This Week in Geek (5/4/2026–5/10/2026)

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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, May 4, to Sunday, May 10.

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

City Stories

What: Community, Educational
When: Now through Sunday, May 10
Where: Multiple locations in the Twin Cities

City Stories shines a light on the architecture, history, and design of the Twin Cities with a week of tours, talks, and immersive experiences. While several individual events are already sold out, there are still tickets available for the James J. Hill Library, Target Center, Utepils Brewing, and more with varying admission of $0–$50. The unticketed Doors Open event on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 also invites the public to explore dozens of locations around Minneapolis including the Groveland Gallery, Foshay Tower, Granada Theater, Metro Transit North Loop Garage, and Big Animal Studios.

Star Wars Day at Two Bit Game Room

What: Gaming
When: Monday, May 4, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Two Bit Game Room

Celebrate Star Wars Day by playing a wide variety of games, including the Return of the Jedi arcade game, Star Wars: Battle Pod, Dejarik (a.k.a. Holochess), Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Sabacc, and many classic console titles. There will also be a limited quantity of vintage toys, posters, and animation cels for sale. The event goes until 7:00 p.m. and is $15 per person.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, May 4, and Wednesday, May 6, 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.

Star Wars Week at OMNI Brewing

What: Trivia
When: Monday, May 4 through Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Multiple OMNI Brewing Locations

Flex your Star Wars knowledge with three nights of trivia across OMNI Brewing’s locations. Each night’s questions focus on a different trilogy: Monday are the originals at the Victoria taproom, Tuesday are the prequels at the Rosemount taproom, and Wednesday are the sequels at the Maple Grove taproom. Also expect specialty beer releases and themed cocktails. There is a grand-prize raffle drawing featuring official Legacy Lightsaber prizes and players receive an entry for each night they attend, regardless of their trivia results.

Uptown VFW Game Night

What: Gaming
When: Tuesday, May 5, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: James Ballentine Uptown VFW

Join in on a variety of tabletop and board games from 2D Con’s library or bring your own games to share. Hosted by military veterans from 2D Con’s staff. This event is free and food is available for purchase from El Jefe Cocina.

Katherine Applegate, Wombat Waiting

What: Books, Family
When: Tuesday, May 5, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Anne Simley Theatre, Hamline University

Author Katherine Applegate will be discussing her latest middle grade novel, Wombat Waiting, which follows a dog named Wombat through resilience and friendship after a catastrophic fire. The event includes a Q&A and signing. Applegate’s other works include the Animorphs series, Odder, The One and Only Ivan, and more. Tickets are $6.86 for admission only, or $26.46 for admission and a copy of the book; note that a copy of the book is required to join the signing line. See the event listing for more information and signing guidelines.

Walker Art Club: Zine-Making with Artist Bo An K

What: Arts
When: Thursday, May 7, at 6:00 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, express yourself through zines that mix images, text, and narratives in small booklets.

A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom

What: Educational
When: Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center & Virtual

Historian Adam Jortner will be discussing his book A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom, which explores the critical role that Jewish patriots played during the revolution, how that impacted the debate around religious freedom, and how they helped secure the separation of church and state. This event is part of the History Forum 250: Revisiting the Revolution event series exploring “the history and legacy of the American Revolution during our nation’s 250th anniversary.” Tickets are $20.

The Hobbit

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Weekends, Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 31
Where: Theatre in the Round

“Join a band of storytellers in the not-so-distant-future, as they tell the story of Bilbo Baggins in this inventive adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale.” Tickets are $20–29, and there is a pay-what-you-can performance on Monday, May 18.

Twin Cities Gamer Symphony Orchestra Presents: The Sequels!

What: Music
When: Friday, May 8, at 7:15 p.m.
Where: Southwest High School

The Twin Cities Gamer Symphony Orchestra is taking iconic video-game music off the screen and bringing it to life on stage with a free concert performance. At their spring concert they will be performing selections from video-game sequels including Hades II, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime 4, Kingdom Hearts 2, and more. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

Narnia: The Ballet

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, May 9, at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Ames Center (Burnsville)

Journey to Narnia with the Twin Cities Ballet. This original adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is one of the dance company’s most celebrated shows. They’ll be doing a three-performance run at the Ames Center, including a relaxed, sensory-friendly option. Tickets start at $46.65.

Coffee Chat: Military Intelligence Service Language School

What: Educational
When: Saturday, May 9, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Fort Snelling

Coffee Chat is an informal discussion series hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society that explores different aspects of Fort Snelling’s history while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. This event looks at the Military Intelligence Service Language School’s tenure at Camp Savage and Fort Snelling in the 1940s, including its recruitment of students with Japanese ancestry for linguist training and how these Japanese-American soldiers were fighting a tandem war against prejudice at home. Coffee Chats are included with regular site admission of free to $12; see website for more information.

Dungeons & Dragons & Doughnuts

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Angel Food Bakery & Coffee Bar (St. Louis Park)

Get ready to roll some dice, slay some dragons, and eat some tasty doughnuts. Adventurers of all levels can join this Dungeons & Dragons game night with quests led by experienced game masters. Tickets are $23.18–$33.85, which includes a doughnut, colorful set of dice, a premade character sheet, and entry into an artist giveaway, as well as bottomless cider, cold brew, and cocoa.

Candlelight Tribute to Tool

What: Music
When: Saturday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Grenada Theater

Experience an atmospheric concert celebrating the music of Tool. The program will feature iconic songs like “Forty Six & 2,” “Schism,” “Parabola,” and more performed by a string quartet. Available tickets start at $70. If you can’t make this date, the event will repeat on Sunday, May 17, and Saturday, June 27, with tickets ranging from $47.50 to $93.50. (Read: “Candlelight Concerts Offer a Unique Way to Experience Your Favorite Music”)

Revenge of the Synth Star Wars Rave

What: Nightlife
When: Saturday, May 9, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Can Can Wonderland

“The Force meets the dance floor” at this Star Wars–themed rave that welcomes Rebels, Jedi, and Sith to break out their best moves to the sick beats played by the Violet Ghost, Mach Fox, and wolfbabycup. Tickets are $23.18 for this 21+ event.

Mamma Mia! Drag Brunch (Mother’s Day Edition)

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave Rooftop

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week features Mother’s Day tribute to the film Mamma Mia! and its iconic ABBA soundtrack. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.28, and attendees must purchase an entree during the event.

Family Day: May the Force Be with You

What: Arts
When: Sunday, May 10, 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, tours, and more. This weekend celebrates Star Wars with themed crafts, a kid’s costume contest, trivia, a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope in Ojibwe, and more.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, May 10, 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!

Stifel Stars on Ice

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, May 10, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center)

See US Olympic figure skaters live on the ice this Sunday fresh from their highly decorated showing in Milan. Headliners include Alysia Liu, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Ellie Kam, and Danny O’Shea. Tickets start at $43.20, and there are discounted rates available for children and seniors.

Next Chapter Booksellers Manga Book Club

What: Comics
When: Sunday, May 10, 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, including the tentative upcoming schedule. This month’s reading choice is Qualia Under the Snow by Kanna Kii.

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, May 4, 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, May 4, 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 advanced 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, May 4, 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, May 5, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Great Barrier Reef

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, May 5, 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 the Great Barrier Reef, including its biological and geological evolution, cultural importance, and how both natural and man-made forces threaten its existence. General-admission tickets are $35, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Dial-a-Story for Adults

What: Books
When: Wednesday, May 6, on demand
Where: Virtual via phone call

Hear a different short story read by Hennepin County Library staff every Wednesday. The story recording is available all day. Check out the event listing for the phone number to call, as well as a link to a list of past featured stories and their books (also available for checkout).

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

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

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, May 6, 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, May 6, 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.

Better Together: The Promise of Community Inclusion (OLLI At-the-U Lecture Series)

What: Educational
When: Thursday, May 7, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is highlighting some of the latest research and discoveries from across the University of Minnesota with a lecture series. At this session, Dr. Amy Hewitt will discuss the UMN Institute of Community Integration’s mission of ensuring “that children, youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are included in and able to contribute to their schools, workplaces, and communities,” as well as how community inclusion benefits everyone. This event series is free, but registration is required.

A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom

What: Educational
When: Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center & Virtual

Historian Adam Jortner will be discussing his book A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom, which explores the critical role that Jewish patriots played during the revolution, how that impacted the debate around religious freedom, and how they helped secure the separation of church and state. This event is part of the History Forum 250: Revisiting the Revolution event series exploring “the history and legacy of the American Revolution during our nation’s 250th anniversary.” Tickets are $20.

Return to Venus

What: Science & Tech
When: Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Sara Seager (MIT professor of physics, planetary science, and aeronautics and astronautics) and Bruce Campbell (senior scientist in the National Air and Space Museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies) will be discussing future plans to visit Venus, as well as what new questions have come up since America’s first planetary visit in 1962 that the private mission hopes to answer.

Soar Together Family Activities: Games!

What: Science & Tech, Educational, Family
When: Friday, May 8
Where: Virtual event

Every month the National Air & Space Museum hosts a family day that includes free at-home activities for learners of all ages. This month features a set of games inspired by space exploration and flight that utilize everyday items found at home. Recommended for kids aged 6–10. Head over to the event page to get an email reminder for when the activities become available.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Friday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a weekly virtual music-video stream. 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).

Ghosted: Black Women, Spirits, and Hauntology in Games

What: Educational,
When: Saturday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week looks at “the intersection of Black womanhood, spirituality, and digital hauntings” in video games and how these games “subconsciously reproduce and reflect long-standing cultural understandings of Black women as bridges between worlds.” Example games include Spiritfarer, South of Midnight, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and more. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but pay-what-you-can donations or patronage to support the series are encouraged.

Convention from your Couch: Shoshannah Stern

What: Convention
When: Saturday, May 9, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Get a little taste of the convention experience right from home with the Convention from your Couch series from Momentus. Each event features a fan-driven Q&A panel, autographs, and a limited amount of meet and greet spots. This installment features actor, writer, and producer Shoshannah Stern whose work includes Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, Jericho, Supernatural, Weeds, and more. Tickets are $15–110.

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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!