This Week in Geek (9/8/2025–9/14/2025)

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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, September 8, to Sunday, September 14.

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

The Pickup Truck Opera: The Return of King Idomeneo

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, September 14
Where: Various venues

Opera hits the road in a blue pickup truck with a traveling performance of The Return of King Idomeneo. This show brings Mozart’s opera about Greek General Idomeneo and the Trojan War into mid-century America and will mix together classic arias and choruses with the musical stylings of 1950s doo-wop and 1960s girl groups. All performances will be held outdoors in natural spaces throughout the state and ingeniously use the truck and trailer as a stage. See the website for a full schedule, including the different locations.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Now through Sunday, September 28
Where: 12364 Chestnut Boulevard (Shakopee)

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 54th season and will be open weekends through September 28! 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 $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors, and $19.95 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 prepaid parking pass at $18 to park on the festival grounds or plan on utilizing the park-and-ride lots with round-trip bus rides for $6.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, September 8, and Wednesday, September 10, 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.

Tipsy Tabletops

What: Gaming, Trivia, Food & Drinks
When: Tuesday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: King Coil Spirits

Play tabletop games hosted by their creators while enjoying some drinks. There will also be a short round of board-game trivia with a Games by James gift card on the line. This event is free to attend and $2 from every cocktail sold will be donated to charity.

Juggling and Balance

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Galilee Evangelical Lutheran Church

Learn the fundamentals of juggling and balancing objects on your body with the president of the International Jugglers’ Association, Benjamin Domask-Ruh! This free workshop will also explore how juggling elements can be incorporated into your performances and personal life. Supplies are provided. The event is hosted by the educational club Minnesota Clown Alley and attendance is open to all interested performers, including actors, magicians, clowns, and other disciplines.

The Witcher in Concert

What: Music
When: Tuesday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theatre

Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at this concert that pairs a live orchestral performance of the score with cinematic in-game visuals. Expect a special appearance by Percival, the Polish folk metal band that co-composed the game’s soundtrack. Tickets start at $37.95.

BuckSlam September Poetry Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Indeed Brewing

BuckSlam is a monthly poetry slam where up to 12 performers use their words to battle it out over two rounds. There is a $1 cover and sign ups open up the day of the slam. The night’s top poet will walk away with the proverbial crown, $1, and a gift card to Indeed Brewing. “So grab a buck, grab a buddy, grab a beverage, and come experience some original poetry.”

Nerd Nite Out

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, September 10, 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 facts come in the form of “nerdy TED talks” where community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. September’s event is out on the patio (weather pending) and will feature talks about medicine and roller-coaster law.

MinnAnimate

What: Movies
When: Thursday, September 11 through Saturday, September 13
Where: Multiple Locations

MinnAnimate is back for its 13th year celebrating independent animation. There will be three screenings of animated shorts by (mostly) local and regional artists and a Kiera Faber retrospective screening, with half taking place at the Main and half at Trylon Cinema. Artists can also stretch their creative muscles with the community during a free Draw League meetup at Bauhaus Brew Labs. Individual screenings are $15–$17.

Walker Art Center Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 11, 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, design, write, and exchange postcards.

Science on Tap

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Indeed Brewing

Scientists from the Minnesota Science Museum are heading to the taproom with leading researchers to help you learn something new while you enjoy a tasty brew. Each free event in the series will feature a different topic, with this installment exploring Minnesota archaeology, with special focus on Indigenous peoples and climate history from the Ice Age through pre-European colonization.

Only Ugly Guys

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Thursday, September 11 through Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gremlin Theatre

In four short stories, Only Ugly Guys explores “how affection manifests in a non-committal, algorithm-fueled culture” and positions the audience in the role of voyeur, enabler, confidante, and friend to the characters as their romantic lives unfold. Tickets are $28, and there is a discount for the Thursday preview performance; see event page for more information.

Crypticon 2025

What: Convention, Movies, Music
When: Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14
Where: Crowne Plaza West Hotel & Conference Center

Crypticon returns to the Twin Cities for its 19th annual horror convention. This event is an opportunity to see horror celebrities, vendors, artists, panels, and films, as well as to participate in activities including themed parties, cosplay, and makeup and tattoo contests. Celebrity guests this year include Joe Dante, Dee Wallace, Tony Cox, Michael Berryman, Curtis Armstrong, and many more. Genre-film fans of all stripes will have something to enjoy here. Tickets start at $70 for the full weekend; VIP tickets and day passes are also available.

Cocktails at the Castle

What: Nightlife, Music, Food & Drink
When: Friday, September 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: American Swedish Institute

Cocktails at the Castle, the American Swedish Institute’s signature museum party, returns this Friday. Enjoy cocktails, art, and interactive activities. The main stage entertainment will be hosted by Fanaka Nation and include performances from L. A. Buckner and BiG HOMiE, Obi Original and the Black Atlantics, Ahndenet, and Genet Abate. Admission is $50 for nonmembers, and $45 for members.

Twin City Model Railroad Fall Hobby Show and Sale

What: Community, Family
When: Saturday, September 13, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Full speed ahead! Expect over 200 tables of new and used toy trains, scale models, collectibles, antiques, tools, posters, books, and more for sale, as well as operating layouts in a variety of scales. Tickets are $7; ages 7 and under get free admission.

Pinehaven Farm Fall Festival

What: Family, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14 at; 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming)

Enjoy a weekend of autumnal family fun at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota. There will be 30+ activities and attractions, 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 $14–25. The festival runs weekends through November 2.

Capital City Fest

What: Community, Music, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: 425 Rice St., St. Paul Minnesota 55103

Celebrate community and the long tradition of outdoor events in Minnesota’s capital city. The free festival includes live music, a vendor market, car show, family games, food trucks, Doghouse Wrestling matches, and more.

CLUES Fiesta Latina

What: Community, Music, Arts
When: Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 p.m.
Where: CLUES St. Paul

Enjoy! Connect! Engage! Participate! at this event put on by Communidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio. The goal of this event is to celebrate the richness of Latino culture with their annual Fiesta Latina. This is a free and family-friendly event with dance, music, wellness, food, arts and crafts, and more.

Next Chapter Booksellers Manga Club

What: Comics
When: Saturday, September 13, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers

Discuss a new manga title every month at Next Chapter Booksellers. This free manga-book club also provides tasty Japanese snacks and discounts on manga purchases in the store. Check out the event page for more information. For September, the read of choice is Tekkonkinkreet by Taiyo Matsumoto.

10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance

What: Science & Tech, Family
When: Sunday, September 14, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Canterbury Park

This “competition of elegance” celebrates the craftsmanship, artistry, and innovation throughout automotive history. The main showcase will feature more than 150 automobiles, motorcycles, and tractors of historical significance, with a best-in-class winners parade in the afternoon. There will also be live music, artists, vendors, a kid zone, and a costume contest for the best vintage looks. Tickets are $20–$25; military and kids under 17 get in for free. Proceeds benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.

Family Day: Extraordinary Gifts (Year of Tibet)

What: Family
When: Sunday, September 14, 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, and more. This weekend’s theme is inspired by their exhibit Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room: The Alice S. Kandell Collection and will feature a gallery hunt, metal casting with WOW Metal Lab, and activities with the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 14, 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!

How to Survive and Find a Way Home

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, September 14, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park

Learn some basic survival skills from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This free event may be of particular interest to geeks and their families who have picked up new outdoor hobbies or enjoy exploring our state’s beautiful landscapes and wilderness areas.

Utica Live!

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Saloon MN

“Minnesota’s UTICA (Project Runway + RuPaul’s Drag Race) is returning home.” Catch her live performance at the Saloon with Mercedes Iman Diamond (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Julia Starr (Sew Fierce), and Dick von Dyke (King of Drag). The meet and greet starts at 7:00 p.m., followed at 8:00 p.m. by the show. Tickets are $22.60–$39.70.

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Virtual Events

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Sculpting Space: The Architecture of Frank Gehry

What: Educational
When: Monday, September 8, 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, explore the iconic postmodern architecture of Frank Gehry. The talk will follow the evolution of his vision and focus in on works from around the world, including the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis. 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.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, September 8, 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!

Queer Book Club

What: Books
When: Tuesday, September 9, 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 Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa. Copies of the ebook and audio versions are available through the library website, while physical copies are available for checkout at the East Lake and Ridgedale libraries. Next month’s read will be Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, September 10, 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, September 10, 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.

Writer’s Roulette

What: Meetup
When: Friday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Stretch those creative-writing muscles at the Writer’s Roulette! Each event starts with a writing prompt and 20 minutes to write whatever comes to mind in any genre or style. Then participants are given the option to share their work. “Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practice, or just a creative jolt, Writer’s Roulette is your chance to see where the words take you.” Tickets are $7.

Sylvia Plath and the American Witch-Hunts

What: Educational
When: Saturday, September 13, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual Event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week, Dr. Dorka Tamas discusses how the legacy of the Salem witch trials and the modern witch-hunts under McCarthyism influenced Sylvia Plath’s depictions of witches within her writing. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but donations or patronage to support the series are appreciated.

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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!