This Week in Geek (7/28/2025–8/3/2025)

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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, July 28, to Sunday, August 3.

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, July 28, and Wednesday, July 30, 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 East Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total-body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, July 29, 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 July exploring Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor. Similar tours are available at other dates and times.

Astounding Astrophysics: The Early Universe: A Journey to the Origin of Time

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Tate Laboratory of Physics, University of Minnesota

For this event in the Astounding Astrophysics series, Keith Olive will discuss what we know about the first few minutes of the universe’s existence and how those conditions led our present state. Free to attend; parking is available for $1/hour.

Minnesota Fringe Festival

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 10
Where: Various Venues

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is upon us. This is an opportunity to see a wide variety of shows (99 in 2025) which connect with audiences in novel ways. Some shows that might particularly pique nerdy interests include Dice of Destiny: Neon City, The Book of Mordor: A Fantasy Musical Parody, and The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch!, among many others. Regular admission tickets are $25; discounts are available with a festival button or multi-show pass. See the website for a full list of shows, as well as details on tickets and the multiple venues.

Bakkenalia: Stories

What: Nightlife
When: Thursday, July 31, 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, live music, and more. This event’s theme is “Stories” and will highlight some of the books and artifacts from the vault that are not typically on display. The Thinking Spot book store will also be onsite with a selection of books available for purchase. Tickets are $35 for general admission or $30 for museum members, which includes access to the museum’s gardens and exhibits.

Lowertown Sounds: Salsa del Soul & Alma Aldina

What: Music, Community
When: Thursday, July 31, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Mears Park

Lowertown Sounds is bringing local music, food trucks, and Minnesota-made brews to Mears Park all summer long! This week features free performances by Salsa del Soul and Alma Aldina. Check out the event listing for the food-truck lineup and upcoming performances.

Divas & Drag IV: off Off OFF Broadway

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Friday, August 1 through Monday, August 4
Where: The Jungle Theater

Opera soloists and drag performers come together for a night of spectacular mashups that celebrate self-expression and artistry. The show will be taking inspiration from New York City’s historic Marie’s Crisis Café, a gay piano bar famous for its sing-along showtunes. It’s all hosted by Dick van Dyke and Queenie von Curves. Tickets are on a pay-as-able scale of $0–35.

Music + Movies in the Park: Yam Haus & Remember the Titans

What: Music, Movies, Community
When: Friday, August 1, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell

Enjoy a night of community, music, and movie magic with this doubleheader from the Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks series. Music starts at 6:00 p.m. with a set from DJ Shannon Blowtorch, followed at 7:00 p.m. by Yam Haus. After the music fades out, settle in for a screening of Remember the Titans at dusk. This event is presented by the Minnesota Star Tribune and sponsored by the Science Museum of Minnesota, and will feature additional activities and games with prizes.

Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven Boys Graphic Novel

What: Comics, Books
When: Friday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Jeanne D’Arc Auditorium, St. Catherine University

Join author Maggie Stiefvater in celebrating the release of The Raven Boys graphic novel, an adaptation of the first book in her New York Times bestselling Raven Cycle series. After her talk, there will be a Q&A session and book signing. Tickets start at $26.46, which includes a copy of the graphic novel. Check out the event page for more information and signing guidelines.

Scream It Off Screen

What: Movies
When: Friday, August 1, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

Scream It Off Screen is a short-film contest with an audience interaction element! Come together with other film nerds in one of the Twin Cities greatest revival theaters. Audiences will cry out “Gong!” or “Let it play!” in order to determine which films will be shown in full. Tickets are $13 in advance or $19 at the door.

The MPLS Goth Ball at RaptureMN

What: Nightlife
When: Friday, August 1, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub

Goths! Enjoy a night of DJs and entertainers (including fire performance, aerial acrobatics, laser lights, LEDs, and more) while dancing the night away. See the event description for a list of DJs and entertainers. Tickets are $15. The Costumed theme for this event is “Dress to impress in your most fancy Goth attire for getting dancy!”

CatVideoFest 2025

What: Movies, Community
When: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Riverview Theater

Cats are ridiculous, kind-of-goofy, lovable little balls of fur that only sort of understand how to be around people and are the genesis of so much good, good internet content. See these adorable little killing machines in all their glory at the CatVideoFest 2025. Enjoy this communal, theater-exclusive event with your fellow cat geeks. Tickets are $5.

Big Minneapolis Anime

What: Convention
When: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Big Minneapolis Anime is a new anime convention featuring guest voice actors, a cosplay contest, panels, a vendor and artist market, gaming tournaments, and plenty of cosplay meetups. The guest list includes voice actors from Sailor Moon, My Hero Academia, Helluva Boss, Spy x Family, and more. Weekend passes are $50 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under; VIP and day passes are available.

Authors & Illustrators Book Fair

What: Books, Family
When: Saturday, August 2, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Midtown Global Market

Find your child’s next read at this book fair that features titles by local authors and illustrators ranging from picture books through young adult. Stop by to meet the authors and have some literary fun.

Slavic Experience

What: Community, Family, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, at 12:00 p.m.
What: The Recreation Outdoor Center (St. Louis Park)

Celebrate the richness and diversity of Eastern and Central European cultural traditions with a weekend of fun in St. Louis Park. This is your chance to see fashion, a talent show, a pierogi-making contest, art, dance, activities for kids, and more. This is a free event.

Cosplay and Crafters Meet Up

What: Meetup, Cosplay
When: Saturday, August 2, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library

Hang out with other cosplayers and crafters at this free monthly meetup hosted by Midwest Cosplay Quest. This is a great chance to talk shop, dress up, and work on current projects in good company. Per the organizer, “you don’t have to dress up or bring a project, but it’ll be way more fun if you do.”

’80s Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, August 3, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 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’s theme celebrates the 1980s, including the music of Prince, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper, and also features guest performer Cake Pop! from Washington DC. Tickets are $20.28 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 3, 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!

Season’s Eatings: Summer

What: Food & Drink
When: Sunday, August 3, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Mill City Museum

Head over to the Mill City Museum’s Baking Lab for a discussion of Minnesota summers, the staff’s favorite summer-inspired recipes, and to sample a maple cauliflower pie from The Good Berry Cookbook by Tashia Hart. Tickets for adults are $12–15 and kids under five are free.

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Virtual Events

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 28, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

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

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series–The Great Museum of the Sea: Why Shipwrecks Capture the Imagination

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, July 29, 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, James P. Delgado, marine archaeologist and former host of The Sea Hunters, will share some of his experiences on shipwreck expeditions, what causes catastrophes at sea, and why lost ships have been capturing imaginations for centuries. General admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series web page to see the many other upcoming events this week.

Beneficial Birds! with Wild Farm Alliance

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, July 30, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Minnesota Women in Conservation host a series of free lunch-time webinars with “news you can use.” This event will discuss supporting birds with keystone native plants that help them survive and thrive, which in turn can help reduce the rodent and pest insect populations.

PBS Books Readers Club: Lessons in Chemistry with Bonnie Garmus

What: Books
When: Wednesday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app

Author Bonnie Garmus will be joining the PBS Books Readers Club for a discussion about her novel, Lessons in Chemistry. The story takes place in the 1950s and follows young chemist Elizabeth Zott from her struggles in a male-dominated field to becoming a reluctant cooking show host, and her unexpected resulting status as a feminist icon from her TV lessons that go beyond just simple baking.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, July 30, 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 & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, July 30, 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.

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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!