This Week in Geek (5/19/2025–5/25/2025)

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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, May 19, to Sunday, May 25.

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

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class at the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5 in the Depot’s Waiting Room or in the North Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is a less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

WTF! Watch Terrible Films Club

What: Movies
When: Monday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 56 Brewing

If you’re a film buff who likes cheesy movies that are so-bad-they’re-kind-of-good, then this free club is for you. Every third Monday, catch a screening of a curated movie in 56 Brewing’s barrel room, while enjoying local brews and food-truck bites. Check out the WTF Club’s Instagram for a preview of the upcoming movie, or just show up the night of to be surprised.

Milkweed Editions Presents Stephen Espada Dawson

What: Books
When: Tuesday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Open Book

Poet laureate Stephen Espada Dawson will be discussing his debut collection, Late to the Search Party with poet Michael Torres. In this collection, he contemplates the “unsettled border between absence and presence” while reflecting on his familial experiences with a dying mother, an absent father, and an addict brother who has been missing for more than a decade. The discussion will dive into poetry, craft, and themes of family, belonging, grief, and identity within immigrant communities. There will be Q&A session and book signing. The event is free and copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Book Launch: Nisha J. Tuli’s Not Safe for Work with Kimberly Lemming

What: Books
When: Tuesday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Epsicopal Church

Tropes & Trifles and best-selling author Nisha J. Tuli are celebrating the release of her new book, Not Safe for Work. Tuli will be joined in conversation by author Kimberly Lemming, followed by an audience Q&A. The event will conclude with a book signing by both authors; see website for signing details. Tuli’s previous book series include Artefacts of Ouranos, Nightfire Quartet, and Cursed Captors. Lemming’s books include I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m in a Rom-Com and That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon. Tickets are $31.34, which includes a copy of Not Safe for Work.

Books & Bars: The Ministry of Time

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Tuesday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Urban Growler

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 The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Next month’s book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, May 21, 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 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.

Ben Schreier Presents Perpich: A Minnesota Original

What: Books
When: Wednesday, May 21, at at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Magers & Quinn Booksellers

Ben Schreier is the former mayor of Fergus Falls and the author of the recently released book Perpich: A Minnesota Original, which dives into the history and legacy of Minnesota’s longest-serving governor. He’ll be stopping by Magers & Quinn to discuss the book. This event is free, but registration is highly recommended.

MN Cuban Film Festival: Fresa y Chocolate

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema

This week’s feature is Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate), a film from renowned director Tomas Gutierrez Alea that explores relationships, politics, and state surveillance of LGBTQ and artist communities in Fidel Castro’s Cuba circa 1979 through the story of an unlikely friendship. A new Cuban Film Festival movie shows each Wednesday through June 4. Tickets are $14.

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, May 21, 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.

Kickoff to Summer at the Fair

What: Community, Family, Food & Drink, Music
When: Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Get an early taste of the State Fair at the annual summer kickoff! This four-day event will feature fair-favorite foods, live music, Giant Slide rides, a puzzle hunt, shopping, arcade games, history tours, skateboard lessons from 3rd Lair, and more. There will also be chances to win State Fair admission tickets, on-site parking passes, and Grandstand concert tickets. Check out the website for information, including the entertainment lineup and schedule. Tickets are $13 in advance, or $16 at the gate if not sold out.

Walker Art Center’s Art Club: Story Cloth Collage with Tshab Her

What: Arts
When: Thursday, May 22, 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 features an activity that celebrates the powerful tradition of Hmong story clothes which emerged during the “secret war” in Laos as a means to raise funds for Hmong refugees and often depicted their daily lives, migrations, and myths.

Minneapolis Oddities & Curiosities Expo

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Is your geekdom focused on the strange and novel? Do you need a sideshow in your life? Do you need more odd art for yourself or a loved one? Then this bazaar of the bizarre is the event for you. This event will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, and will feature dozens of artists and their wares, including jewelry made of bones and other macabre selections, as well as sideshow performances and taxidermy classes for the adventurous. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door; kids 12 and under get in for free.

Twin Cities Board Game Marathon

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, May 24, 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.

Lord of the Rings Day

What: Music, Trivia, Cosplay, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, May 24, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Inbound BrewCo

Enjoy a day of Middle-Earth festivities with live bardic music, a market, cosplay contest, and trivia! Admission is free; themed drinks and food truck fare will available for purchase.

Spring 2025 Board Game Market

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, May 24, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Brewing Projekt (Eau Claire, WI)

Pick up some new-to-you games at this board game market. It’s organized garage sale-style by Eau Claire geeks who are active in the Twin Cities community and will include sellers from both Minnesota and Wisconsin. So if you’re one of our Wisconsin neighbors who hits up the geeky events here in the Twin Cities, this event might be a good chance for you to nerd out a little closer to home. Admission is free and organizers recommend having cash on hand for market purchases.

Battle Royale Screening

What: Movies
When: Saturday, May 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Eagles Club 33

Trilingua Cinema presents a special $5 screening of the cult classic Battle Royale. The story follows a class of students as they are forced to fight to the death under a new act by their government. The film will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles.

River Fishing for Fun

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, May 25, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn how to fish from big rivers like the Mississippi with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. They’ll be providing all necessary equipment and bait. This is a free catch-and-release event that does not require a fishing license to participate. Registration is required; see the event listing for more details.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, May 25 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

GPS Creative Night

What: Arts
When: Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet

Let your creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever your heart desires at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by the Geek Partnership Society. This is a free event and a great opportunity to work on projects in great company.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, May 19, 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!

entoL!VE–Insect Welfare: What Benefits Bugs?

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn about insects and the science of invertebrates with the free entoL!VE webinar series. This week’s event explores recent research into insect sentience, its implications on welfare responsibility in situations where humans are managing insects, and strategies for consideration to improve their lives.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series: Major Discoveries in Rome and Pompeii

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, May 20, at 5:45 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 major discoveries in Rome, Pompeii, and Herculaneum over the past 30 years that shed light on gladiatorial games, religious festivals, and the change in their appearances during the Republic and the early years of the Empire. This talk will be led by C. Brian Rose, a professor of Mediterranean archaeology, who will also touch on how the continued excavations of these cities has impacted the cultures of Europe and America. General-admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, May 21, 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 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.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, May 21, 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. Join the server by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

Weird and Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, May 21, 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.

Our Friendship Bench by 360° Nation

What: Community
When: Thursday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join 360° Nation’s weekly virtual friendship bench, where shared humanity binds us all together. Come to connect with others that share a commitment to listen, understand, respect, empathize with, and support one another. Our similarities far outweigh our differences. Free.

Examining HBO’s The Gilded Age, Part 1

What: Movies
When: Thursday, May 22, at 22
Where: Virtual event

HBO’s series The Gilded Age is centered on the business and social drama of America’s first millionaires in 1880s New York. But how much did they get right? This webinar will dive into the actual history and compare it to the show, including the rapid economic and industrial growth of the era, the real people who inspired the on-screen characters, behind-the-scenes production photos, and costumes alongside their museum counterparts. Tickets are $12, or $24 for both events in the series.

A Real Conversation: Jesse Eisenberg on the Arts, Activism, and Identity

What: Movies
When: Thursday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland) will be discussing his 20-year career in the arts, his off-screen activism, and how his beliefs and identity drive them both. He recently wrote, directed, and starred in A Real Pain, which “dives deep into his Polish Jewish roots for a darkly funny exploration of identity, trauma, and belonging.” He was awarded Best Screenplay for the film from the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards. After the conversation, there will be a Q&A session. This event is free, but registration is required.

Fantasy Storytelling: Fantasy Fashion 101 with ElfQuest‘s Wendy and Richard Pini

What: Comics, Cosplay
When: Saturday, May 24, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

ElfQuest creators and fantasy costume makers Wendy and Richard Pini are joining Momentus to lead a cosplay class. They’ll be discussing building characters from head-to-toe, different costuming materials, and cosplay crafting techniques. Tickets start $15 for general admission, and there are additional options that include meet and greets, an ElfQuest book, or a signed art print. There are also bundle ticket packages starting at $30 that include this class and their two other upcoming classes on illustration and storytelling.

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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!