This Week in Geek (2/2/2026–2/8/2026)

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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, February 2, to Sunday, February 8.

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

Art Shanty Projects

What: Arts, Community, Family
When: Saturdays and Sundays, now through February 9; at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Lake Harriet/Bdé Umáŋ

Venture onto the ice for this annual adventure and experience an eclectic mix of art installations, live performances, games, activities, and more. Check out the website for a full list and description of this year’s shanties, as well as the performance schedule. The festival is free to attend, but if you’d like to support this community tradition, there are donation and membership options available.

Ice Castles

What: Arts, Family
When: Now through Saturday, February 21; various times
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Embrace winter and explore the frozen wonderland of the Ice Castles. This annual attraction created by “professional ice artisans” features ice tunnels, slides, sculptures, tubing, frozen tap, and more. Ice Castles are open various hours Thursdays through Mondays. General admission tickets are $13–$26 and children under three are free.

Super Neon: A Feel-Good Immersive Experience

What: Arts
When: Now through Saturday, February 28; various times
Where: Mall of America

Immerse yourself in the glow of neon while you explore forests, paint a scene, snap selfies with light creatures, or even float away in a cloud-filled neon dreamscape. General admission tickets are $14.49, with discounts for children, seniors, military, or disabled.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, February 2, and Wednesday, February 4, 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.

Witness: Open Mic Monday

What: Community
When: Monday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: American School of Storytelling

New from the American School of Storytelling, the first Monday of the month will be an open mic for anyone to share their lived experience through stories, poems, songs and more. Sign-up is first come, first served.

Community Ping Pong League

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Tuesday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Cider

Join Fluid Table Tennis and Minneapolis Cider for ping pong games every Tuesday night in the Haralson Room.

Drag Blingo with B. Louise

What: Theater & Comedy, Gaming
When: Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Sisyphus Brewing

Come to play Blingo, drink beer, win prizes, and learn about life from Queen B. Louise. Free to play.

Walker Art Club: Block-Printed Cards

What: Arts
When: Thursday, February 5, 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, create hand-printed cards for Valentine’s day or any occasion by using block printing.

Karaoke Fridays with Silly Miss Tilly

What: Music
When: Thursday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Can Can Wonderland

Sing on stage in front of an enthusiastic, supportive audience. Miss Tilly will even sing with you, if you want. After 9:00 p.m., the event is 21+ only. If the music puts you in the mood to play games, be sure to check out Can Can Wonderland’s arcade, which features over 150 machines set to free play. Included with regular Thursday admission of $15.

Monster Science First Thursdays: Nessie Galore

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Reverend Matt’s Monster Science, a recurring comedic-lecture series with a focus on monsters, returns this month to explore the legend and history of the Loch Ness Monster. Tickets are $15 in advance ant $18 at the door. Full restaurant and bar service available in the theater.

In Defense of Our Community: A Benefit for ACLU-MN

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Thursday, February 5, at 7:15 p.m.
Where: Fine Line

“The evening brings together a powerful lineup of artists committed to culture, community, and collective action,” including Cristian Baca, Gustavo Villegas, DJ Mickey Breeze, Lady Midnight, and Jada Brown. 100% of proceeds benefit ACLU-MN.

The Dungeon Cocktail Experience

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drink
When: Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7; multiple showtimes
Where: Phoenix Theater

Enjoy this completely improvised, immersive, fantasy comedy quest led by a live Dungeon Master. The audience’s choices and cheers will shape the fate of the characters. Each performance includes three themed cocktails coordinated with the show. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets start at $59.83. Optional workshop each day to “Bring Your Role-Playing Character to Life.” Tickets are $54.48.

Scream It Off Screen

What: Movies
When: Friday, February 6, at 7:00 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 $23.66 in advance or $25 at the door. Audience must be 18+.

Goth Night at RaptureMN

What: Nightlife
When: Friday, February 6, 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!”

Free First Saturday at Walker Art Center

What: Arts, Family
When: Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

This month’s theme is centered around the exhibit Dyani White Hawk: Love Language, a celebration of interconnectedness and intergenerational knowledge. Also enjoy the Walker Art Center’s current exhibitions, check out a film from the museum’s collection, or participate in family-friendly creative activities. Free tickets can be reserved in advance.

Slow Walk Twin Cities

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Moir Park, Bloomington

Slow Walk is a “walking and hiking group for queer folks, BIPOC, and allies of every size, ability, and fitness level.” Group meets at different locations around the metro, every other week. Free.

First Science Saturday: Engineering

What: Educational, Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Metro State University

First Saturday Science, a monthly program at Metro State, seeks to improve accessibility to science with open programs that can lead folks towards scientific careers, or just greater curiosity. This month, learn all about engineering. No RSVP required, though young people under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check out the event page for more details, as well as future topics and science resources that can be used at home.

Winter Festival

What: Sports & Fitness, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, February 7, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Wildlife Science Center, Stacy

Curious about dog sledding? Check out this event that includes several mushers and their dog teams, demonstrations, campfires, vendors, and many of the Wildlife Science Center’s animals. Food from Hungry? and beverages from OMNI Brewing & Taproom. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids. Dogsled rides are available for an additional fee of $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Women and Girls in STEM Day

What: Science & Tech, Educational, Community
When: Saturday, February 7, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is celebrating diversity and creativity in STEM through the Celebration Days event series, which highlights the careers and contributions of women 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 women and girls in STEM with event partners Society of Women Engineers, Girls Dream Code, Ke Wang’s Lab, Nibi Clear, and many more. Girl Scouts are eligible for an exclusive patch.

Spies and Space: Cold War Artifacts from Both Sides of the Iron Curtain

What: Educational
When: Saturday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Museum of Russian Art

Get the first look at this impressive array of pop culture from the Cold War era, including toys, games, comic books, posters, media and more, during this opening night event. While Western culture was focused on outer space and real-world espionage, Soviet culture focused glorifying their accomplishments while vilifying the West. Exhibit will be on display thru May 10. Adult admission is $15, with discounts available for seniors and kids.

Sextravaganza: The Sex Pun Show!

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, February 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern

Pundamonium will again be hosting its annual Sextravaganza: The Sex Pun Show! at Club Underground this Saturday night. At this event, “the dirtiest Twin Cities comedians and Pundamonium regulars will be given suggestive prompts and have two minutes to make the dirtiest puns, innuendos, and double entendres they can think of while we watch.” Select audience members will rate them. Tickets are $20.

Midnight Mayhem: Def by Temptation

What: Movies
When: Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema

The Midnight Mayhem series returns with a screening of Def by Temptation, a mystery movie involving multiple homicides that blends supernatural horror and religious mysticism with a hip hop and R&B soundtrack. Expect special surprises and giveaways with host Chaz Kangas throughout this fun community film night. Tickets are $13.

Stomp Out Hate

What: Sports & Fitness, Community
When: Sunday, February 8, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Glen Lake Academy of Dance

Get your dancing shoes for some lessons on clogging, Irish hard shoe, line dancing, and Pound Fitness. Pick one or all four! No experience necessary. Suggested donation per lesson is $10 with all proceeds benefitting the Immigrant Law Center of MN. The event will finish off with a clogging demo.

2010s Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, February 8, 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 pays replay favorites from the 2010s by artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana, and Gaga. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $21.38, and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, February 8, 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

Secrets and Symbols in Art: The Iconography of Allegory and Personification of Ideas

What: Arts, Educational
When: Monday, February 2, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

One of several offerings featured this week from The Smithsonian Institution, this seminar will delve into how symbols and allegories function in art, often using figures to represent abstract concepts such as justice, envy, or time. General-admission tickets are $45, with discounts for members.

MinneAMA: Showing Up for Each Other and Our Community

What: Community
When: Monday, February 2, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Want to help support your community but unsure how? “Minnestar is hosting a special community AMA (Ask Me Anything) as a starting point for connection, learning, and moving from feeling stuck to taking thoughtful action.” Lots of additional info at the event link. Free, but registration is required.

Art in the Interwar Years, Part 2: Wassily Kandinsky

What: Educational
When: Monday, February 2, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

“Whether resisting, retreating, reimagining, or redefining what art could mean in the face of overwhelming uncertainty,” this webinar explores artistic expression in Europe between the two world wars. Topics covered include art movements, major artists, cultural and political context, and the impact of Nazi Germany on the art world. This session focuses on Wassily Kandinsky’s life and art. Tickets are $20.46 for a single session of this five-part series.

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, February 2, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Minecraft and Discord

St. Paul’s 825 Arts hosts a virtual gathering space “by kids for kids” in Minecraft with a club meetup every Monday where teens and preteens can play, design, participate in theme challenges, and just hang out. Check out the website for information on joining their server, a technical FAQ, moderation and safety information for parents, and other Minecraft events.

The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club

What: Books
When: Monday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Adults can embrace their love of young-adult literature at this book club hosted on the first Monday of every month by Red Balloon Bookshop. Members choose the monthly book, receive discounts, and have opportunities to read advance reader copies (ARCs). Anyone interested in joining should head over to the event page for more information, including how to sign up.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, February 2, 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!

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, February 3, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join fellow makers at this morning social hour hosted by the American Swedish Institute. This free event is open to all kinds of crafts and is intended as a place to share projects, make some progress, and socialize. Registration is required.

Tuesday with a Scholar

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, February 3, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

This weekly series features a different scholar from around the area sharing their specialized knowledge without any tests or papers. This week’s topic is Save Our Signs, a community project to preserve signs and markers being removed from National Parks. They are seeking helpers to document existing signs before they are removed. Free, but registration required.

The Myth and Reality of 100-Foot Waves: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, February 3, at 5:45 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

One of several offerings featured this week from The Smithsonian Institution, this seminar explores how the seas behave at their most ferocious. Tales include missing ships, destruction as these giant waves encounter land, as well as extreme surfers who see them as the ultimate challenge. General-admission tickets are $35, with discounts for members.

Living Room Conversations: Conversations in Troubled Times

What: Educational, Community
When: Wednesday, February 4, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Living Room Conversations strives to facilitate conversations about important issues between people of different backgrounds and political affiliations. Conversations are carefully crafted to foster connection and understanding. This session will focus on how we can “balance the need for immediate action with the ability to check in, listen, and support each other.” A conversation guide can be downloaded in advance. Tickets are pay-what-you-are-able.

Schools of Psychology

What: Educational
When: Wednesdays through March 4; at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join the third session of this seven-session course that will delve into thirteen different influential psychologists, from Freud and Jung to Masters and Johnson. No prerequisites. Offered by Ramsey County Libraries and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of MN. Registration required.

Outschool: Live from Mars

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Kids can join this webinar that simulates a Mars mission in real time, including a 10- to 20-minute communication delay. Questions can be submitted in advance or via chat.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, February 4, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Weekly gathering to play online board and video games for grades 6 to 12. Hosted by the Ramsey County Library. Registration required.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, February 4, 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, February 4, 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.

Crafty Geek

What: Community, Arts
When: Thursday, February 5, 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.

First Friday—Third Thursday QuickRead

What: Books
When: Friday, February 6, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

If you are always looking for a new science-fiction, fantasy, or horror read, check out this literary speed-dating event featuring several authors who each get eight minutes to pique your interest. Q&A at the end of the event. Free, but tips accepted.

From Her to Eternity: An Introduction to Gothic Woman in Nick Cave’s Lyrics

What: Educational, Music
When: Saturday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week Sasha Ravitch explores the women-characters within Cave’s early literary gothic lyrics and storytelling. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but donations or patronage to support the series are appreciated.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, February 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a virtual music video stream every Friday. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats directly to your home. So, dance, dance, dance to the radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

Virtual Dungeons & Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, February 8, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom and Roll20

Online D&D for grades 6–12 hosted by the Ramsey County Library. All experience levels welcome. Registration required.

Mind-Body Centering Through Art and Handwork

What: Educational, Arts
When: Sundays, February 8–February 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

This three-session studio art course from The Smithsonian Institute teaches centering-art practices to generate equilibrium and well-being. Students may choose to work in fiber art, drawing, or both. All experience levels welcome. General-admission tickets are $140, with discounts for members.

Botanical Gardens of the World: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

What: Educational
When: Sunday, February 8, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Need a getaway to a warm place for a little bit? Travel virtually to Singapore to experience Gardens by the Bay, a “dazzling blend of horticulture, technology, and futuristic design.” General-admission tickets are $35, with discounts for members.

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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!