are currently underway to reveal any potential buried history and will be used in determining National Register eligibility for a proposed Minnesota State Capitol Mall District. Tours of the site are free and start at the Hubert H. Humphrey statue.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Now through Sunday, September 29
Where: 12364 Chestnut Boulevard (Shakopee)

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 53rd season, and will be open weekends from August 17 to September 29! Come experience a wide variety of Renaissance-themed activities, including musical acts, comedy shows, artisan markets, food and drink, actors in costume, games, demos, jousting, and kid-themed events. The fest is open rain or shine, and tickets are $27.95 for adults, $25.95 for seniors, and $18.95 for children at the gate, and there are other ticket and pass options available on the website. Please note, those making the drive to the festival will either need to purchase a pre-paid parking pass at $15 to park on the MN Ren Fest Ground or plan on utilizing the park-and-ride lots with round-trip bus rides at $6 per adult.

Pinehaven Farm Fall Festival

What: Family, Food & Drink
When: Weekends, now through Sunday, October 27
Where: Pinehaven Farm

Enjoy a weekend of autumnal family fun at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota. There will be 30+ activities, including picking pumpkins, launching them from a cannon, swimming through a corn pit, and more. There will also be sweet and savory snacks and drinks. Tickets are $14–20.

The Dead End Hayride

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater
When: Now through Saturday, November 2; various dates
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming, MN)

Enjoy outdoor scares in a dark, deep, and isolated woodland trail with 200 zombies, monsters, and more. Expect clowns, butchers, pyrotechnics, and spooky ruins on this slow, creepy fright ride. See the website for dates and hours of operation. Tickets run from $19–81.

Club Book Presents: Emiko Jean

What: Books
When: Monday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: St. Paul Public Library—Merriam Park

Join author Emiko Jean for a discussion of her latest novel, The Return of Ellie Black. Her previous books include Tokyo Ever After, Tokyo Dreaming, and Mika in Real Life. This free event is hosted by Club Book and the St. Paul Public Library.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts, Books
When: Tuesday, September 17, 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 September exploring The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 18, 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.

GothiCoffee

What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Hourglass at the Lodge of Lazarus Crowe

The Twin Cities Elysium Society hosts a casual meetup on the third Wednesday of each month. This group is a “community and a resource for all manner of goth, not-goth, darksider, freak, punk, metal, steam, cyber, rivet, Victorian, romantic, grufti, espeluznante, emo, otaku, morbidly inclined, dark creative, what-have-you (you know who you are).”

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, September 18, 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.

The 370 Sets—Thursday Happy Hour Free Music Series

What: Music, Food & Drink, Community
When: Thursday, September 19, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Osborn370 Patio

This weekly event presented by the St. Paul Downtown Alliance features free music and drinks on the Osborn370 patio in Downtown St. Paul. This week’s performer is Lonesome Dan Kase.

Wild Conservation

What: Nightlife, Educational
When: Thursday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Enjoy an after-hours evening at the zoo and conservatory with programming specially geared towards adults. Activities include talks from zookeepers and horticulturists, a cash bar, a digital scavenger hunt, conservation challenges, and more. Tickets are $40–60 and attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Waldmann Oktoberfest

What: Food & Drink, Music, Family
When: Friday, September 20, through Sunday, September 22, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Waldmann Brewery

Celebrate Oktoberfest in St. Paul’s oldest lager-beer saloon (originally opened 1857; reopened 2017) with several days of beer, live music and dancing, food, outdoor games, and more. Admission is $7.50 for adults each day, and $3 for those 12 and younger (free for ages 5 and under on Sundays). Please note: as in 1857, parking for automobiles is pretty limited around the Waldmann, so consider public transit, biking, ride-sharing, or some other means of arriving.

Park After Dark

What: Educational, Family
When: Friday, September 20, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Crosby Farm Regional Park

Explore the nocturnal side of nature through art, culture, and science at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. This free event will include attracting and learning about night-time bugs with an entomologist, ranger-led hikes to spot wildlife, a sound installation that blends the location’s natural and cultural history, an informal bat survey using an ultrasonic detector, and connecting to nature through the Dakota practice of moon journaling. Attendees can also nibble on s’mores at a campfire and sample teas made from local plants.

Wild Rice Festival

What: Food & Drink, Community
When: Saturday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Harriet Alexander Nature Center (Roseville)

This free festival celebrates wild rice, Dakota and Ojibwe culture, and the start of autumn. There will be demonstrations for wild ricing, apple cider, and honey. Other activities include taste testing, games, a craft market, and performances by Little Earth Singers and Dancers.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 21, 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 to join in on the fun and all equipment is provided for free.

History Hike

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 21, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

The land of Fort Snelling State Park has a long and complex history. Learn about its past, as well as how that history connects to today’s issues, while on a hike through the area.

Avant Garden 2024

What: Nightlife, Music, Arts
When: Saturday, September 21, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Support the arts in style with this night of music, art, cocktails, and food in a beautiful setting. Nosh on gourmet food and sip craft cocktails while enjoying an art auction and rubbing elbows with other patrons of the arts. There will be live musical performances by DJ A-Trak, Kwey, and DJ McShellen. Tickets start at $150; see the event website for more details on ticket packages.

Hans Zimmer Live

What: Music
When: Saturday, September 21, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Target Center

Legendary composer Hans Zimmer will be bringing his cinematic music to life off the screen at this live concert event. His iconic film scores include Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, Lion King, The Dark Knight, Inception, and many more. Limited tickets remain with prices starting at $89.50.

Hamilton Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Where: Crave

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week pays homage to the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, with host Sasha Cassadine. 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, September 22, 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

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s free online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something!

Free Virtual Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, September 17, 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, September 18, 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.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 18, 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.

Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children’s Series

What: Books
When: Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook and YouTube

Hear about the origins of the groundbreaking Reading Rainbow television series with PBS Books and authors Barbara Irwin, Tony Buttino, Sr., and Pam Johnson. During this free livestream, they’ll be discussing their book, Creating Reading Rainbow: The Untold Story of a Beloved Children’s Series, and sharing some the show’s early history.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, September 18, 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, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Vimeo

Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on the Dumb Industries website every Wednesday night.

Afrofuturist Nightmares: Reimagining African American Horror

What: Books
When: Thursday, September 19, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Join authors Michele Tracy Berger, Tananarive Due, Justin C. Key, and Tamika Thompson as they discuss spine-chilling tales, their new short story collections, and Afrofuturist horror. This event is free and will be moderated by Isis Asare, the founder of Sistah Scifi.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–Renaissance Rivalries: The Artistic Feuds of Rome

What: Educational
When: Friday, September 20, 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, learn about the fierce artistic rivalries that fueled the creation of masterpieces in Rome’s Renaissance-era art scene, including those involving Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and more. 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, September 21, 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. September’s read is Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Upcoming selections include The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu and Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree.

Celebration of Bilbo & Frodo Baggins’s Birthday

What: Books, Movies, Community
When: Saturday, September 21, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Celebrate Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’s birthdays with the Rivendell Discussion Group of the Mythopoeic Society! This free event invites fans to grab a slice of cake (BYOC) and share their love of Tolkien’s works in good virtual company.

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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!