This Week in Geek (2/17/2025–2/23/2025)

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, February 17, to Sunday, February 23.

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

Stolen Focus

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, March 2
Where: Phoenix Theater

After losing her social media job and starting as a theater lobby manager, Maran finds herself continually haunted by internet distractions and “digital disruptors.” When she reads a book that reveals the modern-age culprits stealing focus from people, she is determined to give it all up and convince her fractured family to join her. Tickets are $30.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, March 23
Where: Guthrie Theater

The beloved Shakespearean classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream makes its return to the Guthrie stage. This play of mischief and love is the playwright’s most popular work and has enchanted countless audiences with its intertwining tales unfolding when the mortal and magical worlds meet during the Summer Solstice. Tickets are $32 to $92. Check out the event page for information on special performances featuring tailgating, postshow discussions, and youth activities.

MN Made: The Claw and 10,000 Years

What: Movies
When: Monday, February 17 and Tuesday, February 18, at 7:15 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema

MN Made is a series that highlights movies created by Minnesota artists and filmmakers. This screening features The Claw, a documentary about James Raschke (also known as Baron von Raschke) and his split life as a villain in the ring and a gentle giant at home coming to terms with his past. It includes family footage, rare vintage clips, and recreations of events in the Baron’s life. The screening will open with the short film 10,000 Years. Tickets are $13.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, February 18, 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 February exploring Deacon King Kong by James McBride. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants can play the games, demo their own 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.

Books & Bars: Chain-Gang All-Stars

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sociable Cider Werks

Books & Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by former Minnesota Public Radio producer Jeff Kamin that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” The book being discussed this month is Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Next month’s book is Demon Copperhead by Barbary Kingsolver.

Comedy Night at the Mudd Room

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Mudd Room

Enjoy a night of laughs every week at the Mudd Room’s local comedy showcase. This week features Wendy Maybury. This event is 21+ and cover charge is $10, which gets added to your bill. There are no seat reservations or advanced ticketing, so be sure to get there early to grab a prime spot and some tasty bites.

GothiCoffee

What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 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).”

Walker Art Center’s Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 20, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Get creative at the Walker Art Center’s weekly Art Club during the museum’s free Thursday nights. Explore different mediums and ideas through themed activities designed to be accessible for all ages and levels of experience. Materials are free while supplies last. This week’s theme is “Constellation Luminary Box.”

North Star Roller Derby: The Legend of the Northwoods Narwolf

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Quincy Hall

Come on down for a roller derby extravaganza at North Star’s new venue! The theme for bout 3 of season 19 is “The Legend of the Northwoods Narwolf.” In addition to the roller derby action, enjoy halftime entertainment and adult beverages in the beer garden. Tickets are $20, and there are discounted youth tickets available.

Broadway Rave

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Friday, February 21, at 9:00 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 start at $27.

Totally Rad Vintage Fest

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, at 10:00 a.m,
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Time warp back to the ’80s, ’90s, and Y2k for a collection of vendors focused on clothes and accessories from decades past. Expect a wide variety of vendors (toys, clothes, etc.), a free-to-play vintage arcade, throwback photo ops, and a nostalgic collection of iconic items in the Rad Rewind Museum. Tickets are $8 to $12, or $25 for special early-bird access, and kids under 12 are free.

Twin Cities Board Game Marathon

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, February 22, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 2D Con HQ

Join the 2D Con community for an all-day gaming marathon. Bring your favorite games along to share or try something new from 2D Con’s gaming library. Tickets are $5.

Latin Americans in STEM

What: Science & Tech, Educational, Community
When: Saturday, February 22, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is celebrating diversity and creativity in STEM through the Science Is All of Us event series, which highlights the careers and contributions of female and BIPOC STEM professionals. Each event is included with regular museum admission and will feature demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and presentations. This installment celebrates Latin Americans in STEM with event partners and performers Boston Scientific HOLA, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Masonic Cancer Center, Salsa del Sol, Mexico Azeteca, and more.

STEM Family Day

What: Family, Science & Tech, Educational
When: Saturday, February 21, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Mill City Museum

Explore the history and science of the Minneapolis riverfront! A variety of activities will be available from the Mill City Museum as well as guests including the Raptor Center, the Geological Society of Minnesota, the American Chemical Society, the National Park Service, and more. Most activities are free, but some do require museum admission; see the website for price details.

Monster Jam

What: Arts
When: Saturday, February 22, at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 23, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: US Bank Stadium

What if trucks could be monstrous? Enjoy the terrifying spectacle of massive trucks battling it out including favorites like Grave Digger and Megalodon. Event times listed are the start times; see the website for more details regarding early events like trackside and pit parties. Tickets start at $29.25.

One Direction Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, February 23, 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 celebrates the iconic One Direction. Costumes and singing along are encouraged. Tickets are $20.28 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 23, 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!

(Jump to Top)

Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, February 17, 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, February 18, 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.

White Elephant Technology: 10 Crazy Inventions That Flopped

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Tuesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

This webinar will “dive into the curious world of failed creations that walked a fine line between genius and absurdity.” Looking a 10 specific examples, White Elephant Tech reporter John J. Geoghegen will explore the lessons that can be learned from failed inventions and their inventors, analyze how they fit into the greater narratives of the human condition and innovation, and share amusing photographs and film clips of these bizarre creations. Tickets are $12.

Winter Wednesday with a Scholar

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join the Ramsey County Library and a guest scholar for an educational dive into their specialty on Wednesdays throughout the winter season. This week, Angie Hong will discuss the St. Croix River watershed.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants can play the games, demo their own 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, February 19, 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 and Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, February 19, 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 the Dumb Industries Discord every Wednesday night.

Zoom Discussion of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Language of the Night and A Wizard of Earthsea

What: Books
When: Saturday, February 22, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Rivendell Discussion Group of the Mythopoeic Society will be discussing two classic Ursula K. Le Guin books, The Language of the Night and A Wizard of Earthsea, as well as some early essays from the author that provides insight into the first Earthsea book. This event is free and open to all. Next month, the group will discuss Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Botanical Gardens: A World Tour

What: Educational
When: Saturday, February 22, at 3:00 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, escape the winter doldrums with virtual tours of The Huntington Botanical Gardens and Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens naturalist and horticulturist Keith Tomlinson. General-admission tickets are $30. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

The Guild: The Musical Live Reading

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Felicia Day’s beloved webseries The Guild about a group of gamers meeting up in the real world has been adapted into a musical. This live reading will star Felicia Day, Phil LaMarr, Kirsten Vangsness, Anjali Bhimani, Rama Vallury, Lauren Lopez, and Joey Richter. Livestream tickets are $20 and includes replay access for seven days.

(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!