This Week in Geek (6/15/2026–6/21/2026)

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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, June 15, to Sunday, June 21.

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

Minneapolis Music in the Parks

What: Music, Community
When: Now through Friday, July 3
Where: Various parks around Minneapolis

Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through summer. At least one group featured every day. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, June 15, and Wednesday, June 17, 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.

Mahjong Workshop

What: Gaming
When: Monday, June 15, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Boom Island Brewing Company

This introduction to American mahjong will include everything you need to understand the fundamentals. Cost $60. All game supplies provided during class.

WTF: Watch Terrible Films Club

What: Movies
When: Monday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Fifty Six Brewing

If you’re a film buff who likes cheesy so-bad-they’re-kind-of-good movies, 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.

Northern Fire Dynamic Free Public Performance

What: Arts
When: Monday, June 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park

Watch Minneapolis fire troupe Northern Fire Dynamic perform their latest choreography as they audition to perform for Burning Man. This performance is free, but donations are encouraged.

Public Tour: Inspired by Books

What: Arts, Books
When: Tuesday, June 16, 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 June exploring The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Break the Bubble

What: Meetup
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Fulton Taproom

Make new friends at this event hosted by Break the Bubble MSP. A conversation topic will be suggested to help get things started. Must be 21+. Free, but registration encouraged.

Paprika Series Family-Friendly Feature Presentation

What: Movies
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Woodbury 10 Theatre

A special premiere screening of the full Paprika series along with other family-friendly shorts. Tickets are pay-what-you-want.

Meg Gorzycki Presents Remember the Main

What: Books
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Magers & Quinn Booksellers

Join author Meg Gorzycki as she discusses her book, Remember the Main, “the untold story of how a generation of LGBTQ Minnesotans found a voice, a purpose, and community in a Twin Ports bar.” Free.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks

What: Movies, Community
When: Tuesday, June 16, through Thursday, June 18, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: various locations

Enjoy a night of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk, and are free and open to the public. A different movie each night in a different park. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Are Modern Wars Winnable?

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Club and Virtual event

Lt. General Jon Jensen and retired U.S. Navy Commander Jon Olson will discuss how warfare is being reshaped by insurgencies, artificial intelligence, and drone warfare and what these changes may mean for the future. Tickets are $20 in-person, with a discount for Global Minnesota members, and $5 to attend virtually.

Brew Love 2026

What: Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Target Field

Sample drinks from over 35 local breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries at this fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House. Non-alcoholic vendors will also be present. Tickets are $70, with a $10 discount for only non-alcoholic options.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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 Developers 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.

Books & Bars: Parable of the Sower

What: Books
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Utepils Brewing

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 Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. Next month’s book is Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino.

The Wild West Bank Sound

What: Movies, Music, Educational
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway

The Wild West Bank Sound is a documentary “highlighting the artists, venues, and cultural movements that made the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood a defining force in Minnesota’s music history.” Tickets are $20.21 in advance and $23 at the door.

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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.

Lit & Libations Book Fair

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: King Coil Spirits

Find your next read at this monthly book fair! Expect a mix of local booksellers and authors as well as drink specials. Free.

Midwest Bookish Fest

What: Books, Convention
When: Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington-Minneapolis South

Find your next read at Midwest Bookish Fest. There will be local bookshops, attending authors, book-related vendors, and more. Single-day admission tickets are $53.80; weekend passes and VIP access also available.

4th Street Fantasy Convention

What: Convention
When: Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis-Park Place and Virtual via Discord

This fantasy fiction convention brings together anyone who creates or enjoys fantasy fiction to explore the boundaries of fantastical storytelling in its many formats. Join the conversation and share your ideas. $135 for the entire event; individual days are also available. Participate remotely via Discord for $40. Masks in all convention spaces and a same-day negative COVID test result on the first day of the convention are required.

A Dark Gotham Night’s Dream

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21
Where: The Hive Collaborative

A parody of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in mostly traditional Shakespearean verse, but featuring Batman heroes and villians. Tickets are $16.30 and include two Wacky Fun Balls to throw at actors during the performance. More Wacky Fun Balls are available for purchase.

Juneteenth at Historic Fort Snelling

What: Educational
When: Friday, June 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Historic Fort Snelling

Learn the history of enslaved and indentured individuals at Fort Snelling, including Dred Scott, as well as a segregated Army unit stationed at the Fort. Event included with regular site admission of $15 for adults, $8 for children, and discounts for students, military, and seniors.

Weekly Dungeons & Dragons

What: Gaming
When: Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Dreamers Vault, St. Louis Park

All experience levels welcome to enjoy D&D at this weekly gathering. $5 per player.

Addams Family: Til Death LARP

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: ECMN Offices

An Addams is marrying a Normal in this live-action role play that explores family expectations and what it means to be an outsider. Room for 16–32 players and beginners are welcome. Costuming encouraged. Tickets are pay-what-you-want. N95 masks required.

Quiet Riot: Sensory-Friendly Pride Celebration

What: Community, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Queermunity

Quiet Riot reframes Pride for those seeking a gentler celebration, including neurodivergent, disabled, and sensory-sensitive queer folks. See the event description for a list of activities and planned workshops. Sign-ups are the day of the event. Food & drink available for purchase.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice!

What: Educational
When: Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center at Fort Snelling State Park

Learn more about the science and culture around the longest day of the year. Enjoy solstice-themed activities and try telling time with a sundial. Vehicle permit required to enter the park.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, June 20, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: River Park, Brooklyn Park

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged to join in on the fun and all equipment is provided for free.

Challenge Accepted: Video Game Night at the Pavek Museum

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, June 20, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Pavek Museum

Play on a variety of vintage video games for fun and prizes. A Mario Kart 8 tournament will begin at 5:30 p.m. for a cash prize. A $50 ticket is needed to participate in the MK8 tourney. Regular admission for the other video games is $20.

Disney Pride in Concert

What: Music
When: Saturday, June 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Orchestra Hall

The Minnesota Orchestra and the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus present themes of LGBTQ+ life, love, family, and pride through iconic Disney music and curated video clips. Tickets start at $46. A Sunday matinee show is also available.

Midnight Sun: Zara Larson Summer Solstice Dance Party

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Rev Ulta Lounge at Union Rooftop

Dance into summer with DJ Triple Earth and the sounds of Zara, Tate, Sabrina, Oliva, Addison, and more. Attendees are encouraged to wear Zara-inspired looks. Tickets are $22.50 and for 21+ only.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, June 21, 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!

Visionary Fiction Book Club: Bloodchild by Octavia Butler

What: Books
When: Sunday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Moon Palace Books

Monthly book club focused on works that continue to challenge us even decades after they were written. The selection this month is Bloodchild by Octavia Butler. If you haven’t finished the book, be aware there will be spoilers! Masks are required and available at the store. Free, but RSVP requested.

The Siblinghood of the Traveling Slut Pants: Dungeons & Dragons Actual Play Live

What: Gaming, Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: The Hive Collaborative

“TiTterRPiGs is a cast of all queer actors, improvisers, and gamers using the unique Actual Play format to tell long-form improv stories of collaboration, rebellion, and queer joy.” Who will end up in the hot pants THIS time? Tickets are $10–25.

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, June 15, 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.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, June 15, 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, June 16, 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.

East Lake Vegan Recipe Club

What: Community
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Learn more about vegan cooking in this monthly group where participants review recipes from popular cookbooks. All levels of cooks welcome. Free, but registration required.

Minnesota Book Club

What: Books
When: Tuesday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

This book club, focused on books about or associated with Minnesota, is sponsored by the Oakdale Library and meets on the third Tuesday of each month. This month’s selection is Local Missing Woman by Mary Kubica.

Dial-A-Story for Adults

What: Books
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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).

Are Modern Wars Winnable?

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, June 17, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Club and Virtual event

Lt. General Jon Jensen and retired U.S. Navy Commander Jon Olson will discuss how warfare is being reshaped by insurgencies, artificial intelligence, and drone warfare and what these changes may mean for the future. Tickets are $20 in-person, with a discount for Global Minnesota members, and $5 to attend virtually.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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 Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, June 17, 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 Developers 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, June 17, 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.

Living Room Conversations: DC Statehood: Does it Matter?

What: Educational, Community
When: Thursday, June 18, at 2:30 p.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 the District of Columbia’s unique situation as a non-state and without elected representation in Congress. A conversation guide can be downloaded in advance. Tickets are pay what you can.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Sunlight Symphonies

What: Educational
When: Thursday, June 18, 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 the various ways sunlight interacts with the earth’s atmosphere to create rainbows, sun pillars, halos, and more. General-admission tickets are $30, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

First Friday–Third Thursday QuickRead

What: Books
When: Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 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.

4th Street Fantasy Convention

What: Convention
When: Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis-Park Place and Virtual via Discord

This fantasy fiction convention brings together anyone who creates or enjoys fantasy fiction to explore the boundaries of fantastical storytelling in its many formats. Join the conversation and share your ideas. $135 for the entire event; individual days are also available. Participate remotely via Discord for $40. Masks in all convention spaces and a same-day negative COVID test result on the first day of the convention are required.

What is Juneteenth?

What: Educational
When: Friday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Learn the origins of the newest Federal holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. This presentation will include not only the historical foundation of the event, but how it has evolved over time and its continuing relevance. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

Female Autonomy and Societal Punishment: Barrenness of Self and Grave in Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market

What: Educational
When: Saturday, June 20, 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 explores social expectations of women in the 1850s through examining the character of Jeanie in Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market. Topics include female sexuality, virtue, temptation, and repentance. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but pay-what-you-can donations or patronage to support the series are encouraged.

Summer Solstice 2026: Live from Stonehenge

What: Community
When: Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via YouTube

Watch the sunset at Stonehenge on Solstice from the comfort of your own home. English Heritage will be live streaming the event on YouTube. Actual sunset time is 3:26 p.m. The same YouTube channel will be live streaming the following sunrise later the same day. Sunrise stream starts at 10:00 p.m. with sunrise occurring at 10:52 p.m.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, June 20, 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).

Virtual Dungeons and Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, June 21, 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.

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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!