This Week in Geek (9/23/2024–9/29/2024)

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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 23, to Sunday, September 29.

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

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

What: Family, Community
When: Now through Saturday, November 2
Where: Minnesota Zoo

This is a chance to explore a trail of artistically carved glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo. This year’s theme is “Naturally Magical,” and features new artists’ creations. Tickets range from $14–24, and members receive $2 off.

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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts, Books
When: Tuesday, September 24, 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.

The 370 Sets—Thursday Happy Hour Free Music Series

What: Music, Food & Drink, Community
When: Thursday, September 26, 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 Rena.

Mystery on the Mississippi

What: Theater and Comedy
When: Friday, September 27, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Crosby Farm Regional Park

This immersive murder mystery theatrical experience digs into legends of the Mississippi River through the framework of a podcast about mythical monsters. This is your chance to explore Crosby Farm while taking in bits and pieces of the mystery, as brough to life by Fearless Comedy Productions. Tickets are $30 for members, and $35 for non-members.

Prey FREE Outdoor Screening

What: Movies
When: Friday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: East Side Sculpture Park

Come on down to the East Side Sculpture Park for a free outdoor screening of Prey. The film is the latest in the iconic sci-fi action/horror franchise Predator, and follows a Comanche warrior as she protects her tribe from the creature while also dealing with the violence of European colonists.

The Uncanny Experience

What: Comics, Arts, Movies, Conventions
When: Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29
Where: 729 2nd Ave S, (Minneapolis)

The Uncanny Experience is an immersive X-Men-themed experience in Minneapolis the weekend of September 28. This is a chance to hang out with other fans, cosplay, take in panels, and enjoy an epic after party. Special guests include comics luminaries like Chris Claremount and Gail Simone.

Raptor Release

What: Educational, Family
When: Saturday, September 28, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center

Spend a beautiful fall day in nature at the annual Fall Raptor Release event put on by the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center. This event will go on rain or shine, and will be a great opportunity to meet the Raptor Center’s winged ambassadors, take part in children’s activities and educational booths, and watch recently rehabilitated birds of prey get released into the wild, with the formal releases occurring at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This is a free event, and the Raptor Center requests that attendees do not come with pets.

Creepshow Maker’s Market for Misfits

What: Arts
When: Saturday, September 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: White Bear Meadery

Come check out this makers market full of spooky fun, hosted by Crunchy Soap + Home, The Curio Collective MN, and White Bear Meadery. Check this market out for the Gothic, Steampunk, Metal, Vintage, and Boho crafts you need.

K-Pop Fall Vendor Market

What: Music, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, September 28, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Arbeiter Brewing

Enjoy an afternoon of K-Pop crafts, merchandise, music, and more. This fall market will feature many artists with their wares, food from Bao Bao Buns, and as always, great beer from Arbeiter.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 28, 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.

Orchard Bash

What: Food & Drink, Music
When: Saturday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Cider Company

Celebrate fall with the annual Orchard Bash at Minneapolis Cider Company. There will be games, food, music, and of course cider! This is a family friendly event, and dogs are allowed on the outdoor patios.

Home Haunters Meet & Greet

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, September 28, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Nowhere Entertainment

Meet and greet with other haunted-house and Halloween yard-display enthusiasts in this home haunter’s mini convention. This event includes a guided behind-the-scenes tour of a haunted house, a low-scare walkthrough, mini golf, tacos, and drink tickets. Tickets are $35 per person.

GLAM JAM: A Star-Studded Benefit Concert

What: Music, Community
When: Saturday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ordway Music Theater

Glam Jam is a star-studded benefit concert hosted by none other than the great Monét X Change. This is your chance to see stunning performers backed by the full power of the MN Opera Orchestra, along with fun pre and post show activities. There’s a variety of tiered ticket prices.

Chappell Roan Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, September 29, 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 pays homage to the pop icon Chappell Roan. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $18 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

North Loop Food Truck Fair 2024

What: Food and Drink, Community
When: Sunday, September 29, at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 751 N 3rd Street (Minneapolis)

Enjoy a beautiful fall day in the North Loop while enjoying all kinds of food, drink, and entertainment. There will be dozens of food trucks at this event, so take your pick!

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 29, 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 23, 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 24, 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.

Club Book: Jasmine Guillory

What: Books
When: Tuesday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual Via Zoom

Club Book, a virtual book club hosted by the Carver County Library, and moderated by Emma Nadler reconvenes with Jasmine Guillory. Guillory is well known for rom coms, including The Wedding Date and The Proposal. This event will focus on her new book, Drunk on Love.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, September 25, 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 Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, September 25, 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 25, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–The Women of the Wars of the Roses

What: Educational
When: Thursday, September 26, 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 critical role women played in the Wars of the Roses in 15th-century England. 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.

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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!