This Week in Geek (10/7/2024–10/13/2024)

Jump to:
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, October 7, to Sunday, October 13.

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

Pinehaven Farm Fall Festival

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

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.

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.

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 to $81.

My Hero Academia Trivia

What: Trivia
When: Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: B&B Theatres Bloomington 13 (Mall of America)

Go plus ultra in a knowledge battle against other My Hero Academia fans at the Mall of America. This event is free and open to all ages, and there will be prizes awarded to the winners.

Petri Dish Conversation—Meds Makeover: Is How We Treat Disease About to Change for the Better?

What: Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, October 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Urban Growler

Petri Dish is a series of conversations about biology’s effects on our lives and futures with University of Minnesota experts hosted by UMN’s College of Biological Sciences. This free event explores the current state of pharmaceutical development, modern research that could lead to side-effect-free medical treatments, and anticipated barriers to the next generation of medication delivery. Tickets are $5 or free for UMN students.

Nerd Nite: October Edition

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, October 9, 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. October’s event has spooky season presentations on witches, aliens, and serial killers.

10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, October 10, through Saturday, October 12
Where: Multiple locations

The 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival is back for its twelfth year with over 30 shows featuring nearly 80 comedians! This year’s headliners include David Cross, Mike E Winfield, Pete Holmes, Ali Macofsky, Rory Scovel, Lace Larabee, and more. Check out the website for a full list of shows, as well as venue and ticket details.

Bakkenalia: Spirits

What: Nightlife
When: Thursday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bakken Museum

Enjoy the Bakken Museum after hours at the Bakkenalia! The adults-only series features interactive activities, drink tastings, and more. This event’s theme is “Spirits” and will take a “look into the spine-chilling side of science.” Tickets are $35 for general admission or $30 for museum members, which includes access to the museum’s gardens and exhibits.

ConFABulous

What: Community, Convention, Gaming
When: Friday, October 11, through Sunday, October 13
Where: Crowne Plaza Suites MSP Airport—Mall of America

ConFABulous is a weekend-long LGBTQIA+ gaming convention presented by North Country Gaylaxians. Registration is $60 for the full weekend, which consists of a large gaming room, panels, social events, and more. This is your chance to play new games in an inclusive atmosphere while meeting great Twin Cities gamers!

St. Paul Scary Movies Series: Evil Dead Rise

What: Movies, Community
When: Friday, October 11, at dusk
Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park

Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Screening this week is Evil Dead Rise, the latest stand-alone installment of the franchise that sees a family reunion interrupted by demon possession. Note that this showing is rated R and features plenty of gore, so it might be best to leave the kids at home for this one. The film starts at dusk, but arrive early to grab a spot and some treats from the Sweet Dairy food truck. The event is weather dependent, so be sure to check the event listing for any updates.

Vilification Tennis Presents: Second Chance at First Place

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

Vilification Tennis, a local structured improv show focused on insult contests, returns for a night of comedy where cast members who took second place at their amateur shows fight to join the first place winner’s circle. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door.

Minnesota Comic Book Association FallCon

What: Convention, Comics
When: Saturday, October 11–Sunday, October 12
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand

The Minnesota Comic Book Association’s two-day fall convention returns to the State Fairgrounds this week. Check out oodles of comic artists, publishers, vendors, and local comics stores, as well as live entertainment and a charity auction. Panel guests include Jim Keefe, Christopher Jones, Mark Stegbauer, World Monster HQ, and more. And be sure to stop by the Twin Cities Geek booth to meet your fellow geeks! Admission is $15, which includes both days, or free for kids nine and under.

Cardboard for a Cause—A Magic: The Gathering Charity Event

What: Gaming, Community 
When: Saturday, October 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: A-Mill Artist Lofts

Cardboard for a Cause is a Magic: The Gathering themed charity event featuring tournament drafts, an MTG art gallery, livestream events, silent auctions with rare finds, and more! There will also be open Commander play, drinks, and food from the Pizza Karma food truck. The event is free to attend, but expect to pay entry fees to play in the drafts. Proceeds from the event will go to the Imaginative Realism Foundation, a local organization that aims to increase access, equity, and career pathways for young artists, as well as create spaces for fantasy, science fiction, and imaginative realistic art.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 12, 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.

Owámni Falling Water Festival

What: Educational, Community, Arts, Music
When: Saturday, October 12, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mill Ruins Park & Water Works Park

The Owámni Falling Water Festival is a yearly celebration of Indigenous Minnesota cultures that takes place alongside the Mississippi River’s St. Anthony Falls. The free event will feature artists, food vendors, community organizations, and live performances. Parking can be a challenge in the area, so be sure to check out the website’s parking tips or consider utilizing public transportation.

Mystery on the Mississippi

What: Theater and Comedy
When: Saturday, October 12, at 2:30 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 brought to life by Fearless Comedy Productions. Tickets are $30 for members or $35 for non-members, and there are multiple shows with start times between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., see website for details.

Family Day: Electric Adventure

What: Family
When: Sunday, October 13, 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 “Electric Adventure,” inspired by the current exhibition At the Moulin Rouge.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 13, 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!

Opus & Olives

What: Books, Nightlife
When: Sunday, October 13, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Saint Paul River Centre

Opus & Olives is a night celebrating the written word and raising funds to benefit communities through the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library’s and Pioneer Press’s literacy program. There will be an author meet and greet, cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, and presentations from guest authors including Kristen Miller, Wanda M. Morris, Tommy Tomlinson, David Wroblewski. Tickets start at $150.

(Jump to Top)

Virtual Events

Club Book: Jayne Anne Phillips

What: Books
When: Monday, October 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

Join Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jayne Anne Phillips for a discussion of her latest novel, Night Watch, which is a period piece set in a backwoods West Virginia asylum during the apocalyptic aftermath of the Civil War. Her previous books include Quiet Dell, Lark and Termite, and Machine Dreams. This free event is hosted by Club Book and the Ramsey County Library.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, October 7, 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, October 8, 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.

Zoom Discussion of Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

What: Books
When: Tuesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The North Country Gaylaxians book club (a local group that reads and discusses science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative fiction with LGBTQ+ or similar content by LGBTQ+ authors) will be hosting a discussion of the book Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, a novel that blends Lovecraftian fantasy horror with the real life horrors of the Jim Crow era.

Queer Book Club

What: Books
When: Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Discuss new books that are written by queer authors or that explore queer topics at this free monthly book club hosted by the Hennepin County Library. This month’s selection is What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. Copies of the e-book and audio versions are available through the website, while physical copies are available for checkout at the East Lake and Ridgedale libraries.

Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, October 9, 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, October 9, 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, October 9, 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 Medici: Patronage, Power, and Art in Renaissance Florence

What: Educational
When: Friday, October 11, 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 Medici mercantile family and their political and economic influence on Florence, as well as their long-lasting global impact on the arts as patrons of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, 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.

(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!